Looking for Pure Tank Build

[Kroll]

Hi guys,
Just curious, every build I come across seems to be DPS focused and that's fine and dandy but isn't there a need for some true tanks out there?
And if so, where are all the good tank builds?
I'm interested in starting up an alt that maximizes AC, Hit Points and Damage Mitigation (DR and resistances) even at the sacrifice of quite a bit of DPS - really just want a good party guy that can grab and hold aggro and take a serious beating.

My initial thoughts are as follows:
Race - Warforged
Classes - Primarily Fighter (for Stalwart Defender), maybe monk (does Wis AC bonus work while wearing armor?)
Alignment - Lawful Good
Heavy on the Intimidate skill
Sword and board (Tower Shield)

Honestly I'm just rambling a bit cuz I'm having a hard time finding a pure tank.
Would love to hear other peoples thoughts.
Thanks.

[Evil-Lite]

A good thread discussing the multiple aspects of an AC / Intimidate "tank" would be the Riot thread:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=116482

To get a basic understanding of how AC works and the different sources of said AC, I would read up in the AC thread:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=30186]AC

Hope the links help.

[Failedlegend]

Hi guys,
Just curious, every build I come across seems to be DPS focused and that's fine and dandy but isn't there a need for some true tanks out there?
And if so, where are all the good tank builds?
I'm interested in starting up an alt that maximizes AC, Hit Points and Damage Mitigation (DR and resistances) even at the sacrifice of quite a bit of DPS - really just want a good party guy that can grab and hold aggro and take a serious beating.

My initial thoughts are as follows:
Race - Warforged
Classes - Primarily Fighter (for Stalwart Defender), maybe monk (does Wis AC bonus work while wearing armor?)
Alignment - Lawful Good
Heavy on the Intimidate skill
Sword and board (Tower Shield)

Honestly I'm just rambling a bit cuz I'm having a hard time finding a pure tank.
Would love to hear other peoples thoughts.
Thanks.

To get a basic understanding of how AC works and the different sources of said AC, I would read up in the AC thread:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=30186]AC

Hope the links help.

That thread is crazy outdated...this one is a little newer

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=115491

To OP: To tell you the truth the highest ACs I've seen are on unarmored (outfit/robes) Monks or classes with monk splashed (Note: its take a bit before the dex+Wis bonus surpass heavy armor) theoretically if you start with 18 wis and dex you've already matched the +8 AC adamantine body (+4 from both) and you also get a +1 AC if your centered (at lvl 1) so your winning by 1

quick example (no enhancements/equip or feats) the stats ARE NOT going to be useful just optimized for AC

Lvl 1 Unarmored/Centered Halfling Monk
Wis 18 Dex 20 rest dumped
AC: 10(Base)+5(Dex)+4(Wis)+1(Center Bonus)+1(Halfling Size Bonus) = 21AC

Lvl 1 Warforged Fighter
Dex 12 (Adam Body Max bonus = +1 dex) rest in con and str just cause
Ac: 10(Base)+1(Dex)+8(Adam Body) = 19 AC

Base AC for the monk is a little higher but with a shield the fighter gets higher..it takes a bit for the monk to catch up but by 20 the monk surpasses the AC of the fighter unless the fighter has the best of the best gear (than I dunno whos is higher)

Here's my AC build (my FIRST AC build so its probably not optimal)...but I'm only at Lvl 4 (Alt exclusively played with brother) right now you might want a build from someone who knows AC accumulation better...although I do know that having a build that ONLY tanks is a bad idea it will be hard to get a group.



Halfling Cleric15/Monk 5 (TWF Handwraps/Kama's)

Str: 12+5/6(Item)+1/2(Tome) = 18/20 (Tome for PA)
Dex: 18+2(Halfling Dex) +6(Item) = 26
Con: 14+6(Item) = 20
Int: 8
Wis: 16+3(Cleric Wis) +6(Item) +5(Lvl) = 30
Cha: 8

Dex/Wis Tomes to be used only if they drop.

