Umbral

Claws/* is more end efficient than any other set so it works wonders with */DA.

Try this with Force Field Defenders and then you'll see why it's a bad idea. With just Maneuvers and SOs, an FF/* Defender is capable of putting out 44.5% +def to all positions and all damage types but psi (which just leaves 21.1% +def against non-positional psi attacks) for .44 end/sec. With SOs and Weave, an */SR Scrapper is capable of giving him/herself 36.3% +def to all positions and only 5.9% +def to all damage types for .57 end/sec.

"But the Defender's lower hit point balances it out!" you say. How wrong you are...

44.5% +def reduces incoming damage by 89% on average. This means that 11% of the damage is coming through. In order to be killed, it would require 9249 damage in a single instant to kill the Defender.

36.3% +def reduces incoming damage by 72.6% on average. This means that 27.4% of the damage is coming through. In order to be killed, it would require 4885.4 damage in a single instant to kill the Scrapper.

So the Defender would get 190% of the survivability of the Scrapper at 77% of the endurance cost and the Defender would be able to give this exact same level of defense to everyone else in the group whereas the Scrapper can only provide for him/herself.

Gloom gets a discount because the DoT takes so long to come into fruition (3.6 seconds). Scream doesn't get one because the DoT is over in 1.05 seconds (re: before the attack is actually completely finished animating). This is the same reason why Gambler's Cut (which is actually a DoT) doesn't recieve it. The discount is based on the duration of the DoT to compensate for not getting the damage immediately (and allowing squishy enemies that would have died if the damage was instant to get another attack or two in).

I'm actually holding back on posting an Elec/SD simply because I'm not sure we'll actually get the same version that everyone else is getting. As soon as I get some solid info on what to expect with the new set, I'll start throwing down on Mids, but, unlike some, I actually prefer to wait to see what I'm going to have before I start planning around it.

Set mule. Stupefy is incredible. 2.5% +recov , 6.25% +rech, and 3.13% +def(ranged). The other option I generally go with is Absolute Amazement 5 piece but that'll cost you the defense for an extra 1.5% +recov and 3.75% +rech. Since there's already plenty of recharge in the build and the blue bar is sustainable even with everything on, I prefer to shore up the defenses.

I'm strange insofar as rich players are concerned. I don't farm often (and when I do it's on the Cimeroran wall when nothing else is going on), and I don't play the market, which are the two normal methods for achieving huge quantities of money (I've though about playing the market a bit, but, as easy as it is, I've never enjoyed it). Mostly I just don't spend much. I don't really buy recipes or enhancements and the only time I buy salvage is when I need it to make IOs (though I only buy common and uncommon salvage when it's low priced and don't buy rare salvage at all because I've got loads of it). I simply make money because I don't spend much.

You can switch those out without any loss of survivability. Switch CJ for Hover, SJ for Flight, and Hurdle for Swift. They all keep the same slotting (well, Swift gets a flight speed) so there's no loss in survivability (if you run Hover while in combat).

Mids already has this ability. Window>Set Bonus Finder. It lets you pick the specific set bonus and the various degrees of that bonus.

Exactly true. You could easily swap SJ for SS as long as you kept both Hasten and CJ. The other nice thing about the leaping pool is that you can just as easily switch it out for flight by replacing Hover for CJ and Flight for SJ.

Personally, I prefer SJ more than any other transport power simply because it's cheap, fast, and gives me more than enough vertical movement for anything I need. I build the transport powers to be reasonably modular though so it's not like it's difficult to switch them out.

Budget builds aren't really within the realms of my expertise (I generally have enough money to IO any toon I care to), though I generally level with common IOs and move in to sets when I hit 50. If you want to softcap early, I suggest frankenslotting and getting the cheap/easy +def bonuses (Mako's and ToD 6 piece, BotZ 3 piece), which should get you there quite easily.

Frankenslotting is a term that is used to describe using multiple sets in a single power and simply trying to get as much enhancement value as possible from as few slots as possible without regard for the set bonuses. Oftentimes it's done by using the same IO type (such as def/end) from multiple sets to get ~95% in 2 values with only 4 slots.

Procs check once per 10 seconds per activation per proc. This means that, in a toggle which is on at all times, it will check against every target in range of that aura (and this can be either the primary or secondary effect of the toggle, depending upon which effect the toggle is "riding" on)
once every 10 seconds. If you have 4 damage procs in it, once every 10 seconds, whenever the aura ticks, it will attempt to hit every enemy affected by the aura with every proc in the power. In general, you don't get much benefit of procs out of toggles simply because it's not checking that often.

