First ever Brute


Aurrius

 

Posted

So I recently made an Energy Melee/Energy Aura Brute, and I was thinking, is this a good build to start with?
Please be gentle on me - I'm still a Brute noob!


Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1,20
http://www.honourableunited.org.uk/mhd.php

The Spellburn: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Energy Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Barrage -- Dmg(A), Dmg(3), Dmg(5), Acc(7), Acc(13)
Level 1: Kinetic Shield -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(15), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19), EndRdx(37)
Level 2: Bone Smasher -- Dmg(A), Dmg(3), Dmg(5), Acc(7), Acc(11), RechRdx(36)
Level 4: Power Shield -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(15), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19), EndRdx(50)
Level 6: Build Up -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(43), RechRdx(43)
Level 8: Whirling Hands -- Dmg(A), Dmg(9), Dmg(9), Acc(11), Acc(13), RechRdx(34)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(50)
Level 12: Recall Friend -- IntRdx(A)
Level 14: Teleport -- Range(A), Range(36), Range(36), EndRdx(39)
Level 16: Swift -- Run(A)
Level 18: Health -- Heal(A)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(21), EndMod(21)
Level 22: Total Focus -- Dmg(A), Dmg(23), Dmg(23), Acc(25), Acc(25), EndRdx(31)
Level 24: Aid Other -- Heal(A)
Level 26: Aid Self -- Heal(A), Heal(27), Heal(27), IntRdx(31), IntRdx(37), EndRdx(43)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- EndMod(A), EndMod(29), EndMod(29), RechRdx(31), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(45)
Level 30: Energy Cloak -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(42)
Level 32: Energy Transfer -- Dmg(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), Acc(33), Acc(34), RechRdx(34)
Level 35: Assault -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(37)
Level 38: Overload -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(39), DefBuff(40), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(42)
Level 41: Gloom -- Dmg(A), Dmg(42), Dmg(45), Acc(45), Acc(46), RechRdx(46)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Dmg(A), Dmg(46), Dmg(48), Acc(48), Acc(48), EndRdx(50)
Level 47: Dampening Field -- ResDam(A)
Level 49: Energy Protection -- ResDam(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx(A)
Level 1: Fury
------------
[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]


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Posted

I really wouldn't bother with Assault.

Don't bother with either of the passive RES powers unless you need them for IO Slotting (Such as the global +3 DEF from Steadfast Protection).

You'll want to slot Energy Cloak for Defence, I'd also suggest trying to slot it in earlier if you can, it makes a noticeable difference to your survivability.

You won't need to slot Overload for Defence as it will be capped from the start - it's much better to slot it with Heals as it will greatly boost your maximum HP.

You might also want to find a couple of extra slots for Health - the extra regen helps minimise any downtime.


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Posted

Yeah, energy cloak is da bomb, take it much earlier. As is usually the case, any sort of passive that gives res to anything is pretty much pants these days, and what you really want is S+L resistance. Perhaps pick up Tough and maybe, if you think you can afford the end, Weave too?


Defiant 50's
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@Miss Chief

 

Posted

Is this a bit better? I'm having quite a hard time slotting this guy :S

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1,20
http://www.honourableunited.org.uk/mhd.php

The Spellburn: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Energy Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Barrage -- Dmg(A), Dmg(3), Dmg(5), Acc(7), Acc(13)
Level 1: Kinetic Shield -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(15), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19), EndRdx(37)
Level 2: Bone Smasher -- Dmg(A), Dmg(3), Dmg(5), Acc(7), Acc(11), RechRdx(36)
Level 4: Power Shield -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(15), DefBuff(17), DefBuff(19), EndRdx(39)
Level 6: Build Up -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(43), RechRdx(43)
Level 8: Whirling Hands -- Dmg(A), Dmg(9), Dmg(9), Acc(11), Acc(13), RechRdx(34)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump(A), Jump(36)
Level 16: Swift -- Run(A)
Level 18: Health -- Heal(A)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(21), EndMod(21)
Level 22: Total Focus -- Dmg(A), Dmg(23), Dmg(23), Acc(25), Acc(25), EndRdx(31)
Level 24: Aid Other -- Heal(A)
Level 26: Aid Self -- Heal(A), Heal(27), Heal(27), IntRdx(31), IntRdx(37), EndRdx(42)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- EndMod(A), EndMod(29), EndMod(29), RechRdx(31), RechRdx(39), RechRdx(43)
Level 30: Energy Cloak -- EndRdx(A), DefBuff(36), DefBuff(37), DefBuff(45)
Level 32: Energy Transfer -- Dmg(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), Acc(33), Acc(34), RechRdx(34)
Level 35: Boxing -- Acc(A)
Level 38: Overload -- Heal(A), Heal(39), Heal(40), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(40), RechRdx(42)
Level 41: Gloom -- Dmg(A), Dmg(42), Dmg(45), Acc(45), Acc(46)
Level 44: Tough -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(46), ResDam(46), ResDam(50), ResDam(50)
Level 47: Weave -- EndRdx(A), EndRdx(48), DefBuff(48), DefBuff(48), DefBuff(50)
Level 49: Conserve Power -- RechRdx(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx(A)
Level 1: Fury
------------
[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]


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Posted

try getting energy cloak at 24, then 26 Aid other, 28 energy drain and 30 Aid self


It's now Issue 21 and I am back!
My new Global is @Zyhar
Currently enjoying the Exalted Server!

