New Brute Claws/???

Hobbes · December 28, 2021

Starting a new Brute project. Want to be the best "all rounder" type of melee character. Would like to be able to hold Aggro when PUGing and enough ST DPS to solo many AVs in the assorted end game arcs, but also AOE for general clear speed. So, Claws for the attack set, Brute with Taunt for the Aggro control. Stuck on the secondary.

I've got a couple builds I've been tinkering with, soliciting any feedback on them. First up, Claws/EA "Hold my beer". This is a stupidly survivable character. Could easily have hit the Incarnate cap on multiple Defense types, but really, Overload is up about 1/2 the time so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Two Endurance management powers so shouldn't need much help there. Could use more Recharge, depending on how often Forced Feedback procs in Focus?

Spoiler

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Hold my beer: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Claws
Secondary Power Set: Energy Aura
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Strike

(A) Accuracy IO

Level 1: Kinetic Shield

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
(17) Reactive Defenses - Defense
(19) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance
(46) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
(50) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance/RechargeTime

Level 2: Slash

(A) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage
(3) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/RechargeTime
(3) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
(5) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(5) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(7) Superior Unrelenting Fury - RechargeTime/+Regen/+End

Level 4: Dampening Field

(A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
(19) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
(21) Titanium Coating - Resistance
(36) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Recharge
(37) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP

Level 6: Spin

(A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(7) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage
(9) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance
(9) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
(11) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(11) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown

Level 8: Follow Up

(A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
(13) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge
(13) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(15) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge
(15) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
(17) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)

Level 10: Entropic Aura

(A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 12: Power Shield

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
(21) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
(23) Shield Wall - Defense
(48) Shield Wall - Defense/Recharge
(50) Shield Wall - Defense/Endurance

Level 14: Combat Teleport

(A) Winter's Gift - Slow Resistance (20%)

Level 16: Energy Protection

(A) Titanium Coating - Resistance
(25) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance
(25) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Recharge
(48) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 18: Focus

(A) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
(27) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
(27) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
(29) Devastation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(29) Gladiator's Javelin - Accuracy/Damage/End/Rech
(31) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge

Level 20: Energy Cloak

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
(23) Kismet - Defense/Endurance
(31) Kismet - Defense/Recharge
(31) Kismet - Endurance/Recharge
(48) Kismet - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
(50) Kismet - Accuracy +6%

Level 22: Teleport

(A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance

Level 24: Fold Space

(A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 26: Kick

(A) Accuracy IO

Level 28: Energy Drain

(A) Synapse's Shock - EndMod
(37) Synapse's Shock - Damage/Rechage
(39) Synapse's Shock - Damage/Accuracy/Endurance
(39) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Increased Run Speed
(39) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Recharge
(40) Synapse's Shock - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy

Level 30: Tough

(A) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance
(33) Titanium Coating - Resistance
(33) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
(37) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Recharge

Level 32: Shockwave

(A) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown
(33) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge
(34) Ragnarok - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(34) Ragnarok - Accuracy/Recharge
(34) Ragnarok - Damage/Endurance
(36) Ragnarok - Damage

Level 35: Energize

(A) Preventive Medicine - Heal
(40) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance
(40) Preventive Medicine - Endurance/RechargeTime
(42) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime
(43) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance
(43) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb

Level 38: Overload

(A) Numina's Convalesence - Heal/Endurance
(43) Numina's Convalesence - Endurance/Recharge
(45) Numina's Convalesence - Heal/Recharge
(45) Numina's Convalesence - Heal/Endurance/Recharge
(46) Numina's Convalesence - Heal
(46) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery

Level 41: Weave

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

Level 44: Hasten

(A) Recharge Reduction IO
(45) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 47: Combat Jumping

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

Level 49: Taunt

(A) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage

Level 1: Brawl

(A) Empty

Level 1: Fury

Level 1: Sprint

(A) Empty

Level 2: Rest

(A) Empty

Level 1: Swift

(A) Empty

Level 1: Health

(A) Miracle - +Recovery

Level 1: Hurdle

(A) Empty

Level 1: Stamina

(A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
(36) Performance Shifter - EndMod

------------

For comparison, on the other side of the spectrum, "Hot Knife" inspired by one of @Sovera builds.

