New to lv 50 builds - general advice?

[Mashugana]

I am new to level 50 builds - do you have any general advice?  My SS/WP is about to hit 50 and I am working on the build.

 

Questions:

Do you usually take and slot every attack or just focus on 3-4 since Recharge will be so fast?

Do you try to get to 65% S/L Def on every build?

Do you try to get Melee or Ranged Def to 65%?

Is there a minimum Global Recharge you go for?

 

Etc.

 

Kind people keep saying 'find the holes' and 'build what you like' but I am struggling with the basics.  Thanks for any advice 🙂

[Uun]

I can't speak to SS (I have WM/WP) but I don't worry about capping defense due to the high regen from RTTC. I've got 30-35% defense to everything and resists of 90% S/L, 57% psi and 30-35% to everything else. With RTTC saturated, my regen rate is about 100 hp/sec. Need to be careful with a few AVs with big attacks but otherwise he's virtually unkillable.

[roleki]

I can't speak to SS, but on my EM/WP (and pretty much all my Brutes) I 6-slotted my attacks because the best defense bonuses seem to hang out in that 6th slot. 

 

As for Defense numbers... if I know I'm not going to be on teams (or at least, not going to be on teams where anyone else is doing anything) I try to go up and over the soft cap on Melee if I can; for one thing, as a Brute, Melee is where I will be.  For another, Melee attacks generally hit harder than ranged/AoE attacks, and mobs usually have more melee attacks than ranged.  Lastly, I usually am trucking 4/8, and unless they've changed the attack mechanics, +4's get a 1.4 Accuracy bonus vs me, so even the soft cap isn't a soft cap vs. +4s.  

 

That said, if you hit ~32% def, you can cap defense with a small purple inspiration, so it might be better to try and spread your defense bonuses around to bring a few key types/positionals up to 32ish, so you are better in general content, a ready-for-anything kind of character.  If you're going to be on a lot of teams/leagues, a spread-it-around approach will probably be the best way to go, and you can just kick in an inspiration or two when things get too hairy.

 

So far as +Recharge goes, I don't specifically TRY to get a lot of it, but I do make it a point to grab Hasten; between that and set bonuses/LotG, I usually end up around 140% Recharge, then whatever Ageless kicks in along the way. 

 

In any event, like @Uunsaid, WP is kind of a special beast because RTTC.  It's like Fury, but for survival.  Defense helps a lot, but it's not going to destroy you outright to be shy of caps.

[Snarky]

It seriously depends on your powersets and build goals.  We could start with some "generic good idea" like S/L def at 45% and a list of common Globals and procs that almost every good build tries to shoehorn on.  There is actually a thread like that in general discussion right now.

 

But lets get down to brass tacks....  When you build a Brute you do not build "a brute."  You build a "Dark/Fire Farm Brute".  or a "SS/Invul TF Monster"   THose two will have EXTREMELY different needs and therefore, while maybe even sharing some same enhancement sets, might have those sets for different reasons even.  Take my "SS/Invul Brute" and "Dark/Invul Brute"  Both for Task Forces.  Completely different.  The SS has enough Recharge to keep Rage up 100% time.  Not hard.  The Dark has as much Recharge as I could cram on without seriously affecting other build goals.  Because the Synergy of Dark Melee and Invulnerability just gets stronger the more Recharge you cram onto it.  In my opinion, so thats how I built it.

 

SS/WP will need enough recharge to keep Rage up 100%.  After that it might benefit from more, but I would look at pumping other things based on your desires.  Definitely throw on all the normal procs and globals.  

 

Here is an excerpt from the general discussion by Mashugana:

 

How does this look for a general guide:

 

Start with this and then see where the endurance, recharge, defense, and damage holes might be:

1. Try to softcap S/L at 45%
2. If ranged then try to softcap Ranged Defense at 45%
3. Try to softcap Melee Defense at 45%
4. If you have a lot of toggles then get +Recovery high
5. Get Global Recharge low for long attacks to come up more often (look to IO set bonuses)
6. Useful procs for all characters:
   1. Panacea Proc
   2. Miracle Proc
   3. Numina Proc
   4. Perf Shift Proc
   5. Perf Shift End
   6. Power Transfer End
   7. Power Transfer Health
   8. Glad Armor +3% Def
   9. Steadfast +3% Def
   10. Shield Wall +5%
   11. Reactive Def Scale Damage Resist
   12. 5 LotG if possible

Did I miss any of your favorites like Blessing of Zepher or Karma?

 

I also use the Kismet +6% Acc global whenever I can fit it in.  Although with Rage that is not as important.  

 

but from this generic list you get 1 and 5 and the list of goodies and the rest does not fit well.  So much for generic advice lol.

 

I would look at ANY resists you can easily cram on.  I love a Willpower Brute but those Alphas can be Brutal.  

