Make a DM/FA more ... spicey?

[JasperStone]

I have a few brutes and like them a lot.

 

Finding this one a bit ... meh

 

Thoughts on this combo and your power choices?

Edited November 15, 2022 by JasperStone

[Spaghetti Betty]

I rolled this as a Tank and found it to be a pretty fun damage powerhouse, but a little squishy. I'd imagine that's amplified on a Brute. Either way, most of the advice I can give you is based on that perspective.

 

Lean into your damage. For me, I found that Soul Drain into Burn -> ToF -> Shadow Maul had mobs completely flattened. If anything was left, it was a boss with very little HP.

 

And this essentially has to be true for every encounter, because all you really have to stave off damage is a heal, albeit a quickly recharging, strong heal.

 

I took both end drain powers and basically went wild with whatever could help me either kill mobs faster or make me survive longer. I took Soul Mastery so I could get Gloom and Darkest Night. Gloom because it's needed for a good ST rotation and Darkest Night to be a bit safer during combat. Never once felt like I was in danger of running out of end even with the assortment of toggles.

 

There are definitely better combos that can achieve about the same thing but I still found this to be a fun pairing.

[DocMidknight]

  I love this pairing, it's so much fun and with the damage aura, burn and soul drain pairing it makes enemy mobs just melt away. Here's my current build that has been doing some good things for me. Love having the double end recovery powers

 

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

DMFA: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(5), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Hct-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(9), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(9), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Arm-Acc/Rchg(13), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Arm-Dam%(15)
Level 4: Blazing Aura -- SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(A), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(17), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(17), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 6: Healing Flames -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(21), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(21), Prv-Absorb%(23)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(27), TchoftheN-Acc/Heal(27)
Level 10: Temperature Protection -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(29)
Level 12: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(29), Rct-ResDam%(31)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(31), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(31), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(34), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Obl-%Dam(34)
Level 20: Consume -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(36), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Obl-%Dam(37)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 24: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(40), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(40), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Obl-%Dam(42)
Level 28: Burn -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45)
Level 30: Tough -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(45), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(45), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(46), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(48)
Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50)
Level 44: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(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), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(3), Mrc-Rcvry+(3)
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 12: Double Jump 
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon 
------------

[JasperStone]

17 hours ago, DocMidknight said:

  I love this pairing, it's so much fun and with the damage aura, burn and soul drain pairing it makes enemy mobs just melt away. Here's my current build that has been doing some good things for me. Love having the double end recovery powers

 

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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

DMFA: Level 50 Magic Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(5), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Hct-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(9), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(9), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 2: Shadow Maul -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Arm-Acc/Rchg(13), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Arm-Dam%(15)
Level 4: Blazing Aura -- SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(A), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(17), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(17), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 6: Healing Flames -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(21), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(21), Prv-Absorb%(23)
Level 8: Siphon Life -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(27), TchoftheN-Acc/Heal(27)
Level 10: Temperature Protection -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(29)
Level 12: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A)
Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(29), Rct-ResDam%(31)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(31), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(31), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(33), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(34), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Obl-%Dam(34)
Level 20: Consume -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(36), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), Obl-%Dam(37)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 24: Boxing -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(40), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(40), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), Obl-%Dam(42)
Level 28: Burn -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45)
Level 30: Tough -- Ags-ResDam(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(45), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(45), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(46), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury%(48)
Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(50)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50)
Level 44: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(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), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(3), Mrc-Rcvry+(3)
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 12: Double Jump 
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon 
------------

Thanks for the build!

I am starting to really like this combo.

I was testing not having leadership,  I will add it in a second build option

also considering Combat TP

[BrandX]

On 11/15/2022 at 2:05 PM, Spaghetti Betty said:

I rolled this as a Tank and found it to be a pretty fun damage powerhouse, but a little squishy. I'd imagine that's amplified on a Brute. Either way, most of the advice I can give you is based on that perspective.

 

Lean into your damage. For me, I found that Soul Drain into Burn -> ToF -> Shadow Maul had mobs completely flattened. If anything was left, it was a boss with very little HP.

 

And this essentially has to be true for every encounter, because all you really have to stave off damage is a heal, albeit a quickly recharging, strong heal.

 

I took both end drain powers and basically went wild with whatever could help me either kill mobs faster or make me survive longer. I took Soul Mastery so I could get Gloom and Darkest Night. Gloom because it's needed for a good ST rotation and Darkest Night to be a bit safer during combat. Never once felt like I was in danger of running out of end even with the assortment of toggles.

