Theft of Essence: Chance for +Endurance in Dark Regeneration.
Beyond that, try building for defense. There's not a huge amount in the set itself, but depending on budget, you can get S/L, melee, S/L/E/N, or even S/L/E/N/F/C or all three positions up to 45%. At that point, you have something ridiculously sturdy - capped defense, solid resistances, and a truly massive heal.
Another option is to take more recharge, recovery and AoEs. If you're in a big spawn, the Theft of Essence proc can make Dark Regeneration return more endurance than it costs. Throw in Dark's ability to mitigate through mezzes, and you can cut through a spawn in a very short time with little loss of Endurance.
Are you working at SO/IO (non sets) stage or are you looking to invest in IOs? BS/DA is an expensive habit if you are looking to go 45% def to all positions.
Dark Armor sucks!
Sorry I had to lol
Actually Dark Armor hasn't really changed all that much. If you have money to blow, invest in the theft essence proc, other than that slot all of your attacks for endurance reduction, try and get as much defense as you can, and recovery as you can.
Virtue: @Santorican
Dark/Shield Build Thread
I also picked up a couple of the Perf Shifter procs and placed one in Stamina and the other in Physical Perfection. Plus accolades can help a tiny bit as well.
I have almost completely IOd out my Kat/Da build and she is an absolute joy to use. I aimed for endurance, defense, and recharge.
Read this thread: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=189427
BS/DA and Kat/DA are discussed extensively in it.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
I tried this once before, it just wasnt fun playing like you need an asthma inhailer the entire time. I did up a build with +recovery bonuses and all the endurance uniques I could get my hands on and it still wasnt enough to make this set playable for me on a scrapper. I am gonna reroll mine as a stalker so thats 2 less toggles I have to deal with and maybe that might the difference on endurance.
Bump and Grind Bane/SoA
Kenja No Ishi Earth/Empathy Controller
Legendary Sannin Ninja/Pain Mastermind
Entoxicated Ninja/PSN Mastermind
Ninja Ryukenden Kat/WP Scrapper
Hellish Thoughts Fire/PSI Dominator
Thank You Devs for Merits!!!!
Quote:
My soft-capped Katana/Dark was endurance sustainable, and that was with Cloak of Fear instead of Oppressive Gloom. Mind you, that was before the IO nerfs, and he isn't any more. But it should be a solvable problem, particularly in I19. I wasn't sustainable leveling, but it wasn't horrible, just had to make sure everything had sufficient endurance reduction. Frankenslotting my attacks helped tremendously.
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Originally Posted by EvilRyu
I tried this once before, it just wasnt fun playing like you need an asthma inhailer the entire time. I did up a build with +recovery bonuses and all the endurance uniques I could get my hands on and it still wasnt enough to make this set playable for me on a scrapper. I am gonna reroll mine as a stalker so thats 2 less toggles I have to deal with and maybe that might the difference on endurance.
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"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
Quote:
This. |
Originally Posted by Werner
My soft-capped Katana/Dark was endurance sustainable, and that was with Cloak of Fear instead of Oppressive Gloom. Mind you, that was before the IO nerfs, and he isn't any more. But it should be a solvable problem, particularly in I19. I wasn't sustainable leveling, but it wasn't horrible, just had to make sure everything had sufficient endurance reduction. Frankenslotting my attacks helped tremendously.
|
My BS/DA is still endurance sustainable for anything except a particularly long AV fight. His survivability suffered a little with the BotZ changes, but he can keep going nearly indefinitely endurance-wise.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
I have a question in regards to DA combos; Would the combo of DM/DA be viable for AV killing?
Quote:
With an appropriate build, some AVs. For instance, you might be able to make a smashing/lethal soft-capped build and take on smashing/lethal AVs. But really, you could probably pull it off without the soft cap if you focus on all the other aspects of survivability since Dark Armor has nice, layered survivability. It won't be an ideal AV combination, but it should be possible.
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Originally Posted by CyberDragon
I have a question in regards to DA combos; Would the combo of DM/DA be viable for AV killing?
