Nightshivers (Ice/Dark)

On 10/9, the excellent team had 3 controllers and a dominator for the last mission or two, along with the tanker, scrapper, blaster, and me. The last mission was again Council on an open map. Man, talk about a cakewalk. I only had time to throw either Tar Patch or Ice Storm before we were down to the mop up part of each battle - seriously, it took longer to run between spawns than to clear them up! I think the mission difficulty was at +4/x5. The dominator really added a lot to the team's take-down ability. Having controllers with /kin, /rad and /ff secondaries enabled the team to basically ignore whatever the enemy could throw at us.

On 10/10, I ended up being invited by another team to do Citadel's TF and later by the usual excellent team for the Katien Hannon TF. Citadel's TF went about as I expected for a new TF team - there were deaths, including Nightshivers 3 times (though no complaints from any of us), some disjointed actions, but we still held together and pulled through in good time. This team had a Dark/ tanker leading, a WP/ tanker, a Dark/ Defender (1st Defender Nighthshivers has teamed with), 2(?) controllers, a stalker(!), and either a blaster or scrapper (can't remember now). I noticed my End dropping like it had pre-Stamina again when I spammed attacks/holds - even without using Hasten. The difference seems to be having Shadow Fall (even with an EndRedx in it). On this TF, I pulled out all the "versatility" stops, shifting roles multiple times during the same extended battles. It really worked well. Nightshivers deaths came from 1) using Ice Storm with so many spawns (well over the aggro cap of even two tankers) that he couldn't take the enemy response, 2) following the WP/ tank into a battle when I saw his health spike, the others just entering the mission, and him not staying (he was zooming to the end room, but hadn't told us that), and 3) spike damage when I moved to a lower-level fight just as the alpha AoEs hit. I was glad of having a Backup Radio temp power, and used it twice during battles right around the bulwarks - ah, what wonderful places for AoEs! Then poor Vandal - what's an AV gonna do with two Dark Miasma's keeping him muddled? He went down with no issues.

On the Katie Hannon TF, defeating Mary MacCumber was about as expected. The only issue was quickly finding her in the crowd of witch hats so I could get Darkest Night on her asap. The one annoyance to all of us in that TF was getting Katie's Spirit to the entrance - the team decided to see what would happen if we stayed on the ground going back rather than the uber-method of flying above and out of aggro range. Due to the constant spaced-out ambushes, this took forever. We even left the mission door at one point and came back, hoping that would help Katie's Spirit to stop fighting - it may have helped a bit, I couldn't really tell. Finally I started targeting through Katie's Spirit just to clear her target list while the team lead (who she was following) always stayed much nearer the entrance. Note to readers of this: unless you do want the additional forever battles, just follow Paragon Wiki's advice on this mission...

Last night, the excellent team kept going, this time against Freakshow. Very chaotic due to the nature of the maps/spawns - almost as chaotic as the Citadel TF. On a lab map, up a ramp, we had just engaged with two Freak tanks and assorted supporters, when a Paragon Protector patrol and entourage showed up - luckily I picked up on the PP and got Darkest Night and my two holds on him pretty quickly, then popped Hasten and mowed into them. Our Earth/Kin still was taken out during that battle (first time she'd fallen that I remember), but Howling Twilight was ready to use just then and I was able to bring her back.

heres the build i have for mine i havnt turned him hero yet but i swaped the patron out [color:#489AFF]Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.81[/color]
[color:#489AFF]http://www.cohplanner.com/[/color]

[color:#B1C9F5]Click this DataLink to open the build![/color]

[color:#489AFF]midnite frost :[/color][color:#B3CAF7] Level 50 Natural Corruptor[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Primary Power Set: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Ice Blast[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Secondary Power Set: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Dark Miasma[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Power Pool: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Flight[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Power Pool: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Fitness[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Power Pool: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Speed[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Power Pool: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Leadership[/color]
[color:#489AFF]Ancillary Pool: [/color][color:#B3CAF7]Dark Mastery[/color]