 

There are definitely better combos that can achieve about the same thing but I still found this to be a fun pairing.

 

I'm curious how you built it, as I have a Fire/Axe built for max resistance and as much recharge as possible and squishy is not the feeling I get on my Tanker, and now it has +HP and +100% Regen to take on to what it had.

 

Dark Melee would be adding in To-Hit Debuff and an attack that doubles as a self heal.

 

And for the combo, something that makes the set fun, is turning Dark Consumption and Consume both into free nukes if you don't need other set bonuses from the powers.  My Fire/Axe doesn't do it, but my Ice/Fire Brute has 3 Damage Procs in it (and their set's ACC/RCH to get the first bonus in each).

[Spaghetti Betty]

6 hours ago, BrandX said:

 

I'm curious how you built it, as I have a Fire/Axe built for max resistance and as much recharge as possible and squishy is not the feeling I get on my Tanker, and now it has +HP and +100% Regen to take on to what it had.

 

Dark Melee would be adding in To-Hit Debuff and an attack that doubles as a self heal.

 

And for the combo, something that makes the set fun, is turning Dark Consumption and Consume both into free nukes if you don't need other set bonuses from the powers.  My Fire/Axe doesn't do it, but my Ice/Fire Brute has 3 Damage Procs in it (and their set's ACC/RCH to get the first bonus in each).

Oh man, that feels like ages ago, hold on...

 

Yup, this build is from the beginning of the year. I'd probably go back and redo it completely. This was also what I spec'd into at 50, so it doesn't represent what I chose during lvling. I remember that for sure.

 

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

saracen sands: Level 50 Natural Tanker
Primary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fire Shield

• (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance
• (3) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
• (7) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Recharge
• (7) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 1: Shadow Punch

• (A) Kinetic Combat - Accuracy/Damage
• (19) Kinetic Combat - Knockdown Bonus
• (19) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Endurance
• (21) Kinetic Combat - Damage/Recharge
• (21) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage
• (23) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
  

Level 2: Healing Flames

• (A) Panacea - Heal
• (23) Panacea - Heal/Endurance
• (27) Panacea - Endurance/Recharge
• (29) Panacea - Heal/Recharge
• (29) Panacea - Heal/Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 4: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (5) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
• (5) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 6: Blazing Aura

• (A) Superior Might of the Tanker - Recharge/Chance for +Res(All)
• (11) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage
• (13) Superior Might of the Tanker - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (13) Superior Might of the Tanker - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 8: Consume

• (A) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Recharge
• (9) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Recharge
• (9) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Recharge
• (11) Accuracy IO
  

Level 10: Taunt

• (A) Empty
  

Level 12: Plasma Shield

• (A) Reactive Armor - Resistance
• (15) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance
• (17) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Recharge
• (17) Reactive Armor - Resistance/Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 14: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (15) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 16: Siphon Life

• (A) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (31) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
• (31) Hecatomb - Recharge/Accuracy
• (31) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (33) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge
• (33) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  

Level 18: Burn

• (A) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
• (37) Eradication - Accuracy/Recharge
• (37) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
• (37) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
• (40) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
• (42) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
  

Level 20: Touch of Fear

• (A) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage
• (46) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (48) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (48) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
• (50) Eradication - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (50) Eradication - Accuracy/Recharge
  

Level 22: Boxing

• (A) Empty
  

Level 24: Tough

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
• (25) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (25) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (27) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
  

Level 26: Fiery Embrace

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 28: Soul Drain

• (A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
• (33) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
• (34) Armageddon - Recharge/Accuracy
• (34) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (34) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge
  

Level 30: Weave

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

Level 32: Super Jump

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

Level 35: Dark Consumption

• (A) Synapse's Shock - EndMod/Recharge
• (36) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Recharge
• (36) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Recharge
• (36) Accuracy IO
  

Level 38: Midnight Grasp

• (A) Superior Gauntleted Fist - RechargeTime/+Absorb
• (39) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/RechargeTime
• (39) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (39) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (40) Touch of Death - Accuracy/Damage
• (40) Touch of Death - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  

Level 41: Temperature Protection

• (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
• (42) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
• (42) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection
  

Level 44: Gloom

• (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
• (45) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime
• (45) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (45) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
  

Level 47: Darkest Night

• Hamidon Origin:Enzyme Exposure
  

Level 49: Maneuvers

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

Level 1: Gauntlet 

Level 1: Brawl

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Sprint

• (A) Empty
  

Level 2: Rest

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Swift

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Hurdle

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Health

• (A) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance
• (3) Miracle - +Recovery
  

Level 1: Stamina

• (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
  

Level 32: Double Jump 

Level 50: Agility Core Paragon 
------------

 

I still stand by what I said, but I'll elaborate. The combo felt squishy for me during progression, but my parameters for soloing are not reasonable. In fact, I think this is one of the toons I ended up playing mostly redside at +2x8. If an encounter didn't go according to plan, it's not like I was faceplanting, but I didn't come out completely unscathed and a insp or two had to be used. That's what I would call a little squishy.

[Spaghetti Betty]

So the thread doesn't get too derailed, here's my take on a DM/FA Brute with my current build philosophies not whatever I was on 10 months ago

 

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

its so bright but i cant see: Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite

• (A) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (23) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
• (23) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (25) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (25) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (27) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
  

Level 1: Fire Shield

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (3) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (3) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (5) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 2: Shadow Maul

• (A) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (27) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/RechargeTime
• (29) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (29) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (31) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (31) Superior Unrelenting Fury - RechargeTime/+Regen/+End
  

Level 4: Healing Flames

• (A) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb
• (11) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance
• (13) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime
• (15) Preventive Medicine - Endurance/RechargeTime
• (15) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance
• (19) Preventive Medicine - Heal
  

Level 6: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (7) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
• (7) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
  

Level 8: Siphon Life

• (A) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage
• (42) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance
• (43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (43) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
  

Level 10: Blazing Aura

• (A) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
• (31) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Endurance
• (34) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
  

Level 12: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (13) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 14: Super Jump

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

Level 16: Plasma Shield

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (17) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (17) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (19) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 18: Dark Consumption

• (A) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Accuracy
• (46) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy
• (46) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge
  

Level 20: Temperature Protection

• (A) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
• (21) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
• (21) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection
  

Level 22: Soul Drain

• (A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage
• (36) Superior Avalanche - Damage/Endurance
• (37) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (37) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (37) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
  

Level 24: Burn

• (A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
• (34) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
• (34) Armageddon - Recharge/Accuracy
• (36) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (36) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge
  

Level 26: Touch of Fear

• (A) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
• (48) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (48) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Endurance
• (50) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Recharge
  

Level 28: Boxing

• (A) Empty
  

Level 30: Fiery Embrace

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 32: Tough

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

Level 35: Midnight Grasp

• (A) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (40) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
• (40) Hecatomb - Recharge/Accuracy
• (42) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (42) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge
  

Level 38: Weave

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

Level 41: Consume

• (A) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Accuracy
• (48) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy
• (50) Performance Shifter - EndMod/Accuracy/Recharge
  

Level 44: Gloom

• (A) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
• (45) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/RechargeTime
• (45) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (45) Superior Winter's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (46) Superior Winter's Bite - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
  

Level 47: Darkest Night

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO
  

Level 49: Maneuvers

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

Level 1: Brawl

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Fury 

Level 1: Sprint

[JasperStone]

On 11/17/2022 at 4:42 PM, BrandX said:

 

I'm curious how you built it, as I have a Fire/Axe built for max resistance and as much recharge as possible and squishy is not the feeling I get on my Tanker, and now it has +HP and +100% Regen to take on to what it had.

 

Dark Melee would be adding in To-Hit Debuff and an attack that doubles as a self heal.

 

And for the combo, something that makes the set fun, is turning Dark Consumption and Consume both into free nukes if you don't need other set bonuses from the powers.  My Fire/Axe doesn't do it, but my Ice/Fire Brute has 3 Damage Procs in it (and their set's ACC/RCH to get the first bonus in each).

This is what I have done.

I was frankenslotten with dmg sets and end mod sets.

Both now have dmg sets slotted and I am happier

[BrandX]

4 hours ago, JasperStone said:

This is what I have done.

I was frankenslotten with dmg sets and end mod sets.

Both now have dmg sets slotted and I am happier

 

I wanted to do it for my Fire/Axe Tanker's Consume, but I wanted the set bonuses of Synapse's Shock more than turning it into mini Nuke.  10% Slow Resist to get my Tanker up to 80% Slow Resist plus the additional +RCH and 4.5% Energy/Negative Resist.  With 1 application of Might of the Tanker Proc, I'm at 83% Ene/Neg Resist, and I often have 2 procs going, which puts it closer to 90%.

 

It's probably harder to do with Brute, but they have a +Regen Proc to go with their survival.

[BrandX]

I think I'd do something close to this...

 

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite

• (A) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage
• (7) Mako's Bite - Damage/Endurance
• (7) Mako's Bite - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (9) Mako's Bite - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
• (9) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (11) Gladiator's Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 1: Blazing Aura

• (A) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (11) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
• (13) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (13) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (15) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (15) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
  

Level 2: Shadow Maul

• (A) Armageddon - Damage
• (17) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (17) Armageddon - Recharge/Accuracy
• (19) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance
• (19) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
  

Level 4: Fire Shield

• (A) Gladiator's Armor - End/Resist
• (21) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance/Rech/End
• (21) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance
• (23) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All)
  

Level 6: Healing Flames

• (A) Preventive Medicine - Heal
• (23) Preventive Medicine - Heal/Endurance
• (25) Preventive Medicine - Endurance/RechargeTime
• (25) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime
• (27) Preventive Medicine - Heal/RechargeTime/Endurance
• (27) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb
  

Level 8: Siphon Life

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

Level 10: Temperature Protection

• (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
  

Level 12: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (33) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 14: Combat Jumping

• (A) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
• (33) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (48) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
• (48) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
  

Level 16: Plasma Shield

• (A) Gladiator's Armor - End/Resist
• (33) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance/Rech/End
• (34) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance
  

Level 18: Dark Consumption

• (A) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
• (34) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
• (36) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
• (36) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 20: Consume

• (A) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
• (37) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
• (37) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
• (40) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 22: Soul Drain

• (A) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
• (39) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage
• (39) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
• (39) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 24: Burn

• (A) Obliteration - Damage
• (34) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
• (36) Scirocco's Dervish - Accuracy/Damage
• (40) Scirocco's Dervish - Damage/Endurance
• (42) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
  

Level 26: Midnight Grasp

• (A) Hecatomb - Damage
• (43) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (43) Hecatomb - Recharge/Accuracy
• (45) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance
• (45) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (45) Mako's Bite - Chance of Damage(Lethal)
  

Level 28: Fly

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

Level 30: Phoenix Rising

• (A) Empty
  

Level 32: Boxing

• (A) Empty
  

Level 35: Gloom

• (A) Apocalypse - Damage
• (37) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (40) Apocalypse - Recharge/Accuracy
• (42) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
• (42) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (50) Cloud Senses - Chance for Negative Energy Damage
  

Level 38: Tough

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (43) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (48) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (50) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  

Level 41: Dark Obliteration

• (A) Ragnarok - Damage
• (46) Ragnarok - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (46) Ragnarok - Recharge/Accuracy
• (46) Ragnarok - Damage/Endurance
• (50) Ragnarok - Chance for Knockdown
  

Level 44: Weave

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

Level 47: Hover

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

Level 49: Fiery Embrace

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 1: Brawl

• (A) Empty
  

Level 1: Fury 

Level 1: Sprint

 

And I would maybe ditch extra DMG Procs in Midnight Grasp and Gloom to somewhere else, just to get more +Resists or more Nuke ability for Dark Consumption and Consume.

 

With this it looks like I could go Smite > Midnight Grasp > Smite > Siphon Life > Gloom > Repeat for single target.  Not sure I feel ToF is worth going for.  Could be tho!  Not sure what I'd put in Phoenix Rising, but maybe the -Resist Proc.

[Snarky]

I have tried this a few times but never for long.  It is damned squishy for the amount if agro it draws.  Great damage but not quite enough to kill everyone coming at it before each one gets a few shots in.  It haz mez holes knockback holes armor holes and trying to heal out of every fight gets old. 

