A DP question

So I have two characters in mind who aren't yet created - they will be in July, when I buy GR, and the names want pistols. I don't know whether I want the first to be a DP/Devices Blaster or a Traps/DP Defender. You who have played DP, what are your opinions - Blaster or Fender? Or maybe a Corruptor, gone hero?

The second also has no set archetype, and worse, has no set powerset-that-isn't-DP. Whatever she ends up being, I don't want her to be the same as the first DP character (different archetype would be ideal but not really super-essential). If it helps, she's a tribute to Carmen San Diego, only a little steampunkier. I do NOT want Dark Miasma as the other power set, should she end up a Corruptor or Defender, since with the costume I gave her she'd end up looking too much like a female Alucard and I don't want that. The one input I do have is that if I take Devices and make her a Blaster, that saves me a power pool since I'd otherwise be taking Stealth on her for sure.

So, er, insights? Halp?

EDIT: Thematically, a DP/Mental Blaster works for the first one as well, but I'm not dead set on using it or anything; just saying that it works just as well as gadgets with the name (Argent Provocateur).

I played DP/Devices and Traps/DP and was disappointed by both. DP really benefits from a build up power that's missing in Devices. And Traps didn't help my survivability enough so I could blast away. Plus the DP damage output on a defender is weak (actually it's not that good on a Blaster either). The best combo imho would be DP/Kin Corr. If you play it right you have non stop action, good damage output and Scourge. And it's one of the few combos that is optimal for your DP nuke. Jump into the enemy crowd, hit Fulcrum Shift and then nuke them.

In beta I found DP/Devices to be ok but not nearly as good as my archery/device blaster - mostly because archery gets aim and because Rain of Arrows is so much easier to use than Hail of bullets (and is up more often). However, I am a big fan of /devices on blasters because it fits my playstyle - defensive and carefull. Pretty much all other blaster secondaries (except ice) benefit more from an on the edge playstyle where death isn't a big deal and I can't maintain that for long without getting frustrated.

I don't play defenders as their solo speed is to anemic for my taste but I did try a DP/Traps corruptor and i found that to be quite playable. You have a lot of flexibility - you can lay down trap fields and lure enemies into them, you can open with seeker drones to absorb the alpha then run in behind them to drop your traps in the middle of the mobs or you can stealth in, lay down a trip mine for some opening damage and follow up with your other traps and finish off the mobs with Hail of bullets. If you can handle the lower damage of defenders and/or you group a lot a traps/dp defender would also work well - I know a lot of folks blueside who love their traps fenders.

The thing here is that a lot of corruptor secondaries are going to go well with DP -which one is best for you will really depend on the playstyle you prefer. If you like devices blasters, you will probably like a traps corruptor. If you like playing energy manipulation or fire manipulation blaster (high damage, lower mitigation) you will probably like playing a kinetics corruptor. The trick with a high damage secondary like kinetics on a corruptor or fire manipulation on a blaster is surviving long enough to kill the mobs. The 'jump into the mob and fire off fulcrum shift' tactic requires surviving to get to the 'hail of bullets' part, and kin doesn't give you much prevent incoming damage. If you can manage tactics like that, then kinetics might be a good choice (although I dislike planning a toon on a tactic that you can't use until after L38). Otherwise I would suggest traps, dark or radiation - all of which provide a lot of personal mitigation and still increase your damage, if not as much as fulcrum shift.

For the second, perhaps a Sonic/DP Defender? Use the Steampunk Armor(with Piston boots, they're rather Steamy-punk). The Armor collects the echo from all the gunshots, and shapes it to new purpose.

No matter what way you go, DP will be somewhat disappointing as far as damage is concerned. The best option is to just go with a concept that works for you as well as a secondary or primary that has some kind of a +dmg power. I went with dp/kin but I doubt I will be taking her Rogue. The secondary effects are nice, but don't expect to outdo a fire blaster when swapping to your incendiary rounds.

Pistols/Traps Corr. Got one at 50, very nearly capped vs range. Great combo.

For the other, consider a Pistols/EM blaster. Go light on the EM, focus on the utility powers from the secondary and pool powers.

That's a little harsh... DP is the lowest damage blast set but it's only 5-10% lower than Energy Blast. That's certainly noticeable and at times quite annoying, but a DP Blaster can still solo and will still contribute decent damage to a team. It just won't be as much damage as a stronger power set would.

I'm not an expert on Blasting sets (or anything for that matter) but surely the problem with DP is the low damage and long animation times. Even if it is just 5-10% lower damage than Energy Blast, the animations are quite long which doesn't help the set.

If you go for corruptor then my vote would be /kin. Awesome survivability, those bullets hurt way more after a SP or FS or both with Scourge piled on. Plus you get a heal, good old SB for the team, and repel makes for fun shooting mobs while they fly through the air. PULL!!! pewpewpew!!!