Beasts/Ice MM

[wyldhaunt]

Here is my build for Alpine, my Beasts/Ice MM. I made this build as an attempt to revive an old character concept, especially for the costume, since Alpine's costume won a Winter-themed costume contest early in Rebirth's history, and I didn't want to lose that tiny bit of Rebirth's story.

I didn't expect this build to be so good, and there is no standard, easily-explainable reason why it is. Alpine doesn't have crazy recharge, soft-capped defense, capped resistance, or other stuff. This is a build that seems to work because is synergizes with Beasts strengths to the point where they are the crazy stars of this show.

Ice brings a quite a lot of cool stuff (pun very much intended) to the fray: stealth, tons of defense, and tons of debuff, and the beasts love that. The debuffs make it easy for them to survive, hit and kill, the defense keeps them alive, and the stealth allows all of us to get in close and decide where the fight will be.

With this build, unlike other Beasts I've played, I tend to keep the pets on Defensive/Follow most of the time. I do keep Ice Shield and Glacial Shield up all the time. I'll keep Frostwork up on my Dire Wolf, or when teaming, the point person. Sometimes I'll use Frostwork like a spot heal while in battle - yes, it is +HP rather than a regular heal, however this does work well. I'll start fights with Snow Storm, Infrigidate or Benumb, which notifies enemies, who attack me, which notifies my pets, who attack them. All neat and tidy. Then I'll cast Sleet and let chaos ensue, focusing on this or that enemy, casting my Medicine pool powers if needed, and just simply go from there. Playing this build has never been a nail-biting time, which is a great thing.

Alpine - Hero Mastermind
Build plan made with Mids' Reborn v3.7.4 rev. 8
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Primary powerset: Beast MasterySecondary powerset: Cold DominationPool powerset (#1): SorceryPool powerset (#2): MedicinePool powerset (#3): SpeedPool powerset (#4): LeadershipEpic powerset: Field Mastery

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Powers taken:

Level 1: Summon Wolves
A: Superior Command of the Mastermind: Accuracy/Damage3: Superior Command of the Mastermind: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge3: Superior Command of the Mastermind: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge5: Superior Command of the Mastermind: Recharge/Pet +AoE Defense Aura5: Call to Arms: Defense Bonus Aura for Pets7: Soulbound Allegiance: Chance for Build Up

Level 1: Infrigidate
A: Superior Witchcraft: Universal Debuff7: Superior Witchcraft: Accuracy/ Universal Debuff9: Superior Witchcraft: Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge40: Superior Witchcraft: Chance for Res Debuff43: Achilles' Heel: Chance for Res Debuff45: Superior Winter Storm: Recharge/Chance for Cold Damage

Level 2: Ice Shield
A: Luck of the Gambler: Defense9: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Endurance11: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed46: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Endurance/Recharge46: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Recharge46: Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3%

Level 4: Mystic Flight
A: Blessing of the Zephyr: Knockback Reduction (4 points)

Level 6: Train Beasts
A: Invention: Endurance Reduction

Level 8: Snow Storm
A: Invention: Endurance Reduction

Level 10: Glacial Shield
A: Luck of the Gambler: Defense11: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Endurance17: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed45: Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All)45: Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)48: Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage

Level 12: Summon Lions
A: Expedient Reinforcement: Accuracy/Recharge13: Expedient Reinforcement: Accuracy/Damage13: Expedient Reinforcement: Damage/Endurance15: Expedient Reinforcement: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge15: Expedient Reinforcement: Resist Bonus Aura for Pets17: Edict of the Master: Defense Bonus

Level 14: Aid Other
A: Numina's Convalesence: Heal19: Numina's Convalesence: Heal/Endurance19: Numina's Convalesence: Heal/Recharge37: Numina's Convalesence: Heal/Endurance/Recharge

Level 16: Frostwork
A: Invention: Healing

Level 18: Fortify Pack
A: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed

Level 20: Arctic Fog
A: Luck of the Gambler: Defense21: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Endurance21: Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed34: Unbreakable Guard: Resistance34: Unbreakable Guard: Resistance/Endurance34: Unbreakable Guard: RechargeTime/Resistance

Level 22: Aid Self
A: Numina's Convalesence: Heal23: Numina's Convalesence: Heal/Endurance23: Numina's Convalesence: Heal/Recharge25: Numina's Convalesence: Heal/Endurance/Recharge

