Just realized I have access to these.

So, coming back to the game has been interesting, No more AE farms, Praetoria is fun, and I now have access to VEATS, despite the lack of a 50. I had a lower level Mastermind that I shelved, but, anyway.

I get bored VERY easily. Heck, I left this game last time because everyone was farming, I was 50 in a matter of days, and completely ruined the game and my character... (hindsight is great, huh?) Playing a Scrapper got mind numbing after awhile. It was nice not having to think at times, but on certain days it felt like I was doing 1,2,3,4, rinse, repeat. Since I have access to them (and I like the costumes) I flirted with the thought of trying a Soldier, but I have very limited experience with building characters. Scrappers were pretty easy to put together, especially a WillPower/Martial Arts.

So, here's what I had in mind: Someone suggested to me that I look into soldiers because they are hybrids and can branch. I as looking into eventually getting a dual build going. I'm still looking into the branches and what they can do, but I was hoping for two distinctly different builds. On the one hand I was hoping to build some sort of melee Scrapper/Tanker or what have you. On the Other hand I was going to try a Ranged Blaster type. The point here being that I have two builds that oppose each other, giving me options and keeping me entertained. This is just an example, of the end result is a little different, it's not a big deal.

Is this a viable way to approach Soldiers. I heard someone say I could build a Huntsman type character and then go Bane later for Melee, or something like that. Anyone have any idea where I can start?

I would think that would be a very viable way to go! I can't really comment on specific builds, but I will say that I love my SoA (though he has been shelved so that I can work on Incarnate stuff with the characters that I am doing that for). My SoA has been a Crab, a Huntsman, and a Bane at various stages of his life. Currently he is a Bane on one build, and a Huntsman on the other. I like both, but I am starting to think I liked the Crab a bit more than the Bane simply because of the range and the ability to have more pets...

Soooo, get your guy up to 24 and mess around with some options. See what you do and don't like.

$Soldier_Branch are all fun! I'm sure you'll be able to find something you like in them.

You wanna know the truth... One reason I wanted to try this is so I could shoot stuff with an awesome gun while looking totally bad***. In your face AR/Dev's!