Spoiler

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Claws
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Strike

(A) Kinetic Combat - Knockdown Bonus
(5) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
(7) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance
(15) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 1: Fire Shield

(A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
(3) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
(5) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection
(7) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
(9) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
(9) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime

Level 2: Slash

(A) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
(3) Gladiator's Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage
(13) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance
(15) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Recharge
(23) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(23) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)

Level 4: Blazing Aura

(A) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage
(11) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/RechargeTime
(11) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
(29) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(33) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(33) Superior Unrelenting Fury - RechargeTime/+Regen/+End

Level 6: Spin

(A) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown
(34) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance
(34) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
(34) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(39) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(39) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage

Level 8: Follow Up

(A) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
(13) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)
(42) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
(43) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(45) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(45) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)

Level 10: Combat Teleport

(A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up
(27) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - To Hit Buff/Endurance

Level 12: Healing Flames

(A) Preventive Medicine - Heal
(17) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance
(19) Preventive Medicine - Endurance/RechargeTime
(19) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime
(21) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance
(21) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb

Level 14: Hasten

(A) Recharge Reduction IO
(31) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 16: Plasma Shield

(A) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance
(31) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Recharge
(31) Titanium Coating - Resistance
(33) Titanium Coating - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge

Level 18: Focus

(A) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
(27) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge
(39) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(47) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Recharge
(48) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
(48) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge

Level 20: Consume

(A) Synapse's Shock - EndMod
(25) Synapse's Shock - Damage/Accuracy/Endurance
(25) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Increased Run Speed
(29) Synapse's Shock - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
(36) Synapse's Shock - Damage/Rechage
(36) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Recharge

Level 22: Teleport

(A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Run Speed, Jump, Flight Speed, Range/Endurance

Level 24: Fold Space

(A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 26: Combat Jumping

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

Level 28: Burn

(A) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
(40) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
(40) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
(40) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
(42) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
(42) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge

Level 30: Boxing

(A) Accuracy IO

Level 32: Tough

(A) Aegis - Resistance
(37) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance
(46) Aegis - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
(46) Aegis - Psionic/Status Resistance
(50) Aegis - Endurance/Recharge

Level 35: Shockwave

(A) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown
(36) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage
(37) Overwhelming Force - Endurance/Recharge
(37) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
(46) Overwhelming Force - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
(50) Overwhelming Force - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge

Level 38: Fiery Embrace

(A) Recharge Reduction IO
(45) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 41: Weave

(A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
(43) Reactive Defenses - Defense
(50) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
(48) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance

Level 44: Taunt

(A) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage

Level 47: Superior Conditioning

(A) Endurance Modification IO

Level 49: Temperature Protection

(A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)

Level 1: Fury

Level 1: Brawl

(A) Empty

Level 1: Sprint

(A) Empty

Level 2: Rest

(A) Empty

Level 2: Swift

(A) Empty

Level 2: Hurdle

(A) Empty

Level 2: Health

(A) Miracle - +Recovery

Level 2: Stamina

(A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
(17) Performance Shifter - EndMod

Level 1: Prestige Power Dash

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Slide

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Quick

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Rush

(A) Empty

Level 1: Prestige Power Surge

(A) Empty

Level 4: Ninja Run

Level 50: Musculature Core Paragon
Level 50: Born In Battle
Level 50: Invader
Level 50: Marshal
Level 50: High Pain Threshold
------------

Burn Patch, Claw stuff, next spawn. Much more fragile but, I would think, silly damage output for any mob that sticks around in the Burn patch. Maybe because it fell down. Or it got Teleported there, and then fell down. Again. And Again.

