Rad/Dark How to?

Trying to raise back my old Dark/Rad, I havent came up with a satisfying build. Going for cap def makes me give up too many, and I m not sure Rad/ really needs it. Should I just forget Life Drain or not? Should I frankenslot everything for just power efficiency like I use to slot up my trollers (I kina feel like a troller sometimes0 ?
Anyone has a build we could discuss?

Just like Claws said you dont need capped because of the debuffs your throwing around. If your cool with going villian for a bit to unlock patron pools I would grab Black Scorp. This gives you a typed Defense armor (easy to cap Smash/lethel) and another AoE immoblize for 100% lockdown abillity. Heres the build I'd go with.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
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Level 50 Science Defender
Primary Power Set: Radiation Emission
Secondary Power Set: Dark Blast
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Radiant Aura -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg(3), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(3), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mrcl-EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 1: Dark Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(7), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Gloom -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(11), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15)
Level 4: Accelerate Metabolism -- P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(15), EnManip-EndMod/Rchg(17), Adrenal-EndMod/Rchg(17)
Level 6: Radiation Infection -- Achilles-DefDeb(A), Achilles-DefDeb/Rchg(21), Achilles-ResDeb%(23), DisWord-ToHitDeb(23), DisWord-ToHitDeb/Rchg(25), DisWord-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(25)
Level 8: Enervating Field -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(21)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 12: Lingering Radiation -- CtlSpd-Acc/Slow(A), CtlSpd-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(42), CtlSpd-Acc/EndRdx(43), CtlSpd-Rng/Slow(43)
Level 14: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 16: Tenebrous Tentacles -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(27), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(27), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(29), Ragnrk-Dmg(29), Dmg-I(31)
Level 18: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(34)
Level 22: Night Fall -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(39), Posi-Dmg/Rng(39), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 24: Choking Cloud -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(33), Lock-Rchg/Hold(33), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(33), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(34), Lock-%Hold(34)
Level 26: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 28: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(40)
Level 30: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31)
Level 32: Mutation -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Life Drain -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(36), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Heal-I(37)
Level 38: EM Pulse -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(39), Lock-Rchg/Hold(43), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(46), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-%Hold(48)
Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: Web Envelope -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(45), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(46)
Level 47: Fallout -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(48), HO:Nucle(50)
Level 49: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(50), LkGmblr-Def(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 7.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 7.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 12.1% Defense(Smashing)
• 12.1% Defense(Lethal)
• 6.44% Defense(Fire)
• 6.44% Defense(Cold)
• 14.3% Defense(Energy)
• 14.3% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 9.88% Defense(Melee)
• 18% Defense(Ranged)
• 9.88% Defense(AoE)
• 2.25% Max End
• 6% Enhancement(Immobilize)
• 2% Enhancement(RunSpeed)
• 2% Enhancement(JumpSpeed)
• 23% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 2% Enhancement(JumpHeight)
• 38.8% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 5% Enhancement(Held)
• 2% Enhancement(FlySpeed)
• 13% FlySpeed
• 64.9 HP (6.38%) HitPoints
• 13% JumpHeight
• 13% JumpSpeed
• Knockback (Mag -4)
• Knockup (Mag -4)
• MezResist(Confused) 1.65%
• MezResist(Held) 4.4%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 3.85%
• 10.5% (0.18 End/sec) Recovery
• 42% (1.78 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 1.58% Resistance(Fire)
• 1.58% Resistance(Cold)
• 3.75% Resistance(Negative)
• 13% RunSpeed

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I'm currently working on a build for my PvE Rad/Dark defender atm as well. I'll only be playing it at level 50. I'll be frank though this isn't a build for everyone because it's very expensive.

I decided to go with a team/support build rather than a solo build. I wanted alot of recharge so AM and Hasten overlaps. I also go through alot of end with everything running so I went with power mastery for CP. It has PBU as well so I can soft cap everyone's defense when I hit PBU and Vengeance. I slotted alot of chance for -recharge slows for some added support.

