Dark and Light redux?

nornsavant

So I have been looking for a dark build for a while and I found this one. Its one of Flowcyto's from his from his Misc Build Dump. You can also find the link in his signature.

It is an older build though and I was wondering if there were any more modern conventions that might go better in the current state of the game. Does it need updating? It went pretty good in the PTR. What do you think?


PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Constitution (Primary)
Level 10: Dexterity (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Covert Ops Training
Level 9: Acrobat
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Impresario

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes)
Level 6: Void Shift (Emerging Nightmares, Crippling Challenge)
Level 8: Defiance
Level 11: Form of the Tempest
Level 14: Spirit Reverberation
Level 17: Celestial Conduit (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Masterful Dodge
Level 26: Ascension
Level 29: Ebon Void
Level 32: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 35: Expulse (Rank 2, Challenging Strikes)
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Millennial Flight

Specializations:
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Deflection (3/3)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

The build relied on pulse-spamming Conduit to get decent dps that way. W/ Conduit's re-balancing, Celestial doesn't really have a high dps option anymore, so you may have some threat issues if leaning on it for attacks. Darkness is also kinda lopsided now- it does have good ST dps in Ebon Ruin, but it will be lacking if you skip ERuin.

If you want to make a Defiance tank from Darkness and Celestial, maybe try this now:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6: Constitution (Primary)
Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Glacier (Con: 10, End: 10, Dex: 8, Int: 10)
Level 6: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Vengeance (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 6: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Defiance
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3, Accelerated Metabolism)
Level 17: Spirit Reverberation
Level 20: Soul Vortex (Soul Drain, Challenge!)
Level 23: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Rank 3, Nyctophobia)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Expulse (Rank 2, Challenge!)
Level 32: Masterful Dodge
Level 35: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 38: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

Alternates between SBlast for Fear, cheap filler, Challenge, and Despair- and ERuin for burst dps. Vengeance is ur main AoE, and Soul Vortex and Expulse offer some misc utility (some AoE dmg and light healing). Gears for lotsa Con, some Int, and a bit of Rec/End for energy. Get crit and severity on offensive gear. Could also go w/ Chilled Form and Dex SS over Int SS for more crit, though that means higher energy costs and slightly longer cds.

nornsavant

Bah! Ch-ch-ch-CHAnges...

Well, looks like maybe they don't go so good together after all. Ah well. I had tried to put together a dark build and in so doing chopped out everything except survival tools (which I doubled down on) and two damage sources. Its build Con first for survival but that does keep the damage low. Its a slow fight too, mainly just wearing the foes down with a few little spikes with the Ebon Ruin. It wouldn't beat a DPS check.

Only one AD and one AO so not the best coverage. It does have the silly Circle of Arcane Power. By gum I was not going to be without power. I'll cast what I want when I want. With that there I don't even need Spirit Reverb, and with Spirit Reverb I probably don't need the Circle.

Not sure where Ego fits into darkness. Might should have gone with Intelligence instead. So we start off like this:

Hadeus Rex - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6: Constitution (Primary)
Level 10: Ego (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Gunslinger (Con: 10, Dex: 10, Ego: 8, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Shooter (Dex: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 12: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 6: Grasping Shadows (Unyielding Agony, Devouring Darkness)
Level 8: Soul Vortex (Soul Drain)
Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Spirit Reverberation
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ebon Rift (Rank 2, Vengeful Shadows)
Level 23: Circle of Arcane Power (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Chilled Form
Level 38: Rebirth
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Jet Pack (Rank 2)
Level 35: Teleportation (Rank 2)

Specializations
Constitution: Unyielding (1/2)
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Resilient (2/2)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Constitution: Armored (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

but this might be what I should do with it...

Hadeus Rex - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Invincible (Con: 10, End: 10, Int: 10, Ego: 8)
Level 6: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 9: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Field Ops Training (Con: 3, Int: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 6: Grasping Shadows (Unyielding Agony, Devouring Darkness)
Level 8: Soul Vortex (Soul Drain)
Level 11: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Masterful Dodge
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ebon Rift (Rank 2, Vengeful Shadows)
Level 23: Circle of Arcane Power (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 35: Chilled Form
Level 38: Rebirth
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Jet Pack (Rank 2)
Level 35: Teleportation (Rank 2)

Specializations
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Battle of Wits (3/3)
Intelligence: Revitalize (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

As always I am after durable damage, that elusive spot where you can make your presence know without melting when the enemy looks at you wrong.

flowcyto

I'd prob take SReverb over CoAP. You aren't bound to an immobile circle for extra energy, and it saves you some adv points. Also, those builds aren't for tanking (as the original one was), and are lacking on Celestial; they look more like a Darkness hybrid-dps. That's fine if that's what you're aiming for now, I suppose.

Here's a Darkness hybrid-dps:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform

Super Stats
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Glacier (Con: 10, End: 10, Dex: 8, Int: 10)
Level 6: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 9: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 12: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Spirit Reverberation
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Dark Displacement)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Rank 3, Nyctophobia)
Level 23: Soul Vortex (Rank 2, Soul Drain)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 32: Ebon Void (Voracious Darkness)
Level 35: Rebirth
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 32/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

I'd keep SBlast in there cause it debuffs Dimensional dmg, and can be used as a cheaper alternative to ERuin. Last power can be w/e, and other SS setups could work too.

nornsavant

Yeah I totally switched rails on you Flow, sorry bout that. I figure if celestial wasn't going to mix in well I would just chuck it and give straight Darkness a try. My starting build (that I built, not the one I found in your depot) was a weird not-quite-tank build that was all over the place so I focused it in the stats a bit and shot for more of a durable damage dealer.

Thanks for the input. I am guessing that E Rift is not the best? I shouldn't have Vengeful Shadows on it, should just be R1R2. But Shadow Embrace is better?

Grasping Shadows can become a nice heal for everyone with groups. I know the CC is largely why bother without specialized builds, but the heal is nice and I think it does interrupt minions.

Thanks again for the thoughts and direction .

flowcyto

Ebon Rift can be good, but if ur looking at it to fill the AoE niche then the main problem there is that its a cd-based ability.

I wouldn't normally take a charged hold for team play, but yea the heal adv on Grasping can be decent enough.