Earth/Storm Controller help

Hi Folks,
I'm an "old timer" who just returned for the Going Rogue Expansion and I want to dust off my Lvl 50 Earth/Storm Controller. Looking at him and his enhancements/slots, he seems to be a bit of a mess so I need help with IO sets (along with suggestions for Alpha Slot). I don't have access to Mids on this computer but the build is pretty much as follows:

Primary: Earth
1). Fossilize (6 slotted)
2). Stone Cages (6 slotted) 2 Trap of the Hunter
3). Quicksand (4)
4). Stalagmites (6)
5). Earthquake (5) 5 Undermine Defense
6). Volcanic Gas (6)
7). Animate Stone (5) 2 Blood Mandrake

Secondary: Storm
1). Gale (1 slot)
2). Snowstorm (3 slotted) 2 Pacing of Turtle
3). Freezing Rain (6) 2 Analyze Weakness
4). Steamy Mist (6)
5). Thunderclap (3) 2 Rope A Dope
6). Hurricane (4) 3 Dampened Spirits
7). Tornado (6)
8). Lightning Storm (6)
9). O2 Boost (1)

Other:
Stamina (3)

Epic Pool:
1). Indomitable WIll (2) Recharge IO
2). Mind over Body (2) Resistance IO
3). Psionic Tornado (6) All Basic IOs

I have some cash for some decent sets but an 'all purple' would be a 'wish list' so if you think a purple would be great for a power, please give a corresponding orange recipe if possible. I appreciate the time and my apologies if the format above is tough to read. Thanks!!

This build may give you a few ideas. You always have something to do -- everything recharges pretty fast. Freezing Rain is up for nearly every spawn. Ranged defense is 30%, which if you use Earthquake or Hurricane will soft cap your ranged defense in most cases. You have enough control powers to take on two or three spawns simultaneously -- you can fire off control powers non-stop, as well as pump out a decent amount of fire damage. You can also stack area stuns (to stun bosses) with Stalagmites and Thunder Clap.

This is relatively cheap if you don't get the LotG: +recharges right away. You can put in something else in for them for the time being and do alignment tip missions. Add the +recharges as you get them.

I took the End/Range alpha boost because endurance is a problem without it.

Some of the IO choices are a little weird (single Performance Shifter in Consume) because I just had them sitting in the base. You can find cheaper alternatives easily.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Elemental Force: Level 50 Mutation Controller
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(3), Lock-Rchg/Hold(3), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5), Lock-%Hold(46)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: O2 Boost -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-Rchg(7), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Dct'dW-Heal(37), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(40)
Level 4: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A), P'ngTtl--Rchg%(37), EndRdx-I(46), P'ngTtl-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(50)
Level 6: Quicksand -- ImpSwft-Dam%(A), Slow-I(7)
Level 8: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(9), RechRdx-I(17)
Level 10: Stone Cages -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(11), Posi-Dam%(17), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(13), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(13), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(15), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(15)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight-I(A)
Level 16: Steamy Mist -- S'fstPrt-ResKB(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25), LkGmblr-Rchg+(25), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(37), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 18: Freezing Rain -- UndDef-Rchg(A), UndDef-DefDeb/Rchg(19), UndDef-DefDeb(19), UndDef-DefDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(21), Posi-Dam%(50)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DampS-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(A), DampS-Rchg/EndRdx(36), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(36)
Level 22: Earthquake -- Achilles-ResDeb%(A), DampS-ToHitDeb(31), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg(31), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(31), DampS-Rchg/EndRdx(34), DampS-Rchg(34)
Level 24: Recall Friend -- Winter-ResSlow(A)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(27), Lock-Rchg/Hold(27), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(29), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(29), Lock-%Hold(34)
Level 28: Thunder Clap -- HO:Endo(A)
Level 30: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(33), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(36), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(43)
Level 35: Tornado -- Dsrnt-I(A)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(40), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(45), RctvArm-ResDam(45), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 47: Fire Ball -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48), Posi-Dmg/Rng(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Consume -- P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(23), EndMod-I(23)

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Frankly, there are a lot of ways you could go with an Earth/Storm build, and it really depends on your playstyle and what you want out of the character.

You could go for Ranged Defense. This would allow you to use your great ranged AoE controls with a fair amount of safety. This is mainly useful for a controller who stays in the back of large teams. (You don't need to worry about Melee Damage, since you can push foes out of melee with Hurricane, but AoE damage is still a concern. An alternative might be going for Smash/Lethal defense, since you can get a big boost on Smash/Lethal Defense with either the Earth or Ice APP shields.)

You could go for Recharge. This will allow you to use your controls more often. This is useful for larger, fast moving teams and a more aggressive play style, but you may take more damage -- you tend to draw a lot of aggro from your AoE controls. Recharge can also be a bit expensive, since those sets are in high demand.

