Build by championBuilder 0.3.2

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: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Constitution
Level 13: Super Endurance

Powers:
Level 1: Shadow Bolt
Level 1: Lash -- Crippling Challenge
Level 5: Shadow Embrace -- Rank 2, Challenging Strikes, Fatal Allure
Level 5: Fire Flight -- Rank 2
Level 8: Regeneration -- Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 11: Ebon Void -- Rank 2, Rank 3, Voracious Darkness
Level 14: Iron Lariat
Level 17: Pyre -- Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes
Level 20: Resurgence -- Rank 2, Evanescent Emergence
Level 23: Crippling Coils
Level 26: Roomsweeper -- Concussive Blow
Level 29: Defensive Combo -- Surge Of Strength
Level 32: Lifedrain -- Vampiric Sympathy, Rank 2
Level 35: Unbreakable
Level 35: Acrobatics -- Rank 2
Level 38: Rebirth

Talents:
Level 1: Abyssal
Level 6: Quick Recovery
Level 9: Amazing Stamina
Level 12: Boundless Reserves
Level 15: Prodigy
Level 18: Shrug It Off
Level 21: Lasting Impression

My vision is a solid solo build who would tank in groups if needed (DPS otherwise). Maybe not a complete brick but solid enough to run interference for the squishies. I have a few questions about my powers and advantages below.

1) With several blocks that either were or are OP I haven't heard much about Ebon Void and specifically about the advantage Voracious Darkness. Any thoughts?

2) Is the 1 point advantage Challenging Strikes worth it? Is it noticeable in adding aggro?

Besides the questions above I'm actually pretty sold on my build though Defensive Combo (+acrobatics as my second travel power) so the following questions concern the last 3 power slots. I'm open to any ideas that stick with a magic/supernatural/demon theme.

3) Life Drain. Any good with the advantages taken? I tried it much earlier in the life of this character and was not impressed by the healing returned which would be the main reason to bother with it.

4) Unbreakable. Is a second Active Defense worth the slot or would I be better served by taking an offensive burst power like Immolation or Shadow Shroud?

5) Rebirth. I grabbed this last because it sounds situationally useful. I have no practical experience with it however and would like to know peoples thoughts.

For the last three powers here are some of the other powers I've thought to use and wouldn't mind some feedback on:

Circle of Primal Dominion: Sounds great for tanking, worried about the reduction of 0 to energy and the increased vulnerability to holds.

Sigils of Ebon Weakness: Again sounds great for tanking but I was unimpressed by the snare portion when tested in the Power House. How is it out against mobs? How is the damage reduction?

March of the Dead: This I would rank up once and also take the advantage that makes them stick around longer. I figured they'd aid in tanking just by being more targets for the mobs to aggro on.

Devour Essence: This would be a direct replacer for Life Drain and I would shoot it up to rank 3. Any comparisons? Anyone think one or the other is better?

Orbital Cannon: I know not supernatural but I envisioned it as a Zeus's lightening bolt kinda power. With rank 2 and Anvil of Dawn advantages I figure it would be good for some of those big static boss fights.

Thunderclap: I wanted this as a quick 1 click disruption/interrupt attack but as far as I can tell the stun/hold portion doesn't seem to work in the Power House so i have no idea how likely it is to interrupt casts, delay a mob from running, or stun/hold for any length of time. Anyone have any practical experience with this?

Thanks for reading this long posts and any comments you can make about any of the questions I've posted will be appreciated.

This is a decent shield, although blocking would really work against doing any damage without any DoTs

I am not sure with Challenging Strikes as I have no played with it much. Most of my builds do not like drawing aggro.

If you are looking for a semi heal/attack you can pickup ego sprites with the slave mentality perk. Its pretty decent, sadly only on things that last long enough for the sprites to head back to you to heal.

I have no advice about these two.

As for the rest, I suggest you play around and find things that fit your playstyle. I kinda bypassed Orbital Cannon with Ebon Rift and Vengful Shadows as it will do more damage and fits the theme better.

EDIT: had a huge mistake, fixed.

Thanks for the reply. This build has essentially grown up out of the "play around and see if it fits" method which to be honest is a tad expensive since powers don't always work the same in action as compared to the PH. Since I'm lvl 30, stil have the free respec, and 3 more power choices looming I'm just looking for any feedback that helps the process.

It's funny you should mention Ebon Rift as this power was why I started to make this guy. After getting pummeled by it by the Gadroons I thought it would be awesome. However it got nerfed before I got to try it and I wasn't too happy with how it worked. I'll have to check it again with Vengeful Shadows and if it does as much damage as you say (to KB resistant mobs anyway) it is definitely an on theme option.