I'm also on the fence about Fiery Embrace for this combo... can't decide one way or the other.
While not strictly as amazing for SS/Fire as it is for Fire/Fire (especially since we don't get a fire mastery *sob*) FE is definitely worth it. It only needs a slot or two of recharge and is a nice damage boost. Way I see it, I went /FA for more damage. FE brings that.
Taking a cursory look in Mids, assuming 99%ish damage enhancement (3 generic dam IOs), 80% fury and Rage (what you'll usually be running at) Footstomp hits for 260. FE kicks that up to 307. The damage buff it gives non-fire damage may not be the full 30s duration or 100%, but its still significant. It also makes a huge difference to Blazing Auras damage. Radius may be small, but PBAoE tics of 50-60 are not.
As for your build...looking at it I can see how you've built to be tougher by getting more defense, the problem is you've not got enough for it to be noticeable. Running CJ and Weave you've got 14% s/l which is nice, but if you want defense I would aim for much more. Either pick a single type (like s/l or melee) and get it into the high 30s/40s (softcap it if you can without gimping your build, the softcap being 45%) or mid to high 20s for all three positions.
The way I built my brute was crazy recharge. The way I see /FA is not so much a resistance set with a heal, but more a set with a great heal that has resists to shore it up. Healing Flames is a phenomenal self-heal. Keeping that in mind, the other thing I wanted from my brute was huge damage without ever having to stop. More recharge = more damage. More recharge = Healing Flames and Consume up more often, don't have to stop for health/end.
So I said screw defense, if I want enemies to miss me I can scoff purple insp until I can't feel my face. My build has about 90something % recharge, but its also very expensive. For a price-restricted build I would say you could easily get around 40-70% without breaking the bank. Enough to make a nice difference.
The other thing you'll want is recovery. Lots of +recovery. Hasten crashes, Rage crashes, Footstomp is a huge end hog, it all adds up. SS/Fa is enough of an end hog without adding stuff like Assault and Tactics. Neither of which you need, btw, since fury/Rage/FE are all the damage buffs you need and Rage is a nice tohit buff.
Hope this helps. If you want I can post my build or a rough draft of a cheaper version of it.
Support Guides for all Corruptor secondaries and Fortunatas
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
I think Silas is right on here. It seems to me that to effectively play an ss/fa, you really need to emphasize recharge. Faster recharge means your heal is up faster and your enemies are dropping faster.
Many thanks for the advice both of you (even though it's not my thread heh)
Yes, I'd noticed that trying for +Defense was just sucking. You're suggesting that I just slot for End Recovery and Recharge and power straight through on Healing Flames... I think I can do that!
As for Fiery Embrace, I have it now, have had it for a dozen levels... And I almost never use it. Actually, the same is true for Rage, unless I'm in a big hurry, or the baddies are hugely over my level and I need to stop 'whiffing' on Consume and such.
I suppose that comes from my Tanker experience - Not the 'not using' Rage and FE, but simply being too focussed on working the enemy to think about triggering the boost. Frankly, I'm so busy riding the Rage and the SMASH!, that I usually don't have time to think, "Gee, I could be doing lots more damage, if I took a moment to push That button!"
On the other hand, the current build has enough recharge to double-stack Rage... Meaning I can avoid the crash. And if I work towards tacking on a bit more...
As a Scrapper or Tanker, I can plan to use Build Up (or whatever) Before I attack... As a Brute, I have to remember to use it after I've been fighting for a while... although, if I can 'perma' Rage, that would solve the problem.
That said, where would you have me put Fiery Embrace or Hasten, if I were to choose these powers?
Where/how (other than Hasten) would I pick up more Recharge and Recovery?
I surely do appreciate your feedback, but it has been a bit general and not addressed my build, specifically. For instance, If I slotted something different in my Resistance powers, what could/should it be?
Be Well!
Fireheart
Oh snap Kahlan, are you considering making a SS/FA?
Fireheart: I get what you mean about getting so wrapped up in smashing face that you forget to push some buttons, but those buttons can make you smash so much harder so its definitely worth it 
The other thing is Tankers really play very differently to brutes. Tankers get aggro because its arguably the only thing they excel at, brutes get aggro because aggro = fury = bigger facepunchings. Pow pow.
As for double stacking Rage, as a general rule I don't. Doublestacking it does spare you the -def crash, but not the damage or end crashes. You'll also be crashing twice as often and you can avoid the -def crash simply by refreshing Rage once it starts to flicker on your buff bar.
Looking at your build, if you wanted to keep it more or less as-is I would take Hasten and FE at 35 and 38. FE can easily be put off until the late 30s/40s, its very nice to have but certainly not game-changing. Hasten you might want earlier depending on how much exemplaring down you do, I think on my build I picked it up somewhere in the low 20s.
Resistance power slotting: I wanted +rech and +rec from sets and since the only +rech from resistance sets is 5% for 5 slots and otherwise a kinda crappy set, I focused on those that gave +recovery. These would be Impervium Armors and Steadfast protections. The Steadfasts also allow you to get some KB protection, but bear in mind they cap at 30 so you won't get very high resistance values. For this reason put them in a power you don't mind shortchanging a little for enhancement values. That said, you could easily go 2-3 Steadfasts and one or two generic 50 resistance IOs, you've certainly got the slots (take them from the leadership powers).
Another good option is Titanium Coatings, 3 of them for the +hp bonus. With resistance sets you generally want the res, res/end and res/end/rech (in that order of importance). This will give you good values for both resistance and endurance reduction.
Hope that helps.
Support Guides for all Corruptor secondaries and Fortunatas
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
Quote:
Made it last night. Level 10 already. I'm enjoying it |
Originally Posted by Silas
Oh snap Kahlan, are you considering making a SS/FA?
|
Yessssssss...
btw don't you dare build it for defense. The softcap knows you love it truly madly deeply, you don't have to cling to it so much :P
More recharge = more stuff killed = more insp drop. If you need defense eat purples, ain't no inspiration that makes Footstomp come up faster.
With your resources that brute (assuming it lives to 50 :P) better have over 80% rech, or else.
Nah, seriously though, awesome. I love my brute. You'll hopefully enjoy it more than your SS/SD, I find /SD a little boring. Highly effective, but boring.
Support Guides for all Corruptor secondaries and Fortunatas
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
Silas is right, it's hard to build for a noticeable amount of defense while getting a loads amount of recharge, which SS is definitely in need of.
Fiery Embrace, I wouldn't skip. Why go /Fire and skip the powers that offer more damage, which the set excels at. Although, the damage for Burn caps before FE, it really helps boost the damage of Blazing Aura.
As to your question of what to drop for Hasten and FE, I would drop Weave and Assault. Weave doesn't make that much of a difference if you don't have a significant amount of global defense and Assault is pretty much useless with Rage + Fury.
Here's my build I've used for a while. It's built towards +rech, +recovery and +HP. I'm sure I could tweak it to be a little better, but it has done me well with putting out massive AoE damage and ST damage that is nothing to laugh at.
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Fiery-Enforcer: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Super Strength
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Punch -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(36), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- TtmC'tng-ResDam(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(3), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(3), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(5), S'fstPrt-ResKB(7)
Level 2: Haymaker -- Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(7), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Hectmb-Dam%(25)
Level 4: Healing Flames -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(13), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(13), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Dct'dW-Heal(15), Dct'dW-Rchg(17)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 8: Knockout Blow -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(9), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 10: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 12: Blazing Aura -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(25), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(40), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43)
Level 14: Super Jump -- HO:Micro(A)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(17), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(19), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(19), S'fstPrt-ResKB(36)
Level 18: Health -- Mrcl-Heal(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(23), Mrcl-Rcvry+(37), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(48)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(21), P'Shift-End%(46)
Level 22: Rage -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(29), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(34)
Level 24: Consume -- P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(27), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(27), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(29)
Level 26: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 28: Boxing -- Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(50)
Level 30: Tough -- TtmC'tng-ResDam(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(31), S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(31), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), S'fstPrt-ResKB(46)
Level 32: Foot Stomp -- Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(A), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(33), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Armgdn-Dam%(34), FrcFbk-Rechg%(34)
Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Burn -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Electrifying Fences -- GravAnch-Immob(A), GravAnch-Immob/Rchg(42), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(42), GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(42), GravAnch-Immob/EndRdx(43)
Level 44: Ball Lightning -- Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Hurl -- Apoc-Dmg(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg(48), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Apoc-Acc/Rchg(50), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Rise of the Phoenix -- RechRdx-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
- 7% DamageBuff(Smashing)
- 7% DamageBuff(Lethal)
- 7% DamageBuff(Fire)
- 7% DamageBuff(Cold)
- 7% DamageBuff(Energy)
- 7% DamageBuff(Negative)
- 7% DamageBuff(Toxic)
- 7% DamageBuff(Psionic)
- 92% Enhancement(Accuracy)
- 4% Enhancement(Heal)
- 77.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
- 15% FlySpeed
- 236.1 HP (15.8%) HitPoints
- 15% JumpHeight
- 15% JumpSpeed
- Knockback (Mag -12)
- Knockup (Mag -12)
- MezResist(Immobilize) 4.4%
- MezResist(Sleep) 4.4%
- MezResist(Stun) 2.2%
- MezResist(Terrorized) 2.2%
- 34.5% (0.58 End/sec) Recovery
- 26% (1.63 HP/sec) Regeneration
- 11.3% Resistance(Fire)
- 11.3% Resistance(Cold)
- 3.13% Resistance(Negative)
- 1.26% Resistance(Toxic)
- 1.26% Resistance(Psionic)
- 15% RunSpeed
Code:
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[U][URL="http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=251594"][/URL][/U]
With my brute at 45, Fiery Embrace has definitely been helpful.
