DM/FA Brute or FA/DM Tanker?

Hi all,
I've got a concept and figured out the power sets I'd like the hero/vigilante to have (dark melee and fire armor), I just can't decide between taking a tank or a brute.

I've searched the forums and have found some lively discussions re brute vs. scrapper vs. tanker that only served to increase my indecision. I figured maybe I could get better advice if I ask for myself regarding the specific power set combo I was interested in, especially in light of the new GR changes (tanker bruisng, FA changes, lower brute damage cap, etc.).

If it helps in the thought process, I plan on making him a Praetorian. I'm also pretty new to the game (played for a month or two many years ago and came back a month or so ago; highest toons are a new 20 dark/dark corruptor and an old but recently 20 DM/Regen scrapper. I also have a Rad/DP defender and an elec/elec blaster in their teens. Everything else is lower)

Thanks in advance for the assist.

Well, the lower brute damage cap is completely irrelevant. You will NEVER hit the cap unless you're being buffed by 3 kins, with full fury and a saturated Soul Drain. The cap being 75% lower doesn't change that.

It kind of depends on whether you want to do more damage or survive better. I made a Fire/DM tank who seems pretty good so far (he's only level 5 though)

I had a level 20-something DM/Fire scrapper that I deleted a while back to make more space. He seemed pretty tough, I just wasn't digging the concept I had after a while.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. What I would do is: Make one of each on 3 different servers, and transfer whichever one you end up liking the best to your server of choice (server transfers are free until the 23rd). We can give you all the numbers analysis in the world, but if you don't like what we suggest no amount of numbers will change that.