Allright, found this http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Defense_Effectiveness for the first question, so I guess that satisfies my curiosity 
The +recharge proc will benefit you in Thunderstrike. In LR since the power uses a pseudopet to attack you wouldn't get any benefit if it proc'ed
Global: @Kelig
Hey guys, I'm about to trick out my elec/shield brute but befor I do I got some basic questions.
For starters, say I soft cap positional defense, is there any reason to go for S/L defense at all? Do they stack somehow or is it just completely redundant?
Did they fix LR so I can put procs in it? What about shield charge? I've got an extra slot to fill up so to say, was thinking I'd either put it in LR or in Thunder Strike for a force feedback +recharge proc.
Anyway, I don't care about the cost of this build, so if anyone care to tinker around with it, I would be much obliged.
Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1,942
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Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Concealment
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery