My "main" is a DM/Regen scrapper... I can't say enough how much I love DM. Yeah, it is weak in AOE, but against single "hard" targets? It is just fantastic.
Conversely, I have a MA/WP scrapper at 50 as well... and I just find it... lacking.
"Life is what happens when you are making other plans"
In regard to stun stacking as an effective soft control...I find that DM's Touch of Fear is a far better method, since you aren't relying on "chance to" and it's perma.
I have a level 50 DM/WP toon, but Ive found the combination a challenge to get to where I want it. Trying to get both recharge and def up to higher levels seems almost impossible. I just started a DM/Inv toon and I might take him up to 50 instead.
Good luck with whatever route you go
I have played MA/WP, MA/SR, DM/WP, and DM/SR each into the 28-35 range.
So my opinion is based on SO-only slotting and content.
Martial Arts is really lacking in synergy with most defense sets. A case could be made with MA/DA for stacking stuns thru oppressive gloom, but other than this I would reccommend Martial Arts more as a visually appealing set. Not saying that its a bad set, just that you are not going to get any major synergy with Willpower.
Dark Melee, on the other hand synergizes well with just about everything. The toolbox that it has encompasses everything you could want to help in survival and you only have to give up AoE effectiveness. Of course if your looking for AoE damage, Martial Arts isnt that special either.
Bottom Line: If you wish to min/max, go with Dark Melee
If you want the fancy animations and 'cool' factor regardless of top-end ability, go for Martial Arts.
BIOSPARK :: DARKTHORN :: SKYGUARD :: WILDMAGE
HEATSINK :: FASTHAND :: POWERCELL :: RUNESTAFF
I have a DM/Inv and a MA/WP...and just out of experience, I found the lack of AoE in DM to frustrate me. Not to say in the least that the set is lacking, because it's at the top of the dps chart for a reason.
With that in mind, my MA/WP is my best looking toon, and while mine is not IO'd out to where I'd like it to be, it is still very survivable.
Considering that your secondary is stagnent, as stated above, from a min/max perspective, DM/WP will be extremely sturdy due to the quick heal that is Siphon Life combined with the regenerative properties of WP. If you want to fit a concept and still be fairly tough, MA/WP will be just fine. It all comes down to what your preference is in terms of min/max.
Flux Tempest-Electric Melee/Willpower
Zaunte's Rage-Claws/Invulnerability
The responses so far have pretty much confirmed my initial expectations. Dark Melee's utility is extremely tempting. My main reason for selecting Martial Arts would be for the entertainment value. My concept is for a shapeshifter so the ability to change animations along with my costume would help me stay entertained on long play sessions as opposed to watching the same thing over and over.
That being said, I'm curious as to how I can make Martial Arts competitive. I thought to get several Touch of Death procs to add some Negative Energy damage. I'd also like to pick up some kind of self-heal, however small it may be. Relying on having a green when things get dicey has never sat well with me. I could fit Aid Self into my build but I'd have to cut out either Tough and Weave (Which I'm told do a lot to increase WP's survivability) or Ancillary Powers which I'd like to have for concept reasons.
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OR...
You could do like I am planning and go after Regen. I have a build on my "work" computer that I could post that is 400% regen (He is Martial Arts - Super Reflexes).
On a Willpower character you could get significantly more regen than this. My Tanker will have over 700% once he is finally IOed out ( 1 target in range).
From my experience, good regen plus some form of control will help you recover in alot of tight spots. For example; That boss thats pounding you hard, hit him with Air Superiority every time it recharges to let your regen catch up. You could try other forms of controls like holds, stuns etc... on Lts, but I have seen the worst alphas coming from 1 or more bosses getting in some lucky shots.
If you are planning on big game hunting solo, well, there are others that could give you more advice, since thats not the way I focus my characters. I like facing down larger spawns, not single AVs. I prefer that kind of challenge with teammates.
BIOSPARK :: DARKTHORN :: SKYGUARD :: WILDMAGE
HEATSINK :: FASTHAND :: POWERCELL :: RUNESTAFF
Hey everyone. I'm in dire need of assistance. I'm hopelessly torn between Dark Melee and Martial Arts for a new /WP Scrapper. Both sets have great qualities that appeal to me.
DARK MELEE
-Minor click self-heal in Siphon Life
-toHit debuffs stack with Rise to the Challenge's debuff
-Dark Consumption provides support in the event of an End emergency
-Exotic damage type is less resisted
MARTIAL ARTS
-Several attacks offer soft control
-Stun stacking is a more reliable form of mitigation against hard targets
-Dragon's Tail is a reliable AoE attack
-Ability to switch animations suits my concept
So I come to you all in the hopes of getting some opinions on which is preferable. I've got an incling that Dark Melee is better from a performance standpoint. I've played the set to 50 before so I'm familiar with its use. But there are methods for bringing MA into some competition. Thanks for any input you can offer.
Wanna play a Peacebringer? Don't believe the hype. Check out my guide and get the real truth:
PEACEBRINGERS SUCK!!! (Now fully up to date for i21+