Darkness DPS Rotation?

riverocean

So I'm trying to build a Dex primary Darkness toon. But I'm not sure what the DPS rotration is for darkness.

Is it just tap Shadow Blast then maintain Ebon Ruin for single target?

Then just Soul Vortex + Shadow Embrace for AOE?

This is the build I've been playing around with... I'm only level 32. Mental Precision is the Toggle & Enchanter is the Passive.

Mental Precision Darkness Build - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

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

Talents
Level 1: The Void (Dex: 8, Con: 10, Ego: 10, End: 10)
Level 6: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 9: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 18: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 21: Tireless (Rec: 8)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Psychotic Break)
Level 6: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Enchanter (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Mental Precision
Level 14: Soul Vortex (Rank 2, Soul Drain)
Level 17: Spirit Reverberation
Level 20: Shadow Shroud (Terrifying Visage)
Level 23: Ebon Void (Voracious Darkness)
Level 26: Bountiful Chi Resurgence (Rank 2, Resurgent Reiki)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Rank 3, Nyctophobia)
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 30/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (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: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto

Optimal for Darkness is to use ERuin (R3 + Nycto adv) as the main attack on targets w/ both Fear and Devoid rolling. Summon Shadows can also add good dps for the cast time (provided they stay alive).

Keep in mind that ERuin doesn't apply Fear w/o a special adv (that costs a normal rank), so it may be more reliable to use Conc or Chilled Form as the toggle if mostly using ERuin. BCR/RR + MD is a fine combo, but keep in mind that BCR will also lower dps when used. Shadow Form may also be nice cause it lowers ur aggro innately.

riverocean

Thanks Flow! This is more of a concept build just for fun. So it doesn't have to be top of the charts dps. I want to see if I can use MP as a toggle on fear based build.

aesica

You could use Soul Vortex for single target too and it would keep fear rolling, but you'd still have to use shadow blast for the damage debuff. That said, I'd definitely choose chilled form over mental precision due to being easier to build/maintain. Shadow Form is also significantly better than Enchanter since it not only offers the aforementioned threat reduction, but also it passively heals you which is helpful. The only reason to really ever pick Enchanter is if you need to mix Toxic damage with Dimensional and/or Magic. It really doesn't offer much besides that when compared to the other offensive passives.​​

nbkxs

I use hex of suffering w/fear advant bound to a tap of shadow blast for devoid, then couple that together with shattering rain, tapping when needed to refresh the debuffs, and spamming r3 nycto ruins between that time.​​

riverocean

I'll have to try Hex of Suffering! That might work well with Ebon Ruin.
Since Soul Vortex (w/advantage) is applying two mental states I'm happy so far. Right now this is themed build, so sticking with Mental Precision is working well.

Enchanter offers a generous damage buff to dimensional powers, plus a large damage resistance buff against against magic, toxic, and darkness. Which is kind of amazing for an offensive passive.

This build was just to see if MP + Darkness was viable. And so far it's proving to be.

kamokami

riverocean said:

This build was just to see if MP + Darkness was viable. And so far it's proving to be.

I know you mentioned not having an explicit goal of maximum damage, but I will just leave this here and if you want to use it or any part of it then you are welcome to. But feel free to ignore if it doesn't fit. The build below is slight variation on what you have, since you're not far off....you could take it further by changing up your stats to gear for Ego and taking Shadow Form+Mental Storm instead of Enchanter+Soul Vortex, but we'll make only the smallest tweaks for the biggest gains.

Mental Precision Darkness maxDPS rotation - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

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

Talents
Level 1: The Void (Dex: 8, Con: 10, Ego: 10, End: 10)
Level 6: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 9: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 18: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 21: Tireless (Rec: 8)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Spirit Reverberation
Level 8: Enchanter (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Mental Precision
Level 14: Soul Vortex (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Hex of Suffering (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Rank 3, Nyctophobia)
Level 35: Aurora
Level 38: Shade Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics
Level 35: Teleportation

Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

nbkxs

I've never tested dex prime for darkness, btw; curious as to how the dmg looks on the dummies.​​

kamokami

nbkxs said:

I've never tested dex prime for darkness, btw; curious as to how the dmg looks on the dummies.​​

Assuming that you're talking about dex prim, geared for ego. If you have AoPM on you then it's lower than ego prim, geared for ego. If you don't have AoPM on you then it's higher.

rajakaji

kamokami said:

riverocean said:

This build was just to see if MP + Darkness was viable. And so far it's proving to be.

I know you mentioned not having an explicit goal of maximum damage, but I will just leave this here and if you want to use it or any part of it then you are welcome to. But feel free to ignore if it doesn't fit. The build below is slight variation on what you have, since you're not far off....you could take it further by changing up your stats to gear for Ego and taking Shadow Form+Mental Storm instead of Enchanter+Soul Vortex, but we'll make only the smallest tweaks for the biggest gains.

Mental Precision Darkness maxDPS rotation - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

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

Talents
Level 1: The Void (Dex: 8, Con: 10, Ego: 10, End: 10)
Level 6: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 9: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 18: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 21: Tireless (Rec: 8)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Spirit Reverberation
Level 8: Enchanter (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Mental Precision
Level 14: Soul Vortex (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Hex of Suffering (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Rank 3, Nyctophobia)
Level 35: Aurora
Level 38: Shade Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics
Level 35: Teleportation

Specializations
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Brush It Off (2/2)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

Sorry for interrupting, but I really want to try this. One question though. Do you think it would be possible to work Ego in as a secondary superstat to really push dps? Or would that cut too much into energy without Con or Rec to scale Spirit Reverberation?

kamokami

rajakaji said:

Sorry for interrupting, but I really want to try this. One question though. Do you think it would be possible to work Ego in as a secondary superstat to really push dps? Or would that cut too much into energy without Con or Rec to scale Spirit Reverberation?

It would work. But if you really want to push DPS I'd take Ego as the primary SS and take a toggle, like Chilled Form, that scales off Ego. Here's a build that's gotten 6.6k DPS in a 5 minute test dummy parse geared for 700+ Ego. (shorter parses tend to not be meaningful)

Rotation is:
tap Mental Storm + tap Hex -> tap Blast -> full charge Ruin -> tap Blast -> full charge Ruin -> tap Blast -> full charge Ruin...etc

Interrupt the rotation to tap Mental Storm and tap Hex only when Mental Storm comes off cd. Or to fully charge the blast when you proc the the Avenger Mastery buff.

Darkness DPS - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

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

Talents
Level 1: Quick Trigger (Dex: 12, Ego: 12)
Level 6: Indomintable (Ego: 8)
Level 9: Agile (Dex: 8)
Level 12: Worldly (Ego: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Daredevil (Ego: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Shooter (Dex: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 21: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Spirit Reverberation
Level 8: Shadow Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Chilled Form
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2)
Level 17: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Aurora
Level 23: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Rank 3, Nyctophobia)
Level 26: Ice Sheath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Mental Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Hex of Suffering (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Lock N Load (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 35/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics
Level 35: Teleportation

Specializations
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Mastery: Avenger Mastery (1/1)