I've grouped with SCSI while playing my own controller, I have to say, he can hold anything. We were fighting the level 40 version of Envoy, and he was locked down most of the fight, and that was NOT due to me. The dark pets' constant heal and hold spamming was totally awesome and made the difference on this mission.
I can't hold Envoy reliably, having only 2 holds makes it a bit tough to do. That fight, I pretty much concentrated on debuffing and casting pets.
Thanks for the guide SCSI, great work. And about darn time you got off your buttocks and wrote a guide for ONE of your builds! 
yah but do you heal ?
lol
now seriously, these are my comments...all be it from the point of veiw of a lvl 24 dark/elect
1. there is little chance that this is 'start to first respec' build....am curious to see how u socketed this build to say lvl24 (respec in mind)
2. i was going to say wheres tar patch..but ur respecing it in for snipe ... not withstanding i love snipe...i concede this is probably for the better
3. wondering what the 4th power pool u will pick...where is this lacking at that high level?
nice build ... was playing with energy def (or blaster...cant recall) the other day and i cant stress DO NOT TARGET MELEE TARGETS or else u will be hit with the 'dam u, if i wasnt so busy chasing the enermy, id be typing nastiness'
side note: with permahasten is 6 socketing power bolt really necessary ... with 1 recharge in blast and burst, i wonder if mathematically u arent dealing more damage (always wanted to ask this question...and now i have...so there!!)
oh and another thing ... i agree..i was about time you posted one of ur uber builds
Honest? I heal only in a pinch, I use it much more as a debuff. Besides with 4 pets out you have heal being spamed. Unless someones about to die, empaths hate me.
THis is my Original build. Nnthing has changed till level 35 on it. I gave what I took and why I respec'd it out.
Wish I had Black hold earlier but 35 was a very nice fit.
Don't know if i really need a 4th power pool. Im VERY happy with my build. In fact I did not respec till 36 to get Torrent and black hole. Thanks to the kind people of the defender board I had my toon very well planned out.
I dont know about putting in recharge on blast/bolt and Burst. I like to attack and I like to have options. Maybe someone else can answer you questions.
As for my slotting to level 24 let me see If I can remember.
Power bolt/blast/push all 6 slotted by 20. Hasten 6 slotted bye 21. TG 2 slotted by 17, 3rd slot 27?
Darkest night was 2 slotted by 20, 4 by 30. Shadowfall was just 1 slotted and in my 30s when I started to fight mobs with PSI power I started to slot it up more.
Thats all I can remember now.
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Don't know if i really need a 4th power pool. Im VERY happy with my build. In fact I did not respec till 36 to get Torrent and black hole. Thanks to the kind people of the defender board I had my toon very well planned out.
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<Applauds> Finally, someone who feels the same. Just because we can take 4 pools, doesnt mean its always beneficial, or needed. I have an illusion/storm build that I take a 3rd power pool because I take all primary and secondary picks, and my 2 power pools run out of things to do.
Btw, Good guide.
Thanks,
Been playing with a wide range of people and AT of late. Just a few things I have noticed of late.
Darkest night + Nova = MASSIVE exp. Don't know why I did see this before but thanks to Steel my eyes have been opened. Even if he did not know he did it 
I can see why Phase shift is a tool of a dark defender. Don't think I will ever get it but still I do see its use.
6 slotted heal is amazing. I normally did not heal but had nothing left slot. Needless to say between me and my pets there is some serious healing going on. 
Shadowfall slotted for Resistance has gotten me many a tell from people hunting Psyhic villians. Maybe im finally getting darks a great rep. Need a AV killed? Who you gonna call? Dark defenders! 
Pets + Pet. Gaze = Held Hydra. No need to drop the generators! For those who do the Hydra I was able to farm the hydra 3/3 with no deaths. These was the biggest suprise to date for me. I mean who farms the Hydra! 
Excellent post Wytch - while personally I would differ in some power selections and slotting it's still great reading and also good to know that you're having fun playing it!
Oh a picture of Darkest Night can be found in the Guide to Anchor Powers
@Deadboy
Well it's nice to be gone a month and STILL see folks having to caveat their /Energy defender posts with "knockback" warnings. Guess things didn't change much while I was gone.
Great guide, Wytch. Thanks for your perspectives.
One difference I'd have to your guide is in Torrent versus Energy Blast. I had both...EBlast at lvl 35 and Torrent at lvl 41. As you've correctly stated, Torrent does more damage than EBlast...but only about 2-5% more (I did a LOT of testing at lvl 50 with both six-slotted for damage). And of the two, EBlast does MORE damage given that it consistently nails a larger number of targets and with less need to "line up" your attacks as does Torrent. And EBlast works at much longer range, giving you some nice options for deployment, as well as good "fire and forget" missle quality. Torrent just took me more time to use to the same effect....YMMV.
