Hey come on, nobody can give me any advice?
I have played a DM/DA to lvl 50, but not played it much since as it's not 1 of my favourite toons. They are good in large teams, and not so good as some other powersets solo.
I'm not going to offer you any sort of cookie cutter build rather just some words of observation regards a pve build.
Take dark regeneration asap (its your main heal), before dark consumption. Put at least 2 endred in dark regeneration, reasonable slotting is 2 acc, 2 end red & 2 recharge. It doesn't need any health slotting unless there are only 1 or 2 minions in range when it goes off.
Soul drain, use it whenever possible to buff your other attacks, I slot mine 2 acc & 3 recharge to have it up asap.
As DM/DA struggles with energy consider another end red in acroabatics.
Cloak of fear only has a 50% acc, so suggest more accuracy in it. Personally I have left it out of my build as it is such an energy hog.
Try to fit in Oppressive gloom, a great power against minions. Will work against lts if there are 2 DA running it at same time.
Hope these suggestions are of some help. If you want any further advice on specific DM/DA powers feel free to ask.
Thx very much for the advice, Oppressive Gloom is a power I had to sacrifice but I will be probably getting it now. I will keep a couple respecs to try the build the way you propose.
Ta!
I've not played Dark/Dark, but I've got a Spines/Dark that hit 50 last week.
Oppressive Gloom was a big part of my damage mitigation, it's very useful in the middle of a mob, minions will be completely negated. A typical fight sees you jumping into the middle of a group with Oppressive Gloom running, using Soul Drain to buff your damage and then Dark Recovery/Consumption as needed.
I never used Cloak of fear... Gloom does the same job, costs less and doesn't make them scatter.
I agree with Paragon_Girl on Dark Recovery's slotting, it's a fantastic power but heavy on the endurance bar.
I used Quills and Death Shroud to contribute to my AoE damage, Death Shroud is good for its endurance use when you're in a group of mobs. It works well with Gloom, Soul Drain and your HP/End leeches.
OK, I guess there's no point in Cloak Of Fear Then, I have changed the Build to the following one which may be more effective as per your advice:
Exported from version 1.5C of CoH Planner
http://joechott.com/coh
Archetype: Scrapper
Primary Powers - Ranged : Dark Melee
Secondary Powers - Support : Dark Armor
01 : Dark Embrace endred(01) damres(5) damres(7) damres(15)
01 : Smite recred(01) acc(3) endred(9) dam(19) dam(31) dam(31)
02 : Shadow Maul recred(02) acc(3) endred(9) dam(27) dam(27) dam(31)
04 : Murky Cloud endred(04) damres(5) damres(7) damres(15)
06 : Combat Jumping defbuf(06) defbuf(43)
08 : Swift runspd(08)
10 : Siphon Life acc(10) hel(11) hel(11) hel(17) endred(34) endred(43)
12 : Obsidian Shield endred(12) damres(13) damres(13) damres(17)
14 : Super Jump jmp(14)
16 : Health hel(16) hel(40) hel(40)
18 : Dark Consumption acc(18) acc(19) endrec(21) endrec(21) recred(45) recred(45)
20 : Stamina endrec(20) endrec(23) endrec(23)
22 : Acrobatics endred(22) endred(43)
24 : Dark Regeneration acc(24) acc(25) recred(25) recred(33) recred(34)
26 : Soul Drain acc(26) acc(29) recred(29) recred(33) recred(33)
28 : Cloak of Darkness endred(28) defbuf(34) defbuf(36) defbuf(36)
30 : Shadow Punch acc(30) thtdbf(42) thtdbf(42) thtdbf(42)
32 : Midnight Grasp recred(32) acc(36) endred(37) dam(37) dam(37) dam(40)
35 : Oppressive Gloom acc(35) disdur(39) disdur(39) disdur(39)
38 : Provoke acc(38)
41 : Intimidate acc(41)
44 : Invoke Panic acc(44) thtdbf(45) thtdbf(46) thtdbf(46) endred(46) recred(50)
47 : Focused Accuracy endred(47) endred(48) endred(48) thtbuf(48) thtbuf(50) thtbuf(50)
49 : Conserve Power recred(49)
-------------------------------------------
01 : Brawl enhancement(01)
01 : Sprint enhancement(01)
02 : Rest enhancement(02)
This is just a quick adjustment and I'll have to review the slotting levels with more detail. I'll keep in mind also Death Shroud, probably will take it when available (just created the toon yesterday) and may lose it in respec to try other things (I'm all for trying different powers).
Ta!
Just to say if shadow punch has been taken to increase the to hit debuffs on an enemy, as per build, I would swap it for touch of fear. If an enemy is cowering in fear it will not be attacking anyway. You could use the 4 slots to put 2 acc/2 fear in ToF.
2 uses of ToF on a boss has them feared (as long as they don't resist fear).
Paragon Girl
I was also thinking about it while re doing the build properly, I decided to go for shadow punch to get a little extra damage but as I usueally respce my toons at lvl 37, I may lose it for ToF.-
Ta!