DM/* does quite well because it packs a heal and some very nice ST damage along with an end recovery tool (which helps out */SR enormously). FM/* does quite nicely with similar ST damage at a lower cost and substantially better AoE damage but hurts because it's lacking any mitigation or utility. Claws/* is a nice one because it has low end costs (to make endurance management easier) along with a nice little bag of tricks and respectable AoE damage to make it a beast in many people's hands. DB/* can put out amazing damage and has awesome utility, but it's going to put a hurting on your blue bar and be incredibly tight. It's capable of an incredible attack string though.

I wouldn't go so far as to recommend MA/* (high end costs and low synergy, the combo is is popular for concept though), Kat/* (DA is one of the biggest advantages of it and */SR doesn't have much use for it; it'll still be a beast though with proper slotting), BS/* (pretty much the same reasons as Kat/*), or Spines/* (very poor ST damage, not easy on the blue bar).

Here's a DM/SR build that should do excellently in all of the categories that you're asking for. It's softcapped, has high damage recovery, and can wipe out AVs without much effort. The attack string is the DM standard: MG>Smite>Siphon>Smite.

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(3), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Mako-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Focused Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(9)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(A), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(11), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Armgdn-Dam%(19)
Level 4: Focused Senses -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(21), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(21)
Level 6: Agile -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(23), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(25)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Nictus-Heal(9), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(13), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Nictus-Heal/HP/Regen/Rchg(15)
Level 10: Practiced Brawler -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(23)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(17), Zephyr-ResKB(17)
Level 16: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(33), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Oblit-%Dam(34)
Level 20: Quickness -- Run-I(A)
Level 22: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 24: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Heal(25), RgnTis-Regen+(27), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(27), Numna-Heal(29), Mrcl-Rcvry+(34)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Oblit-%Dam(37)
Level 28: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(29), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(31), P'Shift-EndMod(37)
Level 30: Dodge -- GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(39), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39), GftotA-Def/Rchg(45)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(A), EndRdx-I(39), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(40), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Hectmb-Dam%(42)
Level 35: Evasion -- GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(40), GftotA-Def/Rchg(42), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 38: Lucky -- S'dpty-Def(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(43), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(43)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(45), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(45), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(46), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(46), GSFC-Build%(46)
Level 44: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Tough -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(48), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), ImpArm-ResDam(48), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 49: Weave -- GftotA-Def(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(50), GftotA-EndRdx/Rchg(50)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit

For */SR, your first priority is softcapping. After that, start investing heavily in damage recovery (+regen and self heals) and +hp. Make sure that you are end sustainable by getting +end and +recov and have enough +rech to run the attack string you're looking for (which depends entirely on what primary you're running).

Here are a couple quick definitions.
Softcapping: achieving 45% defense. Oftentimes applies to either all typed defenses (smash, lethal, fire, cold, negative, energy, psychic) or all positional defenses (ranged, melee, AoE), but can simply apply to a single one of those values in some contexts. The 45% number is derived from the specific point in which defense no longer contributes to damage avoidance beyond the ability to withstand defense debuffs. Without going into the entire mechanics, suffice it to say that 45% defense is the most you can get and the difference between 40% defense and 45% defense is a twofold increase in survivability.
Attack string (sometimes attack chain): the repeated order of attacks used when in combat, read from left to right and simply repeated. Oftentimes the names of the powers are shortened for length's sake. Virtually all of them have specific recharge requirements for all of the powers within them which are oftentimes used as guidelines for developing an effective build.

If you've got any others questions or terms you'd like defined, feel free to ask further in this thread (or send a pm on the forums or tell to me in game).

It depends on what you're giving up. If it's a choice between 29% +def with excellent damage and 40% +def with excellent damage and they both cost the same, you'd be stupid to go without the 40% +def version. Normally, it's a question of cost since you'll generally have the same degree of damage, so the more important question is how much you want to spend (and why are you stopping at 40%? 45% would be much better because it's functionally double the survivability of 40%).

29% +def will do you fine for most content. If you really want to be a beast though, you'd best aim high.

Assuming that's an actual request for help and not just an avatar appropriate piece of randomness (cuz that's a fire/regen build, not a BS/regen), here's a build for ya. It's got the recharge to run the Incinerate>Cremate>GFS attack string seamlessly (yours is a mite slow on GFS), the endurance to run it seamlessly even with FA on (3.13 end/sec burn from attack string, 1.26 from all toggles, 4.71 end/sec passive gain, .32 end/sec net gain), 28.2% +def(melee) and 23.2% +def(ranged, AoE), and 17 sec faster recharging (4% better uptime) MoG (though it's about a sec slower on Recon).

