Re: Mutants and Masterminds Question: Sidekicks or Minions?
Here's what my 3E book says:
There's no way to make a minion heroic, although yes a +2 modifier would be fair because 15/3=5/1. (The book doesn't say so specifically, it just isn't listed anywhere.)
Sidekicks are automatically helpful and loyal (there isn't even a caveat for treating them poorly in 3E) and GM should let you play them but doesn't have to and has final say.
Minions, IF capable of independent thought, are automatically helpful. No word on who plays them.
The problem with minions is that they die from a stiff breeze, so they're much more useful for non-combat stuff. (Besides, skill ranks or stuff like communication effects are way cheaper than damage effects.) Seriously, any non-minion can take out a minion on a routine check. Several at once, if they have the proper advantages or an area attack. (Minions attacking minions have to make a normal hit, but still one-shot each other.)
Now, per the rules, if you've paid for something then it's yours. So if the GM kills your minion, he either refunds the points or lets you replace the minion in a reasonable time period. Still, if that happens constantly, you'll both be annoyed.
Instead, if you want lots of small things going into combat, go for summons. A bit more expensive, but much more expendable and they have lots of nifty options.
Another thing you can do is get a nice vehicle. Now, it can't actually think, or it would be a sidekick...that you can ride in. However, with the autopilot and computer features (Gadget Guide: Vehicles) it could reasonably fight without requiring an action from you. (If the GM doesn't buy that, go with protections that are always on and attacks that trigger on reaction.) Yes, they cost as much as a sidekick, but you can actually have an array of vehicles. I'm pretty sure no GM would allow an array of sidekicks. Also, vehicles are not limited to "common technology" like other equipment.
You can also make an array for headquarters housing intelligent AIs and orbital defences, but at that point you're not really playing any more.