Darkness Build Help

circleofpsi · May 2014

Hay there people I need help with the build I have at the moment. I made this build to be an Celestial/Darkness build or Therakiel & Shadow Destroyer combined into one. I made him but when playing around lately he is really weak, now spare me the "this made my head hurt" BS, cuz I don't want to here how a simple build can cause brain pain. (Yes I'm talking about you thebuckeye) Anyways here is my build I made and I whuold like any feed back or help for this build.

Note: I whuold like this toon to deal as much DPS as possible and live in a 5-man mission.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Scourge
Level 6:
Level 9:
Level 12:
Level 15:
Level 18:
Level 21:

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast
Level 6: Shadow Embrace
Level 8: Ebon Void
Level 11: Grasping Shadows
Level 14: Ego Form
Level 17: Devour Essence
Level 20: Expulse
Level 23: Ascension
Level 26: Celestial Conduit
Level 29: Ebon Ruin
Level 32: Command Animals
Level 35: Dark Transfusion
Level 38: Spirit Reverberation

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:

flowcyto · May 2014

Alright, taking ur template and working from it (needed a toggle and could have benefited from another defense move, etc):

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Void
Level 6: Boundless Reserves
Level 9: Investigator
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Accurate
Level 18: Coordinated
Level 21: Acrobat

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Dark Displacement)
Level 8: Ego Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Spirit Reverberation
Level 17: Celestial Conduit (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ascension (Rank 2)
Level 23: Grasping Shadows (Unyielding Agony)
Level 26: Expulse (Rank 2)
Level 29: Unbreakable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (1/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (2/3)
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 pets didn't really add anything to the spec outside of looks, so I cut those. I wasn't sure about the rest of the powers, so the last 3 slots are free for you to pick from (you got the basics of the build already). This build will mainly use Shadow Embrace in AoE, Expulse if enemies gang up on you, and Conduit on single targets that are Feared (if Avenger Mastery procs, use it on a fast-cast shadow blast). Gear for it is mostly for Con and Int, with some End and Dex on the side.

kallethen · May 2014

I have a toon that is mostly Darkness with some Celestial sprinkled in. She's a DPS but seems to be fairly survivable thanks to Lifedrain.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Squall
Level 6: Wordly
Level 9: Daredevil
Level 12: Amazing Stamina
Level 15: Impresario
Level 18: Shooter
Level 21: Accurate

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Shadow Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Vengeance (Rank 2, Redemption Denied)
Level 11: Lifedrain (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Grasping Shadows (Unyielding Agony)
Level 17: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 20: Concentration
Level 23: Spirit Reverberation
Level 26: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia, Paranormal Paranoia)
Level 29: Ascension (Rank 2)
Level 32: Shadow Shroud
Level 35: Unbreakable (Rank 2)
Level 38: Dark Transfusion (Rank 2)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Phoenix Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Teleportation (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (2/3)
Ego: Aggression (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Sentry: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Fortify (2/2)
Sentry: Stalling Tactics (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Sentry Mastery (1/1)

If you notice, some powers are there for dual purposes:

Fear debuff appliers (for energy unlock to work): Shadow Embrace, Grasping Shadows
Crowd Control: Grasping Shadows, Vengeance (with it's advantage)
AoE Damage: Shadow Embrace, Vengeance
Single Target Damage: Lifedrain, Ebon Ruin (this is the big cannon in her arsenal)
Active Offense buffs: Ascension, Shadow Shroud (I don't really need two, but this works for me)
Active Defense: Unbreakable
Self Healing: Lifedrain, Ascension (though with a cooldown)
Energy Management: Spirit Reverberation, Dark Transfusion

ajanus · May 2014

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: Matter Manipulator
Level 6: Brilliant
Level 9: Indomitable
Level 12: Enduring
Level 15: Ascetic
Level 18: Healthy Mind
Level 21: Academics

Powers:
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Seraphim (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Lifedrain (Rank 2, Vampiric Sympathy)
Level 17: Unbreakable
Level 20: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Paranormal Paranoia)
Level 23: Ascension
Level 26: Skarn's Bane (Warlock's Malice)
Level 29: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 32: Ritual of Radiant Summoning (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Summon Shadows (Rank 2, Devouring Darkness)
Level 38: Sigils of Radiant Sanctuary (Rank 2, Rank 3)

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

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Was messing around in Powerhouse and thought I would share this here.

DPS is limited due to Seraphim not being able to take on a ranged dps role.

HOWEVER, tons of survivability and can provide a ton of team support through "extra" healing while you facesmash.

Seraphim boosts healing and paranormal damage and provides some aoe heals.
Lifedrain w/ Vampiric will add more aoe heals and let you continue to damage.
Conviction w/adv adds even more aoe heals.
Sigils of Sanct. even MORE aoe heals
Angel pet for...yes, more heals.
Summon Shadows...you guessed it...more heals...
Even your energy builder, Radiance can add to the heal load.

