Master Zaprobo

Few errata for Robotics...
- Protector Bots will heal as much as they are able in combat as I often find myself too slow with Aid Other and have a Prot Bot beat me to it
- Seeker Drones are _very_ useful, their main effect is to debuff accuracy. These act as a defensive line for any mob getting too close to your weaker drones
- Robotics do not have resists to smashing, only lethal
- The heavy end use of Prot Bots can be offset with a single End Rdx enhancement in their summon

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Doesn't anyone have a hero round here? Heroes certainly don't have to take any powers from thier epics (I only have one of the powers on my level 50 ATM). I'm sure villains will be the same, and you will still be able to choose a patron for the missions and respec.

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However...
- EPP's are respec'able. PPP's are not
- PPP's require missions to be granted them. EPP's do not

Cryptic's design philosophy would indicate, along their risk vs. reward scheme that PPP's would be proportionately more powerful.

I don't question the general design and theme of PPP's for any other AT apart from Masterminds - my Brute, Stalker and Corruptor are quite happy with what is on offer. My Mastermind is not.

Sure, I can just opt to not take the powers but Issue Seven is still in development. I assume there is still time to make changes, and so I'm suggesting them - if they come out as currently advertised then I will indeed only be taking one or two of the powers, and remain dissatisfied with the T4.

Obviously better feedback can be given once it's on the Test Server but if you look across both EU and US Forums the PPP's have all been fairly well recieved except for Masterminds which have been almost universally lambasted. This should tell the developers something - the playerbase is not happy with their current plans.

The best suggestions I've seen over here and Stateside for the tier four (T4) MM PPP power are...

- Upgrade for henchmen that grant the Patron-themed attack (e.g. for Black Scorpion, the upgrade gives the henchmen Web Coccoon). For balance have it on a double/triple length timer compared to the final L32 upgrade so you can't justifiably have all your henchmen upgraded with it
- A themed ally buff, usable on other players or henchmen
- A pet, as per all other AT's PPP pools
- A new themed, commandable henchman

I think that any one of these changes to just the last power would make it a worthwhile choice to go for a Patron.

Zombie_Man over Stateside has posted a reasonably good summary on the PPP's for Masterminds.

I think my real beef is the fact that our tier four PPP Power is a single-target hold. Which, compared against a pet for every other AT seems horribly underpowered.

If the final power was changed to a pet or a henchman/ally buff (shared travel powers for henches? New power upgrade? +Dam/+Acc buff) then I don't think I'd feel so.... meh about the sets.

Dark Miasma is an active Secondary, Forcefields is passive. FF is a one trick pony - defense and knockback. Dark Miasma is a mixed toolset (heals, slows, debuffs, stealth, etc.)

If I was creating a new MM, I'd go for Poison or Dark Miasma. But only because I already have FF - I love the set and it means I can concentrate on disposition of my henchmen more.

I used PFF in PvP but probably as it's intended - "oh crap a Scrapper has gone meieval on my [censored] and I'm losing HP's like water!"

Then I pop on PFF. And as soon as he gives up and realises he's wiffing against me, I drop it again to start Force Bolting again!

Just going to be a bit hairy without that ten second recharge in future and a trick I really can pull only once...

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So, any word on what this mastermind buff will be to improve pvpability or was it in reference to the patron powers including a defense, which makes me wonder why were the masterminds singled out as soon to be having a PVP buff that would IMO need to apply to all the PVP zones.

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No word yet. I do so hope it didn't mean the Patron Pools htough, since they are so lacklustre for Masterminds anyways.

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Question: If I don't want to be a lackey for one of this underpowered Arachnos idiots can I just take normal power choices after level40? Because if not I can't really see myself playing CoV anymore. None of the above fit into my character concept from being a lackey to a higher power to gaining powers from my boss. I might carry on if and when going rogue appears but if this is the level of creativity that is used while designing 'better' content I will remain underenthused. At least the ancillary pools in CoH mainly work.

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I expect you can just not opt to get a Patron (because you have to actively choose one) and play on as before.

Probably miss out on some mission content though.

Ah well, guess it just needs some Recharge slotting now if you want to make some proper use of it.

I guess it's to try and reinforce it as an "emergency" buttton for Masterminds rather than just as a constant shield once you have your henches fully buffed.

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Oh come on. The last thing mms need is another pet. My mm will be more than pleased with mu lightning powers (if I can ever get him to level 40)

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Depends on your Primary/Secondary. Some sets are more equal than others in this regard (Necromancy has Soul Extraction for an extra pet, and Dark Miasma has Dark Servant) and many Ninja, Mercs, Thugs, and Robotics players would love a seventh/eighth pet.

For me, the Mastermind selection is rather disspiriting.

