You've picked a good MM to start out with, the AI currently favours melee pets and /dark is fun and active and powerful and survivable.
Playing a MM instead of a brute requires a couple of adjustments.
The biggest one is getting used to the idea that you personally aren't doing much damage. Fortunately something killed by a pet is just as dead 
The second adjustment is that your secondary consists of support powers. Dark Miasma has several fantastic tools to help your pets and your team, get to know them and use them whenever they're recharged.
You know what it's like to run a melee toon on a good team. You're hitting like a freight train and the mobs can barely scratch you, because some guys back there are doing a decent job with buffs and debuffs. Well, now your job is to spam the -tohit and -resist and even heals, so that your pets last longer and hit harder.
I don't know if anyone has written a demon/dark guide but the necro/dark guides might be of some help, and of course the Defender and Corr forums have very helpful Dark Miasma guides.
Parting thoughts -
I don't micromanage my pets, it annoys the hell out of me. If one of them runs off and gets himself killed, there's another one just waiting to be summoned, why stress out? They'll generally follow you around until the violence starts, so get a feel for how close you can get to mobs before the pets start attacking.
This doesn't hurt my play much, IMHO. I only have 4 level 50 toons, but 2 of those are MMs and I've got another at 47 who might even hit 50 next weekend.
Bodyguard mode - if you don't know what that is, do a forum search. Your /dark MM could become as survivable as your toughest brute if you're doing it right.
GL, have fun!
Thanks for the feedback and advise Anonymoose, will have a look at the other forums for anything on Dark Miasma as suggested, I'll be honest never thought of that so thanks.
Have started the toon to get a feel for some of the early powers, and as you say a feel for the pets what they can and can't handle. Reached lvl8 and must say I'm quietly impressed with the MM, as soon as got to lvl6 a increased the mob sizes, as if I was fighting in a team of 3 (0/x3), and not having many problems, spam the heal for the -resist, while the boss/Lt has Darkest Night activated on them, let the pets do the rest
Only lvl8 but impressed and happy with the toon so far, need to sort out some macro's for the pets which will only help me in the future. So I can click macro, place the radial and click for the pets to do certain actions, which I'll need to read up on also.
Thanks agian for the feedback.
Welcome to masterminds. When I plan a mastermind/Dark Miasma, I usually back into the build from the must-take powers you grab when they are available.
Level 6 - Enchant
Level 12- Summon Demons
Level 18- Hell on Earth
Level 26- Demon Prince
Level 32- Abyssal Empowerment
There are critical dark powers, too:
Level 2 - Tar Patch
Level 20- Fearsome Stare
Level 38- Dark Servant
and there are other key /dark powers you want before level 24ish: Darkest Night, Howling Twilight, Shadow Fall. Aren't you glad you do not have to fit in stamina by level 20 now? The to-hit debuffs in this set are too valuable to delay.
Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.
Thanks Psylenz, very helpful information, never thought Fearsome Stare would be a must have? So learnt something new again which is always good, also currently working my way through reading MZ guide to MM which is very good.
Thanks agian for the feedback.
Everything in /dark is a must-have, except Blackhole, and should be taken as soon as available.
"When heroes fail, the Angels will save you."
MASTERMIND NUMERIC KEYPAD PET CONTROLS
HAMIDON NUKE RAID GUIDE
My 2 cents worth:
Demons/Dark post lvl 38 with perma-fluffy is an absolute monster. Enjoy the ride! 
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" --Ernest Hemmingway, "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Global: @salud
Quote:
Fearsome Stare is a MASSIVE cone fear (terrorize, they don't run away) with a strong un-enhanced -11.25% -tohit attached. Most slot it for -tohit, which can get the -tohit around -17ish if I recall. Combine that with dark's other -tohit powers it makes a significant impact to the incoming damage.|
Originally Posted by Suneleb
Thanks Psylenz, very helpful information, never thought Fearsome Stare would be a must have? So learnt something new again which is always good, also currently working my way through reading MZ guide to MM which is very good.
Thanks agian for the feedback. |
On any dark miasma toon (corruptor, defender, or mastermind) Fearsome Stare is always a must have as soon as you get it. It's a fantastic power and in most scenarios it's pretty easy to hit an entire spawn with it.
The Porcelain God - DarkKinetics Corruptor
Meat Juice - DarkDarkSoul Brute
Pretty and Strong - Do you really have to ask?
Quote:
It's an AOE pseudo-hold and tohit debuff that recharges quickly and covers a ridiculously huge arc.|
Originally Posted by Suneleb
never thought Fearsome Stare would be a must have?
|
You'll greatly decrease the number of attacks launched by enemies, i.e. they're standing around quaking in fear. Once enemies get aggro'd and start attacking those attacks hit less often thanks to the -tohit.
This should be the first or second thing you chuck into a spawn, and if the fight lasts a long time it never hurts to use it a second or even third time.
Thanks for all the feedback folks much apprieciated
I have done some reading on the Defenders forums regarding Miasma, which helped with the build I have below. I am nearly through reading MZ MM guide, which is full of valuable information, hence some of the Proc's seen in the DS powers.
One question I do have will the "Induced Coma -Recharge" be any use in Summon Demon Prince have placed it there for the time being to see what peoples thoughts are on the subject.
Something I'm not completely sure on still is the slotting for the Pets, so any information regarding this or what peoples preferences are would be handy.
Anyway the build I have cme up with is below, please make comments, tut, or smile if need be, it's still a rough build till I'm happy with it!
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Sinner Saint: Level 50 Magic Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Demon Summoning
Secondary Power Set: Dark Miasma
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Summon Demonlings -- EdctM'r-PetDef(A), S'bndAl-Build%(3), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg(5), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), HO:Nucle(9), HO:Nucle(33)
Level 1: Twilight Grasp -- Nictus-Heal(A), Nictus-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg(3), Nictus-Acc/Heal(7), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(9), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), RechRdx-I(11)
Level 2: Tar Patch -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(7)
Level 4: Darkest Night -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(13), DampS-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(23)
Level 6: Enchant Demon -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Hover -- LkGmblr-Def(A), Ksmt-ToHit+(36)
Level 10: Howling Twilight -- Amaze-Stun/Rchg(A), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(13), RechRdx-I(25), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 12: Summon Demons -- SvgnRt-PetResDam(A), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg(15), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), HO:Nucle(23), HO:Nucle(33), EndRdx-I(33)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight-I(A)
Level 16: Shadow Fall -- S'fstPrt-ResKB(A), Aegis-Psi/Status(17), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(36), DefBuff-I(46)
Level 18: Hell on Earth -- C'Arms-+Def(Pets)(A), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(36), Acc-I(37), Acc-I(40), RechRdx-I(43), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 20: Fearsome Stare -- Abys-Acc/Rchg(A), Abys-EndRdx/Fear(21), Abys-Acc/EndRdx(21), Abys-Fear/Rng(27), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg(29), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(37), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 24: Group Fly -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Summon Demon Prince -- CmdPres-Acc/Dmg(A), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), IComa--Rchg%(29), CmdPres-Acc/EndRdx(34), HO:Nucle(34)
Level 28: Tactics -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(31), EndRdx-I(43)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 32: Abyssal Empowerment -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Recall Friend -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Dark Servant -- DblAc-Stun%(A), Cloud-%Dam(39), Cloud-Acc/ToHitDeb(39), Cloud-ToHitDeb(39), Nictus-Acc/Heal(40), EoCur-Acc/Hold(40)
Level 41: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(42), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(42), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Soul Tentacles -- Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(A), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(45), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46), GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Soul Storm -- UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(48), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(48), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(48), UbrkCons-Dam%(50), Acc-I(50)
Level 49: Vengeance -- LkGmblr-Def(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(34)
Level 2: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(17), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(19), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(19)
Code:
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Quote:
Now, it's been a bit since I've really brushed up on my mechanics so you may want someone else to verify this. I believe that a proc placed in a summoning power only affects the MM when he casts the summon. It will not work for the pet during play.|
Originally Posted by Suneleb
One question I do have will the "Induced Coma -Recharge" be any use in Summon Demon Prince have placed it there for the time being to see what peoples thoughts are on the subject.
|
Get the info verified, as I may be incorrect, but I believe this is how it works. It's one of the things I do not like about how masterminds work. Barring very specific tankermind builds, they just get a lot less mileage out of IO sets than most other ATs.
EDIT: Looking at another thread it suggests procs for pets so it's likely I'm wrong. Might be that I'm thinking of how certain specific procs interact with the /traps psuedopets.
Quote:
I think he has one sleep power, so that's the only time it'll proc -- if you want the -Rech effect, I'd use the one from Pacing of the Turtle. It'll have a proc chance off of nearly all of his attacks and abilities (all but one, I think, including one of his toggle auras).
|
Originally Posted by Suneleb
One question I do have will the "Induced Coma -Recharge" be any use in Summon Demon Prince have placed it there for the time being to see what peoples thoughts are on the subject.
|
When you slot procs into your pets the only time it will fire off is when the pet uses the attack the proc could be slotted into if it where your own power. So Your induced coma proc will only fire off when the demon prince uses any power that has a chance to sleep your opponent, in which the demon only has one. I would probably advise against the use of it, you already have -rech and you'll probably find the proc won't fire off very often. If you really do want the -rech, like prae said, the one from Pacing of the Turtle will have a vastly greater chance to fire off.
Onto your build now, all the pet resist/defense auras are better off all going into Hell on Earth, don't worry about slotting HoE for accuracy, recharge maybe, but it's not required.
