Just got back - Demon/Thermal questions

Hello everyone,

I just came back to the game and I would like some help regarding my new Mastermind. I stopped playing during Issue 15 and back then I had a Thugs/Dark.

I chose Demons/Thermal due to the synergy between the two sets, but I still have doubts about the issues below:

I was used to /Dark debuffs, which were great agains AVs. Do Melt Armor and Heat Exhaustion allow me to defeat an AV too? Or are they inferior to /Dark Debuffs?

Which APP? I'm deciding between Chill and Soul Masteries.

Chill Mastery: From what I've gathered, this APP complements Thermal. It has a Defense Shield (Thermal is all about resistance), Hoarfrost (which I don't think is really necessary since Thermal has several heals) and Hibernate as an emergency button.

Soul Mastery: It has resistance Shield, which would stack with my pet's shield, and a terrific Hold. And as I'll be almost in melee range due to Warmth, I guess Oppressive Gloom would be handy and the HP drain a minor issue.

And one last question: is there anything else I should know about these sets?

I have a level 50 Demons/Thermal. I think it's a very potent combo. Heat Exhaustion and Melt Armor are a powerful one-two punch: recovery, endurance, regeneration, resistance, damage, but also defense debuffs -- which dark does not have. That is a LOT of debuffing. Comparing resistances of the ember demon aura, the shields of thermal, and the various heals. The mastermind and his pets have solid mitigation. The additional buffs of forge and hell on earth give you three solid methods of increasing damage output. The various cold abilities of the Demon Prince are awesome slows which are indirect damage mitigation.

I went cold mastery, and my first power selection I chose FlashFreeze the sleep in Chill Mastery was an unexpected bonus. By applying this initially to a foe spawn at range, it can halve or even more the initial alpha strike to the mastermind. The pets in defense mode go berzerk on whoever first attacks the mastermind and at range, most frequently, the won't wake the sleepers initially.

Often, I put the 2nd tier on aggressive and follow them around with the little demonlings and the Demon Prince on defensive follow. The big demons are not extra aggressive and the debuffing from the hellfire gargoyle is impressive.

When you start slotting up the upper tier demons, they have abilities that are NOT enhanced for endurance cost reductions by pet damage IOs. You will need to frankenslot some endurance reduction. I enhanced for some heal/end redux in the demons and 4 slots of Pacing of the Turtle in the Demon Prince. Pacing of the Turtle enhances abilities that slow for accuracy, damage, slow, and end reduction.

For the alpha slotting I went with cardiac for more endurance reduction fun and also for the damage resistance bonus, too.

Thanks for the tips!

I didn't even consider Flash Freeze for my build, but it makes sense. I guess it also works in conjuction with the Demons Prince's Frozen Aura, I suppose.

I was thinking about slotting the Demon Prince with Souldbound, isn't it enough? From your post, I guess I'll run into endurance problems.

For my build, I guess Spiritual will be my choice. +recharge (to keep up the debuffs) and +heal.

I didn't take any of them in my build, thanks for the tip! They could be a good filler between heals.

Just to throw this out there: Your henchmen may have some pretty impressive resistances, but there's no better way to protect your demons than to take the hits yourself. To that end I'd suggest at least one attack and provoke.

Learn how to leverage bodyguard mode and you will be capable of some amazing things.

I also have a demon / thermal MM, and finally got around to playing with Mids to slot recipes, and I have no idea where to begin really with how pet resistance (Sovereign Might) works and pet defense (Edict of the Master) and Hell On Earth (Resist Bonus Aura for Pets). Anyway, also not sure if I should try to get tough and weave, in which case, what powers do I drop (I know SS can be dropped, just a filler power, and it just occurred to me I could take Invisibility and slot a Lotg +7.5%), or just stay with stealth? Suggestions welcome.

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

Hellbrood Evoker: Level 50 Magic Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Demon Summoning
Secondary Power Set: Thermal Radiation
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1: Summon Demonlings BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(7), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), BldM'dt-Dmg(34)
Level 1: Warmth Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(3), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(7), Dct'dW-Heal(19), Dct'dW-Rchg(25)
Level 2: Corruption Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 4: Cauterize Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(5), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(9), Dct'dW-Heal(11), Dct'dW-Rchg(34)
Level 6: Enchant Demon EndRdx-I(A)
Level 8: Fire Shield RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(9), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(17), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37), S'fstPrt-ResKB(43), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(48)
Level 10: Plasma Shield RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(11), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(34), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 12: Summon Demons EdctM'r-Acc/Dmg(A), EdctM'r-Dmg/EndRdx(13), EdctM'r-Acc/EndRdx(13), EdctM'r-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), EdctM'r-PetDef(25)
Level 14: Combat Jumping LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Run+(43), GftotA-Def(50)
Level 16: Power of the Phoenix Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(33), Posi-Dmg/Rng(37), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 18: Super Jump Jump-I(A)
Level 20: Stealth LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Run+(21), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(40)
Level 22: Hasten RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 24: Recall Friend Range-I(A)
Level 26: Summon Demon Prince SvgnRt-Acc/Dmg(A), SvgnRt-Dmg/EndRdx(27), SvgnRt-Acc/EndRdx(27), SvgnRt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), SvgnRt-PetResDam(29)
Level 28: Forge AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Hell on Earth ExRmnt-Acc/Rchg(A), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(31), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(31), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(40), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(50)
Level 32: Abyssal Empowerment EndRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Heat Exhaustion Acc-I(A), Acc-I(36), RechRdx-I(36), RechRdx-I(36), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 38: Melt Armor AnWeak-DefDeb(A), AnWeak-Acc/DefDeb(39), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg(39), AnWeak-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(39), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(48)
Level 41: Dark Embrace RctvArm-ResDam(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(42), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(42), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Soul Tentacles Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(45), Posi-Dmg/Rng(45), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), Posi-Dam%(46)
Level 47: Thaw EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Super Speed Empty(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 6: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift Empty(A)
Level 2: Health Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(37)
Level 2: Hurdle Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(21), EndMod-I(40)



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Hell On Earth allows you to slot all 4 Pet Uniques and keeping all the Demons Slots free. If you manage to get all 4, your pets get +20% Res and +10% Def

I know I started the thread, but here is the build i'm playing with and how I plan to slot. My focus in on recharge bonus in order to have both debuffs perma.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1,94
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Magoni: Level 50 Magic Mastermind
Primary Power Set: Demon Summoning
Secondary Power Set: Thermal Radiation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Chill Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1: Summon Demonlings BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(3), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), BldM'dt-Acc(5), BldM'dt-Dmg(7)
Level 1: Warmth Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(7), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(9), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Dct'dW-Heal(11)
Level 2: Fire Shield Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(11), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(13)
Level 4: Cauterize Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(15), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(17), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Dct'dW-Heal(19)
Level 6: Enchant Demon EndRdx(A), EndRdx(19), EndRdx(34)
Level 8: Hover LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 10: Plasma Shield Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(21), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(21)
Level 12: Summon Demons BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(23), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(23), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), Heal(25), Heal(27)
Level 14: Fly Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 16: Lash Hectmb-Dmg(A), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(27), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(29), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 18: Hell on Earth EdctM'r-PetDef(A), SvgnRt-PetResDam(31), C'Arms-+Def(Pets)(31), ExRmnt-+Res(Pets)(33)
Level 20: Thaw S'fstPrt-ResKB(A)
Level 22: Assault EndRdx(A)
Level 24: Tactics AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(A), AdjTgt-ToHit(33), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(33)
Level 26: Summon Demon Prince BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg(A), BldM'dt-Dmg/EndRdx(34), BldM'dt-Acc/EndRdx(36), BldM'dt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), BldM'dt-Acc(36), BldM'dt-Dmg(37)
Level 28: Forge AdjTgt-ToHit(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(37), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(37), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(39), AdjTgt-Rchg(39)
Level 30: Hasten RechRdx(A), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(40)
Level 32: Abyssal Empowerment EndRdx(A), EndRdx(34), EndRdx(40)
Level 35: Heat Exhaustion RechRdx(A), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(42), Acc(42), Acc(42), Acc(43)
Level 38: Melt Armor AnWeak-DefDeb(A), AnWeak-Acc/DefDeb(43), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg(43), AnWeak-DefDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(45), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(45), Acc(50)
Level 41: Flash Freeze FtnHyp-Sleep(A), FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg(45), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(46), FtnHyp-Acc/Rchg(46), FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(46)
Level 44: Hoarfrost Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(48), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(48), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Dct'dW-Heal(50), Dct'dW-Rchg(50)
Level 47: Hibernate RgnTis-Regen+(A)
Level 49: Vengeance LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany
Level 50: Cryonic Radial Final Judgement
Level 50: Reactive Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Spiritual Core Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint Empty(A)
Level 1: Supremacy
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift Run(A)
Level 2: Health Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle Jump(A)
Level 2: Stamina EndMod(A), EndMod(13), EndMod(15)
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
7% DamageBuff(Smashing)
7% DamageBuff(Lethal)
7% DamageBuff(Fire)
7% DamageBuff(Cold)
7% DamageBuff(Energy)
7% DamageBuff(Negative)
7% DamageBuff(Toxic)
7% DamageBuff(Psionic)
10% Defense
9,375% Defense(Fire)
9,375% Defense(Cold)
3,75% Defense(Energy)
3,75% Defense(Negative)
7,5% Defense(Ranged)
10,31% Defense(AoE)
50% Enhancement(Accuracy)
12% Enhancement(Heal)
55% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Knockback (Mag -8)
Knockup (Mag -8)
MezResist(Stun) 7,15%
MezResist(Terrorized) 6,6%
12,5% (0,209 End/sec) Recovery
10% (0,335 HP/sec) Regeneration
20% Resistance(Smashing)
20% Resistance(Lethal)
28,82% Resistance(Fire)
28,82% Resistance(Cold)
21,26% Resistance(Energy)
21,26% Resistance(Negative)
21,26% Resistance(Toxic)
21,26% Resistance(Psionic)






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You are going to run out of end quickly on your ember demon, and shortly thereafter on your demon prince. Going for maximum recharge is worthwhile for the debuffs. You have two generic heals in Demons, I would at least switch to a whole IO worth of End Reduction.

Demon Prince is going to take some frankenslotting. I split between Pet Damage enhancements and Pacing of the Turtles. Fortunately, slotting different IOs for End reduction isn't too costly to experiment.