Valorin

Congrats on dinging 10!

My wife and I have just hit our 5 year anniversary this year, but I can say that I 100% agree with your secrets to success.

I'm enjoying it over there as well. For those not in the know, the "feel" of it is like a cross between the X-Files and The Walking Dead (at least the first zone, I haven't made it too far). The "skill wheel" allows you to make whatever combination of powers you want (and ultimately, you could theoretically get everything) although you can only use 2 active powersets at a time. It's fun so far, and definitely different from most other MMOs.

Take care Zwill! We've been fortunate to have more than a few outstanding community managers and you're right there at the top! Best wishes to you and your family.

Glad that helped! The bulk of the work was done by Twilight Snow, I just made a couple changes for StJ vs. War Mace, but it shows how good a cheap */Shield can be. It doesn't take a lot of cash to become softcapped, and to be honest, you get just as much benefit from the additional endurance reduction/recharge reduction/accuracy when using IOs vs. SOs as you do from the softcap defense and set bonuses. It was a quantum leap for my brute when I "budget" IO'ed her and a much more incremental step when I rebuilt her with LoTGs, Numinas, and the other goodies a year or so later.

Happy SMASHing!

Ok, with minimal tweaking, I made the WM/Shield build I linked above into a "budget" StJ/Shield build. Some bits of it will be a little costly, but I'm sure you could make it for well under 1 billion. Probably half that if you have some alignment merits to spend. It's softcapped to M/R/AoE and should give you a solid build for leveling the rest of the way.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Street Justice
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Initial Strike -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Dam%(17)
Level 1: Deflection -- S'dpty-Def(A), S'dpty-EndRdx(5), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(5), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(7), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7), S'dpty-Def(11), S'dpty-EndRdx(11)
Level 4: Heavy Blow -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(23), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Mako-Dam%(31)
Level 6: Sweeping Cross -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(34), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(36), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 8: Rib Cracker -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(40), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(40), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), T'Death-Dam%(42)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Spinning Strike -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(19), Posi-Dmg/Rng(21), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 20: Phalanx Fighting -- DefBuff-I(A)
Level 22: True Grit -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), Heal-I(50), Heal-I(50)
Level 24: Combat Readiness -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(37), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(37), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(39), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(39), GSFC-Build%(39)
Level 26: Shin Breaker -- T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(27), T'Death-Acc/Dmg(27), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), T'Death-Dam%(31)
Level 28: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 30: Tough -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/Rchg(45), TtmC'tng-EndRdx/Rchg(45), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46), TtmC'tng-ResDam(46), TtmC'tng-EndRdx(46)
Level 32: Crushing Uppercut -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mako-Dam%(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(43), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(43), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 38: One with the Shield -- ResDam-I(A)
Level 41: Superior Conditioning -- P'Shift-End%(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A)
Level 47: Weave -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(48), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), S'dpty-Def(48), S'dpty-EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Grant Cover -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Heal-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(3), P'Shift-End%(3)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Combo Level 1
Level 1: Combo Level 2
Level 1: Combo Level 3
------------

Hi Fireheart,

I'm at work, and (to be perfectly honest), lazy. However, I do have something that might provide some ideas! Take a look at http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=246450 - specifically Twilight Snow's build in the second reply.

That was a thread I started for a "budget" WM/Shield brute. It was the build I used from 40ish all the way to 50 and for a year or two after that (because she was a lot of fun with that build and I couldn't bring myself to put forth the effort to make it better until recently).

Take a look at Multistrike for your AoEs and Serendipity for your defense powers. Those IOs should be fairly cheap and still provide some defense bonuses. I was able to build mine without a lot of cash beyond what I "made" leveling up. Hope that helps!

Lots of really good entries! Congratulations to the winners, glad I didn't have to decide.

If you're villainside, I believe they have removed badge restrictions from the contacts there that had them. Doc Buzzsaw (she's in Sharkhead) should be in that range and was a fun contact. Man, I haven't run her arc in years... might have to do that tonight.

First of all, I'm at work, so I can't look at everything everyone's already sent you, hopefully I'm not repeating what everybody else has already given you.

Brutes have fairly low base damage. They use fury to make up for this and get them to respectable levels of damage once they're rolling. Why am I telling you this? In the grand scheme of things, slotting a damage SO in a brute's attacks gives them less benefit than, say, a scrapper. Fury makes up the difference. So, enhancing damage in your attacks is less important for a brute than a scrapper (not to say it's not important, or that ultimately, you shouldn't hope to squeeze in 3 SOs of damage in there, but it may not be your first priority).