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Secondary Power Set: Regeneration
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Fitness
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fire Sword -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(43), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(43), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(45), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), T'Death-Dam%(46)
Level 1: Fast Healing -- Heal-I(A)
Level 2: Cremate -- 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 4: Quick Recovery -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(15), EndMod-I(17)
Level 6: Reconstruction -- Dct'dW-Heal(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(7), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(13), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Dct'dW-Rchg(15)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(9), Zephyr-Travel(9), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(11), Zephyr-ResKB(11)
Level 10: Dull Pain -- Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(17), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Dct'dW-Heal(25), Dct'dW-Rchg(31)
Level 12: Build Up -- AdjTgt-Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(37), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(34), Zephyr-ResKB(36)
Level 16: Integration -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(31), Mrcl-Rcvry+(34), Mrcl-Heal(45)
Level 18: Fire Sword Circle -- Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(A), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(19), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(21), Armgdn-Dam%(21)
Level 20: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23), RechRdx-I(23)
Level 22: Boxing -- Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(37), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(37), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(42), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(43)
Level 24: Tough -- HO:Ribo(A), Empty(36)
Level 26: Incinerate -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(27), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(27), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), T'Death-Dam%(31)
Level 28: Instant Healing -- Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(40), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Dct'dW-Heal(40), Dct'dW-Rchg(42)
Level 30: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(36), LkGmblr-Def(42)
Level 32: Greater Fire Sword -- Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(A), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Hectmb-Dam%(34), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 35: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 38: Moment of Glory -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(39), RechRdx-I(39), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 41: Health -- RgnTis-Regen+(A)
Level 44: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(45)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(48), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(48), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(50), GSFC-Build%(50)
Level 49: Resilience -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit

In general, most people will trade infamy for influence 1:1 and influence for infamy 1.2:1. Most of this is due to you having to offer a good enough deal. Infamy is, in general, more valuable per individual increment than influence. This varies pretty heavily based on who you talk to though and what sides they tend to play more (and how much comparative profit they want to make off of you).

Ahh, my bad.

Quit copying me!

And, though I'm less enthused about the prospect of an */elec Scrapper, my next Tanker is going to be elec/*.

No purple sets available to scrappers will assist in softcapping. Coercive Persuasion gives 5% +def(ranged) with the 6 pieces. Soulbound Allegiance and Apocalypse give 5% +def(psi) with 6 pieces, but 5% +def(psi) is about as useful to softcapping as 45% +def(electrolytic).

1. Your best bet to get more damage is to simply pack in more recharge since you're currently too light on it to seamlessly run the MG>Smite>Siphon>Smite attack chain, which also answers your second question to some degree. You'd be running the MG>Smite>Siphon>Wait(.132 secs)>Smite>Wait(.396 secs) attack chain. I've redone your build a bit using similar powersets (still no purples and I added no uniques) to get the needed recharge.
2. Keeping the heals would probably be in your best interest since you didn't bring aid self to the party. That's a majority of DM/SR's power right there: softcap with self heal.
3 (yours). Turning off Assault and Tactics and factoring in Conserve Power (slightly less than 50% uptime), you've got .88 end/sec passive burn and 3.87 end/sec passive gain. That's 2.99 end/sec net gain before attacks. The MG>Smite>Siphon>Wait(.132 secs)>Smite>Wait(.396 secs) attack string, factoring in average Conserve Power contribution, would cost 2.58 end/sec, so you'd be fine on your blue bar from there.
3 (mine). Turning off Assault and Tactics and factoring in Conserve Power (50% uptime), you've got .88 end/sec passive burn and 3.7 end/sec passive gain. That's 2.82 end/sec net gain before attacks. The MG>Smite>Siphon>Smite attack string, factoring in average performance with CP active, would cost 2.73 end/sec. That's a .09 end/sec net gain. When you factor in Dark Consumption (.43 end/sec at a minimum), you've got the endurance to burn on Tactics and Assault, but just barely.

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Saffire Orchid (protector): Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(34), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Mako-Dam%(37)
Level 1: Focused Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg(13), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg(34), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(34), Sciroc-Dam%(39)
Level 4: Agile -- GftotA-Def(A), DefBuff-I(5), GftotA-Run+(9)
Level 6: Focused Senses -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(7), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), DefBuff-I(11)
Level 10: Practiced Brawler -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 14: Siphon Life -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(15), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(15), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Numna-Heal/Rchg(33), Numna-Heal(33)
Level 16: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(17), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(17), Mrcl-Rcvry+(19), Mrcl-Heal(19)
Level 18: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(39), Zephyr-ResKB(43)
Level 20: Dark Consumption -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(21), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Oblit-%Dam(46)
Level 22: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(23), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(23), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(25)
Level 24: Quickness -- Run-I(A)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(27), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(27), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Oblit-%Dam(46)
Level 28: Dodge -- GftotA-Run+(A), GftotA-Def(40), DefBuff-I(40)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), RechRdx-I(39), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(40), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(42), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(43), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 35: Evasion -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 38: Lucky -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(42), DefBuff-I(42)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(A), GftotA-Run+(45), GftotA-Def(45), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(46)
Level 44: Tactics -- GSFC-Build%(A), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(45), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(48), GSFC-ToHit(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(50)
Level 47: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit