Maelwys

I happened across this thread whilst hunting for opinions on VEAT slotting, and kudos are definitely due! Lots of good ideas to be had! 🙂 I've been working on trying to push the Single-target DPS of my Widow as high as possible recently - so far the below is the best I've managed to come up with. It does make use of Procs, but I've noticed that the following attack chain pulls slightly ahead of just using 'Followup -> Lunge -> Slash/Swipe -> Strike' all the time: FollowUp -> Lunge -> Slash -> Strike >>> FollowUp -> Lunge -> Swipe -> Slash >>> FollowUp -> Lunge -> Strike -> Swipe Total chain time = 14.256s. Total damage = 6797.2 = 476.80 DPS. Endurance used = 66.24 = 4.65 End/Sec. That endurance consumption is obviously severe enough to drain the build normally (+3.01 End/Sec surplus) but it's different story with Ageless Core Epiphany running (minimum of +4.97 End/Sec surplus) I was a bit torn on whether to go for Mu or Soul Mastery - but the Blood Widow has a full melee attack chain (gaining greater benefit from the Soulbound Allegiance "Build Up" Proc) and sits at 33.58% Defence to all before Incarnate Abilities (so it can effectively hit softcap via Darkest Night and/or Lore pet buffs and/or taking Leadership Pool 'Maneuvers'). Unenhanced, a Blood Widow's attack chain tops out at around 5.310 DPS (Ranged) and 38.075 DPS (Melee); whereas the Mu Striker is much better behaved but only clocks in at around 19.021 DPS (Ranged). Between the above attack chain and the Pet, this build can push ~560 DPS in ideal conditions without any Assault or Lore Incarnate powers active; which makes it substantially better at pure single-target damage output when "soloing" than my next-best toon (an Energy Melee Scrapper that sits at ~460 DPS under the same conditions). Defencewise it's rather less optimal, but 1606HP plus 62% Positional Melee Defence and softcapped Ranged/AoE Defence appears to be enough for most content; and between the Reactive Defences IO and Foresight its damage resistance still climbs fairly high whenever its health drops; buying it time to use an Aid Self or just wait for the Panacea and Preventative Medicine procs to kick in whilst it slowly regenerates 19.6HP/second. Elude's crash is always a PITA, but it makes a handy dumping ground for set bonuses and I've found it rather decent vs the odd roomful of Nemesis etc. Note that "Confront" at Lv49 can be swapped out for Leadership Pool "Assault" during regular content (the build will still squeak in at just enough endurance recovery to keep the above attack chain going indefinitely with Ageless Core Epiphany running: 4.73 End/Sec surplus!)

I've played a Robot/Kin MM rather extensively now - the below build is obviously rather expensive, but it gives some idea of the sort of higher-end numbers and performance you can hit at endgame. Some notable features include: (i) "All positional defences for the MM at 40% or higher" (easily pushing beyond the 45%+ softcap permanently with a Barrier Incarnate). Personal Maximum HP also sits just over 1100, which means you're more likely to survive a lucky hit or three. (ii) The build manages to fit in all the Resistance and Defence pet uniques, so as long as you're using Increase density (and you should be) the 'bots willl end up with 61.14% L/C/P, 65.04% S/E, 35% F/N/T Res, plus a fair amount of defence. All positional defences for the Battle Drones and Assault Bot are at 40% or higher. The Protector Bots are more difficult to Softcap since they each only get a single bubble, but they can push past 27%... so layering Hybrid Slot's Support Core Embodiment (+12%) with either Destiny Slot's Barrier Core Epiphany (+5%) or one of the Lore pet's buffs will softcap it. (iii) Assault Bot, Protector Bot and Bonfire with the Knockback->Knockdown Procs. (You don't need one in the Battle Drones, since their only ability with Knockback is granted by "Equip Robot", which you should never be applying on them or the Assault Bot after you reach level 32). Fulcrum Shift + Bonfire + the Assault Bot's Missile Burn Patches is absolute devastation. (iv) Perma-Hasten. Important for Bonfire. (v) Personal attacks: Pulse Rifle Blast (Because you'll be at the damage cap most of the time, and you'll want something to chain with the Blackwand and/or Nemesis Staff for Single-Target damage). Fireball. (Just add Fulcrum shift. 'nuff said!) (vi) Group Fly, because there are times when you don't want your henchmen to have to walk on the caltrops or wade through rikti gas... and because they have built-in Rocket boots and it's fun to use them occasionally. The main weakness (as with most defence-heavy toons) is enemies with a lot of Defence and ToHit such as Nemesis... but it'll happily plow its way through a fire farm at +4/8, melting 2-3 groups of mobs at a time through a combination of Fulcrum Shift + Bonfire + Swarm Missiles Burn Patches; Fireball and the Void Radial Final Judgement explosion. It clears maps solo faster than most teams, even if you wait for your bots to get their bubbles up at the start instead of dropping a Barrier Incarnate buff on them. Typical playstyle is "Let your bots buff up, then switch them to aggressive, chuck a Speed Boost and an Increase Density on them and run into melee range of a huge mob (you can GOTO your 'bots to the mob before you charge in if you're not feeling suicidal). Drop a Fulcrum Shift on yourself and your Assault Bot (followed by a Transfusion if needed) and then drop a Bonfire right