Is it possible?

Is it possible to softcap a DM/SD Brute, have been playing around with builds and get Melee & Ranged to 42.1%, with AOE coming up 32.1%, I haven't been using BotZ because of the changes that will take place with i17.

Can you provide a bit more info on your specific build? Like what powers you want, etc? It will enable the Mid experts to formulate a more concise build for your brute.

At the moment I have Ranged/Melee softcapped at 51% in Mids, and my AoE down at 40, I'm playing around until I can get all the positionals correct.

As Clouded said, you need to give us a little more information regarding what your intention is with the build and whether there is a budget, etc.

Fury

I'm looking at making a Brute which can solo AV's, thats my main goal for this Brute. So pretty much looking at the powers which will help with this goal, and which will help with getting very near if not at the softcap.

Yes you can still softcap, but if you were using the BotZ to do so, you'll have to make some sacrifices.

Here is a DM/Shield brute that is over the softcap for melee/ranged and just under (by 0.3%) for area. He has a solid single target attack chain with Gloom, Smite, Siphon Life and Midnight Grasp plus he has Shadow Maul to supplement shield charge. He does NOT have a huge amount of global recharge but you can slot some LOTG +recharges in some of the def powers in addition to the one I put in combat jumping. He also has darkest night to supplement his def, so with that up even an AV will probably be at the cap. I don't know how expensive this build will be - I slotted a numina's unique in true grit and a miracle unique in health but you can do without them, however I also used 2 sets of Obliteration and 2 sets of Eradication and they are NOT cheap redside (or blueside for that matter).

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.621
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(3), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Dam%(11)
Level 1: Deflection -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(11), DefBuff-I(13), EndRdx-I(39)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(7), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(7), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Erad-%Dam(39)
Level 4: Battle Agility -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(13), DefBuff-I(15), EndRdx-I(40)
Level 6: True Grit -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(39), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(40), Heal-I(40)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(17), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mako-Dam%(19)
Level 10: Active Defense -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 14: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(21), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Oblit-%Dam(25)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(25), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(27), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(43), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(45), P'Shift-End%(45)
Level 22: Phalanx Fighting -- RedFtn-EndRdx(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- RzDz-Acc/Rchg(A), RzDz-EndRdx/Stun(45), RzDz-Acc/EndRdx(46), RzDz-Stun/Rng(46), RzDz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(46), RzDz-Immob%(48)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(27), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Erad-%Dam(31)
Level 28: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 30: Weave -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(31), DefBuff-I(33), EndRdx-I(33)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(33), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(34), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Oblit-%Dam(37)
Level 38: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 41: Gloom -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 44: Darkest Night -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Soul Tentacles -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(48), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(48), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(50), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(50), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(50)
Level 49: Super Jump -- Empty(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 4: Ninja Run

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Thanks for the build EricHough will take a look at it on mids.

My build is similar to erichough's but there are some changes.
1st off neither build is soft capped on defenses without phalanx fighting.
EricHoughs build does not have perma active defense. This is a MUST!!
Grant cover is important to have because its gives you defense debuff resistance.
Darkest night is nice but its end cost is horrible...so i skipped it.
I put GOTA in the defensive powers for the recovery bonus.


Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.621
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery
Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(23), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50), Mako-Dam%(50)
Level 1: Deflection -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def(37), GftotA-Def/Rchg(48), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(3), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(3), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Erad-%Dam(48)
Level 4: Battle Agility -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def(5), GftotA-Def/Rchg(5), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 6: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(9), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Nictus-Acc/Heal(46), Nictus-Heal(48)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(11)
Level 12: Boxing -- RzDz-Acc/Rchg(A), RzDz-EndRdx/Stun(13), RzDz-Acc/EndRdx(13), RzDz-Stun/Rng(15), RzDz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(17), RzDz-Immob%(17)
Level 14: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(19), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(19), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Erad-%Dam(43)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(21), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(39), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(40), P'Shift-End%(40)
Level 22: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 24: True Grit -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal(25), Numna-Heal/Rchg(25)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(27), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(27), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Oblit-%Dam(34)
Level 28: Weave -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def(29), GftotA-Def/Rchg(29), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Phalanx Fighting -- RedFtn-EndRdx(A)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Mako-Dam%(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- 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 38: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 41: Gloom -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 44: Soul Tentacles -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(45), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(46)
Level 47: Grant Cover -- RedFtn-EndRdx(A)
Level 49: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 4: Ninja Run

Devil Dingo is completely correct - I put the build I posted together in a hurry and forgot to put an extra slot in active defenses - Make sure you have enough recharge there. When levelling up you want at least two SO worth of recharge in the power (even level or higher SO's or L30+ recharge IO's). At L50 you can live with a single L50 recharge IO if you have 25%+ global recharge but if you want a buffer (or want to double stack it for the def debuff resistance) I would go with 2 L50 recharge IO's just like devil suggested.

I don't have a DM/SD character but I have a fire/shield scrapper who just hit L50 and a SD/SS tank at 44 and neither of them has grant cover - I have to be carefull and monitor my def when going against cimerorans, especially on the ITF, and back in the 30's earth thorns where a real pain but other than that I haven't really noticed the lack, however dropping darkest night for grant cover is probably a good choice - then you only need to run it when you expect to go against things with heavy def debuffs.

Thanks for the great feedback folks, its helped a lot.

Here is the build I've put together after the feedback I received, any potentail problems? managed to get it softcapped also...

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.621
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Ghost King: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1: Shadow Punch Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mako-Dam%(31)
Level 1: Deflection GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(5), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7), GftotA-Def/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Smite Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mako-Dam%(31)
Level 4: Battle Agility GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(5), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(7), GftotA-Def/Rchg(9)
Level 6: Swift Run-I(A)
Level 8: Siphon Life Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(A), Mrcl-EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(15), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(17), Mrcl-Heal(23), Mako-Acc/Dmg(34)
Level 10: Active Defense EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(11)
Level 12: Hover Flight-I(A)
Level 14: Fly Flight-I(A)
Level 16: Health Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 18: Against All Odds EndRdx-I(A)
Level 20: Stamina P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(21), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(27), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(31), P'Shift-End%(34)
Level 22: Dark Consumption Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(23), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(25), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Erad-%Dam(37)
Level 24: Boxing RzDz-Acc/Rchg(A), RzDz-EndRdx/Stun(43), RzDz-Acc/EndRdx(43), RzDz-Stun/Rng(43), RzDz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(46), RzDz-Immob%(50)
Level 26: Tough S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 28: True Grit Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal(29), Numna-Heal/Rchg(29)
Level 30: Phalanx Fighting RedFtn-EndRdx(A)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(33), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(33), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), T'Death-Dam%(37)
Level 35: Soul Drain Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(36), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Erad-%Dam(39)
Level 38: Shield Charge Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Oblit-%Dam(40)
Level 41: Weave GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(42), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), GftotA-Def/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Gloom Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 47: Soul Tentacles Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(48), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(48), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(48), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(50), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(50)
Level 49: Grant Cover RedFtn-EndRdx(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 2: Ninja Run

You need to either post a link and/or the data chunk if you want people to do a thorough review of your build.