DM/Invuln, new brute player looking for build thoughts

Hey there, brute community -

As the title states, I am new to playing Brutes (and generally new to putting together builds at all), and I have a Dark Melee/Invulnerability brute I am trying to figure out a good build for.

I'll be doing some research in the forums here since I didn't see anything all that helpful/recent in the Brute guides above, but figured I'd go ahead and throw a request out for some build ideas, if anyone has one to share!

A couple of thoughts: first, I am assuming that I will need to include Tough and Weave in there, but am questioning if Maneuvers is needed? Also, based on my first look at it, I do want to include Unstoppable, unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Lastly, I am sticking with Soul Mastery for theme reasons, and am guessing that Cardiac is the best Alpha for this toon?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice/builds you have!

Well this is on my current brute and he does pretty good on all levels. It has no purples but it was fairly easy to come back in the day for about 100 million (issue 11 influence) without including the lucks of gambler recharge, miracle + recovery, and the numina regen/recovery. This was my first brute back in cov head-start.

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

BeastMan: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Invulnerability
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Medicine
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg:40(A), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(7), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:40(23), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:40(36), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(39), T'Death-Dam%:40(40)
Level 1: Resist Physical Damage -- ImpSkn-Status:30(A)
Level 2: Temp Invulnerability -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(5), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(15), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(21)
Level 4: Dull Pain -- H'zdH-Heal:40(A), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx:40(5), H'zdH-Heal/Rchg:40(11), H'zdH-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:40(15), H'zdH-EndRdx:40(25), RechRdx-I:50(34)
Level 6: Shadow Maul -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:50(A), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(7), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:50(23), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(39), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(40), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:50(40)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(9), Dct'dW-Heal:50(9), Dct'dW-Rchg:50(25), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx:50(37), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:50(39)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(11), RechRdx-I:50(13)
Level 12: Touch of Fear -- Abys-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Abys-Acc/EndRdx:50(13), Abys-Acc/Fear/Rchg:50(50)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Winter-ResSlow:50(A)
Level 16: Unyielding -- RctvArm-ResDam:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(17), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(17), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(21)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg:50(19), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx:50(19), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(43)
Level 20: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(A)
Level 22: Resist Elements -- ResDam-I:50(A)
Level 24: Resist Energies -- ResDam-I:50(A)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(27), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(27), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(31), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(37)
Level 28: Invincibility -- S'dpty-Def:40(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:40(29), S'dpty-Def/Rchg:40(29), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(31), S'dpty-EndRdx:40(31), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(50)
Level 30: Aid Other -- IntRdx-I:50(A)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Mako-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx:50(33), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(33), Mako-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), Mako-Dam%:50(34)
Level 35: Tough Hide -- S'dpty-Def:40(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:40(36), S'dpty-Def/Rchg:40(36)
Level 38: Unstoppable -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A)
Level 41: Gloom -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(42), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(42), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(42), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(43), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(45), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx:50(45), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg:50(45), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng:50(46), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng:50(46)
Level 47: Aid Self -- IntRdx-I:50(A), IntRdx-I:50(48), Heal-I:50(48), Heal-I:50(48)
Level 49: Darkest Night -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(37)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(3), P'Shift-EndMod:50(3), P'Shift-End%:50(46)
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 6.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 6.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 8.313% Defense(Smashing)
• 8.313% Defense(Lethal)
• 8% Defense(Fire)
• 8% Defense(Cold)
• 12.38% Defense(Energy)
• 12.38% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 9.875% Defense(Melee)
• 12.38% Defense(Ranged)
• 13% Defense(AoE)
• 2.75% Enhancement(Terrorized)
• 7% Enhancement(Heal)
• 19% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 15% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 9% FlySpeed
• 123.69 HP (8.251%) HitPoints
• 9% JumpHeight
• 9% JumpSpeed
• MezResist(Confused) 9.15%
• MezResist(Held) 13.55%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 15.75%
• MezResist(Sleep) 10.8%
• MezResist(Stun) 9.15%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 9.7%
• 7% (0.117 End/sec) Recovery
• 18% (1.126 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 20% ResEffect(FlySpeed)
• 20% ResEffect(RechargeTime)
• 20% ResEffect(RunSpeed)
• 2.205% Resistance(Fire)
• 2.205% Resistance(Cold)
• 1.875% Resistance(Energy)
• 3.125% Resistance(Negative)
• 1.875% Resistance(Toxic)
• 9% RunSpeed
• 1% XPDebtProtection

