Xandyr

Fixed that for ya. 😎😉

Personally, I would take Soothe over Share Pain. Once you use Share Pain, you won't be able to heal yourself at all. May wanna swap the Shield Breakers in Anguishing Cry for Analyze Weakness....that 2.5% End Recovery bonus puts you over the cap. The ACCY/End Reduction of your pets seems low. I wonder if the To Hit Bonus from Serum and WoP will make up for the Accy. As far as Pain goes, it looks like you're on the right track. Slotting the Panacea proc in Suppress Pain gives it a chance to proc for ALL friendlies in its radius. So, as long as your pets (and teammates) are within the radius, then it'll Proc on them. Throw some Resist IOs (maybe Unbreakable Guard) in WoP, and might as well throw another 1 or 2 pieces of Gaussian's' in there. You've got it perma, along with Hasten, Painbringer, and Anguishing Cry. Good deal...even better that you've got Serum perma. I actually enjoyed Mercs/Pain. I do think that my Necro/Pain is sturdier, but Mercs are in a pretty good spot. Have fun! THAT'S what's important.

As far as a secondary that would kinda fit your background, Rad comes to mind first.

I'm no expert ( @StrikerFox comes to mind for being an MM expert), but here's something I threw together that I think checks off all the powers you wanted. Mastermind (Necromancy - Traps).mbd

You might want to consider taking 1 or 2 attacks just to be able to spawn a spectre. They help draw aggro, plus do damage. Definitely take Soul Extraction. Summons the "soul" of each of your pets. It's great for extra damage/mitigation, plus a great place to put the unique Pet IOs. There are 2 that increase your pets' defenses by 5% each, and 2 that increase their resistances by 10% each. There is a Mastermind IO that increases your pets' AoE defense, and another that increases their Regeneration rate and their Resistances by 15%. Just by getting them, you're increasing their Defense by 10%, their Regeneration rate, and their Resistances by 35%. The Defense ones will really help since you'll have the FFG. Necro is one of the sets that were revamped recently. They're WAY better now than they were Live. The 2 upgrades can now take Resistance IOs and Heal IOs. The IO system can be difficult to understand, and it can also be easy to understand. If you look at, say, Luck of the Gambler (a Defense IO). You'll see that this set has 6 "pieces". One of which is a Defense/Global Recharge IO. If you slot this one piece in a power that takes Defense enhancements, it will increase the Defense of that power, PLUS increase your Global Recharge by 7.5%. Global recharge is great, as it will let all your powers Recharge that much faster. Now, if you slot this piece, AND another enhancement from the same set, say the Defense Luck of the Gambler, it will increase the Defense value of that power. PLUS, since you have 2 enhancements from the LotG set, you will increase your Regeneration rate by 10%. By looking at the set bonuses of different IOs, you can slot enhancements to help increase your Defense, Regeneration, Resistances, Range, End Recovery, etc etc. So...if you want to focus on building for Melee Defense, you can look at all the IOs that give a set bonus that increases Defense/Melee Defense and slot those. Hopefully that makes sense? I'll try to get on later and see about a build.

What are you running with /Pain, and how's it going? Likes? Dislikes?

I've played it with WP and Bio. Both pairings are great. Never did any 4* content with either. Having said that, I've survived about everything thrown at them. Build WP for +HP, +regen then def/resist. It's hard to faceplant with softcapped defense, backed up with good resists...while regenerating 200-300 hp/sec. Bio is....bio. Offers more damage, and the +def/resist Staff offers helps survivability. Dark/Staff sounds fun as well. May have to try that.

Zect is on the forums. I'll just say that he believes there's only one way to build a tank, and it's his way.

Can NEVER go wrong with /Dark!

