Rolling a Villain, but clueless

Hey all.

I'm looking for advice from people who have spent a decent amount of time on CoV and have a good familiarity with the archetypes and their powersets. Basically, I'm looking to roll a Villain, but I am not sure what kind and/or what powersets to choose. I have spent nearly all of my approximately 10 months of play time on Heroes, very little villain play. So I figured I would list what I like to do with characters and maybe some of you folks would be able to steer me in a good direction. The only archetype I have ruled out is the Mastermind, as I am just not interested in that type of play-style.

-I prefer matching powersets. If I choose an Energy Primary, I prefer to match it up with an Energy Secondary. I know there are interesting combos to be made, but that's what I like doing. I don't know how much influence that has on powerset choices, but I figure it is something to consider.

-If I could choose one playstyle that I accel at and like doing (at least on Blue side), it would probably be "blastrolling." I have probably had the most, and widest range of, success on blasters. Obviously, Corruptors seemed like they would be the obvious choice, but it is hard to play blasting powersets and be putting out less damage than you do on blasters, or can't do the same things you do on blasters.

-For the above reason, I have narrowed it down to Dominator, Brute, or Stalker.
>I find the "stealth/ninja/sneaky/assassin/etc." aspect of Stalkers to be very appealing. Of those, the Electric, Energy, and Dark powersets all intrigue me. Is there one among there that is better than the others? Or that you would recommend over another, and if so, why?
>For someone who doesn't like being in melee range, I like the durability of Brutes. I notice that they both say "High" damage output at the character creation screen, but do Stalkers tend to kill everything before getting in over their head? Or would Brutes be the safer choice? I'm interested in the same powersets as the Stalker
>Dominators intrigue me because of the controlling powers combined with the offensive Assault powersets. But because of their mediocre damage output, it seems like they may suffer fomm end problems at least when solo. Is this the case or not so much?

I appreciate any indulgence you all may have for a CoV newb. Any feedback is welcome!

---

@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.

If you like Blastrolling, then you need to roll a dominator. Plain and simple, they are the quintessential Blaptrollers, and are being buffed soon as well. They are very enjoyable to people who like that sort of playstyle.

Elec is a VERY nice Dominator secondary, but has no matching primary. None the less, I say go Earth/Elec. Earth has absurdly awesome control, and Elec Assault does very excellent damage. You can conceptualize it as using your manipulation of energy to force the earth to do what you need. Maybe go magic origin and say you're a Mu.

---

I'd say dominators, they can be incredibly high damage (with large investment). If you want something high damage for the very beginning I'd suggest going earth/fire. It also has high control to keep you from getting killed, it's flashy and it's thematically fitting. I'd admit it's mainly a team and not solo friendly powerset though so onto my next suggestion! Gravity/electric assualt. It's thematically fitting and it is excellent for single target damage and has great single target control (crappy AoE control). It's melee/range like blasters too. I've played both these sets and they are very good. I have a video of my grav/elec (it's not as solo friendly as possible). http://www.wegame.com/watch/Celestial_Energy_Solo_22/

---

[ QUOTE ]
I'd say dominators, they can be incredibly high damage (with large investment).

[/ QUOTE ]

The buffs soon will render this statement moot. They will do excellent damage regardless.

---

Alright, while I am still open to debates in favor of the other two archetypes, let me ask a couple Dominator-specific questions:

1. Any idea how a Plant Control/Thorny Assault would do? Those seem thematically compatible. I can come up with almost any rationalizing theme, those two just seemed interesting together. Thorns is something completely exclusive to Dominators, and seemed like it might be fun.

2. With any of the control sets, is it worth taking the single target immobilization? Or should I just go with the Hold, and get the AoE immobilization that tends to come at level 2 for most of the primaries?

---

@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.

Dominators are probably what you are looking for, but don't overlook Corruptors. You might want to give Fire/Dark a try... it's thematic (the Dark powers look a lot like smoke, or you can go the whole demon route), hits hard, and gives you quite a bit of control. You won't hit as hard as a Blaster, but you'll have more control than one... besides which, nothing redside hits as hard as a Blaster, at least in the sub-billion inf build range.

