A Local Guide to the Earth/Rad Controller

Thank you for this. I just rolled my first earth/rad a couple weeks ago and this guide has been invaluable.

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This guide is awesome. I came back to CoH after not playing it for about 4 years. I played several combos of classes and I feel I like this one the most. I was wondering do you happen to have an IO Slotted version of the build or possibly what yours looks like currently/in the future that you can share? Thanks

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I don't claim to be an expert for IO slotting. But Here is a build that I am working towards for my Earth/Rad . . . in between all of my various alts . . .

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Earth-Rad Ideal: Level 50 Mutation Controller
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Radiation Emission
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Endo(3), HO:Perox(7), HO:Perox(17), RechRdx-I(34), RechRdx-I(34)
Level 1: Radiant Aura -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(21), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Numna-Heal/Rchg(42)
Level 2: Stone Cages -- GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(A), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(3), GravAnch-Immob/EndRdx(7), GravAnch-Hold%(37), GravAnch-Immob/Rchg(37), Posi-Dam%(40)
Level 4: Radiation Infection -- HO:Enzym(A), HO:Enzym(5), HO:Enzym(5)
Level 6: Quicksand -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(11), TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(42)
Level 8: Accelerate Metabolism -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(9), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(9), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(25), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(36), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(37)
Level 10: Air Superiority -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(11), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(13), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(13), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(15), Amaze-ToHitDeb%(17), Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(21)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(15), Zephyr-ResKB(43)
Level 16: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 18: Earthquake -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb/Rchg(A), RechRdx-I(19), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(19), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(43)
Level 20: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(43)
Level 22: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(23), EndMod-I(23)
Level 24: Enervating Field -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(25)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(27), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(27), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(29), Lock-%Hold(31), UbrkCons-Dam%(40)
Level 28: Lingering Radiation -- TmpRdns-Acc/Slow(A), TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(29), Acc-I(36), RechRdx-I(36), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(33), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(34), SvgnRt-PetResDam(46)
Level 35: Mutation -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: EM Pulse -- HO:Endo(A), HO:Endo(39), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 41: Hibernate -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Frost Breath -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dam%(46)
Level 47: Ice Storm -- Posi-Dmg/Rchg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rng(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 49: Frozen Armor -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def(50), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Containment

I need to provide an update to the changes to Rocky, but I just haven't gotten around to it. Now that the Ill/Rad guide is done, maybe I'll get to it.

One of the best things about the changes in the forums is the ability to go back to old posts and edit them. With the new forums, I cleaned up this guide, added some color and fixed the links. I fixed the one error in Quicksand, and changed Rocky to show that he now uses Seismic Smash instead of Stone Mallet. There are still some other changes I want to make because of changes in the game since it was posted. I still want to add some info on IO sets, if it doesn't go over the post limit (which it might). Hmmm, maybe I'll just add it as a later post . . .

This was a magnificient guide and an enormous help. Thanks a million for posting it.

One of the best guides I've seen. I'm sure my playstyle is different than yours, but knowing how you approach things makes your comments even more valuable.

Just wanted to bump this guide and say thanks. I haven't played for a few years, but decided to try out the game this weekend to see if I'll end up liking it again. I had an old Earth/Rad controller, and this guide has been really helpful.

Hey Local,
Decided to bump this up a bit and pose a few questions.

First of all, you have been my hero. I've played this game pretty much since it's been out with a few breaks here and there, but didn't start playing Trollers till about a year ago. Your threads and build advice has helped a great deal. So thanks!

Has your build changed at all since the one a few posts up? That was last July so i'm wondering if you've made any significant changes to it?

Also, I'm not taking Air Sup/Fly on my build. Going with Hasten/SS which means I should have one extra power choice with your build above and wondering what would be a good choice? Stealth? Or just slot Sprint with the IO Stealth (the exact name I'm forgetting right now.)
Not too interested in getting any toggles, (leadership or fighting), but am open to suggestions/reasons why one of those might be good. I'm worried about having the right amount of slots and feel as if I were to take Tactics or Assult, I would have to give up slots elsewhere.

Also, after hitting the 60 month vet badge, I can take my travel power earlier (which I kinda like to do). Bad idea?

Keep in mind, I'm usually playing this with a set team of my SG mates and whatever pug members we can get. The two staples other than my earth/rad are a elec/sd scrap and a fire/fire tank. There are a couple others that pop in here and there, but I'm almost always with those two and more.

thanks for the builds and I look forward to using your Ill/Rad build one day! (i already have a ill/kin, but after reading your build advice on it, you convinced me to make one.)