Level progression and Feats:

1 -Monk- TWF, Toughness
2 -Cleric-
3 -Cleric- Extend
4 -Cleric- +Wis
5 -Monk- Weapon Finesse
6 -Cleric- Empower Spell or Healing
7 -Cleric-
8 -Cleric- +Wis
9 -Monk- Light Path, ITWF
10 -Cleric-
11 -Cleric-
12 -Cleric- +Wis, Power Attack
13 -Monk-
14 -Cleric-
15 -Cleric- GTWF
16 -Cleric- +Wis
17 -Monk-
18 -Cleric- Mental Toughness or IC:Bludgeoning or SF: Concentration
19 -Cleric-
20 -Cleric- +Wis

Skills:

Concentration (plus Balance on Monk Lvls)

Enhancements (At 20):
Halfling Dex 2
Halfling Cunning 2
Halfling Guile 2
Halfling Luck:Reflex 1 (had 1 AP left)
Way of the Clever Monkey 2
Monk Improved Recovery 1
Disciple of Breezes
Disciple of Puddles
Racial Toughness
Cleric Life Magic 4
Improved Spell Pen 3
Energy of the Zealot 4
Cleric Wisdom 3
Cleric Divine Cleansing 3
Cleric Divine Healing 3
Wand/Scroll Mastery 1

Total: 80 AP

Will wear robes/outfits and use Handwraps or Kamas to maintain monk requirements.

[Anthios888]

Big Rock Candy the Mountain (18 Fighter/2 Rogue)
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=198820

Something to consider about your monk splash:

You cannot use any body feat if you are looking to get your wisdom bonus to AC

Feel free to PM if you have any other questions about a WF tank

[honkuimushi]

Generally, no. Getting a useful AC beyond level 12 or so requires rare drops and raid loot. And it may well be impossible at end game. Generally the easiest path to AC is with a dex based Monk, though the PrE's have made it easier to attain on a heavily armored character. But with area of effect attacks and teleporting enemies, it can be hard to limit the damage to one character. And with mass cures, it less important to do so. So the standard tactic is the best defense is a good offense. A Barbarian that can kill an enemy in 3 swings is more valuable than a sword and board that takes 10 swings.

If you still want to go for it, Dwarf is generally the best race. They have high Con, racial HP enhancements and racial enhancements to raise the max dex on armor. Usually they are some mix of Paladin and Fighter and take one of the Defender PrEs. If they ever fix it so that dwarves can take the Stalwart Defender as a racial PrE, then I like the Paladin 18/ Fighter 2 build best.

Warforged are generally not the best tanks because their DR does not stack with the Stalwart Defender DR and beacuse of their healing penalty. They also take a penalty to charisma and thus Intimidate. It can be done, but those are things you have to work around.

Finally, monk is a bad splash on these builds. Any armor or shield negates their AC bonuses and any armor heavier than light disables Evasion, one of the best feats in the game. Without armor or shield, you miss out on most of the Stalwart Defender benefits. You might be able to make a Monk splashed Paladin might do OK with the Defender of Siberys, but you're still missing out on many of the key features.

[Nyvn]

Keep in mind that there are many instances where a "tank" isn't very beneficial to a group/raid. And only 3 or so places where they really get a chance to shine. In the content where that doesn't require a tank you'll be more help if you can switch to dps. Even if it's not as much as a full dps build more is always better.

[Kroll]

So whenever the term "tank" comes up people always talk about AC but rarely do they talk about Hit Points and Damage Reduction.
Clearly DDO favors high AC for non-traditional tank classes and because AC is a measure of how frequently you get hit, that makes sense - the quick/nimble types get hit less, not the big heavy armor wearing types.

In my mind, a tank isn't a Monk or Ranger who can get their AC up to 65-70.
A tank is a sword and board bad ass who may get hit more often but shrugs off the blows because:
a) They absorb the damage
b) They have so much health it doesn't matter

...and yes the ability to avoid getting hit is important too but that's only one element.

A well equipped tank can get a decent enough AC so that aside, what's the best damage mitigating/HP route I can go?

And btw, thanks for all the input in advance :)

[Aranticus]

So whenever the term "tank" comes up people always talk about AC but rarely do they talk about Hit Points

when people are looking for a tank in tower of despair, they are looking for one with enough hp to survive a disintegrate. the disintegrate hits for 480-520

[honkuimushi]

So whenever the term "tank" comes up people always talk about AC but rarely do they talk about Hit Points and Damage Reduction.
Clearly DDO favors high AC for non-traditional tank classes and because AC is a measure of how frequently you get hit, that makes sense - the quick/nimble types get hit less, not the big heavy armor wearing types.

In my mind, a tank isn't a Monk or Ranger who can get their AC up to 65-70.
A tank is a sword and board bad ass who may get hit more often but shrugs off the blows because:
a) They absorb the damage
b) They have so much health it doesn't matter

...and yes the ability to avoid getting hit is important too but that's only one element.

A well equipped tank can get a decent enough AC so that aside, what's the best damage mitigating/HP route I can go?

And btw, thanks for all the input in advance :)

If you're just going for a hp/DR tank, go with a dwarven or WF Barbarian. Barbarians get 12 hp / level vs. 10 for a Fighter. They also get a Con enhancement. As for DR, they get the highest not bypassable passive DR in the game. And a shield adds nothing to hp or passive DR unless you go Stalwart. (And the DR is still less than Barbarians get.) By not using a shield, you can increase your DPS bygoing THF or TWF. Intimidate even becomes a mass debuff for Barbarians.

[Failedlegend]

If you're just going for a hp/DR tank, go with a dwarven or WF Barbarian. Barbarians get 12 hp / level vs. 10 for a Fighter. They also get a Con enhancement. As for DR, they get the highest not bypassable passive DR in the game. And a shield adds nothing to hp or passive DR unless you go Stalwart. (And the DR is still less than Barbarians get.) By not using a shield, you can increase your DPS bygoing THF or TWF. Intimidate even becomes a mass debuff for Barbarians.

Monks get 10DR/Epic (which IIRC nothing has yet) at lvl 20 through an automatically granted ability it also makes you a Lawful Outsider

[MystDragon]

If you're just going for a hp/DR tank, go with a dwarven or WF Barbarian. Barbarians get 12 hp / level vs. 10 for a Fighter. They also get a Con enhancement. As for DR, they get the highest not bypassable passive DR in the game. And a shield adds nothing to hp or passive DR unless you go Stalwart. (And the DR is still less than Barbarians get.) By not using a shield, you can increase your DPS bygoing THF or TWF. Intimidate even becomes a mass debuff for Barbarians.

Barbarians also get a great DR action enhancement that jacks their DR as well.

[Aaxeyu]

The problem with barbarian tanks is that the DPSers will have to hold back so they don't get aggro (or be dependant on threat reduction items). Paladin and fighter tanks don't have that problem as they get alot of extra threat from their stances.

[honkuimushi]

Monks get 10DR/Epic (which IIRC nothing has yet) at lvl 20 through an automatically granted ability it also makes you a Lawful Outsider


That may be true currently, but I remember them saying that some things will bypass it. Barbarians will have 9/- at 20 with 2 enhancements. That's not to bash Monk, but making a "Tank" Monk is challenging. You don't get any DR until 20, you don't have the hp of a Barbarian, you don't get Intimidate, and holding agro can be a problem. The AC combined with DR at 20 makes it an interesting concept, but I don't think it would be so easy in practice.

When the OP mentioned tanking through hp and DR, it just seemed like Barbarian fit that description exactly.

[Failedlegend]

That may be true currently, but I remember them saying that some things will bypass it. Barbarians will have 9/- at 20 with 2 enhancements. That's not to bash Monk, but making a "Tank" Monk is challenging. You don't get any DR until 20, you don't have the hp of a Barbarian, you don't get Intimidate, and holding agro can be a problem. The AC combined with DR at 20 makes it an interesting concept, but I don't think it would be so easy in practice.

When the OP mentioned tanking through hp and DR, it just seemed like Barbarian fit that description exactly.

Ah I figured a Dex/Wis Monk could Tank with his high AC (possibly Hate Tank due to high attack speeds) and than when he hit 20 that 10DR would just complete the package...I've always viewed HP as a backup...but than again I usually play casters, light armor people who shouldn't have aggro or light/no armored toons that only have to worry about glancing hits due to high AC....pretty much my Ranger/Monk, Cleric/Monk and Monk :)...I have a Wiz but I can't convince myself to play him over my monk or ranger.