Level 24: Field Medic
A: Invention: Recharge Reduction25: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 26: Summon Dire Wolf
A: Superior Mark of Supremacy: Damage27: Superior Mark of Supremacy: Accuracy/Damage27: Superior Mark of Supremacy: Accuracy/Endurance29: Superior Mark of Supremacy: Accuracy/Damage/Endurance29: Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen31: Sovereign Right: Resistance Bonus

Level 28: Benumb
A: Invention: Endurance Reduction31: Invention: Accuracy31: Invention: Accuracy33: Invention: Recharge Reduction33: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 30: Hasten
A: Invention: Recharge Reduction33: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 32: Tame Beasts
A: Invention: Endurance Reduction

Level 35: Sleet
A: Analyze Weakness: Accuracy/Defense Debuff36: Analyze Weakness: Defense Debuff/Endurance/Recharge36: Analyze Weakness: Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge36: Touch of Lady Grey: Defense Debuff/Recharge37: Touch of Lady Grey: Defense Debuff/Recharge/Endurance37: Touch of Lady Grey: Recharge/Endurance

Level 38: Heat Loss
A: Efficacy Adaptor: EndMod39: Efficacy Adaptor: EndMod/Recharge39: Efficacy Adaptor: Accuracy/Recharge39: Efficacy Adaptor: EndMod/Accuracy40: Performance Shifter: Accuracy/Recharge40: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 41: Call Ravens
A: Ragnarok: Damage/Recharge42: Ragnarok: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge42: Ragnarok: Accuracy/Recharge42: Ragnarok: Damage/Endurance43: Ragnarok: Chance for Knockdown43: Annihilation: Chance for Res Debuff

Level 44: Assault
A: Invention: Endurance Reduction

Level 47: Tactics
A: Adjusted Targeting: To Hit Buff48: Adjusted Targeting: To Hit Buff/Recharge48: Adjusted Targeting: To Hit Buff/Endurance/Recharge

Level 49: Temp Invulnerability
A: Unbreakable Guard: Resistance50: Unbreakable Guard: Resistance/Endurance50: Unbreakable Guard: RechargeTime/Resistance50: Unbreakable Guard: +Max HP


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Inherents:

Level 1: Supremacy


Level 1: Brawl
A: Invention: Accuracy

Level 1: Sprint
A: Invention: Run Speed

Level 2: Rest
A: Invention: Recharge Reduction

Level 2: Swift
A: Invention: Flight Speed

Level 2: Hurdle
A: Invention: Jumping

Level 2: Health
A: Panacea: +Hit Points/Endurance9: Numina's Convalesence: +Regeneration/+Recovery17: Preventive Medicine: Chance for +Absorb

Level 2: Stamina
A: Performance Shifter: EndMod13: Performance Shifter: EndMod/Recharge23: Performance Shifter: Chance for +End

Level 1: Alpha Howler Wolf


Level 1: Howler Wolf


Level 26: Dire Wolf


Level 12: Lioness


Level 1: Pack Mentality


Level 4: Translocation



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Accolades:

Freedom Phalanx ReservePortal JockeyTask Force CommanderThe Atlas Medallion


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Incarnates:

Nerve Core ParagonCryonic Radial Final JudgementCognitive Core Flawless InterfaceCimeroran Partial Radial Improved AllyClarion Core EpiphanySupport Core Embodiment
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Stats Breakdown:

- Defense -

Smashing: 16.44%Lethal: 16.44%Fire: 12.37%Cold: 12.37%Energy: 17.37%Negative: 17.37%Psionic: 12.37%Melee: 20.5%Ranged: 14.87%AoE: 12.37%
- Resistance -

Smashing: 58%Lethal: 58%Fire: 37.12%Cold: 37.12%Energy: 42.37%Negative: 19.25%Toxic: 8%Psionic: 8%
- HP & Endurance -

Regeneration: 214%Max HP: 1141.34 | End Recovery: 4.59/sEnd Use: 2.13/s End. (Net gain: 2.46/s)Max End: 110
- Movement -

Run Speed: 47.78 mphJump Speed: 40.78 mphJump Height: 14.2 ftFly Speed: 58.64 mph
- Stealth & Perception -

Stealth (PvE): 35 ftStealth (PvP): 0 ftPerception: 759.5 ft
- Misc -

Haste: 246.25%ToHit: 51.39%Accuracy: 39%Damage: 206.25%End Rdx: 5%Threat: 200
- Status Protection -

