Elec/SD Critique - I know, I'm 6 months behind the curve

So, here's my take on a Soft-capped Elec/SD Build. Tried for a budget IO's wise, somewhat, but don't think this is sustainable, even with T4 Cardiac. Thoughts/tips/Holy crap this sucks? Oh, requirements: Fly is a must have, and need at least Jacob's Ladder or Chain Induction, in addition to the obviousness of TS/LR/SC.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Fury Duck?: Level 50 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Charged Brawl -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg:40(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:40(34), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:40(37), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(39), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(39), T'Death-Dam%:40(39)
Level 1: Deflection -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:40(A), LkGmblr-Def:40(3), HO:Cyto(5)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:40(A), LkGmblr-Def:40(3), HO:Cyto(5)
Level 4: True Grit -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:40(7), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:40(7), Numna-Heal:40(9)
Level 6: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit:40(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:40(9), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:40(11), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:40(11), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:40(13), GSFC-Build%:40(13)
Level 8: Thunder Strike -- Oblit-Dmg:40(A), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:40(15), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(17), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(17), Oblit-%Dam:40(19), FrcFbk-Rechg%:40(19)
Level 10: Active Defense -- HO:Membr(A)
Level 12: Jacobs Ladder -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:40(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:40(21), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:40(21), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(23), Sciroc-Dam%:40(23), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(31)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel:40(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:40(15)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I:40(A)
Level 18: Chain Induction -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:40(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:40(27), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:40(40), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(42), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(42)
Level 20: Boxing -- Acc-I:40(A)
Level 22: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam:40(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:40(40), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:40(40)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:40(A), LkGmblr-Def:40(25), HO:Cyto(25)
Level 26: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:40(A), LkGmblr-Def:40(27), HO:Cyto(29), Zephyr-Travel:40(29), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:40(50)
Level 28: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:40(A), RechRdx-I:40(31), RechRdx-I:40(31)
Level 30: Phalanx Fighting -- DefBuff-I:40(A)
Level 32: Lightning Rod -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:40(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:40(33), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:40(33), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:40(33), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(34), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:40(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(36), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:40(36), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:40(36), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:40(37), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(37)
Level 38: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:40(A), LkGmblr-Def:40(42), HO:Cyto(43)
Level 41: Gloom -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:40(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:40(43), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:40(43), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:40(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(45), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(50)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Posi-Acc/Dmg:40(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:40(45), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:40(46), Posi-Dmg/Rng:40(46), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(46)
Level 47: Darkest Night -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx:40(A), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx:40(48), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx:40(48), DarkWD-Slow%:40(48)
Level 49: One with the Shield -- Heal-I:40(A)
Level 0: Born In Battle
Level 0: High Pain Threshold
Level 0: Invader
Level 0: Marshal
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I:40(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:40(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I:40(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%:40(A), P'Shift-EndMod:40(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I:40(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth:40(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:40(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

Yeah, even with T4 cardiac your end/sec net gain will be low - you'll probably manage clearing mobs, but sustained fights will get to you.

You rely on hover to keep your defense capped, but sadly, Lightning Rod doesn't work when flying, you need to be grounded for it. So for combat situations, you need to cap your defense with hover toggled off.

A note: It's okay to neglect AOE defense. 99% of all attacks will check against ranged/meelee.

Maneuvers is a big end drain. When given the choice between Combat Jumping and Maneuvers, choose Combat Jumping, which costs next to nothing.

I took the liberty of modifying the build I use for my own Elec/Shield brute, sticking as close as possible to your power selection. I'm not sure what exactly your budget is, but this one should be manageable - no purples or PvP IOs. With this build, provided you pick up the +Max End Accolades, you won't need Cardiac, and I would strongly advise to pick Spiritual for moar Lightning Rod and Shield Charge shenanigans

