Super Reflexes with a bite =)

DM/* does quite well because it packs a heal and some very nice ST damage along with an end recovery tool (which helps out */SR enormously). FM/* does quite nicely with similar ST damage at a lower cost and substantially better AoE damage but hurts because it's lacking any mitigation or utility. Claws/* is a nice one because it has low end costs (to make endurance management easier) along with a nice little bag of tricks and respectable AoE damage to make it a beast in many people's hands. DB/* can put out amazing damage and has awesome utility, but it's going to put a hurting on your blue bar and be incredibly tight. It's capable of an incredible attack string though.

I wouldn't go so far as to recommend MA/* (high end costs and low synergy, the combo is is popular for concept though), Kat/* (DA is one of the biggest advantages of it and */SR doesn't have much use for it; it'll still be a beast though with proper slotting), BS/* (pretty much the same reasons as Kat/*), or Spines/* (very poor ST damage, not easy on the blue bar).

Here's a DM/SR build that should do excellently in all of the categories that you're asking for. It's softcapped, has high damage recovery, and can wipe out AVs without much effort. The attack string is the DM standard: MG>Smite>Siphon>Smite.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(3), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Focused Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(9)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(A), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(11), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Armgdn-Dam%(19)
Level 4: Focused Senses -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(21), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(21)
Level 6: Agile -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(23), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Nictus-Heal(9), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Nictus-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg(15)
Level 10: Practiced Brawler -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(23)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(17), Zephyr-ResKB(17)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(33), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Oblit-%Dam(34)
Level 20: Quickness -- Run-I(A)
Level 22: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 24: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(25), RgnTis-Regen+(27), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(27), Numna-Heal(29), Mrcl-Rcvry+(34)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Oblit-%Dam(37)
Level 28: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(29), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(31), P'Shift-EndMod(37)
Level 30: Dodge -- GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(39), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39), GftotA-Def/Rchg(45)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(A), EndRdx-I(39), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Hectmb-Dam%(42)
Level 35: Evasion -- GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(40), GftotA-Def/Rchg(42), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 38: Lucky -- S'dpty-Def(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(43), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(43)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(45), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(45), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(46), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(46), GSFC-Build%(46)
Level 44: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(48), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), ImpArm-ResDam(48), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Weave -- GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(50), GftotA-EndRdx/Rchg(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit

For */SR, your first priority is softcapping. After that, start investing heavily in damage recovery (+regen and self heals) and +hp. Make sure that you are end sustainable by getting +end and +recov and have enough +rech to run the attack string you're looking for (which depends entirely on what primary you're running).

Here are a couple quick definitions.
Softcapping: achieving 45% defense. Oftentimes applies to either all typed defenses (smash, lethal, fire, cold, negative, energy, psychic) or all positional defenses (ranged, melee, AoE), but can simply apply to a single one of those values in some contexts. The 45% number is derived from the specific point in which defense no longer contributes to damage avoidance beyond the ability to withstand defense debuffs. Without going into the entire mechanics, suffice it to say that 45% defense is the most you can get and the difference between 40% defense and 45% defense is a twofold increase in survivability.
Attack string (sometimes attack chain): the repeated order of attacks used when in combat, read from left to right and simply repeated. Oftentimes the names of the powers are shortened for length's sake. Virtually all of them have specific recharge requirements for all of the powers within them which are oftentimes used as guidelines for developing an effective build.

If you've got any others questions or terms you'd like defined, feel free to ask further in this thread (or send a pm on the forums or tell to me in game).

Well, I have a MA/SR, a Kat/SR and a Claws/SR and for single target the MA wins, it hits hard and fast but only one AoE. Claws is my overall fav for utility though. It hits pretty hard once slotted up and its fast and plenty of AoE.

Soft-capping is getting SR's positional defences to 45% and above. 45% is the overall cut-off point where mobs simply cannot hit you with the average level of accuracy/to-hit (there's always at least a 5% chance of hitting).

