Well one of the things I like best about my Earth/TA is having two AoE holds. With good recharge, one or the other can be up pretty often, giving you serious lockdown potential. I would go with Gravity Distortion Field. Especially since TA has no heal, the ability to stop all incoming damage to everyone for a time is a blessing.
Since you're not going to have propel, and damage can be a bit slow without it, I would look at proccing both Crushing field (2 procs) and Acid Arrow(2 procs). They don't help a great deal vs single targets, but they help a lot against large spawns.
If you think you are going to solo more than team, I would switch propel in for Poison Gas Arrow. I tried Poison Gas Arrow and even when I had it slotted up I was very unimpressed. Propel, on the other hand, when solo is AMAZING. On teams, things tend to die before you get the animation done, so it's less useful if you tend to team a lot.
Otherwise your build looks good. I would look at Cold for your APP, the extra slow from Frostbreath, and Hibernate as a panic button are both great for sets with no self heal.
Many thanks! I wasn't sure about the APP either, but Hibernate would be an awesome addition to this character.
One important question: Is this a team build or a solo build? I recommend Propel over Lift for solo or small team builds. The damage on Lift is pitiful -- less than GD or Crush, while the damage from Propel is big even if it is slow to animate. On larger teams, everything is dead before you can get Propel to animate, but solo or small team, that damage makes a difference. Additionally, Propel is one of the three Grav powers that I consider to be the most interesting, making Grav a worthwhile set. It is just fun to smack bad guys with stuff. (The other two are Wormhole and Singularity . . . the rest of the Grav set is kind of blah.)
How much do you use Glue Arrow? With Crushing Field, there isn't nearly the need for Glue Arrow as on, for instance, my Illusion/TA. Mid's doesn't mention it, but CF has a 62% slow for 15 sec. even if the foe was not immobilized. Glue Arrow is a nice power, but it might be that Flash Arrow would be more use to you . . . it just depends on your playstyle.
Personally, I like to take every AoE Hold I can get . . . especially on a set like Gravity which is weak on AoE control. By taking GDF at 30 you will then have two ranged AoE controls, substantially improving your AoE control ability.
So, I would drop Lift and take Propel and GDF, and consider dropping Glue Arrow for Flash Arrow, depending on style.
And as for the APP set -- Ice is a great choice for you. Hibernate provides both a heal and End Recovery in an emergency. Plus it has two AoE damage powers and a Defense-based shield.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
Is this were my character, I wouldn't be taking anything other than GDF. AoE holds are a main reason to be playing a controller, for Pete's sake. You get EMP arrow at 38, but that has a long recharge; I would want AoE holds to be available as much as humanly possible. I would be taking and 6 slotting ASAP.
Look at it this way: at 35, you'll get Oil Slick, which does boatloads of damage. GDF + oil slick = pure risk free win.
Propel is the better power, but I HATE it. I don't like littering and I dont like the long animation time. I mainly don't like littering. 
Anyway, one thing to consider is your epic. I think (but I'm not sure) that the Magic origin apprentice charm may do energy damage, so it may light your Oil Slick. But you know what? Its kinda tedious. As awesome as the Ice Epic is (Hibernate + 2 AOEs) I'd personally be tempted to just take the Fire epic so you don't really have to set up a macro to light your oil slick.
On the other hand, maybe you prefer precision (no AOE fire damage).
Just something to think about. I didn't see anyone else mention it but I may have overlooked it.
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
Oh and as a followup, and because I just couldn't resist, here is the Grav/TA build I would make. Well, I prefer Lift to Propel but I put Propel in it just since more people prefer Propel. Also, it doesn't have Hover/Fly which I know the OP wanted. But anyway, this is basically what I'd build.
