Returning from i13 - New MM, which Primary?

Just coming back onto the scene after a university-reasoned hiatus from the game. I just finished the last 2 levels for my D3 Defender and am looking for a new character to run to 50, a Mastermind. I do, however, have a hitch: I can't use /Dark, as I just had enough of it running my 'fender. Don't get me wrong, it's a great support set, I've just worn it out and would like 'something completely different.'

I'm leaning towards a poison set, possibly TA, and something rewarding through challenges. Merc/Poison? Zombie/TA? I dunno, help!

If you want a Poison or a Trick Arrow MM combo then I recommend:

Necro/Poison (I have one, lots of -tohit to stack)

Bots/Trick Arrow (I have one, look at all the -Res, Oil Slick Arrow and Incendiary Missiles... Then clean up the mess you just made in your trousers )

Ninja/Poison (My brother has one and hunts AV's with high single target damage and crippling debuffs)

I pretty much agree with Kiwi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aggelakis PrincessDarkstar: "RAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH SOMEONE IS *WRONG* ON THE INTERNET!"

Thugs/Poison is the best /Poison combo in my opinion, since you can put Noxious Gas on the Bruiser (it's stronger on third tier pets). And you have the Bruiser to take alphas for you, useful when you have a single target heal. If you have Going Rogue Demons/Poison might be good.

Bots/TA and Thugs/TA are the best /TA combos IMO.

Nin/TA is a lot of fun, thematic, and synergetic too. Oni and Oil Slick Arrow is great topped up with a disruption and acid arrow.

If you want challenges, you've certainly picked the 2 secondaries that can provide it. I cast a vote for Ninja/Poison or Merc/Poison.

I recommend you at least try Demon Summoning/Thermal. It's solid and very team friendly. It's also completely different from /dark.

Having a level 50 Mercs/Poison, let me tell you that it is indeed a challenge. Was it rewarding? I can't really say, though he's my main villain if that says anything. I admittedly would like to see you take one to 50, I see so few Mercs MMs in that range. And I don't think I've ever seen another Mercs/Poison at that level. So if uniqueness counts for you, there's that.

Hah, I really can't decide, my head is asploding

I might just take each idea here to 20 and see how each plays out.

You'll get many core powers and should be able to get a decent feel for a combo by 20, but there are certain "game changing" powers, especially in the secondaries, that you won't have access to by that point. Also, you don't get your 2nd tier 2 pet until 24 and your tier 3 until 26, which can make a drastic difference. If you aren't in any rush and have the time to try out a few combos, go for it.

Personally, I didn't care for either /Poison or /Trick Arrow. Poison was way too much single target, Trick Arrow was way too slow to start.

Bots/FF is an awesome combo, starting right around level 12. However, if you don't like bubbles, that's cool.

I personally would try /Pain, /Traps, /Thermal or /Storm. I have a low level Thugs/Traps and he's awesome. If it weren't for VEATS, I'd be playing him. I also have a low level Demon/Storm that coming along nicely and a Necro/Thermal (with the color on Thermal turned all darky) which also seems nice. For /Pain I have a Dark/Pain Corruptor and I can tell you from teaming that Pain Bringer on a MM pet is insane.

All up to you, but I'd go Thugs/Traps and see how that works for ya.

This is currently the "golden age" of melee pets. The attack command makes all melee pets close to attack... but it also tends to make ranged pets do the same. And then they go splat.

My ninja/poison is my strongest single-target killer that I have. He's my most consistent AV killer, and he's only 37.

For regular, general purpose slaughter, though, bots as always are king of MM primaries. Even with the current "close to melee" AI behavior. I think that they always intended from the get-go for bots to be the ultimate MM set, and everything else existing for flavor or for niche roles.