KM/SR Brute and Levelling

I've currently got a KM/SR Brute to level 28 through various grouping opportunities, but have done very little soloing. Mostly because it seems like I can't kill stuff quickly enough, and I have very bad survivability.

I understand that SR is a late blooming set and it won't be until the 40s before I start seeing some good survivability, but my problem comes with damage output where I am now. The build I'm using only has 3 attack powers from the KM set, boxing, and Sands of Mu as damage dealing abilities, and they seem to be lacking. Am I just doing something wrong or is it another thing that is a late bloomer? Mostly I'm just wondering when I start to feel powerful, damage-wise.

KM/SR Build I've been building from as I level

I think Kin on a brute gets one set of attacks leveling up, and then another once you start to IO out. The two ST attacks you have really aren't much of an attack chain by themselves. I would at least get Quick Strike in there to help fill in the gaps. I would be tempted to add in Focused Burst to make a chain even easier to do plus it's solid damage. Incomplete attack chains will always feel lacking.

Could you post a data chunk please? My Mids isn't liking the link.

WARNING: I bold names.

This is the OP's build.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.93
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(3), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(3), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), T'Death-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Focused Fighting -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(11), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(11), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13), RedFtn-Def(13), RedFtn-EndRdx(15)
Level 2: Smashing Blow -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(15), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(17), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19), T'Death-Dam%(19)
Level 4: Focused Senses -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(21), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(21), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(23), RedFtn-Def(23), RedFtn-EndRdx(25)
Level 6: Power Siphon -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(25), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(27), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(27), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(29), GSFC-Build%(29)
Level 8: Agile -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(31)
Level 10: Practiced Brawler -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 14: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(31), HO:Cyto(34)
Level 16: Dodge -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(34), DefBuff-I(50)
Level 18: Burst -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(36), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Erad-%Dam(37)
Level 20: Evasion -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(37), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(46), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), RedFtn-Def(48), RedFtn-EndRdx(48)
Level 22: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 24: Tough -- GA-3defTpProc(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(39)
Level 26: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(39), HO:Cyto(39)
Level 28: Lucky -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(40), DefBuff-I(50)
Level 30: Aid Other -- Heal-I(A)
Level 32: Concentrated Strike -- Hectmb-Dmg(A), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(34)
Level 35: Quickness -- Run-I(A)
Level 38: Aid Self -- IntRdx-I(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(40), Mrcl-EndRdx/Rchg(40), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(42), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Mrcl-Heal(42)
Level 41: Electrifying Fences -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(43), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(43), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 44: Ball Lightning -- Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(45), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Super Speed -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 49: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt(A)
Level 0: Born In Battle
Level 0: High Pain Threshold
Level 0: Invader
Level 0: Marshal
Level 50: Nerve Core Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(7)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(9), EndMod-I(9)

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The soft-cap for non-Incarnate content is 45% defense. Going past 45% defense does nothing in most situations. It does help to have a slight buffer to absorb defense debuffs, but you have 95% defense debuff resistance. A typical debuff is around 7.5% which gets reduced to 0.375% after DDR. The other time it helps to go past 45% defense is when you are facing to-hit buffed enemies, like Devouring Earth and Praetorian Resistance. However, their to-hit is around 100%-150%, so the defense obtainable from sets barely puts a dent in their chance to hit you when you go past 45% defense. For normal content, stick with 45% defense as your goal. Use your set bonuses on recharge so you can run the top DPS attack chain instead of gaining a worthless amount of extra defense. Any other set bonuses can go towards HP or regen after that.

For Incarnate trials and the Battle Maiden encounter, the mobs have 64% base to-hit, so you need 59% defense to give them the lowest chance to hit you. I'm not going to say it is completely wrong to aim for that goal, but Incarnate trials are only a small portion of the game's content so far. You can reach 59% defense if you start at 46.5% defense and use a small purple inspiration. There are a lot of team buffs on the trials too, so it is very likely that you would not need inspirations to reach the Incarnate trial soft cap.



To help you level, use inspirations. Stock up on them at the hospital vendors. If you are around 32.5% defense, one inspiration can put you at the soft cap and you will notice a major difference in your ability to survive.

I posted in a couple SR threads recently on the Brute forums. Consider looking at those builds if you need examples of how to reach the soft cap on SR efficiently.

