Ice/Rad vs Stone/Rad

Hey guys,

Just came back to the game after a year or so away and have been trying to nail down what I want to make. After waffling back and forth from a scrapper, defender, or controller, finally settled on a controller and was trying to decide between the two aforementioned power combos.

Which has better synergy with /Rad? I'd like to potentially "corner herd" using RI, so quicksand is very enticing... but I'd also love to work Arctic Air's magic in the midst of baddies (I'm pretty melee-centric and aggressive). Any opinions out there?

Of course, I'm also extraordinarily tempted to pair up Storm with either of these sets as well. But I've leveled a plant/storm and would like a bonafide new experience!

Thanks

Both sets are fun and have a slightly different method of control.

Both have the AoE KD going on with Ice Slick and Quicksand+Earthquake. (slick is faster to throw down)

Earth has the AoE stun/immob combo for 'holds'
Ice has shiver for -rech

Personally, I lean toward Earth/Rad.

I'm pretty fond on Earth/Rad . . . as you can guess by the guide linked in my sig. In my opinion, it is the best AoE Team controller in the game. Earth/TA has a little more control, but Earth/Rad is more flexible. However, my Earth/Rad is entirely a ranged controller -- he stays in the back or hiding behind corners when he can.

I have an Ice/Storm, but my Ice/Rad isn't quite there yet. Ice/Rad is a great control build if you want to stay in melee, as it has the synergy of Arctic Air+Choking Cloud. Fully slotted, that combo can lock stuff down after a short amount of time. You just need Ice Slick or a tank to draw the alpha, and keep them distracted long enough for AA+CC to hit. The only other build to make as good use of Choking Cloud is Fire/Rad.

Neither of these builds have much damage. My Earth/Rad can solo with Rocky, not fast, but it is possible. Jack puts out less damage than Rocky, and can't tank. My Ice/Storm can solo, but he has Air Sup, Chilblain slotted for damage, Tornado, Lightning Storm and a couple of APP damage powers. Ice/Rad won't have nearly as much damage.

Basically, if you want to be in melee with the tank and scrappers, then Ice/Rad. If you want ranged AoE control, then Earth/Rad.

I really like my Ice/Rad. Ice slick mitigates the alpha and moving in with Artic Air with the contagious confusion proc AND choking cloud with the Lock down proc means that I only have to watch for bosses.

Block of Ice takes care of single boss spawns. Glacier takes care of Multi-Boss spawns. Shiver and Arctic Air keep even +4s at the -rech and -run speed caps.

The only thing I don't do much of is damage but my solo build is heavily proc'd. Still a little slow going solo, but it's nice and safe.

Boy, this is a hard decision !

Thanks for the opinions, guys, I really appreciate them. Have always loved that sig btw, Local

I *do* love being in melee range on all my toons, so that seems to restrict me to ice/ for this combo.