[Snarky]

This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.4.7
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

dark fire brute M1A1: Level 50 Mutation Brute
Primary Power Set: Dark Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Smite

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

Level 1: Fire Shield

• (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: Blazing Aura

• (A) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (11) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Recharge
• (13) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (13) Superior Brute's Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (15) Superior Brute's Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (15) Superior Brute's Fury - Recharge/Fury Bonus
  

Level 4: Shadow Maul

• (A) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage
• (17) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (17) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (19) Superior Avalanche - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (19) Superior Avalanche - Recharge/Chance for Knockdown
  

Level 6: Healing Flames

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP
  

Level 8: Siphon Life

• (A) Touch of Death - Accuracy/Damage
• (21) Touch of Death - Damage/Endurance
• (21) Touch of Death - Damage/Recharge
• (23) Touch of Death - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (23) Touch of Death - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (25) Touch of Death - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  

Level 10: Temperature Protection

• (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
  

Level 12: Combat Jumping

• (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Increased Global Recharge Speed
• (25) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All)
• (27) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage
• (27) Kismet - Accuracy +6%
  

Level 14: Kick

• (A) Force Feedback - Chance for +Recharge
  

Level 16: Plasma Shield

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (29) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (29) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (31) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 18: Dark Consumption

• (A) Obliteration - Damage
• (31) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
• (31) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
• (33) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (33) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (33) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 20: Consume

• (A) Obliteration - Damage
• (34) Obliteration - Accuracy/Recharge
• (34) Obliteration - Damage/Recharge
• (34) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (36) Obliteration - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
• (36) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage
  

Level 22: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (36) Recharge Reduction IO
  

Level 24: Tough

• (A) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance
• (37) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance
• (37) Unbreakable Guard - RechargeTime/Resistance
• (37) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime
  

Level 26: Soul Drain

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

Level 28: Burn

• (A) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage
• (40) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/RechargeTime
• (42) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime
• (42) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (42) Superior Unrelenting Fury - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime
• (43) Superior Unrelenting Fury - RechargeTime/+Regen/+End
  

Level 30: Weave

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

Level 32: Midnight Grasp

• (A) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage
• (43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
• (43) Superior Blistering Cold - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (45) Superior Blistering Cold - Damage/Endurance/Accuracy/RechargeTime
• (45) Superior Blistering Cold - Recharge/Chance for Hold
  

Level 35: Fiery Embrace

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

Level 38: Maneuvers

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

Level 41: Gloom

• (A) Apocalypse - Damage
• (46) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge
• (48) Apocalypse - Damage/Recharge/Accuracy
• (48) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
  

Level 44: Dark Obliteration

• (A) Bombardment - Damage
• (46) Bombardment - Accuracy/Recharge/Endurance
• (46) Bombardment - Damage/Recharge
• (50) Bombardment - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (50) Bombardment - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge/Endurance
• (50) Bombardment - Chance for Fire Damage
  

Level 47: Super Jump

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

Level 49: Rise of the Phoenix

• (A) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage
  

Level 1: Fury 

Level 1: Brawl

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[Snarky]

Iam considering taking one of these hell beasts thru “the gauntlet”. PL to about 25, then run every task for e in the game in ENDING level order.  So sutter is done with the 35-40 not the 20-25.  This gives a good long time to develop strategies with the powers as you level. Also personally I sort of drift at 50 lol.  I just did this on an Ice Ice Tanker.  That was smooth.  Not sure this run will be as smooth but it will be crazy.  Want something with good damage auras and not sure I like any melee that qualify so thought I would get vicious with Fire.  I love Dark and know it well.  

[JasperStone]

Ok.

I had end mods in the two endo set in the powers Consume and Dark Consumption

Switching to Melee AoE is much better.

Edited November 27, 2022 by JasperStone

[Snarky]

9 minutes ago, JasperStone said:

Ok.

I had end mods in the two endo set in the powers Consume and Dark Consumption

Switching to Melee AoE is much better.

O.  Ya.

 

A lot of this Brute Dark Fire enhancement set building is sideways to the way you would build it in a "normal" use of the powers.  The thing plays like a ghetto melee AoE Blaster.  With a buttload of armor and health.  It's closer to farming than running regular content.  Just burn it burn it burn!!!

Edited November 27, 2022 by Snarky

[Snarky]

Taken this Dark / Fire through all low level Task Foces Strike Forces up to and including Hess Citadel and Oper Renault.  This is just about one of my favorite combos.  I ran Brutes for soooooo long.  Then on mostly Blasters last year or so.  This is like a cross between the two.  Played smart it has the survivability of a Tank.  (Play like a Blaster, always know what you can do) but has a PBAoE attack chain that is practically a farmer style clearing machine.  Granted at lower levels you can only Alpha a room, but that clears so many TF rooms and then everything recharges as you move to the next combat area

[Xiddo]

I had one of these on live - haven't rebuilt on HC cos I don't wanna sour my memory of it ❤️ happy burning!