Force Redux

hello Res. Smalltalkjava pretty much summed out how to replace a Hami-O. Any combo IO (that can even be boosted to +5 levels) can approximate a Hami-O until you decide to go and replace it. For Necro/Dark, yes, it is a more controllery set, the trade off being somewhat less damage, but you will lock down things and debuff their to hit even more. On mine, I run them with either Diagmanetic or Spectral Interface for even more debuffing/immob shennanigans, because no one can stack up Interface procs like a MM can! @Nyghtmaire (where are yoooooouuuuu Nyght!!?) posted a solid Necro/Dark build in my guide's thread if you want to review it. Personally, for me, Necro/Dark and Demon/Dark are both equally enjoyable. Demons are a bit more innately tougher and do more damage, but Necro is more controlelly and just as safe after things get locked down/debuffed. Plus the knights are fun to watch knocking things up and down. And they all ignore slows from Malta. I'd still get group fly for them, even if they are more melee-centric, as they can benefit from it like all pets can when dealing with odd map geometry and z-axis. Glad you are enjoying! 🙂

Cleaning up my roster, here are some names now free for use: Android Assassin Blabber-Mouth Cold-Steel Criminal Offense Mirror Mage Miss-Demeanor Moon Caller Mrs Fission Purple-Rain Star Nomad

I'm away from my computer, but I'll be happy to detail a response later this weekend

Sounds like fun!

I have a similar play style @Snarky so I'm reading this with interest. Have an Ice/Temp but I'm eyeballing a reroll to full icey madness.

Also, to answer OP: DEMON/COLD: Demons get hit less often but will need to rely on demon heals to top off health. Has good debuffs, just like fire, so those are about even. Comes with an AoE stealth. Infrigerate can be procc'd to be a nasty ST attack. DEMON/THERMAL: Demons get hit more often, but you have healing aplenty to keep them upright (along with improved resists, so damage should not be too spikey). Forge is a great buff that Cold doesn't get. Both are fantastic. Just different feel.

Thanks @1seanv23 - yes, so many great guides on the fold forums, now just adrift in the memories of Wayback Machine. I am glad my guide helped a number of folks. Definitely catch me on @Force Redux on Everflasting. I don't play other servers, but I'm on at odd hours, and not as much as I used to be. Always down for a team if I have the time.

@Crysis Yes, I've heard fantastic things about Demons/Storm...if I didn't already have a demons, I might try one! The linkage was directed more toward @res1972 since he'd asked for some hard numbers and I had them available. @TygerDarkstorm Thanks for checking, I was starting to wonder what I might have done to my account to hide my siggy, lol.. but yes, it is hidden on Mobile unless you run it as Desktop site. 🙂

I had one back on live, too, and its a classical pairing, though probably now is a bit overlooked for Demons these days, though I still see plenty of Necro/ running around. I agree, I think Necro/Dark is one of the strongest pairings for Necro, and really emphasizes the controllery-ness of Necromancy. I have one incarnated on Everlasting these days, myself.

No surprises that I would say Dark Miasma for your primary. Has all the debuffs you need and then some. It's an active set, so should be your focus of attention.

Easily my Demons/Dark Mastermind, Artemis Hex. Shadows, whips and demons never get old.

Yes, two great sets, even better together!

Yes, @brasilgringo truly an amazing combo, between two fantastic power sets! My favorite MM since CoV launch!!

@res1972 Importing some of my numbers here from my guide. On top of the numbers for Resistance and Defense below, realize that Dark Miasma typically throws around 36% -ToHit Debuff rather casually through Darkest Night and Fearsome Stare (which combines with the Defense numbers below), and can raise it to 41% by using Twilight Grasp. Dark Servant can add another ridiculous 60% or more -ToHit Debuff if he gets involved in the fracas and is properly slotted for -ToHit: [Exerpt from Gather the Shadows: A Dark Miasma Primer for Masterminds]: Demonlings (Resists) 74% Smash/Lethal 52% Energy/Negative Energy, Psionic 90% Fire (Fiery Demonling); 65% Fire (Cold Demonling); 56% Fire (Hellfire Demonling) 56% Cold (Fiery Demonling); 81% Cold (Cold Demonling); 56% Cold (Hellfire Demonling) 60% Toxic (Fiery Demonling); 60% Toxic (Cold Demonling); 85% Toxic (Hellfire Demonling) Demonlings (Defense) 19% Melee 19% Ranged 34% AoE 19% S/L/F/C/E/N/Psi Gargoyles (Resists) 60% Smash/Lethal (Ember Demon); 79% Smash/Lethal (Hellfire Gargoyle) 52% Energy/Negative Energy, Psionic 72% Fire (Ember Demon); 77% Fire (Hellfire Gargoyle) 47% Cold (Ember Demon); 56% Cold (Hellfire Gargoyle) 60% Toxic (Ember Demon); 85% Toxic (Hellfire Gargoyle) Gargoyles (Defense) 19% Melee 19% Ranged 34% AoE 19% S/L/F/C/E/N/Psi Demon Prince (Resists) 66% Smash/Lethal 60% Fire 64% Cold 52% Energy/Negative Energy, Psionic 68% Toxic Demon Prince (Defense) 19% Melee 19% Ranged 34% AoE 35% Smash/Lethal 29% Fire 39% Cold 19% E/N/Psi

My guide, linked below my signature, has hard numbers for demons / dark resistance, defense etc

Check out my guide in my signature... 🙂

I didn't want to sound biased or derail from Thermal/Cold via the OP, but you summed up my experiences very well 🙂

Also Shadow Fall in Dark also boosts some resists and a bit of Defense. Honestly, can't go wrong with any of these, as many have reported excellent results with thermal & cold, too.

Well, uhm..it IS dangerous... For Hellions! 😃

My old main was Bots/FF, and it's one of my new mains here when HC launched. I can farm Comic Con with it at +2/x8 (anything more is too slow). The key is Big Bot's burn patches. An aoe immobilize (Mu or Mace), Overwhelming Force KD proc in Drones, and KB reduction in Big Bot are key to damage. If you feel up to it, the FF smashing damage in Big Bot and a few procs in Repulsion Bomb are helpful. You can also Proc one of the primary Attacks (Pulse Rifle Burst) - the damage this will do over time on hard targets is noticable. Force Bolt recharges too quickly to proc effectively, though I've tried. Keep it for CC. Bots excels at defeating hordes of Minions and Lts, and AVs (due to -Regen in Big Bot's plasma attacks). But fighting Bosses and EBs is sometimes frustrating because they have enough HP to draw out the battle but not enough for -Regen to really show it's potential. Interface procs will help when you unlock it. Each Mastermind type has its own feel, style, and pace. I enjoy playing my robotics/FF Mastermind because it is a bit more hands-off and relaxing, and sometimes I just want to chill while my bots do their disco laser light show.

Group Fly helps a bit, but that particular fight is a bit of a slog with melee only pets. Knowing the fight, and learning how and when to joust your pets helps, as it does when fighting Battle Maiden and the blue fire pools in a TinPex. I've fought both fights with a Beast/Time MM with no pet loss, so it can be done. Practice makes it better.

Welcome home, hero 🙂

Agreed, I'm grateful every time I log on...

Hybrid support does buff pets. One version(radial??) is double buff numbers for pets, too

Utter truth!