Def or Corr?

I just recently got my brute ss/inv to level 50, but I’m just not much interested in advancing him much further, at least not now. My new experiment is with a combo of dp/traps, or should it be traps/dp? In other words, is there much of a difference at level 50?

I’m just looking for a “fun” build to advance to 50 and beyond. I tend to solo more, but tf time permitting.

Any preference for this combo?

Thanks in advance

The only real reason to go Defender over Corruptor with shared sets is the higher debuff mod on Sonic Blast.

Corruptors have better damage, but if you're mostly soloing you'd have the full Vigilance boost more often than not. So I'd say it comes down to whether you care more about getting your attack or support powers earlier.

My personal recommendation would be to go with the Dark side

There's far more to consider than debuff values for Sonic Attack (which is irrelevant anyway because the question is about DP) when considering Def vs Corr.

For one thing, a Traps Defender can far more easily build up high levels of defense.

Here are the base for values for FFG, Maneuvers, CJ and Weave:

Corr: 10 + 2.625 + 2.125 + 4.25 = 19
Def: 13.3 + 3.5 + 2.5+ 5 = 24.3

Let's enhance everything but CJ to ED cap and you get 28.3 for the Corr and 36.3 for the Def. This is before doing any set bonuses. This allows the defender to concentrate on recharge bonuses and procs, not so much on defense. Please note, the above is not the only path to soft-capping. My Traps/DP does not have Weave and is soft-capped, for example.

I haven't even gotten to the higher debuff values for the Defender.

Acid Mortar -res debuff: 20% for Corr, 26.6% for Def.
Seeker Drones -dmg debuff: 20% for Corr, 26.6 for Def.

I could go on.

For full disclosure, I will admit one of my "A-list go-to" characters is a Traps/DP Def, one I am thrilled with for team support or solo play. I can't imagine a scenario where a DP/Trap Corr would be better. Don't get me wrong, the Corr will be very very good, just not better, for this particular combo.

The traps from a corr will be better damage wise because of Scourge but that will only work if you can survive long enough to do half their hitpoints

And of course, there is the consideration that only corruptors get fire blast. For instance Fire/Storm is awesome sauce.

I'd suggest defender if you're going for maximum performance at level 50. A lot of a corruptor/defender's dual pistol damage comes from procs, and that means the defender's lower modifiers become less of an issue. Defenders will also have an easier time hitting the defense soft cap, which is already relatively easy for traps. And it goes without saying that the debuffs are better.

The corruptor for scourge. Defenders don't do a lot of damage to begin with and DP is a low damage set.

This is what my DP/Traps will be doing for slotting, or something like this.

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1399;665;1330;HEX;|
|78DA65935B6F12511485CF3050CAAD5C4AA1A5A5A5B4A55CCA08D177135B4D6ADA8|
|468E32B21ED144808436668B46FFE067DF0C96BBC3EABD1DFA2FE052F2F5E7AC53D|
|7B9D020924E43BB3E69CB5CF5E73CEF6BD0DBF10F7AF0A25B8DEAA595675DD30CD8|
|34ED730BD3BFA6EA36DB48CFAA192720B2192FD57D55BB5765DDFD3360E6AAD6AA5|
|69758D96151DBCBD76B0BFAFED98B58E15DE6C3774536F77B58B41A062182DED46B|
|3DEE836DB752F3FDDEEE8FA9E9F875B7AAD437AF0E2614F37AD46B313B9DE69EE6A|
|15E3AE6E56B76B5657370FA7694759FA674242FE7A2EF19850168E27C05386F319F|
|09C31F68271A4F45709916069958CA0F69CCA7B4CFEC0F07F043E31263E334E68AE|
|AAC0412DD8F1882C39B820F57234764B3737DCC6E1360E372FDCBC703BA5651ED98|
|547516DB7C81823E362E49D8C3507A3A8328E69954F76E12BA0692A1A905220C9D2|
|19CD0A625B8EE094624BA12810621468AF61593C8C082388308A08A388308608638|
|8304D9526650093287E4E8F53D268EAB7C396527F80BFC03FC6E21170CC8891511C|
|46AEF81796A6BF02DF18096C7A0D9B5E0B49083123039E41C009043C8780E710F03|
|C02EED1A2595964D6ADDAD2F238E061AC7A011FE067C4DD76CCE831A9F2668A5477|
|41F6B870823E4E194B67C039D0632C0B3652C9282D8DD276B349E12469457E96157|
|49841871974281C38E176A52C2AE55029874A3954CAA3521E95C2645B90B6051815|
|615B4491499AA0495BED252FBDF40A78CD28BF01DE02EF18115A55925FBBB488809|
|D437708476D6B582AB25471F6AF9550704C3607B37A1EFBCEC8717A68BC34749796|
|87F4EF5EB293FB5050E1C7B09465E9E74052943BDCF6C44DC2AAF83578A32A8FB8B|
|5F907C04384906287D26827F951A93C2A5D19952E8F4AFF018216CDD3|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

I'm with Silas on this one. I almost always prefer Corruptor over Defender. Even though my last one was a Traps/Ice Defender, and that was only because Blizzard is still Blaster level strength on Defenders, and I wanted my fun Trap powers sooner. :P

Softcapping to all vectors is hardly silly. While I might prioritize vectors by Melee, then Ranged, then Aoe; leaving any hole can be deadly.

A defender can softcap all vectors easily, and even reach incarnate defense levels given a hefty investment.

The corruptor will have to invest moderately to heavily to reach softcap to all vectors, but can do so, then capitalizing on the additional offense.

Personally, if you want the offense, I'd say go Fire/Traps. If you want the defense, go defender. Much akin to deciding if you want a scrapper or a tank.

I already said this in the defender forum but I'll say it again.

A halfway competent trapper, whether corr or def or MM, is a powerhouse solo or teamed.

If you're using the powers properly, the small differences in numbers between ATs are overshadowed beneath the overall awesomeness of traps.

I imagine there are dp/traps and traps/dp toons soloing at +4x8, that should be awesome enough for most people.

Defender is more defensive and can hit better personal recharge numbers. Corruptor does more damage.

I think they are quite balanced against one another in the case of traps.

I personally enjoy my Traps/Ice/Force tank.

The defender will be the cheaper option for softcap, permahasten, in my opinion.

If you want expensive you can get softcap, permahasten AND take Force of nature, which is hard to do on a Corruptor.

Defender is more defensive and can hit better personal recharge numbers. Corruptor does more damage.

I think they are quite balanced against one another in the case of traps.

I personally enjoy my Traps/Ice/Force tank.


The defender will be the cheaper option for softcap, permahasten, in my opinion.

If you want expensive you can get softcap, permahasten AND take Force of nature, which is hard to do on a Corruptor.

Stick with Corruptor. Take Mace Mastery and Scorpion Shield will soft-cap your smashing,lethal and energy defense with little effort, leaving you with more room in your build for recharge, recovery and damage.

Plus if you go with a Corrupter you don't have to wait until lvl 20 to leave the terribleness of blue side.

Sorry about the double!