You could choose powers and slots to maximize Damage. This would be useful for someone who solos or duos a lot. This would involve trying to get a lot of damage procs in the build.

Or you could go for a generalist team build. This will focus on slotting up the powers to be most effective, intended to handle whatever situation comes along. You would go for a little bit of damage, some Recharge, and a lot of powers that will provide a benefit to your team. This can be done fairly cheap and is more flexible -- you pretty much take what you want and slot it to be effective. You will probably take more damage in some team situations. You will do less damage in solo/small team situations. You won't be quite as useful on steamroll teams . . . but you will be more effective on large teams than the Damage build, and more effective on small teams than the Ranged Defense or high Recharge build, etc.

I personally like the generalist build . . . but that's in part because I'm cheap, and part because I don't like it when Controllers are too specialized -- one aspect that I love about controllers is their flexibility.

Welcome back! I have also only been back for about 2 months after a lengthy break. So I definitely know where you are coming from. I am hardly an expert when it comes to set bonuses (and quite frankly, don't care about them on my Earth/Storm as much as I do on my tanks/scrappers, etc.) but I do have a few things to suggest!

I have the Fire APP, and do good damage for solo between Fire Blast, Fire Ball, Stoney, Lightning Storm and Tornado (when I get a little bored). I initially slotted my Alpha with Damage to increase this, but honestly it didn't make a huge difference in the speed I went through things solo. When I team it is primarily for TF's or other long runs with big teams and I rarely get a chance to shoot things with fire because once I get my first string of powers off, everything is dead. So the damage increase wasn't helping me much on large teams.

I recently changed the alpha slot to Recharge and I slapped myself for wasting shards on making the musculutare. It is great for my playstyle. Earthquake is a few seconds away from being perma. Stalagmites can be my opener on every mob. More freezing rain, more lightning storm, it's fantastic. This is especially helpful on those big teams that burn through enemies. With inherent Stamina and Consume from Fire APP end is not a problem.

I only have a few opinions on Sets for this build, as purples are a "wouldn't that be nice someday" for me as well. Lockdown is a great set that right now I have in Fossilize. It has a chance for a +2 Mag hold (will add the tesla cage VFX to your hold). I see it fairly often, and holding a boss with one shot just makes me smile. (Has anyone used this in Volcanic Gases? Is there a chance for the +2 hold on every pulse?)

Also, I had a set (Don't remember which sorry) slotted into fireball that had a bonus to knockback. Might be great for a blaster, but ended up completely changing Earthquake from knockdown to knockback as if it was slotted that way. Earthquake knocking everyone OUT of my AoE controls, great! I ran a TF where I did not use my Quake and it drove me insane. This was right after I came back and did not know the bonus would do that. So if you didn't already know, watch out for the knockback bonus!

Good luck and have fun.

I recently rerolled my namesake character to an Earth/Storm controller, so I was happy to see this thread.

Below is the build I have planned for him. I didn't focus on any one thing with it, mainly just putting in procs where I could and making the various powers as effective as possible. I spend the vast majority of my time solo or on small teams (2-3 friends). I would appreciate any advice as to how I could improve upon this. I rarely play controllers so this has been a somewhat different experience for me.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Steel Shaman: Level 50 Technology Controller
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Ice Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(7), Lock-Rchg/Hold(7), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(9), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(9), Lock-%Hold(11)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: O2 Boost -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(3), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(3), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Dct'dW-Heal(5)
Level 4: Stone Prison -- Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(A), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(11), DblAc-Acc/EndRdx(13), TotHntr-Dam%(13)
Level 6: Quicksand -- RechRdx-I(A), Slow-I(25)
Level 8: Stone Cages -- Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(A), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(17), DblAc-Acc/EndRdx(17), Posi-Dam%(19)
Level 10: Hover -- Krma-ResKB(A)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(15), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(15), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(19), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(21)
Level 14: Fly -- Srng-Fly(A), Srng-EndRdx(21)
Level 16: Steamy Mist -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), ImpArm-ResDam(29), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(29), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 18: Earthquake -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 20: Freezing Rain -- ShldBrk-Acc/Rchg(A), ShldBrk-Acc/DefDeb(27), ShldBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(27), ShldBrk-%Dam(33), LdyGrey-%Dam(33), Posi-Dam%(33)
Level 22: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(23)
Level 24: Hurricane -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(34)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(36), Lock-Rchg/Hold(36), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(37), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(37), NrncSD-Dam%(37)
Level 28: Thunder Clap -- Acc-I(A), Acc-I(34)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(39), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(40), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(40), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(42)
Level 35: Tornado -- C'Arms-Acc/Rchg(A), C'Arms-Acc/Dmg(39), C'Arms-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), C'Arms-+Def(Pets)(46)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(43), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(43), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(46)
Level 41: Ice Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 44: Frost Breath -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 47: Ice Storm -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Frozen Armor -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def(50), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(34), EndMod-I(36)

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