bthooth34,
I should preface my remarks with I am not really a min max'er and I find item find in this game rather tedious due to limited items and low unique drop rates and itemization. I primarily am a leveler and builder. I really posted this because I felt hulk was greatly understood as a playable character, and i wanted others to know that he does have options that make him highly effective.
I'm glad you are having fun with the build! I have run cosmics with this build with success but found them unrewarding even during events and so stopped. The damage you can't avoid is the only thing to worry about if you keep moving (aoe on floor, charging mobs from off screen). I wouldn't consider charge an exploit since the hulk really doesn't have alot of options late game that are comparable to some of the top heroes. Though I do understand where you are coming from. I am hoping they rework him though to provide more build options. To me hulk should be more of a toe to toe fighter.
For itemization, I would discuss that in the hulk forums since I do not min/max nor play hulk as a primary hero. Here are my thoughts though for what they are worth.
On legendary's, I went with excalibur but that was before the rework to legendary's and attributes though. It seems to me that crit is the popular choice as first priority and so gungir might be a better choice if damage is your focus. I think both can be effective and there may be other options to consider. It really comes down to your end game gearing and play style (how you use your skills) and build preference (survivability, utility, max damage, etc).
I went with a choice I felt would increase both my damage and survivability.
As for reducing spirit cost you are right that you can quickly reach that sweet spot depending on your gear. You would certainly think hulk would be a prime option to tank. From the little I've heard I do not think they are creating raids that require the traditional MMO type roles however. I am certainly looking forward to them and hulk would be a prime hero for learning that new content.
Thanks so much for your comment and questions!
I have to say I am really impressed with this build. I have been using it for a while, and hit level 60 just recently. I haven't done any cosmic yet but I have done a lot of x-defense and midtown. I recently found out with this build I can take down bosses faster than any character I have seen. If you can get the boss near a wall or barrier you can spam the Demolishing Charge and just watch the health drop. Actually it works well with mobs to because of the area of effect. Though it almost works too well and I am starting to feel guilty, like it's an exploit. Again, haven't done cosmic yet, so things may change but just wanted to say nice build. Just curious, did you go with Excaliber for legendary? I did notice you said that you chose gear based on reducing rancor and spirit cost, however I did notice that the rancor doesn't require much spirit, I am using my two wreckage powers 90% of the time, so I focused on reducing that spirit cost. In general, do you think you will have to go towards a tank build when raids are released?
Mobile Smash Unit:
This build is specifically for solo late game play. It's been successful for me in soloing cosmic terminals of all kinds with very few deaths.
I have experimented with a variety of builds and I feel this one is the best for my play style and Hulks best Damaging/Survival Skills.
First and foremost I want to survive and second I want to do as much damage as possible.
Demolishing charge is probably hulks most damaging skill per second. You can zip back and forth and watch the chunks of health fly off the enemy. This technique will also provide health with artifacts and makes you difficult to target by mobs.
General Play
involves leaping in a couple times in the center of a mob or villain with Avalanche Leap. This will do immediate damage and lay a dot down on the area. Zip back and forth across the mobs with Demolishing Charge on the healthier enemies and lay down Avalanche Leaps and Brutal Swings as needed. It is essential to manage your rage to promote maximum damage output. Click get angry and unbridled rampage when ever they are available.
Gear
Try to get some gear to reduce rancor and wreckage spirit cost. This will maximize the damage you can deal before you mana is exhausted. Artifacts are flexible. Your focus is on movement and aoe with physical melee damage. Your artifact choices will be somewhat dependent on your gear. There are other good medalions as well. Docter Octopus's Medal or anything with high melee can be useful.
I would look for Strength and either fighting or durability in your costume core.
Skills
Max These:
Demolishing Charge
Avalanche Leap
Unbridled Rampage
Hulk Tough
Hulk Fast
Hulk Mad
1 Point for Utility (max with gear if you can):
Get Angry
Hulk Free
Remaining points in basic for mana recovery mode
Brutal Swing
Alternates:
Viscous Headbutt
This is a strong single target talent. Unfortunately late game you cannot afford to be standing in one place very long.
Ground Smash
This is a decent AOE skill and can be used for leveling if you don't mind resetting your skills for Avalanche later on to increase damage.
Hulk in general
I hear people comment that hulk is weak or that they don't like playing him. He is passive heavy and isn't the most damaging of all the heroes but he is very good and one of the most survivable heroes i have played. I have played them all to 60. He seldom dies on solo cosmic runs for me though I am sure a few others could make the runs faster. I have to believe some of the perceptions are due to not utilizing the anger management properly. This makes a big difference in damage. (literally big as in you will grow in size when you do it)
Some choose all artifacts based on size increase and then add a size increasing visual to the costume core. Combined with unbridled rampage you can get quite large in comparison to the other heroes. Over sizing can increase the difficult of demolishing charge (running into stuff) however so use your own judgement how big is too big.
Note: nothing changed in 2.36
Note: Updated for 2.44
Note: Update for 2015 patch 1.0
You now have 162 total points. My suggestion would be to invest in Brutal Swing, Get Angry, and Viscous Headbutt. If you prefer another AOE power instead I would suggest Ground Smash Instead of either Headbutt or Get Angry. Have fun!