At any rate, nice guide....now lets go out and annoy our team-mates by concentrating firepower on the anchors and their targets! :P
Great Post Wytch, You have given me some ideas even though I am a dark/dark defender. I think I will look at a couple of things I may want to slot for better effects. We will see what these next 8 levels bring.
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At any rate, nice guide....now lets go out and annoy our team-mates by concentrating firepower on the anchors and their targets! :P
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ROFL. I do this to other energy blasters! It's great to hear 'hey you knocked the mob out of my range!' comments.
Glad to see you back sir!
Ok I picked EB up due to nothing I really wanted and tested it.
It's not bad per say but I still perfer Torrent if i have only one. If i use Torrent + EB combo I can do decent damage but I find unless walled i can knock my Anchor away. Still a very good combo.
EB as a nice sound effect, much better then Torrent.
Over all this build was a fun run to 50. The only Boss's that gave me trouble where the Carnie boss with insta Phase. Even held they did it. Annoying.
Thanks to all who helped me with this little Experiment into the Dark side.
Wytch
Wytch
Gratz to 50 - now you can PL me when I come onto Liberty!
J/K!
@Deadboy
Gratz on 50 Wytch! A major feat for any player, but especially so for a defender.
Now get back to work on your blaster!
Bah, blasters are for lazy people
That's it Ladioss...I'm taking back your star.
Double-
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Gratz on 50 Wytch! A major feat for any player, but especially so for a defender.
Now get back to work on your blaster!
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Yes but Which? Wytch is fun but dang I miss my Fire/eng.
Thanks all for the grats
Hey Wytch,
Thanks for the guide. As a currently lvl 34 Dark/Energy Defender I wanted to ask you a question or two about the rest of the road up to 50. I've been having a great time with it so far and found my build very effective as both a solo'er and team player. Getting into the mid-30's now, I'm starting to get concerned about the lack of mez protection. I was thinking about devoting a couple power slots to the leaping pool so I could get Acrobatics.
However, with the Epp's coming out, Dark and Psychic Mastery both seem to offer some very tempting powers to me. Also, I do not have Black Hole yet. I've been kind of on the fence about whether or not I want this power, but I'm starting to lean towards yes, I do. So, my dilemma. Between the three powers it would take to get some mez protection into my build, the enticing choices offered by the EPP's, and the possibility of Black Hole, there just aren't enough spaces left. So, out of these, what powers would you choose and why? And did you find the lack of mez protection a problem at the higher levels as you made th home stretch towards 50?
Thanks,
Vesperi, lvl 34 Dark/Energy Defender
Excellent guide. there should be more offenders, we rock \o/
If i may though, i'd liek to share soem thoughts on the Energy Secondary from some number crunching i did a week or so ago:
1. The trinity
Power bolt: Gotta have it - not worth slotting.
Power Blast: Superb. 6 slot it (5dam 1 acc)
Power Burst: ph34r m3 6 slot it (5&1 again)
Why? With a bit of number crunching, the DPE (damage per endurance) of the bottom two is significantly higher than the first, and as slots are pretty tight in any build, i decided to stick to 2 6 slotted attacks than can be filled out early, rather than spread slots over 3-4. When you add in the Resistance Debuff you skews the numbers even further, away from Power Bolt.
2. The AoE's
Skip them, they suck for a defender. Bad dudes flying all over the place slightly injured and very pissed off doesn't help anyone, it just gets you dead.
3. The rest
Snipe: Personally, i skipped this. The interuptability of it put me off, since for max protection Offenders need to be inside melee range, either for FS (Kin) or their anchors to cover them.
Aim: Usefull but only just. I'm grabbing it pre-Nova, and only really to make sure Nova is as close to the damage cap as possible.
Power Push: partly concept, partly crowd control. Being able to get a 3vil mob out of your face in a hurry is always handy.
Nova: Yes please, i'd like one of them..... no more than 2 recharges are really necessesary, fill it up with damge.
*chick casts disclaimer of humility +1*
The only Time I had trouble with lack of Mez power was the dang Carnie Ill Bosses. Any other Carnie boss I can take, its the Illu. Boss that give me the most pain. I could debuff, Hold, and before I could damage them they phased. Even if I tried to Black hole them they mezzed. Normaly just need one other person to do them, any other mob no problem. Just remember to pick your fights. I tend to avoid DE's, Some Rikti and Carnie Ill. Unless in a mission. Still hate Carnie Ill bosses
My form of mez protection was my pets. I run past the mobs, Pets get aggro start locking mobs down, I would drop Darkest night then take out mobs who Stun/sleep/Mez asap. Never had a issue. But as stated before does not work well with Carnie Ill bosses.
