TrustedKiller

This is exactly the reason. There's also plans to add badges to the PVP zones and add PVP exploration accolades, a thread asking for suggestions will go up soon. But nobody wants to go to Rikti Crash Site, so why force us to with badges? It's not like it's Galaxy city where it got completely removed and it still has badges, that makes sense. Rikti War Zone >>IS<< Rikti Crash Site, just better designed, same with Faultline. So why put badges in Echo zones that are exactly the same zone? The PvP zones having exploration badgse makes logical sense, adding badges to echo zones where their only purpose is historical preservation makes no sense what so ever.

Masterminders is now recruiting! We welcome all Archetypes and skill levels to join the ranks of the Masterminders. If you're willing to send waves of soldiers to their deaths for the greater good, then send us a tell and join the Masterminders today! Originally created and inspired by the archetype, the Masterminders is now a Hero SG that welcomes ALL archetypes! We originally hail from the Infinity server and are now ready to be reborn on Torchbearer. Heroes and Villains are welcome, however the SuperGroup with be Hero side primarily. We're looking for casual players that want to hang out and enjoy the game (And cause havoc from time to time) And don't forget about Mastermind Mondays! Bring your epic or lowbie Mastermind and fill out a team with only Masterminds while we go around and do missions, TFs, and if we have enough people, raids! https://discord.gg/8vBEcRe

Most henchman buffs DO effect team mates. I think only robotics shields don't work on others. I know demon's shields do work on team mates. Plus the pets bubble really quickly and automatically renew it when it wears off so there is no waiting. I've only seen them work on the Mastermind, not the whole team. And even though the pets bubble during combat, this doesn't solve the issue of dying in combat, which is rare, but it can happen, and having your pets be super squishy while the bots are still trying to cast shields one by one. Just overall time spent on them shielding is just too long.

Back in Issue 20.5, single-target buffs were changed to be made AoE to help reduce the insane wait time on setup time for groups. However, Masterminds never got this change with their pets to help their wait time. Most MM Tier 2 henchmen have buff powers that give survivability to all the henchmen, and even to the Mastermind! It's the same reason they gave their "Upgrade" powers AoE as well, to reduce just....waiting, for no reason. The only obstacle I could see with this change, is making sure the AoE buffs don't affect other teammates. You'd have to make it so the power can only affect the MM and their henchmen.

+1 this idea but make them cost merits. I get having to earn badges, but once you earn them, it's nice to not have to do the whole process over again. Big waste of time, it's like watching the opening cinematic to a boss you've fought 1000 times

+1 on 50% cap for pets. I played Masterminds back when they had no cap on recharge. Enhancements did NOT affect their recharge, only powers did. I recall having speed boosted pets and watching them attack, it was not broken, all they did was attack faster, that's it.

Thanks for the updates. BTW hate that the badges were moved, it's just more zones to visit for a couple badges. Nobody plays these echo zones so there's no reason to force people to go there for badges. Galaxy city, sure, that makes sense. But not Rikti Crash Site. We have Rikti War Zone for a reasson, it's literally the same zone, but better. Same goes with Faultline, why do we need to visit another Faultline just to complete the badges for REGULAR Faultline? It's takes more time to get the badges, that's all it does. Also, If you would be so kind as to inform us which badges from Rikti War Zone were moved to Rikti Crash Site, that'd be great, thanks.