Looking for a jack of all trades

I just started playing the game again and was looking for a brute that as the title implies is well rounded. I want someone that can solo av's with the right build and set up.

Reading through the forums it sounds like any set combination can farm with the right set up and map, being the fastest farmer isn't a huge concern for me so long as it can be done.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.

Dark/shield was the first thing that came to mind. Dark offers the heal /shield lacks. AAO buffs Dark's damage for better DPS. Dark is mostly ST based anyway.

I'd highly recommend Fiery Melee/Shield Defense. While mine is a scrapper (and I think Shield is better for scrappers) this is a character that can literally do it all on one build. My current build uses blaze mastery and can solo AVs all day and farm all night. If you were to do it with a brute, you could take Soul Mastery for Gloom (in your ST chain) and Dark Obliteration (for a 3rd AoE)

It's really a hard combo to go wrong with, and I could throw you a sample build if you want, brute OR scrapper.

Fire/Shield FTW!!!

Thanks for the responses. I like the fire/shield idea. I was curious why you think shield is better for scrappers? Not disagreeing just curious. If it is a lengthy technical reason you don't need to go into it if you don't want lol.

Now I'm curious what the differences would be for brute vs scrapper. Do scrappers do more dmg for their lower hp and lower resist cap values? Or are the differences negligable?

Thanks again for the responses and suggestions.

SS/Fire if built right.

Fire/Shield wont solo tough AVs. Shield, even caped def is still about 8% to get hit (hoping AV doesnt have accu buff or innate accuracy). These 8% WILL kill you at some point if you dont have selft heal.

Dark is good for self efficiency but lacks AoE options, a VERY high +def DM/FA/Soul would kick *** but its gonna very expensive.

DM/SD/Soul will do nearly as good on AVs with about 2 billions and you can cover AoE part with Charge/Dark Oblit/Judgement.

I wouldnt advice Scrapper, unless you plan on mostly solo, Soul Drain + AAO will give you A LOT of +dmg and you ll hit cap very fast in teams on a scrapper. AAO is amazing threat, maybe too good for a scrapper when running trials. Also Scrapper doesnt have access to Darkness Night ands its probably the best AV killing tool you can find.

Thanks again for all the responses. To the suggestion of SS/Fire I understand that it is a great farmer but I was under the impression that it wasn't very durable for fighting tougher enemies, is that not the case?

Motley_Cruel I did make a scrapper because some friends were making heroes and I didn't want to wait to 20 to play with them, you had offered to post a sample build for a fire/shield and if you wouldn't mind I would appreciate it. I haven't played in a while and forgot what most of the commonly used sets were.

Thanks again all.

Would anyone consider a dark/shield tank here
Or brute

I've been working on a build for a month, and showed it to the scrapper board and got good responses.

Here's the thread:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=263224

Feel free to modify as you desire, but I'm pretty proud of it.

SS/FA, with the right build it could solo AVs and you bring all that yummy damage! And it's fun to play!