Ice/Fire Dominator Guide v1.0


Azucar_NA

 

Posted

Freezing and Melting Technique
Guide to a Ice/Fire Dominator

Index:

1. Introduction
2. Whats a dominator? My Point of view
3. Questions!
4. Ice Control
5. Fiery Assault
6. Example Build

[u]Introduction[u]
Ah, you’ve picked the dominator. In particular, the ice/fire dominator. Good choice! If this is your first time through as a dominator, or an old veteran domi, you’re going to enjoy this build. You can solo, you can team, you can solo on teams. There’s nothing quite like this! I hope that this guide will help you make important decisions when playing up your ice/fire dominator! Also note this is my first guide: i'm probably totally embarrassing myself! So, let me down easy!

[u]Whats a dominator? [u]
Disclaimer: the bolded text is purely my point of view. My opinions.

There are many ways to look at your ice/fire dominator. The two most popular are a lock down god (with some minor blasting), a full blown blaster (with some control), or half and half. A little of this and a little of that. I play mine half and half. I control some, and I blast some (a lot, actually.) In the end, your play style is your play style. You have to play your domi the way you envision it!

[u]Questions/Help[u]
I’m going to answer some questions that I had when I started my ice/fire dominator.

1. Can I replace stamina with consume.
No, no, and no. I love consume as a power, but the recharge is dreadful, even with enhancements. Between arctic air, attacks, and whatever else you run, you would be out of endurance before you could spell “dominator.” Even with domination’s endurance refilling effect, you can’t rely on consume. Get stamina.

2. I see there is a snipe at 35 (blazing bolt). Should I pick this up?
Optional. I love this power on my fire/dark corruptor, but it’s different on a dominator. You need to be locking down mobs and dealing as much damage as you can with your quicker attacks. I’d take this if you intend to solo a lot in the upper levels.

3. I got arctic air at 6, and I can’t keep my endurance up! Whats wrong with my dominator?!
Arctic air has a huge endurance cost.. There is nothing wrong with your domi! I actually held off getting AA until 22, because I had stamina. I still run out of endurance frequently - enhancements and all.

Got a question? Need some help? Post or PM your question and I’ll gladly post it up in this section!

On to the fun stuff!




[u]Ice Control[u]

You can draw moisture from the air to create Icy formations. With these abilities, you can control ice with remarkable precision to dominate your foes.



[u]Chillblain[u]

Level: 1
Effects: Single target immo, -rech -fly -speed, moderate DoT, fast rech
Rating: **
Notes: I don’t see the point in this power, since frostbite is available at level 2. I skipped it. It’s more of a personal preference.

Slotting:
1-2 Acc, 1-2 Immo



[u]Block of Ice[u]

Level: 1
Effects: Single target hold, moderate damage, -speed -rech, moderate recharge
Rating: *****
Notes: If you don’t get this power at level 1, don’t bother with dominator! This is one of the 4 necessary powers of ice control!
Without it, you are not a freezer, only a burner.

Slotting:
2 Acc, 2 Rech, 2 Hold Duration


[u]Frostbite[u]

Level: 2
Effects: aoe immo, minor dot, -speed, -rech
Rating: **
Notes: Easily skipable. This contradicts ice slick. And we don’t want that. The team wants ice slick! I took it, then dropped it in my respec at 24, because it’s usage was scarce after ice slick came into the picture.
Slotting:
2 acc, 2 immo, 1 rech


[u]Arctic Air[u]

Level: 6
Effects: -speed, confuse, -rech, -stealth, Toggle.
Rating: ****
Notes: The next ice control necessity. This is what keeps the fight together (literally). All of the mobs running in slow motion like the Matrix is great. Only problem with this power is the endurance cost.


