The Patron Power Pools are mostly filler, I find. Aside from Gloom, which is ridiculously powerful as a single-target attack, most patron powers are pretty limited in certain ways. As a good rule of thumb, Mu offers good fleshing of your AoE potential and Soul offers good single-target damage and a decent AoE. Personally, I pick between all four based on the character's concept. Taking none is a perfectly valid option, though the sets are very attractive now.
Working on defense is a good idea. Generally, you want to have layered defenses in this game. For example, defense backed up by a self-heal. Willpower, when it goes for defense, becomes quite scary. Defense backed up by resistances backed up by regeneration backed up by a self-heal if you take Aid Self and get a high enough defense score to use it. It's a good idea for a long-term character, and you'll want to use IO sets to work on it. If you don't really like the character, though, don't bother going through all this. It may become more powerful, but you probably won't like it much more.
Generally, you want to look first at which enhancement values the set will give and only then at which set bonuses it gives. However, you may find powers you don't particularly need to slot well so you go for set bonuses first and foremost. It's an art more than a science, and CoHPlanner.com has a semi-updated tool for you to work with. Some power values are wrong, but at least it gives the set bonuses and enhancement values pretty accurately.
Some general advice for SM/WP...
Key SM Powers: Fault, Seismic Smash. Don't underestimate Fault: it does no damage, but it's an insanely good mez/mitigation power. It'll do a lot of good, especially in groups. Also, for groups, take Tremor: it's not an incredibly good AoE, but it's your only one, and it's another area knockdown power. Between Fault and Tremor, most enemies will never have a chance to attack you. Finally, take Taunt. WP is less effective than most armor sets in gathering aggro; if you want to tank for a team, you'll want Taunt.
Key WP powers: High Pain Tolerance, Indomitable Will, Rise to the Challenge, Quick Recovery. Pretty much everything in WP is good and worth taking; the self-rez is skippable, as WP rarely dies. Strength of Will is a solid short-duration buff with a minor crash at the end and unenhanceable recharge - it'll get you out of the occasional tight spot.
Good pool powers: Tough, Aid Self, Hasten. The first two will push your survivability from "good" to "nearly unkillable". Hasten just makes you hit faster, and what's wrong with that?
Patron powers: Soul Mastery now has Darkest Night, a toggle debuff that reduces enemy tohit. If you're planning to stack defense, Darkest Night's debuff will help. The other Soul Mastery attacks also debuff tohit, so it would seem to be the way to go. In groups, Soul Tentacles and Dark Obliteration will add to your otherwise lackluster AoE capability.
@SPTrashcan
Avatar by Toxic_Shia
Why MA ratings should be changed from stars to "like" or "dislike"
A better algorithm for ordering MA arcs
Thank you for the replies, one other question, should I go for health/stamina or is that sort of redundant?
Health and Stamina are good for every build I've made. No matter what you're making, health and stamina is never redundant or overrated. 
Health and Stamina are rarely a waste. Of my various characters of almost every type, I've only had two builds which didn't contain the Fitness pool: An Empathy Defender with Hasten, Regen Aura and Recovery Aura (every time he started to feel the bite of low endurance the Aura's were back) and one of my Masterminds (who mainly "coached" his minions for 40+ levels). When alternate builds were introduced, both got an alternate which included Fitness.
Mainly I play melee characters and I would caution against a Brute without Stamina. When WP was introduced and they were giving level bumps on the Training Room, I built a WP tank without Stamina and felt the lack dearly in the higher levels. Brutes (especially on a good team) tend to stop moving only when their health drops to zero or their endurance drops to zero. A well built WP will make it difficult for your health to hit zero, if you can keep your endurance up you will become the nigh-unstoppable ball of destruction which is every Brute's calling.
I have a DM/WP brute on his way up now and he is postponing Stamina and relying on Dark Consumption and Quick Recovery for now. Through the late 20's he's not done too poorly but I don't think even he will be able to go without Stamina indefinitely.
