Ninja/FF worth trying out?

Hi all.

I got a concept for a Ninja/FF toon, so I think I may make one soon. I've heard that ninjas are squishie and therefore benefit from the shields, is it enough to make up for the squishie factor? I really know little about Ninjas... other than they flip out and kill people.

So far I've played a Mercs (decent but nothing to write home about), Bots a few times over (always something to write home about, "Dear Mom, you'd be proud of the way I wiped the floor with a huge group of CoT today!") and Zombies (just couldn't get into them).

Any thoughts on the pairing is welcome as I didn't see a guide for it.

Ninja/FF/Mace Mastery works really well. With the 5% defense aura IO, Manuevers, and Power Boosted bubbles, your Genin and Oni will have about 55% defense to all positions, and the Jounin will have 65% while under your Dispersion Bubble. Even without Power Boosted bubbles, all of your pets will be softcapped. However, I recommend the excess defense from powerboost as protection against defense debuffs, and for when you fight +4 foes in the new task forces. These +4 foes are actually +6 relative to the Genin and +5 relative to the Jounin, which means they will recieve +ToHit.

Perhaps more importantly, your MM with Scorpion Shield can very easily softcap to Sm/L/Range/Energy, and have all other values extremely high. This of course requires the use of IOs.

I use Provoke, Fistfull of Arrows, Force Bolt, Snap Shot, and Repulsion Bomb to mez and generate agro on myself.

Is this set the best MM pairing? Certainly not. But it does some things extremely well, particularly when you need a single powerful opponent killed quickly. Your softcapped ninjas will simple weave their way between foes in a large spawn and deliver astounding DPS. I treat the Jounin as an assassin squad, and use a macro to have them enter "Target/Aggressive" to eliminate particularly troublesome enemies. This keeps the Oni and Genin in BG mode, which is more than enough protection.

I ran my Ninjas/FF to 50 -- she was alternately a lot of fun and a horrible trial. The bubbles do a lot to keep the super-squishy ninjas alive; with the +5 Def aura in place (plus everything else, of course), I had the Jounin and Oni both softcapped on almost everything (the Genin weren't as good, but part of that was just that they're two levels below her). Aid Other, especially once it was slotted decently, has done a pretty good job of keeping them alive as long as they don't get one-shotted (usually the Genin, especially on EBs and AVs). Leveling solo can be rough in patches, particularly when you're waiting for all the slots to pile up; in teams, it's just not an issue.

I generally do not run her in Tankermind mode. The ninjas wanted too much direction for that, and their boosted Def made them a lot more durable when taking the alpha. I generally sit back in the shadows (yay for stealth IOs) and direct the chaos. Still, I'm usually close by anyway, so if I start taking damage, I can always flip them back to Def/Follow or Def/Goto. While she's a lot more fragile this way, the single-target damage is astounding for a mastermind.

I now have her set up with two builds -- my solo build is Ninjas/FF/Force Mastery, giving her some more attacks and making the toon the queen of knockback. The other is more team/support-oriented and less "I like watching bodies fly around."

Quick caveat up front -- this is her solo build, so it's totally set up for my own amusement, not min/maxing her into oblivion. I find it hilarious and awesome to fling mobs around like ragdolls, and barring the Numina's in Health (lucky drop, actually), I didn't want to spend a much money on it.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.92
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Kunoichi C-21: Level 50 Technology Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Ninjas
Secondary Power Set: Force Field
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Field Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Call Genin -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), EdctM'r-Acc/Dmg(3), EdctM'r-PetDef(5), SvgnRt-Acc/Dmg(5), SvgnRt-PetResDam(7)
Level 1: Force Bolt -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Deflection Shield -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), GftotA-Def(9), GftotA-Def/Rchg(17)
Level 4: Insulation Shield -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(19), GftotA-Def/Rchg(19), GftotA-EndRdx/Rchg(21)
Level 6: Train Ninjas -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(7)
Level 8: Aid Other -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(11), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(23), IntRdx-I(25), IntRdx-I(31)
Level 10: Detention Field -- Acc-I(A), Acc-I(11)
Level 12: Call Jounin -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(13), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(13), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), BldM'dt-Acc(15), BldM'dt-Dmg(17)
Level 14: Hover -- Frbd-Stlth(A)
Level 16: Aid Self -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(33), IntRdx-I(33), IntRdx-I(34)
Level 18: Smoke Flash -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(34), RechRdx-I(37), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 20: Dispersion Bubble -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(21), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(34), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36), RedFtn-Def(36), RedFtn-EndRdx(36)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(37), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(39), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46), RedFtn-Def(46), RedFtn-EndRdx(46)
Level 24: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(25)
Level 26: Oni -- BldM'dt-Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(27), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(27), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(29), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), BldM'dt-Acc(31)
Level 28: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(39), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(39), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(40), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(40), GSFC-Build%(40)
Level 30: Stimulant -- IntRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Kuji In Zen -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Repulsion Bomb -- RzDz-Immob%(A), RzDz-Acc/Rchg(43), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(43), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(43)
Level 38: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Power Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 44: Energy Torrent -- Posi-Dmg/Rchg(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg(45), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Explosive Blast -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Force Bubble -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(50)
Level 50: Nerve Partial Core Revamp
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(31)