Thanks for the kind words. Most of what I have learned comes from many of the other great folks on these boards and the great group of guys I regularly team with. I'm happy to have been some help.

No, I haven't really made any changes to the build . . . in fact, I haven't gotten all of the purples yet, so it isn't quite finished. I've been mostly working on characters on another server, so I haven't put much time in on Brown Dirt Cowboy lately. I am, however, working on an Earth/Storm named "Ella M. Ental."

Going with Hasten/Superspeed is a very good choice for travel if you don't want the single target attack of Air Superiority. You could either put a Celerity +Stealth in Super Speed, or you could put either a Celerity or Unbounded Leap +Stealth in Sprint. If you use the Sprint option, you use a more endurance but you get a little bit of flexibility in that you can slot the jump +Stealth too (which is cheaper), you can turn it off easily to lead out hostages (The stealth from the IO continues for two minutes after the power is turned off), and you can slot Super Speed with something else (EndRdx or Run Speed). I use Hasten/Superspeed for most of my */Storm characters because of Steamy Mist.

As for another power . . . . several other powers I would like to have, but most of them need slots. You might be able to scrounge a Recharge out of Ling Rad if you have some Global Recharge, and there's two slots from Fly. If you don't want to use any slots, I would consider Recall Friend -- very nice to have especially if you can stealth missions. Assault only takes 1 extra slot, as its best slotting is 2 EndRdx -- I consider Leadership to be kind of boring, but there's no question that a damage buff will help the team. If you have some slots, Fallout is actually a fun power -- very situational, but very effective if you use it in the right situation, providing a lot of damage and a huge debuff. It works best if the team "buys into" using it in the right situation, maybe even with someone who is willing to sacrifice himself to die in just the right position. Stone Prison has some benefits . . . being able to immob an AV has its uses. Salt Crystals? Looks cool and with full Invis, you might get some use out of it; and it takes a cheap purple set.

Dangit Local, finally got an Ill/Rad build read to go and play and now I stumbled onto your Earth/Rad Guide. Feeling like I want one of those now heh though I would try an Earth/Storm since I have a Rad/Rad/ Def and that Ill/Rad Controller. Anyway bumping this guide because anyone who wants to write one should look at this as a perfect example.

I had the same idea of putting Sovereign Right: +10% damage resist and the Expedient Reinforcement: +10% damage resist in my animated stone, I put the Sovereign Right enhancement in one of the stone's slots today. After I did so I realized that it says +RES DMG for henchmen... this means it does not work with controller pets doesn't it? Is there any way to confirm whether it does or does not work with controller pets? I see no buff next to my Stone saying that it is working. That would be quite sad if it does not =(

Actually, I just realized that the Animated Stone has the orange shield with the up arrow around him, so it appears it does work! Yay! I just wish there was a better way to confirm it and that it said pets not just henchmen, oh well it works I am happy.

"A true hero has the strength to stand against evil
without wavering where all others despair,
even if it means standing alone." - Kragothe Valour

finally a good guide for the Earth/Rad troller. I have mine at 50 already , i solo'd him the entire way and barely have to hit the rad debuff toggles ( i now only reserve those 2 powers on EB's and higher). 1 thing i did do is to keep the CC in rad and 6 slotted it 4 slots for lockdown 1 being of course the +2 mag proc, and the other 2 slots for the chance for Psi damage procs. they hit often enough and stack with the holds nicely to help kill off the weaker mass of mobs in a group so 'Rocky can pound the bosses faster. I have not slotted any purples or Hami's at all and very close to perma AM build just useing the IO's , mostly due to prices being too high to even bother bidding on them at all. but anyway whenever i am on teams they all love him for the incredible amount of speed we can take down the enemies. ( due to the stacked debuffs ).

I recomend at least 1 earth / rad troller for everyone to have in their arsonal . very fun to play at 50. have fun and good luck all.


Talos ( Triumph Server since I6 )

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Local,

What are your thoughts on the 3 powers that should replace the now Inherent Fitness powers in your build?

I imagine that they may well take the two extra slots from Fly now that it hits the cap without enhancements. I should think that a -KB IO should go in the Fly inherent slot now. What say you?

Hey Local Man. First of all, thank you for the epic guide. My Earth/Rad just hit 50. I've finished his build, now all that's left is to buy the enhancements. I'm using something similar to your IO Set build with changes I made that added some stuff I wanted. I'm just wondering, what Incarnate powers would you recommend? For Alpha I'm thinking Musculature but not entirely sure. There is a lot of options so I'm sort of confused. I don't really want spiritual as I already have all the recharge I need. Also what do you think for the other Incarnate pools? Thanks in advance, you're guide has been so helpful.