Black hole is your friend. It can and will save your or your team from a wipe. It will give you a much needed breathing room. Not really needed till your mid 30s. A
As for EPP honestly my build was set by lvel 38. I took fillers if you will for 41,44,47 and 49 thus leaving me room for EPP. As you see from my guide thats my build and when the EPP finaly come out I will be going with Power Mastery. Buildup/powerboost, Temp Inv, total focus just fits my concept and they way I play.
Wytch
The Trinity I agree with but slot up the attacks. Trust me every bit helps. These 3 attacks will drop any even con minion fast. Add Aim and you can drop a +2 minion or a even Lt and just about drop a +1 Lt.
AoE are skippable , Heck I did until I got to 36. leveling solo at times when pets hold down 12+ mobs (brickstown) was so slow. Torrent sped it up lots. I did find later in the game Torrent + EB to be ok but I still like Torrent alone.
Snipe great till I got pets as I said. Most damaging attack. Per Snipe_FU just put in 1 or 2 Time red and after a few sec you can move and still hit! Still with pets I took it out.
Never underestmate Aim. +100% acc/+50% damage is nothing to sneeze at when as Darks we have no way to increase our base damage. I can't wait to see how it will work with Powerbuildup. +80%damage/Double secondary effects! I so want my EPP.
move along - nothing to see here :/
Damn you Wytch damn you for having added to my ADD induced altaholic disorder. Oh and that damn avatar is so hypnotizing.
Actually thank you for posting on your build it seems extremely fun and I may in fact have to get one to 32 just to have one.
posted in wrong thread, removed.
Srry
Have gotten my Dark/NRG Def to 15 and am having a blast. This character has really made me start to add other smart players to my friends list (i.e. put the joy back in teaming). My main is a scrap but I'm cozying up to my Def quite nicely. 16 is going to be a royal pain the knickers cause so many good power choices are available to me currently. I might post my build later, as I think I took more of a middle road between controller and offender. Nice to see someone have both fun and succes with this build. thanks Wytch.
Cheers,
Sh
I often get asked why I choose Energy with Dark Miasma. I wanted to be a offender and wanted pets so I choose Dark/Energy to take me there. Why? Energy is the most damaging blast AT for defenders, 3 solid single attacks all by level 10. Also with aim I'm able to increase my damage and my chances to hit with my Dark AT powers.
If you get a attack make sure to 6 slot it or don't get it. I highly recommend 1 acc + 5 damage on your attacks. With the first 3 of your attacks you will be able to 3 hit any even con minion, with Aim +1 to current level. 6 slot your first 3 attacks ASAP.
Still energy blast is hated due to the Knockback (KB) of it's attacks due to the lack of skill by most players. This is my attempt to help those who may not have that much experience with Energy blast. If you don't want to deal with the KB and yet want to do decent damage go with Radiation or Elec. Why? They both have Aim and are excellent choices.
Since there are many very good guides to Dark Miasma, I will only go into detail what I took and why. Remember this is only a guide please feel free to adjust it for your style of play. I am by no means a end all to CoH and the Dark AT!
If you team I do recommend you take ONLY SINGLE ATTACKS until your mid to late 30's. This is due to you being able to control who,what and when you KB a mob. Remember as Dark you will have a anchor mob, and as such you will need to keep that mob alive as long as possible for maximum effect. If you solo then the only AoE attack I recommend is Torrent. Yes its a cone attack but its a very nice attack when used properly. Does more damage then Explosive blast. After you have your pets I recommend you pick up Torrent during respec. Why? The upper levels are a grind. Torrent speeds up your killing.
If your anchor runs way, KB the mob. If you have a AoE blaster, KB the anchor out of the way
When grouped DO NOT target the mob your tanks/ scrappers are on! This is annoying as well as lowing your DPS since they do more. Once you are down to the last mob, its a free for all :P
Slot[01] Level 1 (Starting Primary) : Twilight Grasp /Empty
Slot[02] Level 1 (Starting Secondary) : Power Bolt /Empty
No surprise here, since I was a offender I 6 slotted power bolt, 3 on TG 1 acc 2 heal. The more you solo the more you want in TG.
Slot[03] Level 2 : Power Blast /Empty
Slot[04] Level 4 : Darkest Night /Empty
6 slot Power blast, and I had 2 slots in DN by 20, at 29 I upped it to 4. It will be 6 soon all Tohit debuffs.
