I'm not an expert on Elec/Rad (mine is 44 at the moment, and I'm also playing an Elec/Earth Dom), but I have certainly thought about many of the same issues. I have been playing this character similar to an Ice/Rad . . . use Static Field from range, then run in with Choking Cloud and Conductive Aura running to hold and drain endurance while letting the Gremlins do some damage. Air Superiority is very good to use with this combo. I use Super Speed for travel (with a Stealth IO in Prestige Power Slide). I have the Raptor Pack when I need some vertical travel.
To me, there are two choices for the APP -- Psi for Indomidible Will (to stop mez from knocking off my Choking Cloud/Conductive Aura toggles) or the Earth APP. Fissure is a short-range fast-recharging AoE. Rock Armor is ugly, but provides a good S/L shield. Seismic Smash is great melee damage AND a hold. And Earth's Embrace for the HP buff and as a second heal. I'm using Psi as I level up, relying upon my own mez abilities to protect me from damage. That seems to work well solo, but teams, especially teams with Fire controllers, tend to mess up my control. So I may change to Earth if and when I gather enough IO sets with S/L Defense to stack with the Rock Armor.
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Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
I'm not sure there is any "one bonus to rule them all" for Elec. The ever-popular recharge doesn't seem quite so vital, just because most of the powers are already on fairly short recharge timers. On the other hand, I can't say recharge is bad either. I've got a theoretical build that Mids says will give Synaptic Overload every 18 seconds or so, which sounds like all kinds of fun. Not to mention approximately perma Indomitable Will, which I already know I enjoy on my Fire controller. I like not having to avoid things with, say, AoE Psionic holds.
Jolting Chain, I kind of like damage procs. But then, my strategy might be considered atypical. Assuming you're not going that route, it's main use is probably soft control, so you'd probably want to focus on accuracy, recharge, and endurance reduction. Or just find something with a good set bonus. Just no knockback sets if you actually want to use the power...
Stacked leadership toggles are always powerful for teams. Assault doesn't really help a soloist much, just because Elec's base damage is pretty low. (I say even though my Elec/Rad has it, but it's likely to get dropped.) Still, an Elec can probably afford to run some of them as long as there's enough enemies nearby. Static Field can really give back an insane amount of end if you're in a crowd too.
I'm not sure ranged defense isn't better, if you're going for defense. Elec/Rad can stack a lot of stuff on anything nearby, but the stuff that stands back can be trouble. I'll admit to being pre-biased towards that route though, again from my Fire controller.
-Morgan.
Ok, I have some general questions about elec controllers. I have an Elec/Rad at 50 (PvE, of course). Im looking to slot it well, but not use tons of high-cost IOs. (eg, Id likely slot Static Field with Fortunatas Hypnosis, Synaptic Overload with Coercive Persuasion but may not be able to slot something like 5xRagnarok right away
So here are my questions:
1) Whats the secret sauce IO bonus? Ie, for Ill/Rad, Ive always thought recharge was king, to get PA up to perma but Rech doesnt seem to be as important with Elec or am I wrong?
2) I love Jolting Chain, though it may not be an optimal choice but how to slot it? In particular, I was hoping that slotting the Entropic Heal Proc might have multiple chances to heal me per activation though I know its unlikely, given how it works
3) Is Leadership just too End heavy, or is Maneuvers and Assault (and Tactics)worth the End price?
4) Will I be better off with Musculature Alpha, or Cardiac? (or something else??)
5) Should I be going for Melee def, and is this going to be a Stand in Combat kind of toon? I played it kind of seat-of-the-pants on the way up, but I never really got a feel for the most effective way to play.
a. I thought hoverblasting would work, as I was always afraid to get in the mix, but the choking cloud/conductive aura combo Ive tried lately have felt more and more comfortable. But I DO lack some survivability in melee and looking at the bonuses, is it even possible to get near melee defense cap without completely gutting the build?
b. If melee, is Air Superiority the way to go?
6) Seems obvious to me to take Epic Fire Mastery for more damage (And lightning-blue Fireballs are great!) but is that right? Would Psi Mastery or Ice Mastery be better?
Some of these Ive answered for myself, but Im really looking for any pitfalls I may be missing. Any help is appreciated.
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