Don't forget /Pain. I feel like /Pain gets overlooked...but has some amazing powers. Regen aura, heals, +Resistance, -Resistance, -Defense, and Painbringer is awesome. On my Necro/Pain, with how I have it slotted, it gives +800% End Recovery, +1168% Regeneration (about 39 HP/Sec), and a +37.5% Damage buff. It can be made perma, but only on 1 pet or teammate. Combined with Suppress Pain (at least how I have it slotted), you're giving that 1 pet or teammate(as long as they're within a 15' radius of you) around 55 HP/Sec. That will typically leave you to worry about other pets/teammates' Health. Plus, that 1 target will not run out of Endurance during the duration of PB. World of Pain (slotted) gives about +17.5% Resistance to all, a +7.5% To Hit buff, and a +12% Damage bonus (to all within 35'). If you team, hit WoP, then use PB on your hardest attacking teammate...that's +49.5% Damage bonus, plus the end and regen to handle about anything while dishing it out. Or, use it on one of your T2 or the T3 pet. I've had a blast with /Pain partnered with Mercs and Necro. My latest project is combining it with Demons.

I paired Sonic with Ninjas. I figured with their inheritantly high defenses that the Resistance would help them out. Plus, they seem to heal themselves reguarly. It's worked out pretty good.

@zect is apparently the best builder in all the land.

Am I missing something? The build I posted for Bio/BA does not have any Patron powers. If I were to try and take a Patron Power, I'd go Soul Mastery and take Gloom and Darkest Night. I'd probably slot 3 Apocalypse in Gloom (mainly for the set bonuses) and slot DK with 4 pieces of Dark Watcher's Despair ( set bonuses, plus that would get roughly -22.79% To Hit Debuff). A problem with Bios, as I've said before and you did also, is that all 9 powers are great....almost essential. That leaves little to "play around with". I definitely like getting Tough/Weave. Maneuvers is always good (helps hit the Defense soft cap, plus another place for a LotG). Hasten is almost mandatory...then your Travel power. I personally always take CJ/SJ on all my toons ( I had an accident and lost the tip of my left forefinger, so it makes it a little difficult for me if I Hover. CJ is easier for me).

Would it have anything to do with level shifts?

I've not played the revamped BA, so I'm just kinda guessing on it. Tanker (Bio Armor - Battle Axe).mbd

I threw this together fairly quick. Might give you an idea or 2. Tanker (Bio Armor - Spines).mbd

I've been thinking about making a Necro/Rad. How it working out for you?