I'd suggest trying several ATs and seeing what you like. Brutes are a lot of fun, especially after you get Stamina and stop running out of endurance every third fight. Dominators are fun but slow soloists... you may want to wait for the coming Dominator buffs before trying one. Corruptors are a lot like "offender" Defender builds, but even more offensive. And Brutes are Scrappers on steroids... they have lower burst damage but once they get going they steamroll through just about anything.

---

Cascade, level 50 Blaster (NRG/NRG since before it was cool)
Mechmeister, level 50 Bots / Traps MM
FAR too many non-50 alts to name

[u]Arcs[u]
The Scavenger Hunt: 187076
The Instant Lair Delivery Service: 206636

1. Plant/thorn is best for groups, but it'd work just fine for solo. Thorns is pretty much a different version of spines, so it's not as unique as MM sets. At 39 you'll solo great.
2. If you are soloing, ST immob.

---

StrykerX, you raise a couple of good points, specifically about finding a blaster counterpart, haha. I do, in fact, have a level 21 Rad/Rad Corruptor (my one villain) that has been somewhat enjoyable thus far.

Another thing I'm going for is playing something I can't really get on Blue Side, hence my fascination with Elec Armor/Elec Melee. The Elec Assault animations are red, which is cool since that doesn't transfer to blue side, and so I will look into that if/when making a Dominator.

Keep it coming, this is helping immensely!

---

@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.

QR

If you want a blastroller that: (1) Has a power set not available hero side; and (2) is thematic with matching sets, try an Assault Rifle/Traps/Black Scorpion corruptor.

/traps because it is not available hero side. Assault rifle because you said it had to be thematic.

---

"Hi, my name is Ail. I make people sick."
A partial selection from my 50's on Freedom: Ail = Ice/Traps, Luck = Street Justice/Super Reflexes Stalker, Mist = Bane, Pixy = Trick Arrow/Archery, Pure = Gravity/Energy, Smoke = Fire/Fire Dominator

Based on second-hand experience, the AOE Immobilize is a great way to get yourself killed (controllers and dominators both). Aggro everyone, don't do a lot of damage, and don't stop them from shooting back? Sign ME up!

---

Mini-guides: Force Field Defenders, Blasters, Market Self-Defense, Frankenslotting.

So you think you're a hero, huh.
@Boltcutter in game.

[ QUOTE ]
If you like Blastrolling, then you need to roll a dominator. Plain and simple, they are the quintessential Blaptrollers, and are being buffed soon as well. They are very enjoyable to people who like that sort of playstyle.


[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed a Dom is probably what you want. If you were going for matching sets Ice/Ice/Mako is definitely a nice combo. With the new buff coming out their base damage is going to be kinda close to blaster level. So I would give them a try. And on top of that you get a pet at 32 and another at 47.

Fire/Fire is a nice combo too.

---

"Yes, winning all the time can be boring."
-Knight_Chill

"It's amazing how well you can put up with endurance issues if you hide them under a large enough pile of bodies."

-Spiritchaser speaking on Dom Revamp

[ QUOTE ]
Based on second-hand experience, the AOE Immobilize is a great way to get yourself killed (controllers and dominators both). Aggro everyone, don't do a lot of damage, and don't stop them from shooting back? Sign ME up!

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, I only use mine on teams when there is sufficient agro control, or for a little bit of damage after I hit with my AoE hold. I'm Gravity/Ice btw. So far at level 28 I'm enjoying it, I imagine it will get even better once I get my Singularity.

---

A Fire/Fire dom is also a matching set and quite powerful.

For Brutes, out of the matching powersets you mentioned Dark/Dark is best, especially if you get your hands on a -KB IO.

For Stalkers, out of the sets you mentioned perhaps Energy/Energy ? The problem is, Stalkers tend not to do as well as Brutes with resistance based armor like Dark and Electric.

