Dual Blades - Invulnerability - Brute or Tank?

[Psyonico]

I have a concept for a DB/Invul combo, but I can't decide between a brute and a tank... I think the concept fits brute better, but the added survivability to a tank just feels too good to pass up (I also generally prefer playing tanks over brutes).  Does anyone have any experience with either of these? Here are sample builds I put together for the combo, so any thought on those would also be appreciated.

 

Brute: 

Spoiler

Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.7.2.10
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: Dual Blades
Secondary Power Set: Invulnerability
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Power Slice -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(43)
Level 1: Resist Physical Damage -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(43), ImpArm-ResPsi(45)
Level 2: Ablating Strike -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(25), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(42)
Level 4: Temp Invulnerability -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam(5), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(13), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Ags-Psi/Status(46)
Level 6: Typhoon's Edge -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(7), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(42)
Level 8: Blinding Feint -- PndSlg-Acc/Dmg(A), PndSlg-Dmg/EndRdx(9), PndSlg-Dmg/Rchg(9), PlvFst-Acc/Dmg(17), PlvFst-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), PlvFst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 10: Dull Pain -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(11), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(11), Prv-Heal/Rchg(36), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(45), Prv-Absorb%(45)
Level 12: Taunt -- Taunt-I(A)
Level 14: Mystic Flight -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 16: Unyielding -- HO:Ribo(A)
Level 18: Vengeful Slice -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(39), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(40)
Level 20: Resist Elements -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResPsi(21), ResDam-I(21), ResDam-I(46)
Level 22: Resist Energies -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResPsi(23), ResDam-I(23), ResDam-I(46)
Level 24: Spirit Ward -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 26: Sweeping Strike -- Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(27), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), ClvBlo-Acc/Dmg(31), ClvBlo-Dmg/EndRdx(34), ClvBlo-Dmg/Rchg(40)
Level 28: Invincibility -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def(29), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Rune of Protection -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(31)
Level 32: One Thousand Cuts -- Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(33), ClvBlo-Acc/Dmg(33), ClvBlo-Dmg/EndRdx(34), ClvBlo-Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 35: Tough Hide -- ShlWal-Def(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(36), Rct-Def(36), Rct-ResDam%(48)
Level 38: Superior Conditioning -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A)
Level 44: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Tough -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Ags-ResDam(48)
Level 49: Weave -- GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(A), GifoftheA-Def(50), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), GifoftheA-Def/Rchg(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
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 1: Fury 
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(15), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(42)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(43)
Level 50: Agility Radial Paragon 
------------

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Tank

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.7.2.10
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Invulnerability
Secondary Power Set: Dual Blades
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Temp Invulnerability -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam(5), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(11), Ags-Psi/Status(45)
Level 1: Nimble Slash -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Power Slice -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(45)
Level 4: Ablating Strike -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(5), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(45)
Level 6: Resist Physical Damage -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(15), ImpArm-ResPsi(46)
Level 8: Unyielding -- HO:Ribo(A)
Level 10: Taunt -- Taunt-I(A)
Level 12: Dull Pain -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(13), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(13), Prv-Heal/Rchg(15), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(34), Prv-Absorb%(40)
Level 14: Mystic Flight -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 16: Typhoon's Edge -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(43)
Level 18: Invincibility -- GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(A), GifoftheA-Def(19), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(19), GifoftheA-Run+(23)
Level 20: Blinding Feint -- PndSlg-Acc/Dmg(A), PndSlg-Dmg/EndRdx(21), PndSlg-Dmg/Rchg(21), PlvFst-Acc/Dmg(33), PlvFst-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), PlvFst-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 22: Resist Elements -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(23), ImpArm-ResDam(31), ImpArm-ResPsi(46)
Level 24: Resist Energies -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(25), ImpArm-ResDam(31), ImpArm-ResPsi(46)
Level 26: Tough Hide -- ShlWal-Def(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(27), Rct-Def(27), Rct-ResDam%(43)
Level 28: Vengeful Slice -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(29), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(29), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(34), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(42)
Level 30: Spirit Ward -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 32: Rune of Protection -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(33)
Level 35: Sweeping Strike -- Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(36), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), ClvBlo-Acc/Dmg(36), ClvBlo-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ClvBlo-Dmg/Rchg(42)
Level 38: One Thousand Cuts -- Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(39), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), ClvBlo-Acc/Dmg(39), ClvBlo-Dmg/EndRdx(40), ClvBlo-Dmg/Rchg(42)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 47: Tough -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Ags-ResDam(48)
Level 49: Weave -- GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(A), GifoftheA-Def(50), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), GifoftheA-Run+(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
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 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(11), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(25)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(48)
------------

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[nihilii]

One vote for Tanker.

