Powerforge

Happy B-Day!

About a month and a half ago I tried masterminding for the first time. I come from a scrapperish background and enjoy soloing AVs and generally trying to challenge myself with difficult content. I had just rolled up a Brute for my first serious redside experience and wanted another AT to fiddle with while my Brute gathered Patrol XP. I was very intrigued with Bots/Dark due to concept but had no idea if it was a serious contender endgame. I mean, even though the Brute was my main villain I didn't want to invest in a MM that was gonna be gimpy later if I happened to like the AT. So I came here and asked around, got some excellent advice and started down my second path to villainy.

That Brute's been deleted btw.

What an interesting AT this turned out to be. Amazingly powerful, yet with a very different play mechanic than I was used to. It has it's drawbacks I suppose, but all in all, this Mastermind has soloed more AVs than any scrapper I have.

...and I brought pictures! Well, movies actually.

This is something I enjoy. I guess it's a trophy room of sorts. It's also a record of my progress, as I learned the class and what it's capable of. I enjoy watching other's videos and have been recording my own to share for awhile now. It is grandstanding a bit I know.

All told I was able to defeat 73 AVs I believe. All of them were done without temps or inspirations. Many were done two and even three at a time.

The ones that got away were:

Lord Recluse. His summons at the end of the fight spelled defeat for me every time. I may revisit him again sometime though. There seems no way for me to immobilize all the bosses that he calls before they are away from Recluse and I can't really devote my attention to them or LR gets loose.

Baphomet. He uses Healing Flames at 25% and regains a substantial amount of HP. So much so that I really can't burn him down past the 25% mark by the time it recharges. Fight is a stalemate.

Nosferatu. A similar problem here. I have fought him for an hour and periodically he lands his heal and gets back oodles of health. This fight actually seems doable to me though. Guess I just lacked the patience to try over and over with so many other targets waiting.


Anyway, here's the videos if you're interested.

Technogeist VS. AVs.


Most of them are actually pretty dull. Some noteworthy fights are:

Silver Mantis.
This was the very first AV I fought. I was not kitted out in any way. Only Regular IOs sloted. The fight's ugly as hell but a testament to how powerful the AT is.

Ghost Widow.
Living through her Soul Storm with less than 1000hp was a highlight for me.

Dominatrix.
Getting by here 50% resistance was a first.

Staesman.
Same here. States has always eluded me before too.

Diabolique.
A long painful fight. She was seconds from death multiple times only to run. In the end she got hung up on some boxes and couldn't get around them. Seems like she has Pet AI.

Lt. Sefu Tendaji.
His crazy resistances made this guy unkillable on my scrappers too.

Synapse.
A different type of fight. Pure Tankerminding here as the AV won't be immobilized and kept at range. Add to that his autohit AoE and he was exciting to fight.

Battle Maiden.
The first time I duked it out with two AVs. Totally by accident my bots aggroed a second spawn of BM halfway through the fight and I had to think fast and get the new one immobilized and before I knew it I was fighting two at once.

Two AVs at once:


Requiem and Archon Burkholder.
Positron and Numina.
Sunstorm and Nightstar.
Babbage and Clockwork King.
Siege and Shadowhunter.
Luminary and Malaise.
Malaise makes this is a tough fight. Confusing my pets while I am held.
Mynx and Swan.
Foreshadow and Mirror Spirit.

Three AVs at once:


Citadel, Ms. Liberty, and Manticore.
This was the first time I defeated three at once.

Marauder, Neuron, and Mother Mayhem.

The biggest hurdle in fighting multiple Avs is the initial setup. Corralling them into a tight enough group and then getting them all immobilized for the duration. The second most difficult thing is the bot's AI. Most of the time my pets would settle on one target and finish that one off. However, on a few occasions they started with one and half way through apparently felt more threatened by the other target and switched! There's really no reliable way I could find to choose the target for them without leaving BG mode. I typically would rely on placement. Hoping they would target whoever I placed them in front of. In the end I just had to be patient and wait for them to decide who they disliked most.



That's it I guess. Thank you everyone who gave advice. Especially Chaos who pointed out that things would go a lot faster for me if I started using Howling Twilight to debuff my target.

Thanks for looking.

[ QUOTE ]
You never actually play, do you? Just make costume of AWESOME!

[/ QUOTE ]

/e blush. Well thanks Kheldarn. But you see how long it takes. You know what they say about a roomful of monkeys, a typewriter, and Shakespeare right?

Hell, I better get something I like outta this process. Like you said, I never get to play. It takes to damn long to design!

Weelll, you may be right Bayani.

Black eyes.

I'm warming up to this. The side area I dislike is more visible in this pic but I'm warming up to it.

[ QUOTE ]
And the eyepiece would probably look cooler if it were black. it'd blend in with the black section of the helmet.

