Dark/Storm/Leviathan: I haven't a clue what I'm doing
By
bromley,
Posted on: 2012-03-17 16:33 in Corruptors
Adddendum: I am told that Dark/Storm/Leviathan's strengths lie in "ruining faces." This is contrary to my observations of what Seasquall seems best at, which is "running out of endurance and doing almost no damage." Clearly I am doing something wrong.
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Basically you have a chaos set. End issues aside, you have a lot of control but are going to have to spend a fair bit of your time learning how to leverage it.
Example:
A group of nasty council:
Situation One:
You can
Jump in thunderclap/dark pit and you have them all controlled.
Jump out, freezing rain, TT, nightfall. for some aoe and then pray you can aoe them before they kill you.
Probably not the best strategy but probably will work sometimes.
Situation Two:
You can
Jump in thunderclap/dark pit and you have them all controlled.
Jump out TT, nightfall. Jump out fr, tornado, lightning storm, flip on hurricane, clean up with aoes and single target as you can. This would work but it can be annoying and very messy.
Situation Three.
You can, use your aoe and hurricane to put mobs into a corner, use tornado, storm, etc to keep them in a corner, aoe them and be safe.
Problem, what happens when there's no good corner? Or you can't seem to get mobs there.
If the playstyle suits your personality then it can be effective and fun, if it's too chaotic for you, it's only going to get worse. Either way storm in general requires a fair amount of skillful play to get good at.
Good luck either way.
Partly Storm is going to be a late developer for you. Tornado and then Lightning Storm are the big guns for Storm and that's level 35 and 38.
This is a link to a thread posted by Draggyn and has links in it to other articles he wrote on the various Storm powers and while it's aimed more directly at Defenders the info should be solid for a Corrupter as well. Likewise it's relatively current.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=225992
Thanks, that'll probably help some.
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Looked at Draggynn's helpful guide... how does this look? I don't think I have the slots to put into the stuns so I didn't take them, but hopefully the -ToHit from Dark Blast and Hurricane will be able to fill in that gap if I can Gale/Hurricane them into a wall. I'm fine with use of knockback; I have three Gravity toons and one of them is Grav/Energy so I've gotten pretty used to it. I've also proc'd out Freezing Rain rather than slotting for max recharge, but it's down pretty close to Draggynn's suggested recharge time of 15 seconds anyway, but I concede it might still be worth doing some math over it to see if replacing the smashing or lethal proc with more recharge is a good idea especially if it stacks with itself.
I haven't tried it, of course, so I have no idea if my endurance problems will continue or if the damage will increase sufficiently that I don't get impatient waiting for things to fall down, but I've at least squeezed in all the powers that I know I like. I still don't know what I'm doing, precisely, so does anyone else see any glaring oversights in this?
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.954
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Seasquall: Level 50 Magic Corruptor
Primary Power Set: Dark Blast
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Gloom -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg(11), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 1: Gale -- FrcFbk-Rechg%(A), ExStrk-Dmg/KB(3), ExStrk-Acc/KB(34), ExStrk-Dam%(34)
Level 2: Moonbeam -- Mantic-Acc/Dmg(A), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Mantic-Dam%(9), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Mantic-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 4: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 6: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 8: Tenebrous Tentacles -- Posi-Dam%(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Posi-Dmg/Rng(31), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Def(15), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(15)
Level 12: Night Fall -- Posi-Dmg/Rng(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Posi-Dam%(43), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-ResKB(42)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- LdyGrey-%Dam(A), RechRdx-I(17), Posi-Dam%(17), ImpSwft-Dam%(19), ShldBrk-%Dam(19), Achilles-ResDeb%(21)
Level 18: Afterburner -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(21), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(25), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(25)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 24: O2 Boost -- Heal-I(A)
Level 26: Life Drain -- Theft-Heal(A), Theft-Heal/Rchg(27), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(27), Theft-Acc/Heal(29), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 28: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Blackstar -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(34)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(37), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(37), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- MotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg(A), MotCorruptor-Dmg/Rchg(39), MotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), MotCorruptor-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), MotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), MotCorruptor-Rchg/Dmg%(40)
Level 41: Shark Skin -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: School of Sharks -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dam%(46)
Level 47: Hibernate -- H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx(A), H'zdH-Heal/Rchg(48), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48), H'zdH-EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Spirit Shark Jaws -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(50), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50)
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Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(5), Mrcl-Heal(7)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(3), P'Shift-End%(5)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Scourge
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
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Quote:
I'm glad you found the guide helpful. It looks like next week I may finally have time to finish the LS section and get started on revisions.|
Originally Posted by FlashToo
Looked at Draggynn's helpful guide...
