FM/SD - a Leveling build, please!

I've looked at many builds for a Fire Melee/Shield Defense Scrapper recently... and I can say (rather universally) - How in the world would you level up with that build?

Of course, the answer is - you don't. Like many builds used in these boards, those are end-game builds, were you can fantasize about an unlimited budget and work out exactly what level 50 set IOs will get you the most bang for your buck.

I... don't want that.

I don't want the destination. I want the journey. I want to see how you got to the end game. Did you really go from 1 - 26 with only Scorch and Cremate as your single target attacks? (Okay, and brawl...) You certainly didn't go all that way with only one slot in Active Defense...

So... anyone have a good leveling build for Fire Melee/Shield Defense?

This is pretty much exactly how I have done mine so far, and it's been a pretty smooth ride (currently level 39). The only difference is that instead of SOs, I use common IOs from level 25 onwards. I tend to solo at +0/x8 or +1/x8 with few problems as long as I can keep a medium luck insp or 2 for emergencies. I'll probably go with fire for my APP, and begin to add sets in over the next couple of levels.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.704
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 40 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Scorch -- Acc(A), Acc(3), Dmg(5), Dmg(7), Dmg(9), EndRdx(13)
Level 1: Deflection -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(11), EndRdx(15), ResDam(40)
Level 2: Cremate -- Acc(A), Acc(3), Dmg(5), Dmg(7), Dmg(9), EndRdx(15)
Level 4: True Grit -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), Heal(17), Heal(23), ResDam(40)
Level 6: Battle Agility -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(13), EndRdx(17)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A), DefBuff(34)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(11), RechRdx(23)
Level 12: Hurdle -- Jump(A)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump(A)
Level 16: Health -- Heal(A), Heal(34)
Level 18: Fire Sword Circle -- Acc(A), Acc(19), Dmg(19), Dmg(21), Dmg(25), EndRdx(25)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod(A), EndMod(21)
Level 22: Against All Odds -- EndRdx(A)
Level 24: Phalanx Fighting -- DefBuff(A)
Level 26: Incinerate -- Acc(A), Acc(27), Dmg(27), Dmg(29), Dmg(31), EndRdx(31)
Level 28: Hasten -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(29), RechRdx(39)
Level 30: Build Up -- RechRdx(A), RechRdx(31), RechRdx(40)
Level 32: Greater Fire Sword -- Acc(A), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), Dmg(33), EndRdx(34), RechRdx(37)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Acc(A), Dmg(36), Dmg(36), Dmg(36), RechRdx(37), RechRdx(37)
Level 38: Maneuvers -- DefBuff(A), DefBuff(39), EndRdx(39)
Level 41: [Empty]
Level 44: [Empty]
Level 47: [Empty]
Level 49: [Empty]
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 6: Ninja Run

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Here's what I leveled up with. Slot levels aren't correct, but I believe power levels are and the IOs are the levels I actually have, and give at least a hint about when I actually slotted them. It's more of a tank build than a damage build since I was team tank. It was also done on the cheap, so you could do better if you spent more. I didn't plan it out ahead of time, and didn't do any respecs while leveling, so it's not a perfect build. It had some endurance problems, and had to run Tactics, Grant Cover and Assault situationally. No real problems other than that, as I recall. The extra slots in Health were put there at the very end when I was bidding on the Miracle and Numina uniques. You wouldn't put them there while leveling.

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The cheap Fire/Shield build referenced in my sig represents a fairly solid leveling plan in terms of powers taken and slots chosen. It's not an unlimited budget build either, but something I built towards players who want something very effective with a modest budget.

The build does what it should do. Take scorch and cremate early, take FSC at 18 and wait for heavy hitter, incinerate, at 26. You *can* level that way easily.

Hmm... looks like a good build, at least until the later 20s.

After that... well... to be honest, I'm making this character to use for the hero-to-villain side switching when GR comes out. So I can't exactly plan on having access to Physical Perfection...

Thanks Fury, will help me alot with my Fire/Shield