---

Arc #40529 : The Furies of the Earth

I have been finding myself having more fun red side than blue side for the most part, as long as I don't read too much into the mission texts. It does sound to me that if you are used to blastrolling, then the Dominator should be right up your alley. Their damage output is around Tanker level until you hit the Domination zone, where your damage output gets a 75% boost for 90 seconds (200 seconds recharge, less if Haste is invested in). So while control is first, and blasting second, Dominators ultimately are blastrollers with a full control set. But honestly, I have little actual direct experience with them. I never got one out of the teens.

Stalkers are the other thing redside I never got out of the teens. There seem to be a fair number of them visiting the market on occasions, but I don't seem much of them. However, it looks like if you want the damage output of a blaster natively without resorting to self-buffing powers or tricks, the Stalker is your only option. But the whole Stalker package is unique to the Rogue Isles so far.

Stalkers specialize in attacking from stealth, dropping back in to stealth, and doing it again. They can assassinate a lieutenant or a boss very quickly like this. But they are pretty much limited to two actual stealth attacks per minute before haste and recharge slotting (which recharge going into Placate). Until they can get back into hiding, they are scrappers with less hit points. Minions are actually more of a threat to stalkers than they are to other ATs because they can potentially hinder a Placate & Assassin combo if they aggro onto the stalker after the first Assassin strike.

Since you said you have a rad/rad Corruptor in the 20s, it doesn't sound like I have anything to tell you that you don't already know. Damage wise, AM and Scourge does push the corrupter up to blaster levels. Problem is, with the weaker debuffs, I feel almost as squishy as a blaster. Between my Assault Rifle/Radiation Corruptor and my Radiation/Electric Defender, I have to say the Defender is more fun, even with the lower DPS. But that may be just a bad power-slotting choice, or even just my personal preference.

I have been recently leveling up a Dual Blade/Willpower Brute and a Broadsword/Shield Scrapper at the same time. To be honest, there isn't much beyond the individual power sets different between them in play. The one thing really different is a result of the Fury system. As a scrapper (and frankly, as a Defender, Corruptor, Mastermind, etc. etc) slotting for anything other than 3 damage first in the attack powers seems like sacrilege. Anything else has you choosing between DPS and DPE when Damage covers both at the same time. But the fury system on the Brute feels powerful enough to build around. At least in the teen levels, I have found good reason to start slotting attacks for recharge to build fury quickly, and endurance to maintain it as long as possible without gasping for breath. So the damage enhancements have been swapped out on my Brute for a bit. But Stamina and Quick Recovery does change that game, too.

I know you ruled out the Mastermind earlier, but honestly I found the Mastermind a real treat, and the other nail in my corruptor's coffin. My first was a Robot/Dark. My current one is a Robot/Storm. Basically, once the pets are out and upgraded, I can use my full endurance bar just locking down opponents with the secondary powers while my pets have their own bar of endurance they can use simply to attack the target. The combination is proving to be really powerful, and my Bots/Storm Mastermind is my most successful character so far. I think you might like being a Mastermind with a Dark, Traps, or Storm secondary if you are at all tolerant of a little bit of macroing.

---

This is all really useful information, so thank you all.

I prefer to take down my opponents fast, since I do end up spending a decent amount of time solo (whether I want to solo or not). That's probably why the only Tanker I've ever latched onto was a Shield / Super Strength, since that's a powerful attack set with few drawbacks.

I think I will eventually roll a Dominator since they do follow my playstyle fairly well, and the impending buff sounds like it will only help that, so maybe I'll just wait for that. Until then, I think I'll go Stalker, since Brutes seem too general for me right now.

So, with my choice for a Stalker nailed down, what are some suggestions? From the sounds of it, Stalkers do better with defense sets like Ninjitsu or Super Reflexes rather than Resistance-based sets like Dark Armor and Electric Armor? Is that true? And what other tips/tricks should I be aware of (besides the usuals i.e. take Assassins moves and placate as early as possible, etc.)? And just so we're not going too broad, of Dark Armor, Elec Armor, and Energy Aura, which would any of you recommend?