[/ QUOTE ]

Haha no doubt you and I think alike! I did try it though, and I liked this better because of the way the eyepiece overlaps on the side of the helmet with the stripe. That's not really shown in the pic I posted as it's a straight on shot of his head. From the side, making the eyepiece black seemed to break up the...smoothness of the division between the black and white? I know that sounds crazy since keeping the eyepiece white bisects that line completely but in the end I preferred this. I'll give it another look though.

Did you ever see the episode of Spongebob where Spongebob and Patrick find a baby clam and raise it as their child?

You know the part where Spongebob needs a break from raising the baby and Patrick keeps telling him "Tomorrow for sure."? And the narrator keeps repeating that phrase as day after day passes and it seems like it's never gonna be over for poor Spongebob?

/e sigh

This whole thread reads like some sort of code.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NNNNOOO!!!!!!!!!

What part of the equation "pistols = kill you from far away" dont you people understand?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a game where a sniper rifle has a range of 150 ft. We'll be lucky if pistols can shoot as far as 10.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL! Yup, 10 foot range! That's melee!

OK, here's the final version.

Not terribly different from version one. Notable changes are the shoulder pads and the the eyes. Adding black to the pads really was the deciding factor for me. As soon as I did it I thought "OK! This one is almost done!". The eyes are actually a bit of a mixed bag. I waffled on them for while. I feel they mate well with the faceguard and add a bit of a stormtrooper feel which I like BUT they do detract from that "racecar" feel. In the end coloring them one tint different from the green used in the costume started winning me over. Seeing the combat aura on him sealed the deal.

He does kinda look like Snoopy though.

[ QUOTE ]
I like the design of costume 1...though I think the helmet could be a bit sleeker. the belt from costume 2 could go on costume 1. I think gloves and boots should match though, colorwise.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ya, I gave all those ideas a whirl actually.

Here's what I like about costume 1. It has a more traditional feel to it because of the balance of colors. Drawing the green down adds symmetry across the top and bottom which I find appealing, BUT, is also rather typical of three color costumes. Which brings me to the boots. The fastest way to achieve that type of symmetry is to bring that white from top down also.

Both of those suggestions are GREAT. They work very well to add balance to the design.

Here's where my personal bias comes in though. I think there's a level of visual excitement that comes from asymmetry. If the design does not match in the traditional sense I feel it grabs the viewers attention. The problem is that CoH costume generator like symmetry too! It's popular in comics so, of course, it's represented very well in this game. There are very few patterns in game that don't match left side to right side.

So what's a rebel designer to do?

Well, I think my definition of symmetry is thankfully pretty broad. While the top and bottom of a person obviously do not mirror one another the costumes you see created often do. Base color1/color2 for top and legs. color3/color2 for emblem, gloves, boots. This is a very strong design that I see often. And why not? It looks great!

But, like I said, I like asymmetry.

So I try to throw things out of balance. I am a very BIG fan of employing robotic arms for this. You see it in, hell, damn near all my costumes anymore. It really allows for a visual shake up! I'd absolutely LOVE Jay if he would just allow the patterns on the arms to be applied and colored independently of the trunk! Talk about asymmetry! As it is I have, what? 5 options for the arms or so?

You can do a lot with that though!

Man this is turning into a damn dissertation. lol.

So to wrap my long-windedness up, I'll also add that I like the sleek look that 1 has and adding the belt breaks that up a bit. Allowing the pattern to flow down un-interrupted keeps things feeling fast to me. In fact Bobby made the comment that the first outfit had a corporate logo feel to it. That's great! Like a racecar driver!

If you made it this far then, thanks for reading! lol

[ QUOTE ]
You can has both!

Take one now .. take the other at level 20 when you get the Costume quest.



[/ QUOTE ]

I'm an oddball, I know.

I have a, gosh, what should I call it? A quirk? OCD? lol Hell I dunno, but I like having only one basic costume design...

I know I know. You all can stop laughing.

I really prefer to settle on one design and then I'll do palette swaps for the other slots. If the design lends itself to them..

Otherwise I'll just stick with only one costume.

I have tweaked this design some and am very happy with the final copy so to speak. I'll grab a screenie when servers are back.

[ QUOTE ]
Gratz!!! First one is always the best

[/ QUOTE ]
Too true! Way to go!

Thanks everyone. I went with number one.

I do like the chest emblem on number 2 but I'm a stickler for having stripes and patterns "line up" so to speak so adding something to the legs on that design becomes tough as there is no matching pattern on the topside.

I'm sure it'll be a wip for several levels anyway.

[ QUOTE ]
Fire/Rad is better offensively, with access to more AoE attacks. Sonic/Rad on the other hand has better synergy and more survivability against hard targets since the more -res you stack, the more effective the -dmg from EF will become.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, how much better is Sonic/Rad at keeping me alive against AVs reaaallly. I know you will know. Can I get the job done with fire?

I'm waffling back and forth so damn much. Today, thematically, I really wanna go with Fire/Rad but now I'm afraid I won't be able to hold out against multiple AVs etc? Will fire be good enough?

