Illusion / Force Field

After many months of toil and effort I finally managed to get Ace of Hearts to level 50 (he hit level 50 with 466 badges under his belt btw - not a bad achievement) and to celebrate decided to make Ace of Diamonds. He is an illusion / force field controller (one day I will make something else other than controllers.... I will.... I promise).

Having got Diamonds to level 6 I decided that he was a fun toon and a keeper. So I loaded up mids hero designer and thought how I would develop him.

I have discovered that I could potentially take him down two separate routes both of which seem perfectly viable without too much gimping and both have their pros and cons:

1. Slot for recharge
2. Slot for defence.

The first route is obvious, normally my controllers are slotted for recharge as more recharge = more use of powers = better control = ownage. With Mids' help I discovered I can feasibly slot Diamonds to get PA to about a 70s recharge (with only 10 second downtime), flash, blind and spectral wounds firing at a rate of knots and more spectral terror than a horror movie. Great. Problems - expensive (four LOTG needed), not much use of the bubbles and only real comes into its own when I can get a few purples in the build.

So I then looked at defence. This to me seemed more interesting. I can use superior invisibility, dispursion bubble, hover and combat jumping and slot the lot for defence and (with a few more defence bonus IO's) I am pretty much soft capped on ranged and AOE defence. Add in force bubble meaning that melee attacks are negated and I have pretty much made a tankroller (if such a thing is possible). The idea here would be to switch on force bubble, use it to force enemies into a corner and then use Phantasm (who has ranged attacks) to take them out while I taunt using provoke from the power pools. The build shouldnt be as expensive as my recharge build. In theory sounds great but on the downside, PA's recharge is over three minutes, I dont know if force bubble will effect an AV/EB and I dont know if my overall damage output will be as high as I would like it.

I will post both builds for consideration later (in work atm) and would welcome all comments.

Oh, and just so you know my style play is as follows:

1. I play for game content, which means seeing as much as possible. Lots of ghosting and soloing early on (at least up to level 30) - illusion / force field was MADE for ghosting!
2. Because I solo A LOT I normally rate the effectiveness of my controllers by their abilities to take out AV's (or EB's given that I play heroic).
2. Hate PVP and only enter the zones for collecting the badges
3. I collect badges
4. Prior to level 30 its rare that I will team unless on a TF, Respec, Trial - but my build must be capable of both soloing AND working in a team for when I do one of the above.

Please feel free to comment. As I say I will post the builds I had in mind later so you have a better idea of what I had in mind.

---

I've got nothing major to say, just a few notes to consider

Superior Invis' defense bonus drops when you are revealed, not sure if you're taken this into account

AVs/EBs, depending, are resistant to all Mez except Sleep and Immobalise. Repel is one they resist, and considering Force Bub's chronic end use, I wouldn't recommend it as a strategy. For EBs/AVs ( /FF will never win vs AVs solo, i'm afraid), you'll want to bubble phantasm and keep PA pretty much perma for grabbing attention, and PRAY that your damage can beat their regen. My illu/storm is pretty okay vs EBs, but she has debuffs.

As I said, nothing major, just a few notes

Edit: My FF/ 'fender can soft cap a team from Nul, so reaching that for Phantasm and spamming attacks yourself *may* result in some tasty DPS, but without strong debuffs, consider strong EBs/AVs unachievable as a main goal

---

I wouldn't say Im an expert but I have gotten my Illusion/FF controller to lvl 43 and my thoughts are:
* You can only have one Spectral Terror out at a time so the only reason to slot for recharge is if you are moving between mobs quickly
* If you are going the defence route the I would slot Spectral Terror for ToHit Debuff
* I note you won't team much, which means that it will be a bit slow going with Deflection Shield/Insulation Shield either not being used until you get phantasm or not being taken at all
* Don't forget group invisibility for a small defense buff
* Force Bubble's AoE is actually quite big so it will be hard cornering foes and keep things in range so that PA will actually attack them
* Running Dispertion Bubble, Superior Invisibility and Force Bubble will really drain your endurance
* As Xemulas has said it is hard soloing EBs/AVs with a /FF as it lacks the Debuffs. And even with the 10second down time you mention for PA in your build that is enough for that EB/AV to come after you and regenerate a lot of health.

