Robotics - Dark Miasma vs. Traps

I'm kinda dissappointed because at the moment its unslotted and I was imagining how awesome the damage would be once slotted because it was already really good. But I'll be glad to have the extra slots.

I've been undecisive about Dark Miasma and Traps as well. If you were to match one of those secondaries with Robots and the other with Demons, how would you guys match them up?

Since Detonator takes damage, etc IOs maybe it will do even more damage if slotted?

The detonator is actually why I went Necro for my newer trapper MM. Ran it with thugs before and was quite happy with the results but I'm looking forward to being able to blow up one spawn with the lich, then pulling out a ghost from him and resummoning to roll through the next dozen.

Does it matter which pet goes boom if they all have the same amount of damage enhancement?

Baron or others,
What do you think about Demon/Storm? I threw this together real fast just now. It does have Ungodly endurance usage. I only have the newest Mids on my other computer so I can't see if Cardiac would help it enough or not. Dropping fighting pool would probably take care of it but also lose some defense/res. Thoughts?

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.90
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Maestro Weather: Level 50 Magic Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Demon Summoning
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mace Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Summon Demonlings -- BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg(5), BldM'dt-Acc(7), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(9), S'bndAl-Build%(9)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: O2 Boost -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(36), EndRdx-I(36)
Level 4: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A), TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(34), Slow-I(42)
Level 6: Enchant Demon -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Ksmt-ToHit+(11), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(11), S'fstPrt-ResKB(13), EndRdx-I(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 12: Summon Demons -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(13), HO:Golgi(27), HO:Ribo(29), HO:Centri(29), SvgnRt-PetResDam(31)
Level 14: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(15), RechRdx-I(15)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- ShldBrk-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(A), ShldBrk-%Dam(17), Achilles-ResDeb%(17), ImpSwft-Dam%(19), LdyGrey-%Dam(19), Posi-Dam%(21)
Level 18: Hell on Earth -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(21), ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(23), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(25), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(25), RechRdx-I(27)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(36), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(37), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(37)
Level 22: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(23)
Level 24: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(34), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(34)
Level 26: Summon Demon Prince -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(31), HO:Perox(31), EndRdx-I(33), ImpSwft-Dam%(33), EdctM'r-PetDef(33)
Level 28: Crack Whip -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/Rng(39), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(40), Posi-Dam%(40), ExStrk-Dam%(42)
Level 30: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 32: Abyssal Empowerment -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(37), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(39), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(39), C'Arms-+Def(Pets)(48)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Dev'n-Hold%(46)
Level 41: Web Envelope -- TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(A), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob(43), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(43), TotHntr-Dam%(45)
Level 44: Scorpion Shield -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45)
Level 47: Tough -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(48), EndRdx-I(48)
Level 49: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(50), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A), EndRdx-I(3)
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+(3)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(5)

Um, please. This was exactly what I didn't want this thread to do: Derail into a bunch of builds being posted.

I didn't ask about Demons in the least, and especially not Storm Summoning. You should make your own topic about those power sets!

Regardless to all that, thank you all for your input so far. I'm still undecided, but hopefully this will all help me out. X_X

Edit: I did work on a build, budgeted as it were. I generally don't go all-billions-out unless I really fall in love with something. So, any comments on this set up would be grand!

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That build looks fine to me.

Edit: Account dies again tomorrow, so pose any Bot/Traps questions you might have before then!

Oh, well. Ah... I guess general tips are fine? With that given build, seeing as my toggles are a smidge (verily) underslotted for Endurance, will that be a big problem with Trap's playstyle? Which I'm guessing involves "Set up traps, hurl Web Grenades".

Is Hoarfrost/Frozen Armor/(Flash Freeze) better than, say, Mu Mastery's +Resistance armor and AoE Immo, for the sake of helping stop some of the insanity of Bots knockback?

While I didn't have to put to much effort into slotting for Melee, to soft cap it, due to having Lethal/Smashing way above cap with Frozen Armor, I did need to put more emphasis on Recharge due to Hoarfrost.

Is Hoarfrost's +HP going to do much more than the +Resistance would? I mean, I do acknowledge Triage Beacon in that regard, but isn't further reducing the damage I take in Bodyguard Mode going to help my pets survive as well? While resummoning isn't a big deal, that's still time I'm not contributing damage to the team. Hrm.

Still, I think I will go Bots/Traps. So... any general information would be <3'd

A lot of it comes down to playstyle.

Traps are a tad expensive, but since you're not picking up personal attacks it's just a matter of not burning out spamming Web Grenade, which shouldn't be hard.

I like using Mu Mastery's +Res(Though I never managed to fit the Immob in my build) since I already have high defense from Force Shield + FFG, but I don't get soft-cap that way(Which was never a huge priority to me since I typically farm enemies which eat through it).

I've never played with Hoarfrost's HP boost in combination with Triage Beacon, but I rarely take enough damage to need faster regen between Res/Def and Bodyguard.

I'll toy with the build then, as going for Mu Mastery opens up a 'forced slot' that I need, AKA Flash Freeze. As for personal attacks, well...

... Bot one's kinda poop. Not as bad as Ninjas by far, but not remotely noteworthy like, say, DS.

And while Hoarfrost has it's definite appeal, I still cringe slightly at the visuals that are forced on you with Frozen Armor. I'd have to do some major concept skewing to figure it out. Er... a force shield of some sort, perhaps? Hrnnn...

I'll wait for more opinions between Frozen Armor/Hoarfrost vs. a +Resistance power.

I apologize for posting that build in your thread.

Your build looks very strong, the one thing that worries me a litttle is the Endurance usage, any way to work a couple more slots into Stamina?

If you don't care for the look of Ice Armor, what do you think of Scorpion Shield (also Def), though you lose Horefrost by going in that direction.

Take care,
Rich

The Patron Pool Shields are all a /lot/ more subtle than their Hero counterparts. They don't steal away from the hero/villain, just add another layer. They're visually appealing in comparison.

As for the Endurance usage, I do entirely agree. But it's not a /horrible/ deal, with that build.

As for slots in Stamina, I'm in the pool of individuals that believes it's a waste. You get a little more endurance if you slot the bugger with some +Endurance Mod IOs, but in my opinion? It's not worth the two slots.

As for your chart, Dechs, how would I consider to factor in Bodyguard Mode?

I glanced at that chart and immediately had 'nam flashbacks of Spreadsheet data entry...

Also: Bodyguard is typically factored as hitpoints since it doesn't actually reduce damage, but simply breaks it up.

Welp, that makes it even harder! YAY!

/sobs

I like Electrifying Fences by merit of that it deals damage, and that it has a -KB Debuff. Which means, the damage helps stack threat from Taunt, and the debuff means you don't have stuff scattering.

One major issue I had when Tankerminding before was the lack of AoE abilities to properly threaten stuff. Sigh, if we were designed to be tanks, why don't we have a tank aura or a superior taunt? >:|

Masterminds aren't really Tanks, or at least they weren't designed with that in mind in the beginning. I imagine they're the result of realizing Controllers pre-Pet Army nerf did a lot of damage, so they went, "Hey, lets make a whole AT built around that!"

Fair enough

I went Bots/Dark on mine, although that was mostly for concept/rp reasons.

Loving this thread though, lotta good stuff in here.