[u]Shiver[u]

Level: 8
Effects: -speed, -rech, Very Wide Cone
Rating: *****
Notes: This the next necessity. This has the widest cone I’ve ever seen. Ice slick, stand back, then shiver - the whole group is slowed. This is an excellent PvP power as well. Don’t skip this.
Slotting: 1 rech, 1 confuse, 1 slow


[u]Ice Slick[u]

Level 12
Effects: Ranged aoe knockdown, -speed
Rating: ************************************************** ******************************
******************************************
Notes: This power is 1000000000% necessary. If you don’t take this power at 12, delete your dominator. Knocksdown everything on the big patch of ice. This is, undisputedly, the best aoe control at your disposal.
Slots:
3 rech


[u]Flash Freeze[u]

Level 18
Effects: Targeted AoE Sleep, Minor Dmg,
Rating: **
Notes: This is *not*, I repeat, *not* like mass hypnosis. It does damage, so If the baddies wake up, they do know what hit them. I skipped this power, because I’m team based. Sleeps are border line useless on a team. However, if your going to solo a lot, this power could be your golden gate to glory.
Slotting:
2 rech, 2 sleep



[u]Glacier[u]

Level 26
Effects: PBAoE Hold, -rech, -speed
Rating: ****
Notes: When you first get this power (get this power), you will be disappointed. When you slot this power, your jaw will drop. With proper slotting, this is one of your best attacks. Until it is slotted up to satisfaction, use it as a panic button.
Slotting: 2 Hold, 2 Rech, 2 Accuracy



[u]Jack Frost[u]

Level 32
Effects: Pet Summon
Rating: *****
Notes: Who ever said Jack was a “bad pet” had obviously never played an ice control before. I’ve never seen a pet do as much damage as Jack (imps don’t count!). He’s packing a hold, ice sword, greater ice sword, and ice blast. He can solo groups all on his lonesome. Like you, he has a knack for taking lots of damage.
Slots: 2 rech, 2 acc, 2 dmg


@Stablae - Freedom Server
Controller/Dominator Freak
Freedom Server
Repeat Offenders: Doing hard things stupidly easy.

 

Posted


[u]Fiery Assault[u]
Fiery Assault allows you to conjure up flaming melee attacks and hurl devastating fiery projectiles. Fiery Assault powers tend to set foes ablaze for added damage over time.



[u]Flares[u]

Level 1
Effects: Minor dmg
Rating: ***
Notes: Flares was recently changed to have a much quicker animation. That changed this whole power. It’s very good, especially at level 1. It builds domination very quickly.
Slotting, 1 acc, 1 dmg


[u]Incinerate[u]

Level 2
Effects: Melee, high damage DoT
Rating: ****
Notes: It isn’t my most used power, but it’s still good for damage dealing. I took this over frost bite and have no regrets.
Slotting: 2 acc, 2 dmg


[u]Fire Breath[u]

Level 4
Effects: “moderate” damage cone, close range.
Rating: **************
Notes: Your bread and butter of Fiery Assault. At medium range, this power does remarkable damage. I love this power on my corruptor, and I love it on my dominator!
Slotting: 3 acc, 2 dam


[u]Fire Blast[u]

Level 10
Effects: moderate, single target damage.
Rating: ****
Notes: Your second bread and butter attack. This is a well rounded power, good for filling in your attack chain.
Slotting: 2 acc, 2 dmg



[u]Fiery Embrace[u]

Level 16
Effects: +fire damage, +all dmg
Rating: ******
Notes: Essentially build up. It increases damage of fire attacks by almost 2 times. This is domination for fiery assault!
Slotting:
3-4 rech


[u]Combustion[u]

Level 20
Effects: PBAoE moderate DoT
Rating: *
Notes: I got this power with the idea it would build domination quicker. Boy, was I wrong. I was very unimpressed by this power.
Slotting: don’t. It’s not worth the infamy.