Also during leveling the monk he could follow the Mountains line


Mountains Line

Lesser Mountain Stance:
+2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity, DR 2/-, +1 Ki when hit, +2 Ki when critically hit, +1 DR when blocking, -7% movement speed

Mountain Stance:
+2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity, DR 4/-, +1 Ki when hit, +3 Ki when critically hit, +2 DR when blocking, -7% movement speed

Greater Mountain Stance:
+3 Constitution, -2 Dexterity, DR 6/-, +1 Ki when hit, +4 Ki when critically hit, +2 DR when blocking, -7% movement speed

Greatest Mountain Stance:
+4 Constitution, -2 Dexterity, DR 8/-, +1 Ki when hit, +5 Ki when critically hit, +3 DR when blocking, -7% movement speed

[Anthios888]

When the OP mentioned tanking through hp and DR, it just seemed like Barbarian fit that description exactly.

Or a Fighter, like he asked for...

[KoboldTrapper]

At first level, a fighter with a tower shield and shield mastery has DR9/- when blocking. that only increases with the bonus on the shield, feats, etc. At least a DR14/- with a +5 tower shield.

If you want to be a tank, in every truest sense of the word, I'd suggest a fighter Stalwart Defender through level 20, for the passive DR just for having a shield equipped. No splashes unless it's paladin, though I don't know why you would. Human or Dwarf would be my choice, though halfling could help with it's natural +1 size bonus to AC.

Humans and dwarves would be 'optimal' since WF take that penalty to heals that aren't repair spells.

I'd have a 10 charisma, and put the rest of the stats into str and con, Dex if you absolutely want to use the armor and tower shield max dex increasing enhancements. Barb may be able to get more total hp, but soaking damage with hp is only half the fight. The biggest benefit human has, imo, is the increased healing enhancement, along with, if fighter, the potential 6 or 7 toughness enhancement levels.

This, however, is the opinion of a single player.

[Aranticus]

Ah I figured a Dex/Wis Monk could Tank with his high AC (possibly Hate Tank due to high attack speeds) and than when he hit 20 that 10DR would just complete the package...I've always viewed HP as a backup...but than again I usually play casters, light armor people who shouldn't have aggro or light/no armored toons that only have to worry about glancing hits due to high AC....pretty much my Ranger/Monk, Cleric/Monk and Monk :)...I have a Wiz but I can't convince myself to play him over my monk or ranger.

a high AC dex/wis monk means a comparatively lower than a fighter a monk in ultimate wind stance has something like +25% attack speed, 15% of which do not stack with haste. it will also have a faster attack with flurry of blows. however, a pure fighter will have haste + capstone + 30% haste boost. this coupled with a 50str, 16-20 x3 crits, +8 to specific weapon damage is insane and even better, intimidate. your monk cant really hold agro against such fighters

[MrWizard]

Generally, no. Getting a useful AC beyond level 12 or so requires rare drops and raid loot.



I was able to get, at level 13 and fully buffed, up to 77 shield blocking with no raid gear (but I did have +2 from the chaos bracers) and no alchemical stuff yet.
Straight human fighter...
And at 17 I am getting only better, though no raid gear on him yet.

[KKDragonLord]

Try a Defender of Syberis paladin, not sure if optimal, but it looks great on paper

[KoboldTrapper]

As someone stated earlier, if the dwarf is given Stalwart Defender as a racial PrE, there will be an 'ultimate' tank build of Paladin Defender of Syberis, and Stalwart Defender from racial PrE would make dwarves the alpha and omega when it comes to AC/HP/DR tanking.

But again, this is just my opinion, and not a definitive fact.

[honkuimushi]

As someone stated earlier, if the dwarf is given Stalwart Defender as a racial PrE, there will be an 'ultimate' tank build of Paladin Defender of Syberis, and Stalwart Defender from racial PrE would make dwarves the alpha and omega when it comes to AC/HP/DR tanking.

But again, this is just my opinion, and not a definitive fact.

