Plant/Storm: Defense vs Recharge?

All,

I have an old shelved (due to altitis) Plant/Storm that I'd like to revisit. I haven't really played him in quite some time. I normally gravitate towards Recharge-heavy builds on my controllers, especially my stormies, but I'm wondering if I should try to go for a defense based build instead?

Or, if I do a bit of both, which should I favor?

I want just about all the powers as well as 4 epics from Leviathan, so I dont have room for boxing/tough/weave, no matter what I do.

Thanks,

Lewis

Yeah, I'm not planning to pick Ice or Stone mastery or whatever. Leviathan all the way. I was thinking more of ranged/AOE def anyway, not S/L.

I guess I'll just go for recharge. I currently do pretty well overall with more or less no def and no global recharge as it is.

Lewis

Honestly? On my Plant/Stormie, I went absolutely recharge-happy and ignored defense like it had leprosy. Grabbed the Psi APP for Indomitable Will (and World of Confusion to stack with Seeds on annoying boss-level mobs), and otherwise just kind of went nuts. It's worked out rather well for me- if I really need to keep things from hitting me, I jump into the middle of them and hit Hurricane.

The build looks something like this-

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Skein: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Plant Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Entangle -- GravAnch-Immob(A), GravAnch-Immob/Rchg(3), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(3), GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(11), GravAnch-Immob/EndRdx(15), GravAnch-Hold%(15)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Strangler -- UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(5), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(7), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(11), UbrkCons-EndRdx/Hold(17)
Level 4: Roots -- Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(5), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(19), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Posi-Dam%(23)
Level 6: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(13), Zephyr-ResKB(45)
Level 8: Seeds of Confusion -- CoPers-Conf(A), CoPers-Conf/Rchg(9), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg(9), CoPers-Acc/Rchg(13), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx(29), CoPers-Conf%(29)
Level 10: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: O2 Boost -- Mrcl-Heal(A), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(21)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight-I(A)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- AnWeak-DefDeb(A), AnWeak-Acc/DefDeb(17), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg(31), AnWeak-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(40), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(43), Achilles-ResDeb%(48)
Level 18: Spirit Tree -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal(48)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/Rchg(21), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(46), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(46), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(46)
Level 22: Vines -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(43), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(43), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(45), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(45)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 26: Carrion Creepers -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(27), HO:Nucle(27), RechRdx-I(31), TotHntr-Dam%(34), ImpSwft-Dam%(36)
Level 28: Thunder Clap -- Amaze-Stun/Rchg(A), Amaze-Stun(37)
Level 30: Steamy Mist -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Aegis-Psi/Status(31)
Level 32: Fly Trap -- S'bndAl-Dmg(A), S'bndAl-Dmg/Rchg(33), S'bndAl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), S'bndAl-Acc/Rchg(33), S'bndAl-Dmg/EndRdx(34), S'bndAl-Build%(34)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(36), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Apoc-Dmg(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg(39), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Apoc-Acc/Rchg(39), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 41: Indomitable Will -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), RechRdx-I(42), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 44: World of Confusion -- Mlais-Dam%(A), Mlais-EndRdx/Conf(48), Mlais-Acc/EndRdx(50), Mlais-Acc/Rchg(50), Mlais-Acc/Conf/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Stealth -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Grant Invisibility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 50: Diamagnetic Partial Radial Conversion
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 6: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(23)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), P'Shift-End%(25), P'Shift-EndMod(25)

I took a little bit of defense with my plant/storm - Steamy Mist/Frozen Armor. But, to be honest, you dont really need it. Between SoC and Hurricane, not much is going to hurt you.

Really depends on what you are trying to do. If you want you-versus-the-world soloing, Defense is extremely helpful. It's somewhat less so (but only somewhat) on a team build.

Here's a starter for what a tank-mage sort of Plant/Storm might look like. This build definitely requires Cardiac to calm down the Endurance costs, and might even want an Ageless thrown on top for more Recharge/End. It's pretty much solo unkillable though, because anything close enough to hit you gets its ToHit floored by Hurricane and anything further away can't get past your Psi and Ranged defense, with mezz protection to prevent detoggles from ruining the fun.

Minor disappointment is the single target damage in Strangler, although Entangle is better damage anyway. One possible option if you don't care about ST damage is to swap out Entangle for Spirit Tree and slot if with 6 Numinas for a small drop in defense. I don't have enough experience with Spirit Tree to report on how worthwhile it is as a heal.

I left Creepers unslotted because I always forget how to do it.