as the Swarm missiles are going off. As everything starts bouncing up and down on the bonfire whilst burning to death; start pulling more mobs with fireballs until you and all of your bots are sitting at the aggro cap." It's shedloads of fun, and a very active (but rewarding) configuration for a Mastermind. Bot AI has improved dramatically in the past few patches - they're much better at staying where you put them these days and using their AoE laser spam instead of charging around meleeing random minions, which makes Fulcrum Shifting them absolutely wonderful. I should probably also point out that my view is it's much better to avoid damage entirely via Defence instead of reducing it via Damage Resistance - so I'd never bother taking "Tough" on a MM. Between Fulcrum Shift, Siphon Speed and Siphon Power my enemies' damage output should be getting severely reduced anyway; but if I really need to reduce incoming damage for some reason then I can always switch a few pets (Battle Drones for preference) to bodyguard mode and start spamming Transfusion; and on occasions where I really get in over my head I can superspeed away... ...or use Rise of the Phoenix and THEN superspeed away... 😉 For Incarnates: Alpha Slot = Agility Core Paragon. Defence, Recharge and EndMod --> all of these are useful for you. You will never need Musculature - in regular content you will constantly be at the damage cap via twin-stacked Fulcrum Shifts; and against powerful single-targets you should be spamming Siphon Power. I would however still recommend slotting powers for damage, because you rarely lose anything by doing so; and it's useful against AVs. Destiny Slot = Clarion Core is useful for mezzing enemies, otherwise Barrier Core (it's an invincibility button. Use it right before diving into the middle of a huge mob for optimum Fulcrums!) Judgement = Void Radial. PBAoEs are lovely with you being in melee range for Fulcrum Shifts anyway; plus the 30s damage debuff can be very useful combined with Siphon Power + Fulcrum against AVs/GMs. Hybrid = Support Core Embodiment. +12% to pets? Complete no-brainer. Interface = Degenerative. Radial Flawless gives slightly better performance than the Core Flawless for most content. -MaxHP is by far the best debuff available. Lore = pick whatever you like. My personal favourite is the Warworks Radial Superior Ally - the Battle Orb gives a constant +5% Defence and has a heal that doesn't rely on accuracy, and the Victoria brings very nice Single Target damage, which Robots/ normally lacks. Plus they're mechanical; so it's both useful and thematic. This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.5.9 https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Mastermind Primary Power Set: Robotics Secondary Power Set: Kinetics Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Flight Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Ancillary Pool: Heat Mastery Hero Profile: Level 1: Battle Drones (A) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Damage (3) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (3) Blood Mandate - Damage (7) Call to Arms - Defense Bonus Aura for Pets (9) Expedient Reinforcement - Resist Bonus Aura for Pets (21) Edict of the Master - Defense Bonus Level 1: Transfusion (A) Touch of the Nictus - Healing/Absorb/Recharge (7) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Healing/Absorb (11) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Endurance/Healing/Absorb (11) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge (17) Miracle - Heal (21) Miracle - +Recovery Level 2: Siphon Power (A) Accuracy IO (19) Recharge Reduction IO Level 4: Pulse Rifle Burst (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage (5) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance (5) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge (9) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (23) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (25) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge Level 6: Equip Robot (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 8: Combat Jumping (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (46) Luck of the Gambler - Defense Level 10: Siphon Speed (A) Accuracy IO (19) Recharge Reduction IO Level 12: Protector Bots (A) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Damage (13) Blood Mandate - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (13) Blood Mandate - Damage (15) Defense Buff IO (15) Defense Buff IO (17) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown Level 14: Fly (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance (46) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) Level 16: Increase Density (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance (33) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance (33) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance (37) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP (37) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3% (43) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All) Level 18: Hover (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed Level 20: Speed Boost (A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%) Level 22: Maneuvers (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed (23) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance (31) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge Level 24: Tactics (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff (25) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge (31) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Recharge/Endurance (33) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Recharge/Endurance (34) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance (34) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up Level 26: Assault Bot (A) Superior Mark of Supremacy - Damage (27) Superior Mark of Supremacy - Accuracy/Damage (27) Superior Mark of Supremacy - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (29) Superior Mark of Supremacy - Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen (31) Sovereign Right - Resistance Bonus (34) Sudden Acceleration - Knockback to Knockdown Level 28: Hasten (A) Recharge Reduction IO (29) Recharge Reduction IO Level 30: Super Speed (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance (46) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) Level 32: Upgrade Robot (A) Endurance Reduction IO Level 35: Bonfire (A) Overwhelming Force - Endurance/Recharge (36) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Endurance/Recharge (36) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge (36) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown (37) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge (45) Annihilation - Chance for Res Debuff Level 38: Fulcrum Shift (A) Accuracy IO (39) Accuracy IO Level 41: Fire Ball (A) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage (42) Superior Frozen Blast - Damage/Endurance (42) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (42) Superior Frozen Blast - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (43) Superior Frozen Blast - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime (43) Superior Frozen Blast - Recharge/Chance for Immobilize Level 44: Transference (A) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Recharge (45) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge (45) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix (A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage (48) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance (48) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance (48) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge (50) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge (50) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown Level 49: Group Fly (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance (50) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points) Level 1: Supremacy Level 1: Brawl

Now all I can think about is oceans of multicoloured dots, a huge pile of corpses and Back Alley Brawler wondering why the Dark Miasma guys are asking for someone to shoot an Oil Slick Arrow at them.

Which is why you only use Siphon Speed or Speed Boost on your pets if you're a masochist. Transfusion is plenty to keep their Endurance topped up, should you not manage to make their slotting self-sufficient. Also, Ranged MM Primaries (e.g. Robots) become remarkably well behaved if you take Group Fly and float *above* the mob. Takes a little getting used to for positioning purposes with Fulcrum Shift, but it tends to prevent your little blighters from flying into a panic should a few caltrops or a dead rikti monkey suddenly appear anywhere on the same map.

It's not that bad. Sure, Kin likes Melee and Bots like Ranged. But you'd only need the bots to run into the middle of each mob once every 45 seconds; and it's not the end of the world if you don't like micromanaging pet positioning. The way Fulcrum Shift works is that it applies two PBAoE damage buffs- one centred on YOU (+30% damage for 45s) and the other centered on YOUR TARGET. (One stack of +15% damage for 45s is applied for every enemy that is within the effect radius). So if you stay back beside your bots and use Fulcrum Shift on a big group of foes, then the bots will get +30% damage and any melee teammates near the foes will get the multiple stacks of +15% damage. The good thing about ranged pets is that they annoy allies much less and don't care as much about enemy runners. Bots are also easy to softcap due to the Protector Bot's bubbles (7.5-12% Defence per bubble depending on slotting. 1x goes on you and each Protector Bots, 2x goes on the Drones and the AssBot) and their main damage type (energy) is relatively rarely resisted. Their animations are LONG though, and you'll typically want to slot KB->KD IOs in them and get some kind of AoE CC (Patron immobilises or Bonfire with KB->KD works a treat) to counteract things fleeing from AssBot's Missile Burn Patches. In optimised endgame teamups you'll be relying on your primary much less than your secondary during "everyone charge to the next mob ASAP" map clears, so don't worry overly if the pets get left behind to mop up stragglers. Against AVs or GMs, they'll work a bit better. And it's always worth at least using a non-upgraded AssBot for its "Plasma Blast" -regen debuffs if nothing else. I will say that when you IO it up, any /kin MM is a total soloing MONSTER. Absolutely ploughs through entire mapfuls of purples. The main prerequisite is getting your defences up first though - bot/ is easy to Softcap, and its pet inherent resistances mesh extremely well with "Increase Density". A typical IO build brings your pets to North of 60-65% Resistance to S/L/C/P and 35% to F/N/T, and 50%+ defence; with Transfusion recovering over 850HP to everything every few seconds.

