You didn't mention whether or not you had Numina/Miracle/Performance Shifter slotted in Health and Stamina. If you are VIP and have re-affirmed your hero alignment, at your level you can run SSA 1-4 and get alignment merits in short order. If you were going to pick up Cloud Senses or Basilisk's Gaze, those sets top out at 30 and give +end and +recovery bonuses. Call To Arms also gives +rec and is a level 30 set.
If any of those were on your long term buy list, might as well get them sooner than later.
Not seeing a compelling reason to build for recharge when all of Cold's best powers (as well as things like Haunt) are on a long recharge? Your logic eludes me.
Anyways, I really recommend getting a lot of global recharge on any /Cold. Having perma Benumb is really nice in teams against hard targets as it debuffs damage heavily even if the -regen is resisted. Perma Heat Loss solves all of your end problems, and stacking Sleet is just criminal. 100% uptime on Haunt can't be a bad thing either.
On top of all of that you can relatively easily get soft capped S/L or Ranged defense. My Ill/Cold has both of those as well as enough recharge to run perma PA.
- @DSorrow - alts on Union and Freedom mostly -
Currently playing as Castigation on Freedom
My Katana/Inv Guide
Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either. -Einstein
Well this is my current partially planned build. Note a couple of underslots are actually places where Enhancement Boosters would go.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.954
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Darkness Control
Secondary Power Set: Cold Domination
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Psionic Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Grasp -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(3), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(5), HO:Perox(5), Dmg-I(7)
Level 1: Infrigidate -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Living Shadows -- GravAnch-Hold%(A), Cloud-%Dam(7), Posi-Dam%(9), TotHntr-Dam%(9), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(11)
Level 4: Ice Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(11)
Level 6: Possess -- CoPers-Conf(A), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx(13), CoPers-Conf%(13), CoPers-Conf/Rchg(15), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg(15), CoPers-Acc/Rchg(17)
Level 8: Fearsome Stare -- Cloud-ToHitDeb(A), Cloud-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Cloud-Acc/ToHitDeb(19), Cloud-%Dam(19), Cloud-Acc/Rchg(21), Cloud-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 10: Glacial Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(23)
Level 12: Heart of Darkness -- WotController-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear(A), WotController-Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/Rchg(23), WotController-EndRdx/Rchg(25), WotController-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx(25), WotController-Acc/Conf/Hold/Immob/Sleep/Stun/Fear/EndRdx/Rchg(27), WotController-Rchg/Dam%(27)
Level 14: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Haunt -- C'Arms-+Def(Pets)(A), EdctM'r-PetDef(29), SipInsght-ToHitDeb(29), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(31), SipInsght-Acc/Rchg(31), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 20: Arctic Fog -- RedFtn-Def/Rchg(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(33), RedFtn-Def(33), RedFtn-EndRdx(33), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(34), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 22: Aid Other -- Heal-I(A)
Level 24: Aid Self -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg(34), Numna-Heal/Rchg(36), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Numna-Heal(36), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(37)
Level 26: Shadow Field -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(37), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(37), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(39), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(39), Lock-%Hold(39)
Level 28: Benumb -- RechRdx-I(A), Acc-I(40)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Ksmt-ToHit+(40), Zephyr-ResKB(40)
Level 32: Umbra Beast -- ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(42), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(42), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(43), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(43)
Level 35: Sleet -- RechRdx-I(A), Achilles-ResDeb%(43)
Level 38: Heat Loss -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(45)
Level 41: Mental Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(46), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46)
Level 44: Indomitable Will -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 47: Psionic Tornado -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), Posi-Dam%(50), FrcFbk-Rechg%(50)
Level 49: Mind Over Body -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 50: Agility Radial Paragon
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Code:
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Quote:
I'm really thinking about how ridiculously expensive it can be to pursue IO sets with Defense and Recharge bonuses versus the end result of having a reasonable level of utility. As a /Cold, it's relatively simple to find a place to put groups of 5 Red Fortunes and an LotG, but I'm not sure the overall impact of that investment is going to be seen in the performance of that character. It's very hard to quantify the performance of a relatively low-DPS Controller and while I have several billion inf available to me, I'm not sure spending it on this one is the best investment, even on this toon I'm sure is going to make a quick trip to 50.|
Originally Posted by DSorrow
Not seeing a compelling reason to build for recharge when all of Cold's best powers (as well as things like Haunt) are on a long recharge? Your logic eludes me.
On top of all of that you can relatively easily get soft capped S/L or Ranged defense. My Ill/Cold has both of those as well as enough recharge to run perma PA. |
I did buy a Miracle Unique with my first two Hero merits. That seems to have made all the difference in the world as far as my End issues went.
Things I hate: Anime. PvP. Lying MMO Developers. Outleveling content. Manga. ED. Comic Store Employees. Anime.
Quote:
There is a trend from many posters on these Controller Forums to push for extreme max builds with capped Defense, Recharge and almost everything else. Usually those builds have to sacrifice utility powers or some effective slotting to achieve those build goals.|
Originally Posted by PunkRolex
I'm really thinking about how ridiculously expensive it can be to pursue IO sets with Defense and Recharge bonuses versus the end result of having a reasonable level of utility. As a /Cold, it's relatively simple to find a place to put groups of 5 Red Fortunes and an LotG, but I'm not sure the overall impact of that investment is going to be seen in the performance of that character. It's very hard to quantify the performance of a relatively low-DPS Controller and while I have several billion inf available to me, I'm not sure spending it on this one is the best investment, even on this toon I'm sure is going to make a quick trip to 50.
