Would love to try a Dark/Dark Brute, but where to start?

[Excraft]

As the title suggests, I've been meaning to try a Dark/Dark Brute, but will admit I'm clueless when it comes to Dark Armor.  I've no idea what to pick, skip and how to slot.  I'd like to build something that's all around tough and can handle whatever I throw at it.  I'm not big on taking tons of pool powers just for IO mules so I'd like to see what can be done with IOs and set bonuses.  I can afford pretty much anything. 

 

Anyone have any advice or preferably builds to share?  Much appreciated.  Thanks.

[The_Warpact]

@Snarky yo man this is your bag baby.

[Snarky]

Thank you Warpact.  So.  My 2 cents....

 

This Dark/Dark is what I run in everything up to and including all Incarnate content.  The only places it struggles are during the Magisterium Trial and against Battle Maiden in TinPex.  Both have unavoidable/unmitigatable damage patches that are huge.  Dark Melee has longish animations.  Other than that it is extremely tanky.  

 

Tankiness is achieved not through high defense.  The old maxim holds true Def>Res>Heal.  However on Dark/Dark you are invisible to mobs a short distance away.  You can be killing 17 people and the unconnected 50 mobs twenty feet away ignore you while you eat their friends.  You have to hit debuffs in almost everything.  You have a Stun and a Fear aura that (on this build) will FU minions and Lts like a champ.  You are not soft capped on Def.  In my opinion chasing Def on Dark is silly.  As soon as the debuff the defense you carefully built you are screwed.  No Debuff Res. You have very very high resistances. (on this build) You have the BEST heal in the game up very fast.  So, tanky.

 

The build has a damage aura and Soul Drain is the best Build Up power in the game for melee, in my opinion.  You have super solid ST damage and eat through minions with Aura at a fine clip.  Not as much damage output as a Farmer, but very nice I assure you.

 

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Snarky 5.0: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(3), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(3), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), TchofDth-Dam%(5)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), GldArm-3defTpProc(9)
Level 2: Death Shroud -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(15)
Level 4: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(17), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(19), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 6: Shadow Maul -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(21), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Arm-Acc/Rchg(23), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(23), Arm-Dam%(25)
Level 8: Fly -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 10: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(25), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(27), UnbGrd-Max HP%(27)
Level 12: Siphon Life -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(31)
Level 14: Touch of Fear -- CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(A), CldSns-%Dam(50)
Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(33), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(34), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(34), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36)
Level 20: Cloak of Darkness -- Ksm-ToHit+(A), Rct-ResDam%(36), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(37)
Level 22: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A)
Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(37), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(37), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(40)
Level 28: Cloak of Fear -- CldSns-%Dam(A), CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(42)
Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(42), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), Hct-Acc/Rchg(43), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Hct-Dam%(43)
Level 35: Oppressive Gloom -- HO:Endo(A)
Level 38: Soul Tentacles -- Bmbdmt-Dam(A), Bmbdmt-Acc/Rech/End(45), Bmbdmt-Dam/Rech(45), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech(45), Bmbdmt-Acc/Dam/Rech/End(46), Bmbdmt-+FireDmg(46)
Level 41: Dark Obliteration -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(46), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(48), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Rgn-Knock%(50)
Level 44: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Fury 
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(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+(15), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(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 4: Ninja Run 
Level 50: Cardiac Radial Boost 
Level 8: Afterburner 
------------

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids Reborn : Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1465;674;1348;HEX;|
|78DA65945B4F134114C76777A7D6B694B620B45C2AB4DCA9AC2D37EF312A62A2342|
|121F1C1A84D032334564AB62591471FFC0C26CA5D7DF553F8317CF4C10701158D1A|
|85F5EC9E7F90649B6C7F33FF39FF3D67CEEC6EFEE944DDBB5BCFAE0A2D74A35CAC5|
|60BD7ADE59AF2E58BF3A5594308119C592C5A8F573AC7CCAC9FA6CDEE7221AFCA4A|
|9913B4C2C304CB13EA915AAC62E19AF5A46289D074A5523627CBA5F9855A98C7CEB|
|0B4381F7467334B4ACD45DCE1942ACE29ABBA505A8ADF5C2ACD9A7CCF99CA72B990|
|2F566BCA5A4950057D747DA64B68CE9F2DC53D479442BF0F3E60CA876081F9F2B8E|
|73B6D2D1710277E803F99277F81C3CC578E853D3EAD4EBA5A300CD633EB22609459|
|1F63AE92CB60AF61205F14F91A90AF01F97628CA27388FEFBCEE6AA72E801799CD9|
|7C0CBCCC41566888EC5CF7984FF83A349B146B3007207903B81DCADC8DDFA9BB947|
|5121EC31B4C95AFB16B8CD3CFD1A7C03BE65EE922BCC5E2DFC917227A5C87D62AE9|
|31A711B6ECBC81FAEB5F32F78001E325336F32B45C7E089C1938227054F173C5DF0|
|6C507423D7A0371E1092B4B6CFF575DF71E8173AF5A8093D6A7ACE3E83B4387A144|
|78FBAD1A36EF4A817E7F38DA25AB82E5FCB2A9F6FEF1AB8CEECDB0037C12DE626B9|
|DAD0A336F46600BD9254431275259D02297E9F661D388F8E5E3ECF813EB09F39380|
|00E8219E616B9D2B85F7A9CE037C41C6DA107CF56CF01D774E610B441E7E9230E69|
|A0CE54E4ED87B77F98FB3634C23C3B0A8E81E3CCDC39669AF696C1BE3319C16B608|
|CD64CD469BAFB96629B6659EEB1C8226E521EBDB376BB14F8D9CED4B6C594479996|
|08274573959DE0D11B0C65D7A3ECFD57742D65B8D5D4DFD6DCAF46F42E57F7E5B8E|
|B05BAEEC99FF528398F32E251463D4A204ADF0E56ECF7314A861E88663A52E8FF00|
|1BE8F611|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