[color:#489AFF]Villain Profile:[/color]
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 1:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Ice Blast[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/EndRdx[/color](3)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg[/color](27)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Rchg[/color](36)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg/Rchg[/color](37)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg/EndRdx[/color](40)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 1:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Twilight Grasp[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Nictus-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Heal[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Nictus-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg[/color](3)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Nictus-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Heal[/color](19)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Nictus-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen[/color](19)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Nictus-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx/Rchg[/color](34)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 2:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Tar Patch[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Slow[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Slow[/color](11)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx[/color](11)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rng/Slow[/color](27)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Rchg/Slow[/color](45)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]-Rchg%[/color](46)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 4:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Ice Bolt[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]-Rchg%[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Rchg/Slow[/color](5)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx[/color](5)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Slow[/color](15)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rng/Slow[/color](37)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'ngTtl-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Slow[/color](46)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 6:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Darkest Night[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]DarkWD-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]ToHitDeb[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]DarkWD-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]ToHitDeb/Rchg[/color](7)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]DarkWD-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx[/color](7)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]DarkWD-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg/EndRdx[/color](17)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 8:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Hover[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Zephyr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Travel[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Zephyr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Travel/EndRdx[/color](9)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]LkGmblr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg+[/color](9)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 10:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Hurdle[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#8BAFF1]Jump[/color][color:#8BAFF1]-I[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 12:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Ice Storm[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/EndRdx[/color](13)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Rchg[/color](13)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Rng[/color](15)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg/EndRdx[/color](48)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 14:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Super Speed[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Zephyr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Travel[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Zephyr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Travel/EndRdx[/color](21)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 16:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Shadow Fall[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]LkGmblr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg+[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]S'fstPrt-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]ResDam/Def+[/color](17)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]LkGmblr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Def/EndRdx[/color](50)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 18:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Health[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#8BAFF1]Heal[/color][color:#8BAFF1]-I[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 20:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Stamina[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]P'Shift-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]End%[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]P'Shift-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndMod/Rchg[/color](21)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 22:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Fearsome Stare[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Abys-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dam%[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Abys-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx[/color](23)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Abys-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Fear[/color](23)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Abys-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Rchg[/color](45)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Abys-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Fear/Rchg[/color](48)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 24:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Bitter Ice Blast[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/EndRdx[/color](25)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Rchg[/color](25)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg/Rchg[/color](31)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg[/color](45)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Thundr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg/EndRdx[/color](46)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 26:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Howling Twilight[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Stpfy-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Rchg[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stpfy-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Stun[/color](42)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stpfy-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx[/color](42)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stpfy-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stun/Rng[/color](43)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stpfy-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Stun/Rchg[/color](43)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stpfy-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]KB%[/color](43)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 28:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Freeze Ray[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Hold[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Rchg[/color](29)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg/Hold[/color](29)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Rchg/Hold[/color](34)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold[/color](50)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]%Hold[/color](50)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 30:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Bitter Freeze Ray[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Hold[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Rchg[/color](31)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg/Hold[/color](31)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Rchg/Hold[/color](36)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold[/color](37)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]%Hold[/color](40)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 32:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Blizzard[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/EndRdx[/color](33)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Rchg[/color](33)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Dmg/Rng[/color](33)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Posi-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Dmg/EndRdx[/color](34)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 35:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Hasten[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#5EAEFF]RechRdx[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#5EAEFF]RechRdx[/color](36)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 38:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Dark Servant[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Hold[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/Rchg[/color](39)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg/Hold[/color](39)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]EndRdx/Rchg/Hold[/color](39)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold[/color](40)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]Lock-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]%Hold[/color](48)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 41:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Maneuvers[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]LkGmblr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Rchg+[/color](A)[color:#B1C9F5], [/color][color:#7AA4EF]LkGmblr-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Def/EndRdx[/color](42)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 44:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Dark Consumption[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#8BAFF1]RechRdx[/color][color:#8BAFF1]-I[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 47:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Soul Transfer[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#8BAFF1]RechRdx[/color][color:#8BAFF1]-I[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 49:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Soul Drain[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#8BAFF1]RechRdx[/color][color:#8BAFF1]-I[/color](A)
[color:#489AFF]------------[/color]
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 1:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Brawl[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#5EAEFF]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 1:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Sprint[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#7AA4EF]ULeap-[/color][color:#7AA4EF]Stlth[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 2:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Rest[/color] [color:#489AFF]--[/color] [color:#5EAEFF]Empty[/color](A)
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 1:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Scourge[/color]
[color:#4FA7FF]Level 0:[/color] [color:#B3CAF7]Ninja Run[/color]

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Hasten is currently saved only for certain moments when I need to spam everything I've got, since my End use is back up again. That has finally decided me back to Power Sink - Hibernate won't be enough. But I don't want to wait until 47 to get it in Electricity Mastery, so I have to go for Mu Mastery. This will allow me to get Blizzard at 44 and have some pre-50 levels to enjoy with it. I'll finish up with either Charged Armor/Assault or Assault/Tactics.

