From what I've heard, a lot of people skip shadow maul.
Darkest night lowers a target and surrounding enemies tohit and damage.
As far as build suggestions I'd try the scrapper forum.
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From what I've heard, a lot of people skip shadow maul.
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Wha? Skip shadow maul? From experience that thing gives out awesome AOE damage despite it's long animation. Is it really not worth it?
That's just what I've heard.. It may have been skip it for pvp...
On all 3 of my DM/ builds I skipped Shadow Maul. Trust me, when you in a spawn and hit SM only to watch you life slip away you'll wish you hit Siphon Life instead. Damage is good but IMO if you have the Sands of the Mu from the vet rewards this power is skippable.
Darkest Night would be a very good power in its place. If you looking to not spend the money to soft cap it(and its very expensive) DN will help with added mitigation. Kinda end heavy though.
If you are not hitting more than one person consistently with shadow maul, there is no reason to use it, it will lower your dps.
On DM/SR, I skip, SMaul and pickup and slot Dark Obliteration for aoe Damage. (I hate lining things up) S Maul is an excellent AoE power IF you don't mind lining up people.
On DM/SD, I always end up having to take S.Maul just so I can slot it with six obliterations for the set bonuses, but I never ever use it.
On very high recharge (perma hasten and 32 sec recharge soul drain) and def capped builds which I aim for, Siphon life lowers your dps, let alone even considering using S.Maul.
MG>Smite>Gloom>Smite>MG is the single target gapless attack chain you should be aiming for with the occasional siphon life for healing.
I was never able to fit Dark Obliteration into an SD build and keep def and recharges up where they should be. SR however is another story.
I didn't find too much on DM/SD from a search and was wondering about power picks. I'm aiming to soft-cap (or very close to it) defense on a somewhat low budget, and I can get around 42-43% melee and ranged with weave, but I was wondering if going with Darkest Night instead of weave is feasible. But if I go with weave I'll have to go without either shadow maul or hasten, and that doesn't seem very good. :/ I have no idea how darkest night works, so any feedback would be great.
Edit: here are the powers I have planned now.
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/
[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]
Level 48 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Deflection -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Empty(A)
Level 4: True Grit -- Empty(A)
Level 6: Battle Agility -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- Empty(A)
Level 10: Active Defense -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 14: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- Empty(A)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Empty(A)
Level 20: Stamina -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Phalanx Fighting -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Empty(A)
Level 28: Grant Cover -- Empty(A)
Level 30: Tough -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Empty(A)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Empty(A)
Level 38: Weave -- Empty(A)
Level 41: Gloom -- Empty(A)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Combat Jumping -- Empty(A)
Level 49: Super Jump -- Empty(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury