Crysis

I think all the Fiery Aura brutes farming AE have figured this out which is why we love BP Lore pets.

Can confirm I see +DEF on a DP/MC Blaster when I activate HOB. Very short though, I monitor it in the Combat attributes window.

All Ninjitsu blade attacks are invisible on my DP/SR sentinel. Annoying.

Had an issue happen twice yesterday, both time during RWZ events. I would have one of my T2 henchman totally disappear, but no matter how many times/methods I used to release the T2’s (/pet release command, Dismiss command, dismiss everything, resummon everything, etc), I could only summon ONE T2 henchman. T1 and T3 remained unaffected, and zoning didn’t affect this either. The only way I was able to get things back to normal was to enter Supergroup base and suddenly....there was my MIA henchman chilling in the base with his buds. The MIA henchman didn’t show up in my pet window during this whole time. I would only show ONE T2, not one + one showing in a different zone or whatever. Not sure if this would happen outside of RWZ event, will try to replicate.

I’m at around 20 50’s all with billion-something builds and have another dozen alts from 32-49 also holding a billion or so each to fund them. I have a notebook of at least another 25-30 alts I’m planning, most will be PL’d to 28-32 and then just parked with funds until I decide on their builds. I’m way, way beyond where I was on Live. It’s actually hard to spend a billion on an alt with current market pricing, but +5 boosting will get you there. I rarely play the market anymore, lost interest relative to farming influence and the seeding activities of the devs. “Enough” is relative to how you enjoy the game.

Yes, END definitely remains an issue even with the Post-50 build. Intuition huh? Seems like many of those bonuses would be wasted on this build since I don't have a lot of those powers (other than some Def Debuff). I'll look more closely at them. At this stage though, Cardiac seems like the only way to fix the END issues.