 

And last, and I HATE to say this, but I think it is true.  On a modern 50 Invul is just head and shoulders above Willpower (and I ran Willpower for over a year on live)  Because of Incarnates and all the build techniques the Endurance difference is moot.  The Healing is not needed as much, and that leaves Armor which Invulnerable does better.  I do not want to tell someone just climbed up to 50 they might have chosen a different armor to get to the brass ring, but....it's kind of who I am.  So I said it.  Opinions do vary.  Its just mine....and a few really good builders think that way too.  I am a mediocre builder at best.  But i do love Smashing things!

 

Best of luck.

  

Edited February 4, 2021 by Snarky

[Snarky]

Here is my SS/Willpower from a year ago.  I don't currently have this build active.  Shattered for parts.  I do have a SS/Invul Brute and a Dark/Invul Brute, and a Dark/Dark main actually lol.  I also have an Energy/Invul I am going to 50 sometime soon and complete, probably to leave up if it runs as good as I hope.  Oh, and my Dark/Fire Farmer.  Which is literally GOLD in farming, but a true pain in TFs.  (just not enough enemies to keep him fed well lol)

 

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Snarky: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Super Strength
Secondary Power Set: Willpower
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Punch -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(7)
Level 1: High Pain Tolerance -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), GldArm-3defTpProc(11), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(11)
Level 2: Haymaker -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(17)
Level 4: Mind Over Body -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(21), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(21), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 6: Fast Healing -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(23), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(25), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(25), NmnCnv-Heal(27)
Level 8: Knockout Blow -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(27), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(29), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(31)
Level 10: Indomitable Will -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 12: Kick -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(31), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(31), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(33), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), TchofDth-Dam%(33)
Level 14: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(34), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(34), UnbGrd-Max HP%(34)
Level 16: Rise to the Challenge -- DmpSpr-ToHitDeb(A), DmpSpr-ToHitDeb/Rchg(36), DmpSpr-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(36), DmpSpr-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(36), Prv-Heal(37), Prv-Absorb%(37)
Level 18: Rage -- AdjTrg-ToHit(A), AdjTrg-ToHit/Rchg(37), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(39), AdjTrg-EndRdx/Rchg(39), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx(39), AdjTrg-Rchg(40)
Level 20: Quick Recovery -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(40)
Level 22: Weave -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(42), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42), ShlWal-Def(42)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 26: Combat Jumping -- Ksm-Def/EndRdx(A), Ksm-Def/Rchg(43), Ksm-ToHit+(43)
Level 28: Heightened Senses -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(45), ShlWal-Def(45), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(45)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/Rchg(40), Rct-Def/EndRdx(46), Rct-ResDam%(46)
Level 32: Foot Stomp -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(48)
Level 35: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
Level 38: Strength of Will -- Ags-Psi/Status(A)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
Level 44: Resurgence -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Tactics -- RctRtc-Pcptn(A), RctRtc-ToHit(50)
Level 1: Fury 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(17), Mrc-Rcvry+(19)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(19)
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
------------

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[Snarky]

okay, i just realized i quoted you from the general discussion before realizing this was your thread.  now that is funny.  also seems you already have seen many of these answers...

[ninja surprise]

On 2/4/2021 at 9:38 AM, Mashugana said:

I am new to level 50 builds - do you have any general advice?  My SS/WP is about to hit 50 and I am working on the build.

 

Questions:

Do you usually take and slot every attack or just focus on 3-4 since Recharge will be so fast?

Do you try to get to 65% S/L Def on every build?

Do you try to get Melee or Ranged Def to 65%?

Is there a minimum Global Recharge you go for?

I typically do take every attack, unless one is a real snoozer that I've used and didn't like. Example: the little cone attack in Electric Melee.

 

Defense: no, I think 65% is such crazy overkill it would gimp the rest of the build. If I have a defense-based armor I'll get them to at least 45%, maybe 50% if it isn't too much trouble, then rely on buffs or inspirations if I need more. I try to cap what the armor's good at and I don't go crazy beyond that. I don't have infinite inf and I'd rather play than farm, so don't I don't try to get every purple, Winter, or AT IO. I just get it tough enough and that'd fine with me.

 

Recharge: I almost never take Hasten. If I have defense powers I'll put some Luck of the Gambler +rech in there, if a set has both a +rech bonus and a def/resist bonus I need I'll use it. I typically wind up with 50 - 90% global recharge bonus and that works fine for me.

 

Basically, to keep it easy: put your powersets into Mid's, turn on your armor toggles. Have some S/L resist? Boost it to the ceiling. Have low resist but high Defense? Buff that up and add some resist on the side.  The game is easy enough that you'll do fine on SO's and don't need billion dollar builds to get by.