Pool Power: Summon Sidekick

I see a lot of talk on the Archtype forums about how certain defender powers are useless unless you're on a team. I usually get around that by trying to pair those power sets with primary sets that give me a summoned pet so I can get some use out of powers like force fields or SB even when I'm solo-ing.

Anyway, it would be really cool if there was a pool power set that would give you a summon-able pet regardless of Archtype. I know there are already temp powers for that, but I'm just thinking that a power pool for it would be even doubly more extra-awesome.

I don't know if "sidekick" actually works...... It might be better if it summoned some kind of monster in order to make it more universal or easier to do thematically. But summoning a sidekick would be awesome.

But if everyone can summon one, then there goes the value of trollers, Dom, and Masterminds.

And now I leave it to the veterans to go into the more complex reasons.

If you list it as a "pool power," there needs to be the rest of a pool to go with it. As it is:

(a) You mention "less useful solo." My response to that? "Dual builds." Find yourself soloing? Then use your other build, drop the (say) teammate-only bubbles/heals/etc, grab more attacks, Leadership, Stealth, Air Superiority - use those spots for something more useful to you.

(b) Alternately, use those sets (where available) as controller sets, where -except for mind - you still have pets.

(c) Pets - what about masterminds, who already have at *least* six? Possibly eight or more?

(d) You can, if you want, *already* get pets. The Summon Reinforcement temp power - which seems to go awfully cheap at the auction. The Shivan Shard, refillable as needed (and not that difficult - besides, most PVP zones are empty.) You'll have a chance on being given a Snowbeast over the winter event. Amy Johnson, the Rikti drone, the War Wolves and more are available as temp powers.

I just see this, at best, as not really needed. *shrug*

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I think you're missing the awesome-ness, though. Tactically, it's true that it is unnecessary as long as temps exist, but it could be a lot of fun, especially if you name them.

Balancing it should be pretty easy. Just do like with the pets you get from the Patron sets, and make it have a very long recharge, and have the pet only stick around for a short time. Also, you shouldn't be able to control it the way MM's control their pets.

An alternative that would be just as good would be to have Hero Patron Ancillaries that grant pet summons just like the villain Patron sets do. Right now, I'm tempted to make all of my Defenders go evil just so I can get the villain patron sets. (And I was accordingly ecstatic to see those patron sets become available to hero AT's, totally drooling as I read what the hero versions were going to look like on Paragonwiki. ;-)

80% resistant to smashing/lethal
-40% resistant to fire.

Deals toxic damage.

i think every AT has the option to grab a long rech pet in the patron pools, so no real point to this as pets are already avail to every AT in a patron pool (except for mm)

I don't support this at all. The game is already littered with pets and summonables. As someone said near every AT gets the option of a pet with epic power pools. There might even be an extra one coming by way of the incarnate system. We don't need more, grab a friend instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkGob You forgot the Vial of BEES!

I entered this thread and was saddened, but this made it worth it <3

I had once suggested a sidekick power as a level 50 bonus power, I do like the idea but specific details of what it should be are rather hard to nail down.

I wouldn't mind having a "Summon Sidekick" Vet power that was pretty much like the current untargetable 36 month Vet Pets except they'd allow you to design a total look/costume for them. That way you could have a cool looking sidekick that would follow you around and match your outfits however you'd want. Maybe make them do the "cower in fear" emote whenever you fight something so you'd have to save them in combat.

But beyond that no I don't really think we need another pet power that would provide in-game combat benefits.

I'd sign Lothic's idea of a customizable vet pet.

If we're going to have vet Sidekick summons, we need more options then that! Not all sidekicks are useless through their fear!

I'd say something like these...

Cowardly sidekick - Cowers during combat
Useless sidekick - Stands and watches
Supportive sidekick - /e cheer during combat
Brave sidekick - Runs up to enemies and uses Brawl. Except his Brawl does zero damage, even to something at -49 to your current level
Taunting sidekick - uses emotes like taunt, taunt 2, and crackknuckles, doesn't actually taunt

This is why we have 2 builds per toon and temporary powers available at the markets! A summoning/sidekick pool would be nice, but would also be pointless. This is also the reason the field analysts/fateweavers difficulty scheme has changed. If you find that you can't solo well, -1x1 is what you should be running on...you'll seem unstoppable then!