|
Quote:
| I've also proc'd out Freezing Rain rather than slotting for max recharge, but it's down pretty close to Draggynn's suggested recharge time of 15 seconds anyway, but I concede it might still be worth doing some math over it to see if replacing the smashing or lethal proc with more recharge is a good idea especially if it stacks with itself. |
As for your endurance problems, the biggest tool you're going to have for dealing with those is going to be Hibernate. Because of the lockout on phasing powers, Hibernate can only be used every 120 seconds. Thus I would not bother slotting it with more than the base slot unless you are going for a set bonus (which it doesn't look like you are)
I would pull those three slots out of hibernate and get yourself more endurance reduction (and defense/resistance) in Steamy Mist and Maneuvers. Or pull out afterburner and take another power.
This build should be perfectly respectable, and should be able to take down enemies plenty fast. If you were looking to solo AVs, or run solo at +4x8, you would need to hit the softcap to ranged defense, but if those aren't goals this build should work fine.
basically freezing rain, cycle tentacles and night fall whenever they're up and throw in some single target attacks on the hard targets and enemies should pretty much melt.
Also, hitting 38 and getting lightning storm, may help you feel like you have more damage output. If it's a couple bosses that feel like they're taking a while, use hurricane/gale to pin them in a corner, and then unleash FR, LS, and tornado on them and they should melt (but then you know all that from the guide
) When it focuses on a single target debuffed by Freezing Rain, Tornado's damage is massive.
Draggynn on Virtue: lvl 50 Storm/Psi, 1389 badges
Draggynn's Guide to Storm Summoning(Gale-Tornado, updated 6/25/2011)
Avatar by Wassy full reference here
Quote:
Nope. I did notice that, and toggled it off. 20 seconds doesn't seem that bad to me, but like I said I still needed to actually look at the math, so thanks for doing that for me.|
Originally Posted by Draggynn
Here I suspect that you have made a common mids mistake of looking at numbers with Gale toggled on.
|
Thanks for the info on Hibernate, I've never used it before so didn't know what to expect!
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I don't have mids on me as I'm at work but something I found helped a lot on my /Dark Blast Defender was finding a 6th slot for TT and Night Fall and adding an extra proc to the powers. I added the Cloud Senses: Chance of Negative Energy Proc to Night Fall and the Gravitational Anchor: Chance to Hold Proc to TT (although you could add the damage proc here instead).
I did notice a difference in the amount of damage I did and the little extra control helped with surviving.
Member of GGRRR, a SG on Defiant - check out our website - GGRRR
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
Quote:
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Right, forgot about the hold proc... well, since I'm planning on testing all this on beta before I commit to buying it on live, I'll see if I can swing that, because I do love the hold proc in my Gravity controller's Crushing Field, maybe try some damage procs in Night Fall and Sharks too and see if I can still have enough endurance to function. If not I think I will probably take the Explosive Strike proc out of Gale to add endredux to Steamy Mist.