Is your problem you're not surviving? Or is your problem you run out of endurance to attack and the mobs whittle you down? /Fire is a pretty squishy set, as has been mentioned here and in the other thread. It is however, an offensive powerhouse.

Personally, I'd try to fit the following in my attacks for a brute that I was running on SOs-
1 Acc (2 if I plan on fighting +1/+2/+3 enemies); 1 end reduction, 2 damage (3 eventually), 1 recharge SO (optional, I use it on stuff with longer recharges that I want up fast). If you are running out of blue bar to power your heal or attacks, the culprit is most likely your attacks- toggles actually cost very little endurance in relation to your attacks. Consume I wouldn't slot like an attack, I'd slot with one acc and as many recharge reducers as I could squeeze in there.

I'm going to link to an old guide that's humorously written and gets the point across well. JoJo the Bunny's Guide to Endurance Dysfunction and You. It's as true for SO'ed characters today as it was when it was written. Enjoy!

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showt...418#post610418

Here's my submission: Neutron Sally (Time/Rad defender). Some really awesome work in here already, stiff competition!



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I've linked my thread from the Builds workshop forum for my TW/DA build. Maybe that will give you some ideas. I'm not in a place where I can look at Mids presently. I have a lot of fun with her. She's probably my second favorite character (fave being my WM/Shield brute). Lots of AoE, zero endurance problems, decent enough defense to stand up to x8 DA missions (although I usually run them so they're at most +1 to me after level shifts and I do use inspirations, etc). Getting to the 30s was rough, endurance wise, but after that it was a fun ride. I exemp her down to run SSA#2 on a fairly regular basis and she more than holds her own.

My build goals were:
-1 small purple away from softcap
-moderate global recharge
-endurance friendly

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=284407

Hope this helps.

I've been playing a Dark/Poison controller lately that's a lot of fun (only the second controller I've ever gotten above level 20) - as long as there's a team around to dish out damage. Between the two sets, I've always got something I can do to influence the fight (admittedly Dark Control plays a big part in that, but the poison debuffs are helpful too and how can you not like a rez that makes your allies puke? C'mon, it's a game, laugh a little!).

Alternately, I have a Ninja/Poison MM that I just wasn't having a lot of fun with. But, I blame the suicidal ninjas for that more than Poison. He could do a ton of damage if the cards were right, they had to fall exactly so to get it to work. I eventually abandoned him. Right now, he's stripped of IOs and waiting for his recipies from his villain merits to sell before I dump him altogether.

Your mileage may vary, I'm a fan of misfit toys- there's something about taking a set "everyone" says is underperforming and making it work and work well.

Some good suggestions in this thread for stuff for my playlist. Thanks guys!

A couple on my playlist that fit the mood:

Rock Anthem for Saving the World (Halo Soundtrack) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1y7WQfD9c

(I know, everybody's heard this one, but it just fits somehow. It's been years since I've played Halo, but the piece really captures the feel of stepping out against overwhelming odds and giving it the old college try.)

and

Khaine's Wrath (Dawn of War II Soundtrack) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJpPzjHkDUs

How does it compare to Oil Slick Arrow? I've never used Bonfire. The stated recharge seems faster than OSA from what I recall (been a while since I've played a TA character too for that matter). It just sounds like a possibly more damaging, faster recharging OSA? So, if anything gets adjusted knock it into line with OSA (maybe a little faster recharge or a little better damage- since it takes a special IO to make it equal to OSA).

Just my thoughts.

I don't think Def is particularly worthless in iTrials, either. While incarnate critters have a higher ToHit, as mentioned (requiring more defense to softcap) - don't forget that you'll have 15 or 23 other league-mates to buff you. With all the leadership toggles, shadowfalls, steamy mists, destiny buffs, and bubbles (okay, maybe not bubbles ;P) you'll be fine for survivability.

According to the numbers gurus, TW is close to SS in terms of AoE farming capability. I wouldn't know, I've never run the numbers. I CAN say that I enjoy TW quite a bit. My TW/Dark armor is a rolling freight train of destruction without a namby-pamby rage crash . She gets a slow attack every once in a while to make up for it, but it's still a lot less annoying to me than losing a big chunk of end and doing pathetic damage on a set timer.

Bottom line- find something you enjoy playing and play it (Brute builds I've personally played in incarnate trials and had fun with: DM/Elec, War Mace/Shield, TW/DA. Brutes I've not had fun with: None). In the incarnate trials I've run, I'm generally buffed to the gills and I don't really need to be awesome to survive and contribute*.