Hmm....let's see here. Why didn't you slot all the Pet uniques? You only slotted the Expedient Reinforcement unique. CAREFUL with Share Pain! While it's a large heal, and a nice buff for you, for 20 seconds you can not be healed, and your regen rate tanks. It's my understanding that as soon as you attack, buff/debuff, or give commands to your pets, you lose the Defense bonus from Evasive Maneuvers. Yes? No? You're over the cap on +10% Regen bonus (can only have 5, and you have 7). Suppress Pain....if you slot the Panacea Proc in it, everyone in the radius has the chance for it to proc on them. Cool little trick. Why did you skip Painbringer? Even if you solo, you can still apply it to one of your henchmen. It's a +37.5% Damage Buff, and not to mention a HUGE increase to their Regen and Recovery rate. In the build below with the slotting I went, you give +987.% Regen bonus (about 33 HP/Sec) and +1,064% End Recovery bonus (about 17 End/Sec). If you do team, whichever teammate you keep it on will LOVE you...since it's a 37.5% Damage bonus and they won't run out of endurance...not to mention even harder to kill. If you have Painbringer on one of your pets (or a teammate), and if they are within the Suppress Pain radius, then their regen will be like 31 HP/sec or higher. Definitely nothing to sneeze at. You can keep it perma one 1 pet/teammate. I went Vigor on my Necro/Pain just to increase my heals/Suppress Pain/Painbringer even more. Musc is always an awesome choice. I personally love having Diamagnetic Core...gotta love the -to hit debuff and regen debuff! I always go Support Core on my MMs. I suppose you could go Barrier, or maybe even Clarion, for your Destiny incarnate power. Lore pets....whatever works for you. A Lore pet to help heal? Or debuff To Hit? Maybe one that helps with your Defense? Soooo many good choices haha. I really think Demons/Pain would be an awesome pairing (maybe I'm partial since I have several /Pain toons). I know my Necro/Pain is awesome...solo or on a team. Either way, good luck and let us know how it goes! Here's how I might build one...which I've been thinking about making one. G9d0IKyKdwgvPoSLlMvLKFOmV7GqUYp07W2uqfyrv8sIZdpQH7e0Q2OYYnKkzQ/oyROKSxCROp1NUnZpMrcstBQOlH7hX5iZ5qqiFHVyP5OT3xc9b2iZ7hqw1tjIbthlpLta1oRFSoSadS80xtI9M/0xEnLsvf0hpKSQWagUNM6mYBXdpB3inkP+vTx5hXovcVh8GXszrrXt/T7qenkQMIchYLt1XdkVwW0Kcf8+uO8l9NLy1TgwTizA8lIlrN8+NeRkb4Y0rgQkNgz4LPbXwBPn+npPGA9GSOuVsBRAtrtLXzaTTyJAPaGAN6XxJdiUjS9gfjZ1g/UDWhg2CneY/BaGaoLMw36P0gHmYeeUfq761pSPbXMbCZvbYDnni7l9A7jJeGIxIt9EzrqLK57gOnps8hPQLMsfmQ0WLQ9H+0Pm8y51NL9yWOddZcHQC13ZTSzJunMgNvah+WkWZyCUbcYbkYICe2U+cufu2aqrlLIWdQqvU12f3bytG7rtu3/xSLYiYP2Xek8rM3w4UT5mVscFS3HeOQO9Ka+JfphzAWajbAfflO1QaoZWbs3T/jJ33eKimDvOa83rkwQ33b7x6ZvmjC9g2XfLEgY3FEjO1izvw/rPSyTY1437JOei3gTPMfyU/0FU9h2N09X+q/4HNfn0LZ+33DDPY2tHPEy4OXIm7aHJwpF8xS0+clxyJgpR8idiqaVxzzyjDlqZNI4G1rW23C86sQw3P7FxBU/ApO+AuJrCRBAqycDKcZIrM6gTWuEZ6NEkQ15p3uVnj+FKrP2mieY06LRtMpeMV2RY908VQy/Zg/XVKR6z9p3osbC5W55WVAQWJAFqq0h4DA5UNBIFJR+HbOxQnGiOReBrvjfR6JQxn9NxrnlxvCbD9qZc44IK2vFiS+7bM0kT6cIFqFynkniF4yqdFZPIecRQFCkJZVFEKpWIFIcj+Rfx4inj5kMFmHKK9ABbfWvuTyzvjrfJcK96RUpV9IKJB7ltkmG7bw+7wOMQ/70GhieIwfWJbqvsh3iH9tYkgtemhD9gQ1DOnuFSNGylpzwUmIxXrZ/oWTasPB6iZ7Ufw/UxYRhzsZStRXelzaahaPLAtvXL4dH0oOQp4hj3cPzpcfyXEGgq+wW7D5hxqG5R8FWQbHUOR9S8w1cnup2sSFiF0nsDRy+ihSq89HLblKyIRXtLid3Z2zu7NRYMstWCwiWRZekI+j+JWbnKjzqpGCPIOPxAAUs6xUYn9AHQP1b4rEQ8golbf20wRt9m7jSB5/URm0x73irQ1glCXOXeKIe6QLF79BXv8m9csL3NG/5Q9Y2UcVheeFiCkS5Bx4pechNxk+HeJCgyxZbku9kT+3rFxBSPWrDprje+qb9ObzS3uQZVGtEjHx8iHjI8o/jlBk1gfXCI2QeX2OQkdG2RMwMi5VPp5wzNResnLdTMvDQuip0Ph6cbOlKyD8HtSM0KS27A7y0h06TMpsu9tkcj8cveIhaZlmtWG07eJ2zaLKiWA5zTY5awbDRkUimI/+RPhoGl1kjSRcwfGrCEgUl++VplKyASW7TZTO348zw4YtFWK+AEV9lwSXeWayLXSyVTTrjCgVCy1xySbKW/gI5HHkf6v9HwgYCNnmx5pNOc7cYpgqeIsox+/aE+OczjQ8Qmw36E8pEpbK9Ovqx/eRs/0AaRwIfa2GntGV2qldVlHwtp4RtXfKhhBXHNnj88EKqHq+ti1fUhefxrDXpwtAn0/DLYdwDJJ2uLROcH/mvO1gE0tPmEadI3wPnKZCXenDLg9bEh4iYJ5pny1onLoS2HZPnRsTGuY8RDhof28LXzgX7OX8CQealqxb9IT8vZSEiHlL5luzAuTIofaOP7OMKshXxYRFAJiLLwmO5nUldRRb4aAzTg03QkllxzQzfeUQmXMM4OO5dvBtVxBrV/xzQNtnFbrCkBu6sXnAjzoI5YZFjgZNyZE1xKeZsVYbtBLrOtC06KDRQ1rRJtOEQNJMn1T2z0iIsMVye2mzbIdnfqeLHlV0w9rIDeik9OOUE9G44TEfgRD313mjTM86DkR4JxnDwwpJ/KTez+TtqAFnZ59fmIOe5hjhu0YuhSB8vXbSYve9aCZLDhXBZpurj4saxjxCbDnpc7uPkfZh5UuVklzQip1SMizMe8gU9EfOhb5qy4vuJDhawg8WD0H7Jc1PrdIWsiZ4tNNJ8n+4iXDO89VbkJd49XB2Pz0z7le4sV42B9Rw5VeNBNvB6GWCQnpxQ3qbdGnWljiEh58jjaxq9pu/qg3F4S5Pf5KZTdah2Cn9U9p7v15ira9cjtM9mygF7MtQ7g/xgiFCH9mkDuYO1rOjvOkdsVxSUxPmy9UldaNab2p0t0YLt/7NrDdn6WuxhjPzKm3UV5khIZBQXxHxZ2RFOMmHfpPVzv4KqY+IaIJ7OHmrrzJsZn3jITdqfkAAhjg9+arVnZcNW4bpk2kvye2BGArr9XJYAdrtuaILb+Ohs7cgJN4xwIUS1Yvm68XuUw7hjvXaMb4CIq/aLo7nPODV78wUAJ4ZvuVKNJJNz0keV/c1F+VmTSYlpBmdF5wKBs0yTnJqxktVytCFUv7scRshfp43FBiGP411q8y76ysY7duoHEvOp49dhZgx57jdNGC2j1spJdc0i7eaxHLqQw30BHpqkTQE0047FyxFpduSHH4GGUjHabQ03mMb12S62ums068anI0yL/+o9pil1CTwi2qHLC606do9aTfei7UROZr4JiWjVzdW1iX2smO7khuP7r2WNh9Y1NuEqL7+mVKuEd3kjdPtoa+CgAWYGVHBTVXARxjSNyg+pdAg8LeJsRQwrC15EjRcUIWDkWvxRIUtXD07IkcuzcBw== Mastermind (Demon Summoning - Pain Domination).mbd