This is what I'll be trying out:
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.954
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Seasquall: Level 50 Magic Corruptor
Primary Power Set: Dark Blast
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Leviathan Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Gloom -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg(11), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 1: Gale -- FrcFbk-Rechg%(A), ExStrk-Dam%(34)
Level 2: Moonbeam -- Mantic-Acc/Dmg(A), Mantic-Dmg/ActRdx/Rchg(3), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Mantic-Dam%(9), Mantic-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 4: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 6: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 8: Tenebrous Tentacles -- Posi-Dam%(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(11), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Posi-Dmg/Rng(31), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(36), GravAnch-Hold%(36)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Def(15), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(15)
Level 12: Night Fall -- Posi-Dmg/Rng(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Posi-Dam%(43), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(43), Cloud-%Dam(48)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-ResKB(42)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- LdyGrey-%Dam(A), Achilles-ResDeb%(17), Posi-Dam%(17), ShldBrk-%Dam(19), RechRdx-I(19), RechRdx-I(21)
Level 18: Afterburner -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(21), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(25), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(25)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 24: O2 Boost -- Heal-I(A)
Level 26: Life Drain -- Theft-Heal(A), Theft-Heal/Rchg(27), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(27), Theft-Acc/Heal(29), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 28: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(48), GftotA-Def(48)
Level 32: Blackstar -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(34)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(37), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(37), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- MotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg(A), MotCorruptor-Dmg/Rchg(39), MotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), MotCorruptor-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), MotCorruptor-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), MotCorruptor-Rchg/Dmg%(40)
Level 41: Shark Skin -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(42)
Level 44: School of Sharks -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dam%(46), TotHntr-Dam%(46)
Level 47: Hibernate -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Spirit Shark Jaws -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(50), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50)
Level 50: Agility Total Core Revamp
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Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(5), Mrcl-Heal(7)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(3), P'Shift-End%(5)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Scourge
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
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Quote:
I've seen slotting suggestions which are 1) designed to make the size of the cones on Nightfall and TT about the same (less moving in and out to get things in the cones) and 2) max out the procs ... quite a lot of potential damage output when talking about 5 damage procs in 2 fairly rapid firing AoE's. The downside is you lose the set bonuses from both sets of Posi blasts.|
Originally Posted by Tired Angel
I don't have mids on me as I'm at work but something I found helped a lot on my /Dark Blast Defender was finding a 6th slot for TT and Night Fall and adding an extra proc to the powers. I added the Cloud Senses: Chance of Negative Energy Proc to Night Fall and the Gravitational Anchor: Chance to Hold Proc to TT (although you could add the damage proc here instead).
I did notice a difference in the amount of damage I did and the little extra control helped with surviving. |
Edit: Then add in the procs from Freezing Rain ... ouch
Minion melting indeed.
I have a Dark/Storm/Leviathan myself. Since I am a dedicated soloist, the early days were excruciating. Nothing ever seemed to die except for me. But by the time I got into my 30s and started to get IO'd out, things became much easier and actually fun. Right now, I'm (I think) 39 and I can't remember the last time I died.
I'm soft capped on ranged def and if anything gets close all I have to do is toggle on a Hurricane and I'm golden. I also picked up some expensive IOs as soon as I could manage, the two endurance procs that go in Health and Stamina and a kismet, and make sure things have appropriate end reduction.
With all the DOT, mobs tend to melt away like an ice cube under warm water as opposed to a kaboom and they're gone. Good fun.
Right, so I have this alt because I got the name 'Seasquall' and built a totally rad costume for her, but I'm level 35 and I still feel like I haven't gotten the hang of it... I've gained no insight from guides; all the dark-blast-storm-summoning guides are for Defenders and also really old, and there are no Storm guides for Corruptors at all. I've also never taken Leviathan mastery on ANY character yet, Corruptor or not, but the whole 'ocean will kill you' theme I'm going with is really nudging me towards being able to call in the sharks, even though they might be redundant with the previous super-awesome ability to release the kraken (tenebrous tentacles) that I don't want to give up because I've already put it in art.
Basically, what am I doing here, and how can I do it fairly inexpensively? This is a villain so I don't have many people to play with, so I don't log on with her often; I just want to do reasonably well when I am on her.
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