I was hoping for the build the OP is using at level 28 rather than the end-build. Addressing the end-build doesn't really help the OP at 28. Perhaps the OP could post the current build being used?

Here's my notes on the end-buld, however:
-Don't take Aid Self on SR. Totally necessary. Waste of 2 picks and slots.

-Don't get SR to softcap via set bonuses. SR gets to the softcap so easily without them, leverage that strength and do more useful things with your set bonus opportunities. This is one of the chief advantages SR has over sets like Shield Defense. Use that advantage!

-You've got way too much Defense. Scale it back to 48% or so.

-Triple-Slot your Luck of the Gamblers for HP boost.

-I wouldn't bother with the Stealth IO on a Brute. Fury will break your Stealth anyway.

-I wouldn't put Taunt on a PvE build.

-I'd take the Energy Mastery Ancilliary Pool instead of Mu Mastery. Superior Conditioning and Physical Perfection are awesome powers. Focused Accuracy can come in handy from time to time.

All just humble advice, take what you will, leave what you will.

WARNING: I bold names.

If you open the build in Mids, it shows you what powers and slots were taken at each level. That's what I use.

EDIT: This isn't my designed build, I stole it from someone elses post, so if anyone wanted to offer a decent levelling build, then a decent end-game build, I'd much appreciate it.

The first chunk is the build I was using at the time of the first post, and the second chunk is what I'm messing around with on a second build to see how it plays.

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
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Where is Burst? Burst is like an early Foot Stomp, without the extra +dmg. My KM/EA only reached 22, but Burst was invaluable for keep enemies off their feet in melee. Can't hit you if they're bouncing!

OK, that's a highly sub-optimal build. Ima work something up for a 28 KM/SR Brute and see what you think.

WARNING: I bold names.

I think you'll want some accuracy enh in siphon power. I'd prefer combat jumping to maneuvers, personally I like the extra mobility in combat and the aerial control with SS. The cytos could be replaced with enzymes if you don't mind cheating a little .

Levelling my own SR, i took CJ pretty early, slotted the steadfast 3%, and got weave as soon as it was reasonable. A purple insp, backed by a green or two, for the tougher fights.

Well the thing is I'm at 34 now, and not exactly slowing down. However, a decent low level build would be super helpful.

You're fast CursedMortivore!

Here's a 28 build that will be much better for you. I'm sure you can take it and build on it using the build principles you see in it. Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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WARNING: I bold names.

So I've hit 42 and have started thinking about end game. I have not yet respecced into my End Game build, but I've been messing around on Mids. The problem is there's a good template out there, but it only goes to 36ish. I tried my hand at filling in the rest of the levels, but I think I suck at it. Here's what I have so far. The powers I got are the ones I want to stick with, but I just had no idea what to do with slotting past 36 or so.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.94
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Jax the Armsmaster: Level 50 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(11), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Mako-Dam%(15)
Level 1: Focused Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(3)
Level 2: Focused Senses -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(5), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 4: Agile -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(7)
Level 6: Smashing Blow -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(17), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(19), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), T'Death-Dam%(21)
Level 8: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 10: Practiced Brawler -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 12: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(13), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 14: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(40), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(40), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(40)
Level 16: Dodge -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(17)
Level 18: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(43), S'fstPrt-ResKB(46)
Level 20: Evasion -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36), LkGmblr-Rchg+(36)
Level 22: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(23), LkGmblr-Rchg+(23)
Level 24: Burst -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(25), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(25), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(27), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27)
Level 26: Power Siphon -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(31), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(31), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(31), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(33), GSFC-Build%(33)
Level 28: Lucky -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(29)
Level 30: Focused Burst -- Entrpc-Acc/Dmg(A), Entrpc-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Entrpc-Dmg/Rchg(37), Entrpc-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Entrpc-Heal%(37)
Level 32: Concentrated Strike -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(33), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(34), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 35: Quickness -- Run-I(A)
Level 38: Vengeance -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(39), DefBuff-I(39)
Level 41: Superior Conditioning -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(42), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(42), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(42), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(43), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(43)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(45), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(45), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(45), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(46), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(48), RechRdx-I(48)
Level 49: Taunt -- Zinger-Taunt/Rchg(A), Zinger-Acc/Rchg(50), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(50), Zinger-Dam%(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(7)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(9), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(9)