 

Posted

Here you go, a sample build based on your power choices - I can't say I've had a great deal of experience with Energy Melee, but it seems about right to me:

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.20
http://www.honourableunited.org.uk/mhd.php

Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Energy Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Medicine
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Barrage -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(9), Acc-I(43), Dmg-I(43), Dmg-I(43), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 1: Kinetic Shield -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(3), DefBuff-I(3), DefBuff-I(5), DefBuff-I(9)
Level 2: Bone Smasher -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(17), Acc-I(40), Dmg-I(42), Dmg-I(42), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 4: Power Shield -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(5), DefBuff-I(7), DefBuff-I(7), DefBuff-I(11)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I(A)
Level 8: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(11)
Level 12: Whirling Hands -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(13), Acc-I(13), Dmg-I(15), Dmg-I(15), RechRdx-I(17)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 18: Health -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(19), Heal-I(19)
Level 20: Energy Cloak -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(21), DefBuff-I(21), DefBuff-I(23), DefBuff-I(25)
Level 22: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(23), EndMod-I(25)
Level 24: Total Focus -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(27), Acc-I(27), Dmg-I(37), Dmg-I(37), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 26: Aid Other -- IntRdx-I(A)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(29), RechRdx-I(29), EndMod-I(31), EndMod-I(31), EndRdx-I(46)
Level 30: Aid Self -- IntRdx-I(A), Heal-I(31), Heal-I(33), Heal-I(33)
Level 32: Energy Transfer -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(33), Acc-I(34), Dmg-I(34), Dmg-I(34), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 35: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 38: Overload -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(39), Heal-I(39), Heal-I(40), Heal-I(40)
Level 41: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 44: Tough -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(45), ResDam-I(45), ResDam-I(45), ResDam-I(46)
Level 47: Weave -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(48), DefBuff-I(48), DefBuff-I(48), DefBuff-I(50)
Level 49: Gloom -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(50), Acc-I(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Fury



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Posted

Personally I have a lot more knowledge about the EA set than the EM set but my gf plays an EM/EA so I’m not completely clueless how this operates and will try to offer advice on both sets. I’m at work at the moment so can’t post a build so will try to offer general advice instead.

Looking at the builds posted here one thing I would like to say is that you will find fury generation very difficult. My first point about this is Barrage, I really don’t like this on a Brute and find it detrimental to fury, although it is a minor damage fast recharge attack it does have an annoying animation. Although people’s mileage may vary I really do not like this power and would choose energy punch in its place.

In my opinion EM/EA is one of the hardest brutes to gain fury with but there are ways around it. Personally I would want a fast, low animation time, low endurance attack chain to build fury and then switch to my big hitters once it’s high. I would have an attack chain like this: Brawl &gt; Boxing &gt; Brawl &gt; Energy Punch &gt; Brawl etc. This I would do until my fury is high and then start throwing Bonesmasher, TF and ET into the mix.

I do not like Energy Cloak. It certainly has it’s uses, especially if you solo a lot, but in a team you want to be seen. As EA doesn’t have a taunt/damage aura I find Taunt a much better choice than Energy Cloak as it allows me to keep aggro and as a result high fury in a team. Energy Cloak will have the opposite effect, again I guess it depends on playstyle. One bonus that Energy Cloak does have is a 3.75% Defence to Psionic Attacks, this is the only form of psi defense you can get (outside of IO set bonuses) for an EA Brute. You get 3.75% defence to almost all forms of damage but you will lose a lot of this once you start fighting; is it really worth it?

A tactic I employ with my EA Brute utilises all three of the final powers, Energy Drain, Conserve Power and Overload. Once you notice that Overload is about to drop, click Conserve Power, as soon as you notice that your blue bar has started to drop hit Energy Drain (or pop a blue or two) and if timed right you will not suffer the crash, your toggles wont drop and you can carry on fighting as if nothing has happened. It takes practice but it really is an awesome tactic.

Another thing about Conserve Power, and I’m not sure if this is a bug (as the effect isn’t listed anywhere) or its WAI, is that it seems to protect you almost completely from End Drain attacks. I can stand in the middle of a Carnie Spawn when they die and my blue bar will not budge, I can laugh at Malta Sappers as they try to drain my End, again my blue bar will not budge. End drains effect me when Conserve Power is not activated so I concluded it must be CP protecting me.

One of the bonuses about PPPs being so poor, especially for brutes (unless you’re a fire brute and want an immob for burn), is that you don’t have to take them. This allows you a lot more freedom for picking up powers like your passives (which aren’t bad IMO) and pool powers like the fighting pool. I would definitely try to take both Dampening Field and Tough as this will give you a S/L resistance of 18.75% (unslotted) which isn’t too bad if you ask me. As mentioned in a previous post passives have become a bit more desirable if you are planning to slot IO sets. Pick up the passive resist powers as well as Tough (instead of PPPs?) and you can collect not only defence sets but three resist sets as well.