Held: 0Stunned: 0Sleep: 0Immobilized: 0Knockback: 4Repel: 0Confused: 3.89Terrorized: 0Taunt: 0Placate: 0Teleport: 0
- Status Resistance -

Held: 35%Stunned: 83.44%Sleep: 83.44%Immobilized: 35%Knockback: 0%Repel: 0%Confused: 80.41%Terrorized: 80.41%Taunt: 45.41%Placate: 45.41%Teleport: 100%
- Debuff Resistance -

Defense: 0%Endurance: 0%Recovery: 0%PerceptionRadius: 38.93%ToHit: 0%RechargeTime: 60%SpeedRunning: 60%Regeneration: 0%

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Set Effects Breakdown

Superior Command of the Mastermind
(Summon Wolves)
4% DamageBuff(All)24.1 HP (3%) HitPoints+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)15% Defense(AoE)
Call to Arms
(Summon Wolves)
5% Defense
Superior Witchcraft
(Infrigidate)
4% DamageBuff(All)5% Defense(Energy,Negative), 2.5% Defense(Ranged)+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Luck of the Gambler
(Ice Shield)
10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints+9% Enhancement(Accuracy)3.75% Resistance(Smashing,Lethal), 6.25% Status Resistance+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Steadfast Protection
(Ice Shield)
3% Defense(All)
Blessing of the Zephyr
(Mystic Flight)
Knockback Protection (Mag 4)
Luck of the Gambler
(Glacial Shield)
10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Gladiator's Armor
(Glacial Shield)
3% Defense(All), 100% MezResist(Teleport) (20% chance)
Shield Wall
(Glacial Shield)
5%  Resistance(All)
Reactive Defenses
(Glacial Shield)
3% Resistance(All)
Expedient Reinforcement
(Summon Lions)
1.5% Resistance(Energy,Negative), 2.5% Status Resistance3% DamageBuff(All)+6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration10% Resistance(All)
Edict of the Master
(Summon Lions)
5% Defense
Numina's Convalesence
(Aid Other)
12% (0.4 HP/sec) Regeneration15.06 HP (1.88%) HitPoints+6% Enhancement(Heal)
Luck of the Gambler
(Fortify Pack)
+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Luck of the Gambler
(Arctic Fog)
10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Unbreakable Guard
(Arctic Fog)
2.5% Enhancement(EnduranceDiscount)2.25% Resistance(Energy,Negative), 3.75% Status Resistance
Numina's Convalesence
(Aid Self)
12% (0.4 HP/sec) Regeneration15.06 HP (1.88%) HitPoints+6% Enhancement(Heal)
Superior Mark of Supremacy
(Summon Dire Wolf)
+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)+15% Enhancement(Accuracy)5% Defense(Melee), 2.5% Defense(Lethal), 2.5% Defense(Smashing)4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery15% Resistance(All), 150% (5.02 HP/sec) Regeneration
Sovereign Right
(Summon Dire Wolf)
10% Resistance(All)
Analyze Weakness
(Sleet)
10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration2.25% Resistance(Energy,Negative), 3.75% Status Resistance
Touch of Lady Grey
(Sleet)
12.05 HP (1.5%) HitPoints2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
Efficacy Adaptor
(Heat Loss)
9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints1.5% (0.03 End/sec) Recovery10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration >Cap
Ragnarok
(Call Ravens)
4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery6% Resistance(Fire,Cold), 10% Status Resistance+15% Enhancement(Accuracy)+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
Adjusted Targeting
(Tactics)
2% DamageBuff(All)3% Resistance(Energy,Negative), 5% Status Resistance
Unbreakable Guard
(Temp Invulnerability)
2.5% Enhancement(EnduranceDiscount)2.25% Resistance(Energy,Negative), 3.75% Status Resistance3.13% Defense(Melee), 1.56% Defense(Lethal), 1.56% Defense(Smashing)60.24 HP (7.5%) HitPoints
Preventive Medicine
(Health)
GrantPower Preventive Medicine (10% chance), GrantPower Preventive Medicine
Performance Shifter
(Stamina)
7.5% Movement Speed15.06 HP (1.88%) HitPoints


