Stone Melee/Dark Armor Tanker or Brute?

[oedipus_tex]

I'm rerolling one of toons yet again and think I'd like to try Stone Melee mixed with Dark Armor. I like Dark Armor because I am mainly a Dominator player, and the stun in it is fun (probably skipping the Fear aura though).

 

I'm leaning toward Brute at the moment but could be persuaded.

[Onlyasandwich]

Damage aura - point to brute! 

 

Controls as mitigation, which are equally effective on both - point to brute!

 

Only psi resist over capped on tanker. Very little potential wasted when properly built. Much easier to build for broad resist on tanker - point to tank!

 

Some very proc friendly attacks which equalize damage potential to a decent degree - point to tank. 

 

Better ATOs - point to tank.

 

Fair enough to go either way, but I like tank at least a bit better for this combo personally. The other obvious differences between the ATs are at play as well, but these are the factors I see unique to the sets.

 

 

[Hyperstrike]

Here's a Broot to help develop your ideas.

 

Spoiler

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Midnight Avalanche: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Stone Melee
Secondary Power Set: Dark Armor
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Stone Mallet -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Hct-Acc/Rchg(5), Hct-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(7), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(9), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(11), GldArm-3defTpProc(11)
Level 2: Heavy Mallet -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(15), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(17), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(17), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(19), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(19)
Level 4: Death Shroud -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(21), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(25)
Level 6: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 8: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(27), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(27), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 10: Fault -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(31), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Arm-Acc/Rchg(31), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(33)
Level 12: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(33), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(33), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34)
Level 14: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A)
Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(34), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(34), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(36), Pnc-Heal(36), Arm-Dmg(36)
Level 18: Seismic Smash -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(37), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(37), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(39), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(39)
Level 20: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(39), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(40), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(40)
Level 22: Cloak of Darkness -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(40), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(42), Rct-ResDam%(42)
Level 24: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42)
Level 26: Hurl Boulder -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(45)
Level 28: Cloak of Fear -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(45)
Level 32: Tremor -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(48)
Level 35: Oppressive Gloom -- PrfZng-Dam%(A), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(48)
Level 38: Soul Transfer -- Prv-Absorb%(A)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50)
Level 44: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 47: Superior Conditioning -- PwrTrns-+Heal(A)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- RgnTss-Regen+(A), PwrTrns-+Heal(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Fury
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13), Mrc-Rcvry+(13)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(15)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon
------------

 

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Here's a similar Tank

 

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Obsidian Avalanche: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Stone Melee
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Arctic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Death Shroud -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(7)
Level 1: Stone Fist -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(11)
Level 2: Dark Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(15), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(17), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(17), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(19), GldArm-3defTpProc(19)
Level 4: Heavy Mallet -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(21), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(21), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(23), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(23)
Level 6: Murky Cloud -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(25), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 8: Obsidian Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(27), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(29), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 10: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 12: Dark Regeneration -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(31), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(31), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(31), Pnc-Heal(33), Arm-Dmg(33)
Level 14: Cloak of Darkness -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(33), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34), Rct-ResDam%(34)
Level 16: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34)
Level 18: Cloak of Fear -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 20: Fault -- Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), ClvBlo-Acc/Dmg(36), ClvBlo-Dmg/EndRdx(37), ClvBlo-Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 22: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A)
Level 24: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(37), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(39), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 26: Oppressive Gloom -- PrfZng-Dam%(A), AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(39)
Level 28: Tremor -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(42)
Level 30: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(42)
Level 32: Soul Transfer -- Prv-Absorb%(A)
Level 35: Hurl Boulder -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(45), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(45)
Level 38: Seismic Smash -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(45), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(46), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(48)
Level 41: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48)
Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(48)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 49: Block of Ice -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(50), UnbCns-Acc/Hold/Rchg(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13), Mrc-Rcvry+(13)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- Empty(A), Empty(15)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon
------------

 

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[Errants]

I've also been debating this combo for years. Started it as a Tank on Legacy about a month before the announcement, been thinking of it as a Brute on Homecoming... But, also now debating it as a Scrapper...

Thoughts from any who've played any of the three?

Edited April 7, 2022 by Errants

[JJDrakken]

11 hours ago, oedipus_tex said:

I'm rerolling one of toons yet again and think I'd like to try Stone Melee mixed with Dark Armor. I like Dark Armor because I am mainly a Dominator player, and the stun in it is fun (probably skipping the Fear aura though).

 

I'm leaning toward Brute at the moment but could be persuaded.