[u]Consume[u]

Level 28
Effects: PBAoE minoer Dot, self +endurance
Rating: ****
Notes: Has a very slow recharge, and it does not replace stamina. See question/help section.
Slotting: 4 rech



[u]Blazing Bolt[u]

Level 35
Effects: Snipe, Extreme fire dmg
Rating: **
Notes: This is not a teaming power, at least for a dominator. You’re not responsible for the pulls. Leave it to the brutes. If you’re going to solo, however, pick up this power, slot it, and love it!
Slotting: 1-2 rech, 1-2 accuracy, 1-2 damage



[u]Blaze[u]:

Level 38
Effects: High dmg, single target, close range.
Rating: ************************************************** ******************************
************************************************** **************
Notes: Alright, so it’s not PSW, but it sure does end fiery assault with a bang. This is the best power of the set, hands down. Imagine this: breath of fire and 2 fire blasts. All at once. Behold Blaze!!!
Slotting: 3 acc, 3 dmg


[u]Power Pools[u]

I’m not going to cover every single power pool, that would be redonkulous of me! I’m going to cover more of the sensible ones.

[u]Flight[u]
Flight is good for the lazy, chatty player. Hover gives +def, air sup has modest damage and a knockdown (good for that stubborn freak who just won’t cooperate with the slick).
I especially suggest it for the Rogue Isles (vertical lift nightmare)

[u]Speed[u]
I went speed for hasten. It helps a LOT. Flurry isn’t a very good power, avoid it. Super Speed is a good travel power in CoH, but this is CoV. You’ll have a tough time with it in the Rogue Isles.

[u]Leaping[u]
The way I went. Combat jumping has +def and +res to immobilize. Super jump is a good power, especially in the Rogue Isles. Acrobatics is a nice buff too. Avoid jump kick (or whatever it’s called!)

[u]Teleport[u]
*Very* team friendly. Recall friend will win you some brownie points for sure. TP foe is purely for pvp. Teleportation can be a difficult power, I recommend a bind, such as:

[codebox]/bind <key> “powexec_name Teleport”[/codebox]

That allows you to press the binded key to bring up the toggle for TP. Click and go!


[u]Medicine[u]
Good for soloing and teams, however I do not have a lot to comment on, since I lack experience in this pool.

[u]Fitness[u]
This is necessary for this build. You just can’t rely on consume!!! AA and the rest of your attacks will suck your endurance down fast.


[u]Leadership[u]
Some VG’s require or recommend you to take leadership. It can’t hurt. I, myself, have no room in my build for it, but if I did, I’d probably go down this pool. Good for teams or solo. Another reason to take Fitness too.


@Stablae - Freedom Server
Controller/Dominator Freak
Freedom Server
Repeat Offenders: Doing hard things stupidly easy.

 

Posted

[u] Sample Build[u]

Bear in mind that his is a sample build. It's not necessarily right, it's not necessarily wrong, but it works out great for me!


Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.30
http://www.honourableunited.org.uk/mhd.php

