Non-Farmer: Spines/Fire questions

[SmalltalkJava]

The only brute that I have is a spine/fire farmer.   I want to make an alternate build for general playing, but I have no idea where to start or even how to approach it.  

 

What kind of rotation should I be looking to use? 

Are there some Spines abilities that just aren't worth using?  

What are some general slotting approaches when it goes to -res procs, such as which abilities should they go in? 

Are there attacks that are usually just used as set mules?

Is there a common approach for using the ATO's on brutes?

Is there some epic pool skills that really enhance brutes and are "must haves"?  Such as a good blast, or some nice utility?

 

 

 

 

[Meknomancer]

I haven't posted any for months and lost my old builds so i'll just point you to this:

 

Build Request - Spines/Fire NON FARMER - Brute - Homecoming (homecomingservers.com)

[nebber]

Fiery Aura has a lot of holes to fill to make it playable for general content - meager resistance levels, no defense powers, no kb protection, not much slow protection.  Little hope of capping multiple positional defences with IO set bonuses, but I have a build which caps both S/L and melee defence, which avoids a lot of incoming damage.  That helps, along with aiming for higher S/L/E resists.  The other big help is get all your +hp and +end accolades.  Then sprinkle in some slow and KB protection, and you have something that can survive a good amount of content.  Some mobs that sit at range and fire exotic damage will still be an annoyance though.

 

My build is below.  Burn and Ball Lightning I have six-slotted with Armageddon and Ragnarok, respectively, for bringing up Toxic and Psi resists from 'very low' to 'some'.  But in each power, one of the purples could be swapped for -res or damge procs to increase damage output.

 

For your specific questions:

 

>What kind of rotation should I be looking to use?

 

My farm AOE chain works just fine for normal content (burn, spine burst, electrifying fences, ball lightning).  Single target, i used burn, ripper, mu lightning, lunge (and kick if I need a filler)

 

>Are there some Spines abilities that just aren't worth using? 

 

There's no terrible power in the set.  Late game with high recharge, you don't really need both Lunge and Barb swipe, one or the other.  I'm not a fan of Impale, with the long animation time - the epic/patron blasts like Mu Lightning are much better.  I skip throw spines because I don't like repositioning myself to land the cone, I like staying in melee and just mashing my PBAOEs & targeted AOEs.  But some people love these powers. 

 

>What are some general slotting approaches when it goes to -res procs, such as which abilities should they go in? 

 

Burn has a much better proc rate than spine burst, so that's the best place for Fury of the Gladiator -res.  I'm not sure annhilation -res is worth it in a patron targeted AOE - it's going to have a pretty low chance of going off and it's -12.5% res isn't as good.  

 

>Are there attacks that are usually just used as set mules?

 

Not really in my build.  Maybe kick for 4 kinetic combats, but I do use kick sometimes.

 

>Is there a common approach for using the ATO's on brutes?

 

Splitting Brute's Fury 3 IOs over 2 powers gets you +5% melee defence x2.

 

>Is there some epic pool skills that really enhance brutes and are "must haves"?  Such as a good blast, or some nice utility?

 

Mu is just as good for regular content as farms.  Having two more AOEs is awesome and Mu Lightning has way good DPA, which helps Spines' so-so ST damage.

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.5.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Spines
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Lunge -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(3), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(5)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(9), StdPrt-ResKB(11)
Level 2: Spine Burst -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(15)
Level 4: Super Speed -- WntGif-ResSlow(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(19)
Level 6: Blazing Aura -- SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(A), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(21)
Level 8: Healing Flames -- DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(A), Prv-Absorb%(15), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(23), Prv-Heal/Rchg(23), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 10: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 12: Kick -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(27), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(27), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 14: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(29)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(31), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), UnbGrd-Max HP%(31), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(33), StdPrt-ResKB(50)
Level 18: Quills -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(33), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(34)
Level 20: Consume -- PreOptmz-Acc/Rech(A)
Level 22: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(34), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(36), LucoftheG-Def(36), Rct-ResDam%(37), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(37), Ksm-ToHit+(37)
Level 26: Ripper -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(39), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Obl-%Dam(40)
Level 28: Burn -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(40), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Arm-Acc/Rchg(42), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Arm-Dam%(43)
Level 30: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(43)
Level 32: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(A)
Level 35: Electrifying Fences -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45)
Level 38: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 41: Ball Lightning -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(45), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(46), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Rgn-Knock%(46)
Level 44: Mu Lightning -- Apc-Dmg/Rchg(A), Apc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Apc-Acc/Rchg(48), Apc-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Apc-Dam%(50)
Level 47: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 49: Temperature Protection -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Mrc-Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(17)
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
Level 50: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 50: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Task Force Commander
Level 50: The Atlas Medallion
Level 4: Speed Phase
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