Finally, if anyone would strongly object to going the stalker route, I am open to hearing reason.

---

@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.

[ QUOTE ]
This is all really useful information, so thank you all.

I prefer to take down my opponents fast, since I do end up spending a decent amount of time solo (whether I want to solo or not). That's probably why the only Tanker I've ever latched onto was a Shield / Super Strength, since that's a powerful attack set with few drawbacks.

I think I will eventually roll a Dominator since they do follow my playstyle fairly well, and the impending buff sounds like it will only help that, so maybe I'll just wait for that. Until then, I think I'll go Stalker, since Brutes seem too general for me right now.

So, with my choice for a Stalker nailed down, what are some suggestions? From the sounds of it, Stalkers do better with defense sets like Ninjitsu or Super Reflexes rather than Resistance-based sets like Dark Armor and Electric Armor? Is that true? And what other tips/tricks should I be aware of (besides the usuals i.e. take Assassins moves and placate as early as possible, etc.)? And just so we're not going too broad, of Dark Armor, Elec Armor, and Energy Aura, which would any of you recommend?

Finally, if anyone would strongly object to going the stalker route, I am open to hearing reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you weren't so dead set on having matching sets, I'd say play a Energy Melee/Regen Stalker. They hit REALLY hard, and solo very well, but still contribute on teams.

Energy Aura defense is not all that popular, and from what I can tell is one of the weaker armor sets - and it's just below Electric Melee.

Since you seem to be stuck on those particular ones, I'd say go with Dark/Dark Stalker. It ties together like you prefer, and Dark/Dark is a solid combo, with heals, mitigation, etc.

---

My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

"The tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, its true purpose is sinister." The Question

Energy Aura on Stalkers does reasonably well; given the "only matching set" criteria I'd recomment EM/EA Stalker over a DM/DA one as a general case.

The reason resistance sets don't do as well as defense sets for Stalkers is partially due to hidden status dropping when you're hit so you end up with fewer guaranteed criticals in certain situations (such as player-targetted ambushes or runners that come back and find you later), and partially because they have the same 75% resistance cap that squishies have, along with lower hit points (Blaster level) and a lower hit point cap (1606 at cap) than any of the other melee ATs. There's not as much leeway, where with defense you've always got that chance to get two-shot but the actual number of hit points matters less. You can still make resistance sets work for you, but they're at a disadvantage.

Also, if you want to try out the new Dominators, the changes are on the test server currently - you may find that you love it, you may find that you hate it. There's a mixed bag of reviews in the feedback thread from people that have tried comparing their Dominators on live vs on test (and a lot of doom from people who haven't tested). I'm disappointed that many of the AoEs were deliberately gimped (as in, lower damage scale but higher endurance cost and recharge; and I'm not talking about PSW either) and that the thing I liked about Electric Assault (that it followed the Blaster Electricity Manipulation setup for the melee attacks) was altered. But Energy Assault looks to be much nicer now.

---

I'm amending my statement. I don't need matching powersets, I just prefer them. There are a few combinations out there that I would find wildly improbable, but I'm sure I can make a theme/backstory for most powerset combos. So no need to worry about that any more, make the suggestions you think/know will work, I can always just decide not to take the advice :P. Siolfir, thanks for that clarification, things make more sense now.

Tiny, I like Energy melee, but the 6 second recharge on Barrage baffles me. I'd be willing to give it a shot though. If I were to continue on with the Dual Blades / Ninjitsu Stalker I made, would it fare well in later levels? Ninjitsu seems like a very good secondary for stalkers. As always, I'm open to other suggestions, primary, secondary, or otherwise.

---

@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.

As far as Doms, i went with Fire/Thorny. It may be an odd combo but it feels like a scrapper with pets. Fire Cages, Imps, Thorn Burst, Thorntrops and Thorn Barrage. It's a very fun set, imo.