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I'm pretty certain this is accurate for her team build, but I'm not absolutely sure. Basically, it's just set up to be another cheap build that lets her stay reasonably safe out of melee range and keep the bubbles up w/some minor control tossed in. Once again, this is not a end-all, be-all build, but another cheap one I threw together to actually be reasonably useful in a TF (and not have the tank want to stab me in the face). I'm thinking about shifting something around to get Force Bubble back (maybe dropping Stimulant), but that's about it.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.92
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Kunoichi C-21 (team build): Level 50 Technology Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Ninjas
Secondary Power Set: Force Field
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Call Genin -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Acc(5), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(5), EdctM'r-PetDef(7)
Level 1: Force Bolt -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Deflection Shield -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(9), RedFtn-Def(21), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(34), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36), RedFtn-EndRdx(45)
Level 4: Insulation Shield -- RedFtn-EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(9), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(11), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(11), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39), RedFtn-Def(45)
Level 6: Train Ninjas -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(7)
Level 8: Aid Other -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(36), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(37), IntRdx-I(37), IntRdx-I(37)
Level 10: Detention Field -- Acc-I(A)
Level 12: Call Jounin -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(13), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(13), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), BldM'dt-Acc(15), BldM'dt-Dmg(17)
Level 14: Hover -- Frbd-Stlth(A)
Level 16: Aid Self -- H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx(A), H'zdH-Heal(17), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(19), H'zdH-Heal/Rchg(21), IntRdx-I(23)
Level 18: Smoke Flash -- RechRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(19)
Level 20: Dispersion Bubble -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(31), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(33), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(33), RedFtn-Def(34), RedFtn-EndRdx(34)
Level 22: Maneuvers -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(23), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(25), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), RedFtn-Def(40), RedFtn-EndRdx(40)
Level 24: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(31)
Level 26: Oni -- BldM'dt-Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(27), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(27), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(29), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), BldM'dt-Acc(31)
Level 28: Stimulant -- IntRdx-I(A)
Level 30: Tactics -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(43)
Level 32: Kuji In Zen -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Repulsion Bomb -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(39), RzDz-Immob%(40)
Level 38: Vengeance -- DefBuff-I(A)
Level 41: Web Envelope -- TotHntr-Acc/Rchg(A), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob(42), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(42), TotHntr-Immob/Acc(42), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(43), TotHntr-Dam%(43)
Level 44: Scorpion Shield -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(45), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(46), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46), RedFtn-Def(46), RedFtn-EndRdx(50)
Level 47: Web Cocoon -- Lock-Acc/Hold(A), Lock-Acc/Rchg(48), Lock-Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(48), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(50), Lock-%Hold(50)
Level 49: Resuscitate -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 50: Nerve Radial Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(39)

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Force Bolt is a heck of a lot more fun with a 6-slotted Kinetic Crash set ... which gives you (among other things), Knockback Protection!

It's the end. But the moment has been prepared for ...

Someday I will learn the ways of build posting. ....

My Ninja/FF skipped Genin. Huge difference in the playability! With just the 3 elite pets, I hardly ever have to resummon anything. Jounin can soft cap pretty easily. Oni's tough enough to handle getting hit every now and again. All 3 pets deal wonderfully massive damage, and keep dealing it.

And I don't do the "tankermind" thing. They're always on aggressive. Life is fast.