[Nightmare Shaman]

I'll go the opposite of Snarky and say don't look at any builds and just start playing it.  It's a very strong build once you get your IO bonuses and incarnates.  

[Snarky]

1 hour ago, Nightmare Shaman said:

I'll go the opposite of Snarky and say don't look at any builds and just start playing it.  It's a very strong build once you get your IO bonuses and incarnates.  

Before level 30 (except for a few globals like Panace etc) Single Origin Enhancers tend to be more powerful than sets.

[Nightmare Shaman]

21 hours ago, Snarky said:

Before level 30 (except for a few globals like Panace etc) Single Origin Enhancers tend to be more powerful than sets.

I meant once you get to 50.  

[Snarky]

54 minutes ago, Nightmare Shaman said:

I meant once you get to 50.  

Dark Melee feeds off high recharge, and sweetening the resists on armor is just too good.

[StoneKarma]

Here's mine. I like the variety of play styles. He's very tanky, but the damage output is very good also. 

 

This Villain 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 Natural Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite

• (A) Hecatomb - Damage
• (3) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge
• (3) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (5) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge
• (5) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
• (7) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  

Level 1: Dark Embrace

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (7) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (9) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (9) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (11) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
  

Level 2: Shadow Maul

• (A) Armageddon - Damage
• (11) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge
• (13) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (13) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge
• (15) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
• (15) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
  

Level 4: Death Shroud

• (A) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (19) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/RechargeTime
• (21) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (21) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (23) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (23) Superior Unrelenting Fury - RechargeTime/+Regen/+End
  

Level 6: Murky Cloud

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (25) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (25) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (27) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (27) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
• (29) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection
  

Level 8: Siphon Life

• (A) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (29) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
• (31) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (31) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (31) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (33) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
  

Level 10: Obsidian Shield

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (33) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (33) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (34) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  

Level 12: Fly

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 14: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (34) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
  

Level 16: Dark Regeneration

• (A) Numina's Convalesence - Endurance/Recharge
• (34) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery
• (36) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Endurance/Healing/Absorb
• (36) Touch of the Nictus - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge
• (36) Touch of the Nictus - Chance for Negative Energy Damage
• (37) Theft of Essence - Chance for +Endurance
  

Level 18: Dark Consumption

• (A) Obliteration - Damage
• (37) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
• (37) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
• (39) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (39) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (39) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 20: Cloak of Darkness

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
• (40) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
• (40) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (40) Reactive Defenses - Defense
• (42) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
• (42) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
  

Level 22: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (42) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 24: Boxing

• (A) Empty
  

Level 26: Soul Drain

• (A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage
• (43) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (43) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (43) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (45) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown
  

Level 28: Tough

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (45) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (45) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (46) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 30: Weave

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
• (46) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  

Level 32: Midnight Grasp

• (A) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage
• (46) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance
• (48) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (48) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (48) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
  

Level 35: Superior Conditioning

• (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
  

Level 38: Focused Accuracy

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO
  

Level 41: Physical Perfection

• (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
  

Level 44: Taunt

• (A) Mocking Beratement - Taunt
• (50) Mocking Beratement - Taunt/Recharge
• (50) Mocking Beratement - Taunt/Recharge/Range
• (50) Mocking Beratement - Recharge
  

Level 47: Hover

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  

Level 49: Evasive Maneuvers

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
  

Level 1: Fury 

Level 1: Brawl