 

- DB's damage relies on Blinding Feint, often doublestacked (and sometimes triplestacked). Constant +damage buffs benefit Brutes less, as they have less base damage than Tankers.

- DB loves cones, cones, cones. Getting that max target from 5 to 10 on Sweeping Strike and from 10 to 16 on One Thousand Cuts is beautiful, especially coupled with the area increase. Typhoon's Edge is a paltry 8 foot PBAoE hitting 10 on a Brute, and a glorious 12 foot PBAoE hitting 16 on a Tanker.

 

I have an Inv/DB Tanker, built with procs all over. It deals surprisingly high damage for that particular Tanker combination. Running the BF -> AV combo does everything you need.

 

The one downside of the character is that there really isn't much to do. Most of your defenses are passive. And your attacks are straightforward. But, that's kind of a good, "first world" problem to have (everything is covered). There's always the minigame of lining cones as well as possible to hit as many baddies as you can.

[KauaiJim]

Unfortunately I do not have either one of those.  The closest I have is a WP/DB Tanker I made because I had no WP tankers and wanted at least one, and even then I haven't really played her much yet.

 

I personally am now thinking of making a DB Brute because I have none.  In your case I would say you should be very happy with either one.  As you said the Tanker gets the survivability edge - but the Brute will probably be a bit more fun to play (depending on what you think is fun).  In general though both Brutes and Tankers are great AT's and a LOT can be done with either fairly interchangeably. 

 

I even have one specific Brute that I made a Tanker mirror of and the backstory is that the Brute has incredible powers, but when that super bad villain or monster comes along and the 'next level' is needed, my brute puts on his armor suit specially designed to 'compliment' his superhero powers.  Kind of like if Superman was up against something crazy and he had a Ironman type suit he could put on the would give him that extra needed edge.  I bring this up because they both are just plain crazy good and play very similar.  I do not 'prefer' one over the other.  I like both.

 

Anyhoo... even though my post is nigh worthless to helping with your quandary I jumped in to say that at a quick glance I like both of your builds.  Either one should be great (I think).  

[Lusiphur Malache]

I have a db/elec brute that is a lot of fun to play. Teammates have stopped doing their job just to watch me during a fight. Trick is not to pick a lot of db powers. At level 50 I have 6. I think the sweep and attack vitals combos

[Snarky]

Since the Tank revamp I am now much more inclined to say that Tank vs Brutes is a fair comparison.  In general.  But Brutes still out damage Tanks, no matter the hype.  Tankers do get quite a bit more mileage out of AoE attacks now.  So, does Dual Blades have a "ton" of AoE?  If so Tank might be a valid option.  Otherwise...Brute.  I see the last two attacks are cones and it has one PBAoE.  i have never run it (do not like combo sets) But i can tell you from the cone on Dark Melee and the PBAoE on Dark Melee that it is a serious upgrade from Brutes with same power....in a crowd.  Against Single Target a Brute is still going to be more effective/  In my opinion.  No, its fact.  Heh.

[Blackbird71]

I'll point out that the general Archetypes forum exists for conversations like this:  Archetypes - Homecoming (homecomingservers.com)

[Turric]

Not quite what you're looking for, but worth mentioning: 

 

I have a DB / Willpower scrapper that is top notch and can tank +4x8 without issue because her defenses and several resists are capped. The problem, and one to consider for your brute / tank question, is the taunt. {I dont play my dark scrapper anymore because I have to chase mobs all over God's green earth and it annoys me to no end}

 

The extra defense you mentioned will be negligible when fully twinked out and the trade off of damage is not worth it, IMO. So, I would vote brute over tank UNLESS you want this character to be the main focus of teams and content, like tanking Hami for raids and such, then tank is viable. If you do mix and match content, then brute. If you're doing solo content, then scrapper.

 

The AOE on DB is so so, not horrible, but not great either.

[KauaiJim]

Well I rolled a DB/Inv Brute and he’s great!  Even put together a great costume and named him ‘Duplicut’. Very happy with him. Thank you for giving me the idea OP. 👍

[Heraclea]

I have a DB/Fire Brute, remade from Victory, but if I were starting from scratch I'd consider a Tanker.  Tankers now generally get bigger AoEs than brutes, which would be a strong benefit for DB.

 

Whichever you choose, on DB accuracy, accuracy, and more accuracy are your friends.  This also argues for Tanker, because on a tanker bigger base armor numbers make it easier to build for other bonuses besides defense and resistance.