Some questions on Ninjas/FF

Hiya. Been a long while since I visited the Masterminds forums (or the AT for that matter).

I've been thinking of creating a Ninjas/FF. He'll be Tech Origin, the ninjas themselves are actually androids/robots. Yes, ninja robots.

So I have some questions:

1) Is it possible to softcap my pets defense? and myself as well?
2) How would Ninjas/FF be like, soloing EB's?
3) Is it possible for a Ninjas/FF to be able to solo some AV's at end game?
4) Considering that in BG mode, I have to wait to get hit in order for my pets to attack, should I bother with Tankerminding with such a defense oriented set? (Since it would take a long time for me to get hit, especially if I'm softcapped.) Is Tankerminding the way to go with this setup in the first place?
5) Considering that I don't see any heals on this particular combination, will the Medicine pool be a necessity? (I'm fine with Medicine, just making sure that I'm not missing some heal in some patron power or somesuch) Or should I bother with healing at all, if we're softcapped? And just let the ninja robot die if he gets two shotted, and resummon?
6) I'd rather not have Teleportation, but will it be necessary for Ninjas? Since I hear they tend to go all over the place sometimes. Or will just minding to control them more suffice?

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I know very little beyond whats on paper about FF. It always looked weak and dull to play from my perspective, but I know alot about Ninja.

1. Yes
2. While leveling without some added support most EB's will be hard. Once you fully slot your 2 primary shields should be doable for most.
3. Probably not. The lack of -regen -resist and the fact that most AV's are very resistant to smash and lethal which is the vast majority of your damage means you can forget about solo'in AV's untill fully IO'd and even then it'll be rough.
4. They only have to attack you. If they miss your pets still retaliate. The only issue with bodyguard having pets abort combat is if their target is held or feared too long and doesn't attack back. This will rarely happen with Ninja's and your secondary.
5. Yes. Auto hit abilities do exist and will whittle down your minions. Especially fire patches.
6. I think teleportation is the required travel power for MM. Sometimes you need to teleport through that door that your minions are blocking. Also gives you teleport ally to summon your Oni back if he gets stuck in a wall. Personal opinion though. Ninja's are everywhere due to their absurd running speed. Which is a boon most the time, untill they hit a fire patch and dash across the entire room in a second aggroing 3 other packs.

I have a Bots/FF (actually, several, one at 50), so I'll try to give some hints on FF.


1) Is it possible to softcap my pets defense? and myself as well?


Softcap, not sure, but between basic IOs and Leadership:Maneuvers I can hit about 33 Def, which is more than some Def based tankers. However, enemy attacks with -Def here is really hard on you, because you don't have much (any? I'd have to look) DefenseDebuf resistance, so "cascade failure" can happen pretty quickly.


2) How would Ninjas/FF be like, soloing EB's?


I've never had any trouble with EBs, even before the Assault Bot. Force Bolt them on their backs and let your pets chip away at them.


3) Is it possible for a Ninjas/FF to be able to solo some AV's at end game?


Dunno, but FF is generally not regarded as an AV soloer with out help of some type (temp powers, etc.) I have pretty terrible luck with true AVs.


4) Considering that in BG mode, I have to wait to get hit in order for my pets to attack, should I bother with Tankerminding with such a defense oriented set? (Since it would take a long time for me to get hit, especially if I'm softcapped.) Is Tankerminding the way to go with this setup in the first place?


As mentioned, it's the attack that counts, not the hit. A swing and a miss will engage your pets. You might be able to Tanker Mind with Personal Force Field and Aid Self. If you really want to, it's worth a shot imo.


5) Considering that I don't see any heals on this particular combination, will the Medicine pool be a necessity? (I'm fine with Medicine, just making sure that I'm not missing some heal in some patron power or somesuch) Or should I bother with healing at all, if we're softcapped? And just let the ninja robot die if he gets two shotted, and resummon?


Can't say, but I'd try it. Medicine does wonders for bots, and they have two heals themselves.


6) I'd rather not have Teleportation, but will it be necessary for Ninjas? Since I hear they tend to go all over the place sometimes. Or will just minding to control them more suffice?


Once you get used to managing them, TP is not needed. I use Recall Friend these days more often on team mates than bots. I'd pick which ever travel power you fancy and go with that.

Thank you all for the replies.

There's some stuff I learned from this thread that will greatly help me. I'll be making the Ninja/FF soon, and then later on fully IO him out when he gets high in level.

The last reply from Retillian does remind me of my experience with my scrapper, my main, the MA/SR. Late blooming, but sounds great at 50 and once IO'ed out. If they are similar in experience, and considering that I solo some AV's with my MA/SR (and even pylons), perhaps it will be the same kind of enjoyment I'll have with my Ninjas/FF MM. ^_^

Now time for me to go checkout those guides on binds and tips in controlling your pets beyond the basic buttons the game gives you.

I have a feeling this is going to be fun and challenging.

Just a suggestion, Traps will nearly let you soft cap defense with your pets.


And will still let you, IO'd properly, Cap defense for yourself which allows you to then easily Tank most AV's and let Triage Beacon to heal you and your pets of what will ultimately be very little damage.

THe -regen trap allows you to kill AV's extreamly easily
the -resist mortars speed things up nicely as well.

If you're going for a theme I imagine traps can fit decently well.

If you're dead set on Ninja/FF though, ignore all of that and have a blast.