No Death Shroud ??????? unless your going PvP never skip this power.
I'm not going to tell people how to play there DM/DA's but it seems to be a constant message being said all the time about dropping Cloak of Fear.
I personally will never drop CoF, i dont have scattering issues, i dont have Endurance issues. i use it constantly with Death Shroud.
I would choose powers that you like, play how you want also take a look at this DM/DA Bible
Wait a sec, that is extremely interesting to hear. The build was originally designed to combine Cloak of Fear with Invoke Panic, but so far it seems the Presence Pool is hurting the build because of the 2 previous powers to get access to Invoke Panic (if not because of these 2 powers I could get Death Shroud and Cloak of Fear). The most interesting thing is your comment about not having any endurance issues, could you please post your build or let me know how do you slot to avoid end issues?
I will have to export a proper build but at present i have the following -
Dark Melee
Smite - acc2 dmg2 endred2
Shadow Maul - dmg3 endred2 acc1
Shadow Punch - dmg3 endred2 acc1
Soul Drain - dmg4 endred1 acc1
Midnight Grasp - dmg4 endred1 acc1
Dark Consumption - acc1
Dark Armour
Dark Embrace - dmgres4 endred2
Death Shroud - dmg2 acc1 engred1
Obsidian Shield - dmgres4 endred2
Murky Cloud - dmgres4 endred2
Cloak of Darkness - defbuff2 endred2
Cloak of Fear - endred1 tohit1 acc2 fear1
Regeneration - acc1
Hasten from speed pool
Hurdle, Health and Stamina from Fitness pool
i basically have endurance reducers in all powers.
Death Shroud will reduce the time it takes to defeat mobs with its constant ticking, in turn reducing endurance costs to all other powers.
I mainly play in big groups, with lots of mobs, so im designed around AOE fighting, i use CoF and DS together, this both keeps the mobs feared whilst being damaged by DS (this does stop the fear effect, but keeps the mobs closer to me for longer)
I wont deny that ToF and OG are good powers, but they dont fit my playstyle.
I can't see you'll need the presence pool, Cloak of fear and touch of fear stack to fear bosses and are highly recommended. Other */DA scrappers tend to skip Cloak of Fear because of the endurance issue, but DM can stack fear on bosses and dark consumption solves all your endurance issues full stop (well, with stamina).
Death shroud is a must, lots of research has been done into it and it typically does more damage than your primary attacks. When you use soul drain, death shroud becomes a truly awesome power.
Only real dilemma you have as a DM/DA is knockback protection, it's either hover's "pseudo" protection or acrobatics full protection while sacrificing another power (many skip cloak of darkness).
Having said all that, it's your scrapper at the end of the day, build it how you like. DM/DA gives you more choices than most, so enjoy having to make some decisions for once 
Ok, thx all for the advice, I'll start collecting respecs for trying different builds since all of them seem interesting. Hopefully with I9 multiaspect enhcs endurance issues may be eased.-
Ta!
just respeced my lvl 41 Dark/Dark Scrapper yesterday
my comments are based on my own play style and experience. also this is my first toon to reach this lvl, so take my advice any way you like..
1. i would take Shadow Punch a lot earlier since it has a good damage output.
2. i didnt take Murky Cloud untill i was in the 30's. the damage resistance it offers is good, but i've done fine without it so far ;-)
now, on the other hand, i need it for the endurance draining resist (carnies and malta are very nasty when it comes to this).
3. i respeced out of Death Shroud because i found it very annoying having to run after my enemies. i need the enemy close for 3 reasons. 1- Soul Drain 2- Dark Regeneration 3- Dark Consumption.
4. i havent chosen a single fear power. they just dont fit my play style ;-) but will eventually have a go at these (probably with a new Dark/Dark scrapper. since i enjoy this toon so much)
5. the way ive build my scrap i can have 4 shields running at the same time and keep going like the duracel bunny. my shields are: Dark Embrace (2x endred 3x dmgres), Obsidian Shield (2x endred 3x dmgres), Murky Cloud (2x endred 3x dmgres), Cloak of Darkness (2x endred 3x defbuf). whenever i get low on end i pop my Dark Consumption (obviously!)
6. there are a few powers that i take the moment they are available: Siphon Life - this baby will keep you alive untill you get Dark Regeneration. Soul Drain - just too good a buff to be missed out on :-D. Dark Regeneration - this is a lifesaver! this power enabled me to take on 3 freak tanks +1 at the same time and be the only one left standing ;-). Soul Transfer - when the enemy eventually takes you down they will discover that it was a big mistake! what better way to pay back the baddies than get right back up with most of your health & endurance (depending on the number of enemies within reach) and give them even more hell :-D
7. oh! and Stamina is your best friend ;-)
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Ok, thx all for the advice, I'll start collecting respecs for trying different builds since all of them seem interesting. Hopefully with I9 multiaspect enhcs endurance issues may be eased.-
Ta!
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I would suggest trying out all the different builds on the training server so you can save your respecs on live.