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Set Buffs Totals

Damage(All) (13% Total)+4% Damage(All) (From Superior Command of the Mastermind in Summon Wolves)+4% Damage(All) (From Superior Witchcraft in Infrigidate)+3% Damage(All) (From Expedient Reinforcement in Summon Lions)+2% Damage(All) (From Adjusted Targeting in Tactics)

Defense (10% Total)+5% Defense to Pets (From Call to Arms: Defense Bonus Aura for Pets in Summon Wolves)+5% Defense to Pets (From Edict of the Master: Defense Bonus in Summon Lions)

S/L Defense (10.06% Total)+3% S/L Defense (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% S/L Defense (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)+2.5% S/L Defense (From Superior Mark of Supremacy in Summon Dire Wolf)+1.56% S/L Defense (From Unbreakable Guard in Temp Invulnerability)

Fire/Cold Defense (6% Total)+3% Fire/Cold Defense (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% Fire/Cold Defense (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)

Energy/Negative Defense (11% Total)+5% Energy/Negative Defense (From Superior Witchcraft in Infrigidate)+3% Energy/Negative Defense (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% Energy/Negative Defense (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)

Defense (Psionic) (6% Total)+3% Defense(Psionic) (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% Defense(Psionic) (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)

Defense (Melee) (14.13% Total)+5% Defense(Melee) (From Superior Mark of Supremacy in Summon Dire Wolf)+3.13% Defense(Melee) (From Unbreakable Guard in Temp Invulnerability)+3% Defense(Melee) (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% Defense(Melee) (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)

Defense (Ranged) (8.5% Total)+3% Defense(Ranged) (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% Defense(Ranged) (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)+2.5% Defense(Ranged) (From Superior Witchcraft in Infrigidate)

Defense (AoE) (21% Total)+15% Defense(AoE) to Pets (From Superior Command of the Mastermind: Recharge/Pet +AoE Defense Aura in Summon Wolves)+3% Defense(AoE) (From Steadfast Protection: Resistance/+Def 3% in Ice Shield)+3% Defense(AoE) (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)

Enhancement (Accuracy) (39% Total)+15% Enhancement(Accuracy) (From Superior Mark of Supremacy in Summon Dire Wolf)+15% Enhancement(Accuracy) (From Ragnarok in Call Ravens)+9% Enhancement(Accuracy) (From Luck of the Gambler in Ice Shield)

Enhancement (EnduranceDiscount) (5% Total)+2.5% Enhancement(EnduranceDiscount) (From Unbreakable Guard in Arctic Fog)+2.5% Enhancement(EnduranceDiscount) (From Unbreakable Guard in Temp Invulnerability)

Enhancement (Heal) (12% Total)+6% Enhancement(Heal) (From Numina's Convalesence in Aid Other)+6% Enhancement(Heal) (From Numina's Convalesence in Aid Self)

Enhancement (RechargeTime) (76.25% Total)+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Superior Command of the Mastermind in Summon Wolves)+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Superior Witchcraft in Infrigidate)+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Superior Mark of Supremacy in Summon Dire Wolf)+10% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Ragnarok in Call Ravens)+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed in Ice Shield)+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed in Glacial Shield)+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed in Fortify Pack)+7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Luck of the Gambler: Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed in Arctic Fog)+6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime) (From Expedient Reinforcement in Summon Lions)

HitPoints (177.7 HP Total / 22.13% of Base HP)+60.24 HP (7.5%) HitPoints (From Unbreakable Guard: +Max HP in Temp Invulnerability)+24.1 HP (3%) HitPoints (From Superior Command of the Mastermind in Summon Wolves)+15.06 HP (1.88%) HitPoints (From Numina's Convalesence in Aid Other)+15.06 HP (1.88%) HitPoints (From Numina's Convalesence in Aid Self)+15.06 HP (1.88%) HitPoints (From Performance Shifter in Stamina)+12.05 HP (1.5%) HitPoints (From Touch of Lady Grey in Sleet)+9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints (From Luck of the Gambler in Ice Shield)+9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints (From Luck of the Gambler in Glacial Shield)+9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints (From Luck of the Gambler in Arctic Fog)+9.04 HP (1.13%) HitPoints (From Efficacy Adaptor in Heat Loss)

JumpHeight (7.5% Total)+7.5% JumpHeight (From Performance Shifter in Stamina)

Mez (Knockback) (-4 Total)+Knockback (Mag -4) (From Blessing of the Zephyr: Knockback Reduction (4 points) in Mystic Flight)