|
"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
My main, a spine/DA, is a toon I've been working on for quite some time. Granted, it may not be a BS/DA, but I feel the slotting should be helpful enough. I feel I should mention that, while it may seem as if he would have severe end issues, he does not. This is thanks to alpha slotting cardiac. He can now move without any endurance issues while tearing through many mobs at a time.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.90
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
From the Darkness 3.0: Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Spines
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Lunge -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(3), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(3), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), T'Death-Dam%(42)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/Rchg(5), TtmC'tng-EndRdx/Rchg(5), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), TtmC'tng-ResDam(48), TtmC'tng-EndRdx(50)
Level 2: Spine Burst -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(7), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(9), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Oblit-%Dam(11)
Level 4: Murky Cloud -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam(13), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(13)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(15), RechRdx-I(17)
Level 8: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(17), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(19), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(19), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(21), GSFC-Build%(21)
Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(23)
Level 12: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 16: Impale -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 18: Quills -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx(27), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg(29), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx(29), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 20: Tactics -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(34)
Level 22: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-+End%(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Mrcl-EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(36)
Level 24: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(36)
Level 26: Ripper -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(37), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Oblit-%Dam(39)
Level 28: Cloak of Fear -- SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(A), SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(36), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SipInsght-ToHitDeb(40), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 30: Death Shroud -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx(42), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg(42), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx(43), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 32: Throw Spines -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 35: Kick -- KBDist-I(A)
Level 38: Soul Transfer -- RzDz-Acc/Rchg(A), RzDz-EndRdx/Stun(40), RzDz-Immob%(46), RzDz-Stun/Rng(46), RzDz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(48)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(48)
Level 47: Tough -- GA-3defTpProc(A)
Level 49: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(50), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(33)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(31), EndMod-I(33)
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Only one problem I see with your build there. By focusing on melee defense you are opening yourself up to large amounts of defense debuff. Since DA has no DDR at all, anything with a machine gun is going to strip your defense away pretty quickly, many things with machine guns will remove all of it.
If you focused more on S/L defense, you can at least avoid some of that machine gun fire and maintain your defense a little longer.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
Quote:
i did that with one I respec and broke out of retirement and I got the alpha slot then cardiac alpha yea runs real nice.
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Originally Posted by ClawsandEffect
Only one problem I see with your build there. By focusing on melee defense you are opening yourself up to large amounts of defense debuff. Since DA has no DDR at all, anything with a machine gun is going to strip your defense away pretty quickly, many things with machine guns will remove all of it.
If you focused more on S/L defense, you can at least avoid some of that machine gun fire and maintain your defense a little longer. |
Pinnacle
Langar Thurs-Katana/SR 50; Hejtmane-DM/DA 50
Rogue Spear-Spines/DA 50; Hypnosis-Ill/Rad 50
Sir Thomas Theroux-DM/SR 50; Melted Copper-Fire/Shield 50
Byzantine Warrior-DB/ELA 50;Blade Tempo-50 DB/EA
Quote:
Just popping in here to say two quick things.|
Originally Posted by Alevan
Heya. I have a BS/DA Scrapper and long ago, it was said Dark Armor sucked.
But NOW, I heard they fixed it and Dark Armor is really good. |
Dark Armor has never sucked. Any previous sucking was due to operator error.
Nothing has been done to "fix" Dark Armor since the endurance reduction of the toggles when it was changed so that you could turn all toggles on at once.
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
Quote:
Depends on what time period you're looking at, and what comparison points you're using.|
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison
Dark Armor has never sucked. Any previous sucking was due to operator error.
|
I2 and early I3 sucked. I leveled a DM/DA Scrapper to 50 from I2 launch to early I4. And I experienced all the joys of non-stacking armors.
Quote:
True. I really don't consider anything before GDN and ED, though. Actually, basically anything in the Jack era of balance was broken one way or another.
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Originally Posted by Rad_Avenger
Depends on what time period you're looking at, and what comparison points you're using.
|
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
For me, Dark Armor has moved in and out of awesome since we figured out what to do with IOs. I figured out an almost-practical soft-capped Katana/Dark back when the Gaussian unique wasn't, but never got around to building it before they fixed that bug. Finally put one together a year ago after new IOs made it practical again, then IO nerfs broke it again (if you consider 42% ranged/AoE and not quite endurance sustainable "broken"). Now I'm better than ever in I19 and loving it. We'll see if they break it again, but at this point, I'm guessing they won't.
Dark Armor is probably tied with Regen for my most loved secondary. Not my most USED, mind you, as both have very distinct personalities, and require active involvement, and often I just want to sit down, turn off my brain, and play (e.g., Willpower). But I just love them when I DO feel up to it. Dark Armor is less involved than Regen, of course (a couple clicks and some toggle management for mine), which makes it a nice compromise between active and passive.
"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
Quote:
You would be false sir Dark Armour was the worse set to play until I3 you do realize at one time you could only turn on one toggle at a time for Dark.Yes you heard me right Dark had non stacking armor when all the other sets had stacking armor. So prior to I3 Dark Armor was worse than the blaster secondary. itwas also crappy until the endurance reduction when dark regen base end drain was 50 endurance half off what you where given even back in the 6 slotted stamina days it would drain way to much endurance and cause you issues. Also it did not have endurance drain protection back in the early days either. trust me I had a dm/da I started in I2 and got to 50 in I5 and played him partially threw all the issues up to 50
|
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison
Just popping in here to say two quick things.
