This build is designed for lasting crowd control, not optimum damage, for those who prefer the play style. I am one of the minority who do not subscribe to the theory that only the build that does the most damage on a target dummy is preferred. I make no claims this build is superior to any other and readily concede it may be less effective.
But it IS effective and it's main advantage is the benefits it gives us to team efforts in PvP. When playing with a dedicated DPS and healer, the slowing/freezing advantages of this build can be devastating. It still generates AP at an acceptable rate and, although somewhat less damaging in PvE, loses nothing in controlling adds in Tier 1 and Tier 2 dungeons.
STATS
INT/WISDOM
HEROIC FEATS
CONTROLLING ACTION 5/5
TOUGHNESS 2/2
FIGHT ON 5/5
BLIGHTING POWER 3/3
LEARNED SPELL-CASTER 5/5
PRESTIDIGITATION 3/3 (IF HUMAN)
PARAGON FEATS
OPPRESSOR
BITTER COLD 5/5 Note: I think Severe Reaction might actually be better for PvP
BRISK TRANSPORT 5/5
COLD INFUSION 5/5
GLACIAL MOVEMENT 5/5 Note: This might be better in Severe Reaction for PvP
CONTROLLED MOMENTUM 5/5
SHATTER STRIKE 1/1
RENEGADE
REAPER'S TOUCH 5/5
AT WILLS:
Magic Missile
Ray of Frost
ENCOUNTERS-PVP
Conduit of Ice
Ray of Enfeeblement
Entangling Force
Chill Strike
ENCOUNTERS-PVE
CHILL STRIKE
ICY TERRAIN (OPTIONALS: RAY OF ENFEEBLEMENT; CONDUIT OF ICE)
STEAL TIME
SHIELD
DAILIES-PVP
ICE KNIFE
ICE STORM
DAILIES-PVE
ARCANE SINGULARITY
ICE KNIFE
PASSIVES
CHILLING PRESENCE
EYE OF THE STORM (OPTIONALS: STORM SPELL; ORB OF IMPOSITION)
ROTATION-PVP
CONDUIT OF ICE; RAY OF ENFEEBLEMENT; ENTANGLING FORCE; RAY OF FROST UNTIL EF BREAKS; CHILL STRIKE; RAY OF FROST UNTIL COOLDOWNS OVER; REPEAT
ROTATION-PVE
CONDUIT OF ICE (ON COOLDOWN); ARCANE SINGULARITY (WHEN AVAILABLE); SHIELD BURST; FROST STRIKE; STEAL TIME (AS SINGULARITY ENDS); REPEAT
SET GEAR-PVP
GLADIATOR
SET GEAR-PVE
HIGH VIZIER
ENCHANTS-BOTH
DARK ENCHANTMENTS-ALL SLOTS
Theory: I deliberately do not stack crit with this build. You end up at about 20-25% instead of 33-40%. The focus is recovery. Getting your encounters off and building AP faster than the other guy in PvP is the focus, and constant Arcane Singularities is the focus in PvE. I know, I know, diminishing returns, damage damage damage--I just disagree. If I get my abilities off before you and you die it doesn't matter if you would have killed me by 3000 hit points instead of the 1000 I killed you by. You need fewer hits, but I get more hits. Trade off. Even just a tenth of a second can make the difference in a close fight.
In PvP the idea is to work in tandem with a healer and another DPS to control a cap. Spell Mastery Conduit of Ice constantly applies chill to everybody affected by it. Chill Strike adds 3 stacks of chill to your primary target. Ray of Frost has a 1 in 4 chance on every tick to add 2 stacks of chill. Every stack of chill slows the target's movement and attack speed, and any target that is chilled has 5% reduced damage. By focusing on recovery you cast encounter powers more often. I prefer power and armor penetration over crit for the steady, dependable damage output instead of the randomness of crits. I believe a lot of the extra damage crit provides is wasted, like when you hit for 30k on a target with only 10k hit points.
Your role is support, to defend your healer and use Ice Storm when appropriate to clear the cap. Icy Terrain is an option instead of Ray of Enfeeblement, as is Steal Time, but I prefer the debuff and ranged single target damage of the RoE; using the PBAoE abilities is tough in PvP against good players.
PvP 1 on 1 fights are less about build than about player skill and class matchups. The difference is in teamwork and team synergy, in my opinion.
In PvE, there is no real difference between this and other popular tactics. Generate AP with Entangling Force on Spell Mastery, Steal Time, and Shield. Chill Strike is mainly there to add chill to your main target. Chilling Cloud may be a viable At Will in PvE in some fights, for the added chill, but I hate how small the AoE is. Magic Missile for damage, and Frost Beam for a quick freeze when needed are probably better choices.
Bottom line: this is a fun build that is useful in both PvP and PvE, loses some damage in exchange for damage mitigation, survivability, and chilling control. Thanks for reading.
Im an oppressor too, and i outdamage renegade and thau. Also i can do better crowd control
i disagree that GLACIAL MOVEMENT is better than SEVERE REACTION
I roll with an oppressor CW (and a similar moveset to that described here) despite having heard initially that all the cool kids go thaumaturge or renegade. Good to know it still works well at higher levels than mine.
I've been an oppressor since i was first able to spec. Haven't looked back but made some tweaks. It's arguable to say the Oppressor build is the most under rated and the most potentially dangerous for PVP. Too many people get tunnel vision on single target damage. Thats the TR department. I was more interested in locking down multiple people and making them hate their lives. lol
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] PVPer rocking it Solo queue style since the dawn of Neverwinter
CoI does better aoe chill but it has to be on tab. It's wonderful in pve, it helps alacrity to proc since dots increase the chance you get the last hit on a target.
And oppressor is awesome in pvp. I've gotten top score/kills too many times to report it.
Comments
i disagree that GLACIAL MOVEMENT is better than SEVERE REACTION
check my review on severe reaction
http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?347522-review-regarding-severe-reaction
"With the force of Wind and Ice , I shall rise..."
Join Essence of Aggression: PVP-ing Hard Since Beta!
Kaylee Krankenwagen, level 60 GF | Tavandruil Wayfinder, level 49 GWF | Aldith Langley, level 51 HR
PVPer rocking it Solo queue style since the dawn of Neverwinter
Kaylee Krankenwagen, level 60 GF | Tavandruil Wayfinder, level 49 GWF | Aldith Langley, level 51 HR
And oppressor is awesome in pvp. I've gotten top score/kills too many times to report it.