@Pedro you won't gimp Thing by taking Endure Assault by any means. It can have its uses, like jumping into skrull commanders and using it so your group can take them out while you (hopefully) absorb dmg. If you wanted to fit it in with this build, I'd recommend moving the points from Ground Smash and Rocky Punch to Bashful Benjy and Endure Assault. Just keep in mind that the dmg negated scales with Bashful Benjy so either go all the way with this and get the synergy, or don't use it at all. 1 point in Endure Assault won't help you any more than the rest of the defenses offered by this build, you'd still survive and be able to do damage instead of just sitting there hoping they hit you with this build. Thing is pretty sturdy without Endure Assault especially with 40% dodge, but try and conform builds to your play-style or you won't have much fun
Bokou's Mob Stomper (8/8/2013)
8/8 Update - Based off limitations in synergies for the basic I moved all my points into the auras and synergies for them. The Aggressive Aura gives more damage with the synergy from the other auras than the basic attack with the synergies since you can't actually take them all to 20 at level 60. Right now Midtown Patrol is the majority of endgame content (actually, entire game content) and not having AoE really hurts. Luckily Thing is sturdy and can deal some good single target damage but 55+ is slow going without decent people around you. I may experiment with Ground Smash again but honestly the numbers don't look promising at all. Finally, I removed the Pym's Shrinking Serum and added metasensory array since def pen is broken on everything else, this is my only source for def pen which is nice against the only tough mobs/bosses in MP. Also the high dodge, high defense, 50% damage reduction, and 3 items gibing me a chance for invuln was a little overkill I think so I felt the artifact was pretty flexible. EoI of course would give some good damage but there's realy a few artifacts that might be nice. Feel free to use what fits your style best.
7/20 Update - This is the build that's still working best for me. I tried out putting a lot of points in Crashing Leap but still feel the basic pump is the way to go. I'm sitting at 55 since content is pretty boring right now and I'm focusing on other heroes, but this is still the best Thing build I have used. I had some people ask about 1 point in Jagged Defender recently and wanted to address that. Right now Fearsome Fist is bugged and will not work with Jagged Defender or any other damage reflect skills. Additionally, I have Juggernaut medallion, 2 cosmics, and decent dodge, so I don't even get hit very much. Since I rarely get hit, I don't see why I would spend points in a skill that only works when you get hit AND break all that great crit I get from Fearsome Fist. Hope that clears up why I don't even put one point in it.
7/8 Update - Changed my mind about Ground Smash. After experimenting with it for awhile, it still is very subpar and I decided sticking with the basic synergies is much more valuable to me. Also I put 1 point in Crashing Leap for convenience.
7/2 Update - Hard As A Rock and Guardian Aura defense improved to be more useful. However, I still feel Aggressive Aura is the way to go. Who doesn't want +320 damage? I moved 20 points from basic attacks (I know, 20% dmg hit to Fantastic Haymaker) and put them into Ground Smash. This gives more versatility and allows good AoE dmg and speeds up farming. I took the points out of Bruising Punch instead of Rocky Punch just so you wouldn't be saving points into the late 50's. If you're already 60, feel free to switch those two. For the last skill change, I moved the 1 point from Crashing Leap and put it in Rockslide Charge. The dash is just easier to control and a little bit faster. Pick which movement type fits you best and go with that one. I also changed the artifact from Starstone Tooth to Fearsome Fist. This gives you more freedom to only stack dodge% instead of needing dodge% and crit%.
6/27 Update - This build is still alive and kicking, currently at 51. Cow level is easy except those 4 mini bosses. You can't stand still because they will just eat anyone's face. Thing is still the best tank hero IMO but I'm thinking dodge affix on costume and maybe a Fearsome Fist instead of Starstone Tooth would work well for group content especially. Right now I can get about 42% dodge if I went with dodge affix on costume instead of crit and mixed with Fearsome Fist probably would have been better. I'm still convinced defense will get a buff and Fearsome Fist will get a nerf eventually, or it doesn't work as it reads (highly likely, many artifacts don't actually work right now). If this does happen crit may become more useful but right now it feels like dodge is the best if you plan to be in melee range.
This is great single target damage focused on basic attacks. Very simple strategy, just make sure Granite Defense and Clobberin' Time are up all the time and run around punching things with Fantastic Haymaker. Try to aim for the faces and genitals but if you fat finger and get the neck or chest you should be fine as well.
Gear Tips:
-I suggest +1 Fighting for the Costume Core.
-You can only get dodge% on your shirt and belt, but you can get ~10% on each, you want this.
-You can only get crit% on your transformation, you want as high as possible (~10%).
-Attack speed is capped at 20%, try to get +15-20% attack speed to all BRAWLER powers affix on your transformation, or less ideally your weapon. If you don't get 20% make it up with the normal attack speed% affix on your weapon (~10% is max)
-Other than dodge%, crit%, and attack speed% on gear your priorities are: +big numbers to useful skills (Granite Defense, Fantastic Haymaker, etc.), spirit and defense in that order. Other good affixes are +power duration% and -spirit cost.
-For your weapon you want to get high defense penetration% if not on your Grade 4 costume roll, +physical damage, attack speed% to get you to that 20% total mark, +big numbers to useful skills again. Bleed% and freeze% are also pretty useful.
-If you aren't sure if an item will raise your damage, just equip it and mouse over your attack skills and the numbers will update. Make sure your Aggressive Aura and Clobberin' Time are both up so you can see the differences of +skill affixes as well.
-Several Artifacts work well, and I don't believe there are any "must have" artifacts right now, but Starstone and Pym's Shrinking Serum are a great combo along with dodge% on items. You could also scrap crit% in favor of dodge% on costume and use a Fearsome Fist/Shrinking Serum combo.
General Tips:
-Every time you change zones your aura powers will deactivate so make sure you reactivate Aggressive Aura.
-You can't refresh Granite Defense/Clobberin' Time while it is still up. Re-using will just waste your spirit.
-Use Crashing Leap to maneuver yourself into ideal positions, or to jump into a crowd and knock them up then jump out to safety in Limbo matches. This will give your group some good CC and even if you have terrible frame rates in Limbo (like almost everyone) you can still contribute to the group and not die.
-Make sure you say in your /p chat: "Hey guys, guess what time it is?" before every fight or the build won't work.