Finduilas

Just out of curiosity, why do you want so much recharge? Because IMO, having poorly-slotted, low-damage attacks that you can use more often is a very bad bargain.

Also, if one of your goals is melee defense, it's worth noting that S/L defense will protect you from a higher percentage of attacks than melee defense alone. Plus, typed defense bonuses typically take fewer slots than positional defense bonuses.

From the top:

Take Lightning Field. As a rule, if a damge aura is used consistently, it will account for a significant portion of the damage generated by a character. It may not seem like much, but it adds up. I think LF will be much more useful in the long run than a highly situational power like Power Surge.

Reactive Armor is a good choice for your resistance toggles, but all the Endurance IO provides is more endurance reduction (which you don't need) and a measly .63% F/C def. You'd be better off pulling those slots and using them somewhere else--Health, or Weave, for instance, both of which are currently underslotted.

Since the bruising effect was added to tanker T1 attacks, they are definitely worth using and slotting for damage. If you want a recharge bonus, try slotting Crushing Impact instead of Stupefy. The recharge bonus is smaller in CI, but at least it'll be slotted like an actual attack.

Slotting full sets of Kinetic Crash in your KU/KD attacks is not just a bad idea, it's a phenomenally bad idea, IMO. Not only does it only enhance damage to a little over 60%, (95% is what you should be shooting for) it will turn the KD in Shatter and CC into very high-mag KB, which is really undesirable for a tank. That aspect is less problematic for JB because it does KU, but there's still the damage problem. Again, I would recommend CI for JB, and Oblit sets for the two AoEs. (Note that Oblit has very little end reduction, but that shouldn't be a big problem for Electric.) If you've got some influence to spend, you could also try five-slotting Armageddon in one of the AoEs, since they give a 10% recharge bonus.

Impervious Skin is not a good choice for a final tanker build, even 5-slotted it significantly underslots for resistance. At the very least, I'd put another 4 slot set of Reactive Armor in Tough. In Static Shield, the only thing resistance enhancement modifies is Psi defense, so it's a good candidate to be two or three slotted in my book.

Health needs one or two more slots, and Stamina could use another also. (A common End Mod IO would be fine.)

If you decide to go with S/L defense instead of melee, Kinetic Combat or Smashing Haymaker would be a better choice than Touch of Death for Clobber. Those sets are also an option for Bash & JB if you run up against having too many 5% recharge bonuses.

Weave needs at least one more slot, if not two, and CJ would also benefit from another slot if you have one to spare.

Here's what I would do with your build. Hasten's not perma, but every other stat is better, especially S/L defense. And your attacks will actually do some damage!

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Electric Armor
Secondary Power Set: War Mace
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Charged Armor -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(45)
Level 1: Bash -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(43), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(45)
Level 2: Conductive Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(3), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(3), RctvArm-ResDam:40(19)
Level 4: Jawbreaker -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(7), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(7)
Level 6: Static Shield -- EndRdx-I:50(A), ResDam-I:50(40)
Level 8: Grounded -- S'fstPrt-ResKB:30(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(45)
Level 10: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt:50(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(11), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(11), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(17), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:50(19), Mocking-Rchg:50(21)
Level 12: Energize -- Dct'dW-Heal:50(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg:50(13), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:50(13), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(15), Dct'dW-Rchg:50(15)
Level 14: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(17)
Level 18: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx:40(42), Mrcl-Heal:40(42)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod:50(A), P'Shift-End%:50(21), EndMod-I:50(34)
Level 22: Clobber -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(25), P'ngS'Fest-Acc/Dmg:30(25), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg:30(34)
Level 24: Lightning Field -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:50(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:50(42), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:50(46), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(46)
Level 26: Power Sink -- Efficacy-EndMod:50(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:50(27), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:50(27), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:50(33), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:50(33), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx:50(34)
Level 28: Whirling Mace -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(29), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(29), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31), Oblit-%Dam:50(31)
Level 30: Lightning Reflexes -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(33)
Level 35: Shatter -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37), Oblit-%Dam:50(37)
Level 38: Crowd Control -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), Oblit-%Dam:50(40)
Level 41: Boxing -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 44: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(46), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(48), RctvArm-ResDam:40(50)
Level 47: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(48), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(48), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(50)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Def:50(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 11.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 11.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 26.1% Defense(Smashing)
• 26.1% Defense(Lethal)
• 7.06% Defense(Fire)
• 7.06% Defense(Cold)
• 6.75% Defense(Energy)
• 6.75% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 23% Defense(Melee)
• 4.88% Defense(Ranged)
• 6.44% Defense(AoE)
• 1.8% Max End
• 4% Enhancement(Heal)
• 47.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 36% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 5% FlySpeed
• 161.6 HP (8.63%) HitPoints
• 5% JumpHeight
• 5% JumpSpeed
• Knockback (Mag -4)
• Knockup (Mag -4)
• MezResist(Held) 2.75%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 11.6%
• MezResist(Sleep) 1.65%
• MezResist(Stun) 8.25%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 2.2%
• 5.5% (0.09 End/sec) Recovery
• 38% (2.97 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 2.21% Resistance(Fire)
• 2.21% Resistance(Cold)
• 5% RunSpeed