*Unless I want to do stupid scrapper/brute/nightwidow/defender tricks and try and solo spawns in the lab or warehouse on Lambda sector. It's good for laughs, but not necessary for the team to succeed in the trial.

**Edit**
Oh, and welcome back!

I like it for the sake of variety. Some content is fun solo, sometimes a TF with an 8 person team can be fun. Sometimes solo feels like a slog and sometimes on an 8 person team, I feel like I can afk and it won't make much of a difference to a team. So, having *some* content geared towards teams smaller than max size is nice. You're not alone, you've got 3 other folks to either pile on your strengths or shore up your weaknesses, but *you* matter.

I've had similar experiences to some here with an all melee team (I think we had 2 brutes, a tank, and a scrapper) where it was fairly slow and I was gasping for breath the whole time. It wasn't as fun as others but it was still pretty fun. And it gives you an appreciation of what the other ATs bring to the table when they're not around.

Conversely, I had an awesome team last night when I picked up my Fire/Dark controller that I had sidelined as "not fun". Two controllers, a tank and a scrapper and we hit every badge (that I know of) and blasted through it. Now, I have another alt to stick in my rotation.

I have a 50 TW/DA and she's one of my favorite brutes. Lots of AoE, Good Survivability and a combination you don't see often. There are, however, reasons for that.

The early-mid 20s were pretty painful with just SOs. Once I IO'ed it in the mid-30s (with a frankenslot build) it got a lot better. Physical Perfection/Superior Conditioning was another improvement and by the time I got my Cardiac Alpha, Endurance was no issue. My blue bar (now) hardly moves.

There are a lot of tricks I used to get through the rough patches early on. I'll see if I can find my list of tips somewhere.

Bottom line, go into it knowing you'll have end issues early on but you'll be progressively better as you go along. Don't be discouraged. It will get better.

Ah-ha! Found my "tips and tricks" I used to work my TW/DA brute up. I'll copy the rest of my post from our SG boards because it pretty well summarizes my answer to the questions you're asking and it shows how I felt about the character while I leveled her up.

"My TW/DA Brute is 43 now and her end burn is pretty manageable (Shock Treatment and Superstunners are problematic, but no real end problems otherwise). I did have problems leveling up, but found that there are many cheap ways to mitigate the end burn.

#1) Slot el-cheapo set IOs with end reduction (Frankenslot)
#2) Every time I log on her, I put up a bid for medium blue inspirations for whatever cheap price (500 inf each? 1000 inf each?) in a stack of 10. Collect whatever I bought from the last time.
#3) Keep a Recovery Serum power (really helped in the low levels, 18-25 I was sucking wind, it got better) handy. Buy these in stock too- lowball bids allowed to sit overnight. Buy the low level version or the high level version as the salvage is dirt cheap.
#4) First two alignment merits went to a Miracle +Recovery for Health.
#5) Get the Atlas Medallion.
#6) Theft of Essence +End Proc for Dark Regen.

Once I got rolling it got progressively easier. With Superior Conditioning and Physical Perfection, it should be cake.

She's a rolling can of whoop-a$$ just like my other brutes, only with lots of AoE whoop-a$$. Survivability is good against most things (although the Romans beat the snot out of me in the one ITF I ran- those boss crits hurt BAD) and solo, most hard targets can be killed pretty quickly (and the minions are wandering around stunned from OG). She's definitely got at least as much "Oompf" (subjectively) as my WM/Shield brute did at that level, unfortunately, the survivability isn't as good (WM/Shield was softcapped by then). I'll be doing a rebuild of her shortly to try to get her defense up and we'll see how it all hangs together then.

So, with some pretty cheap steps (with the exception of the 2 alignment merits on the miracle) even an "End Heavy" set like DA can make Titan Weapons work and work well. The WHACK and knockdown from all the AoEs is just awesome. Right now, she's my second favorite character (I only like the WM/Shield better). As always, different strokes for different folks."

Hi Sthorm,

First, welcome to the boards! I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable poster on the board, but I'll give it a try. First off, I leveled a WM/SD Brute a while back- before the combination was available to scrappers. I'll link the build thread here:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=246450

I ended up using Twilight Snow's build (from Post #3) and it works great. Well enough that I haven't bothered to respec my WM/SD into anything more expensive and it was cheap enough that I put it together through what I earned by leveling and some minimal marketeering. There are other builds in the thread as well that you can take a look at.

There will be some differences with a scrapper, notably in the epic pool, but it's nothing super-crucial to the build and there might be some good tips in there for you too. I can't access Mids where I am right now to look at your build in detail.

Hopefully this helps a bit or gives you some ideas to work off of.