Lewis
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
ZZZ CON GRAV TA: Level 50 Technology Controller
Primary Power Set: Gravity Control
Secondary Power Set: Trick Arrow
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Crush -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15)
Level 1: Entangling Arrow -- Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(A)
Level 2: Gravity Distortion -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(3), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(9), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(9), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(23)
Level 4: Glue Arrow -- Slow-I(A), Slow-I(34), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 6: Propel -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(7), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15)
Level 8: Crushing Field -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(17), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(17), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(48)
Level 10: Ice Arrow -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(11), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(11), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(13), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(13), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(31)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34)
Level 14: Super Speed -- QckFt-EndRdx/RunSpd(A)
Level 16: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 18: Gravity Distortion Field -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(19), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(19), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(21), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(21), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(23)
Level 20: Acid Arrow -- AnWeak-DefDeb(A), AnWeak-Acc/DefDeb(34), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg(37), AnWeak-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(40), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(50)
Level 22: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 24: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(25), EndMod-I(25)
Level 26: Wormhole -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(27), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(27), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(29), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(29), Rope-Acc/Stun/Rchg(31)
Level 28: Disruption Arrow -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- Krma-ResKB(A)
Level 32: Singularity -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(33), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), HO:Endo(50), HO:Perox(50)
Level 35: Oil Slick Arrow -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dam%(37), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 38: EMP Arrow -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(39), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(39), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(39), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(40), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(40)
Level 41: Fire Blast -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(42), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 44: Fire Ball -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dam%(46), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 47: Fire Shield -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(48), Aegis-ResDam(48)
Level 49: Poison Gas Arrow -- FtnHyp-Plct%(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Containment
Code:
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Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
Nice. Looks like I'll be going with GDF! And possibly switching to flash over glue. Many thanks everyone!
Get GDF. A Ranged AOE Hold is a great thing to have. 2 of em is just sick.
I prefer Frankenslotting it with as many Acc/Recharge/Hold IOs as you can (ditto for EMP Arrow). Generally means you can get full benefits of the power with 4 or 5 slots in each. For Wormhole I like Razzle Dazzle Stun/Rng & Acc/Stun/Rech, Stupefy Stun/Rng & Acc/Stun/Rech and Rope-a-dope Acc/Stun/Rech. The Range is useful here as it means you can be further away casting Wormhole (so easier to do it from cover).
Ditto try Frankenslotting Oil Slick Arrow rather than worrying about set bonuses. You want it up as much as possible and doing as much damage as possible. Also be aware that the Posi Proc in it doesn't work as expected (or exactly as expected if you think about it), it only has a chance of working if the Slick is lit.
Don't overlook Primal as an epic either. Fire is better in terms of Damage but Power Boosted EMP Arrows (or GDFs) are great too and Primal now has the AOE Energy cone (which does knockdown). My Grav/TA is staminaless (which I don't necessarily think is what everyone should do, I was experimenting. Works though), using IO Bonuses & Conserve Power to happily do without (which let me get Poison Gas Arrow, Aid Other and Aid Self).
Ice is another good one if you're happy to rely on your Origin power to light Oil Slicks (which is what I do, just use a bind. There's one in my sig-linked Grav/TA guide). Hibernate is great, Frost Breath is one of the strongest AOE cones you can get and Ice Storm / Oil Slick is silly. Ugly, ugly armour, but Defense based (so can stack nicely with Flash Arrow if you go for it).
Flash Arrow is rather rubbish IMO (unless you're 3 slotting it as a mule for minor -recharge bonus I suppose). I just stuck a Stealth IO in Hover (I combat hover) instead. I slotted a recharge and a Smashing PROC into Glue Arrow and left it at that (Crushing Field does often make Glue unneeded I suppose, but Glue is a nice long-term slowdown, great for kiting solo). Just look on at as your "experiment power" slot and see what feels right to you.
My Grav/TA is a self-confessed Proc junkie. Crushing Field has 3 damage procs in it (along with 2 Acc/Ends). Again an experiment more than a necessity.
Quote:
I think Flash Arrow is underwhelming, at best, unless stacked with Smoke (from Fire Control) in which case its pretty decent if you slot both for hit debuff. But, whatever floats your boat. I personally love Glue Arrow.|
Originally Posted by PosterChild
Nice. Looks like I'll be going with GDF! And possibly switching to flash over glue. Many thanks everyone!
|
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
"I remember... the Alamo." -- Pee-wee Herman
"Oh don't worry. I always leave things to the last moment." -- The Doctor
"Telescopes are time machines." -- Carl Sagan
Quote:
I like Glue Arrow on my Illusion/TA, also, because Illusion has no other slow powers and a severe lack of Aoe in low levels. Also, he has Superior Invis so Flash Arrow has minimal benefit. |
Originally Posted by UnicyclePeon
I think Flash Arrow is underwhelming, at best, unless stacked with Smoke (from Fire Control) in which case its pretty decent if you slot both for hit debuff. But, whatever floats your boat. I personally love Glue Arrow.
