SkylineGTR

I forgot about Elec and definitely agree with Ehina. It's not that great for soloing.

WP is obviously a solid solution for what you want to do. The primary is going to be whatever you think looks fun. I will say that if you don't want slow downs, skip SS. I have a 50 SS Brute and there's nothing I hate more than a Rage crash for 10 seconds. For some it is not a big deal, though. I believe they are fixing Rage to force the -20% defense in the crash too? Correct me if I am wrong. I would not pair SS with a defensive set after that.

Energy Aura needs a Taunt toggle

I also say SM. Recently took one to 50 and it definitely had a brutish feel.

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Mediocre in my opinion with decent work on the build. IO'd out they're beasts in dealing AoE/PBAoE damage.

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I have a 50 fully IOed out and I can agree. Some aspects of the build are still a little mediocre. All it can really do is LR/SD a lot.

Hard to say.. possibly DM? DM also has an end recovery attack. What you could try to do is build a Brute with a secondary that focuses on end recov as well. Such as WP, Elec, EA or Fiery Aura.

Like the title says.. just thinking about an SM/SD but I'm worried the end use would be horrible. Any thoughts or opinions before I roll one would be greatly appreciated.

Lol, didn't know that.. heading to Test Server for one more go around!

Well I tried teaming with it and you guys are right. PITA. Gonna respec back into Mu. Just wish I'd thought to use test before burning 2 respecs! :\

Wouldn't attacking from above help with lining up the cone?

Interesting.. Is it just because of the less resisted damage type?

Yeah the Arctic Breath has me interested. The others are right, though.. long animations and cones. Maybe I'm just sick of Mu. Gonna give Levi a try and see if I can roll with it on teams.

Don't see too many Brutes with Leviathan Mastery and it looks like it is decent. I see there is a longer animation time as opposed to Mu, though. But, Arctic Breath looks pretty sweet. Does anyone like this Patron set?

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Deleted my EM/Stone.

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Ironically, I was just looking at deleting my EM/WP. I ran out of space on my account and the first toon I thought to delete was the EM.. go figure, lol.

I usually face Freakshow on my EA. You're probably right about it just "feeling" like I get hit more. It does make sense.

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I tank with my EA all the time. Once I hit 50 I spent about 400mil inf on mine and am now sitting at the softcap. I am able to take on a spawn of 12 level 54 bosses solo, so yes you can tank well. I keep agro now by using my AoE attack chain and using Energy Drain, I dropped taunt once I hit 50.

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What kind of bosses were you fighting?

Alright I have a SM/EA Brute at 50 and soft capped to all types except Psi. I also have a couple /SD that are soft capped. I get hit a loooot more when playing EA and it's quite annoying. Is positional defense just better overall? Also, one thing I was wondering about, does EA gain anything from having positional defense bonuses too? All 3 are at 35% and I noticed 0 difference. Even when I popped 3 Lucks, I still get hit a lot more than my /SDs, it feels like.

Rolled an Axe/SR this morning.. Seems okay so far.

I tried WM/EA for awhile and just didn't enjoy it. Redraw annoyed me and it just felt like a set I've played before. On the other hand, SM is a lot of fun and feels like something new to me. Just got my SM/EA to 50 and he is a complete beast. My advice, though, is to skip Tremor.

Okay, cleaned up the build a little more. I removed a lot of the Melee Defense for other bonuses. I also decided to take Fault over Tremor. Tremor just took too long to animate and this toon is more for ST. Fault is actually pretty nice mitigation, though, and I find myself using it a lot.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Tremor: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Stone Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Stone Fist -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), HO:Nucle(46)
Level 1: Kinetic Shield -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5), LkGmblr-Def(9), LkGmblr-Rchg+(9)
Level 2: Heavy Mallet -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(34), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(34), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), T'Death-Dam%(36)
Level 4: Dampening Field -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(21), RctvArm-ResDam(23), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(7), Zephyr-ResKB(7), LkGmblr-Rchg+(11), LkGmblr-Def(33)
Level 8: Power Shield -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(11), LkGmblr-Def(25), LkGmblr-Rchg+(34), Ksmt-Def/EndRdx(40)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(13), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(13), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(15), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(15), GSFC-Build%(17)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(17), Zephyr-ResKB(19)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19), RechRdx-I(21)
Level 18: Seismic Smash -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(42), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(43), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), T'Death-Dam%(46)
Level 20: Energy Cloak -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), LkGmblr-Def(29), LkGmblr-Rchg+(31)
Level 22: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 24: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(33), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(42), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(42)
Level 26: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(27), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(27), P'Shift-End%(29)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(31), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(31), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(33)
Level 30: Energy Protection -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 32: Fault -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(37), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(37), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(37), Stpfy-KB%(40)
Level 35: Kick -- FrcFbk-Rechg%(A)
Level 38: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-EndRdx(39), RctvArm-EndRdx/Rchg(39), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39), RctvArm-ResDam(40)
Level 41: Overload -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Gloom -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(45), Dev'n-Dmg/Rchg(45), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Dev'n-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 47: Super Speed -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(48), Zephyr-ResKB(48)
Level 49: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), LkGmblr-Def(50), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Heal-I(A)
Level 1: Fury
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[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]<ul type="square">[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Fire)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Cold)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Energy)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Negative)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)[*]7.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)[*]14.3% Defense(Smashing)[*]14.3% Defense(Lethal)[*]9.56% Defense(Fire)[*]9.56% Defense(Cold)[*]13.9% Defense(Energy)[*]13.9% Defense(Negative)[*]3% Defense(Psionic)[*]16.1% Defense(Melee)[*]17.4% Defense(Ranged)[*]16.1% Defense(AoE)[*]43.8% Enhancement(RechargeTime)[*]3% Enhancement(Stun)[*]36% Enhancement(Accuracy)[*]15% FlySpeed[*]309.2 HP (20.6%) HitPoints[*]15% JumpHeight[*]15% JumpSpeed[*]Knockback (Mag -12)[*]Knockup (Mag -12)[*]MezResist(Held) 5.5%[*]MezResist(Immobilize) 10.5%[*]14.5% (0.24 End/sec) Recovery[*]62% (3.88 HP/sec) Regeneration[*]15% RunSpeed[/list]

