Madness Aura

superalfgorn

I tried this power... and could not really understand its purpose.

What does it do exactly?
Can it be useful in a build?

Unknown

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flowcyto

Its more of a thematic 'for fun' power to me. It can be nice if many throw-able objects are around you, but obv you can't always count on that being the case.

panthrax77

The issue that I have at least with madness aura is that it's extremely energy hungry. It scales off presence so generally you won't be stacking lots of endurance or intelligence when using it. So while maybe a healer can use it as a sort of defensive toggle to keep you safe from trash mobs, it's far too costly to use seriously in most builds. It's a shame, cause it does a lot of neat things, but I don't know how to really integrate that into a functioning build.

superalfgorn

panthrax77 wrote: »

The issue that I have at least with madness aura is that it's extremely energy hungry. It scales off presence so generally you won't be stacking lots of endurance or intelligence when using it. So while maybe a healer can use it as a sort of defensive toggle to keep you safe from trash mobs, it's far too costly to use seriously in most builds. It's a shame, cause it does a lot of neat things, but I don't know how to really integrate that into a functioning build.

Yes I had the same impression, I tried it in a hero with Pre, but suboptimal energy management, and it just ate all the energy, for little benefit...

Pity 'cause as both of you said it's neat and thematic (it could be an option for the Sweet but Psycho build, much better temathically than Earthquake)!

flowcyto

I imagine it's better to use it in concert w/ something like Dark Transfusion, since it's also in the same powerset. The Pres scaling also somewhat makes sense since Darkness has some healing-based stuff, and one of its toggle/forms scales w/ it. So it's prob best used in a Pres-based Darkness build w/ Shadow Manifest, SReverb, Dark Transfusion (or LS's Power Conversion), and maybe a lifedrain effect or two. It's still a niche power, but it would be a bit more usable then. You may even be able to pass up on DT if you had decent gear w/ high Pres, some Rec (for SReverb), and some extra cost discount rating.

superalfgorn

Something along these lines, then:

(not sure if Ebon Rift is considered a maintain)

Madness - Freeform (Hybrid)
v3.43:35

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

Talents
Level 1: The Tenebrous (Con: 8, Ego: 10, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 9: Field Ops Training (Con: 3, Int: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)
Level 12: Prodigy (Pre: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Accurate (Dex: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Psychotic Break, Devoid)
Level 6: Harbinger (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Shadow Manifestation
Level 11: Spirit Reverberation
Level 14: Ebon Rift (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Madness Aura (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Soul Vortex (Rank 2, Soul Drain)
Level 23: Lifedrain (Rank 2, Vampiric Sympathy)
Level 26: Dark Transfusion
Level 29: Lock N Load
Level 32: Indestructible (Unchained)
Level 35: Endbringer's Grasp (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Summon Shadows (Rank 2, Devouring Darkness)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2)
Level 35: Energy Step (Rank 2)

Specializations
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Devices

flowcyto

ERift is a maintained attack, but unfortunately it doesn't proc Avenger's RA, Round Em Up, or AvMastery- and prob cause it's a separate entity that stays around for a bit after you channel it. Regardless, I notice that you made the build a Hybrid w/ a support passive. You can do that if you want, or you can just make it more of a typical dps build, but being Pres-based w/ Shadow Manifest as the toggle/form. Here's an example of that, and with ERuin in the build for its single-target dps:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.43:35

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

Talents
Level 1: The Tenebrous (Con: 8, Ego: 10, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)
Level 15: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 18: Prodigy (Pre: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Devoid)
Level 6: Shadow Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Shadow Manifestation
Level 11: Spirit Reverberation
Level 14: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Draining Shadows)
Level 17: Lifedrain (Rank 2, Vampiric Sympathy)
Level 20: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 26: Madness Aura (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Dark Transfusion (Rank 2, Blood Sacrifice)
Level 32: Ebon Void (Rank 2)
Level 35: Lock N Load
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2)
Level 35: Energy Step (Rank 2)

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (2/3)
Presence: Grandeur (3/3)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (2/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Avenger Mastery (1/1)

The blast can put up Fear and Devoid, while ERuin can be your main single-target attack, (DT can help give more energy for it, if needed). SEmbrace can be your main AoE. DT can also help you afford Madness Aura while also being able to use the other attacks during its channel. Guardicator could also work w/ the specs here, or you could go w/ SBlast's Stun adv and Sentinel Mastery + Wither for more of a support-oriented approach. Gears mostly for Pres, w/ some Con and Rec.

Also, an EGO/Pres/Con_Rec SS setup could also prob work here, for more of a dps focus (still gearing for Pres, and getting 3/3 in Sixth Sense), and you could always talent for some Rec if going w/ something like EGO/Pres/Con.

superalfgorn

Ah too bad for the Rift!

I had hopes of triggering the Relentless Assault and alternate between Life Drain and the Rift to keep up the healing and the stacks from the passive.

Since this does not work then yes, it must be the Preemptive Strike / Ebon Ruin combo.

Thx Flow, you are always helpful.