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I laughed heartily at your avatar. That really would have saved Inigo Montoya a lot of time and energy, though he wouldn't be using it as a strengthening mantra then. |
Originally Posted by dougnukem
Keep in mind
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It's funny how this thread is turning into one about Masterminds.|
Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
You should try /Force Field then. That is the most "watch the show" mastermind ever while you toss out the occasional Aid Other and whatever else you want. /Sonic Resonance may also work the same, though resistance is very different for pets.
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I like my Mastermind, but currently I don't have time to level another. If I go with another Mastermind, I might do Beast Mastery on a nature themed character. Force Fields might have worked with Robotics as well, theme-wise, I don't see it working so well with the other MM options. Ninja's or Ghosts with force fields - maybe it works mechanically, but for me the concept of the character is the primary motivator. Most of my ideas have worked out well enough so far, CoH is pretty forgiving in what power choices you make.
As I wrote in my OP, I had been focussing on melee characters mostly, and wanted to play some ranged characters. I now have 3 corruptors (archery/TA, Rad/Rad, Elec/Storm) that I do like, and one Blaster that I needs to run into melee too often for my taste. I do like the Fireball, Rain of Fire and the high damage output. I considered just not picking up any of the PBAoE powers and going with a lot of pool powers, like the Stuff in Medicine, but then going making a Corruptor with Thermal Radiation seems to be a stronger option.
I keep ending up with Corruptors for ranged at the moment. Originally I had planned to level one of each AT. For melee I've got a three Brutes, Scrapper, two Stalkers and an Arachnos Widow as well. No Tanker yet, but I might get to that soon. All seem to be solid melee classes and fun to play.
I tried some defenders and controllers, but things were very slow to defeat and against some enemies I had real trouble. Maybe they get better as you level, I do like the control aspect of my Elec/Storm and Archery/TA corruptors. The last one originally was a TA/Archery defender, but I remade him as a corruptor.
The Fire/Fire Blaster is my first real Blaster, and while I like the Primary, I don't like the options in the Secondary. Maybe I just don't like the mix in ranged/melee that is the Blaster class. I can't think of a concept that would work. Suggestions on what Blaster combination I might like are welcome.
I've handled some of the problems with controlling ranged enemies at the early levels by selecting missions that have mostly melee enemies, like Snakes and Legacy Chain and Lost.
If you are willing to put a bit more investment into it, a fire/fire/fire dom is probably one of the most powerful 'full fire' characters I've made. The ancillary fire pool literally gives you rise of the phoenix, which somehow might work well for the phoenix theme. Whithout a lot of +recharge it's still strong, you just have to be more tactical about timing power use and how much aggro you get. Trust me, my fire/fire/fire dom can grab aggro off of just about anything. If you do this, you reeaally want flashfire/cinders ready.
The fire/thermal corruptor will be less directly powerful, but will be capable of offering better team survival and will offer far more reliable SO performance, and a greater range of distance attacks faster. You also get rise of the phoenix for others, which works.
If you want to go pure 'ranged' on a blaster, I might suggest Fire/energy, coloring the fire more light-like and the /energy more fire-colored. /Energy is a great secondary for 'pure range' blasters, giving a variety of boosts that can be used from any location.
If you think controllers are slow, try Gravity Control because it has higher single target damage so it is faster. It's my favorite controller set.
I also prefer brutes and the Arachnos Widow because it is like a melee character with ranged attacks. I actually played nothing but Brutes for my first year and a half in the game(lol). I still tend to go back to the defensive characters with always on mez protection.
You keep going back to corruptors probably because they are very good. They have damage and they have the support sets that make that damage less of an "all or nothing" risk.
Go with a Fire/Thermal corruptor of Fire/Kinetics. I favor the latter, but they're both good choices.
(Edit: Maybe you should avoid Kinetics because that focuses on melee range as well. In that case, go with Thermal, especially considering it has the power "Power of the Phoenix".)