I was inspired by reading a few posts like this one on this AT: I have a SG mate who plays her Thugs/Time like a monster and have always enjoyed MM's in general, so thought I'd give Thugs and Storm a whirl just for the "Slightly Managed Chaos" approach. The issue is most builds posted are always T4 Incarnate builds, and the vast majority don't work AT ALL, or very poorly, until/unless you are fully T4'd out on all Incarnates and have all your purples and "Superiors" slotted. This one was absolutely zero exception to that rule. I sucked END like nobody's business, and had I used the posted Post-50 builds, it would have been mostly unplayable. Usually about 1.5 battle/attack cycles would run me dry. Gale + Tornado + Freezing Rain + Lightning Storm and maybe a shot of one of my single target attacks to pull a runner was about all I could do before going dry. I did manage to hit the S/L softcap for +DEF, and almost for Energy also. Recharge was decent as-is, but since I had Force Feedback +Recharge procs in Gale, Tornado and Lightning Storm, it wasn't uncommon for me to be at 230-250% recharge for most of the spawn. This of course meant that Burnout was up pretty often, about every other spawn, but I couldn't make the best use of it in most instances outside of AV battles because I had no END to cast Burnout, let alone Double Gang War/Lightning Storm. I mostly fought +3/x8, or +2/x8 when soloing stuff like Arachnos with stacking -DEF. I would get mezzed (I have no mezz protection) but it wouldn't matter as it would wear off while my henchmen just chewed everything up. The only time I've died from mezz was when I got held on the opener, which was rare. Even Carnies weren't much of an issue, as long as I was willing to drop out of Bodyguard mode and use the "Attack my Target" on the Master Illusionist to focus on her and not the phantoms. Victory Rush actually worked fairly well. I'd always use it on the Boss of the spawn and at +2/+3 it would fairly reliably give me a nice +Recovery (2-3%) and -END discount (>50%) buff for a bit. So here is how I leveled. No purples, no Catalyzed enhancements, just all Attuned pre-50 IO sets. Note: I respecc'd out of Hurricane and O2 boost once I got Gang War. Hurricane just wasn't that useful to me and the O2 heal was so pitiful that I'd just drag/drop Healing inspirations over to my pets instead. Like I said, I didn't die all that often and I don't tankermind with this build, as my Storm "pets" are my alpha openers and with everything flopping up and down, Hurricane was just an unnecessary END hog. Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Natural Mastermind Primary Power Set: Thugs Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Sorcery Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Call Thugs -- MarofSpr-Dmg(A), MarofSpr-EndRdx/+Resist/+Regen(50), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(50), ExpStr-Dam%(50), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(50), SvrRgh-Acc/Dmg(50) Level 1: Gale -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(50) Level 2: Dual Wield -- WntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), WntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(50), WntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), WntBit-Dmg/Rchg(50), WntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(50), GldJvl-Dam%(50) Level 4: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50), LucoftheG-Def(50) Level 6: Equip Thugs -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 8: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50), LucoftheG-Def(50), StdPrt-ResKB(50), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(50), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 12: Call Enforcer -- MarofSpr-Acc/Dmg(A), MarofSpr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), CaltoArm-+Def(Pets)(50), ShlBrk-%Dam(50), TchofLadG-%Dam(50), GssSynFr--Build%(50) Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50) Level 16: Freezing Rain -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A) Level 18: Gang War -- CmmoftheM-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), CmmoftheM-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(50), CmmoftheM-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50), EdcoftheM-PetDef(50), SvrRgh-PetResDam(50), CmmoftheM-Rchg/PetAoEDef(50) Level 20: Boxing -- Empty(A) Level 22: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(50), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(50), UnbGrd-ResDam(50), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(50) Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-Def(50), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(50), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(50), Rct-ResDam%(50) Level 26: Call Bruiser -- MarofSpr-Dmg/EndRdx(A), MarofSpr-Acc/EndRdx(50), ExpStr-Dam%(50), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(50), SlbAll-Build%(50), SlbAll-Dmg(50) Level 28: Arcane Bolt -- GldJvl-Dam%(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg(50), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(50), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(50) Level 30: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(50) Level 32: Upgrade Equipment -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 35: Tornado -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(50), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(50), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(50), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(50), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(50) Level 38: Victory Rush -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(50) Level 41: Burnout -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50) Level 44: Lightning Storm -- GldJvl-Dam%(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(50), GldJvl-Acc/Dmg(50), GldJvl-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(50), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(50), GldJvl-Acc/End/Rech(50) Level 47: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50) Level 49: Web Envelope -- TraoftheH-Dam%(A), TraoftheH-Acc/Rchg(50), TraoftheH-Acc/EndRdx(50), TraoftheH-EndRdx/Immob(50) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 1: Supremacy Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(50) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50) Level 1: Punk Level 1: Arsonist Level 12: Enforcer Level 26: Bruiser ------------ Now....I'm 50. I've unlocked Alpha and about to start the T4 Incarnate grind. So, I'm moving closer to some of the other builds I've seen posted, with a few changes. This one has better +Recovery, softcapped S/L/E and higher base Recharge. Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Mastermind Primary Power Set: Thugs Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Sorcery Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Call Thugs -- SprMarofS-EndRdx/+Resist/+Regen(A), SprMarofS-Dmg(3), ExpRnf-+Res(Pets)(3), ExpStr-Dam%(5), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(5) Level 1: Gale -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(46) Level 2: Dual Wield -- SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(7), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(9), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), GldJvl-Dam%(11) Level 4: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(11), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(13) Level 6: Equip Thugs -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 8: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(13), LucoftheG-Def(15), StdPrt-ResKB(15), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(17), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33) Level 12: Call Enforcer -- SprMarofS-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMarofS-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), ShlBrk-%Dam(19), CaltoArm-+Def(Pets)(19), GssSynFr--Build%(21), TchofLadG-%Dam(21) Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23) Level 16: Freezing Rain -- AchHee-ResDeb%(A), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(45), Rgn-Knock%(46) Level 18: Gang War -- SprCmmoft-Rchg/PetAoEDef(A), SprCmmoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), SprCmmoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), EdcoftheM-PetDef(25), SvrRgh-PetResDam(27), SprCmmoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27) Level 20: Boxing -- Empty(A) Level 22: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), UnbGrd-Max HP%(29), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(29), UnbGrd-ResDam(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(31) Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31), ShlWal-Def(33), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(33) Level 26: Call Bruiser -- SprMarofS-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprMarofS-Acc/EndRdx(34), SlbAll-Dmg(34), SlbAll-Build%(34), ExpStr-Dam%(36), SuddAcc--KB/+KD(36) Level 28: Arcane Bolt -- GldJvl-Dam%(A), Thn-Acc/Dmg(36), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(37), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(37) Level 30: Super Speed -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(37) Level 32: Upgrade Equipment -- EndRdx-I(A) Level 35: Tornado -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A), AchHee-ResDeb%(39), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(39), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(39), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(40), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(40) Level 38: Web Envelope -- GrvAnc-Immob/EndRdx(A), GrvAnc-Immob(40), GrvAnc-Immob/Rchg(42), GrvAnc-Acc/Immob/Rchg(42), GrvAnc-Acc/Rchg(42) Level 41: Scorpion Shield -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(43), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(43), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(43) Level 44: Web Cocoon -- UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(A), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%(45), UnbCns-Dam%(45) Level 47: Lightning Storm -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), GldJvl-Acc/Dmg(48), GldJvl-Dam/Rech(48), GldJvl-Acc/End/Rech(48), FrcFdb-Rechg%(50), GldJvl-Dam%(50) Level 49: Burnout -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A) Level 1: Supremacy Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(46) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50) Level 1: Punk Level 1: Arsonist Level 12: Enforcer Level 26: Bruiser Level 50: Pyronic Core Final Judgement Level 50: Longbow Core Superior Ally Level 50: Support Core Embodiment Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Reactive Core Flawless Interface Level 50: Clarion Total Core Invocation ------------ This has REALLY helped my END sucking. I still see that blue bar shrink pretty fast, and I am a bit panicked that I don't have Victory Rush to refill it, but I know help is available with some of my Incarnate Alpha and Destiny trees. But, I'd really like some input on where I could slot differently to still accomplish the following: A) Maintain my Softcap +DEF to S/L/E that this build accomplishes B) Keep my END maintenance from being a mini-game in itself while I'm playing the mini-game of minion management C) Possibly eek out a bit more damage. I'm happy with what I'm doing, but always feel like I should be taking Musculature for my MM's. D) Could really use some advice on Alpha, Destiny and Hybrid T4 choices in accomplishing the above. I know several different ways to pump up my DEF and damage, but not sure which combination is best. E) I thought about taking Provoke from Presence pool but frankly, Arcane Bolt seems to do just fine picking off runners or pulling aggro back to me. The Thunderstrike +DEF bonus was really what I wanted and couldn't find a way to get that with Provoke. But I certainly could swap that out if someone thinks it a better choice. TIA for your ideas on improving this!