Ghost Widow
Night Fall: Cone Damage, -Acc
Dark Embrace: Self +Res Lethal, Smashing, Negative Energy, Toxic
Soul Tentacles: Cone Immobilise, DoT
Soul Storm: Single target Hold

Black Scorpion
Web Envelope: Ranged AoE Immob, -Recharge, -Fly, -Jump
Scorpion Shield: Self +Def Lethal, Smashing and Energy, +Res Toxic
Mace Beam Volley: Cone Damage, Knockdown
Web Cocoon: Single-target Hold, -Fly, -Spd, -Recharge, -Jump

Captain Mako
School of Sharks: Cone Immob, Negative DoT
Chum Spray: Cone Toxic DoT
Shark Skin: Self +Res Lethal, Smashing, Cold
Spirit Shark Jaws: Single-target Hold, Lethal DoT, -Fly

Scirocco
Static Discharge: Cone/AoE Damage, -End
Charged Armor: Self +Res Smashing, Lethal, Energy
Electrifying Fences: AoE Immob, Energy DoT, -End
Electric Shackles: Single-target Hold, -End, Self +End (chance)

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The Mastermind - master of pet control doesn't get any new pets? No new upgrades? Personally, I feel we feel better if we had a copy of Dominators' (who with most builds will now have two pets) Patron Powers.

The above Patron Powers grant nothing that actually inspires me. If they remain in this form I'll only end up taking the armour as opposed to any of the others for utility.

What are your thoughts?

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By the way, anyone know how leadership numbers for MM's compare to Defender numbers?

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See my guide in my sig. We're roughly equivalent to Controllers.

By unintentional design I believe. They've always done this.

Prot Bots will double-bubble henchmen and pets, single bubble their controlling Mastermind and ignore any other players. They will also Repair any other Robotics henchmen.

Holding up his wrist-mounted computer, Professor Zaphod Robotnik pressed the parts of the touchscreen to activate the neural interface with the last of his ZR Series Autonomous Assault Systems. As the final artificial intelligence upload was transmitted to the tall robot suspended in a harness in the far corner of the laboratory a blinking icon on his wrist panel alerted him to a new email.

Trotting over, he opened the email and saw what he had dreaded. Yet another rejection from DATA, refusing his requests for a sanctioned field test of his robotic constructs. Sighing as he scanned the wordy missive, phrases like "continued hero presence diminishes need for new military applications" and "dangerous instabilities in Friend or Foe (FoF) recognition software" leapt out at him. The last phrase cut him to his core however and it took several times reading it for the words to sink in. "Funding for the ZR Series Autonomous Robotics Project is cancelled".

Snarling, he trashed the email and spun on the Assault ZR behind him. "Fifteen years I've laboured", he cried, "fifteen long years at the pinnacle of my scientific career to create you and your siblings!"

"For what? For the bureaucrats to shut me down?" The professor slumped into his chair as the last few bytes of data were shunted to the Assault ZR. He barely registered the malevolent red glow as it passed back and forth across the Assault ZR's Optical Visor.

[Assault ZR-6 Online, Awaiting Master Input]

Hearing the metallic grating voice, Zaphod looked up to see the Assault ZR Robot get to its feet. The missile launchers disengaged from it's back and locked into position on it's shoulders to a chorus of warning chimes from the central computer it was still interfaced with.

"I am your Master, ZR-6", the Professor sighed, "yet I have been defeated before I had really got going".
[Visual Recognition Confirmed. User 'zaprobo' identified as Master. Awaiting Input Master Zaprobo]
"If only I could test you and your brothers - get you out of the lab somehow and into a viable field test".
[Input Confirmed. Activating Protector ZR and Drone ZR Units]

Professor Robotnik's eyes widened as he recoiled from the Assault ZR in horror - watching it detach itself from the central computer as the wall shook from laser blasts. As the partition crumbled under the attack, two shorter robots and three small units marched smartly through and arrayed themselves beside the tall Assault ZR.

[ZR Series Detachment Active], the six robots grated in unison.

The professor walked over to the group cautiously, yet his eyes gleamed wildly at the sight he had been working towards for years. My children, he thought, my beautiful deadly children.

"Stand down, ZR Series".
[Transmitting tactical assessment to Master Zaprobo]

The professor's wrist computer chimed, and as the elderly scientist read it he began to smile. "It could work...", he mused.

"... it could work".

I tried the L32/No L6 in a mission earlier today and rather scarily my Assault Bot, in an effort to fill in the attack chain, ran into melee.

This is of course a bad thing cos once an Assault Bot is in melee it will only use it's melee attack.

May be worth a bit more testing - may have been one of the quirky AI moments instead.

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everyone gank zap!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Yeah, everyo.... haaaaang on....

*activate PFF and sends in the sacrifical robots to cover his escape*

The trick for by-the-door upgrading is to use the pet window to select, and not click on the henchman directly. Also, prioritise your upgrades as if any second you're going to be jumped on.

For instance, with Robotics I want my Assault Bot double-upgraded for the attacks, followed by the Prot Bots single-upgraded for the heals. After that it's a striaght run through on the Drones.

I do occassionally get jumped (especially on the speakeasy, casino and some office tilesets) but I do usually survive.

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Small correction to Zaps comment.

Our MM heavy missions would be scary to behold if Zap would actually turn up. He currently uses feeble excusese like real life to get out of them

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Bah! Leave me alone!

It's true - I'm a sham of a VG founder! I have a life! Sue me

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The theory is: With Upgrade Robot (lvl 32 upgrade) but withOUT Equip Robot (lvl 6 upgrade), Assault Bot does more damage then with both upgrades.
Source: US Mastermind Forums

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The post above does go on to provide the following number vs. an even level Corruptor in the arena...

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The bot killed the corruptor standing still in 1:10, 1:25 and 1:20 minutes with both upgrades. The bot killed her standing still in 0:51, 0:55, and 1:00 with just the Upgrade. Notably, she is a corruptor so the damage types don't make as much a difference as they may on some other ATs - with both Blasts being energy, Missiles lethal, and Flamethrower fire. However, that is still a rather notable difference.

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So what are our thoughts here in the UK? This a tactic anyone uses?

My personal thought is it seems a little off - I like having the full range of abilities on every hench but then I'm not a number cruncher!

Our MM heavy missions are scary to behold! Plus, since I wrote this, we upgraded our lab with another Telepad so we can now get anywhere in the Rogue Isles in a blink of an eye (or wait of a loading screen )

We're all ready for Issue Seven - with Prestige to spare for the new Empowerment and Storage Stations (we may even place some decorations soon!)

Doc,

Assault ZR-Beta is getting along nicely on the Percy Shelley arc - will need a hand for some of the defeat alls though! Tough going as a solo Stalker pre-DO/SO's.

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Citizens of the Rogue Isles, Destined Ones,

I am writing to you from the Arachnos Research and Development (ARAD) Laboratory facility, hidden deep within the bowels of Grandville. For those unfamiliar with my name I am Master Zaprobo and I am the founder and a chief scientist of ARAD.

Since the inception of the Destined Ones Program, Arachnos Research and Development has been field-testing and creating new weapons for Lord Recluse and his lieutenants. We have developed some of the finest robotic artificial intelligences, personal munitions and devices that the ingenuity and resources of our scientists can provide.

It is not enough.

We need you - the scientists, tinkerers and technologists of the Rogue Isles. We also provide a home for all automatons, robots, artificial intelligences and mechanical men. We have the finest minds, and the best technologies to guide you and upgrade your capabilities for the weal of Arachnos.

Join us, and together we can found a better tomorrow, through superior weaponry.

Yours, in the name of science,
Master Zaprobo

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Out of Character (OOC)
This is an open advert for people wishing to join the VG "Arachnos Research and Development". We are a themed villain organisation - scientists and robots, working for Arachnos to devlop new weapons.

Requirements
We do have some requirements of our members, and hence we are not for everyone. We require you to...

- Be of Technology (for Robots/Humans), Science (for Robots/Humans) or Natural (Humans Only) Origin.
- Be a Robotics Mastermind (human or robot appearance), */Traps Corruptor (human or robot appearance), or any Archetype/Powerset designed as a robot/automaton/human lab-coated scientist.
- Interested in a low-to-moderate amount of Zone PvP (Field Tests).
- Willing to involve a low-to-moderate amount of roleplay into your playstyle.
- Willing to work together to the betterment of the SG Laboratory/Base (using SG mode to earn Prestige, etc.)

Playstyle/Playtimes
We have a casual playstyle, with no real requirements beyond pooling Salvage and earning Prestige. As we grow beyond this, we will consider more frequent SG Events (Field Tests and Strike Forces).

We seek people who mainly play in the evenings (7pm onwards) but will welcome anyone at any time. Field Tests will usually be arranged for Thursday Evenings (7pm onwards), to allow the maximum amount of people to participate.

There is no set SG uniform. We are, accordingly, very fond of lab coats however! Plus Arachnos seems to like their creations in black, red and grey.

Facilities
ARAD as a group already have an equipped base, with dual-telepads and worktables. We are always looking to upgrade this, and with the new additions for Issue Seven due, it is an exciting time to be an ARAD member.

Contacting Us
If you like the sound of us then please do not hesitate to contact @Doc Bot, @Dr E Genius or @Master Zaprobo on Global, or visit our forums at http://arad.bbfun.com/ where we have more details on the group.

*blinks* Deathsurge in Cap Au Diable hit L40? Now that's one GM that won't pull it's punches

Grats

I've had this (during my tenure) and it's only at the higher levels when you can afford t be this blase about sending in henchmen to take aggro - when you have more than 3 or 4 of them.

A loss of two T1 henches to a L32 MM is not a horrendous thing. A loss of even one to a L12 MM is crippling!

Yep I have Group Fly, and they react as they normally do except in three dimensions

They will fly closer tothe enemy to get attacks into range so I'd really only suggest using it to get into position for attacks (very handy for getting all henchmen in firing range where there is only a narrow ground-based approach).

Speed is a bit slower, and end-use higher than regular Fly. I've two-slotted for End Rdx, and can run it on it's own indefinitely or with Assult, Tactics and Dispersion Bubble for the duration of a single PvE fight.