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Well that is true but with /SR you don't need the resistance because it is a Def set. the resistance can help at times but with most of my /SR I'm never really that low in health to reap the benefits because I never get hit. | Finally, with regard to SR, I'm a bit put off by the variable damage resistance of the set. It seems to require that you get the crap kicked out of you in order to reap the benefits; I have to wonder how effective that really is. |
Both Sets go great with DM
if you don't have a lot or don't want to spend a lot /SR will be better because it will be a lot cheaper to get soft capped defense and a better attack chain because of the recharge. Now if you have a lot of inf DM/SD will be a lot better. It can do crazy damage and has Shield Charge which gives DM a little better AoE.
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"- Chesty Puller US Marine Corps
I've never been too crazy about softcapped defense (nice but not necessary, at least for me as an insp junkie) so SD is undoubtedly the best choice in my opinion.
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Softcapped defense is a little over kill with SL too. I will say that my DM/SD scrapper was the easiest /SD I play up to 50 because of SL.
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Originally Posted by Nihilii
I've never been too crazy about softcapped defense (nice but not necessary, at least for me as an insp junkie) so SD is undoubtedly the best choice in my opinion.
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"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"- Chesty Puller US Marine Corps
If you don't use IOs, SR will be more survivable and your attacks will recharge faster. With SD you'll do more damage and have an AoE attacks that wipes all the minions in a spawn every other fight or so.
If you use IOs, I'd say SD will eventually outperform SR in every aspect with enough inf. Even with modest amounts of int spent, you'll have excellent AoE capabilities as SC will probably be up each fight.
So it basically comes down to if you want AoE capability or not. Soul Drain and Dark Consumption, while doing decent AoE damage, are really not up nearly enough often to count as AoE attacks. And Shadow Mauls is... too damn long and not much of an AoE at that.
Unfortunately, unless you are dead broke, the answer will almost always lean towards Shield Defense. At least it seems that way to me. I like SR more, but SD just seems better 95% of the time.
As for the variable resists of SR, I've never looked at them as anything other than a nice bonus to help you survive (react to) streaks of attacks getting through your defenses.
Lewis
Random AT Generation!
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Generally, the main point of the recharge bonus with SR is to do better damage. Shield Defense still beats it for damage, so not really a positive in favor of SR.
Honestly, I can't think of anything that DM/SR does better than DM/SD.
Maybe one... if the nerf comes, it won't be SR getting nerfed. 
"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
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Originally Posted by Werner
Generally, the main point of the recharge bonus with SR is to do better damage. Shield Defense still beats it for damage, so not really a positive in favor of SR.
Honestly, I can't think of anything that DM/SR does better than DM/SD. Maybe one... if the nerf comes, it won't be SR getting nerfed. |
Hehe
Thats a sober thought Werner.It seems that everyone would sway you towards shield defense as the better secondary.
I will also say that DM (especially Siphon Life) are exactly what both these sets need to jump start them to 50. SR especially needs it since it has no +hp power and no "real" resistance. The main playstyle difference that I have seen is that SR requires more power picks in order to create its baseline "defense". Shields requires fewer picks for defense and gains some real nice optional powers (like Shield Charge).
I went with SR simply because I want to be softcapped with at least one of my toons and it would be nice to do it without spending a billion influence. Well, that and I also decided I wanted to pair Shields with something else.
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Thanks for the input everyone.
Although I don't have a ton of influence to spend, I think I'll go with my initial inclination and take SD. Bottom line for me: the set is fun and it gives me more toys to play with. If it takes me longer to reach the softcap, then so be it. I think I'll enjoy the ride.
My main purpose in posting was to hear from folks with experience in both secondaries because I was afraid that I might overlook something. Your responses did help me make my selection, so I'm much obliged.
I'm now ready to join the legion of DM/SD scrappers out there and find out why the combo is so popular. Let the scrappage begin.
Best of luck! I'm sure you'll have fun, DM and SD are both enjoyable sets to play.
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
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Thanks. I enjoy both sets separately, so combining them should be twice as much fun. Soul Drain and Against All Odds seem like they would work particularly well together.
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Originally Posted by UnicyclePeon
Best of luck! I'm sure you'll have fun, DM and SD are both enjoyable sets to play.
Lewis |
I have both DM/SR & DM/SD at 50. The SR is fully pimped with softcap, perma-hasten and high recharge. The SD is less expensive IOs (no purples, no lotg), but still softcap and decent regen.
In all but the absolute peak challenges the SD is much more fun, especially when it comes to teaming.
If I could be bothered, I'd multi-respec both to get all the purples out of the SR and make the SD top bannana.
So yes DM/SD every time.
I'm planning to delete one of my lesser-used toons in favor of a new Dark Melee scrapper. Right now, I'm considering Shield Defense and Super Reflexes because I think the To-Hit Debuff of the primary would synergize nicely with the defense of either secondary.
I have a fair amount of experience with DM (level 30 DM/DA), limited experience with SD and no experience with SR.
My initial inclination is to go with shields for the assortment of offensive-oriented goodies that everybody likes. (i.e. more hit points, AAO, Shield Charge) On the other hand, I'm also intrigued by the recharge bonus that SR provides at higher levels. Finally, with regard to SR, I'm a bit put off by the variable damage resistance of the set. It seems to require that you get the crap kicked out of you in order to reap the benefits; I have to wonder how effective that really is.
In a nutshell, I have two questions:
1) What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of each set when paired with Dark Melee?
2) How do the differences of each secondary affect play style?
I should also mention that this character will be used in solo PvE.
Thanks.