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Um, no.

Because of the ET change, which made it hard to justify playing my EM/EA over my SS/EA.

I just thought that death was ironic enough to post.

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I think its funny that one power will make people stop playing a set... and that, apparently, not being the best = teh suck.

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Considering ET, TF and BS were all it had going for it, it makes sense that a lot of people shelved their EMs.

Finished my Elec/SD and it's time for another Brute. I have been looking at the new buffs to EA and I've never tried SM. Looks like it could be a good combo and I get an end drain. I'm at a loss on what to really build for after soft capping my S/L, though. I'm thinking I could build for more rech or try to soft cap my melee def. Here is a rough build plan and any advice is welcome.

Also, anyone know if EA will ever get a taunt aura?

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Tremor: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Stone Melee
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Stone Fist -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 1: Kinetic Shield -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(5), LkGmblr-Def(9), LkGmblr-Rchg+(9), GftotA-Def(17)
Level 2: Heavy Mallet -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(34), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(34), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), T'Death-Dam%(36)
Level 4: Dampening Field -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/Rchg(21), TtmC'tng-EndRdx/Rchg(23), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(23), TtmC'tng-ResDam(25), TtmC'tng-EndRdx(39)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def(7), LkGmblr-Rchg+(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 8: Power Shield -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), Ksmt-ToHit+(11), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(19), LkGmblr-Rchg+(25)
Level 10: Entropy Shield -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(13), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(13), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(15), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(15), GSFC-Build%(17)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19), RechRdx-I(21)
Level 18: Seismic Smash -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(42), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(43), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), T'Death-Dam%(46)
Level 20: Energy Cloak -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29), LkGmblr-Rchg+(31), LkGmblr-Def(34)
Level 22: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 24: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(33), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(33)
Level 26: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(27), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(27), P'Shift-End%(29)
Level 28: Energy Drain -- P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(31), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(31), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(33)
Level 30: Energy Protection -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
Level 32: Tremor -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(37), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Oblit-%Dam(40)
Level 35: Kick -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(42), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(42), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48)
Level 38: Tough -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/Rchg(39), TtmC'tng-EndRdx/Rchg(39), TtmC'tng-EndRdx(40), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), TtmC'tng-ResDam(48)
Level 41: Overload -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Soul Tentacles -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx(45), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng(45), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg(46), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob(46)
Level 47: Super Speed -- Run-I(A)
Level 49: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), LkGmblr-Def(50), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
------------
[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]<ul type="square">[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Fire)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Cold)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Energy)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Negative)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)[*]10.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)[*]23.9% Defense(Smashing)[*]23.9% Defense(Lethal)[*]4.25% Defense(Fire)[*]4.25% Defense(Cold)[*]4.25% Defense(Energy)[*]4.25% Defense(Negative)[*]3% Defense(Psionic)[*]29.9% Defense(Melee)[*]5.5% Defense(Ranged)[*]5.5% Defense(AoE)[*]36% Enhancement(Accuracy)[*]46.3% Enhancement(RechargeTime)[*]3% Enhancement(Immobilize)[*]15% FlySpeed[*]281.1 HP (18.8%) HitPoints[*]15% JumpHeight[*]15% JumpSpeed[*]MezResist(Held) 11%[*]MezResist(Immobilize) 11%[*]MezResist(Sleep) 4.4%[*]MezResist(Stun) 6.6%[*]12% (0.2 End/sec) Recovery[*]50% (3.13 HP/sec) Regeneration[*]1.88% Resistance(Negative)[*]15% RunSpeed[/list]

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It's amazing how such a simple change to a single power takes a set from being fun to being "meh". I've shelved my EM/EA indefinitely.

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Turning TF into a mag 3 stun instead of mag 4 didn't help either.

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Yup.. EM was all about getting Energy Transfer for me. Having that one fast devastating attack made it all worth while. My EM is also perm shelved.

Are you leaving them 1 slotted? If so, take Kick and throw a Force Feedback +Rech in it. If you actually want to use it as an attack, I'd go with Boxing because of the quicker activation time.

I'd love to roll an SS/SD but if they change Rage to have the -20% defense penalty, that's gonna hurt.