Shooting Gallery: AKA "Mercs/Traps Sucks"

SableShrike · August 30, 2021

Saw a lot of hate for Mercs, and thought "that can't be right, pets that now stay at range and every tier can slot good damage procs?".

The animation times seem a bit long for the singletargets and the recharge on pet attack powers is a bit wonky; that seems to be what's limiting their attack chains compared to other sets. Still, the build surprises me in a lot of other ways when I play it.

This actually turned out to be crazy resilient, and all the -Defense means you WILL hit your targets.

What I wound up with is soft-capped Defense to ALL positions, decent Resistance, a full Leadership pool, and pets that don't die as much as I was expecting them to given their bad press.

Endurance is okay, and the personal attacks are more about debuffs/control/set bonuses. Throwing the Achilles' on Burst lets you slot the pets better for damage procs and auras. It's not up all the time like it'd be on Soldiers, but it's up enough for me to not want to burn a slot on a pet to put it there.

So yeah, Merc/Traps kinda doesn't suck at all, turns out. Yes, the damage is less than a Beast/Storm can kick out, but then most EVERYTHING is less damage than /Storm. This feels a lot safer and tougher than a /Storm. You could easily drop Assault and take Provoke to Tankermind.

I prefer to set pets to Aggressive, drop Caltrops, Acid Mortar, and Poison Trap, then wade into the mob to toebomb with my capped Defense. Aggressive pets always respond faster in a fight than Defensive pets. If you can survive not running in Defensive, that is.

Barrier and Support will Incarnate cap your Defenses when running endgame stuff.

I've been running a lowbie version of this on Live, and the next challenge is to see which AVs I can solo. Cuz this has all the tools that should allow it to do so! Heck, it may even be able to grind down a GM in Peregrine solo. Might fall asleep doing that, though.

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!

Coral Snake: Level 50 Science Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Mercenaries
Secondary Power Set: Traps
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Field Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Soldiers -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(5), OvrFrc-Dam/KB:50(7), TchofLadG-%Dam:50(13), ShlBrk-%Dam:30(15), CaltoArm-+Def(Pets):30(15)
Level 1: Web Grenade -- TraoftheH-Acc/EndRdx:50(A)
Level 2: Burst -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg:50(3), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), AchHee-ResDeb%:20(5)
Level 4: Caltrops -- TmpRdn-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(A), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(7), Slow-I:50(40)
Level 6: Equip Mercenary -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 8: M30 Grenade -- SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(21), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc:50(45), SuddAcc--KB/+KD:50(45)
Level 10: Acid Mortar -- AnlWkn-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx:50(A), ShlBrk-Acc/DefDeb:30(37), ShlBrk-Acc/Rchg:30(37), ShlBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(40), ShlBrk-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg:30(40), ShlBrk-%Dam:30(42)
Level 12: Spec Ops -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(23), HO:Perox(36), TchofLadG-%Dam:50(36), ShlBrk-%Dam:30(36), EdcoftheM-PetDef:40(37)
Level 14: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Force Field Generator -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(17), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(17), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), RedFrt-Def:50(19), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(21)
Level 18: Tough -- UnbGrd-Max HP%:50(A)
Level 20: Poison Trap -- SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End/Rchg:50(A), SprEnt-Acc/Hold/End:50(39), SprEnt-Acc/Hold:50(42), SprEnt-Hold/Rchg:50(42), SprEnt-End/Rchg:50(43), SprEnt-Rchg/AbsorbProc:50(43)
Level 22: Weave -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(33), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(33), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), RedFrt-Def:50(34), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(34)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(25), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(25), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31), RedFrt-Def:50(31), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(33)
Level 26: Commando -- SprMarofS-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), SprMarofS-Acc/Dmg:50(27), SprMarofS-Dmg:50(27), SprMarofS-EndRdx/+Resist/+Regen:50(29), ExpStr-Dam%:20(29), SuddAcc--KB/+KD:50(31)
Level 28: Seeker Drones -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 30: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit:50(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg:50(46), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(46), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx:50(48), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx:50(48), GssSynFr--Build%:50(48)
Level 32: Tactical Upgrade -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 35: Trip Mine -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(45), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg:50(50), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc:50(50), SuddAcc--KB/+KD:50(50)
Level 38: Temp Invulnerability -- GldArm-End/Res:50(A), GldArm-ResDam:50(39), GldArm-3defTpProc:50(39), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(46)
Level 41: Assault -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 44: Vengeance -- Prv-Absorb%:50(A)
Level 47: Stealth -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(A)
Level 49: Grant Invisibility -- Rct-ResDam%:50(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- UnbLea-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I:50(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End:50(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+:50(11), Mrc-Rcvry+:40(13)
Level 1: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), PwrTrns-EndMod:50(9), PwrTrns-+Heal:50(11)
Level 50: Vorpal Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Degenerative Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Robotic Drones Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Support Core Embodiment
Level 50: Barrier Radial Epiphany
Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 1: Soldier
Level 26: Commando
Level 1: Medic
Level 12: Spec Ops
------------

EDIT: Switched some Trip Mine slotting to max its accuracy and add the KD proc. It doesn't benefit from Leadership, so you wanna max its chance to hit.

Edited August 30, 2021 by SableShrike

pblue · August 30, 2021

Is it worth putting the -Res proc in a fast recharing attack like Burst? I can never gauge the trade off between the high probability of a proc firing off on a slow recharger power vs the increased opportunities of triggering the proc on rapid power - sort like the difference between having just one dice throw with good odds vs many dice throws, each with poor odds.

SmalltalkJava · August 30, 2021

2 hours ago, pblue said:

Is it worth putting the -Res proc in a fast recharing attack like Burst? I can never gauge the trade off between the high probability of a proc firing off on a slow recharger power vs the increased opportunities of triggering the proc on rapid power - sort like the difference between having just one dice throw with good odds vs many dice throws, each with poor odds.

I think you hit the nail on the head in the last part of your post. It would truly depend on how often you are using the power. If its in a low odds attack then make sure your combat plan will be utilizing that attack a lot, or at least enough to have a good chance for it to fire. So to me it really seems a lot on how the play-style meshes with the build. @Bopper has a spreadsheet that I use to calculate the proc chances for different attacks. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WOF57R0Q-S1hG8YXW_Z2GokbcN1Zj2Zwvz9lDz8D0xw/copy

-----------------------------------

@SableShrike Interesting build. I haven't had time to dig into it yet, but I find the initial glance at the pet slotting intriguing. I have several Mercs MM's with and I've been trying to figure out how to get their defenses up and still fit the procs and get accuracy and damage. It never occurred to me to use Hami's. I just love the all ranged aspect of Mercs!

Edited August 30, 2021 by SmalltalkJava

SableShrike · September 1, 2021

Hi gang!

I wound up tweaking slotting a bit after my experiences leveling on Live. Currently just hit 40 and this is more what I'm planning for the final build.

I had to drop the Shieldbreakers from the pets to do this, but as they are a Lethal proc it was the most acceptable to lose. Against a mob with heavy Lethal resist, they would add the least benefit to Mercs.

What this let me do is put the Achilles' in Soldiers (it really is best there, works even when in Outbreak). You'll see it up a lot more than on Burst, and against a hard target like AV or GM it's pretty much permanently on.

It also let me do the fun slotting you see in Spec Ops! This maxes out their damage as well as every single one of their status effects. The Immob, Stun, and Hold they have are pretty effective at neutering a group of mobs. Combined with /Traps, you have a lot of ways to force mobs at range while debuffing and locking things down.

Intuition Radial winds up being a bit less damage than Musculature Core, but it buffs a LOT of what a Merc/Traps does well. For overall benefit, you'd be hardpressed to find a better Alpha.

The KB in Tough was a hard tradeoff. I lost the Unbreakable Guard HP, but I noticed I was still getting knocked about by all the Council grenades with just the Gladiator's Armor set bonus. With 7 KB protection that doesn't happen.

Lastly, I threw some more slots on Burst, went with the full Winter set there, and procced Poison Trap for some damage.

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!