---

DB/Nin should work out just fine in later levels.

---

I have both a Claws and a Dual Blades / Ninjitsu Stalker and both run up against the same problem: Ninjitsu has so many GOOD powers!

Utility powers, not just "more defense" like Super Reflexes (I have two 40+ SR scrappers and was quite tired of getting ALL the secondary powers, turning them on and ignoring them).

Normally I try to get Stamina by 20 but with the DB/Nin I think I'm already at level 24 or so, and it's looking like I may not be able to squeeze in Stamina until 28 or 30. But I'm not missing it overmuch, since fights tend to end before I totally run out of endurance.

Thematically, any kind of blade (claws, ninja blade, dual blades) would mesh well with ninjitsu, I'd think.

---

Y'know Brachaesnethar, I was thinking the exact thing, haha. Normally I can look through secondary power sets and say, "Well, I don't really need / won't really use that." on at least a third of the powers. Not so much the case with Ninjitsu, for the exact reason you just said, many of them aren't "just more defense." I should definitely get on Mid's and plan out a build before I even consider continuing with that specific toon.

Well, I think I've heard the arguments, and after checking out the modifications that going to made to Dominators, I am going to wait until those are live to roll one. For now, Stalker it is. Below are the combinations in which I am interested. Many of you have already commented your thoughts, and for that I thank you. If one looks better than the others, I'd like to hear so, if not, I'll roll em and play through the first few levels and see which one fits the best.

Dual Blades / Ninjitsu
Elec / Elec
Energy / Ninjitsu

---

@Winter. Because I'm Winter. Period.
I am a blaster first, and an alt-oholic second.

Dual blade/ninjitsu looks the best from the 3 listed, (it'd be better to ask in stalker forum though). Resistance isn't good for stalker because they are knocked out of hide easily. Ninjitsu is actually considered a light secondary with not a lot of required powers. Just take: Ninja Reflexes, Danger Sense, Kuji-In Rin, and Kuji-In Sha. You could try to purchase a -kb IO or go with acro, get stamina and all of your DB powers.

---

Wow, I might just be convinced to try the Stalker again myself if I didn't already have 5 characters I'm actively working on.

I would recommend against Dual Blade unless you're really looking for an AoE set with the stalker. Dual Blade's weakness is that you typically need to chain 3 moves together to get a special effect. One of the moves miss, and all you do is basic damage. Fortunately, for 2 of the 4 combos has your basic starter using Build Up then Assassin Strike, which makes it much easier to get a sweep or empower triggered. Unfortunately Build Up is usable only once every 90 seconds without recharge or Haste. The other side-effect of the combo system is that there are very few "skippable" powers in either the Dual Blade or the Ninja set. If you want stamina, you are going to either be without a travel power or making a very hard choice of which combo you want to sacrifice.

I'm not seeing too much different between electric and energy attacks until the high levels, so I can't really call them either good or bad.

Another possibility to consider is Ninja Blade/Ninjutsu. The level 18 attack, Divine Avalance doesn't do a lot of damage by itself, but on a successful hit, improves your melee defense with a +15% base for 10 seconds. Combine with Ninja Reflexes melee defense, and 6 SO or level 25 IO Defense enhancements (3 in each power), and your melee defense gets soft-capped as early as level 22, cheaply. Divine Avalanche is up every 4 seconds, so you don't have to worry about downtime, except at the very start of the fight.

---

Dual Blades is a lot of fun on a Brute or Scrapper, but the Stalker version is nowhere near as good. Having combos require Build Up, Placate, or Assassin's Blades ruins the fluidity of the set since those have long recharges or are interruptable. Plus you lose Typhoon's Edge, which is actually a very good PBAoE.

---

Cascade, level 50 Blaster (NRG/NRG since before it was cool)
Mechmeister, level 50 Bots / Traps MM
FAR too many non-50 alts to name

[u]Arcs[u]
The Scavenger Hunt: 187076
The Instant Lair Delivery Service: 206636