I'm dreading taking it on an LRSF for the accolade badge though. You guys are gonna have to carry me lol.
Fail. My SS/FA rocked the RSF. Plus with the teams you usually get you'll have enough buffs to go nuts 
Support Guides for all Corruptor secondaries and Fortunatas
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
The Melee Teaming Guide for Melee Mans
Seriously, my SS/Fire is great for more than just farming.
I love TF'ing with it, all those buffs and debuffs allow for even more massive damage without having to worry about survivability as much, it's also not half bad in PvP.
[U][URL="http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=251594"][/URL][/U]
@Fiery-Enforcer - How much you think a build like that would run you? And would you hold off until I19 comes out since the fitness pool will be inherent?
I've changed my build a few times since then, but with all of the purple sets, I'd say it would cost at least 4 billion with today's market.
[U][URL="http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=251594"][/URL][/U]
Holy necro batman.
Hello everyone. I've recently had the good fortune to reach level 50 and I'm looking to respec into a build that will keep me in the SMASH. Problem is - even with all of my shields, plus Tough and Weave, I'm still feeling dangerously squishy.
This build is an attempt to get a bit more resilience, without giving up on the ability to destroy my enemies quickly. I'm not sure I did it right and I worry that I won't be able to Afford even this much. Can you advise me?
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
HG Smith: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Super Strength
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Punch -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(11), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(17), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(5), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam:40(15)
Level 2: Haymaker -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(11), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(17), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37)
Level 4: Blazing Aura -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:50(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(5), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:50(7), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:50(31), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 6: Boxing -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(7), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(13), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37)
Level 8: Knockout Blow -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(13), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40)
Level 10: Healing Flames -- Mrcl-Heal/Rchg:40(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:40(15), Numna-Heal/Rchg:50(23), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- Krma-ResKB:30(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Winter-RunSpd/Jump/Fly/Rng/EndRdx:50(A), Winter-ResSlow:40(50)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(40), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(43), RctvArm-ResDam:40(46)
Level 18: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 20: Consume -- Efficacy-EndMod:50(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:50(21), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:50(21), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:50(23), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:50(34)
Level 22: Health -- Mrcl-Heal:40(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(34), Numna-Heal:50(36), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(50)
Level 24: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(25), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(25), P'Shift-End%:50(50)
Level 26: Rage -- AdjTgt-ToHit:50(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg:50(27), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg:50(27), AdjTgt-Rchg:50(43)
Level 28: Burn -- Oblit-Dmg:50(A), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(29), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(29), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 30: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(31), RctvArm-ResDam:40(34), RctvArm-EndRdx:40(36)
Level 32: Foot Stomp -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(33), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(33), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(40)
Level 35: Assault -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(36)
Level 38: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit:50(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(39), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:50(39), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:50(39)
Level 41: Weave -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx:40(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(42)
Level 44: Electrifying Fences -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng:50(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg:50(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob:50(45)
Level 47: Ball Lightning -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(48)
Level 49: Temperature Protection -- Aegis-Psi/Status:50(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 1: Fury
Fireheart