Quick Recovery and Fast Healing are superior to Health and Stamina, so if you feel that Health and Stamina are sufficient for other Brutes, you can safely skip them on WP. That said, they do add a nice additional reservoir of regeneration and recovery. It all depends on whether you're willing to pass up two other powers for that additional reservoir.
@SPTrashcan
Avatar by Toxic_Shia
Why MA ratings should be changed from stars to "like" or "dislike"
A better algorithm for ordering MA arcs
Not advisable on neither SM nor WP brutes. You need the endurance for all the toggles and stone's very endurance heavy. Health... this is your friend. You need it.
50 SM/WP Brute - D Block
50 FM/ELA Brute - Raging Daemon
50 Acher/MM Blaster - Dark Reiver
50 FM/SD - Firestorm Brigade
You were right to fear me...
Don't know how well this stands up, but this is the build I am planning on going with on mine. May still try to fit Tremor into it, but I have heard terrible things about that power. I dumped hasten from the build, as with the current slotting, +haste is already higher than perma Hasten levels. I am assuming this is due to the FF proc in fault, so I am not sure how reliable that would be in actual play.
anywho
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Kitten-Stomper: Level 50 Science Brute
Primary Power Set: Stone Melee
Secondary Power Set: Willpower
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Stone Mallet -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(31), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(33), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg(33), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/EndRdx(40)
Level 1: High Pain Tolerance -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(3), Numna-Heal/Rchg(15)
Level 2: Heavy Mallet -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(13), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/EndRdx(34), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg(34)
Level 4: Fast Healing -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(5), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 6: Mind Over Body -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(7), RctvArm-ResDam(7), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(11), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 8: Fault -- FrcFbk-Rechg%(A), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(9), Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(9), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(15), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(39), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(43)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45)
Level 12: Indomitable Will -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(13)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(A)
Level 16: Rise to the Challenge -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(17), Numna-Heal/Rchg(17), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(37)
Level 18: Seismic Smash -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(19), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(19), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/EndRdx(23), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg(29)
Level 20: Quick Recovery -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(21), P'Shift-End%(21)
Level 22: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Health -- RgnTis-Regen+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(25), Numna-Heal(25), Numna-Heal/Rchg(39), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(40)
Level 26: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(27), P'Shift-End%(27)
Level 28: Heightened Senses -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Ksmt-ToHit+(29)
Level 30: Taunt -- Zinger-Taunt(A), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg(31), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(31), Zinger-Acc/Rchg(37), Zinger-Taunt/Rng(37), Zinger-Dam%(40)
Level 32: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 35: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(36), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36), RctvArm-ResDam(36)
Level 38: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(39)
Level 41: Gloom -- DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/Rchg(42), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg(42), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(43), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx(43)
Level 44: Stone Fist -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(45), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(45), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg(46), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Dark Obliteration -- Posi-Dam%(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 49: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(50), Rec'dRet-Pcptn(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
- 5.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
- 25.5% Defense(Smashing)
- 25.5% Defense(Lethal)
- 3% Defense(Fire)
- 3% Defense(Cold)
- 5.5% Defense(Energy)
- 5.5% Defense(Negative)
- 3% Defense(Psionic)
- 14.3% Defense(Melee)
- 4.25% Defense(Ranged)
- 3% Defense(AoE)
- 6% Enhancement(Heal)
- 47.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
- 9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
- 3% Enhancement(Stun)
- 320.5 HP (21.4%) HitPoints
- MezResist(Immobilize) 13.2%
- MezResist(Terrorized) 2.75%
- 20% Perception
- 5% (0.08 End/sec) Recovery
- 138% (8.64 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 1.58% Resistance(Fire)
- 1.58% Resistance(Cold)
Set Bonuses:
Kinetic Combat
(Stone Mallet)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