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Softcapped to S/L Defense and Dark Mastery - you dont need Maneuvers to hit the softcap. I wasnt sure what powers you wanted other than those listed so this is more of a generic build and has no hasten.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Invulnerability
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
------------
Level 1: Smite KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(7), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(9), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(9)
Level 1: Resist Physical Damage S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), Aegis-Psi/Status:50(40)
Level 2: Shadow Maul Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(11), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(11), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(13), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(13)
Level 4: Dull Pain Numna-Heal:50(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg:50(15), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(15), RechRdx-I:50(17)
Level 6: Combat Jumping Empty(A)
Level 8: Siphon Life KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(19), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(19), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(21), Nictus-Acc/Heal:50(21), Nictus-Heal:50(27)
Level 10: Resist Elements ImpArm-ResDam:40(A), ImpArm-ResPsi:40(17)
Level 12: Temp Invulnerability RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(37), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(37), RctvArm-ResDam:40(50)
Level 14: Super Jump Empty(A)
Level 16: Unyielding RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(36), RctvArm-ResDam:40(42), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(42)
Level 18: Dark Consumption Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Mocking-Rchg:50(37), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(40), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(40)
Level 20: Resist Energies ImpArm-ResDam:40(A), ImpArm-ResPsi:40(50)
Level 22: Boxing KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(25), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(25)
Level 24: Tough RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(27), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(34), RctvArm-ResDam:40(34)
Level 26: Soul Drain Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(42), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(43), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(43), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(43)
Level 28: Invincibility LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def:50(29), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(29), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(36)
Level 30: Weave LkGmblr-Def:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(31)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(33), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34)
Level 35: Tough Hide DefBuff-I:50(A), DefBuff-I:50(36)
Level 38: Taunt Mocking-Rchg:50(A), Mocking-Taunt:50(39), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(39), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(39)
Level 41: Gloom Dev'n-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Dev'n-Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg:50(46), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 44: Darkest Night DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx:50(A), DampS-ToHitDeb/EndRdx:50(45), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx:50(45), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx:50(45)
Level 47: Dark Obliteration Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(48), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(48), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(50)
Level 49: Unstoppable RechRdx-I:50(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift Run-I:50(A)
Level 2: Health Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(5), Numna-Heal:50(5)
Level 2: Hurdle Jump-I:50(A)
Level 2: Stamina P'Shift-End%:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod:50(3), EndMod-I:50(3)
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
5% DamageBuff(Fire)
5% DamageBuff(Cold)
5% DamageBuff(Energy)
5% DamageBuff(Negative)
5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
26.8% Defense(Smashing)
26.8% Defense(Lethal)
3% Defense(Fire)
3% Defense(Cold)
13% Defense(Energy)
13% Defense(Negative)
3% Defense(Psionic)
14.9% Defense(Melee)
8% Defense(Ranged)
3% Defense(AoE)
7.2% Max End
27% Enhancement(Accuracy)
21.3% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
5% FlySpeed
236.1 HP (15.8%) HitPoints
5% JumpHeight
5% JumpSpeed
MezResist(Held) 5.5%
MezResist(Immobilize) 14.3%
7.5% (0.13 End/sec) Recovery
76% (4.75 HP/sec) Regeneration
1.58% Resistance(Fire)
1.58% Resistance(Cold)
9% Resistance(Psionic)
5% RunSpeed






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Thanks Beast and deadboy! I'm going to play in MIDS some and will be back later on.

I was actually curious about whether Hasten would be needed if there was enough global recharge built in (to help the single target attack chain go smoothly, I mean).

Using something like Gloom > Smite > Siphon Life > Midnight Grasp, how much recharge does one need to make that work smoothly?

And if you do need hasten to make that go, I'm sure I can figure out something to swap out pretty easily.

I would go Spiritual over the Cardiac, even if you skip hasten. Granted I have hasten in my build but with my slotting, I only use dark consumptionas a refresh of end if my blue bar hits 50 which seldom happens unless I'm fighting malt. The recharge will benefit all your powers and whether you choose gloom or siphon life to make your auto (personally siphon life FTW); your chain will be up with "something" unless you plan to face the Knives of Artemis, then just pray if its an alignment mission.

Plan on knocking your difficulty down with the carnies, the combo of 4 ring mistresses followed with 2 or 3 master illusionists just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.