Bill Z Bubba · December 28, 2021

I vote claws/bio. It gives you the option of extra damage output vs extra mitigation.

Edit: Yes, FA might let you dish out MORE damage, but a ton of slots have to be wasted on its various holes. I find it far more satisfying to spend less slots on better mitigation while dishing out enough to wipe out AVs in a tolerable amount of time.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Bill Z Bubba

subbacultchas · December 28, 2021

Probably Claws/Bio like Bill says. But also consider Claws/Stone, I've got a scrapper variant I love and have seriously considered porting to a brute.

Hobbes · December 28, 2021

I've tried /Bio on a couple of characters. I like the numbers on Bio, didn't care for the play. Possibly too many clickies? Takes me out of my zen button mashing.

Erratic1 · December 28, 2021

19 minutes ago, Hobbes said:

I've tried /Bio on a couple of characters. I like the numbers on Bio, didn't care for the play. Possibly too many clickies? Takes me out of my zen button mashing.

3 clicks (4 if you like to change stances--I don't but some do) of which 2 are purely, "Oh shit!!" situational and one which is best practice used (if you just ran into a large group).

FWIW, I'd suggest Claws/Stone though certainly Claws/Bio and Claws/EA would both be awesome.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Erratic1

Without_Pause · December 28, 2021

I would have added /rad but you think /bio has too many clicks. I haven't used /fire for non-farm content, but I love /ea on the Stalker and Scrappers I have used it on. Energize will be the dominate click you use as end usage can be handed rather easily.

Obsinious · December 28, 2021

6 hours ago, subbacultchas said:

Probably Claws/Bio like Bill says. But also consider Claws/Stone, I've got a scrapper variant I love and have seriously considered porting to a brute.

3 hours ago, Erratic1 said:

FWIW, I'd suggest Claws/Stone though certainly Claws/Bio and Claws/EA would both be awesome.

I thought brutes and tankers couldn't run Claws with stone. Was this changed?

Sovera · December 28, 2021

I wouldn't go Claws on a brute tbh. The set is great but loses its edge on a Brute and turns mushy between Follow-up and Fury not mixing well, and the extra recharge on Spin and Shockwave.

It's just min maxing though. Claws/Energy Armor has my vote.

Erratic1 · December 28, 2021

3 hours ago, Obsinious said:

I thought brutes and tankers couldn't run Claws with stone. Was this changed?

You are correct, Scrappers and Stalkers can pull that off but not Brutes.

Well in that case Claws/EA vs Claws/Bio...given the OP's dislike of Bio I'd say go Claws/EA.

Hobbes · December 28, 2021

7 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

I would have added /rad but you think /bio has too many clicks. I haven't used /fire for non-farm content, but I love /ea on the Stalker and Scrappers I have used it on. Energize will be the dominate click you use as end usage can be handed rather easily.

Tried /Rad as well and it didn't gel either. Claws/EA it is! Thanks all. Xx Hold my beer xX is now playing on an Indom near you! Have fun out there!

Without_Pause · December 28, 2021

Rad has been great on my Tank. I think Claws is fine on a Brute. The issue is it being better on a Scrapper since FU is better there and in a case where one is soloing, the resisted damage in Claws can be more annoying. This can less an issue on a Scrapper due to crits. Granted, my main here is a Claws/wp Brute.

subbacultchas · December 28, 2021

8 hours ago, Obsinious said:

I thought brutes and tankers couldn't run Claws with stone. Was this changed?

Nope, damn. I second claws/ea too then.

Hobbes · December 29, 2021

Dinged 17, got a couple Kinetic Melee sets slotted, made a noticeable difference. Got Spin 5 Slotted with Avalanche, really feel the longer recharge on Spin. Minions just hang around longer than they should.

Only 17 so the secondary is pretty much /Inspirations, but I've been able to creep up the difficulty. Got some LotGs waiting at 22 though, so EA should start to matter soon. The leveling build is going to look a lot different from the planned build, that's for sure : ) Took Sorcery for Arcane Bolt and Mystic flight and do not not regret.