I'm pretty sure these are designed to be exclusive even when they add the dwarven Stalwart Defender line. Still, I think a Dwarven Paladin 14/ Fighter 6 would be the way to go, maybe with Hunter of the Dead as your Paladin line. Stalwart Defender and Dwarven enhancemets would allow you to increase your max dex bonus pretty well and you can combine that with your Paladin Aura enhancements. The healing Amplification from HotD could be useful and the Ghost Touch ability gives you less reason to switch out your weapons if you have an insight bonus on it.

But the Paladin/ Fighter should get a very high AC, good hp being dwarven and having both racial and class toughness enhancements, 10 hp/level and the Stalwart DR and tower shield blocking DR.

[LewsTherin]

To the OP:

If you're looking to go fighter and want a high AC, your starting stats should look something like this providing you have a 32pt build option. () for 28pt build.

Str: 16
Dex: 15
Con: 14
Int: 12 (+1 tome for CE)
Wis: 10(8)
Cha: 10(8)

You can easily get you Dex up to a 24 or 26 and get some mithril fp. With the armor mastery enhancements and Stalwart Defender Enhancements you'll be able to get max AC use out of your Dex. You'll also be able to take the twf feats proved that you can get a +2 dex tome. This will enable you to switch to a more dps mode if needed.

I'd go Dwarf or Human.

[KoboldTrapper]

To the OP:

If you're looking to go fighter and want a high AC, your starting stats should look something like this providing you have a 32pt build option. () for 28pt build.

Str: 16
Dex: 15
Con: 14
Int: 12 (+1 tome for CE)
Wis: 10(8)
Cha: 10(8)


I'm not criticizing your build, but why even put points into wis or cha? that's 4 points that could either be put into str and int, for a 17str and 13 int starting out, as a human or dwarf. The dwarf takes a hit to cha, so the only reason to put points into Cha is to use Intimidate better, though you could just up your int to 14 for the extra skill point.

Again, this is just my opinion. I, personally, would go for either a 12 cha, or a 17str and 13 int, but otherwise drop wis and cha from the SD. 1 point of will save will make very little difference to a pure fighter, which would have low will saves anyway. Doing this would give you a 26 base str if you put everything into str, to include the 4 str from fighter and human.

[Evil-Lite]

I'm not criticizing your build, but why even put points into wis or cha? that's 4 points that could either be put into str and int, for a 17str and 13 int starting out, as a human or dwarf. The dwarf takes a hit to cha, so the only reason to put points into Cha is to use Intimidate better, though you could just up your int to 14 for the extra skill point.

Again, this is just my opinion. I, personally, would go for either a 12 cha, or a 17str and 13 int, but otherwise drop wis and cha from the SD. 1 point of will save will make very little difference to a pure fighter, which would have low will saves anyway. Doing this would give you a 26 base str if you put everything into str, to include the 4 str from fighter and human.


Not sure why he placed 2 points into both Wis / Cha; however, placing 14 points into Cha not only increases your intimidate and UMD skills. 13 is the magical number needed for Force of Personality, but why not go 1 point more...

Of course I would not suggest this on a 28pt build, because the stat points are thin enough as is.

[LewsTherin]

It's a matter of preference at this point. I opted for a better will save and intimidate than an odd number for str. Why start with a 13 int when a fighter has enough skill points as it is? You can make cha a 12 to start and get some umd also. There's a lot of places to put those last few points.

[KoboldTrapper]

13int for Combat Expertise, not skill points. +5AC for a -5 attack roll. If AC is your objective, and you have a good ability to hit, it's perfect.

Having said that, CE isn't necessary until around 9th, give or take a couple of levels depending on your playstyle, group/pugs, etc... If you don't have a static group that you constantly party with, CE can really make the difference in a pick-up-group (pug).

As a fighter, I fully suggest the 'tactical' approach. power attack, trip, stunning blow, CE, and more. having the gear to adapt to a situation can make a far greater difference than your build early-on, but at higher levels, your build is just as important as your gear, and vice-versa.

