Arachnos Drone Mastermind Primary Power Pool

[Vaylenisme]

This is a repost

 

Hello,
This is my first post here and I don't know if anyone has suggested this, but have an Idea for a New Mastermind Primary Power Pool.

 

I just want to start with... Thank you so much for bringing back my beloved game!

 

One of the things I always thought about when playing City of Villains (where they introduced the Mastermind), was that the prestige classes you gained access to, should have had an Arachnos Mastermind. 

 

There are Arachnos robots that would have been perfect for this in the form of the Spiderlings, Arachnos Drones, and the Arachnobot.

 

The Power Pool could have those 3 as the Henchmen summons, with the last power (the 2nd power-up for henchmen), being the better versions (Advanced Spiderlings/Arachnobot Blasters, Arachnos Drone Coordinators, and the Arachnobot Disruptor)

 

The Weapon used would be the Nullifier Mace that the Arachnos Troopers carry (maybe use the tech maces/magic maces for cosmetic differences, like you can do with most of the Mastermind gun powers)

 

The Powers in this power pool would be comparable to the equivalent powers from the other Mastermind Power Pools.

 

Level 1 Powers:
- Mace Beam
Ranged, Moderate Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe Knockback
  The Nullifier Mace is capable of firing a tremendous bolt of Force from the end of it. Arachnos Troopers call this the Power Blast. The Arbiters who invented it scoff at this simple term.

 

- Spiderlings
Summon Spiderlings

 

Level 2 Power:
- Mace Beam Blast
Ranged, Area of Effect, High Damage (Energy/Smash), Foe Knockback
The Nullifier Mace is capable of firing a tremendous bolt of force from the end of it. Arachnos Troopers call this the Power Blast. The Arbiters who invented it scoff at this simple term.

 

Level 6 Power:
- Equip Drones
Ranged, Equip Arachnos Henchman

 

Level 8 Power:
- Venom Grenade 
Ranged, (Damage over Time, Toxic) Foe -Damage, -Recharge
  The poisonous gas has severely weakened your attacks and Slowed your attack speed.

 

Level 12 Power:
- Arachnos Drone
Summon Arachnos Drones

 

Level 18 Power:
Spiderlings Swarm (Reskin of the Thug's Gang War)
Summon
Calls a Swarm of 10 or so Spiderlings to come to your aid for a brief while. Swarms are not like your true Henchman. They cannot be given direct commands, nor will they appear in your pet window. You must select an enemy target to attack first before calling these Drones. Swarms are many, but they are very weak, and are only equipped with the most basic weapons. Although they will follow you, they are not as loyal as your Henchmen, and they will only stick around for a few minutes before taking off.

 

Recharge: Very Long
Minimum Level: 18 (Mastermind)
Effects: Summon Swarm (Calls approximately 10 Drones)
Enhancements: Reduce Endurance Cost, Increase Attack Rate, Enhance Damage, Enhance Accuracy
Set Categories: Pet Damage

 

Level 26 Power:
- Arachnobot
Summon Arachnobot

 

Level 32 Power:
- Upgrade Drone
Ranged, Upgrade Arachnos Henchman (into the higher forms)
 

 

 

[Greycat]

I think the spiderlings *might* be a little weak as a T1, but there are other options to look through anyway. And things can be tweaked, in any case. Other than that, yes, MMs are hard to create primaries for, but I don't think anyone would mind more options!

[GraspingVileTerror]

It could be interesting to have two Spiderlings for every one Tier 1 other Masterminds get.  However, it may be complicated to implement something like that due to Bodyguard mode.

And normally I like the idea of more content and Power Sets, but an Arachnos Mastermind is kind of very theme-specific.  That runs contrary to the general spirit of personal creativity that defines City of Heroes/Villains.

And and the Crab Build for Soldiers of Arachnos is kind of already an Arachnos Drone Mastermind . . . aside from those Pets constantly needing to be resummoned (p.i.t.a.).

 

If this were to happen, I wouldn't complain, mind you.  I'm just not sure it should necessarily take priority over any of the other Mastermind Primary concepts which have been proposed over the years.

 

I hope my concerns here don't discourage you at all, @Vaylenisme, so please continue to offer your proposals and suggestions in the future!

[Vaylenisme]

1 hour ago, GraspingVileTerror said:

Arachnos Mastermind is kind of very theme-specific.  That runs contrary to the general spirit of personal creativity that defines City of Heroes/Villains.

Well they could always be an Ex-Arachnos, or even someone who just got their hands on some Arachnos tech. This is why I suggested the different cosmetic maces. There are always ways to explain it.

 

1 hour ago, Greycat said:

I think the spiderlings *might* be a little weak as a T1, but there are other options to look through anyway. And things can be tweaked, in any case. Other than that, yes, MMs are hard to create primaries for, but I don't think anyone would mind more options!

They could always be slightly larger spiderlings, or spiderling MK 2s.

 

My intention was just give a new Thematic Mastermind Henchmen set, just because it seemed like there should have been one from the beginning.

 

If I had my way, I would have a DIY Henchmen customizer. Do you want skeletons instead of zombies?, Vampire instead of Lich?, Or how about just making each demon look a little different from each other?, Why not have your Thugs all ware the same suit like a uniform?. What if you want clockwork instead of robots? Or Marines instead of Mercenaries?. The possiblilities would be endless.......

 

But I will take what I can get! 🙂

Edited June 23, 2021 by Vaylenisme

[Koopak]

I always want more pwoersets and boy do MMs need more, their options are limited given how long it takes to make one. However I will note that if given the choice id probably pick any other MM pet set idea just because i don't wanna detract from the EATs unique elements. Given how often they are used to make non Arachnos and non Kheldian characters though, its hardly a big deal.

[arcane]

Seems a little too much like a crabbermind. I’d rather they tackle more broadly appealing Mastermind sets since we can already play like this to some extent.

[BZRKR]

If the pets summoned were all the hovering Arachnos Drone types, then this would a) be awesome and b) be less like a Crabbermind.

[Magairlín]

On 6/22/2021 at 11:53 PM, Vaylenisme said:

Well they could always be an Ex-Arachnos, or even someone who just got their hands on some Arachnos tech. This is why I suggested the different cosmetic maces. There are always ways to explain it.

They're still Arachnos drones, though. Zombies/thugs/mercs/etc are way more open ended.

[TraumaTrain]

An Arachnos themed MM primary would be awesome. I'd also like to see a Longbow themed MM primary to match. 

[Vaylenisme]

12 hours ago, TraumaTrain said:

An Arachnos themed MM primary would be awesome. I'd also like to see a Longbow themed MM primary to match. 

Having Longbow operatives as Henchmen... Sure Why not 🙂 . Making a good Mastermind who works for/with Longbow, or an Evil Mastermind who mind controls Longbow agents and uses them as muscle!

[plainguy]

Great Idea.. 

[biostem]

On 6/23/2021 at 10:46 AM, Koopak said:

I always want more pwoersets and boy do MMs need more, their options are limited given how long it takes to make one. However I will note that if given the choice id probably pick any other MM pet set idea just because i don't wanna detract from the EATs unique elements. Given how often they are used to make non Arachnos and non Kheldian characters though, its hardly a big deal.

 

I tend to agree;  Give us more, but generic/non-faction-oriented MM sets.  I could see, if possible, them adding various skin options for the existing MM sets, with "Arachnos" and other such existing groups being available...