Some pets, like Beasts, Ninjas have inherently higher Defense than others. Are you asking for Base Defense Numbers for each pet? Obviously with Pets that have inherent Defense they will be easier to softcap with your secondary. I think those would be Ninjas, Beasts, Bots. Then maybe Necro. But, I don't have those numbers.

Well.... alt-itis is real. Anyway, a few things that stick out.... Your personal MM attacks now spawn Spectres. In my experience, they help a little with damage, and take some heat off of you and your actual pets. Having said that, it might be beneficial to try and work in Life Drain. Soul Extraction is a must have. You can use it to help mule a few of the MM Unique IOs which increase your pets' Defenses/Resists. Plus, it's a great power to have as it will help your DPS out a lot, and again, keep heat off you and your other pets. On Necro, I wouldn't even think about skipping this. Take it. Thank me later. Tar Patch and Darkest Night, again, are awesome powers. What's not to like about lowering enemies' resistances, their to hit, and their damage output? Unless you're chasing the few extra HP, I would slot Stamina with the Procs in Performance Shifter and Power Transfer (as you have) but then slot the Endurance Mod piece from each of those sets. You'll get a bit more End Recovery that way. Enchant Undead now takes Resistance. You can use it to slot some of the Unique Resist IOs if you want, or slot a little heavy on Reistance to increase your pets' Resistances. The Imp Skin unique will increase your pets Regen rate. Dark Empowerment now takes Healing sets. If you slot,say, the Numina's proc in it, it will proc on your pets the same way it would proc on you if you slotted it in Health. May be helpful for your pets (especially since if you slot the Imp SKin in Enchant to get them more Regen). YMMV. I think I slotted my Dark Servant with 4 Touch of the Nictus (including the proc) and 2 Cloud Senses (proc and To Hit Debuff). I went that route so my Dark Servant helps keep me and my pets topped off on health, to fill in any gaps from my own Twilight Grasp, and those 2 procs are nice. Every power the DS has has a chance to trigger the Cloud Senses proc. While the Deflated Ego proc would have a chance to fire on every thing as well, I am curious if it would actually be worth it? Maybe if you went Preemptive for your Interface power to get it to stack with the -End and -End Recovery? And speaking of Interface, did you go with Spectral for the chance of immobilize? The Diamagnetic would stack oh so nicely with Necro/Dark. All the -To Hit you already have, PLUS even more? Then throw in the chance of -Regen, and that's just icing on the cake. Or maybe Reactive for -Resistance and the chance of Fire damage? I think that Musculature would be a better Alpha power. More Damage, more Defense/To Hit Debuff, plus extra End Mod. Keep in mind that your Alpha will affect your pets. So your pets will have these bonuses as well. Howling Twilight is a great rez power,along with a -Regen effect, -Recharge, and a Disorient. I slotted mine with only 3 of the Absolute Amazement IOs. You could then take the extra slots and add to Shadow Fall to increase the Defense and Resistance (throw a LotG:Global recharge in there). Bottom Line, every person is different and chase different goals. As long as your build works for you and achieves what you want it to, then roll with it.

Truth. Some people still see Defender and automatically think "heals". That's why on my new Sonic/Beam Rifle defender I type "Lvl 50 Sonic/Beam Def LFT. I BRING +55% RESISTANCE TO THE TEAM!" so they know what I do.

"Ins and outs of Bio"? See sig.

Check link in my sig to learn about Bio. Pretty much every power is a must have.

Hey all. So, I've not really played Bots since Live, and I figured it's time to remedy that. I'm toying with pairing it with FF or Rad maybe? I think the-to hit, -Resist, and the extra -Regen from Rad would be kinda cool. Would the -to hit (and heal)be enough to to keep the pets alive? And how do most slot the pets in order to fit the def/resist Pet IOs? I know FF is the classic pairing. I may be persuaded to go /Electric. Thanks for any input/suggestions/ideas!

Maybe this? Course, may not want to listen to me....I mean, after all, someone on the forums pointed out that I am a n00b builder, have no idea what I'm doing, I gimp toons, and steer newbies in the wrong direction..... Take this build for whatever you want. I mean...over 50% Defense to S/L/F/C/E/NE... 467.49% Regen (57.42 HP/Sec), End Rec 4.05/s with End Use at 2.36/s...51.9% DDR, 86.5% End/Recovery Debuff Resistance, 96.3% Perception Debuff Resistance, 80% Recharge/Running Debuff Resistance...all without Granite. Tanker (Stone Armor - Stone Melee).mbd