Coral Snake: Level 50 Science Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Mercenaries
Secondary Power Set: Traps
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Field Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Soldiers -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(5), OvrFrc-Dam/KB:50(7), AchHee-ResDeb%:20(13), TchofLadG-%Dam:50(15), CaltoArm-+Def(Pets):30(15)
Level 1: Web Grenade -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 2: Burst -- SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(3), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg:50(5), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg:50(11), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc:50(40)
Level 4: Caltrops -- TmpRdn-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(A), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:50(7)
Level 6: Equip Mercenary -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 8: M30 Grenade -- SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(21), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), SprFrzBls-Rchg/ImmobProc:50(45), SuddAcc--KB/+KD:50(45)
Level 10: Acid Mortar -- AnlWkn-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx:50(A), ShlBrk-Acc/DefDeb:30(37), ShlBrk-Acc/Rchg:30(37), ShlBrk-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(40), ShlBrk-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg:30(40), ShlBrk-%Dam:30(42)
Level 12: Spec Ops -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Perox(23), HO:Perox(36), HO:Endo(36), TchofLadG-%Dam:50(36), EdcoftheM-PetDef:40(37)
Level 14: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 16: Force Field Generator -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(17), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(17), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19), RedFrt-Def:50(19), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(21)
Level 18: Tough -- StdPrt-ResKB:30(A)
Level 20: Poison Trap -- UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg:50(A), UnbCns-Acc/Rchg:50(39), UnbCns-Hold/Rchg:50(42), UnbCns-EndRdx/Hold:50(42), UnbCns-Dam%:50(43), GhsWdwEmb-Dam%:50(43)
Level 22: Weave -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(33), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(33), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), RedFrt-Def:50(34), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(34)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx:50(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg:50(25), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg:50(25), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31), RedFrt-Def:50(31), RedFrt-EndRdx:50(33)
Level 26: Commando -- SprMarofS-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(A), SprMarofS-Acc/Dmg:50(27), SprMarofS-Dmg:50(27), SprMarofS-EndRdx/+Resist/+Regen:50(29), ExpStr-Dam%:20(29), SuddAcc--KB/+KD:50(31)
Level 28: Seeker Drones -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 30: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit:50(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg:50(46), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(46), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx:50(48), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx:50(48), GssSynFr--Build%:50(48)
Level 32: Tactical Upgrade -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 35: Trip Mine -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(45), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg:50(50), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc:50(50), SuddAcc--KB/+KD:50(50)
Level 38: Temp Invulnerability -- GldArm-End/Res:50(A), GldArm-ResDam:50(39), GldArm-3defTpProc:50(39), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(46)
Level 41: Assault -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 44: Vengeance -- Prv-Absorb%:50(A)
Level 47: Stealth -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(A)
Level 49: Grant Invisibility -- Rct-ResDam%:50(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- UnbLea-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I:50(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End:50(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+:50(11), Mrc-Rcvry+:40(13)
Level 1: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(9)
Level 50: Vorpal Core Final Judgement
Level 50: Degenerative Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Robotic Drones Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Support Core Embodiment
Level 50: Barrier Radial Epiphany
Level 50: Intuition Radial Paragon
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 1: Soldier
Level 26: Commando
Level 1: Medic
Level 12: Spec Ops
------------

Edited September 1, 2021 by SableShrike

The_Warpact · September 1, 2021

When I get home I'll compare your build with mine. Unfortunately I can't do much at work on a phone.

SableShrike · September 1, 2021

Be good to see, man!

I’ve been struggling with what to slot in pets. Still don’t know if this is “optimal” for Merc pets.

They have a lot of good procs to choose and you have to deal with the KB on Soldiers and Commando. They’re actually pretty tight for slotting unless you roll a Merc/Storm and dump some aura IOs in Tornado.

Maybe they’ll change Serum to something like Hell On Earth or Gang War in the future, but for now we gotta play the “not enough slots” dance.

The_Warpact · September 2, 2021

10 hours ago, SableShrike said:

Be good to see, man!

I’ve been struggling with what to slot in pets. Still don’t know if this is “optimal” for Merc pets.

They have a lot of good procs to choose and you have to deal with the KB on Soldiers and Commando. They’re actually pretty tight for slotting unless you roll a Merc/Storm and dump some aura IOs in Tornado.

Maybe they’ll change Serum to something like Hell On Earth or Gang War in the future, but for now we gotta play the “not enough slots” dance.

Haven't forgot about ya! Got my old Mids build tried loading into game to copy down my build and keep getting a DB server error now got a ticket filed...ugh.

I didn't go do proc crazy but did have some.

plainguy · September 2, 2021

You are at defense cap. Which is good.

Agility Incarnate will increase your endurance recovery which will put you at the 2 point minimum recovery requirement.

I went straight up tankermind on my Robot Traps. Not any procs I think on my build.
I do have provoke which I do think is helpful to get some aggro off the pets.

I have enough recharge that I can have 2 Triage becons up for 40 seconds.. I do notice when triage beacon is on or not.. Double of course is very noticeable.

I went soul mastery because oppressive gloom is helpful. Again when it is on or off, it is very noticeable. Also another aggro builder..

Only difference I went typed instead of positional defense cap wise..

The Robot bubble puts me at incarnate defenses.

I don't see anything wrong with your build. If anything I would say get rid of an attack and get Triage Beacon.

The_Warpact · September 2, 2021

Haha! Finally @GM Crumpet got me hooked up and back in game. Here's my build. He's like a James Bond mastermind, not nice, treats the mercs like sh!t, ya know the type.

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GM Crumpet · September 2, 2021

50 minutes ago, The_Warpact said:

Haha! Finally @GM Crumpet got me hooked up and back in game. Here's my build. He's like a James Bond mastermind, not nice, treats the mercs like sh!t, ya know the type.

What did I do??

The_Warpact · September 2, 2021

16 minutes ago, GM Crumpet said:

Ya fixed my problem on the ticket I filed! I've been trying to get on for a couple days so I could copy my build to Mids. Not saying you're a Bond villain...although crumpets are from the UK as is most Bond villains 🤔

GM Crumpet · September 3, 2021

7 hours ago, The_Warpact said:

Ya fixed my problem on the ticket I filed! I've been trying to get on for a couple days so I could copy my build to Mids. Not saying you're a Bond villain...although crumpets are from the UK as is most Bond villains 🤔

Haha glad I am of some use 🙂

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