Secondly, your soul storm does not need that Acc IO, your accuracy set bonuses will be more than enough to capp your tohit even going against +4s
In your pet summons i would recommend trying to slot for more defense, you can rack up quite a bit of handy defense in full sets of blood mandate. Also reslot fearsome stare for -ToHit, the tohit component is what really makes this power shine rather than the fear. A full set of Siphon Insight will give you good defense bonuses as well.
Finally i would also consider putting another slot or two in shadow fall to maximize the defense component. Perhaps split your LoTG set in your Maneuvers and putting half in shadow fall will give you a greater defense bonus overall. Also, Tactics would be better 3 slotted with Guassian or just one slotted with endo.
Those are the changes i would have if i was playing a demon/dark, defense on a mastermind goes a long way, especially with /dark, you're survivability will be rekoned.
Thanks for the replies folks, The_Static_Man thanks for the input regarding changes to the build I have taken your advise and made the changes. The positional defense is alot better now so thanks for that
I have decided also not to bother with the iduced coma IO, but go with the full set of Blood Mandate! Bit concerned with the one slot for tatics though and the end use? Unless when get the Alpha slot can go with Cardiac which should cover... But not sure yet will see how the MM plays and make desicions later.
Prae thanks for the feedback regarding the proc's together with The_Static_Man advise also as you can see above I have not bothered with either, instead going with the extra defense.
I'm new to playing MM's as mainly play scrappers or brutes, but thought with the dblxp weekend coming up it would be a perfect chance for me to make a MM, as have always had trouble finding playing one due to my scrapper lock in your face kind of style to playing.
With MM's I find it's alot of micro management... But as above with the weekend coming he's my chance. I have had a go at a build, but as said previously I'm mainly a scrapper/brute player, so I'm sure I have gone wrong somewhere with the build.
I started out by looking to get the damage up, then the accuracy, then realised I didn't have much resist or def, so started playing around with those, until I got to the point of saying *Ok no clue on MM builds lets, see where I have gone wrong* which leads me to here.
So any feedback or pointers would be gratefully received, I'm looking at an MM that can solo comfortable at 0/x5 but also can be useful within a team if and when required.
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.91
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Sinner Saint: Level 50 Magic Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Demon Summoning
Secondary Power Set: Dark Miasma
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Summon Demonlings -- S'bndAl-Dmg(A), S'bndAl-Dmg/Rchg(3), S'bndAl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), S'bndAl-Acc/Rchg(5), BriL'shp-Acc/Dmg(5), BriL'shp-Acc/EndRdx(7)
Level 1: Twilight Grasp -- Theft-Acc/Heal(A), Theft-Heal(9), Theft-Heal/Rchg(9), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal(11), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Acc-I(13)
Level 2: Tar Patch -- ImpSwft-Dam%(A)
Level 4: Lash -- Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(42)
Level 6: Enchant Demon -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(7)
Level 8: Hover -- LkGmblr-Def(A), Flight-I(43)
Level 10: Darkest Night -- DefEgo-ToHitDeb(A), DefEgo-ToHitDeb/Rchg(23), DefEgo-RecDeb%(23)
Level 12: Summon Demons -- CmdPres-Acc/Dmg(A), CmdPres-Dmg/EndRdx(13), CmdPres-Acc/EndRdx(15), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), BriL'shp-Acc/Dmg(17), BriL'shp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight-I(A)
Level 16: Shadow Fall -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(21), S'fstPrt-ResKB(25), LkGmblr-Def(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(33)
Level 18: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(21), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(25), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 20: Howling Twilight -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(33), EndRdx-I(34)
Level 24: Hell on Earth -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 26: Summon Demon Prince -- CmdPres-Acc/Dmg(A), CmdPres-Dmg/EndRdx(27), CmdPres-Acc/EndRdx(27), CmdPres-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), BriL'shp-Acc/Dmg(29), BriL'shp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 28: Tactics -- AdjTgt-ToHit(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(34), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(36), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(36), EndRdx-I(36)
Level 30: Fearsome Stare -- Abys-Acc/Rchg(A), Abys-EndRdx/Fear(37), Abys-Acc/EndRdx(37), Abys-Fear/Rng(40), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg(50)
Level 32: Abyssal Empowerment -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(34)
Level 35: Petrifying Gaze -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(37), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(39), Lock-Rchg/Hold(40), Acc-I(50)
Level 38: Dark Servant -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(39), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(39), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(40), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg(42)
Level 41: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(42), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(45)
Level 44: Soul Tentacles -- GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(A), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(45), GravAnch-Immob/Rchg(46), GravAnch-Immob(46), Acc-I(46)
Level 47: Soul Storm -- UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(A), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(48), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(48), UbrkCons-Hold(48), Acc-I(50)
Level 49: Recall Friend -- EndRdx-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(43), RgnTis-Regen+(43)
Level 2: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(19), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(19)