[Zadkiele]

Hi guys,
Just curious, every build I come across seems to be DPS focused and that's fine and dandy but isn't there a need for some true tanks out there?
And if so, where are all the good tank builds?
I'm interested in starting up an alt that maximizes AC, Hit Points and Damage Mitigation (DR and resistances) even at the sacrifice of quite a bit of DPS - really just want a good party guy that can grab and hold aggro and take a serious beating.

That's exactly what I play, a purely defensive tank, and I love it.

18 fighter 2 Paladin, Warforged (female, not that that part makes any difference)


Stats:

16 Str, +1 tome, +4 level raises, +1 enhancement, +6 item +4 Defensive Stance = 32 (could easily get this to 34 or even 36)
12 Dex, +2 tome, +6 item = 20
18 Con, +3 tome, +2 enhancements, +6 item, +1 exceptional stat, +4 Defensive Stance = 34
12 Int, +1 tome = 13
6 Wis
10 Cha, +2 tome, +1 level raise, +1 enhancement, +6 item, +2 exceptional stat = 22


Feats:

7 feats from level ups, 10 feats from 18 fighter levels = 17 feats, as follows: (not in order)

Adamantine Body
Bullheaded
Combat Expertise
Dodge
Force of Personality
Weapon Focus + Greater Weapon Focus + Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing
Weapon Specialisation + Greater Weapon Specialisation: Slashing
Improved Critical: Slashing
Shield Mastery + Improved Shield Mastery
Skill Focus: Intimidate
Stunning Blow
Toughness
Quick Draw (This is actually important to the build, as it affects the delay between intimidating and attacking)


Skills: 3 per level

18 Fighter Levels (inc L1 = 63 points): 21xIntimidate, 2x Tumble, 20x Balance, 20x Jump
2 Paladin Levels = 6 points: 4x Intimidate, 2xBalance

Intimidate 23
Tumble 1
Balance 21
Jump 20


Enhancements:

Fighter Armor Boost IV
Fighter Extra Action Boost I
Fighter Armor Mastery III
Fighter Stalkwart Defender III
Fighter Longsword Specialisation II
Fighter Item Defense II
Racial Toughness IV
Fighter Intimidate IV
Paladin Charisma I
Fighter Strength I
Fighter Toughness IV
Warforged Constitution II
Warforged Healer's Friend I


Equipment:

Head: Greensteel Helm, +45 HPs, Dex Skills +6, Haste x3, Air Guard
Neck: Stalwart Necklace, Con +6, +2 action boosts, Stalwart Defender Set
Trinket: Head of Good Fortune, Luck +2, Mod Fort
Back: Bard's Cloak, +6 charisma, Perform +15, Greater Command x2
Belt: Vorne's Belt, Con +6, Greater False Life
Ring1: Intimidate +13
Ring2: Cinder's Band, Str +6, Exceptional Con +1, Stalwart Defender Set, Exceptional Charisma +2
Gloves: Dex +6
Boots: Striding +30, Tumble +7
Bracers: Chaosgarde, +2 dodge, +2 AC/Resist vs Chaos
Chest: DragonTouched Docent - reinforced Plating +2, Protection +5, Resistance +5, Alchemical Defense +1, (currently looking for a nice Sov Rune effect, ideally Leviks or Dodge +3)
Goggles: Greensteel, Wizardry VI, +150 SP, +6 Char Skills, Haste 3x, Air Guard, Alchemical Resistance

Weapon: Greensteel Longsword, Healing Amp 10%, Healing Amp 20%, Heightened Awareness +4, Greater Disruption, Raise Dead x1
Shield: Levik's Defender, Healer's Bounty, Sonic Guard, Mithril, Alchemical Defense +1


Intimidate Breakdown:

23 Ranks
6 Charisma
6 Exceptional cha skills
2 Bullheaded
3 Skill Focus
2 Luck
13 Item
4 Enhancements
6 Stalwart Defender III
--
65

4 Greater Heroism
2 +15 Item
2 Inspire Competence
--
73

1 +2 cha Yugoloth Pot
1 +2 cha alchemical Pot
3 +3 skills alchemical Pot
--
78


Armor Class Breakdown:

