I thought I'd share my EM/INV build that I recently got to level 40. I've only respeced once and have been utterly happy with it. Showing build first, then I'll give an example of how my brute, Mr. Necrophetamine plays...
---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name: Mr. Necrophetamine
Level: 41
Archetype: Brute
Primary: Energy Melee
Secondary: Invulnerability
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Energy Punch==> Acc(1)Acc(3)EndRdx(21)EndRdx(34)Rechg(34)
01) --> Resist Physical Damage==> DmgRes(1)
02) --> Temp Invulnerability==> DmgRes(2)DmgRes(3)EndRdx(15)DmgRes(17)
04) --> Bone Smasher==> Acc(4)Acc(5)Dmg(5)EndRdx(7)EndRdx(11)Rechg(15)
06) --> Boxing==> Acc(6)Acc(7)EndRdx(19)EndRdx(36)
08) --> Dull Pain==> Rechg(8)Rechg(9)Rechg(9)Heal(11)Heal(13)Heal(13)
10) --> Combat Jumping==> DefBuf(10)
12) --> Swift==> Run(12)
14) --> Super Jump==> Jump(14)
16) --> Unyielding==> DmgRes(16)DmgRes(17)DmgRes(19)EndRdx(21)
18) --> Health==> Heal(18)Heal(23)Heal(25)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(27)EndMod(39)
22) --> Total Focus==> Acc(22)Acc(23)Dmg(27)EndRdx(31)EndRdx(40)
24) --> Tough==> DmgRes(24)DmgRes(25)EndRdx(40)
26) --> Weave==> DefBuf(26)EndRdx(40)
28) --> Invincibility==> DefBuf(28)DefBuf(29)DefBuf(29)TH_Buf(31)TH_Buf(31)TH_Buf(33)
30) --> Whirling Hands==> Acc(30)Acc(33)EndRdx(36)EndRdx(37)
32) --> Energy Transfer==> Acc(32)Acc(33)EndRdx(34)EndRdx(36)Dmg(37)Rechg(37)
35) --> Tough Hide==> DefBuf(35)
38) --> Unstoppable==> Rechg(38)Rechg(39)Rechg(39)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Run(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Rechg(1)
01) --> Fury==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Rechg(2)
---------------------------------------------
Basically, Mr. N is a fury builder and is all about accuracy before he gets that fury up. I don't start fights with my heaviest hitting attacks... I have brawl on auto, and work my way up in the chain of attacks from there as fury continues to build. I don't pvp much yet, so I can't tell you how I do there really... but pve, I am wonderful, and an arch-villain slayer, toe-to-toe or otherwise.
This build can be difficult on end. at the mid-levels. I respeced out of barrage, but that power did help with my end at first, and I ended up getting bone smasher after the respec, so I recommend similar behavior. Attacks like Total Focus and Whirling Hands should also be gotten late, but perhaps why should not need further explaining. Finally, with this build, I am maximizing defenses, but at the expense of what I feel to be, the easily-overlooked toggles of resist elements and resist energies. As I'm a Magic-based Brute, I could have probably used these toggles more than a lot of other brutes I see take them, as I'm up against CoT often... but I do exceptionally well against CoT without them, so I don't see why other Brutes would need them either unless you absolutely insist... ::shrugg::
