JuliusSeizure

Yeah, that's true. Things can get really pricey for what amounts to marginal benefit at times. I usually split the Apocalypse purple on Hp/regen builds into two parts for 6% max HP and 32% regen, pairing it with Devastation for 4.5% max hp and 24% regenration. That's some big numbers right there, but it only works on Claws, SS, or Stone with their extra ranged attacks and the Patron attack (usually Gloom).

I'd say the 2nd or 3rd builds are the best because they have the highest +max HP out of them all. That said, you could probably focus purely on +max hp/regen and get better numbers than what I'm seeing posted here.

I usually build WP Brutes to softcap SM/L or to stack +HP and regeneration. Those are the two avenues you probably want as a WP Brute. Recharge is only benefiting your primary with Willpower, and +damage is wasted on a Brute.

As stated, damage buffs on Brutes are probably the least desirable form of set bonus. This AT has the lowest base damage and relies on massive amounts of +damage from fury. Adding +damage thus provides a fraction of the benefit it would for Scrappers, Blasters, Stalkers, and Dominators-- which are the only ATs that I will actively seek +damage on.

I'd suggest looking at Energy Transfer for incorporating self damage into attacks. One of the things that it does is swap HP for damage and endurance. The Snipe would receive a significant boost in damage relative to other sets. Meanwhile, if the tier 9 "nuke" also inflicts damage to self, it would not only do more damage but probably shouldn't drain you of all endurance.

I know it sounds CRAZY, but I would love to have a massive ranged attack that not only damaged oneself, but also inflicted an irresistible mag 2 knockback on oneself. The damage would truly be off the charts.

Plasma attacks for Robots has a chance of inflicting -regeneration, which you might want to incorporate as well.

I highly recommend adding Tough/Weave. If you do this, and somehow get your hands on a Steadfast Protection 3% defense to all IO, you will notice a significant improvement to your character.

You don't need 2 acc in each attack because rage adds a massive 20% ToHit buff (you are effectively more accurate than other characters with 95% accuracy socketed). One acc IO is enough in SS attacks, so feel free to add an extra endurance reduction to your attacks because you will be sucking wind with both Rage and Hasten running.

Here's some other things:

• Too much end reduction in Unyielding. One is enough. Move sockets.
• Unstoppable doesn't need any end reduction. Two level 50 recharges and two level 50 resists is MORE than enough if you take this skill. Move sockets.
• Too many slots in Health, unless you plan for unique IOs.
• Too many sockets in Tough Hide. Move sockets.

Other than that... start working towards IOs.

I think Going Rogue is basically going to make the issue of sides moot. If you meta-game, you could simply swing to Rogue or Vigilante just to play red and blue content, then settle on Villain or Hero for the potentially superior perks of being purely aligned.

Welcome! The melee classes are very beginner friendly in this game, with Scrappers and Tanks probably being the easiest to play. Brutes are very potent, but do require a bit more knowledge than the other two classes to be played optimally.

I'd recommend picking one of the servers with a higher population, such as Freedom, Virtue, or Infinity(?). Anyone know if there is a server that's particularly beginner friendly?

The AoE on DM isn't bad when soloing and you can exclusively spawn clump on your person to maximize Shadow Maul's cone. The numbers on that skill are pretty broken when hitting 3-5 opponents. It levies frickin' 2.156 DS with just 8 seconds of recharge. The DoT nature means that Fury of the Gladiator's proc is particularly potent here, particularly when backed up by 5 parts Armageddon and its respective damage proc.

Dark Melee AoE indeed sucks when teaming and you are unable to claim exclusive rights to the entire spawn's agro.

You can use Demonic Aura to survive the crash. Honestly, the crash isn't that big of a deal in my builds because Invuln is tough enough that whenever I do need to become Unstoppable Demonic has already recharged. It also doesn't have an extended -recovery period like Power Surge or Elude, so I consider it one of the easier crashed to deal with.

Purples work well if Demonic is down. The phase temp power, if I recall, might be able to work.

If you want to be as tough as possible, then yes-- it's worth it.

You have no DDR in ELA. My DM/ELA Tank build has to use Darkest Night as an ablative hedge against cascade failure. Remember, if you re fighting even-cons, then you probably don't need soft-capped defense. If you are fighting +2s or +3s, then you aren't getting 16% ToHit debuff out of Darkest Night. Even when I effectively have 57% Sm/L defense through Darkest Night, I will still sometimes experience cascade failure and have to pop a purple to reestablish 45% defense.

The difference is extremely noticeable if you want a Tank build, but you certainly take a hit offensively. I only use my Tank build on Master Strike Force runs, otherwise I'm usually using my SMASH build.

You would be significantly tougher with softcapped SM/L than having defense values spread as you currently do.

I'd definitely try to softcap SM/L exclusively, following the general pattern I posted before. It's extremely potent if you want to Tank, as it's far and away the most common vector of attack, and smashing is often associated with split damage types.

It's the same deal if you've ever smacked a Fake Nemesis with Gloom or another DoT right before they raise their untouchable shield. The DoT will tick away as it was applied before you effectively became untouchable.

My mids is wonky, so I can't post my Dm/ELA build. Here are the keys to softcapping from 0%:

• Use 4 parts of Kinetic Combat in 5 different melee attacks.
• Use 4 parts of Reactive Armor in every resistance shield.
• Use Gaussian's in Rage or 2 parts Rectified Recticle.
• Use Obliteration in PBAoE attacks.
• Take and socket Weave. Take Combat Jumping. Be sure to place LOtG recharge IOs here and other nice defense goodies here.
• Use the 3% global defense IO from Steadfast Protection.
• My tank build also took Taunt... it's really nice to have on a Brute if you run a designated Tank build in slot 2 and a SMASH build in slot 1. Perfect Zinger works great for stacking SM/L.
• I took Soul Tenticles for Enfeebled Operation and additional AoE -ToHit.

Since I'm ELA, I basically have limitless endurance and run Darkest Night as well. 45% SM/L with an additional 16% -ToHit hedges against cascade failure. You might be able to do the same with Consume, but it will be more difficult to sustain than ELA.

My main Brute is also one of my primary marketeers. I was running what my small SG calls a Diamond ITF, where we clear every spawn on every map with just the 4 of us, and only had about 5 out of 34 recipe slots free, so I had to continuously delete regular IO recipes in case a purple dropped.

I had the recipe window open while moving and accidentally hovered the mouse over it. A series of subconscious thoughts to strafe sideways, which involves clicking "D" on the keyboard, ended up deleting a Gladiator's armor Resistance, a Gladiator's Armor Resistance/Endurance, and a Gladiator's Armor 20% teleport/3% defense IO. All for the chance to get a purple drop.

The window just HAD do be centered on the Gs at that time... I've stupidly done this a few times before, but never lost that much with three strokes of a key. And you know what? I still keep that blasted prompt unactivated to this day.

I'm pretty sure that we're getting Broad Sword next. It's the most "Brutish" out of what's left.

War Hog: DM/ELA/Soul.