Aim at 35 was a good choice - I use it just before Ice Storm, afterward hitting Bitter Ice Blast/Ice Blast/Ice Bolt at the hardest target available.

On a team in longer battles, I've begun selecting the "2nd boss" or what have you, then using my two holds and focusing all my STs on him (they debuff as well...). For Freak tanks, I'll pop Darkest Night on this guy too, since he'll be around for a bit. This is looking to be effective, since all the AoEs the team has will melt away minions quickly enough. My holds on top of the controller/dom holds will lock down every mob we've come across so far - even on those very resistant to holds we get some seconds. With the tanker doing his thing with the "1st boss," me concentrating on the 2nd like this makes for a safer battling environment for the team, and I get full use out of my STs - yeah, I don't get Scourge on them at first, but any minions in Scourge range are on their way out soon anyway.

I may actually stay with Freeze Ray and Petrifying Gaze rather than swapping the latter for Bitter Freeze Ray. Since I now have 2 Hold IOs in each, the duration is plenty, and I love the quicker activations on them.

Nightshivers is at 36 now; getting close to 37. The experience in the 30s copies what I've seen before - the player characters now have enough powers and enhancements to feel "full" enough to be fun, and while the enemies are powerful, they aren't types which are made to play on the player characters' weaknesses. It's really one of the "sweet spots" in level progression for all.

Wow - we have a definite upsurge in Ice/Dark conversation on our forum! I know I didn't start it, but I'm glad to be a part of it. If you're evaluating corrupter builds, please remember that Fire/Dark is not the end-all be-all. Fire/Rad, Sonic/Dark, and Ice/Dark are not either. Take a look at the different combos experienced players have posted about, and decide which one looks fun for your own playstyle, and go for it!

Switch_NA, do you really see need for the much Ranged defense? If you got AoE defense up to the same level, then this build draw my attention more. However, it looks to me like you're giving away an awful lot for just ranged defense. Fearsome Stare and Darkest Night will help against mobs they're on (which won't be all in multiple spawns, but still).

Here's what you're giving away:
1. Damage on Ice Bolt
2. Recharge on Howling Twilight
3. Enhancing Dark Servant's other abilities (holds are one of his weakest)
4. Endurance reducation and recovery that you could have by alternate slotting

Dark Consumption is the end return power on the longest timer, and requires a hit check. Did you go for Dark Mastery just for Soul Transfer? Although Soul Drain is on a shorter timer with a longer duration than Aim, you have to be in melee, and have that power actually hit 7 enemies for it to equal the +Dam of Aim.

Switch,

Hey man decent build. Let me know when you bring this guy hero side. We haven't teamed in what seems like forever.

-Forge-

Did you get any further this weekend?

Nightshivers is now - a villain. Deciding to go after the cause of evil rather than rescuing innocents was an easy step, however the Freakshow students weighed on his mind - until he wondered how in the world a creature with giant hammers for hands was going to type or turn a page...

That first step into St. Martial was a shock. How different from chemically-cleaned Nova Praetoria this was, but how eerily similar to parts of Neutropolis! Nightshivers saw yet more parallels - is it any different to be ruled by Cole's propaganda than Arachnos's? People without power are equally oppressed in both places, and lies are absolutely rampant...

Still Nightshivers carried on, slow though it was. While called a "vigilante," even after robbing a bank (known to support Carnival of Shadows accounts), he could not win the trust of some - Hardcase said, "my tasks are not for the likes of you!" So Nightshivers ended up releasing more Wailers to wail on The Family, subsequently beating Hardcase to a pulp. Later, after Nightshivers had finally been recognized as a "true" villain, a nonplussed Hardcase tried to act like the incident never happened, but Nightshivers saw the twitch in his eyes...

The coven who mentored Nightshivers had told him one day he would reach the pinnacle of his training when he was able to successfully command a servant of the dark to do his bidding. That moment arrived while in St. Martial. Nightshivers summoned his wisp to tell the coven the good news, and... there was no response.

The coven was not reachable.