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Riora: Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Charged Brawl -- 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: Deflection -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(7), GftotA-Def(9), GftotA-EndRdx/Rchg(9), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def(11), GftotA-Def/Rchg(13), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13)
Level 4: True Grit -- Numna-EndRdx/Rchg(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(21), Numna-Heal/Rchg(21), Numna-Heal(23), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(23)
Level 6: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 8: Thunder Strike -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(25), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), HO:Nucle(27), FrcFbk-Rechg%(29)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(29)
Level 14: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(A), Zephyr-ResKB(31)
Level 16: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 18: Chain Induction -- Mako-Dam%(A), Mako-Acc/Dmg(31), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 20: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 22: Phalanx Fighting -- Ksmt-ToHit+(A)
Level 24: Tough -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(34), ImpArm-ResDam(34)
Level 26: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(36), EndRdx-I(50)
Level 28: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(36), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(37), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(37), GSFC-Build%(37), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(39)
Level 30: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Lightning Rod -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Oblit-%Dam(40), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(42), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(42), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Oblit-%Dam(43)
Level 38: Gloom -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(45), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45)
Level 41: Darkest Night -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(46), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(46), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(46)
Level 44: Dark Obliteration -- Posi-Dmg/Rchg(A), Posi-Dam%(48), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Posi-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 47: Grant Cover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), EndRdx-I(50)
Level 49: One with the Shield -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 0: Marshal
Level 0: Born In Battle
Level 0: High Pain Threshold
Level 50: Spiritual Core Paragon
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(15), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(15), P'Shift-EndMod(17), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(17), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(19)
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I'm going to hijack Eran's build for a minute to voice my own concerns with Elec/Shield brutes.

So, I made one when they were first available, but then abandoned it at 34. Then I took a break from the game for a year.

I picked him back up recently and got him to 36, so I've now got access to Shield Charge. I also respecced him so he'd have Tough (Weave at... 41, looks like).

My experiences with him have differed greatly. When I first picked him back up, I was baffled as to why I had ever put him down. I was running basic missions and doing so well I turned my difficulty up to +1 x3.

Then I started doing Sciriocco's patron arc. The slider went back down to +0 after my first few encounters with Mu end draining. Still, I kept the increased number of enemies.

Then I got to the mission where you have to defeat an Elite Boss Silver Mantis.

I simply can't do it. I tried for about three lives and 20 minutes of just hammering on her, complete with half a tray of lucks and half a tray of catch a breaths.

The single target with the set just doesn't have enough damage, and her spine/toxic attacks just eat through my defenses.

So... What am I doing wrong?
What should I be using to level? I'm so turned off by EB encoutners that I don't want to play anymore of the 35+ City of Villains game, where arcs are rife with EBs. I'll need to finish my patron power arc, but after that, I'm up for a ton of AE missions or papers or whatever you guys can suggest.

But as for the set as a whole, is this just par for the course? Would it help if I had Charged Brawl (the first attack in Electric, whatever that is) as well? I'd love to just get a team and steamroll through the mission, but... Infinity Villains is pretty much as dead as dead can be.

The thing about Elec is... it's a set that shines at 50, and with IOs. Even then, Elec is an AOE monster with ST being its weak spot, as you've noticed.

So, for leveling, yes, pick up that extra attack. Getting a ranged ST attack from your epic pool will also help immensely. When you hit 50, you can then respec out of Havoc Punch, not Charged Brawl.

Despite being "minor" damage compared to Havoc's "moderate", Charged Brawl does more damage AND it recharges faster.

If you'll look at mids, it will tell you that Havoc Punch with 2 damage IOs does 100 damage, while Charged Brawl with 2 damage IOs does 60 - but then take a look at their cast times. 1,5 seconds for Punch, 0,8 for Brawl. Once you factor that in, per animation, Havoc Punch does 67 damage, with a 6 second cooldown, while Charged Brawl does 77, with a 3 second cooldown.

If you pick it up, you won't have much problems killing EBs.

ChrisMoses-

I'm guessing it's the defense debuffs that are wrecking you (vs. Silver Mantis), and her quick cycling t9 probably isn't helping. Try monitoring your defense, and popping purples as necessary to stay softcapped. It goes without saying you should kill the spawn she's in as well. If you have the villain 'Frenzy' alignment power, that will help as well. Out of curiosity, I set up an AE mish to test this scenario. My elm/sd is softcapped, so that skews the results a bit in my favor, but... with no incarnate powers (all unslotted) and set to +2x8 (the x8 is not really relevant) I killed her using only Thunderstrike -no other attacks. I killed her buddies using my full suite of attacks, then set my AoE to auto. I used 6 small purples and 4 small greens. Point being, I don't think it's the lack of ST dmg thats holding you back here. If you're finding you can't carry enough purples to keep you softcapped, you might try kiting her while debuffed, and re-engaging after the debuff has worn off. Defense debuffs are rough on /shield toons, don't get too discouraged. Other EBs will likely present less difficulty.

to the OP
you may find this thread useful for slotting ideas. it's an older scrapper forum post, but relevant.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=216944

Why do you want to do this on a Brute instead of a Scrapper?


Aside from Soul mastery, the Scrapper version outclasses it in pretty much everything but total Hit Points.


Go Scrapper for the bigger, badder Lightning Rod and Shield Charge and go for Musculature.