Mez (Knockup) (-4 Total)+Knockup (Mag -4) (From Blessing of the Zephyr: Knockback Reduction (4 points) in Mystic Flight)

MezResist(All) (35% Total)+10% MezResist(All) (From Ragnarok in Call Ravens)+6.25% MezResist(All) (From Luck of the Gambler in Ice Shield)+5% MezResist(All) (From Adjusted Targeting in Tactics)+3.75% MezResist(All) (From Unbreakable Guard in Arctic Fog)+3.75% MezResist(All) (From Analyze Weakness in Sleet)+3.75% MezResist(All) (From Unbreakable Guard in Temp Invulnerability)+2.5% MezResist(All) (From Expedient Reinforcement in Summon Lions)

MezResist (Teleport) (100% Total)+100% MezResist(Teleport) (20% chance) (From Gladiator's Armor: TP Protection +3% Def (All) in Glacial Shield)

Recovery (12% Total)+4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery (From Superior Mark of Supremacy in Summon Dire Wolf)+4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery (From Ragnarok in Call Ravens)+2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery (From Touch of Lady Grey in Sleet)+1.5% (0.03 End/sec) Recovery (From Efficacy Adaptor in Heat Loss)

Regeneration (234% Total / 10.18 HP/s)+150% (5.02 HP/sec) Regeneration to Pets (From Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen in Summon Dire Wolf)+12% (0.4 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Numina's Convalesence in Aid Other)+12% (0.4 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Numina's Convalesence in Aid Self)+10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Luck of the Gambler in Ice Shield)+10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Luck of the Gambler in Glacial Shield)+10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Expedient Reinforcement in Summon Lions)+10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Luck of the Gambler in Arctic Fog)+10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Analyze Weakness in Sleet)+10% (0.33 HP/sec) Regeneration (From Efficacy Adaptor in Heat Loss)

S/L Resistance (46.75% Total)+15% S/L Resistance to Pets (From Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen in Summon Dire Wolf)+10% S/L Resistance to Pets (From Expedient Reinforcement: Resist Bonus Aura for Pets in Summon Lions)+10% S/L Resistance to Pets (From Sovereign Right: Resistance Bonus in Summon Dire Wolf)+5% S/L Resistance (From Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) in Glacial Shield)+3.75% S/L Resistance (From Luck of the Gambler in Ice Shield)+3% S/L Resistance (From Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage in Glacial Shield)

Fire/Cold Resistance (49% Total)+15% Fire/Cold Resistance to Pets (From Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen in Summon Dire Wolf)+10% Fire/Cold Resistance to Pets (From Expedient Reinforcement: Resist Bonus Aura for Pets in Summon Lions)+10% Fire/Cold Resistance to Pets (From Sovereign Right: Resistance Bonus in Summon Dire Wolf)+6% Fire/Cold Resistance (From Ragnarok in Call Ravens)+5% Fire/Cold Resistance (From Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) in Glacial Shield)+3% Fire/Cold Resistance (From Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage in Glacial Shield)

Energy/Negative Resistance (54.25% Total)+15% Energy/Negative Resistance to Pets (From Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen in Summon Dire Wolf)+10% Energy/Negative Resistance to Pets (From Expedient Reinforcement: Resist Bonus Aura for Pets in Summon Lions)+10% Energy/Negative Resistance to Pets (From Sovereign Right: Resistance Bonus in Summon Dire Wolf)+5% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) in Glacial Shield)+3% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage in Glacial Shield)+3% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Adjusted Targeting in Tactics)+2.25% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Unbreakable Guard in Arctic Fog)+2.25% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Analyze Weakness in Sleet)+2.25% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Unbreakable Guard in Temp Invulnerability)+1.5% Energy/Negative Resistance (From Expedient Reinforcement in Summon Lions)

Resistance (Toxic) (43% Total)+15% Resistance(Toxic) to Pets (From Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen in Summon Dire Wolf)+10% Resistance(Toxic) to Pets (From Expedient Reinforcement: Resist Bonus Aura for Pets in Summon Lions)+10% Resistance(Toxic) to Pets (From Sovereign Right: Resistance Bonus in Summon Dire Wolf)+5% Resistance(Toxic) (From Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) in Glacial Shield)+3% Resistance(Toxic) (From Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage in Glacial Shield)

Resistance (Psionic) (43% Total)+15% Resistance(Psionic) to Pets (From Superior Mark of Supremacy: Endurance/Pet +Resist +Regen in Summon Dire Wolf)+10% Resistance(Psionic) to Pets (From Expedient Reinforcement: Resist Bonus Aura for Pets in Summon Lions)+10% Resistance(Psionic) to Pets (From Sovereign Right: Resistance Bonus in Summon Dire Wolf)+5% Resistance(Psionic) (From Shield Wall: +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All) in Glacial Shield)+3% Resistance(Psionic) (From Reactive Defenses: Scaling Resist Damage in Glacial Shield)

SpeedFlying (7.5% Total)+7.5% SpeedFlying (From Performance Shifter in Stamina)

SpeedJumping (7.5% Total)+7.5% SpeedJumping (From Performance Shifter in Stamina)

SpeedRunning (7.5% Total)+7.5% SpeedRunning (From Performance Shifter in Stamina)

[Redlynne]

I didn't expect this build to be so good, and there is no standard, easily-explainable reason why it is. Alpine doesn't have crazy recharge, soft-capped defense, capped resistance, or other stuff. This is a build that seems to work because is synergizes with Beasts strengths to the point where they are the crazy stars of this show.

Ice brings a quite a lot of cool stuff (pun very much intended) to the fray: stealth, tons of defense, and tons of debuff, and the beasts love that. The debuffs make it easy for them to survive, hit and kill, the defense keeps them alive, and the stealth allows all of us to get in close and decide where the fight will be.

That's when you know you're Onto Something™ with your build and how everything synergizes and meshes together into a beautiful harmony.
It can quite often be the tiniest little details (in Mids') that yield the most dramatic disruptions, in your favor, in actual gameplay. Things like the blending of stealth, defense and debuffs together, as you cite above ... which on the screen in Mids' (or looking at a bare bones build post of powers and slotting) won't exactly look like anything that impressive. But then when you actually PLAY the combination, you start wondering "Where have you been all my life?!?!?"

I've had similar epiphanies happen with my own builds, to the point where I often times feel COMPELLED to share my discoveries with others.
Why?
Because Knowledge Shared Is Knowledge Multiplied.

With this build, unlike other Beasts I've played, I tend to keep the pets on Defensive/Follow most of the time. I do keep Ice Shield and Glacial Shield up all the time. I'll keep Frostwork up on my Dire Wolf, or when teaming, the point person. Sometimes I'll use Frostwork like a spot heal while in battle - yes, it is +HP rather than a regular heal, however this does work well. I'll start fights with Snow Storm, Infrigidate or Benumb, which notifies enemies, who attack me, which notifies my pets, who attack them. All neat and tidy.

I had a broadly similar experience with my Ninja/Time MM build when I first tried adding in personal attacks from the primary (Snap Shot, Aimed Shot, Fistful of Arrows). It COMPLETELY changed the entire tactical and strategic dynamics around "how to open" when engaging a new pack of mobs. All I had to do was attack with my MM, draw aggro onto my MM ... and my Ninjas would respond with a volley of Shuriken shots. Quite frequently, I would be drawing the aggro of only a single mob (the one I shot) and my Ninjas would just "focus fire" their ranged attack into that single mob while I continued to plink away with the bow my MM was holding. Often times, these lone Minions would charge towards my MM and phalanx of Ninjas ... and get defeated before entering melee range with my MM.

So instead of "sending in the Ninjas" to get torn up by a pack of mobs (melee on melee), resulting in the Ninjas taking LOTS of damage (which then needed to be healed before moving on to the next pack) while struggling to defeat the one pack without taking any losses ... instead ... I was de facto Tankerminding (without using a Taunt power!) simply by using personal attacks to do damage, and I could finely control my own relative positioning to "open" from a position of strength favorable to me (unfavorable to them). I had a decent chance of "picking packs apart" (from a distance) and forcing them to run into a barrage of ranged attacks that would defeat them while closing. Any damage I took was "shared" among my Ninjas (see: Tankermind Bodyguard Mode) and with Temporal Mending could be healed right back up (in parallel, effectively "multiplying" the healing power relative to the damage taken!).

It was such a GAMEPLAY CHANGING realization that I've basically never looked back. Indeed, at this point, I feel PITY for MMs who take zero personal attacks in their build, on the assumption that their Pets should "do all the work" of defeating Foes, while the MM just sits back and observes the combat chaos unfold. So whenever I get advice that taking personal attacks on a MM (let alone slotting them for use!) is a complete waste of power picks and slots, I just smile and nod ... and know that whoever is giving me that advice "knows less" than they assume.

Then I'll cast Sleet and let chaos ensue, focusing on this or that enemy, casting my Medicine pool powers if needed, and just simply go from there. Playing this build has never been a nail-biting time, which is a great thing.

That's when you know know You're Onto Something™.
You can play the build, be engaged and entertained while playing it ... but you're able to play without fear, uncertainty or doubts.

[mercury rising]

Now this is a mastermind build! Redlynne should take notes on this one! Acting like the selfless captain in the field leading his army to victory!

[wyldhaunt]

I just did some testing with Alpine, and she can take on Council at +4/x8 with bosses in. There were a few pet deaths, but more than half the time there were none in one radio mission like this, and only once was there two pet deaths during a single battle, mostly because Council ran and pets chased - while my Sleet does -50% run, the Council wolves resist that all to hell. If I felt there was an issue with pet deaths, I might micromanage their attacks more (like I used to with Beasts/Dark).

Chewing through (pun intended!) each boss spawn was slower than a regular Tanker would take, and I did have to direct my pets to "attack my target" near the end as the Council just gave up attacking and missing.

The Ice buffs and debuffs are just that strong.

Having Medicine pool powers is really crucial for this build; without some spot healing, there would have been more pet deaths.

Hasten also proved useful for more frequent Sleet and Call Ravens applications.

My current enhancement slotting for Sleet gives a 57.53% Def debuff to targets. This is very overslotted for Def debuff, and I don't really need the set bonuses from what I have slotted in Sleet, so I'm going to either swap out the Analyze Weaknesses for Superior Winter Storms, or go full frankenslotting. That should help anchor Sleet's slow much better, and not sacrifice much from its Def debuff.

[wyldhaunt]

Last night during badge-focused iTrials, I found that this build does just fine solo on a door in BAF, and solo clearing two groups from Lambda's courtyard, and solo getting grenades from crates in that phase of Lambda. There were no pet deaths during any of these. The only time I lost any pets was one of the t3 Wolves while soloing the Security Team bot during Lambda, before the rest of the league showed up.

This shows that (as others already know) MMs can do just fine in iTrials.

So how? It's not just the build, though this build does enable the following:

1. During Lambda, I kept my pets on Passive Follow as the default. Since the rest of the league grabbed most aggro, my stealth and defense kept me safe from attacks. The few times I took damage when other healers didn't immediately cover for it, my Field Medic was all I used - I didn't even use Aid Self. When I wanted to attack the courtyard mobs, I put my pets in Defensive and attacked. When I wanted to attack a grenade crate, or Marauder, or mobs around Marauder during his MoG (we were going for Lambda Looter), I directed my pets to Attack My Target. During those times, my pets drew any aggro and again I was safe (due to my stealth and defenses). I did use Aid Other sometimes on a pet here and there, but since my own actions were primarily support and then attack when support wasn't needed, that was perfectly fine. By the way, I discovered that pets fare far better against Marauder's Nova Strike than player characters do - it's possible this was due to the support players we had, but after the first time I knew I could let my pets continue to maul Marauder and not pull them back during that attack.

2. During the prisoner escape phase of BAF, any MM can do this: issue a GoTo command for the pets just outside the door to be guarded, and put them on offensive. Put oneself back away from the doors, close enough to support the pets but far enough that the Lieutenant-level escaping prisoners don't Confuse me. For my powersets, then lay on the Sleet as soon as it's up, target through my Dire Wolf, and make constant us of Call Ravens when it's up, attacking with other powers when Call Ravens is recharging.

Again, I had only one pet defeat during that night getting Keep 'Em Separated in a BAF and Lambda Looter during a Lambda. Know your powersets, know when to use the various pet stances, and you can do this too.

[Redlynne]

Your experience with Beasts/Ice broadly matches mine while playing Ninja/Time and soloing BAF prisoner escape doors along with soloing packs in the Lambda Courtyard.

However, one major advantage you get with /Ice is that the protection scheme is "all buff" on the pets. With /Time, it's a mixture of buff and debuff in order to reach NO GET HITSU!! levels of defense on the pets.

Know your powersets, know when to use the various pet stances, and you can do this too.

Knowing your powersets (and the synergies between the powers that you have chosen) goes a LONG WAY.