Dunno what to tell you. I'm using the most current version of MIDS Reborn (v2.6.0.7/Database Issue 26, Version 19.1021), and have been successful in exporting ALL my 45+ lvl 50 builds I have on Homecoming thus far. Haven't tried it with anything lower than 50. I did see a few errors pop up. A couple of my toons wouldn't import the final lvl 49 power pick for some reason. But I'd just choose it myself.

Since my search for how to do this brought me to this thread, I’ll update it by stating that it’s now possible to take your in-game build out to Mids. The reverse isn’t possible outside of private/personal servers however. Heres how:

Yeah I thought Winter Pack sales price was supposed to last until end of 12/31. Then again....I guess it’s 2020 somewhere east of me already.

Plainguy I think the proof has been shown in the video. The only proper response is to recognize that even after almost 16 years, we still learn new stuff from others.

BTW, don't know if anyone already mentioned it or not, but in the Flavor of the Month thread, there were currently ZERO Necro/TA Masterminds at 50, and if I read it right, very few at all. That should tell you something right there. ….or that could be a challenge for you! Personally, Archery attacks and Tactical Arrow has more than filled the twang twang twang need for me. If that's your thing, go check out anything other than a MM. Between Lore Pets and the Epic/Patron pools, you can still get some pets around you. *EDIT* Found the post Bottom three LEAST popular sets for MM's: 101 Mercenaries Trick Arrow 2 102 Thugs Trick Arrow 2 103 Demon Summoning Trick Arrow 1 Number to left is rank, number to right is number of players using that AT at 50. Truthfully, I think I may have been the sole Demon/TA player. I tried it again thinking perhaps the procs would make a difference. I PL'd one back in May and then deleted it once I realized the Procs made almost zero difference to how it played in Live. If you surf the whole thread, you'll also see that while a handful of hardy souls started Necro/TA MM's, none had made it to 50. That would make it a "unicorn" if you did. Archetype Primary Secondary Level 50s Total Attempts Mastermind Necromancy Trick Arrow 0 65

I've been very happy with Victory Rush for leveling purposes. I'd respect out of it at 50 when you can slot purples, Catalyze stuff and get your Incarnates up and running. But as a leveling tool since I'm already pretty deep into Leadership on most toons, it works fairly well even just two slotted with normal ENDMOD IO's. You just have to be sure to target dead bosses, and +2 or greater is a very noticeable +Recovery bonus -AND- an Endurance Discount buff. If you have high recharge, which you WILL with /Storm (put Force Feedback +Recharge procs into Gale, Tornado and Lightning), you'll find it is up and ready for use fairly often. Just a thought to save you some slots/pool picks.

