Mental Character...

Hello All,
I am hoping that I can get some help from the community on a new character that I would like to make. I have really had it in my head for a bit to make a Mental based character (thematically, though perhaps not directly by powersets). I have a few ideas for possibilities that I will post here, but I have very little experience with Controllers and so I do not know the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed powersets. That is where I am hoping to get some help!

So here they are in no particular order:

1)Mind Control/Force Field or Kinetics (A character that invades others minds to shut them down and either projects his will to an outer defense or convinces others that they are slowed while convincing allies that they are faster [Slower/Faster because they think they are]).

2)Gravity Control/Force Field or Kinetics (A telekinetic [probably FF here since it is far more thematically fitting, but I am open to ideas] I love the idea of hurling stuff with the power of the mind).

3)Illusion/Force Field or Kinetics (A character who projects illusions/fears into the minds of his foes. Kinetics could be strong here thematically [ever have one of those dreams where you are trying to run from something, but you are in slow motion?], but Force Field seems like it could be very strong with Illusion [Picturing sitting safely behind PFF while PA is out, etc].

As I mentioned earlier, I am not familiar enough to know how these sets handle for a Controller so I don't know whether these are strong, capable pairings or underwhelming performers. Where they shine/where they don't.

Also, and please don't think this is a flame post, I am not certain why to choose a Controller over a Dominator for sets where they are available to both. I always thought that Controllers would have a greater magnitude to their controls than the Domintators to balance out the damage, but that does not seem to be the case. As I have looked over the powers in Mids, they seem to have the same Mag, but the Dominator does almost double damage whereas the controller gets a few seconds longer duration.

Am I missing something? Is there a fundamental difference that I am not understanding? Perhaps in the inherent (which I do not really know much about, I admit)?

Ok, I greatly appreciate any tips and help! This ill-formed character concept has been pounding on the inside of my head for days, but I have not been able to get a handle on it. I look forward to your feedback!

My namesake is a FF/Psi, so when I decided to roll Mental Maden2 I chose a Mind/Sonic controller for the thematic similarity between the sets with a twist. I recolored the shields psi colors; it looks nice. It's a nice combo for team play.

Mind Control/TA/Psi Mastery Controller

I find a mind/ff/psi fits the bill for the all around psi character. Thematically it all gels together and from min/maxer perspective you can have softcapped ranged defense with the right build and even have soft capped psi defense as well with Indomitable will. Between IW and Dispersion bubble you're pretty much covered vs most of the common cc effects which leaves you free to use something other than Clarion for your Destiny Incarnate power choice.

What's also nice about mind/ff/psi is you get alot of built in aoe during the leveling process via Terrify and Repulsion Bomb and can add Psionic Tornado once you near the end. In addition you get to provide some nice team buffs with the shields and have personal force field as a panic button if things go south. It's also nice to have on the order of 65% resistance to smashing and lethal damage (stacked tough and mind over body) as well as 30% psi resistance for anything that does manage to get through the soft caped ranged defense.

Kyriani,
I noticed in your Sig that you have a Mind/Psi Dom. How do you feel that compares to the Mind/FF/Psi controller that you posted about?

And thanks all for the replies. Keep em' coming!

To get the easy question out of the way, the reason to choose a controller over a dom is that de/buff sets are waaaay more powerful than assault sets.

As for the others, I would go with Mind/ for sure if you want thematic mental powers. Mind is totally like that. Illusion is spookier than just "mind" powers, and Gravity will feel like telekinesis without psi, and is frankly weak.

As for secondary, if you're looking at Kin or FF, I would overwhelmingly suggest Kin, on the premise that kin is much more effective generally than FF. Mind/Kin has a very jedi feel to it, and is about as powerful and fun as Mind/* gets.

If your concept is all about the "appearance" of allies and enemies going faster and slower... perhaps, just perhaps you should wait until Time Manipulation comes out. That might work with your concept a bit better.

Otherwise, having a Mind/Kin myself, I can tell you that it's a blast to play. There's very little a well-built mind/kin can't handle... though in this game, that's true of everything.

Here's my guide to mind/kin if you want to take a look.. it's sliiightly outdated, but i'm going to amend that soon =) http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=122388

Thanks to all of you for your input, it has been very helpful! Emperor, that is actually a great suggestion on the Time Manipulation. For some reason I had not considered it for this set, thought I have been planning it for a Mastermind (my favorite class). Thanks for the idea!

I notice that no one has mentioned the Illusion controller option. Is there a reason for that? Is it substandard in some way? Can you Fulcrum Shift Phantom Army?

I am actually thinking of splitting my concept up into different characters because I cannot seem to make my concept actually fit any one powerset. That said though, I did come up with a bio story that will allow me to make several different toons to accomplish what I am wanting.

I am happy to hear any other thoughts and ideas that you guys have, and I appreciate the input!

Illusion is very potent.. I spoke mainly from my mind/ff/psi point of view.