But saying all that my Illusion/Force Field is a lot of fun to play - and until Going Rogue I think it is the closest that a hero will get to being a MM

I play mine with the view of having either Spectral Terror or Phantom Army out to manage agro while my phantasm and I deal the damage. I decided to make sure I have some attacks to use (Spectral Wounds, Blind, Repulsion Bomb, Mental Blast and I will take Psi Tornado) as otherwise it can be a bit boring not doing much!

---

As mentioned earlier here is the first build for the ill/ff. This is slotted for Recharge

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

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

Ace of Diamonds: Level 50 Mutation Controller
Primary Power Set: Illusion Control
Secondary Power Set: Force Field
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Blind -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(3), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold:30(3), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(5), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(5)
Level 1: Personal Force Field -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 2: Spectral Wounds -- Apoc-Dmg:50(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg:50(7), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(7), Apoc-Acc/Rchg:50(9), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), Dev'n-Hold%:50(43)
Level 4: Deceive -- CoPers-Conf:50(A), CoPers-Conf/Rchg:50(13), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg:50(13), CoPers-Acc/Rchg:50(15), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx:50(17)
Level 6: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 8: Superior Invisibility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(46), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(48), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(48), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(50), RedFtn-Def:50(50)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(11), RechRdx-I:50(11)
Level 12: Deflection Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(17), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(25), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(25), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(27), RedFtn-Def:50(27)
Level 14: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(15)
Level 16: Super Speed -- Clrty-Stlth:50(A)
Level 18: Phantom Army -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg:50(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg:50(19), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(23), EdctM'r-PetDef:40(43)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(21), EndMod-I:50(21)
Level 22: Insulation Shield -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(23), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), RedFtn-Def:50(34), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(36)
Level 24: Dispersion Bubble -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(36), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(36), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(37), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37), RedFtn-Def:50(48)
Level 26: Spectral Terror -- Abys-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Abys-EndRdx/Fear:50(31), Abys-Acc/EndRdx:50(33), Abys-Fear/Rng:50(33), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg:50(33)
Level 28: Flash -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(29), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold:30(29), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(31), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(31)
Level 30: Group Invisibility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(39), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(40), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), RedFtn-Def:50(42)
Level 32: Phantasm -- C'Arms-Acc/Rchg:30(A), C'Arms-Acc/Dmg:30(37), C'Arms-Dmg/EndRdx:30(39), C'Arms-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(39), C'Arms-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg:30(43)
Level 35: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 38: Force Bubble -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(42), EndRdx-I:50(42)
Level 41: Hibernate -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(46)
Level 44: Frozen Armor -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(45), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(45), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(45), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46), RedFtn-Def:50(50)
Level 47: Ice Storm -- Ragnrk-Dmg:50(A)
Level 49: Frost Breath -- Dmg-I:50(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment



<font class="small">Code:[/color]<hr /><pre>| Copy &amp; Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1422;695;1390;HEX;|
|78DAA554594F135118BD535A4BF75664A7D052A02CED003EB 986204852230951C31|
|38BA50C32C938433A8391377F807FC1B82F8FEA9BF16FB825 0AE8A38989CB1FA8DF|
|FDCE2DD0F8E8249C33F75BCE3DF7F61BE66FCF4685B83325B 4E48C5576DDD519C7F|
|6AA8E6519D5E6F96DAFEC998E9D98AE18196723336B966F3A F6BA1B1442E40EEBEA|
|2D7AC9B2B65DAAAF07BA8FD45CD8DED8D0E79C6AC5589D330 D6B3D55B2378DAA617|
|B7AFD25BAE090C69CE9D986EB86797175CB30D623885BE68D 4D2FC5EF25FB96E99A|
|6BA6657A3BC98B5B66452F91EC7CD9F58CEA4E07991BA1BF0 79A504FCD2FDEF9844|
|80BDF7BD00726FF47D027A67387E542B4D26252DC2744B416 D00A3E193A5604E94C|
|CDE3A009A6D11742D2436A6952FB362D7126BA0C5A618AAF3 225AF3305E832031AF|
|60D1459E1312D83080582B0520C338D474051A6C91828CED4 4F422174F942632C14|
|6EA0F3948CA8E344209B846C07643B20DB05D92EC80649360 6592D76895EF222BEC|
|8991C6512EAC612213ECC534AA4D4D953BF3874FC27E83753 DB1F5CD57721859A49|
|A145596EC9B0C9130D3445C95665B9155EDBE0350BAF5978C DC26B0EA79A266C57F|
|7D78E500ECD39340FA07900CDE3687E46D8A9BC777EE650EF 17A6CC2E680FB4CFF4|
|88B05B957763BC7A305E3D18AF5E8C572FC6EB0995A795A73 43C0DC1531E9EF2F09|
|487A711787A4ED8A736E9DB65A1813DA6A17DD057A6D16F4C C7E83EFBD52CF50FF3|
|0DCED272505DF1609643230DF4926675185B68C3189422E81 565C694E531582EC07|
|201960BB05C6C18C3D7D4A5ABA9D04FF2AFFD83FEC14CA8D0 449AB57BFC47BEB61A|
|3DE2F23F9105FFC1E727348EA40F6BFEEB7913ADEB84AE840 9AF495890B0286149C|
|2B284150965096B122A126A6F0FBA13A7A4A1D312CE48382B E1AE2C0ACA0F2D2221|
|2A2126212E21212129A145429B842E09F724D4FE02B284FFC 7|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre><hr />

