Brutes are only useful in zone due to their ability to taunt and webnade a target. Base damage and resist are worst than a tank, and you'll never build rage in PvP unless you're fighting npc's at the same time or dueling. Take SS for the to hit and damage bonus, pick up taunt, webnade, and just play a taunt bot. My brute has 2 taunts and nades and I get more braudcast whining about her than any of my other toons. Hearing "all you do is taunt" or my favorite "kill the taunting brute" means you are VERY useful to any team.
Are Brutes any good in PvP?
What power sets are doing ok right now