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Yeah. I think I'm going to try Fire/Fire/Fire Dominator.|
Originally Posted by Seldom
If you are willing to put a bit more investment into it, a fire/fire/fire dom is probably one of the most powerful 'full fire' characters I've made. The ancillary fire pool literally gives you rise of the phoenix, which somehow might work well for the phoenix theme. Whithout a lot of +recharge it's still strong, you just have to be more tactical about timing power use and how much aggro you get. Trust me, my fire/fire/fire dom can grab aggro off of just about anything. If you do this, you reeaally want flashfire/cinders ready.
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| The fire/thermal corruptor will be less directly powerful, but will be capable of offering better team survival and will offer far more reliable SO performance, and a greater range of distance attacks faster. You also get rise of the phoenix for others, which works. |
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| If you want to go pure 'ranged' on a blaster, I might suggest Fire/energy, coloring the fire more light-like and the /energy more fire-colored. /Energy is a great secondary for 'pure range' blasters, giving a variety of boosts that can be used from any location. |
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Can't argue with any of that. Doms in groups and Doms that plan to solo mostly should NOT look at all alike at the lower levels. Some powers are group money and solo suicide, and vice versa.
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Originally Posted by gameboy1234
My problem with immobilize is it doesn't do anything to curtail ranged damage. Whereas a almost any corruptor secondary will provide mitigation across the board. That doesn't make Doms or immobilize bad, it just means the that say Fearsome Stare is rather better in most situations.
Immobilize is nice in a large group, where you have a couple of damage soakers (Tanks, Brutes, etc.) and a couple of AoE damage dealers. Round 'em up, lock 'em down, burninate. If you immobilize a spawn while solo you're going to eat a large number of ranged attacks. That can be hard for some folks to adapt to. |
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Have you even looked at Illusion Control's graphics and animations in the character creator?|
Originally Posted by RogerWilco
I might like the idea of a light themed character. Not this phoenix one, but I will look into your suggestion for when I give Blaster another try. The issue where Dazzler was introduced was my first ever X-men comic (second hand, I was in diapers in 1977). ;-)
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That is perfect for you if you want something like Dazzler.
It's just rather different to play than pretty much every other character.
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Corruptors are the best at pure rangers in the game, so this makes sense.|
Originally Posted by RogerWilco
I keep ending up with Corruptors for ranged at the moment.
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Originally Posted by RogerWilco
The Fire/Fire Blaster is my first real Blaster, and while I like the Primary, I don't like the options in the Secondary. Maybe I just don't like the mix in ranged/melee that is the Blaster class. I can't think of a concept that would work. Suggestions on what Blaster combination I might like are welcome.
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1) A Fire/Fire blaster is an excellent range only character. Yes, most of the secondary is going to be ignored, but Ring of Fire really is that good. Aim (or Build Up) + Breath + Ball is awesome AoE and adding Rain of Fire is even better. Flares, Ring of Fire, Blaze, and Blast make for a great range attack set. Consume is solid for occasionally running in and topping of your endurance. Since concept is more important than performance, I highly recommend Blazing Bolt, one of the best FX and sound combinations in the game and what is better for ranging than a massive range, big damage power? Note: snipes are generally "bad" for performance, the time it takes to use them could almost always be "better" used for something else.
This option gives you plenty of room to choose a multitude of pool powers to flesh out your concept (and boost performance as desired).
2) A Fire/Mental blaster is an excellent ranger. You get to add another, bigger cone AoE to your arsenal, a solid KB power in case something runs at you, a range fear power, and, of course, a range immob (while not nearly as good as Ring of Fire for damage, Subdual is still a solid immob). Drain Psyche is useful for occasionally running in and getting a decent buff to your regen and recovery.
3) Another corruptor. Enough has been said and you seem to have a good handle on how you would go if you went corruptor.
4) Fire/Fire dominators are quite impressive as are Mind/Fire doms. They make excellent rangers that could both work with a phoenix concept.
Why Blasters? Empathy Sucks.
So, you want to be Mental?
What the hell? Let's buff defenders.
Tactics are for those who do not have a big enough hammer. Wisdom is knowing how big your hammer is.
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I solo mostly, and immobilize is awesome.|
Originally Posted by Madadh
Can't argue with any of that. Doms in groups and Doms that plan to solo mostly should NOT look at all alike at the lower levels. Some powers are group money and solo suicide, and vice versa.
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I want to keep those higher damage melee attacks, and their chance for stun, well away from me.
