Mercs / Force Field - does this look workable?
By
Canine,
Posted on: 2006-01-07 19:39 in Masterminds
A few comments from a */Forcefield Mastermind here...
- Drop an EndRdx from Dispersion and move it to Tactics as a ToHit Buff
- Convert one of the PFF EndRdx to a Def as you won't be doing anything that burns endurance while in your shell anyway
- Consider slotting some secondary effects in your summons, as things like disorient can be useful.
- Resuscitate and Vengeance do not work on henchmen so unless you will not be soloing heavily I would switch these for two other powers. I'd recommend Serum and Repulsion Bomb.
Otherwise, I'd say it looks fairly solid.
Corrected version:
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Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
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Name: MM
Level: 41
Archetype: Mastermind
Primary: Mercenaries
Secondary: Force Field
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Soldiers==> Dmg(1)Acc(3)Dmg(3)Acc(5)Dmg(5)
01) --> Force Bolt==> Acc(1)KB_Dist(7)
02) --> Deflection Shield==> DefBuf(2)DefBuf(9)EndRdx(9)DefBuf(11)
04) --> Insulation Shield==> DefBuf(4)EndRdx(11)DefBuf(13)DefBuf(13)
06) --> Equip Mercenary==> Rechg(6)EndRdx(7)
08) --> Burst==> Acc(8)Dmg(15)Dmg(15)Dmg(15)
10) --> Hasten==> Rechg(10)Rechg(19)Rechg(21)
12) --> Spec Ops==> Acc(12)Dmg(21)Acc(23)Dmg(23)Dmg(25)DisDur(37)
14) --> Super Speed==> Run(14)
16) --> Aid Other==> Rechg(16)Heal(17)Heal(17)Heal(27)
18) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(18)EndRdx(19)DefBuf(31)DefBuf(40)
20) --> Dispersion Bubble==> DefBuf(20)DefBuf(29)DefBuf(33)EndRdx(33)EndRdx(33)
22) --> Assault==> EndRdx(22)EndRdx(25)
24) --> Tactics==> EndRdx(24)EndRdx(27)TH_Buf(34)TH_Buf(34)
26) --> Commando==> Acc(26)Acc(34)Dmg(36)Dmg(36)Dmg(36)
28) --> Vengeance==> TH_Buf(28)Heal(29)TH_Buf(37)Heal(37)
30) --> Aid Self==> Heal(30)Heal(31)Heal(31)Rechg(39)
32) --> Tactical Upgrade==> Rechg(32)Rechg(40)Rechg(40)
35) --> Serum==> Rechg(35)Rechg(39)
38) --> Force Bubble==> EndRdx(38)EndRdx(39)
Looks good - though I'd double-slot Force Bolt for Accuracy, and ignore the KB Dist.
Have a Merc/FF myself
I dont play with ANY attacks (such as burst), I dont do much damage, it drains end, and given I am buffer, If I dont attack, I hardly get any aggro. This fits with concept, but its a good way to play in IMO (DIed so few times, I am infamy broke all the time!)
Other notes:
May want to consider Manuevers power, as the defence will stack with all your FF. I slot my minions with acc, so am not sure I really need tactics but I will pick it up anyway. Combination of FF buffs, dispersion FF and manuevers all stacking makes for very high defence.
Serum I have, and I am not sure about it. It certainlyu gives big buffs, but lasts a short period of time at which point ENd is gone. I use it for end of mission bosses and hope I can Catch of Breath its target once it has worn off.
I would slot the spec ops with 2xacc, 2xdam, 2xdisorientate, as they do a lot of disorientation effects
Otherwise, all looks good.
Hmmm... I don't want to scrap Assault... More damage is always better. 
But I could scrap vengance, and take the +def and +dam and perhaps scrap Tacits as well.
Also, the builder reports serum to have a duration of 60 seconds. Not much indeed. 
[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm... I don't want to scrap Assault... More damage is always better.
But I could scrap vengance, and take the +def and +dam and perhaps scrap Tacits as well.
Also, the builder reports serum to have a duration of 60 seconds. Not much indeed.
[/ QUOTE ]
MBar rolled a Mercs/FF Mastermind.
He took Serum.
He used it once.
Then he timed the recharge at something utterly ludicrous like 16 minutes (may be an exaggeration, I can't remember the exact figure)
Then he respecced out of Serum.
That's my experience of Serum. Not direct, since I'm not MBar , but that's the impression I've got of it.
YMMV
Warning:
The above post may contain Cynicism, sarcasm and/or pessimism. If you object to the quantities contained, then tough.
[ QUOTE ]
MBar rolled a Mercs/FF Mastermind.
He took Serum.
He used it once.
Then he timed the recharge at something utterly ludicrous like 16 minutes (may be an exaggeration, I can't remember the exact figure)
Then he respecced out of Serum.
That's my experience of Serum. Not direct, since I'm not MBar , but that's the impression I've got of it.
YMMV
[/ QUOTE ]
Quote from Char Builder:
Serum:
RCHG: 1000 (588 with 2 SO recharge reduction enhancements)
DUR: 60
I assume it's in seconds. In that case 1000/60 = 16.(6) minutes. So he was right!
OK, what would be a good replacement for Serum?
I would run all 3 tactics pools if you can, as a MM. Cant go wrong with any of them.
One question i am grappling with is ?revive from medical pool. Merc's are the only minions that can be Rez'd.
The unknown quantity is: If you rez a minion who was equipped/upgraded; does he spring back with the upgrade? If so, revive would become highly desirable given the v.long recharge of final upgrade power.
Anyone know?
You can't rez any henchmen. At all. Not even Mercs.
Are you sure? In the text descriptions it specifically says minions cant be raised for EVERY set except mercs.
Quite sure - and it's that lack in the description that keeps making people think that they can 
The lack of notification in the text is a bug, henchmen CAN NOT be resurrected, in any way, shape or form. Closest you get is making a ghost from a necrophile's hench.
Excellent Info guys... Rez is not on the cards then!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm... I don't want to scrap Assault... More damage is always better.
But I could scrap vengance, and take the +def and +dam and perhaps scrap Tacits as well.
Also, the builder reports serum to have a duration of 60 seconds. Not much indeed.
[/ QUOTE ]
MBar rolled a Mercs/FF Mastermind.
He took Serum.
He used it once.
Then he timed the recharge at something utterly ludicrous like 16 minutes (may be an exaggeration, I can't remember the exact figure)
Then he respecced out of Serum.
That's my experience of Serum. Not direct, since I'm not MBar , but that's the impression I've got of it.
YMMV
[/ QUOTE ]
The recharge on serum is far too long which needs to be changed, but serum is a great otherwise if you are going to be fighting thougher targets. It can make any henchman into a tank.
Here it is:
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name: MM
Level: 40
Archetype: Mastermind
Primary: Mercenaries
Secondary: Force Field
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Soldiers==> Dmg(1)Acc(3)Dmg(3)Acc(5)Dmg(5)
01) --> Force Bolt==> Acc(1)KB_Dist(7)
02) --> Deflection Shield==> DefBuf(2)DefBuf(9)EndRdx(9)DefBuf(11)
04) --> Insulation Shield==> DefBuf(4)EndRdx(11)DefBuf(13)DefBuf(13)
06) --> Equip Mercenary==> Rechg(6)EndRdx(7)
08) --> Burst==> Acc(8)Dmg(15)Dmg(15)Dmg(15)
10) --> Hasten==> Rechg(10)Rechg(19)Rechg(21)
12) --> Spec Ops==> Acc(12)Dmg(21)Acc(23)Dmg(23)Dmg(25)
14) --> Super Speed==> Run(14)
16) --> Aid Other==> Rechg(16)Heal(17)Heal(17)Heal(27)
18) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(18)EndRdx(19)DefBuf(31)EndRdx(40)
20) --> Dispersion Bubble==> DefBuf(20)DefBuf(29)DefBuf(33)EndRdx(33)EndRdx(33)EndRdx(34)
22) --> Assault==> EndRdx(22)EndRdx(25)
24) --> Tactics==> EndRdx(24)EndRdx(27)TH_Buf(34)
26) --> Commando==> Acc(26)Acc(34)Dmg(36)Dmg(36)Dmg(36)
28) --> Vengeance==> TH_Buf(28)Heal(29)TH_Buf(37)Heal(37)
30) --> Aid Self==> Heal(30)Heal(31)Heal(31)Rechg(39)
32) --> Tactical Upgrade==> Rechg(32)Rechg(40)Rechg(40)
35) --> Resuscitate==> Rechg(35)Rechg(37)Rechg(39)
38) --> Force Bubble==> EndRdx(38)EndRdx(39)
Does this set look workable?
Note: the numbers on when certain powers should be slotted can be way off, as I was experimenting with it as I went along. So please just comment on the final slotting for lvl 40.
Also, as you can see this is a build where the I would leave most of the work to my soldiers, and just provide shields / heals.