 

8 hours ago, Errants said:

I've also been debating this combo for years. Started it as a Tank on Legacy about a month before the announcement, been thinking of it as a Brute on Homecoming... But, also now debating it as a Scrapper...

Thoughts from any who've played any of the three?

 

Do to changes to Tanks.  While yes and with help, I brute can get a higher DPS total. Tankers had a lot their stuff buffed and can maintain constant steady stream of DPS. If that's all your looking for.  Besides the fact a Tanker can survive longer then a Brute, till recipes/incarnate stuff is introduced.

 

Here this should help you both out:

 

Tanker - Dark Armor - Stone Melee.mxd

Edited April 7, 2022 by JJDrakken

[Psyonico]

My vote goes to tank

 

Between Fault and Oppressive Gloom most things will be perma-stunned meaning they aren't attacking you, meaning they aren't causing you to generate fury.

[Onlyasandwich]

27 minutes ago, Psyonico said:

Between Fault and Oppressive Gloom most things will be perma-stunned meaning they aren't attacking you, meaning they aren't causing you to generate fury.

That's a very fair point I hadn't considered. In any event, my vote is now even further towards Tank. : ) 

[oedipus_tex]

Thanks for the feedback all.

 

Before anyone commented, I played for several hours as a Brute. Hit Level 30, took another look at the combo, decided I'd prefer it as Tanker. I've created a Tanker instance of the toon and switched over. This character is surprisingly enjoyable to play at low levels so I didn't fret too much about having to start over. An early damage aura really helps with low level soloing.

 

FWIW I didn't find the Brute version having any trouble getting Fury. It's possible I don't know enough about how Fury works, but the bar was more or less instantly full in any combat engagement.

 

On the second play through I see that I much prefer the unlock order of powers on Tankers to Brutes. Tankers get Oppressive Gloom at 26, versus 35 on a Brute. The Tanker does have to wait til 38 for Seismic Smash, but I'd rather have early AoE attack/stun powers (20, 26, and 28 on the Tanker versus the Brute's 8, 32, and 35). 

I haven't yet gotten to where I can combo Fault and Oppressive Gloom, which are the real showstopper of the combo IMO. Pretty excited about it though, because Fault by itself is pretty good mitigation. Having a Mag 4 hold on top of that is comfortable Dominator territory for me, albiet in a much more survivable package than I am used to.

Edited April 7, 2022 by oedipus_tex

[WindDemon21]

On 4/6/2022 at 11:00 PM, Onlyasandwich said:

Damage aura - point to brute! 

 

Controls as mitigation, which are equally effective on both - point to brute!

 

Only psi resist over capped on tanker. Very little potential wasted when properly built. Much easier to build for broad resist on tanker - point to tank!

 

Some very proc friendly attacks which equalize damage potential to a decent degree - point to tank. 

 

Better ATOs - point to tank.

 

Fair enough to go either way, but I like tank at least a bit better for this combo personally. The other obvious differences between the ATs are at play as well, but these are the factors I see unique to the sets.

 

 

Better ENDURANCE!: point to brute. Nearly 40% global end reduction from the ATO proc is SUPER useful for dark armor.

[WindDemon21]

Nearly everything else though, i'd go tanker. (and yes i always put theft proc in dark regen)

[Without_Pause]

The Tank ATO +Res proc is a bit overkill on a Res based Tank. I would honestly do it on a Brute.

[Onlyasandwich]

2 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

The Tank ATO +Res proc is a bit overkill on a Res based Tank. I would honestly do it on a Brute.

Just build around the presence of the ATO so resist potential isn't wasted on a Tank and you will be able to take advantage of this extra wiggle room to fit more procs or pursue other build priorities.

 

Really though, I think it's pretty on the edge for this combo. @WindDemon21's point regarding the impact of endredux from the Brute ATO is a good one and especially relevant for Dark armor. I'd say it's pretty much a dead heat, and down to whether you want Brute Stuff or Tank Stuff.

 

 

[Hyperstrike]

9 hours ago, Without_Pause said:

The Tank ATO +Res proc is a bit overkill on a Res based Tank. I would honestly do it on a Brute.

"There is no "Overkill".  There is only "Kill" with ever-greater confidence levels."

[Bill Z Bubba]

On 4/6/2022 at 11:00 PM, Onlyasandwich said:

Better ATOs - point to tank.

 

20.1 damres to all > +190% damage.

[Ironscarlet]

 End game in mind. Tank because dark armor can cap def and res with sets.  Best Tank for most content in game. 
 Cap 90% res and cap 45% def  

Edited May 5, 2022 by Ironscarlet