No one said it was an "impossible gap".

But it still can be an impossing obstacle for small SGs or those that play on an occasional basis.

And honestly, there isn't any need for it; IMO it seems like an unintended consequence of some initial design decisions by the devs that didn't hold up well under actual player usage.

Well, this particular glitch seems to happen most frequently to bases that haven't been used in a while, but as far as I know it can happen to anyone.

But take heart! This is a well-known problem and the GMs can generally fix it very quickly.

First thing to do is to go to the SG registar and check to see if you owe rent. If you do, pay it!

If you don't, it's probably a bug that hits bases occasionally, especially if they have been unused for a while.

Just petition in-game and explain what the problem is. Typically the GMs will "throw the switch" and you'll have power back within 24 hours.

By the way, do you have the full prestige bonus you get from the the first 15 members of the SG? You mentioned a couple of others, but not whether you've brought alts, fillers, etc. to make up the 15.

If you don't have 15 members in your SG yet, the first thing I'd do is bring in alts, and if necessary, create some filler characters to get as close to 15 as possible. It won't get you to 730K, but it'll get you closer than you are now.

Since you can't invite your own alts, let me know if you need help inviting and I logon an alt on your server to invite them.

Thanks, Father X.

Yes, I'd planned to get the box, either locally or online.

It's too bad the booster packs and online goodies can't be bought for someone else, they would also be a nice gift!

I've already bought and installed GR on both of my accounts, but I'm thinking of buying the Complete Collection as a gift for someone who currently has just a trial account.

GR is all I have to buy, right? None of the other CoH editions are required, for instance the GvE edition of plain vanilla CoX?

FYI, there are also other kinds of 'caps', or limits to how much a particular power attribute can be enhanced, either through a player's build, or outside buffs. And most of these *do* vary by AT; for instance, the damage cap is 775% for brutes, and either 400% or 500% for other ATs. Damage resistance, OTOH, caps at 90% for Tanks and either 85% or 75% for other ATs.

More info here:

http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Limits

Whether the various caps are actually achievable under normal circumstances is highly variable.

Meant to mention that if you're interested in a weapons set, Mace is actually a better choice to pair with Dark than Axe. The stuns in Mace work really, really well with Op Gloom. I regularly stun bosses with the Clobber/Op Gloom combo on my Dark/Mace tank.

First of all, you want to take Haymaker and AAO sooner. I'd delay Phalanx Fighting and Hasten post-Stamina to make room. I'd also take KoB at 22 and Rage at 28.

Haymaker and KoB aren't particularly good choices for the Force Feedback proc; it works best in short recharge attacks like Jab, or AoEs like Foot Stomp. I'd swap the slotting of Jab with Haymaker and drop the proc in KoB.

IMO, five slotting your defense powers is a waste of slots. I'd go with 4 LotG or 3 GotA or and the LotG +Recharge. That slotting is particularly a problem since you're not slotting Deflection for resistance. I'd cut the defense set slotting back to four in Deflection and add 2 common resist IOs. Oh, and don't use the GotA End/Rchg, that's a wasted slot. Use an IO with some defense enhancement instead.

Similarly, drop the SP Res/End and add two resist commons to True Grit, or slot two high level resist set IOs.

AAO doesn't need two end red slots, so you can use that second slot elsewhere.

As others have mentioned, I think you're going to have huge endurance problems with this build. Even with Physical Perfection I don't think you have enough recovery to run all the toggles and still attack.

I also think you are making too many sacrifices to soft-cap to all defense types. For instance, Maneuvers has a very high end cost for a non-damage toggle, and I don't think the relatively small amount of defense it provides is going to be worth it. In general, I think a better strategy would be to either go for around 40% defense to all but Psi, or try to soft-cap S/L/E/NE and don't worry about F/C defense as much. I think either choice would give you a much more playable build than the one you posted.

Specifically:

Death Shroud and Dark Regen both a big end-hogs, and you should be sure to have at least 60% end reduction in both. Attacks should have at least 40% end reduction, and the same for the other toggles. As it is, most of your attacks and toggles are pretty seriously underslotted for end reduction.

Another big problem: no KB protection! At the very least you need one -KB IO, though two or three would be better.

Also, Beheader and Gash are underslotted for damage. Instead of a common accuracy IO, try an IO from another set that gives both accuracy and damage. If you can only give them one slot, I like the Mako's Bite Acc/Dam/End/Rchg.

Instead of a common defense IO in CoD and Weave, use a LotG Def/End/Rchg. That will give you enough end reduction and still hit the ED cut-off for defense.

Honestly, I'd drop Maneuvers altogether and pick up another attack; Cleave would be my preference since it's the highest damaging attack in the set.

Dark Regen and Death Shroud both need another slot or two so they have sufficient end reduction. The Multi Strike Dam/End should be enough for Death Shroud, but you may have to make more changes to DR to get enough end reduction and add the Theft of Essence +End. I'd also take DR much earlier in your build. Death Shroud is a good choice to delay post-Stamina since it takes so much endurance to run. You also definitely want to get Pendulum (and Cleave, IMO) as soon as they're available, Tough and Weave can be delayed if necessary.

The Gaussian's set in Build Up is a great choice for positional def, but the return is pretty small for typed def, especially since you need slots elsewhere. I'd suggest two Rectified Reticle for some S/L and an additional recharge slot instead. That will free up three slots.

Here's what I would do with your build. I left in the PvP +Def IO, presumably you know you can afford it! This build is soft-capped for S/L/E/NE, has about 25% F/C def, and is much better slotted in terms of endurance.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Battle Axe
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(23), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(29), RctvArm-ResDam:40(34)
Level 1: Beheader -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(5), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(27)
Level 2: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam:40(37), S'fstPrt-ResKB:30(37)
Level 4: Gash -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(7), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(17)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), GA-3defTpProc:50(19), GA-End/Res:50(21), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx:50(43)
Level 8: Dark Regeneration -- Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(13), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(17), Theft-+End%:30(21), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx:50(23), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:50(27)
Level 10: Taunt -- Zinger-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(11), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg:50(11), Zinger-Taunt:50(15), Zinger-Dam%:50(15), Zinger-Taunt/Rng:50(19)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(13), Krma-ResKB:30(40)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 16: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 18: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), RgnTis-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:30(34), Numna-Heal:50(45), Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(46)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(40), P'Shift-End%:50(45)
Level 22: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(45), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(46), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(48)
Level 24: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(25), RechRdx-I:50(25)
Level 26: Oppressive Gloom -- Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg:50(A)
Level 28: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(29), LkGmblr-Def:50(39), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(40)
Level 30: Whirling Axe -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(31), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(31), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(31), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(34)
Level 32: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(33), KntkC'bat-Knock%:35(33)
Level 35: Cleave -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(36), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(37)
Level 38: Pendulum -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(39), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(39), C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg:50(43), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(48)
Level 41: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(42), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(42), RctvArm-ResDam:40(42)
Level 44: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(48), LkGmblr-Def:50(50), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(50)
Level 47: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 2.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 2.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 26% Defense(Smashing)
• 26% Defense(Lethal)
• 6% Defense(Fire)
• 6% Defense(Cold)
• 26.6% Defense(Energy)
• 26.6% Defense(Negative)
• 6% Defense(Psionic)
• 16% Defense(Melee)
• 16.3% Defense(Ranged)
• 6% Defense(AoE)
• 11.3% Max End (in PvP)
• 18% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 27.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 5% FlySpeed
• 126.5 HP (6.75%) HitPoints
• 5% JumpHeight
• 5% JumpSpeed
• Knockback (Mag -8)
• Knockup (Mag -8)
• MezResist(Immobilize) 11.6%
• MezResist(Sleep) 3.3%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 2.75%
• 3.5% (0.06 End/sec) Recovery
• 62% (4.85 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 5% RunSpeed

Just wanted to mention that I think you should strongly consider taking Focused Burst. You have plenty of ST attacks, but not many tanker secondaries have a good ranged attack. And from what I understand, FB has an especially large Gauntlet radius, which makes it very useful for aggro control.