Dark Armor has never sucked. Any previous sucking was due to operator error. Nothing has been done to "fix" Dark Armor since the endurance reduction of the toggles when it was changed so that you could turn all toggles on at once. |
Pinnacle
Langar Thurs-Katana/SR 50; Hejtmane-DM/DA 50
Rogue Spear-Spines/DA 50; Hypnosis-Ill/Rad 50
Sir Thomas Theroux-DM/SR 50; Melted Copper-Fire/Shield 50
Byzantine Warrior-DB/ELA 50;Blade Tempo-50 DB/EA
Quote:
The word you're looking for here is "worst."|
Originally Posted by Hejtmane
You would be false sir Dark Armour was the worse set to play until I3 you do realize at one time you could only turn on one toggle at a time for Dark.
|
Please, go back and realize that this has already been pointed out. Also note that my join date is as old as yours. I was around then; I had dark armor then.
I stated that I made the mistake of ignoring everything prior to the GDN and ED. Back then, all armor toggles were exclusive (that means you can only turn on one at a time), including Stone Armor. Back then, instant healing was a toggle. Back then, Unyielding and Rooted actually immobilized you. Back then, you could herd an entire map into a dumpster and have one blaster nuke everything to death. Back then, SR was utter garbage for a set. Back then, Moment of Glory actually reduced your survivability. I think it's very reasonable to ignore anything before that point in time, thanks to the broken nature of the entire game in that state.
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
DA + Cardiac = awesome.
I have fighting, dark armor, 2 damage auras, spines frankenslotted.
Sometimes I wonder if I use any endurance at all.
I checked the numbers and I think endurance reduction is in the 90s for everything.
Quote:
Agreed. I'm running 12 toggles on mine now. I can eventually burn myself out if I fight non-stop and don't take inspirations, but it's very nice, and when I get the very rare, I'll be sustainable.
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Originally Posted by DWish
DA + Cardiac = awesome.
|
"That's because Werner can't do maths." - BunnyAnomaly
"Four hours in, and I was no longer making mistakes, no longer detoggling. I was a machine." - Werner
Videos of Other Stupid Scrapper Tricks
Quote:
12 toggles is exactly what I am running as well.|
Originally Posted by Werner
Agreed. I'm running 12 toggles on mine now. I can eventually burn myself out if I fight non-stop and don't take inspirations, but it's very nice, and when I get the very rare, I'll be sustainable.
|
Making another DA scrap, and his build is without acro or death shroud though, so the end should be a little better. I'll miss DS but sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make the omelet.
I'm using 2 perf. shifters and a few +recovery bonuses and end isn't an issue anymore. When I get Cardiac it will be a thing of the past. Right now I'm going for capped S/L and 35% E/NE defense.
Those performance shifters proc constantly. You basically get several procs of +10% endurance every minute when you've got 2 of them running. I can also confirm that it gives you 10% of your enhanced endurance value, not base. For me it's giving me 11.5 end per proc irrc. Just in case there was any confusion on that. I've also never not gained endurance when using Dark Regen with the theft of presence proc. Those procs are all pretty cheap as of yesterday.
Here's my current build. Not BS, but maybe you can take some ideas from it:
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Claws
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Strike -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(11), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-EndRdx(5), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(15), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(42), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(46)
Level 2: Slash -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(11), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(13), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34)
Level 4: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-EndRdx(5), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(15), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(40)
Level 6: Spin -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(7), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(7), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Oblit-%Dam(43), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 8: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(9), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg(25), C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg(36), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-EndRdx(37), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(40), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(42)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Krma-ResKB(37)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(25), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Theft-+End%(46)
Level 18: Focus -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 20: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-EndRdx(23), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(23), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(40)
Level 24: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(46), LkGmblr-Rchg+(48)
Level 26: Eviscerate -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(27), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(27), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Oblit-%Dam(42)
Level 28: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(29), LkGmblr-Rchg+(29)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31), LkGmblr-Rchg+(31)
Level 32: Shockwave -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(33), Posi-Dmg/Rng(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37)
Level 35: Oppressive Gloom -- RzDz-Immob%(A)
Level 38: Follow Up -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(A), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(43), Rec'dRet-ToHit(48)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(50)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(45), P'Shift-End%(45)
Level 47: Tactics -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-Pcptn(50)
Level 49: Vengeance -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(43)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(21), P'Shift-End%(21)
Quote:
Buh-Wha?!|
Originally Posted by DWish
12 toggles is exactly what I am running as well.
Making another DA scrap, and his build is without acro or death shroud though, so the end should be a little better. I'll miss DS but sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make the omelet. |
No Death Shroud?!?
To further your analogy....running Dark Armor and skipping Death Shroud is like making an omelet.....and leaving out the eggs.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
Heya. I have a BS/DA Scrapper and long ago, it was said Dark Armor sucked.
But NOW, I heard they fixed it and Dark Armor is really good. My hero is level 50 and I want to really get it up to speed to being a good build. Any recommendations for the powers and which enhancements to put where?
Thanks!
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