Rangle M. Down

As much as I tried to like it, I'm just not sold on my Plant/Thermal Controller. I've pushed through till he's lvl 45... and I'm still not feeling it. Don't get me wrong, I like Plant as a primary, I just can't get into Thermal as the secondary.

For a bit of a background I've taken the following Controllers to lvl 50: Grav/Storm(my main controller), Ill/FF, Fire/Kin, and Earth/Rad, and have a smattering of others floating around at various levels. So I have some familiarity with a few of the secondaries.

Right now, I'm considering going either /Storm or /Rad, with Storm currently having the edge. Dark Affinity looks interesting, but having a Bots/Dark MM and a Dark/Elec Defender at 50, I'm not sure I'm interested in trying a fairly similar set again.

So I ask, what do you like paired with Plant, and why?

Since you've decided to go with Inv/, make sure you read both of Call Me Awesome's Invulnerable tank guides. Invincibility will help you keep aggro quite nicely. Grab Taunt in the secondary to help with your controlling aggro.

For a secondary, Super Strength tends to be a very popular pairing with Inv., but you really can't go horribly wrong with any of them. They all have their pluses and minuses.

Although Jebe the Pirate's Dark Guide is a bit older, take a look at it. His suggestions for slotting IOs are still valid.

Well. pretty much any primary, combined with any secondary will cover your needs..., since your needs are fairly generic.

The reason I say this is simple. What I find fun, and great for teaming and soloing won't work for the next person in line, but might for others. What I like may not appeal to you. I know some who love Super Strength as a secondary, and others who can't stand the mechanic. I know some who think Dark Armor as a primary is "the cat's meow", and others who wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. You need to decide what works or sound appealing to you, because all the primaries, in combination with the secondaries will work to varying degrees.

To get a better idea of what sounds appealing to you, read as many of the threads that are in the tank forums as you can until you find something that stands out to you. Then try it. If after a bit you don't like it, try something else.

I was finally able to join in with my Dark/Time controller this evening and had a very fun night. Thanks once again for letting me tag along.

Burn isn't as good as it once was, nor is it as dreadful as some thought it recently was.

Now it's a small AoE (8ft.radius) that hits up to 5 targets, max. Does most of it's damage up front, with some DoT. DoT is location based on where the burn patch was laid. It still provides Immobilization protection. Still does nice damage though.

New beta patch notes for Gravity Control here. Some interesting changes still coming.

Do you have Vanguard Merits open to you? (Requires Paragon Rewards Tier 4 to be complete I think. i.e. 8 tokens) If so you can also grab the Vanguard Psi shield, the Vanguard Psi bomb, and a HVAS pet.

If IOs were available to you, I'd suggest grabbing temp powers like the Stun Grenade to keep her, well, stunned. It's possible to get this in a Mayhem mission in a "Weapons raid" side missions, as well as the Tear Gas temp power. Tear Gas is a hold, which might also be helpful against her.

This would be closer to what I'd play. Personally I'd switch out Melt Armor for Taunt, and get Taunt much earlier in the build. I'm in the camp that Taunt isn't always required, but I do like having it as a tool in my arsenal.

This is by no means perfect, but hopefully it will give you some ideas and directions that you can use.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.953
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

THE PRIME CELESTIAL: Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Secondary Power Set: Energy Melee
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Pyre Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Blazing Aura -- Erad-%Dam(A), Erad-Dmg(43), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 1: Barrage -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(43), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 2: Fire Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(5), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(23), RctvArm-ResDam(37)
Level 4: Fly -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 6: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 8: Healing Flames -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(9), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(9), Dct'dW-Heal(34), Dct'dW-Rchg(50)
Level 10: Consume -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(11), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(31)
Level 12: Plasma Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(13), RctvArm-ResDam(13), RctvArm-EndRdx(34)
Level 14: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(15), RctvArm-ResDam(15), RctvArm-EndRdx(33)
Level 16: Whirling Hands -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(17), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33)
Level 18: Burn -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(19), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(19), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Oblit-%Dam(31)
Level 20: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(21), LkGmblr-Rchg+(21), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 22: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A), Krma-ResKB(23)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 26: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(27)
Level 28: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-Pcptn(29), RechRdx-I(29), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 30: Temperature Protection -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(40)
Level 32: Rise of the Phoenix -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Energy Transfer -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(36), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(36), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 38: Total Focus -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 41: Ring of Fire -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 47: Fire Ball -- Posi-Dam%(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg(48), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Melt Armor -- Achilles-ResDeb%(A), ShldBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(50), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Pyronic Radial Final Judgement
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(3)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(3), P'Shift-End%(5)

As per Hyperstrike's PSU picture, it's about the available wattage on the +12v rail that can make or break your GPU power needs.

Unfortunately, most graphics card companies aren't straight forward on how much power each graphics card requires. They'll say you need a PSU with "so much" wattage, which doesn't give a complete picture. Some PSU's have enough total wattage, but will fall short on the +12v rail. Fortunately there are some benchmarks out there that help show, in general, each cards expected consumption.

