Dark Melee
Overview
Dark Melee is a standard power set that is a primary set for Brutes, Scrappers, and Stalkers, and a secondary set for Tankers.
"Dark Melee allows you to focus the powers of the Netherworld to defeat your foes. The draining effect of most of these powers can reduce the target's Accuracy."
Power Tables
Brute
Dark Melee is available as a primary set for Brutes. The following table shows the level at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | |
|
Shadow Punch | 1 | Melee, Minor DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
Smite | 1 | Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
Shadow Maul | 2 | Melee (Cone), High DoT(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
Touch of Fear | 6 | Melee, Foe Fear, -To Hit |
|
Siphon Life | 8 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe -To Hit, Self Heal |
|
Taunt | 12 | Ranged (Targeted AoE), Foe Taunt, -Range |
|
Dark Consumption | 18 | PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Negative), Self +End |
|
Soul Drain | 26 | PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Negative), Self +DMG, +To Hit |
|
Midnight Grasp | 32 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe Immobilize, -To Hit |
Scrapper
Dark Melee is available as a primary set for Scrappers. The following table shows the level at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | |
|
|
Shadow Punch | 1 | Melee, Minor DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Smite | 1 | Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Shadow Maul | 2 | Melee (Cone), High DoT(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Touch of Fear | 6 | Melee, Foe Fear, -To Hit |
|
|
Siphon Life | 8 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe -To Hit, Self Heal |
|
|
Confront | 12 | Ranged, Foe Taunt, -Range |
|
|
Dark Consumption | 18 | PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Negative), Self +End |
|
|
Soul Drain | 26 | PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Negative), Self +DMG, +To Hit |
|
|
Midnight Grasp | 32 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe Immobilize, -To Hit |
Stalker
Dark Melee is available as a primary set for Stalkers. The following table shows the level at which each power is available:
| Power | Level | Effect | |
|
|
Shadow Punch | 1 | Melee, Minor DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Smite | 1 | Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Shadow Maul | 2 | Melee (Cone), High DoT(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
Assassin's Eclipse | 6 | Melee, Special Damage(Smash/Negative) |
|
Build Up | 8 | Self +DMG, +To Hit |
|
Placate | 12 | Ranged, Foe Placate, Self Stealth/Hide |
|
|
Siphon Life | 18 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe -To Hit, Self Heal |
|
|
Touch of Fear | 26 | Melee, Foe Fear, -To Hit |
|
|
Midnight Grasp | 32 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe Immobilize, -To Hit |
Tanker
Dark Melee is available as a secondary set for Tankers. The following table shows which powers are available and at what level:
| Power | Level | Effect | |
|
|
Shadow Punch | 1 | Melee, Minor DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Smite | 2 | Melee, Moderate DMG(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Shadow Maul | 4 | Melee (Cone), High DoT(Smash/Negative), Foe -To Hit |
|
|
Taunt | 10 | Ranged (Targeted AoE), Foe Taunt, -Range |
|
|
Siphon Life | 16 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe -To Hit, Self Heal |
|
|
Touch of Fear | 20 | Melee, Foe Fear, -To Hit |
|
|
Soul Drain | 28 | PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Negative), Self +DMG, +To Hit |
|
|
Dark Consumption | 35 | PBAoE, Moderate DMG(Negative), Self +End |
|
|
Midnight Grasp | 38 | Melee, Superior DMG(Negative), Foe Immobilize, -To Hit |
Powers
Assassin's Eclipse
A signature Stalker attack. This attack does superior smashing and negative energy damage on its own as a frontal attack and cannot be interrupted. However, if it is executed while you are Hidden, this attack will do tremendous damage, as you waylay your unsuspecting foe. This attack may be interrupted if you move or are attacked while executing this power and ar hidden. Using this power while not hidden has a chance to critically hit equal to 33.3% time the number of stacks of Assassin's Focus. Using Assassin's Eclipse when not hidden will remove all stacks of Assassin's Focus regardless if you critically hit or not.
| Damage | Special (Smashing/Negative) |
| Recharge | Very Long |
| Minimum Level |  6 (Stalker)
|
| Effects | Melee |
| Enhancements |  Enhance Accuracy
|
 Enhance Damage
| |
 Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
 Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Set Categories |  Melee Damage
|
Build Up
Greatly increases the amount of damage you deal for a few seconds, as well as slightly increasing your chance to hit.
| Recharge | Long |
| Minimum Level | 8 (Stalker)
|
| Effects | Self +Damage, +To Hit |
| Enhancements | Reduce Endurance Cost
|
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
 Enhance ToHit Buff
| |
| Set Categories |  To Hit Buff
|
Confront
Challenges a foe to attack you. Useful to pull a villain off an ally who finds himself in over his head. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.
| Recharge | Fast |
| Minimum Level |  12 (Scrapper)
|
| Effects | Ranged |
| Foe Taunt, -Range | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
 Enhance Range
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
 Enhance Taunt Effectiveness
| |
| Set Categories |  Taunt
|
Dark Consumption
The dark power of the Netherworld allows you to tap the essence of your foe's soul and transfer it to yourself. This will drain the Hit Points of your enemy and add to your Endurance.
| Damage | Moderate (Negative) |
| Recharge | Very Long |
| Minimum Level |  18 (Brute)
|
| 18 (Scrapper)
| |
 35 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Point Blank Area of Effect |
| Self +Endurance | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
 Enhance Endurance Modification
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Set Categories |  PBAoE Damage
|
 Endurance Modification
| |
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
|
Midnight Grasp
Mastery over the forces of the Netherworld allows you to create dark tentacles that can Immobilize a foe and continuously drain his life force.