Bot/Kin can work pretty well, but getting it to that point requires a bit of an odd playstyle and power selection compared to other Bot/ MMs. Firstly, Kinetic's Heal is centred around a targeted foe. This means that you really need to make use of "Goto" for healing - and your ridiculously squishy drones aren't likely to survive for very long until you can increase their survivability. Softcapping defence is the normal method of doing this, and it's perfectly possible (with a Support Incarnate slot) to softcap yourself, your Drones and your Assault Bot. However Kin's "Increase Density" is a brilliant Resistance buff (assuming you can be bothered to cast it every 60 seconds); and the damage types it gives resistance to are all different from your Robot's inherent resistances - when combined with the +35% you can get from IOs, your Bots can actually get rather tanky. Secondly, Fulcrum Shift works best when the things you want to buff are in melee range of multiple foes; and it has a somewhat longish cast time. This means that you really need to keep a large number of foes in one spot with your Assault Bot in the middle of them, and you need to keep those foes from being knocked back with Swarm Missiles. The traditional method of stopping things from flying around is to take Mu Mastery and Electrifying Fences; but that's only a 10ft radius which is a bit small for Fulcrum Shift. Bonfire with a Knockback-to-Knockdown IO in it works much better, although you'll need to stick a Knockback-to-Knockdown IO in both Assault Bot and Protector Bots as well (Drones doesn't need one; they only inflict Knockback with the ability granted by Equip Robot, which you should never be using after level 32 on anything other than your Protector Bots) Optimum Pet Slotting is: [Drones] HO Acc/Dam Lv50+3, HO Acc/Dam Lv50+3, Sovereign Right Acc/Dam Lv50+5, Sovereign Right Resistance Bonus, Expedient Reinforcement Resistance Bonus, Call to Arms Defensive Bonus [Protector Bots] Blood Mandate Acc/Dam Lv50+5, Blood Mandate Acc/Dam/End Lv50+5, Sovereign Right Acc/Dam/End Lv50+5, Overwhelming Force Dam/Knockback-to-Knockdown, Common Defence Lv50+5, Common Defence Lv50+5. [Assault Bot] Superior Mark of Supremacy Dam, Superior Mark of Supremacy Acc/Dam, Superior Mark of Supremacy Acc/Dam/End, Superior Mark of Supremacy Endurance +Resist/+Regen, Edict of the Master Defensive Bonus, Sudden Acceleration Knockback-to-Knockdown. Solo Playstyle is: 1. Summon Protector Bots (or dismiss Drones and Assault Bot), use 'Equip Robot'. 2. Summon Drones and Assault Bot, use 'Upgrade Robot'. 3. Defensive/Follow all except the Assault Bot - use Passive/Follow on the Assault Bot. Don't cast Speed Boost on any of them just yet. 4. Find a big mob of foes, run into the middle of them and cast Bonfire. 5. As soon as Bonfire lands; cast Fulcrum Shift. Then switch your Assault Bot from Passive to Aggressive mode. 6. 45 seconds later, swap your Assault Bot back to Passive/Follow mode and Bonfire + Fulcrum Shift on another Mob. Your pets will catch up to you whilst you're casting Bonfire; and should start firing by the time it lands and you've cast Fulcrum Shift. Your Assault Bot is your main source of damage, and you want it to be standing in the middle of the group when you use Fulcrum and not start firing until Fulcrum is applied. You can also use Bonfire/Fulcrum from range, but this requires ending your Robots into the middle of a mob using Passive/Goto; then switching them to Aggressive afterwards. This is a bit faster with a slightly higher damage output; but requires more micromanaging and leaves you open to getting whacked/sniped since you never get the benefit of Bodyguard mode. (in teams it's much easier: just let the Tank herd stuff; then Goto your Assault Bot after them and cast Fulcrum Shift. Although Points 1 and 2 still stand- your team will be much more effective if your pets never deal any Knockback and your Assault Bot doesn't waste its time using Flamethrower!)