I've learned to play very well using strategies that apparently seem stupid.
Fire/fire/fire doms are a blast. And they can be played to be more survivable, or more risky. More ranged, or more up close. Your cal all the way. Some may be more effective, or more safe, or more capable of pushing top end DPS, but I'd not obsess over that, and just enjoy the ride and your theme. A Dom F^3 can do it... Once you get to the end game, then you can make the alt as sick as you like, and decide if you want to tweak any theme choices..
For now, just enjoy locking stuff down then burning it..
From what you've posted, I think this is the best combo for you, in this situations. I'm not claiming it's the best thing ever, or even the best power combo for a Dom, etc, but....
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Originally Posted by StratoNexus
2) A Fire/Mental blaster is an excellent ranger. You get to add another, bigger cone AoE to your arsenal, a solid KB power in case something runs at you, a range fear power, and, of course, a range immob (while not nearly as good as Ring of Fire for damage, Subdual is still a solid immob). Drain Psyche is useful for occasionally running in and getting a decent buff to your regen and recovery. . |
If you go with a Fire/Mental... Don't underestimate Drain Psy.. It's the best reason to take the set. It can be made perma, and do huge boosts, but it can also neuter most AVs and even GMs on the regen and recovery front, since it's a debuff, too.
And a blaster type with HUGE regen and huge +end is never a bad thing..
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Glad to hear we agree. Not sure I'd call it stupid, tho. Seems obvious you don't want folks up on ya, especially melee types baddies..
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Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
I solo mostly, and immobilize is awesome.
I want to keep those higher damage melee attacks, and their chance for stun, well away from me. I've learned to play very well using strategies that apparently seem stupid. |
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Will do. Your suggesting an Illusion/Energy Controller here?
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Originally Posted by T_Immortalus
Have you even looked at Illusion Control's graphics and animations in the character creator?
That is perfect for you if you want something like Dazzler. It's just rather different to play than pretty much every other character. |
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I was thinking Psi/Mental for another character at some point. I will look at /Mental for Blasters.
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Originally Posted by Madadh
If you go with a Fire/Mental... Don't underestimate Drain Psy.. It's the best reason to take the set. It can be made perma, and do huge boosts, but it can also neuter most AVs and even GMs on the regen and recovery front, since it's a debuff, too.
And a blaster type with HUGE regen and huge +end is never a bad thing.. |
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Sadly, controllers do not get access to dominator or blaster secondaries, and dominators do not get Illusion Control(either because of the pets or the stealth that doesn't combine well with dominator secondaries).|
Originally Posted by RogerWilco
Will do. Your suggesting an Illusion/Energy Controller here?
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I suggest Illusion/Time, because they mesh together well, but I have also successfully played Illusion/Force Field and know Illusion/Radiation Emission to be amazing per Local Man's guide here: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=141225
Illusion Control looks awesome. I have to say it is one of my favorite graphical sets.
My Fire/Fire dominator is now level 9 and going good so far.
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You have chosen wisely..
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Originally Posted by RogerWilco
My Fire/Fire dominator is now level 9 and going good so far.
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The hard things I can do--- The impossible just take a little bit longer.
If numbers are so much more important than a teammate who is fun to play with, forget about the game altogether and go play with a calculator instead. -Claws and Effect-
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I think you'll be well pleased with the performance and how it suits the theme you want.
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Originally Posted by RogerWilco
My Fire/Fire dominator is now level 9 and going good so far.
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Just be sure to always leave your targets wanting more, because that is what "dominators" do. |
Originally Posted by RogerWilco
My Fire/Fire dominator is now level 9 and going good so far.
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Just ask Dominatrix.
Keep in mind, if you go with something like a Fire/Dark corruptor, you can always customize the dark power colors to give a more fiery look. This will help achieve that concept you're trying to stick with. I'd also say that this combo is probably one of the safest and most powerful, in an overall mindset of both wants/needs. And I feel this way even without heavy IO slotting for bonuses.
I base most of this off of having leveled a fire/elec blaster, fire/dark corr, fire/ta corr, fire/cold corr, fire/time corr, fire/fire dom, and earth/fire dom.
Don't I know you???