| Damage | Superior Damage over Time(Negative) |
| Recharge | Slow |
| Minimum Level | 32 (Brute)
|
| 32 (Scrapper)
| |
| 32 (Stalker)
| |
| 38 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Melee |
| Foe Immobilize, -To Hit | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
 Enhance Immobilization Duration
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
 Enhance ToHit Debuff
| |
| Set Categories |  Immobilize
|
| Melee Damage
| |
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
 ToHit Debuff
| |
 Accurate ToHit Debuff
|
Placate
Allows you to trick a foe to no longer attack you. A Successful Placate will also Hide you. This Hide is very brief, and offers no Defense bonus, but it will allow you to deliver a critical hit or Assassin's Blow. However, if you attack a Placated Foe, he will be able to attack you back.
| Recharge | Long |
| Minimum Level | 12 (Stalker)
|
| Effects | Ranged |
| Foe Placate | |
| Self Stealth/Hide | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Range
|
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Set Categories | - |
Shadow Maul
You wrap your entire arms with Negative Energy channeled from the Netherworlds, then perform a series of blows that deal a lot of damage over a short period of time to multiple targets in front of you. These blows cloud your target's vision, lowering his chance to hit for a short time.
| Damage | High Damage over Time(Smashing/Negative) |
| Recharge | Moderate |
| Minimum Level | 2 (Brute)
|
| 2 (Scrapper)
| |
| 2 (Stalker)
| |
| 4 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Melee (Cone) |
| Foe -To Hit | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Enhance ToHit Debuff
| |
| Set Categories | PBAoE Damage
|
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| ToHit Debuff
| |
| Accurate ToHit Debuff
|
Shadow Punch
You wrap your fists with Negative Energy channeled from the Netherworlds, then perform a quick punch that deals minor damage. Shadow Punches cloud the target's vision, lowering his chance to hit for a short time.
| Damage | Minor (Smashing/Negative) |
| Recharge | Fast |
| Minimum Level | 1 (Brute)
|
| 1 (Scrapper)
| |
| 1 (Stalker)
| |
| 1 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Melee |
| Foe -To Hit | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Enhance ToHit Debuff
| |
| Set Categories | Melee Damage
|
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| ToHit Debuff
| |
| Accurate ToHit Debuff
|
Siphon Life
You tap the power of the Netherworld and create a life transferring conduit between a foe and yourself. This will transfer Hit Points from your enemy to yourself. Foes siphoned in this manner have their chance to hit reduced.
| Damage | Superior (Negative) |
| Recharge | Slow |
| Minimum Level | 8 (Brute)
|
| 8 (Scrapper)
| |
| 18 (Stalker)
| |
| 16 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Melee |
| Foe -To Hit | |
| Self Heal | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
 Enhance Heal
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Enhance ToHit Debuff
| |
| Set Categories | Melee Damage
|
 Healing/Absorb
| |
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| ToHit Debuff
| |
 Accurate Healing
| |
| Accurate ToHit Debuff
|
Smite
You wrap your fists with Negative Energy channeled from the Netherworlds, then perform a Smite that deals more damage than Shadow Punch, but has a longer recharge time. Smite clouds the target's vision, lowering his chance to hit for a short time.
| Damage | Moderate (Smashing/Negative) |
| Recharge | Moderate |
| Minimum Level | 1 (Brute)
|
| 1 (Scrapper)
| |
| 1 (Stalker)
| |
| 2 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Melee |
| Foe -To Hit | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Enhance ToHit Debuff
| |
| Set Categories | Melee Damage
|
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| ToHit Debuff
| |
| Accurate ToHit Debuff
|
Soul Drain
Using this power, you can drain the essence of all nearby foes' souls, thus increasing your own strength. Each affected foe will lose some Hit Points and add to your Damage and chance to hit.
| Damage | Moderate (Negative) |
| Recharge | Very Long |
| Minimum Level | 26 (Brute)
|
| 26 (Scrapper)
| |
| 28 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Point Blank Area of Effect |
| Self +Damage, +To Hit | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Damage
| |
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Enhance ToHit Buff
| |
| Set Categories | PBAoE Damage
|
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| To Hit Buff
|
Taunt
Challenges a foe to attack you. Useful to pull an enemy off an ally who finds himself in over his head. A To Hit check is required to Taunt enemy players, but is not needed against critter targets.
| Recharge | Fast |
| Minimum Level | 12 (Brute)
|
| 10 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Ranged (Targeted Area of Effect) |
| Foe Taunt, -Range | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Enhance Range
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness
| |
| Set Categories | Taunt
|
Touch of Fear
The Netherworld is one scary place, and with but a touch, you can give your enemy a glimpse into this dark world. This will cause them to helplessly tremble in Fear. Foes in this state of panic have reduced chance to hit.
| Recharge | Moderate |
| Minimum Level | 6 (Brute)
|
| 6 (Scrapper)
| |
| 26 (Stalker)
| |
| 20 (Tanker)
| |
| Effects | Melee |
| Foe Fear, -To Hit | |
| Enhancements | Enhance Accuracy
|
| Reduce Endurance Cost
| |
 Enhance Fear Duration
| |
| Increase Attack Rate
| |
| Enhance Taunt Effectiveness (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| Enhance ToHit Debuff
| |
| Set Categories |  Fear
|
| Taunt (Brute/Tanker only)
| |
| ToHit Debuff
| |
| Accurate ToHit Debuff
|
Historical
 This section contains information about changes that took place in City of Heroes Freedom. It is provided for historical purposes.
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- This set has been in the game for Scrappers since Issue 0.
- This set was included with the original release of Brutes in Issue 6.
- This set was proliferated to Stalkers in Issue 7.
- This set was proliferated to Tankers in Issue 12.
