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War Mace got a buff recently (relatively). You might also consider this set, since clobber is now a good attack.| I'd really like some help with a BA/FA brute build, if anybody actually even plays one of these; I've searched the forums with my limited "search-fu" and have drawn a blank. |
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| I was hoping that Blazing Aura would help fill in the chain with Fury production, but at the cost of more endurance. |
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| Would I probably need to get Stamina in addition to Consume to offset this? |
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| Also, with all the mitigation of knockdown, will I find it harder to build up to full Fury, or is that a misconception? |
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| This is a concept character, so no matter how painful the journey may be, I'm pretty determined to see it through until the end. I'd just like it to be as painless as possible... |
Once you hit around 35, look for cheap IO sets that nobody really wants. They exist, and will save you a ton of money and make your character a lot better. You aren't getting these for the set bonuses, but for the fact that you will be able to get better numbers improving your attacks. It's a practice called frankenslotting.
You will most definitely need Stamina. I also highly suggest getting Consume, as just Stamina will not completely solve the endurance issues you run into at low levels. Trust me on this one. 
Also, take and slot Healing Flames as soon as possible. And by "slot" I mean get it six-slotted as quickly as you can without gimping your other powers. It is an excellent heal, and since FA is a resist set you will be taking quite a bit of damage.
As for Knockdown, I have a Stone Melee/Willpower Brute who has no problems at all with Fury generation, despite keeping the mobs on their rumps, bouncing, and stunned practically all the time. The knockdown you generate is very good and will allow your passive healing (boosted by the Fitness pool) to keep you topped off in small fights, allowing you to save Healing Flames for when you really need it.
Edited to add: I don't mean to imply you should use Healing Flames sparingly. Don't be afraid to hit it often. Just that with Fitness and the mitigation your Knockdown abilities will provide, you won't necessarily need it every fight.
I just hit level 47 on my BA/FA brute. To be honest, FA is pretty bad. You need a knockback protection IO, and in my opinion, just from playing different resist sets, this one feels the weakest. I am constantly going to the market to stock up on large purple inspirations for boss and EB fights at difficulty level 4. I didn't take temperature protection (yet), so maybe that has a little to do with it, but I'm not so sure.
FA, combined with BA is a total end hog, and even with consume and stamina, you will have end problems. Now, I solo a TON, so maybe if you team more than me, it wouldn't be so bad.
BA is pretty weak and slow at first, but once you get pendulum and cleave, build up that fury and you are a killing machine in the late levels. I don't have much trouble building up fury.
Now, it might seem like I am saying FA sucks, and BA only has 2 good powers, and that might be pretty accurate, BUT, for some reason this toon is just a lot of fun to play, despite all the downsides. I couldn't even tell you why, but blazing aura, an immob from the PPPs and burn, along with the big hitters in BA is wonderful. I also have a concept toon and I love the fire animations, as well as some of the axes you can unlock. I am loving the Rularu axe! I would not play this toon this long if it wasn't fun.
I'd really like some help with a BA/FA brute build, if anybody actually even plays one of these; I've searched the forums with my limited "search-fu" and have drawn a blank.
My only experiences with BA have been blue-side, and I was left with an impression of a slower attack chain and heavier endurance use. If that is still the case with brutes, I was hoping that Blazing Aura would help fill in the chain with Fury production, but at the cost of more endurance. Would I probably need to get Stamina in addition to Consume to offset this? Also, with all the mitigation of knockdown, will I find it harder to build up to full Fury, or is that a misconception?
This is a concept character, so no matter how painful the journey may be, I'm pretty determined to see it through until the end. I'd just like it to be as painless as possible...
Thanks!