Level 40 Magic Dominator
Primary Power Set: Ice Control
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Assault
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Block of Ice <ul type="square">[*] (A) Hold Duration IO: Level 40[*] (3) Hold Duration IO: Level 40[*] (3) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (5) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (5) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (7) Accuracy IO: Level 40[/list]Level 1: Flares <ul type="square">[*] (A) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (7) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[/list]Level 2: Incinerate <ul type="square">[*] (A) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (9) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (9) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (11) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[/list]Level 4: Fire Breath <ul type="square">[*] (A) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (11) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (13) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (13) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[/list]Level 6: Combat Jumping <ul type="square">[*] (A) Jumping IO: Level 40[/list]Level 8: Shiver <ul type="square">[*] (A) Slow IO: Level 40[*] (15) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (15) Accuracy IO: Level 40[/list]Level 10: Fire Blast <ul type="square">[*] (A) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (17) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (17) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (19) Accuracy IO: Level 40[/list]Level 12: Ice Slick <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (19) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (21) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[/list]Level 14: Super Jump <ul type="square">[*] (A) Jumping IO: Level 40[*] (21) Jumping IO: Level 40[*] (23) Jumping IO: Level 40[/list]Level 16: Hurdle <ul type="square">[*] (A) Jumping IO: Level 40[/list]Level 18: Health <ul type="square">[*] (A) Healing IO: Level 40[/list]Level 20: Stamina <ul type="square">[*] (A) Endurance Modification IO: Level 40[*] (23) Endurance Modification IO: Level 40[*] (25) Endurance Modification IO: Level 40[*] (39) Empty[/list]Level 22: Fiery Embrace <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (25) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (27) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[/list]Level 24: Arctic Air <ul type="square">[*] (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (27) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (29) Confuse Duration IO: Level 40[*] (29) Slow IO: Level 40[/list]Level 26: Glacier <ul type="square">[*] (A) Hold Duration IO: Level 40[*] (31) Hold Duration IO: Level 40[*] (31) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (31) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (33) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (33) Accuracy IO: Level 40[/list]Level 28: Hasten <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (33) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (34) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[/list]Level 30: Super Speed <ul type="square">[*] (A) Run Speed IO: Level 40[*] (34) Run Speed IO: Level 40[/list]Level 32: Jack Frost <ul type="square">[*] (A) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (34) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (36) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (36) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (36) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (37) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[/list]Level 35: Consume <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (37) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (37) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[/list]Level 38: Blaze <ul type="square">[*] (A) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (39) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 40[*] (39) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (40) Damage Increase IO: Level 40[*] (40) Accuracy IO: Level 40[*] (40) Accuracy IO: Level 40[/list]Level 41: [Empty]
Level 44: [Empty]
Level 47: [Empty]
Level 49: [Empty]
------------
Level 1: Brawl <ul type="square">[*] (A) Empty[/list]Level 1: Sprint <ul type="square">[*] (A) Empty[/list]Level 2: Rest <ul type="square">[*] (A) Empty[/list]Level 1: Domination



<font class="small">Code:[/color]<hr /><pre>| Copy &amp; Paste this data chunk into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MHDz;2664;622;832;|
&gt;-KEE&lt;V*VS`0Q^^!O,.^0(KU85NFIZ7ILEN:RP9Z-XF:&amp;!P[V`YM0&gt;C9.Y(321N-T@&lt;HP&gt;SL3Z._1J,
9Z54._;J&gt;ZA]R&ampN^^TP^\&gt;5";&gt;I#LU/K_M1T]=0/R\7;3CY]Z;MIZ%OUTLCAS]/S.-:7=E)OW5$.LI
O4=UF?F^X`PU,GQU%MSU+NU4O;'(Z3VO:7]FE3CQ-,72XR-?^(RI5^[=N]IIJ5FFNF604\9E3I=[D[O
N]_`^;L'Y@K_;S;`:+%`U3`2BOB0C%?Y`.QK$\'@RID&amp;K$_% D]#E$2LA""2&gt;74&amp;,A13QQ9$`B4494X_
MRO`Q&amp;^7T]GD+[MYY=ZIA(^;/&amp;_;_I=Q&lt;D=2XKDG2*:!.&lt;'*9HS%H55(M`6BA3$1G `FQ6TM4!HSB7"0
*+#@/8L*F1CE*&amp;`S%D&amp;*II=&lt;#L/660VKQ$R!YX%;:$S!M(&gt;O6M(7?&gt;!FXF2*WF?W:[3&gt;][1_J'"L40S
0HAC/4F5X1`)F&amp;\PKR2\UJ/-F0B?P:190'W429+?IY`[,C\XX)#-4`]])/4P["08&amp;4*PWWD-O*QBX?B
D&amp;6X=$_XE'34I3YF$P\))G71+&gt;QA#]C@7)E^\&amp;&lt;S*4S7KE3K6(6SF3FCS!YNN],&amp;(D9=E7E.$-C3O&amp;@
1IAIF"*5)&lt;:3"BE.G'()MMTKZIG*/W*'HZQ"\H`SMU=NK=4UPAMD&amp;"PP*")H/CK?.&amp;%[9Q_'Z8/Q^46
Z&amp;[_39\6')5&lt;$B&gt;,_@28=_/J?@%&gt;B,"\-M6])F3FS*#PEWJ3&gt;9-[DWLR]&gt;5-PBU[C@/&lt;.1J&amp;T!9L=A3
&lt;K9XK,F\2;U)O,FUY,Y-[TNJ+P)K^:R\5?X2AV!P``
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
</pre><hr />


[u]Attack Chain[u]

In case you were curious how I go about combat, here it is(!):
1. Activate Arctic Air - I don't run with on when i'm between mobs.
2. Ice Slick
3. Shiver
4. Run into the group, target your victim
5. Block of Ice
6. *Fire Blast
7. *Flares
8. *Incinerate
9. *Breath of Fire
Repeat steps 5-9, putting down slick when necessary. Jack covers the rest usually.