---

.... and this one is slotted for defence

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

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

Ace of Diamonds 2: Level 50 Mutation Controller
Primary Power Set: Illusion Control
Secondary Power Set: Force Field
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Presence
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Blind -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(3), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold:30(3), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(5), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(5)
Level 1: Personal Force Field -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 2: Spectral Wounds -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(7), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(7), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(50)
Level 4: Deceive -- CoPers-Conf:50(A), CoPers-Conf/Rchg:50(13), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg:50(13), CoPers-Acc/Rchg:50(15), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx:50(15)
Level 6: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 8: Superior Invisibility -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(17), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), RedFtn-Def:50(21), RedFtn-EndRdx:50(21)
Level 10: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel:50(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:50(11), Zephyr-ResKB:50(11)
Level 12: Insulation Shield -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(25), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(25), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(27), RedFtn-Def:50(27), RedFtn-EndRdx:50(29)
Level 14: Fly -- Frbd-Stlth:50(A)
Level 16: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(17)
Level 18: Phantom Army -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg:50(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx:50(29), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx:50(31), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(31), BldM'dt-Acc:50(42)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(23), EndMod-I:50(23)
Level 22: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel:50(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:50(45), Zephyr-ResKB:50(45)
Level 24: Dispersion Bubble -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(31), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(33), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(33), RedFtn-Def:50(33), RedFtn-EndRdx:50(34)
Level 26: Spectral Terror -- Abys-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Abys-EndRdx/Fear:50(34), Abys-Acc/EndRdx:50(34), Abys-Fear/Rng:50(36), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg:50(36)
Level 28: Provoke -- Mocking-Taunt:50(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(36), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(37), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(37), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:50(37), Mocking-Rchg:50(39)
Level 30: Flash -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(46), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold:30(46), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(46), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(50)
Level 32: Phantasm -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg:50(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx:50(39), BldM'dt-Acc:50(40), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(42)
Level 35: Group Invisibility -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:50(40), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(42), RedFtn-Def:50(43), RedFtn-EndRdx:50(43)
Level 38: Force Bubble -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(43), EndRdx-I:50(45)
Level 41: Hibernate -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 44: Frozen Armor -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx:30(48), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(48), S'fstPrt-ResKB:30(48), Aegis-Psi/Status:50(50)
Level 47: Frost Breath -- Dmg-I:50(A)
Level 49: Ice Storm -- Dmg-I:50(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment



<font class="small">Code:[/color]<hr /><pre>| Copy &amp; Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1426;701;1402;HEX;|
|78DAA594DB4E13511486774B6B296D692B02E550282094022 DD4C4C453421024C1D|
|08418C315076B19607498924E9BE89D0FE02B20074FB7EA9D F1353C4550EF117D03|
|53D75AFF2E60BC7492FEDFCCDA6BAFBDFF357B9A7B301554E AD1B8724526ADBCE32|
|C4F16ED72A9685946A93E5729E7CB66D18E4E148C44713531 65E6378AF68A93B8E0|
|534AF59D64D62665662CABE2D08C5AA0E354CEF5CAEA6A66B A582A18CBD3A661AD4|
|467EC75A364D8E54CED263857A41AD366D9361C278007CB5C 5BD703B3467ED3B4D7|
|A2F290CBDBE666C592FD456E6C9A85CC0C15CEE59DB2517A1 8A3EDA5E8B7E352FAA|
|A7AD47BB75271E5FE007C14783E019F05D74ED2956AA687AC DA2645B4EA756D290E|
|9D79026C0BEA77805D41764FB04B53EAF4BA750B6E0E05178 12541E3327047E0A57|
|67A5D58D79B960A4FE9D18790D7D7205B8904046783404870 AE11080BFC54C88F59|
|6EFF17A9DDB00F1C08C66930A0ED04503686B231946D47D97 694ED44D900950DE9B|
|E847E4BC847A1305672856FD24D5245E665E43969547B8F1E 8A99CE1F82AE23E0A7|
|20F50B8DA3424D7ACB4D0909B5FC0D1FDE052734C3D3083C8 DC0D3040DB6EA56B5C|
|253173C25E029014F0978EA81A717A46D7A9B6DFB183900BE 0AFABE01DFD110DA45|
|876E5CC7BAACDB670ACEDF03EE0396606043B0E7E2638545E 2387F699CBF34CE5F1|
|AE72F8BF3F792D2BB757A375A3780D60DA07549F42C850E3E A3F45E6DBC17C69330|
|9E84F1148C0FC1F8108C4F91F6EB7EF6F748A121600478452 77750BFEDC16109BDA|
|6D030E67886F1618CB688B7D1562026C85E94B123FA47C9E8 0A99B854784315C674|
|680CA14ECFA9AFAD4A979AFD2732E739FEFC944B22F1939CF FBADE066B75FCB71A4|
|86FB3CCB1CCB32CB02CB22CB1E459EEB21458AAEF8E67872F F1862EB35C61B9CAF2|
|98937CFCA10558822C21964696304B84A589A585A59D658BA 5FA07E6030AB5|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre><hr />

---

I would say slot for recharge if you want to solo EBs as you'll want your little Tanks (Phantom Army) up as often as possible. With a lot of recharge in the build it also makes Flash (Not that useless power!) quite a decent tool, especially in larger teams if you end up in the them.

---

@Fail (Used to be @Tux) and @Tuxedo Infinitus Defiant/Freedom/Champion
Favourite Toons: Prosper [Ill/Rad] Controller :: Infinitus [Fire/Elec] Blaster :: Pocket Dynamo [Fire/Shield] Scr :: Fast [Cold/Sonic] Def ::
Inspire [Plant/Storm] Controller :: Quality - SS/Fire Brute :: Double Down [DP/Kin] Corr :: Pwnz [Fire/Cold] Corr :: Fail [Fire/Son] Corr

Great input, and a fellow bear! on victory here

---

From my experience with Ill/FF.

It needs massive recharge, massive end recovery, and soft capped Ranged def and as much AoE def as you can get.

If you get PA down to a reasonable recharge time you will be continuously bankrupting your self on endurance. If you don't get PA down to a resonable recharge and are able to sustain your recovery you won't deal damage fast enough to level solo let alone handle an EB/AV. Soloing to level 32 will involve either far too much time investment in story arc content or lots of radios that are glowie clicks or rescues (PFF and escort is easy mode) you will be leveling up fastest by stealthing missions for the mission complete bonus. Defeat alls will be grind fests.

If I might make a suggestion..... a FF/Dark/Dark defender (Ace of Spades perhaps?) is a very controllery FF defender. Damage is still anemic but is quite a bit faster than the Ill/FF. It's easier to softcap since defender values are higher and when you are on a team you get a tiny bit of end reduction from the defender inherent (not much though it's barely noticeable).

Tenebrious Tentacles does damage and immobilizes the foes but has no -KB component. This allows Torrent and a wall or corner to be used for positioning so that you can optimize the damage from Nightfall and Repulsion Bomb (the no -KB component in T_T also provides a bit more mitigation since the immob still allows the mobs to be KD'd).

Life Drain gives you a ranged attack that is also a self heal to use for the 5% of the time the damage gets through anyway. Soul Drain lets you pump your damage up occasionally and Dark Consumption allows you to occasionally refill your blue bar when it gets low.

I would honestly reccomend it to you as a much better build and combo. I say that because my Ill/FF stalled out at level 38 but my FF/Dark/Dark went all the way to 50.

---

-Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein.
-I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. - Galileo Galilei
-When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty. - Thomas Jefferson