I don't pvp much, so I will answer your question from the pve perspective.
I think that would be an underperforming combo currently.
Energy melee is S L O W. Extremely slow. Underwhelmingly slow. Oppressively slow. Sure, it hits hard, but if you team a lot, you will face frustration. Before your attacks fully animate and take out any mob, chances are a team mate will take out your target first. The set is just not what it used to be. Some might even say it was one of the biggest nerfs this side of the whole regen debacle.
IMO- Electric Armor is subpar currently. Sure, it is one of the most respectable resistance oriented sets, but the problem is that it is virtually a one trick pony. Almost all of the other sets have layers of mitigation built in naturally, but ELA doesn't. Inv has Dull pain and scaling defense. WP has scaling regeneration and easy ways to push the HP cap. Dark Armor has some mezz and a great heal. Fire has a great heal + offensive boost. Shield has offensive boost, team buffs, peddling resists and superior defense. ELA, with its end drain, just doesn't seem to stack up to these other sets. ELA lacks versatility, and you will find it does well in only very particular scenarios. It doesn't have scaling resists, defense, or regen. It doesn't have a heal. It doesn't offer ways to boost HP. It does have a nice T9, but most (including myself) are of the opinion that one shouldn't have to pop T9 constantly in order be effective.
The good news is that ELA is receiving a buff in the form of a new power selection in i16. I won't go into the details here, but there are two threads which do. Some are even speculating that the set may become the new FotM with the change.
Good news for Energy Melee... hmm... well, in i16 you will probably be able to turn in your pink pom poms of doom for blue ones or whatever you desire. There have been no announcements for any mechanical changes to EM of which I am aware.
Words to the wise aren't necessary- it's the stupid ones that need them.
"You're right...I forgot...being constantly at or the near the damage cap is a big turn off. Definitely not worth it."
- Vitality
wow MW - good summary : ) em/elec does have some survival issues, its not an alpha tanker unless its uber-resist form is up, but I suspect the set is designed with the idea that the uber resist is built in such a way as to negate all the other 'passive' or 'layered' resist methods MW mentioned in relation to other powersets.
Clearly, given the power change in the pipeline, this powerset architecture is not as useful for (meatshield) melee heavy ATs, specifically ATs that are suggestively structured around handeling alpha (much less the brute than the tank).
While I find it a fun combo, its a lot like a /fire tank.
@LostComet
-Repeat Offenders Network-
I forgot to add that I would not personally pair EM with any secondary that doesn't have some kind of regenerative or +hp component. I personally have a EM/SR Brute(largely a concept build) and you might be surprised at how much of a toll constant Energy Transfers can take on your HP bar. Of course, you can have aid self, but I would rather not. I suppose though, with ELA, you may already have aid self in your build.
On the subject of taking an alpha strike- I strongly believe FA is currently more capable of taking it and continuing to roll. If the alpha is that bad, you can just heal yourself up and keep going. I am also a confessed lover of FA, so don't mind me... lol. I have seen some very impressive FA/ and /FA people in action. I love mine!
Words to the wise aren't necessary- it's the stupid ones that need them.
"You're right...I forgot...being constantly at or the near the damage cap is a big turn off. Definitely not worth it."
- Vitality
Well the title says it all. Hows the combo doing now a days in pve & pvp?