[EDIT: Minor build changes to improve Tornado and Lit Storm]

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Plant Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Strangler -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(5), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Roots -- Posi-Dam%(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(7)
Level 4: O2 Boost -- Heal-I(A)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), DefBuff-I(11)
Level 8: Seeds of Confusion -- CoPers-Conf(A), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx(9), CoPers-Conf%(9), CoPers-Acc/Rchg(13), CoPers-Conf/Rchg(17), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg(50)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(11), RedFtn-EndRdx(17)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(13), RechRdx-I(29)
Level 14: Boxing -- Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(15), Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(15), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(34), Stpfy-KB%(37), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(40)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Vines -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(19), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(19), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(23), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(46)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/Rchg(21), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(21), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(23)
Level 22: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 24: Entangle -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(40), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(40), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 26: Carrion Creepers -- Empty(A), Empty(27), Empty(27), Empty(29), Empty(37)
Level 28: Super Speed -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(A), Zephyr-ResKB(34)
Level 30: Weave -- RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(A), RedFtn-EndRdx(31), RedFtn-Def(31), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(31), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(34), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 32: Fly Trap -- C'Arms-Acc/Rchg(A), C'Arms-Acc/Dmg(33), C'Arms-Dmg/EndRdx(33), C'Arms-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(36), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(46), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(46)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(39), Dev'n-Hold%(39), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(50)
Level 41: Mental Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 44: Indomitable Will -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), RechRdx-I(45), RechRdx-I(45), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 47: Psionic Tornado -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dam%(50)
Level 49: Mind Over Body -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A)
Level 50: Cardiac Partial Radial Revamp
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(3)

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I always found my Plant/Storm adequately defensible, Uni, without geeking on Def (which I never do anyway, but I DO solo sometimes), nursing inspires a bit, especially after seeds. Course I've been away 16 mos, maybe you're looking to play at diff levels, or somethin', I don't even know about.

Hi Lewes,
With the Ice Mastery APP Madre Nature has about 41-42% def against S/L. I redid her with the Leviathan PPP to give you an example. You didn't say which four powers from it so I took a guess. This build has perma-Hasten (with Spiritual), 20% S/L, 23% E/N, 43% S/L Resist and decent endurance recovery.

I took all the powers I like for both sets (which is all but one) so I can see how you have no room to get to Tough/Weave. Hope this gives you a few thoughts.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.93
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Madre Nature 2: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Plant Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Strangler -- BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(A), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-Acc/Hold(3), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(5), Dmg-I(5), Dmg-I(7)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Roots -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), Posi-Dam%(11), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(13), GravAnch-Hold%(13)
Level 4: Entangle -- HO:Nucle(A), Dmg-I(7)
Level 6: Snow Storm -- HO:Micro(A)
Level 8: Seeds of Confusion -- Mlais-Conf/Rng(A), Acc-I(9), CoPers-Conf%(15), Acc-I(15), Range-I(17)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), HO:Enzym(21), Ksmt-ToHit+(23), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(23), S'fstPrt-ResKB(25)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(17), RechRdx-I(25), RechRdx-I(27)
Level 14: O2 Boost -- HO:Golgi(A)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- Achilles-ResDeb%(A), ImpSwft-Dam%(19), ShldBrk-%Dam(19), ShldBrk-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(29), LdyGrey-%Dam(31), Posi-Dam%(31)
Level 18: Spore Burst -- LgcRps-Acc/Sleep(A), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(27), LgcRps-Sleep/Rng(50)
Level 20: Hurricane -- HO:Lyso(A), HO:Enzym(21)
Level 22: Spirit Tree -- Heal-I(A)
Level 24: Vines -- BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Hold(33), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(33), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(33)
Level 26: Carrion Creepers -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(29), HO:Nucle(36), ImpSwft-Dam%(36), Posi-Dam%(37), JavVoll-Dam%(37)
Level 28: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), HO:Enzym(31)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), HO:Enzym(39)
Level 32: Fly Trap -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(34), ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(34), LdyGrey-%Dam(37)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(39), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(40)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(40), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Dev'n-Hold%(42), ExStrk-Dam%(43)
Level 41: Water Spout -- Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Dmg(46)
Level 44: Shark Skin -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(46), HO:Ribo(50)
Level 47: Bile Spray -- Posi-Dmg/Rchg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg(48), Posi-Dam%(50)
Level 49: Hibernate -- HO:Golgi(A)
Level 50: Spiritual Core Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(A), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 1: Containment
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(42)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(36)

The occasional Stormie will build for ranged defense, but I think you can get away with going all-out Recharge. It should be even safer with Plant's ability to leverage more control.

Slick build Tex! Do you think you can pull it off with Leviathan?

Thanks for all the various follow-ups. I appreciate them.

Enantiodromos: welcome back!

Lewis