Paragon Girl
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I would suggest trying out all the different builds on the training server so you can save your respecs on live.
Paragon Girl
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Actually I am going to take your advice seriously, once I have the toon I'm working on now from nasty lvl 41 to great lvl 42, I'll put him in a rest and work with other alts until issue 9 comes on server. I will try to get my new DM/DA scrapper as far as I can on I9 test server since I feel /DA and /SR may have the biggest variations in gameplay after the Invention System.
Ta!
Given the major changes coming in I9 I think it highly likely that all characters will be given a free respec at some point during I9.
So it's not a bad idea to fill all your slots with characters, so that they can get this free respec, even if you do not start to lvl them for a long time. As when you do start to play them hopefully they wil have a respec from I9.
Any characters you have on live can then be copied on the test server and you can try out the respec on test. Leaving the character on live with an unused respec.
Paragon Girl
tbh m8 with touch of fear and cloak of fear u dont really need intimadate, provoke or invoke panic, those 3 powers could be much better used
It's now Issue 21 and I am back!
My new Global is @Zyhar
Currently enjoying the Exalted Server!
I have a DM/DA Scrapper at level 28. I have not played it in a good while as I am focussing on another alt and can't recall my exact build details. I am not at home right now to check them either
I have to say that I have read many posts about how the sets cause major endurance problems but from my own experience I cant say I have found this to be true.
I have not taken Cloak of Fear so far as I find Touch of fear holds the bosses long enough for me to clear the minions and then I can go to town on the big bad boss. (I tend to play solo by the way). I guess you need to pick your toggles for each fight instead of trying to run everything at once.
The one thing I have found hard is the lack of Knockback protection. The leaping pool and Acrobatics is best solution to this but does eat up 3 power picks. Alternatively you can take Hover and then flight as your travel pool powers giving some KB protection on only 2 pool picks.
Re using Leadership pool for Invoke Panic, that strikes me as being kinda redundant when you have two powers in your main that already give all the fear control you are ever likely to need. Drop the whole pool, use one of the picks you free up to take Cloak of Fear if you want to be mister scary guy and you still have two power picks free for other yummy scrapper goodness.
Personally I'd drop Siphon life, it's got a way too long recharge time and the healing form it is [censored]. If you want another self heal get Aid Self instead
Also, I'd swap Health for hurdle or at least would reomve those Healing SOs from it. Health can be useful on a Regen scrapper or a tank but it's not actually worth taking on a Dark/Dark scrapper... Oh and get Sould Transfer, It's the only power in game that can mez a Stoner with a GA and Rooted on 
( mag 37 stun iirc )
@Scorpio EU
Hello,
I am thinking of building a new scrapper and I wanted to go for a DM/DA. I made this build just as a start, can I have your comments please?
Exported from version 1.5C of CoH Planner
http://joechott.com/coh
Archetype: Scrapper
Primary Powers - Ranged : Dark Melee
Secondary Powers - Support : Dark Armor
01 : Dark Embrace endred(01) damres(5) damres(7) damres(15)
01 : Smite recred(01) acc(3) endred(9) dam(19) dam(31) dam(31)
02 : Shadow Maul recred(02) acc(3) endred(9) dam(27) dam(27) dam(31)
04 : Murky Cloud endred(04) damres(5) damres(7) damres(15)
06 : Combat Jumping defbuf(06) defbuf(43)
08 : Swift runspd(08)
10 : Siphon Life acc(10) hel(11) hel(11) hel(17) endred(34) endred(43)
12 : Obsidian Shield endred(12) damres(13) damres(13) damres(17)
14 : Super Jump jmp(14)
16 : Health hel(16) hel(43)
18 : Dark Consumption acc(18) acc(19) endrec(21) endrec(21) recred(45) recred(45)
20 : Stamina endrec(20) endrec(23) endrec(23)
22 : Acrobatics endred(22)
24 : Dark Regeneration acc(24) hel(25) hel(25) hel(33) endred(34)
26 : Soul Drain acc(26) dam(29) dam(29) dam(33) endred(33)
28 : Cloak of Darkness endred(28) defbuf(34) defbuf(36) defbuf(36)
30 : Shadow Punch acc(30) thtdbf(42) thtdbf(42) thtdbf(42)
32 : Midnight Grasp recred(32) acc(36) endred(37) dam(37) dam(37) dam(40)
35 : Cloak of Fear endred(35) acc(39) thtdbf(39) thtdbf(39) thtdbf(40) endred(40)
38 : Provoke acc(38)
41 : Intimidate acc(41)
44 : Invoke Panic acc(44) ferdur(45) ferdur(46) ferdur(46) endred(46) recred(50)
47 : Focused Accuracy endred(47) endred(48) endred(48) thtbuf(48) thtbuf(50) thtbuf(50)
49 : Conserve Power recred(49)
-------------------------------------------
01 : Brawl enhancement(01)
01 : Sprint enhancement(01)
02 : Rest enhancement(02)
Thanks!