[u]Things to remember[u]


<ul type="square">[*]Play and build your domi like to your own liking!
-It's important that you maintain a play style you like, since a dominator can support so many, take advantage of that![*]You are not a brute!
-I don't know if anyone else has this problem. Maybe it's because I made this toon fresh after my scrapper got 50![*]You are not a controller!
-Don't expect to have such a hard core grasp on control like a controller. You powers may be the same, but the end effect is different.[/list]
Anything i'm forgetting?

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked my guide. If you have questions or need help, my global is @Stablae. Or you can reply to the thread or PM me. I'll get back to you as soon as possible! Also note: this is my first guide ever! Please, play nice! If it's bad, I blame the register date. *points to my register date*

:sad:

Thanks again for reading!!!!!!!!!!!


@Stablae - Freedom Server
Controller/Dominator Freak
Freedom Server
Repeat Offenders: Doing hard things stupidly easy.

 

Posted

what about the help section? i want to know what your talking about consume doesn't give you end? I don't want to assume you don't know the power well enough to know it is a leech power but thats what it sounds like if you don't explain. Outside of that it's a good guide. I almost didn't agree with you on chillbane till i remembered this is a Dommie your talking about I love chillbane on my controllers because it can be a great damage dealer, but thats what assault is for. I do like it due to its a higher mag then frostbite and can be used to do clean up holding if frostbite missed anybody but as you say your playstyle is your own.


 

Posted

i dont understand why you like shiver. the Slow from AA is enough, dont you think?


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
i dont understand why you like shiver. the Slow from AA is enough, dont you think?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, it should be AA OR Shiver IMO since the -rech cap is -75% or something like that anyways.

My notes:
on artic air, you have no slotting advice
on shiver your slotting advice is odd
what are ice's weaknesses/strengths compared to other primaries
what are fire's weaknesses/strengths compared to other secondaries
flash freeze would need accuracy
what about the long recharge of glacier?
why recharge in jack frost?
increasing damage 200% is an exaggeration for fiery embrace
what's so bad about combustion?
consume has base accuracy and would need slotting for accuracy
explain how blazing bolt can quickly raise the domination bar and you should slot it 2 end redux if you're using it for that
Your stars annoy me,
blaze should only have 2 acc
what about ice slick being able to be used out of line of sight?
there is no talk about the inherent.


 

Posted

Can some mod delete that last post or throw a damn space in between the part where his caps lock and apparently keyboard got stuck? It breaks the page...


 

Posted

Ty muchly Niviene!


 

Posted

hello,

in the power selection you said that frostbite is junk and don't work well with ice slick.

I'm agree with this but, btw 2 ice sleek what are you doing ?
frostbite + AA cover this hole.

frostbite is also really usefull vs flyer and root is the only really reliable control vs AV =&gt; here comes the usefullness of this single target root (yes frostbite cost a lot of end).


Shiver or AA i would say like other peeps, take one but not the 2. If you like blapping =&gt; AA else shiver.


For the rech cap, -75% AA + frostbite cover this.

On the slottign part, procs ... proc in AA (up to 3 proc) and proc in frostbite .. i like this


 

Posted

I like having Shiver AND AA on my Ice/. Certain situations I prefer to stay at range. Others I like to be in melee. With both I have the flexibility to slow an entire spawn from either.

And I agree with you, Nemeros, about Frostbite. It's fantastic in conjunction with Shiver or AA. It's up to the user not to drop it on his own Ice Slick.