I did buy a Miracle Unique with my first two Hero merits. That seems to have made all the difference in the world as far as my End issues went. |
It really isn't necessary for every build. For example, my Illusion/Cold has lots of Recharge to get Perma-PA, but his Defense is only what is provided by Ice Armor, Arctic Mist and some incidental Defense from sets chosen for other reasons. With Perma-PA pulling the aggro, invisibility and Deceive, he really doesn't need high defense.
I have a bunch of level 50 controllers who don't have final fully IO'ed out builds, and yet they are still a lot of fun to play. (I don't have the Influence to fully IO out all of my 35 level 50 characters.) Yeah, they may get an occasional faceplant . . . but debt is so inconsequential in the game today that it really doesn't matter. Besides, playing a squishy who is actually squishy is more of a challenge. Invulnerable characters get boring sometimes. I find it fun to have to use my controls and strategy to keep alive.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
Quote:
This is a very exaggerated version of the truth. In many cases, the skippable powers being lost contribute very little to the build and can be replicated or made obsolete by better tactics and creative use of your existing powers. For examples of what softcapped builds actually look like, see some builds I've posted.|
Originally Posted by Local_Man
There is a trend from many posters on these Controller Forums to push for extreme max builds with capped Defense, Recharge and almost everything else. Usually those builds have to sacrifice utility powers or some effective slotting to achieve those build goals.
|
Choosing to take skippable powers that are not necessary is really up to subjective personal preference and not objective performance concerns.
Glad the Miracle helped! Putting in the Numina ought to seal the deal as far as your end woes go.
As far as the whole recharge/def debate goes, I don't see the need to be all or nothing. You can get LOTG recharges via Alignment Merits and just not worry about Red Fortune. Basilisk's Gaze has ranged def, recharge, and recovery, Malaise's Illusions has recovery, recharge, and ranged def, Stupefy has recovery, +hp, recharge, and ranged def.
Quote:
I don't think you should ever run into the problem of having to choose between Rech/Def and utility if you throw enough influence at your character. I didn't have to do that with my Ill/Cold, she still has both ally shields from Cold as well as everything except the invisibility powers from Illusion, and all of them well slotted to boot. |
Originally Posted by PunkRolex
I'm really thinking about how ridiculously expensive it can be to pursue IO sets with Defense and Recharge bonuses versus the end result of having a reasonable level of utility. As a /Cold, it's relatively simple to find a place to put groups of 5 Red Fortunes and an LotG, but I'm not sure the overall impact of that investment is going to be seen in the performance of that character. It's very hard to quantify the performance of a relatively low-DPS Controller and while I have several billion inf available to me, I'm not sure spending it on this one is the best investment, even on this toon I'm sure is going to make a quick trip to 50.
|
In teams I work as a force multiplier with some soft control, and this is where +Rech helps me immensely more than the Defense, having Sleet up at every spawn is just that much better than having it up every other spawn or every third. Basically you can think of it as a straight 30% damage buff (multiplicative) that is up 50% of the time or 100% of the time, in long stationary fights even 200%. All the damage added by Sleet is effectively damage done by your "relatively low-DPS Controller", not so low anymore after increasing the damage of your 7 teammates! To increase your team's potential even further, Perma Heat Loss means no one in the team has to take a breather for endurance. In any teaming situation, Sleet, Heat Loss, your AoE controls and the shields will be your most important powers to boost the team's performance, most of which benefit a lot from high recharge.
It should be noted that I built my Ill/Cold to solo ridiculous stuff and that's why I went for high Defense on top of Recharge. Soloing a single AV I rarely see any purpose for my Defenses (1 or 2 attacks directed at me), but when pulling off stuff like soloing Lusca without insps/temps or multiple AVs, the benefits are clearly there. When thinking of high-end builds, I think you should first determine what you want to do with the character. If you want to solo AVs and are happy to use insps to meet that goal, building for Defense might be less beneficial than going for something else, but I still think you should grab all the Recharge you can get because all your best powers benefit a lot from that.
- @DSorrow - alts on Union and Freedom mostly -
Currently playing as Castigation on Freedom
My Katana/Inv Guide
Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either. -Einstein
Hi people.
I have a Dark/Cold Controller and I just dinged 32 tonight. To date my slotting has mostly focused on getting Haunt out as often as I can and to get the best balance of enhancement vs. damage procs in the AoE immobilize. My main spam powers, the ST hold and AoE immob, are both well slotted for Accuracy and End reduction (the hold is also slotted for damage), but I seem to have fairly ridiculous end issues. Every click power I have with more than one slot has at least some End reduction in it. I'm not sure if this is just a characteristic of these sets or if I just don't have the slots yet to fully address this aspect of my toon.
At any rate, I figure I'll probably throw around a billion inf into getting this character whipped in to some kind of shape. I suspect I could get some reasonable level of defense, but at the moment I'm not seeing a compelling reason to build for ridiculous levels of recharge; Benumb is always going to take forever to come up and Dark's AoE hold is just as gimpy (long recharge, short duration) as every other set's.
I'm not going to post a build (and I'm not explicitly asking for some giant Mid's listing) because I'm more interested in advice about where I should try to be at level 50. For the moment, everything I have is basically just frankenslotted IOs. Is it worth it to take Frostworks? Should I keep my ST immob? I skipped Snow Storm on the basis of its End cost. Am I going to want to pick that up at some point?
Those of you who have made the trek to 50 on Dark/Cold already, what did you wind up doing for your APP and Alpha? Did you skip any powers from your primary and secondary? Were there any IO sets that really made a huge difference for you?
Things I hate: Anime. PvP. Lying MMO Developers. Outleveling content. Manga. ED. Comic Store Employees. Anime.