When I19 hits I am going to probably take assault, superspeed, and either hover or recall friend in I19. All of which only need one slot.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.81
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

DRD Papa: Level 50 Technology Defender
Primary Power Set: Radiation Emission
Secondary Power Set: Dark Blast
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Power Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Radiant Aura -- Panac-Heal:50(A), Panac-Heal/EndRedux:50(3), Panac-Heal/Rchg:50(3), Panac-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg:50(5), Panac-EndRdx/Rchg:50(5)
Level 1: Dark Blast -- Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg:50(7), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(7), Apoc-Acc/Rchg:50(9), Apoc-Dam%:50(17), DarkWD-Slow%:50(19)
Level 2: Radiation Infection -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb:50(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx:50(9), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx:50(11), DarkWD-Slow%:50(11), Achilles-ResDeb%:20(45)
Level 4: Accelerate Metabolism -- Efficacy-EndMod:50(A), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx:50(13), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:50(13), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:50(15), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:50(15), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:50(46)
Level 6: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), Krma-ResKB:30(17), Ksmt-ToHit+:30(19)
Level 8: Enervating Field -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), Krma-ResKB:30(21)
Level 12: Lingering Radiation -- P'ngTtl-Acc/Slow:50(A), P'ngTtl-Acc/EndRdx:50(40), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(50), P'ngTtl--Rchg%:50(50)
Level 14: Dark Pit -- Amaze-Stun:50(A), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun:50(25), Amaze-Stun/Rchg:50(25), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg:50(27), Amaze-Acc/Rchg:50(27)
Level 16: Swift -- HO:Micro(A)
Level 18: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(31), Panac-Heal/+End:50(31)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(29), P'Shift-End%:50(29)
Level 22: Tactics -- AdjTgt-ToHit:50(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx:50(23), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg:50(23), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(46), Rec'dRet-Pcptn:20(48)
Level 24: Tenebrous Tentacles -- GravAnch-Immob/EndRdx:50(A), GravAnch-Immob/Rchg:50(33), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg:50(33), GravAnch-Acc/Rchg:50(33), GravAnch-Hold%:50(34), DarkWD-Slow%:50(45)
Level 26: Night Fall -- Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg:50(34), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(34), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg:50(36), Ragnrk-Knock%:50(36), DarkWD-Slow%:50(46)
Level 28: Choking Cloud -- UbrkCons-Hold:50(A), UbrkCons-EndRdx/Hold:50(36), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg:50(37), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg:50(37), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg:50(37), BasGaze-Slow%:30(39)
Level 30: Vengeance -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), Krma-ResKB:30(39)
Level 32: EM Pulse -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold:30(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg:30(40), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold:30(40), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold:30(42)
Level 35: Fallout -- HO:Lyso(A), HO:Lyso(42)
Level 38: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(39), RechRdx-I:50(42)
Level 41: Power Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit:50(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx:50(43), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg:50(43), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), AdjTgt-Rchg:50(45)
Level 44: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(50)
Level 47: Temp Invulnerability -- GA-ResDam:50(A), GA-End/Res:50(48), GA-Res/Rech/End:50(48)
Level 49: Mutation -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 2: Ninja Run

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Rad/Dark should give you very, very good effects with SO's or Frankenslotting. I'd maybe go for a few +Rech bonuses- I don't personally need permahasten, but I like to get kinda close- but you can do a very cheap, very effective build.

And color me confused ...

Is this a Dark Miasma/Radiation blast defender or Rad Emission/Dark Blast defender we are talking about?

Or more precisely which is the OP looking for advice on?

The title seems correct, even if OP initially switched primary secondary in the actual post judging by Life Drain being mentioned.

Other than that, a properly slotted Radiation infection together with the inherent -Tohit in your blasts should take care of defences pretty much, perhaps with some bonuses filling in. A hoverblasting ranged/AoE-defence playstyle/build will work out nicely - the loss of not being able to utilize choking cloud for hard control is compensated by the readily available immobilization with Tenebrous Tentacles.

In my opinion it boils down to playstyle, though. I mostly solo, and with inspirations rolling in at /x8 defence is rarely a problem while set bonuses like +rech/+hp always helps. In teams, you can say the same - while your debuffs and damage easily pulls aggro off of some meatshields, it's easy to keep inspirations (or accolades) saved up for those specific instances.