Skarn's Bane and Ebon Ruin add some nice debuffs for you as well.

Tap Conviction liberally to keep MSA running. Between that and Sigils, MSA shouldn't be a problem to keep up.

Just make sure to let your team know that your aoe heals are a 15ft radius, so they should keep close unless certain encounter mechanics would prevent that.

There's no res, so you can feel free to replace a power with one, but technically you aren't really support, you can just play the role if need be.

Also, the sigils can be of anything, Ebon Weakness, Lightning, Fire...whichever ones you want, depending if you want more dps or more survivability.

circleofpsi · May 2014

Thanks for your posts people, like said really wanting a DPS for this toon and I whuold assume I whold need items from the Q-store but will wait for more builds to be posted that are pure DPS and can live 5-man fights

ajanus · May 2014

As far as Darkness/Celestial is concerned, there is no just over the top awesome dps build. Both sets excel at utility, not dps.

Kall's and Flow's builds are both different and both very capable dps builds, I threw mine out there just in case you (or someone else) were looking for something else within the Dark/Celestial theme.

You won't find a definitive "pure dps" build for this theme because other dps options are so much better overall at this point in time.

So my advice? Pick a passive, pick an aoe, pick a single target, pick a toggle form. R3 your 2 main attacks and passive. That is your dps build. If you pick an offensive passive, run in Ranged DPS role. That's it. The rest, use for utility/survivability and chances are, it will survive most 5-man content. 2 Active Defenses, 1-2 self heals and you should be golden. This works with all frameworks, not just Dark/Celestial.

For gear, 1 set of Nemesis Hierloom gear is all you will ever need for all of your alts. However, if you feel the need to buy q-store items, the secondaries of whatever you need most will be best...like Armadillo gear for resists, or whatever gear that adds more non-physical damage, etc. Just keep in mind that 6-piece Hierloom set will be more than adequate for all leveling needs.

flowcyto · May 2014

Well, to be a bit technical, Celestial does have one good dps option, but its difficult to sustain: Celestial Conduit tap-spam (which is what my build would use primary for bosses). Its base dps, when tapped, hovers around the area TGM, DE, and the like.. but the big problem is its *very* energy intensive. You have to kinda bend over backwards to get it to be normally usable (which my build can accomplish, but not easily, and not w/o some end building here and there).

Darkness also has Ebon Ruin spam, which is technically competitive boss dps too- not quite as good as TGM, Conduit taps, etc, but a bit less energy intensive on tap, and much more energy efficient on charge (compared to Conduit). Problem is that you wouldn't really be using Celestial moves for dps then, you may just be using Expulse for its KB (since Shadow Embrace is easier to use than Vengeance as far as AoE). That's wouldn't really be a strong Light+Darkness concept in my eye.

That said, its true that w/ the right backing of passives, toggle, stats, etc you can make anything 'viable' for dps, even if its a bit removed from being 'optimal'. Like for this concept, use Ebon Ruin for its DoT and 10% paranormal dmg debuff, Void Shift or Shadow Blast too apply Fear, Rebuke as ur primary ST attack, Embrace as ur primary AoE, Expulse or Vengeance (w/ avd) as extra CC or AoE, maybe Summon Shadows as a pet, etc... It wouldn't be out-of-the-park dps, but would be respectable and could hold its own in groups.

circleofpsi · May 2014

Ok thanks people will go into the builds now, just only thing I was that my toon was very to weak,even the nemesis guys had a good chance of killing him.

Last qeastion before I do whuold adding toxic powers or/and mystical powers add more DPS or not make any difference?

Oh and the reason why I had the "Command Animals" was due to 2 reasons, 1. Was the toxic and bleeding damage it did and how Devour Essaces advance worked well. 2nd was due to they are bacily my toons "Pets" so fits the theme

ajanus · May 2014

Remember Toxic is Elemental damage, not Paranormal, so these passives wouldn't boost it.

Even though Infernal dps is pretty high, I don't think this build can capitalize on it. For trash, it has Epidemic, probably the most efficient way of dealing with henchmen in the game. For bosses it has Defile and Devour Essence, both pretty awesome. But as I said earlier, these Dark/Celestial passives don't boost those attacks.

