Darkness build feedback request

Comments

• ajanus Posts: 501 Arc User

  November 2012 edited November 2012

  While levelling, and even at 40 for that matter, NEVER underestimate the power of Crits.
  
  When I make/respec a toon, if it is dps-oriented, I always start with PSS DEX and then consider how another PSS could be more beneficial as I go. Ranged dps have EGO as an option and melee have STR. But if this is your first 40, I would definitely stick with DEX as it is pretty foolproof. As for the specs, just take the generic gear boosts, crit boost, and crit severity options and you will be golden.
  
  Darkness is kind of an oddball set since its energy unlock is based on Con, instead of an actual energy stat. Another reason is that there is another power that is linked to another stat, Dark Transfusion is better based on End, making ss choices pretty tight.
  
  Your form, which should always be taken asap, not at 38, also plays a major role in your ss choices. Concentration goes off Ego or Int. I would always go Ego in this case because at 40 with all the energy management options, no toon should ever be energy starved, especially this one with Dark Transfusion added to the mix.
  
  For Darkness toons, I tend to go EGO Con/End to get the max benefit from all of the options. I would still spec as much as possible and gear as much as I could for crit chance though.
  
  As for spec trees, Vindicator is a no-brainer, however, the choice of Warden/Guardian is sometimes overlooked. While levelling, the "gain a stack of offense when you maintain/get hit/do something" seem like the way to go, and they might be for the most part, but at 40, when your gear starts adding up, the spec "The Best Defense" from Warden or Guardian is a much better option only because that bonus is ALWAYS on your toon, there are no stipulations or situations where you won't benefit from it.
  
  Something you should be aware of though, is that most any build can do great things with the correct use of superstats and specializations.
  
  I won't go into detail on your build, but I will say this: If you want to take 2 passives, they should be R3 (I don't usually condone 2 passives though...) And, to me, the whole reason to run Darkness would be to take Summon Shadows...that power is just awesome.

  ---

  
  Remember: Half the people you know are below average...
  
  Do not correct a fool, for he will hate you for it. Correct a wise man, for he will appreciate you for it.
  
  Don't be like the Qularr. They would not last one round in the Interstellar Galactic Arena...
  
  Handle @brayv

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• muiramere Posts: 15 Arc User

  November 2012 edited November 2012

  Thanks, this is the kind of feedback I was looking for. Making the characters (both skills and story) is my primary draw to the game, so even if I'm not too close to needing it, it'll get a lot of time in my thoughts.
  
  For anyone else going down this path, these two threads have been a good read:
  http://co-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=112828
  http://co-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=112594
  
  I also learned today what all the vets probably know ... I don't have to take Shadow Blast if I retcon (even at level 6 right after the tutorial). I mention it here in case any other new players are reading and haven't discovered it yet. Bye-bye Shadow Blast, hello almost-anything-else.
  
  Last night I started playing with a dark/tech idea to see how I like it "on paper". It looks promising, but I'll still have to try it out before I decide.
  
  A few specific comments...
  

  Your form, which should always be taken asap, not at 38,

  
  I think I did take it a bit late with this guy (20 or 23), but here it's just slotted at 38 as this was a retcon build. I wasn't paying much attention to ordering except as it needed to meet prerequisites.
  

  I don't usually condone 2 passives though...

  I was really on the fence about that myself. I'm seriously considering dropping one or the other. It's something I'll have to try out in the training rooms when the time comes and see which I find better.
  

  And, to me, the whole reason to run Darkness would be to take Summon Shadows...that power is just awesome.

  
  Yeah, I looked at that one, but there was nothing I wanted to give up enough to take it :S
  

  the spec "The Best Defense" from Warden or Guardian is a much better option only because that bonus is ALWAYS on your toon

  
  I almost went that route, but with no clear idea what the top level gear looks like (stat/bonus wise), I wasn't sure how useful it'd be. I'll be sure to revisit the choice. If I went both Guardian and Warden, does two applications of "The Best Defense" stack? 198% OFF sounds like a nice boost.

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• auldwolf Posts: 103 Arc User

  November 2012 edited November 2012

  Looking at this, the one thing I can't understand is why you didn't super-stat Dexterity. With the current state of the game, it's the only really worthwhile thing. You're better off using End and Con as your secondaries, and then building them up as much as you can, along with quite a bit of Rec (and maybe some Int) via items.
  
  If you get crazy lucky down the line, you can pop some cool things in there, like power cooldown reductions, and avoidance/dodge chance. Don't ultimately count on those until later on, though. Build shrewdly. You may even want to slot some con, until later levels when you can replace it with other things.
  
  But yeah, the thing that stands out the most is Dex not being super-statted. As someone said - don't underestimate the power of crits.

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• ajanus Posts: 501 Arc User

  November 2012 edited November 2012

  DEX probably is the best primary superstat for all that it gives.
  
  Darkness might be the only set that I wouldn't take Dex in, only because it spreads its stats too thin...if you want to make full use of Dark Transfusion, which you most likely do.
  
  EGO: The alternative superstat to Dex in Darkness. Buffs Concentration and ranged powers. Also provides crit/crit severity options in specializations.
  
  Con: HP boost and scales with Spirit Reverberation Energy Unlock. Also provides the buffer needed to use Dark Transfusion on cooldown.
  
  End: With DT on a short cooldown, gives the toon a near endless supply of energy to spam attacks
  
  Honestly, I could "almost" guarantee this is the ideal setup for Darkness dps, giving a really solid balance between damage and energy management.
  
  
  At 40, you pretty much get to design your gear the way you want. This is what to look for:
  
  Offense: Crit Rating
  Defense: Dodge/Avoidance
  Utility: Cost Reduction
  
  You should be aiming for around 40% crit rating and 100% severity.
  
  Just a quick note on Rec for this build: Dark Transfusion + End will provide everything needed for a full alpha strike so it's not needed at all.
  
  Yes, 2 different applications of "The Best Defense" does stack, but you will hit diminishing returns very quickly that way, so usually, dps should take 1 spec tree that has it, and then Vindicator...because Vindicator has a 15% crit severity boost, not the normal 10% that the other trees have.

  ---

  
  Remember: Half the people you know are below average...
  
  Do not correct a fool, for he will hate you for it. Correct a wise man, for he will appreciate you for it.
  
  Don't be like the Qularr. They would not last one round in the Interstellar Galactic Arena...
  
  Handle @brayv

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• muiramere Posts: 15 Arc User

  November 2012 edited November 2012

  I've been playing with the superstats some more on a second character. It is definitely hard to argue against DEX as PSS. I like the dodge/avoidance in the spec tree as much as the crits. It looks like DEX/CON/END or DEX/CON/EGO are where I'll likely end up. I like the extra energy from END, but I'm finding holds to be more of a pain as I progress and as I understand it, EGO & STR are the two stats for reducing those (depending on the hold type).
  
  I managed to hit 38 last night so 40 is in sight. I'll be trying this out soon enough.
  
  Thanks again to both of you for feedback.

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