I have a build I'm working on atm that's actually not too terribly expensive, maybe in the one or two hundred mill in completion. BUT! Here's a build that's actually pretty cheap to get to soft-capping. I used it as a leveling up build too:

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Claws
Secondary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1: Strike T'Death-Acc/Dmg:39(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:39(3), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:39(9), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:39(27), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:39(34), T'Death-Dam%:39(45)
Level 1: Focused Fighting DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(5), DefBuff-I:40(7), EndRdx-I:40(17)
Level 2: Slash C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:39(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:39(3), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:39(9), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:39(27), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:39(34), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:39(43)
Level 4: Focused Senses DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(5), DefBuff-I:40(7), EndRdx-I:40(17)
Level 6: Hurdle Jump-I:40(A)
Level 8: Follow Up Acc-I:40(A), Acc-I:40(11), Acc-I:40(15), RechRdx-I:40(29), RechRdx-I:40(34), RechRdx-I:40(43)
Level 10: Practiced Brawler RechRdx-I:40(A), RechRdx-I:40(11)
Level 12: Combat Jumping DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(13), DefBuff-I:40(13)
Level 14: Super Jump Jump-I:40(A), Jump-I:40(15)
Level 16: Health Heal-I:40(A)
Level 18: Focus Thundr-Acc/Dmg:39(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:39(19), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:39(19), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:39(29), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:39(31), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:39(37)
Level 20: Stamina EndMod-I:40(A), EndMod-I:40(21), EndMod-I:40(21)
Level 22: Dodge DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(23), DefBuff-I:40(23)
Level 24: Agile DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(25), DefBuff-I:40(25)
Level 26: Boxing RzDz-Acc/Rchg:30(A), RzDz-EndRdx/Stun:30(40), RzDz-Acc/EndRdx:30(42), RzDz-Stun/Rng:30(42), RzDz-Acc/Stun/Rchg:30(42), RzDz-Immob%:30(43)
Level 28: Tough S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A)
Level 30: Lucky DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(31), DefBuff-I:40(31)
Level 32: Shockwave Posi-Acc/Dmg:39(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:39(33), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:39(33), Posi-Dmg/Rng:39(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:39(37), Posi-Dam%:39(37)
Level 35: Evasion DefBuff-I:40(A), DefBuff-I:40(36), DefBuff-I:40(36), EndRdx-I:40(36)
Level 38: Weave RedFtn-Def/EndRdx:39(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg:39(39), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg:39(39), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:39(39), RedFtn-Def:39(40), RedFtn-EndRdx:39(40)
Level 41: Quickness Run-I:40(A)
Level 44: Spin Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:39(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:39(45), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:39(45), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:39(46), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:39(46), Sciroc-Dam%:39(46)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy GSFC-ToHit:39(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:39(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:39(48), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:39(48), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:39(50), GSFC-Build%:39(50)
Level 49: Hasten RechRdx-I:40(A), RechRdx-I:40(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit



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The main things to help get soft-capping is Combat-Jumping, Weave and its set and Boxing and its set (I think). All the other sets help and generally build up the toon overall.

The main thing about sets and slotting is to think about what you want to achieve. SR is usually about soft-capping (getting those positional defences to 45% and higher) and then +regen or +hp. Other combos can have different things to slot for, like WP is +regen and +hp first. Regen would be +regen and +recharge etc. Look in mid's for what each set offers your build towards the goals you've set for the toon.

Hope this helps

Exactly true. You could easily swap SJ for SS as long as you kept both Hasten and CJ. The other nice thing about the leaping pool is that you can just as easily switch it out for flight by replacing Hover for CJ and Flight for SJ.

Personally, I prefer SJ more than any other transport power simply because it's cheap, fast, and gives me more than enough vertical movement for anything I need. I build the transport powers to be reasonably modular though so it's not like it's difficult to switch them out.

Budget builds aren't really within the realms of my expertise (I generally have enough money to IO any toon I care to), though I generally level with common IOs and move in to sets when I hit 50. If you want to softcap early, I suggest frankenslotting and getting the cheap/easy +def bonuses (Mako's and ToD 6 piece, BotZ 3 piece), which should get you there quite easily.

Frankenslotting is a term that is used to describe using multiple sets in a single power and simply trying to get as much enhancement value as possible from as few slots as possible without regard for the set bonuses. Oftentimes it's done by using the same IO type (such as def/end) from multiple sets to get ~95% in 2 values with only 4 slots.

Mids already has this ability. Window>Set Bonus Finder. It lets you pick the specific set bonus and the various degrees of that bonus.

I'm strange insofar as rich players are concerned. I don't farm often (and when I do it's on the Cimeroran wall when nothing else is going on), and I don't play the market, which are the two normal methods for achieving huge quantities of money (I've though about playing the market a bit, but, as easy as it is, I've never enjoyed it). Mostly I just don't spend much. I don't really buy recipes or enhancements and the only time I buy salvage is when I need it to make IOs (though I only buy common and uncommon salvage when it's low priced and don't buy rare salvage at all because I've got loads of it). I simply make money because I don't spend much.

This?

ya, that works. thanks