Taunt? -seriously

I have been playing brutes as my primary characters since I started the game. They looked like the best then, and to me they still do. I have done some exploring of the other character types, and am only really happy with a brute. I leveled a few tanks to 50, to understand brutes better mostly, in the AE system, about one a week, different power sets. Tanks need taunt. I get that. But do brutes need taunt?

My current character is a SS/Will brute. I do not have extra power slots to throw away (who does?). I need the shields from fighting set to ungimp will, so there goes 3 powers, even though I rarely use kick (altho the graphic is cool). I have a lot of global recharge, so i basically KO, Haymaker, Mu lightning, FS, and MU lightning - arc, a lot, rarely backing down to kick/punch/air sup, unless someone hits me with a severe -rech. Ah yes, I took fly (love that power) so I got air superiority. What I am saying with all this is my dance card is pretty full, and it already has a few powers like kick and air superiority that are cool, useful sometimes, but not desperately needed. Do I really need taunt? Do other brutes use this (besides stone, the only tank redside.)

The reason I guess it is bothering me is I started doing some "master" strike forces - no deaths, and very cool players. Kinda lucked into the group. Problem is, from time to time one of them will say "brute, taunt the X" And I am like looking at my feet sheepishly. I always go out and get the agro, but taunt? Dude, that power choice has never even been on my radar for a brute. I just tend to wander up to the EB and lay one across hs jaw. Seems to taunt him and most of his friends as well.

Any thoughts?

Tanks don't "need" taunt, why should brutes?

taunt is a completely optional power, but its highly valued in teams because it helps you keep the aggro off of the squishies so your team doesnt get wiped.

its not a necessary power for brutes or tanks, but if your gonna be teaming a lot and being the lead brute/tank, its usually a good idea to get it.

I usually take it simply because if theres 2 brutes on the team i try to taunt first. i want a full fury bar after all

Taunt is often looked for on strike forces. For normal gameplay, taunt is largely unnecessary. However, if you are doing master runs, having the ability to quickly pull aggro off of a squishy is important - especially at range.

It isn't as necessary on AoE centric builds, because our attacks do have a taunt component. Some sets also have auras that hold aggro very well. Willpower does not have that luxury. For WP, I can definitely see wanting to add taunt just to ensure enemies are huddled around you for RTTC instead of someone peeling off a few and you losing your regen bonus.

Toss me in the taunt is optional category. I find it fun on some toons, and I might take it if there is nothing else that interests me.

When I find myself with an extra power choice available I pick up taunt, mainly, because it can be handy and you do get some useful set bonuses from mocking beratment and perfect zinger.

However, it isn't needed by a brute. It comes down to your personal preference. Personally some of my brutes outright won't be meant to fill a tanking position while others will. My claws/SR brute, for example, was not intended to fill the tanking position when I built him while my Stone/Stone or my SS/Invuln certainly was.

If you can't fill a tanking role with your brute, don't be afraid to tell a team you aren't a tank. I play my brutes to bring in heavy melee damage and if I happen to hold aggro so be it. If I want to tank I'll play one of my brutes that I built to do so.

So, all in all the whole thing is personal preference.

I take taunt on many of my brutes to keep mobs focused on me which helps build my fury bar.

I have 7 brutes and I've only taken taunt with my /Stone brute since well, he attacks slower than the others thus not as reliable when it comes to using damage to hold aggro. Without it, I did sometimes find myself at the mercy of other brutes in the group as they use taunt to take aggro from me. However with the introduction of ninja run as an alternative travel power, I've gone back and dumped all my normal travel powers and picked up taunt. I feel it is a worthwhile investment due to the fact that 99% of the time, you won't be the only brute in a team.

None of my brutes have taunt because I play them as offensive powerhouses. All of my tanks have taunt because I consider their primary job to be aggro management.

When GR hits I'll transfer a brute or two over to blueside but I still won't take taunt. In a team I'm happy to take aggro by leaping into a spawn first but I will continue to play my brutes as super scrappers. It's just a mindset thing for me more than anything.

It's amazing in PVP. Probably the best power a brute can take.

Don't forget that Taunt has a -range debuff that can also be useful to force mobs to close with you and fuel RttC, Invincibility, etc.

The only time I think taunt is needed in this game is for Hami raids, keeping yellow mitos aggro etc. MoLRSF? Please, it's not needed for that, hell I've done them without any Brutes on the team before.

Just wow I am so surprised to see this demand for taunt expressed here. I have to say I have noted more and more players using taunt.
Taunt and corner pull was the main method of several teams I ran into recently. When I asked why were doing it this way they all said it was safer. Plus it kept aggro off the Squishies (oh please). I asked a few more questions and decided it was best not to disturb them after the mission was over I left to have some fury filled fun.

Other teams the leader is a Brute playing tank. Taunting etc when asked about it they know no other way to play. I give talking about Red tactics a try but most are experts and do not want to listen. Those that do I add to my global.

I have seen for some time more and more obvious Blue side teams playing Red side. More should check out the Red side I do think they could realise there are some potential gains to using Red side tactics.


Maybe it has not been said loud enough or often enough but being a brute is all about the SMASH. Were fricken engines of destruction. Anything that slips my aggro the team should be able to handling. Otherwise why are they on my team, am I doing all the work?

Gaining and keeping fury has never been a problem with out taunt. When I play a squishy COV side its sure nice to have a brute on the team. But I do not need or want them to play tank.



So in closing SMASH, SMASH, SMASH.

I use Taunt to suppliment RttC. It helps keep the mobs on me, thus keeping my Regen sky-high, and and building up my SMASH!! bar.

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Biggest Troll on the forums? I'll give you a hint:

I taunt on a few of my Brutes so i can steal all the aggro from other brutes ( brutes with no taunt dont get fed on my team )

I took it at 49 on my DM/SR and just stuck a recharge in it. I needed the slots elsewhere, so I wanted a power that wasn't completely useless when left unslotted.

It doesn't get used often, but when it does it's usually to save the buns of a squishy who thinks he's indestructible. (If the squishy keeps doing things like that, I don't bother so they get the point that they are NOT indestructible)

Its not about RP deaf ears I guess. Oh how the times they are a changing.