Lewis |
However, Gravity has an AoE Immob that recharges quickly and puts a slow on any foes missed by the immob, and no Invisibility or Stealth (like Steamy Mist) power. I can see where Flash Arrow would be needed more than Glue Arrow depending upon playstyle. While the ToHit Debuff is small, I think that the stealth would be the real benefit. Grav controllers take a while to kill off foes, and are stuck in long animations or have to rely upon slow DoT powers for damage. Not being seen while you slowly damage a nearby foe could be a big help. However, Carnifex makes some good points, too. I wasn't advocating Flash Arrow so much as presenting it as an alternative to consider. Some folks seem to love it. I like it OK on my TA/Arrow Defender, but I'm not nuts about it either. Frankly, Flash Arrow needs more -ToHit, and Glue Arrow needs more -Recharge.
Oh, and good call on the Fire APP -- I forgot about the need to light Oil Slick. I actually have Fire Blast and Fireball on my Illusion/TA. The blast and Torrent from Primal will light the Slick, too, but there is something particularly satisfying about Fireball toasting a group of foes, followed by a continuing Bar-B-Que from the Oil Slick.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
Thinking about it there is one reason I like Glue so much. I picked it up early and didn't get Crushing Field until level 24, specifically to avoid the early on aggro it can gain you. So I think that early reliance on Glue is the chief reason for my liking it so much. In the 30s it got moved off onto my 2nd tray and I didn't use it as much because I was AOE immobing everything.
Quote:
^ This please (plus some -regen in either PGA or Disruption arrow, or a bit in both, say 100 or 150. And if they No Stack got pulled from Acid Arrow and PGA that'd make me very, very happy).
| Frankly, Flash Arrow needs more -ToHit, and Glue Arrow needs more -Recharge. |
AS to buffing TA, yes. Those who haven't should read the thread on that on the archetypes forum.
That being said, Glue is one of the best powers in the set, perhaps third best behind oil slick and EMP. Those who don't use Glue Arrow probably underestimate its value. The -20% recharge is the stated value, but in practice, it tends to be greater than that. Often MOBs move this way and that trying to get out of the patch rather than attacking even when their attack is recharged. This is particularly true if one circles the patch to have MOBs switch directions to try to leave. It may not give contain, and thus may not be worth it ultimately, but it sure seems a heck of a lot better than Flash Arrow to me.
I've got my grav/ta build laid out, but I can't figure out what to select at level 30. I am currently trying to decide between propel, gdf, and maybe Flash Arrow?
I have no clue. None at all.
[color:#FF0000]Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.601[/color]
[color:#FF0000]http://www.cohplanner.com/[/color]
[color:#FF6A6A]Click this DataLink to open the build![/color]
[color:#FFB7B7]Level 37 Magic Controller[/color]
[color:#FF0000]Primary Power Set: [/color][color:#FFB7B7]Gravity Control[/color]
[color:#FF0000]Secondary Power Set: [/color][color:#FFB7B7]Trick Arrow[/color]
[color:#FF0000]Power Pool: [/color][color:#FFB7B7]Flight[/color]
[color:#FF0000]Power Pool: [/color][color:#FFB7B7]Fitness[/color]
[color:#FF0000]Hero Profile:[/color]
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 1:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Lift[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 1:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Entangling Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 2:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Gravity Distortion[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 4:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Glue Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 6:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Crush[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 8:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Crushing Field[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 10:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Ice Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 12:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Hover[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 14:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Fly[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 16:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Poison Gas Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 18:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Swift[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 20:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Acid Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 22:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Health[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 24:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Stamina[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 26:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Wormhole[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 28:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Disruption Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 30:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7][Empty][/color]
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 32:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Singularity[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 35:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Oil Slick Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 38:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]EMP Arrow[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 41:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7][Empty][/color]
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 44:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7][Empty][/color]
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 47:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7][Empty][/color]
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 49:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7][Empty][/color]
[color:#FF0000]------------[/color]
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 1:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Brawl[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 1:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Sprint[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 2:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Rest[/color] [color:#FF0000]--[/color] [color:#FF8080]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#FF6C6C]Level 1:[/color] [color:#FFB7B7]Containment[/color]
So, that's my build. Help please!