- 22.5 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
- 3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)
(Stone Mallet)
- 8% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
(High Pain Tolerance)
- 12% (0.75 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 28.1 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
(Heavy Mallet)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
- 22.5 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
- 3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)
(Heavy Mallet)
- 8% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
(Fast Healing)
- 12% (0.75 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 28.1 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
(Mind Over Body)
- 3% Defense(All)
(Mind Over Body)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 1.1%
- 1.25% Defense(Energy,Negative), 0.63% Defense(Ranged)
- 1.25% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 0.63% Defense(Melee)
(Fault)
- 2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
- 28.1 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
- 3% Enhancement(Stun)
- 6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
(Combat Jumping)
- 10% (0.63 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
(Indomitable Will)
- 10% (0.63 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
(Rise to the Challenge)
- 12% (0.75 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 28.1 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
- 6% Enhancement(Heal)
(Seismic Smash)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
- 22.5 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
- 3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)
(Seismic Smash)
- 8% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
(Quick Recovery)
- 16.9 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
(Health)
- 12% (0.75 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 28.1 HP (1.88%) HitPoints
(Stamina)
- 16.9 HP (1.13%) HitPoints
(Heightened Senses)
- 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
(Taunt)
- MezResist(Terrorized) 2.75%
- 10% (0.63 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
- 2.5% DamageBuff(All)
- 3.13% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.56% Defense(Melee)
(Tough)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 1.1%
- 1.25% Defense(Energy,Negative), 0.63% Defense(Ranged)
- 1.25% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 0.63% Defense(Melee)
(Weave)
- 10% (0.63 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
(Gloom)
- 22.5 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
(Gloom)
- 12% (0.75 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 33.7 HP (2.25%) HitPoints
- 3% DamageBuff(All)
(Stone Fist)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
- 22.5 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
- 3.75% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Melee)
(Stone Fist)
- 8% (0.5 HP/sec) Regeneration
(Dark Obliteration)
- 2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
- 1.58% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
- 9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
- 6.25% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
(Build Up)
- 1.88% Defense(Smashing,Lethal), 0.94% Defense(Melee)
- 6% (0.38 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 20% Perception
Dark Armor is like that kid you knew in school that didn't know when to shut up, and no matter how bad he got beaten down, he got right back up again and kept on talking.
You may want to take stone fist earlier... like level 1. You're gonna have a pretty rough time if your 1-2 combo is 8 and 12 seconds respectively. Since you intend to pick it up regardless, you may as well select it when it'll do you the most good.
50 SM/WP Brute - D Block
50 FM/ELA Brute - Raging Daemon
50 Acher/MM Blaster - Dark Reiver
50 FM/SD - Firestorm Brigade
You were right to fear me...
yeah, should have said, this isnt a leveling build, is a final build, I threw that one in much later after I had been messing around with the build for awhile
Dark Armor is like that kid you knew in school that didn't know when to shut up, and no matter how bad he got beaten down, he got right back up again and kept on talking.
Ah thank you very much for the sample build. I just started messing around with mids myself. And thank you all very much for the replies.
As I stated initially, this is just my take from messing with mids, not really sure how good a build it is. Altho, I have noticed that the less people point out glaring holes, or make nitpicky comments on it, the better it is.............
Dark Armor is like that kid you knew in school that didn't know when to shut up, and no matter how bad he got beaten down, he got right back up again and kept on talking.
Hello, I have recently hit level 25 on my SM/WP and have a few questions on the future.
1) I'm fairly new at the game and not 100% sure which powers are not worth taking. Taunt, build up, Strength of will, etc. Does anyone know where I can look at a decent build for grouping? I group as much as possible.
2) Not sure which power pool I want to use, I've looked at Mu but not sure entirely. Do I really lose anything by not picking one?
3) There doesn't seem to be lots of defense on WP looks like mostly resists, should I mainly focus on that part or should I work on improving defense through enhancements, power pools.
4) Whenever I do get to 50, what are some good IO's that I should get? Seem to lots of them not sure which ones are best for my SM/WP.
I tried looking at the guides here at the top of these forums but the links don't seem to work since they have migrated to the new boards.
Thank you i advance for any help.