This is well said. And exactly the issue I had with Demons/TA. My Demons could take care of themselves more or less, but I could do very little to help them along other than twang twang twang piddly debuffs. It's just not a fun set (for me anyways) and not a very effective set relative to just about all the other secondaries available to a MM.

I’ve taken it on a few AT’s now, and have found it highly useful pre-Ageless for END hungry characters, particularly when soloing. It’s a decent one-slot wonder, although if you can give it two END mods it works even better. I do not keep it once I get Ageless for obvious reasons, but as a leveling tool it’s actually pretty decent if you’ve already gotten the rest of the Leadership trio. Vengeance is clearly not useful to a soloist. There’s a few guides running around that recommend taking it for END hungry builds as a leveling tool as well, which is where I got the idea. Part of the issue with so many builds posted is that they are ALL Incarnate builds that rely on many sets you can only slot (or Catalyze) at lvl 50. So while they work great for the endgame, you’ve got a long road to get there. To me, Victory Rush and Vengeance are both “road to 50” powers, useful for aiding that purpose. I view medicine pool much the same way, although generally respec out of it by level 40.

Have a DP/SR/Ninja Sent currently at 45. This toon unfortunately followed my Fire/Rad Sentinel and it feels sooooo much weaker overall. I may shelve it until the Sent changes are implemented by the devs. It’s very durable but the damage is just abysmal. I’m also annoyed that the Ninja sword animations remain invisible. So the overall style the “matrix” theme should have is borked by an invisible sword.

I really thought that Demons and the -RES of poison and gas arrow would synergize better than they actually did. For MM’s I think the -RES is around 15%, which isn’t trivial (stacked) but really not enough to make a big difference in actual play. Beyond that you’ve got...oil slick. The issue isn’t Demons, it’s Trick Arrow. Ironically the best combo I’ve found for /TA MM’s is Bots/TA, because of all the burn patches. But I can’t think of a more thematically incompatible build. Ninja/TA has some synergy but lolNinjas.

On a Thugs/Storm with a bunch of +Force Feedback Chance for Recharge procs it’s not that hard to get the Recharge up at all.

Yeah, my experience as well. Honestly, very few of my MM's (and I've got over a dozen) have any kind of mezz protection outside of breakfrees. I think that's sort of the point of a MM....your henchman are doing most of the work so even if you get mezzed, you just wait for it to wear off and keep on trucking. But that's also why I'm such a big advocate of softcapped +DEF vs Resists, I don't have to get mezzed at all if I dodge everything.

Tested and now that Bots will reliably engage from range I no longer have to use TP Self to hyper-engage the spawns in a tankermind sort of way. Loving this change!

All I’ll share is that my Demons/TA MM was the only AT on Live I ever took to 50 and then fully IO’d and T4’d out.....and then deleted in disgust. Nothing I tried would really improve the set. It’s likely the weakest combo I’ve ever played. Thematically it all worked. But the TA power set for MM’s is very watered down. Procs in HC may augment it better now but it left such a bad taste in my mouth back then I’ve never looked back.

Plainguy, I have read and learned much from a lot of your posts. But you’ve said here repeatedly that the issue you have is once mezzed “the pets do nothing.” I’ve never really had that experience. I run Bots/Time, Thugs/Time and Thugs/Storm high recharge/softcapped DEF builds all the time. I get mezzed on occasion. It’s rare given my +DEF but it does happen. But my pets keep right on following the last command given in those situations. It could be because they are set on Defensive Follow most of the time, but I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a time when they just....stopped doing anything....when I the MM am mezzed/stunned/whatever. I lose the ability to do anything until I break out of it but they don’t. Maybe it’s a matter of game mechanic timings but you’ll see in the video that was just posted the MM gets mezzed/stunned frequently. The Bots keep doing their thing regardless. Also, FX may be set on minimal, but I don’t think player is even using Hurricane.

This has to be the nicest, most gentrified way I’ve ever seen someone saying basically “liar, liar pants on fire.” This should be in the PVP forums. Actually I’ve enjoyed the back and forth here a ton. Just wanted to say I didn’t find any of this discourse derailing the topic. Bots are Bots and Storm is Storm. Slotting is never really a big secret out there....anyone can do anything they want and test for themselves. I always a learn a lot from creative discourse. That’s why the forums exist in the first place. Thanks to both of you for remaining civil.

Thanks! I never would have been looking there!

For Midnight Blue, what face mask is that? I can't seem to find it?