Slot[05] Level 6 : Howling Twilight /Empty
Slot[06] Level 8 : Shadow Fall /Empty
HT is a wonderful power. Not only will it AoE rez but its a great AoE stun for minions. 1 slotted for recharge
SG I run 24/7 for the stealth. I did not feel the need to slot it will my 20's for the resists. currently 3 slotted 1 end 2 resists.
Slot[07] Level 10 : Power Burst /Empty
Slot[08] Level 12 : Hasten /Empty
Power burst is one of the most damaging power outside of Snipe or Nova. 6 slotted.
Hasten is almost a give me. You can go with out it but why? I waited till 12 to pick it up so I could slot my attacks by this time. Hasten just needs to be 6 slotted by 21 for perma hasten at 22.
Slot[09] Level 14 : Super Speed /Empty
Slot[10] Level 16 : Swift /Empty
No need to slot any of these power. SS + Shadowfall = total invisibility. Great for getting in the first strike and with Recall friend great for with a Team wipe with Howling Twilight.. I recommend you find 3 minions to use it on for a wipe. Members will have full health and 50% end.
Slot[11] Level 18 : Hurdle /Empty
Slot[12] Level 20 : Stamina /Empty
Stamina is also a give me. Just have it 6 slotted by 30, 27 if you have a friend/alt with access to your level 30 So's.
Slot[13] Level 22 : Aim /Empty
Slot[14] Level 24 : Whirlwind /Empty
Aim I have currently 3 slotted. +50%/ +100 acc to damage is nothing to sneeze at when you need that something extra. If it's up I use it.
Why Whirlwind vs Petrifying Gaze. I took Whirlwind because it will affect a boss off the bat, there is not tohit it never misses! It effects mobs +8 level above you. This power is underrated. As along as you have a boss in the air you never get hit with it's attack. This was my answer to Lost boss mobs who mez. The only thing it will not work on are Monsters and Archvillains. The more mobs you hit the more it drains end. If you don't hit any mobs, no end lost. Use it wisely. Great for the WonderWoman spinning change outfit trick also! Once you get pets Respec it out and replace with Torrent.
Slot[15] Level 26 : Snipe /Empty
Slot[16] Level 28 : Recall Friend /Empty
Snipe is a great weapon for the offender if you know how to use it. Great for pulling or getting that runner. 6 slot it. Darkest night + Snipe means you can use this power Point blank. If you have trouble getting off try this configuation. 1 acc, 3 damage, 2 interrupt enc. After about 3 to 4 secs you can move and it will go off. Use Aim with this for best effect. After I got pets I repec it out due to my pets holding all the mobs still so I am in up close more. Replaced with Tar pit.
Slot[17] Level 30 : Teleport /Empty
Slot[18] Level 32 : Dark Servant /Empty
Slot Teleport for Range. This is you vertical movement to go with Super Speed. Only one slot needed.
Dark servant: How do much to I love thee? Let me count the ways. It's a Mobile pet with issue 2. It heals!, It dots, It holds and its debuffs. Since its now a pet base accuracy is 75%. 6 slot it ASAP. I use 6 recharge so I am able to keep up 4 pets with perma-hasten. For me I have found this to be the best configuration for how I play. Using SS and Shadowfall I will run behind the mobs, pets run up and they will cast TT, then start to hold mobs in place. I then move back to my pets and blast always. Simple yet VERY EFFECTIVE. The more mobs you fight the longer it takes for pets to hold them all. If you fight a single mob its normally held/locked down in under 10 secs. Personal rule of thumb. 2 pets needed for a Boss, 3 for Monsters and Archvillains, 4 for CYA. I can't not STRESS how Bad A$$ our pets are vs Monsters and Archvillains. Want to make a controller jealous? Get 3 pets out and show them up. Its best to be within 2 levels with 6 recharge within 4 if you go with 1 acc in pets.
Slot[19] Level 35 : Black Hole/Empty
Slot[20] Level 38 : Nova /Empty
I had assault at 35 (remember kids Explosive blast sucks vs Torrent) and respec'd in Black hole. I wanted Black hole and its a very good power. I use it as a poor mans Phase shift. It has save me more times then I remember. Get too many to handle? BH a few mobs. Have a portal and demons pouring through? BH the portal. Stuck in jail? BH the Door. I will pick up assault at 41 +12.5% damage is nice when you have 3 others running it.
Nova. Just got, I intend to 6 slot it. Im thinking 4 damage/2 recharge or just 6 Damage. Massive damage but you will lose all end normally. Just make sure to have your pets up and you should be golden. Have a End insp ready to go but its not needed.
Remember this is only a Guide and but it has proven to work. I have not doubt it can be improved on.
I hit level 38 in 2 months of playing 5 to 6 hours a night 4 days a week, teamed. I solo quite well and im always called to help take out a Monster or Archvillan.
Cheers!