Without_Pause · December 30, 2021

How is the recharge on Spin long? It is 14 seconds, and a quick scan isn't showing anything quicker. A number of PBAoEs are at 20 seconds. I also never felt the need to add a filler attack for Claws in terms of attack chain even when leveling. You have a complete ST attack chain at 18. You already get a boost in recharge as well.

Bill Z Bubba · December 30, 2021

1 hour ago, Without_Pause said:

How is the recharge on Spin long? It is 14 seconds

Compared to scrapper spin of 9.2. On my final builds, it's a difference of Followup, Spin, Shockwave, repeat on the scrapper vs Followup, Focus, Spin, Shockwave, repeat on brutes/tanks. I concur that it's noticeable. 🙂

Edit: Course... on a scrapper now and I'm REALLY noticing how much more punks run away.

Edited December 30, 2021 by Bill Z Bubba

Without_Pause · December 30, 2021

2 hours ago, Bill Z Bubba said:

Compared to scrapper spin of 9.2. On my final builds, it's a difference of Followup, Spin, Shockwave, repeat on the scrapper vs Followup, Focus, Spin, Shockwave, repeat on brutes/tanks. I concur that it's noticeable. 🙂

Edit: Course... on a scrapper now and I'm REALLY noticing how much more punks run away.

Well I checked other Brute PBAoEs and Spin is on the shorter side which is why I made the comment.

Hobbes · December 30, 2021

I meant longer as compared to Scrapper, yes. My Homecoming main is a Claws/Invuln Scrapper, so that's what I was comparing it too. I've taken to grabbing the empowerment station buffs out of the SG base, they help a bit. Also as the build has gotten more durable the recharge buff from Entropic Aura gets stronger from more mobs.

Now that Focus is available I typically save Arcane Bolt for when the bonus damage is up. Or for runners. In general though Arcane Bolt is rarely a bad choice for leveling.

SeraphimKensai · December 30, 2021

I have a Claws/EA Brute and it works out pretty damn well. You won't be disappointed if you go that route.

Haijinx · December 30, 2021

Brutes got high recharges, so better relative damage numbers back when Brutes were closer to Scrappers and before ATOs

Seems less great now though.

Ankhammon · January 10, 2022

Does the extra time for spin to recharge open it up for better proc'tastic shenanigan's than the scrapper version?

Bill Z Bubba · January 10, 2022

4 minutes ago, Ankhammon said:

Does the extra time for spin to recharge open it up for better proc'tastic shenanigan's than the scrapper version?

Yea. Don't know by how much though.

Ankhammon · January 10, 2022

5 minutes ago, Bill Z Bubba said:

Yea. Don't know by how much though.

Just thought I'd see if anyone had crunched the numbers already cuz I just started one yesterday mostly cuz my new char look demanded some pretty lights.

... Wait. Bill, you didn't have all the answers at the ready before I asked em? 😄

Bill Z Bubba · January 10, 2022

13 minutes ago, Ankhammon said:

... Wait. Bill, you didn't have all the answers at the ready before I asked em? 😄

Not when it comes to procs. I tried a full procmonster build once on my claws/bio scrapper and found it far less than appealing.

Ankhammon · January 10, 2022

25 minutes ago, Bill Z Bubba said:

Not when it comes to procs. I tried a full procmonster build once on my claws/bio scrapper and found it far less than appealing.

Actually, that's an interesting answer. Honestly, I would have been looking for heavy proc's for spin but not much else.

On the EA side, I'm wondering if ppl keep the tier 9 or try to work around it? I think it's gonna be useful more as a Dull Pain kind of thing than for the Def bonus. You can get yourself near Max HP with it slotted and that's gotta be worth it.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Ankhammon

Bill Z Bubba · January 11, 2022

24 minutes ago, Ankhammon said:

On the EA side, I'm wondering if ppl keep the tier 9 or try to work around it?

I also don't do heavy crash T9s.

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