Here's a chart from 3d Geeks about "current" graphics card power consumption.

And another from Tom's Hardware.

Both of those should be fairly recent.

Welcome to the tank forums.

First of all, I'm a big, big fan of Damage Auras, if the set has one. Although they're usually minor ticks of damage those add up in a big way. If you took hero stats and looked, you'd find that your aura would be either your second or first in total dps compared to all of your other attacks. On top of that, Blazing Aura does more damage, at base numbers, then the other damage auras so I personally would never skip it.

Secondly, I'm not a big fan of of either Tactics or Maneuvers on tanks. The endurance cost for what you get in return doesn't feel like a "win-win" to me. For example: Combat Jumping, on a tank, give you better defense (2.5%) for .07 end/sec compared to Maneuvers (2.28%) at .39 end/sec. I can see getting Tactics for the +perception and +confuse/fear resistance, but not for the +to hit. (Even that would be a hard sell for me.) I can build enough +acc /+to hit in the build without needing the extra from Tactics.

Thirdly, I'd probably stop at 3 slots in Stamina and throw the fourth into Health. A lovely Numina's unique would end up there. You'll get more recovery with the Numina then the 4th slot in Stamina, even with the recovery set bonus from the P-Shifter.

While I'm not a fan of either of your builds because of Maneuvers/Tactics, I'd personally never skip the damage aura. So if I was forced to choose between the two, I'd take the one with Blazing Aura.

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=285859

Seems to be the map server, from what miniscule perspective I've got.

Don't have a perfect solution to your problem, but if you can't get it fixed easily there's always usb PCI cards:

Unfortunately my schedule for the next week will probably prevent me from seeing the light of day until late Sunday, or Monday. But I will say howdy when I get the opportunity.

Ok... I broke down before Dark Control goes live tomorrow and made a Time/DP defender by the name of "A Rangle in Time"...

I'll also be making a dark/time controller when I get a chance. Altitis, it multiplies...

I'd just like to quote this guy... : http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showp...18&postcount=1

Once I've got the opportunity to do so I will be creating a Dark/Time Controller.

Where you just thinking about Psi Melee?

Unfortunately it looks like I might not be able to make this upcoming TT event, as I'll be working that day.

FYI; There are no such things as Rangle Plots™.

Well, since I now seem to have a few folks attention with my deliberate quotes, I've got the following to say:

*steps up on soap box*

I really, really don't care if JB thinks tanks don't do enough dmg or not. He's made his case. Others have said their rebuttals. I'll happily listen to all sides before making an opinion. At heart I'm a moderate. Convince me and I'll back you up. Don't convince me, and I won't. Simple as that. Make statements that make me go "WTF?", well.. then I have a problem. If you're too much of a zealot or extremist, you've lost me.

As someone who has many, many tanks, and many, many brutes and scrappers... I can't agree with with JB's hypothesis. JB's stance tends to weigh too much on the "the end is near" side of life for me to jump on his bandwagon. I've decided I'm just not interested in drinking that kool-aid. Tanks don't hit like "little girls" no matter how repeatedly JB uses that hyperbole. My tanks don't farm as quickly as my brutes, but they survive much better then the brutes do in general. They also defeat mobs fairly quickly. (Funny enough, they can handle the game quite well on their own. )

Neither are they "rodeo clowns", as JB has said many, many times before. They certainly aren't the end all be all on dmg, but when you look at the difference between scrappers, brutes, and tanks, they fall in where they should be. IF there was a discussion talking about lowering the limits of brutes so they weren't as sturdy as tanks(at fully buffed states), JB might have a legitimate argument. I would find it hard to disagree with him there.

There are individuals who know the numbers behind the game much much better then I, Arcanaville to name one, whose opinion on game mechanics and game design I find little fault with even when I do look for those faults. When they say Tanks are fine, it's hard to find faults in their comments. JB has yet to convince me that he should be taken all that seriously.

BTW: Please, stop using quotes from 4, 5, 6, 7 years ago. Life moves on. The game has moved on, and continues to evolve. What was said back then, doesn't necessarily apply now. As has been pointed out many, many times, ad nauseam, the person that JB likes to quote quite often doesn't even work for the company any more. In fact, that other guy went on to start a different franchise that didn't do all that well. Hm... using someone who hasn't had a great track record as your arguments plinth? Yeah, smart move there.

Johnny likes to equate himself to a tank with his oft repeated argument and hyperbole, but to quote Albert Einstein; "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over expecting different results". JB keeps using the same comments over and over, and seems to expect different results. I'm sticking with Albert for the moment.

Remember, the one thing that is constant in life is change. It's how you deal with change that defines you.

Oh, and one last thing. This thread was initially about where the Hulk falls between Tank or Brute. To me the Hulk, within the game, is more Brute "Giant Monster" then anything. His "Rage" not only adds to his damage, but also adds to his survivability. For me he's closer to a SS/WP brute then anything that currently exists in the game.

*steps off soap box*

And with that, back to your regularly scheduled Soap Opera.