Now Nightshivers had a fear - was this due to his own path, or had Cole's lackeys uncovered their plans? Nightshivers's body had changed - growing older, growing horns (finally so big he had to store his hat), and his legs had transformed so that he could no longer wear his boots! Yes, Nightshivers allowed these changes to happen, in order to convince the world that he was a villain, yet his heart was still the same. He was repulsed by the Rogue Isles, and reviled the evil he found there. If he could only last to strike at its source. No, Nightshivers's larger fear was that Cole had finally uncovered the coven and destroyed them. They all knew it could happen - secrecy was the only way Nightshivers had been able to play the part in Praetoria - but... had their end finally come? If so, Nightshivers had to act quickly against Arachnos, and then be ready for Cole himself!

Yep - Nightshivers is level 38 now. All solo on redside - due to RL priorities, my play time has been very limited this last week. Add to that a friend is trying to feed my altitis by advocating for a MM Bots/Traps duo (fun!)...

I had a "doh!" moment with Aim. I can't slot Darkwand - but it still gets the boost from Aim! So now my setup for most spawns is:
1) Fearsome Stare
2) Tar Patch
3) If I feel these are warranted, Freeze Ray one mob/Petrifying Gaze another
4) Aim
5) Ice Storm
6) Darkwand 1 mob
7) Bitter Ice Blast 2nd mob
8) Ice Blast/Ice Bolt 3rd mob
9) cleanup any mobs past the first three who are now gone

If Dark Servant needs a recast between spawns, I'll cast him into the spawn. Even without slotting, fluffy rocks! On my Bots/Dark MM, he was always useful, but I never got to really see him shine. Solo with a Corrupter, it's like having my own mini-tank/controller/healer. I can concentrate on bosses, knowing he's got the minions handled (with my own AoE debuffs on them) along with occasional heals (so far, I haven't needed to use Twilight Grasp once with fluffy out). However, for those who haven't used Dark Servant - don't look for damage from him, as he's only got a little bit.

When I began Nightshivers's transition to villain, I'd wondered whether he could do so before 40, since I began at 36. Tips dropped at such a low rate... I did some digging, and found that I needed to fight bosses for the best drop chance, so I changed my status to get bosses in missions, and also street swept for them in St. Martial. That did the trick - got my five tips every day after that. Now that Nightshivers is villain at 38, I am slowly upping his mission status - right now, it's +0/x2/bosses. I'll likely expand the numbers before upping the levels any more. I will also do the 10 tip missions toward Rogue (but not the morality mission) before doing the Scirocco arc.

After becoming vigilante and going to Rogue Isles, I tested the "flipability" of Vigilante, and found some things lacking. Why would just going to Paragon/Rogue Isles wipe out progress/outstanding missions for the other side? I can understand some current technical limitation, however no thematic limitation. I tested using a SG base beacon in Rogue Isles to SHG base - check. However, even that removed outstanding reside missions!

Now that Ice Bolt and Ice Blast have 2 damage IOs in them, their damage has returned to what it was in Nightshivers's teens.

Nightshivers is strong solo! Plenty of both AoE and ST debuff/control. With Hasten up, there is absolutely no need for more than Freeze Ray/Petrifying Gaze to hold any - and I mean ANY - target he's come across. When facing targets which could perma-control Nightshivers, Freeze Ray (and occasionally Petrifying Gaze) is normally all it takes to get the drop on them (using Shadow Fall to good positioning/conning effect, of course). I hardly use Darkest Night solo right now, but when I start upping the level of mobs and/or including AVs, I'm sure I will again. Even the villain morality mission, where I had to fight Overdrive, Blast Furnace, and Overdrive again in fairly quick succession, was cake. They got two attacks apiece on me the entire time (yawn).

One weakness that remains is endurance usage. That's one reason I'm avoiding Darkest Night now (the second being its longish activation time). In extended battles when using Hasten, it's quite easy to blow through six "Take a Breathers."

The second weakness is (and will always be) mez protection. If facing one mezzer, my holds mean all is well, but against a group of them, the breakfrees are fairly critical. I was able to down two Consiglieres (one of which had a Singularity right next to Nightshivers) and their entourage only due to the BFs. The same villain setup had wiped my first villain, a Fire/Inv Brute, back in I6 - he had Unyielding, so of course I never carried BFs on him... To be fair, that was the only time the Fire/Inv Brute was ever permaheld.

I likely won't be able to post more about Nightshivers until next week sometime - I'm moving cross-USA this weekend.