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have the boxing set yet?

[/ QUOTE ]

I do.

Well, I've never run into this before.

Rolling a new corrupter and going with Fire/Rad maybe since I will be able to make green fire to match the radiation (so cool!).

Here's my problem though. I'm stuck between two costumes.

I like both but I will conced the second is a lot like Excelerate's. Not a big deal though. I thought I'd get the input of the experts here.

Gammaforge!

Which do you prefer?

Thanks for looking.

Hello Corrupters,

I don't know a lot about this AT but I am very intrigued by it. I thought I would drop in and ask how Sonic/Rad performs?

I thought the two would mate up nicely with all that -res. I see lots of support for Fire though and I can attest to this myself blueside, having a fire/nrg blaster that really is very strong.

So my question is this. From a soloist's standpoint which will be stronger for AV/GM killing, farming, multpile bosses etc. Please tell me why one would work better than the other.

Thanks for the advice.

[ QUOTE ]
SD can also get softcapped defense easier and good DDR ; FM does good DPS at low levels of recharge, so it's not hard to fit Aid Self in. I think Fire/SD would be much more powerful than Fire/WP for AV soloing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree completely.

This will be much more useful to you Justice. Download the one on the left.Although it's a few issues behind it is being updated and pretty much the standard for build sharing. Hit up the various AT forums and you will find all kinds of builds to look at.

Mids Hero Designer

Have fun.

My favorite PvP story by FAR! Thanks for sharing.

[ QUOTE ]

That said, you may want to check a little further down in the list of special enhancements for the HOs you want; although the regular HOs are indeed quite rare since everybody chooses merits nowadays after a Hami raid, the SYNTHETIC versions of them are much more common. They're often chosen in lieu of merits after LRSF's.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the answer right there, and patience. I had to wait a fe days to get all mine. Don't be overly concerned with it either. Place your bids for both regular and synthetic and then go about your business. They're not required. Just a nice bonus. I was perfectly capable without them.

Masterminds really are an exceptional AT.

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[ QUOTE ]
Ah as I said in my DA posting of her, it's Shuler, which is beyond incredible!

[/ QUOTE ]


That can be our new "hip lingo" for an awesome piece - "That's so Shuler!"

Congrats on the nice piece, and another awesome piece, Doug!

[/ QUOTE ]

/Shuler

[ QUOTE ]
because the def enh values have a direct effect on your DDR ... i'm assumeing cyto's would do the same ... what i'm wondering is if enzy's would yield a larger return ... anyone know off-hand?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe Enzymes do yield a larger return, yes. Of course you're not moving towards double stacking AD with them since they won't enhance recharge.

This is my intended build for my Fire/SD.

If I can stop making alts. Damn Corrupter!

It does fall just shy of the soft cap for Ranged and AoE. The open slot in Tough is for the Glad unique. I also can't quite get AD double stacked permanently but that's ok really. My experience with /SD on Saint has shown me it's not really needed all the time. The build also avoids Hasten (so endurance recovery is very strong here. I believe I calculated he could run his attack chain for 17 minutes uninterrupted but also why AD can't be double stacked perma ). Also includes Aid Self and is good with accuracy too.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Saint October: Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Fitness

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fire Sword -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(3), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(3), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), T'Death-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Deflection -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(13), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(13)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(9), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 4: True Grit -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal(11), Numna-Heal/Rchg(15), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(17), RgnTis-Regen+(34)
Level 6: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(11), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(21), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(23), GSFC-Build%(25)
Level 10: Active Defense -- HO:Membr(A), HO:Membr(25), HO:Membr(27)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(A), Zephyr-Travel(15), Zephyr-ResKB(17), HO:Enzym(19)
Level 14: Aid Other -- Heal-I(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Aid Self -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(A), Mrcl-Heal(19), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(48), IntRdx-I(50)
Level 20: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 22: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(27), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(33)
Level 24: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(A), P'Shift-EndMod(29), P'Shift-End%(31), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(34)
Level 26: Incinerate -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(29), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(31), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), T'Death-Dam%(34)
Level 28: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(39), Zephyr-ResKB(39)
Level 30: Tough -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(31), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(36), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(37), Empty(46)
Level 32: Greater Fire Sword -- Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Hectmb-Dam%(40), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(42), EndRdx-I(50)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Oblit-%Dam(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(42)
Level 38: Fire Sword Circle -- Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(42), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(43), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(45)
Level 41: Cremate -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(43), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(45), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), T'Death-Dam%(50)
Level 44: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(46), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 47: Grant Cover -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 49: Phalanx Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit



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[ QUOTE ]
Forgive my ignorance, but why have I seen more than one person putting Membrane Exposures into Active Defense? There is no defense component in AD, is there?

[/ QUOTE ]

AD defense provides defense debuff resistance so by slotting Enzymes or Membranes you can improve it's recharge, endurance usage, and Debuff resistance. My goal usually is to double stack it.