10 Base
5 Dex (max dex = 1 (Adamantine Body) + 3 (Armor Mastery) +1 (Stalwart Defender))
15 Armor (8 Adamantine Body, 5 docent, 2 Reinforced Plating)
9 Shield (Leviks)
5 Protection
4 Dodge (2 ChaosGarde, 2 Alchemical
2 Stalwart Defender Set
1 Paladin Aura
3 Stalwart Defender
1 Feat
5 Combat Expertise
4 Awareness
4 Stalwart Defender Defensive Stance
5 Blocking (Stalwart Defender increases Blocking AC by 1 per rank, from base 2)
5 Fighter Armor Boost
4 Inspire Heroism
--
82 'Beholder' AC

5 Barkskin
4 Paladin Aura
2 Recitation
1 Haste (Spell)
1 Haste (Air Guard)
--
95 Buffed AC


HP Breakdown:

200 - 20 Levels Fighter/Paladin
240 - Constitution
20 - Durability
10 - Vitality
22 - Toughness Feat
80 - Toughness Enhancements
30 - Greater False Life
45 - Greensteel
---
647


Saves:
Fort / Ref / Will
11 / 6 / 6 - 18 Fighter
3 / 0 / 0 - 2 Paladin
12 / 5 / 6 - Stat Mod
5 / 5 / 5 - Resistance
6 / 6 / 6 - Divine Grace
3 / 3 / 3 - Defensive Stance
2 / 2 / 2 - Luck
1 / 1 / 1 - Aura
1 / 1 / 1 - Alchemical Resistance
0 / 0 / 1 - Bullheaded
--------------
44 / 29 / 31 'Beholder' Saves

4 / 4 / 4 - Greater Heroism
4 / 4 / 4 - Aura
--------------
52 / 37 / 39 Buffed Saves


Damage Reduction:

I'm not entirely sure how this calculates out, Adamantine Body, 10 from BAB, 15 from Leviks, Bonusses from Stalwart Defender and from Shield Mastery Feats, but the result is:

Not blocking: 6/-, 11/- with warchanter
Blocking: 43/-, 46/- with warchanter (doesn't seem to fully stack with one of my other sources)


Zad

[Dylvish]

As someone stated earlier, if the dwarf is given Stalwart Defender as a racial PrE, there will be an 'ultimate' tank build of Paladin Defender of Syberis, and Stalwart Defender from racial PrE would make dwarves the alpha and omega when it comes to AC/HP/DR tanking.

But again, this is just my opinion, and not a definitive fact.

... The day they give Dorfs that ability, I doubt my other chars will ever see the light of day again. The stalwart AC bonuses on top of a paladins saves and auras .... pure win that.

[KoboldTrapper]

Unless this is something new that has been recently altered, DR doesn't stack, so you take the highest. DR 5/- and DR 6/- comes out as DR 6/-, not DR 11/-.

I even checked warchanter's ironskin chant to make sure it wasn't adding DR 5/- to your existing DR #/- value.

It's not a huge change to what you've got listed, I just wanted to make sure it was brought to your attention.

For further examples:
If you have: DR 10/magic, DR 5/piercing, and DR 3/-, then you reduce all non-spell damage by 3, reduce all non-piercing by 5, and reduce all non-magical weapon damage by 10.
So, if someone attacked you with a non-magical greatsword, you would reduce that damage by 10 points. if they attacked you with, say, a +1 greatclub, they bypass your DR 10/magic, but not your DR 5/piercing.

If they attack you with a +1 rapier, they bypass both your DR 10/magic and RD 5/piercing, but not your DR 3/-. That's the best part about layering DR since you can't stack DR values.

On a side-note. Having a DR 3/piercing and a lesser spear-block item effectively gives you DR 3/-.

[Zadkiele]

It does stack with the innate 6/- DR (2 per rank) that Stalwart Defender grants while using a shield. You are right that ironskin does not stack with all other passive DR sources, but for some reason it does with the passive SD DR.

At least, I'm pretty sure. I did test it once. I'd want to double check before I said I was 100% sure though.

Zad

[Zadkiele]

Oh, and another note that Stalwart Defender passive DR has special stacking rules, that's why I get the funky numbers.