As for magic, pretty much you have Skarn's Bane and Primal Sigils. Hex is a dot so technically that will be a dps increase as well since you can just apply it then start your spam rotation.

circleofpsi · May 2014

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: Quick Trigger
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Indomitable
Level 12: Tireless
Level 15: Wordly
Level 18: Impresario
Level 21: Shooter

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Grasping Shadows (Unyielding Agony)
Level 11: Shadow Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist)
Level 17: Command Animals (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia, Paranormal Paranoia)
Level 23: Expulse
Level 26: Celestial Conduit
Level 29: Spirit Reverberation
Level 32: Shadow Shroud (Rank 2, Terrifying Visage)
Level 35: Ebon Void
Level 38: Howl (Make them Tremble)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Shadow Wings
Level 35: Shadow Skull Flight

Specializations:
Ego: Mental Endurance (3/3)
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (1/3)
Overseer: Ruthless (2/2)
Overseer: Overseer Aura (3/3)
Overseer: Impact (2/2)
Overseer: Enhanced Gear (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Ok people I worked on this while garthing all your cool ideas for the build and I whold like you to take a look at it please, I am quite happy with it but I'm not sure how well it whuold be in a DPS wise. I made it as DPS as possible in my eyes.

I got a few good debuffs to is what I really like

ajanus · May 2014

I would move the pts from Shadow Bolt to Celestial Conduit. Otherwise, Celestial Conduit wouldn't be worth having.

Might also consider taking R2 from Shadow Shroud and taking Despondency for your builder, so you fear more often.

circleofpsi · May 2014

ajanus wrote: »

I would move the pts from Shadow Bolt to Celestial Conduit. Otherwise, Celestial Conduit wouldn't be worth having.

Might also consider taking R2 from Shadow Shroud and taking Despondency for your builder, so you fear more often.

Remove the pts from what?

and the only reason why i choice rank 2 in shadow shroud is due to I can get more damage dealing.

Also just seen that I had an advantage on something that I missed on the powerhouse, so here it is now

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: Quick Trigger
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Indomitable
Level 12: Tireless
Level 15: Wordly
Level 18: Impresario
Level 21: Shooter

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Grasping Shadows (Unyielding Agony)
Level 11: Shadow Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist)
Level 17: Command Animals (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia, Paranormal Paranoia)
Level 23: Expulse (Impose)
Level 26: Celestial Conduit
Level 29: Spirit Reverberation
Level 32: Shadow Shroud (Rank 2, Terrifying Visage)
Level 35: Ebon Void
Level 38: Howl (Make them Tremble)

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Shadow Wings
Level 35: Shadow Skull Flight

Specializations:
Ego: Mental Endurance (3/3)
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (2/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (3/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Anguish (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Surprise Attack (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (1/3)
Overseer: Ruthless (2/2)
Overseer: Overseer Aura (3/3)
Overseer: Impact (2/2)
Overseer: Enhanced Gear (3/3)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

flowcyto · May 2014

Here's how I'd assign the points to the powers in ur current build (also replaced Grasping Shadows- its not adding much to the build and ya need a toggle like Concentration anyways):

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt (Despondency)
Level 1: Shadow Blast (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Shadow Embrace (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Shadow Form (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Spirit Reverberation
Level 17: Celestial Conduit (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Expulse (Impose)
Level 23: Ebon Ruin (Rank 2, Nyctophobia, Paranormal Paranoia)
Level 26: Ebon Void (Voracious Darkness)
Level 29: Shadow Shroud (Rank 2)
Level 32: Command Animals (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Devour Essence (Phlebotomist)
Level 38: Howl

Kept 2 points left over so ya can rank up the travel powers.
Also would recommend Avenger Mastery if ur adapting my build- so ya can use a quick Shadow Blast when it procs.
Also replace Rec or Dex SS w/ Con SS, since that helps Spirit Reverb's energy return. Here's how I'd re-do ur spec and stats if ur going that way:

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

Specializations:
Ego: Mental Endurance (3/3)
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (3/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (2/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Avenger Mastery (1/1)

ajanus · May 2014

^ Like that.

Shadow Bolt is your energy builder. I was saying you didn't need to rank it up, instead just take the Despondency advantage on it.

jamesbonnell · May 2014

Hmm.

Not a huge fan of Howl, due to the long cooldown, or using the EB to apply fear.

My preferences are either Void Shift / fear adv, or Ego Sleep / fear adv. I'd personally swap out Howl for one of those, and take the advantage back off the EB. In both cases, fear is guaranteed to proc.

$.02

kallethen · May 2014

I personally would have kept Grasping Shadows, as it applies Fear. Though I do agree with picking up Concentration.

flowcyto · May 2014

If he's using my Avenger Mastery concept, he only really needs Shadow Blast for Fearing bosses since the mastery makes it easy to refresh. For AoE, Embrace is nice, but not guaranteed to apply it, so Howl can help w/ that (and buff the wolves). I didn't take anything other than Shadow Blast/Embrace to apply Fear my own Light/Dark build, as I have other priorities for the other power slots, but if ya playing w/ a diff concept then replacing them w/ other Fear-ing powers can work, ofc.

Darkness Build Help

Comments