Lastly, and I think this was mentioned already, slot Overload with Health enhancements. At level 50 you gain around a 600 hp boost UNSLOTTED. My hp bar goes to well over 3000 when Overload is active, that increases your survivability just as much as the 45% defence to all but psi.

That’s about all I can be bothered to type right now, hope you find it useful.


 

Posted

Well Blind, thanks A LOT for that wall of text

I'll do my best to make this build a bit better... I realise it sucks quite a lot.


 

Posted

You're more than welcome. Please bear in mind that I'm not saying my way is the only (or indeed best) way to play EA but it works for me. EA has a bit of a bad reputation as one of the weaker Brute secondaries but personally I love it (and I've played all but Stone to a high level). Hope you have fun.


 

Posted

Hehe. You know, those few times I played together with you (in the Violators, those good ol' times) I cannot remember you were Super Strength/Energy Aura...


 

Posted

EA is all or nothing and before SOs/IOs its nothing

energy cloak and stealth IOs currently do not stack

for your first brute I would recommend EM/Fire, the mitigation is far superior for beginners, I would class EA as "advanced" as it is harder to play.


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Posted

Thanks Stalk_obot, but I like challenges.


 

Posted

well this will be one, especially untill level 32 as you best move will leave you hanging in the air for 3.3 seconds while all and sundry shoot at you. EM has no real mitigation unless you solo so nothing will slow down the incoming attacks that will breech your defences. You will suck as a "main brute" as the sets dont function that way.

Best thing to put in your search comment is "Stalker with hitpoints" as thats pretty much going to be your role.

enjoy


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Posted

[ QUOTE ]
well this will be one, especially untill level 32 as you best move will leave you hanging in the air for 3.3 seconds while all and sundry shoot at you. EM has no real mitigation unless you solo so nothing will slow down the incoming attacks that will breech your defences. You will suck as a "main brute" as the sets dont function that way.

Best thing to put in your search comment is "Stalker with hitpoints" as thats pretty much going to be your role.

enjoy

[/ QUOTE ]

Blimey, did an EA brute run over your dog or something?


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Posted

[ QUOTE ]
well this will be one, especially untill level 32 as you best move will leave you hanging in the air for 3.3 seconds while all and sundry shoot at you. EM has no real mitigation unless you solo so nothing will slow down the incoming attacks that will breech your defences. You will suck as a "main brute" as the sets dont function that way.

Best thing to put in your search comment is "Stalker with hitpoints" as thats pretty much going to be your role.

enjoy

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, thanks for making me very excited to play this character.


 

Posted

I think we have a cynic

I'll admit though, me Energy/Energy Brute feels a lot squishier than my Energy/Invul brute, most likely due to the lack of a self heal (I refuse to take the Medicine Pool) but also because Defense at lower lvls isn't as good as resistance. With resistance, you're guarantee to take less damage, with every hit. With Defense, you might get hit for full damage each and every time. Still, he's by no means weak an I enjoy smashing my way through large spawns of Mu.


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Zwillinger: I put on my robe and wizard hat...
Synapse: I had to resist starting my last post off with "Yo dawg!"

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
well this will be one, especially untill level 32 as you best move will leave you hanging in the air for 3.3 seconds while all and sundry shoot at you. EM has no real mitigation unless you solo so nothing will slow down the incoming attacks that will breech your defences. You will suck as a "main brute" as the sets dont function that way.

Best thing to put in your search comment is "Stalker with hitpoints" as thats pretty much going to be your role.

enjoy

[/ QUOTE ]

Blimey, did an EA brute run over your dog or something?

[/ QUOTE ]

Haha, no I ran one to 50 in the best IO build you could imagine, then stripped out the IOs with 4 consecutive respecs and deleted. 35ish you will start to mature into a decent build and after that with right slotting you will run in almost perma overload but getting there is hell and teams are your enemy, more players = bigger mobs = more damage inevitably getting past your defences really really quick. People equate "Brute" as "Tank" and will invite you on team to take the alpha and watch as you rack up that debt (which is fortunate as you need 1.2 million cleared for your high pain threshold accolade)

Opening with TF is a bad idea, always open with bonesmasher

Seriously advertise yourself as a stalker with hitpoints if you are seeking a team

The nail in the coffin for me was the fact that the cloak and the stealth IO did not stack when it does with all other things.

Solo its fine, in teams make sure someone there is willing to take the alpha untill you get well into the 30s

Given that I have played lots of brutes to 50 both before and after my em/ea I can say that none were less fun than the ea, that could just be me but I would try to steer a first time brute player to something that is guaranteed fun as opposed to a niche. Now my em/fire is a god, 2 build ups, best heal in game, runs around one shotting red lts on just fury, its massive damage, massive mitigation and is a joy on teams or solo. The low toggle secondary means you can get some fun builds going with what pools you take (speed, jump, fitness and leadership on mine) I dont fear malta or any other "drainers" as they are dead before they can do anything.

My advice, EM/Fire if you want to be a single target monster, SS or SM/Fire for team based builds.


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