My Illusion/Radiation controller is probably my most powerful character. I'm sure with some creative coloring you could explain the radiation powers as mental in some way. What makes this combo so amazing is that the various rad powers compliment illusion greatly. Debuffs like enervating field and radiation infection increase your Phantom Army's (unbuffable) effectiveness while buffs like accelerate metabolism help your long recharge powers come up more quickly. Accel metab + hasten is a nice headstart towards perma hasten and perma PA.

Illusion/FF doesn't strike me as particularly potent because much of your effectiveness as illusion comes from your pets and force field just doesn't do much to enhance your performance in that regard. It does however offer you teaming buffs which aren't bad as well as some personal status protection with dispersion bubble.

Illusion/Storm has always been something I felt worked great as a combo for a Magic origin character. It's a diverse bag of tricks... illusions and elemental magic. Ill/Storm has some nice synergies like ill/rad does... it has debuffs that the unbuffable PA can benefit from as well as some nice damage powers like Tornado and Lightning Storm. Toss in the Fire APP (cause what mage can't hurl a fireball every now and then eh?) and you've got a pretty comprehensive mage character in my book.

The other combos I havent really delved into too much so I can't really speak for them.

I have heard that Mind Control is better on Dominators, whereas Gravity Control is better on Controllers. Illusion is only available to Controllers, so if you want something that is unique that is always a good route.

Mind/Empathy would make for a good Mental hero. Maybe a super powered Therapist! Therapists use Hypno-therapy and try to empathize and understand their patients. Maybe your hero created a mind amplification headband to amplify his mental powers. Empathy isn't as beefy but the offer heals and recovery add a ton of team support. Plus you get a rezz!

I actually like gravity control and have 1000's of hours playing various gravity combinations (most often grav/kin). (I found the kin aspect went really well from a gravity standpoint. FS and Siph Power were like increasing the force of gravity to such levels that it was harmful, Inertia Reduction was reducing the force of gravity, Siphon Speed again reducing gravity even more. Transference/transfusion about making it easier or harder to rest and recover)

Conceptually I love the Gravity/FF/Psi or Grav/FF/Primal for a telekinetic character, or heck even Ice and Fire for the Cyro and Pyrokinesis.. earth not so much. I think it fits the typical thought of mental character better then mind control. Its a very Jean Grey sort of combination.

Gravity though is a set you will either love or hate. It takes a very long time before you get your bread and butter AOE control (like level 31 before its fully slotted long), and Dimension Shift is a love it or hate it power.

I love soloing with a gravity controller but not really teaming with them as both wormhole and Dim Shift are unique control abilities which don't always work in a team setting.

A huge aspect of playing a gravity controller, which goes counter for most (well pretty much every other control set) is knowing when NOT to use your AOE control powers. Unlike say earth or fire when tossing out the AOE disorient whenever its up isn't a bad thing.. suddenly relocating the mobs on your party, or phasing them out can be a bad thing. This aspects gets worse as you get higher in levels as control itself isn't as needed at level capped IO'd out levels of play. That is personal opinion though.

I'd give it a try though as conceptually its a great combination..

On and if you wanted you could go with Fire/FF, or Fire/Thermal/fire for a pyrokinetic sort of character as well.

You could always go with a Mind/Storm controller. It would be like you were the love child of that one famous mutant and that other famous mutant, from a dark future which may or may not come to pass!

Edit: also you could consider psy/mental blasters, if that hasnt been mentioned. I didnt read every post.


Lewis

Fallen_Hand,

I do not know what your storyline is for your mental based character, but I do like the mental powers of a VEAT Fortunata and wonder if the origin of the fort can be blended for your character's bio.


P.S. Remember that Corruptors will be getting PSI blast soon and they have access to Psi Mastery from the APP as well.

P.S.S. I have also seen someone on virtue using Kinetic Melee as a Psi Melee by changing the colors. They were a KM/Willpower. It was actually looked pretty cool looking and worked well.

Big Soto,

Fortunata's are just plain awesome. I have a level 44 (I think) already, but I was actually considering starting a fresh one as part of my "I need to split my ideas into multiple characters because I can't fit it all into one" concept. But I know that a controller is one that I am going to roll, so I am looking at these sets to figure it out. I dig the suggestion on the KM/Willpower build; neat idea!

Unicycle Peon,
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think that is what I am directly shooting for this time around, but I like it for a future idea. By the way, I saw in another thread where someone was looking for ideas and you listed out about 12 of them. Nice creativity!

Montaugh,
That was a very well thought out post, and I appreciate the information. Your idea of the Grav/Kin synergy is very cool. I will consider that strongly.

Again, thank you to everyone for the information. I am thinking at this point that I may make an Ill/Rad, since Ill is only available to controllers and Rad compliments it well. As was mentioned above, I think I can be creative enough to make Rad fit the Mental theme (I think....).

Thank you Local Man!

I am actually quite excited to play this character now! I will be diving into your guide almost immediately! Warning: Pesky questions may be incoming.... :P