I seem to have 3 forms of DR that stack:

Stalwart Defender DR: 6/-
Passive DR: 2/adamantine from adamantine body (other passive DR sources such as stoneskin, or ironskin chant, do not stack with this)
Blocking DR: 35/- (15 from Leviks, 10 from BAB, 6 from shield mastery, and 4 from somwhere else, I'm not sure)

Zad

[rendet]

Responding to zad's build: That is exactly the type of build i am going for myself. Like the OP I wanted a intimitank fighter build. I chose to go WF as well as Zad and was reading through the wf tank bashing in this thread (saying human/dwarf is best) and was glad to see someone post up a wf build. Seriously, I was contemplating rerolling to dwarf lol. Just had to ask Zad why the 2 levels of palidan? is it for the +1 ac on your tank? are there any more benefits to splashing palidin over staying pure fighter?

[Zadkiele]

Mostly for the +6 to all saves, the ac increase is only a minor boost, as in a raid there is usually a paladin around with his aura anyway.

Given I rarely swing weapons, let alone DPS, the 10% melee speed bonus from the fighter capstone was of less importance to me than the saves boost. Oh, and +1 charisma from paladin enhancements, too.

Plus it means I can use paladin wands (cure serious, for example). Great for those times you need to get an unconscious teammate up.

Zad

[MrWizard]

Here is 'CannonFodder' reincarnated into what you are looking for....

This is my notes thread up to 19th level...
I have just gotten to 20 and am going to clean it up, but all the notes are there.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=216140

Pure Fighter, human, stalwart defender, not much in the way of raid gear at all (except dragontouch armor which some say is raid)...in fact, you do not really need raid gear at all for doing the raids....while tanking.

AC, raid buffed, low to mid 80s. DR blocking 39.
(note: something in raid buffing will take this DR to 49..something adds +10 and I do not know what does that)

Saves - high 20s, low to mid 30s (higher with raid gear)

Tanking ToD - Can do jailer, judge, part 2 (yes, intim works there), and horoth with little to no damage and rarely a 'turn around'.

VoD - Hard (not tried elite), easy tank of Sully. Rarely take damage, cure light wounds from a FvS will keep you up. Never miss intim, never turns around. Ditto for orthons if not main tank.

Demon Queen - (anywhere, not tried epic) - Intim, fight or block, rarely get knocked down, hold her in firewalls or for melee/casters...little to no damage at all.

Shroud- you will not be taking much damage at all.



You are not DPS...at least not until you get raid gear, and that will most likely be procs (lighting strike, disintigrate, etc). Most likely your damage will be around 40 (100-120 crit) without raid items.


Yes...you will be a real asset on raids...at least the clerics will thank you.
Takes a lot of thinking on how to build and how to equip and you do not need raid equip to make it work....but you do need some gear and good planning.

[Erdams]

Though most will find this sacrificing too much dps this is an attempt at making the most pure intimi turtle tank:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=223468


I have played alot with a guildie who had similar build only human (WF will work too), and it was very very nice for the right situations. Once things are on farm status there is generally not much need for such pure build, but on the other hand, there is no problem playing one because since its on farm status you just spend 1min more on the raid and who cares.

But its not to everyones liking :)

[MrWizard]

Though most will find this sacrificing too much dps this is an attempt at making the most pure intimi turtle tank:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=223468


I have played alot with a guildie who had similar build only human (WF will work too), and it was very very nice for the right situations. Once things are on farm status there is generally not much need for such pure build, but on the other hand, there is no problem playing one because since its on farm status you just spend 1min more on the raid and who cares.

But its not to everyones liking :)

what level this guy at now? hows he doing?

[Erdams]

I got him to 12 sofar, since i just came to US servers i leveling a few toons at the same time. Too boring just to play this dude hehe.

But he is doing good, picked up some nice rapiers, twf and imp crit pierce so i am getting decent kills when not tanking.

But its nice to tank quests bosses on elite and take almost no damage :) but then again that is not that hard in level 10-14 quests hehe.

Will update when i get him into hound, vod etc. Have no plans on doing shroud with him though as there is no real point of him in there and ings can be grinded on other toons.

[MrWizard]

I got him to 12 sofar, since i just came to US servers i leveling a few toons at the same time. Too boring just to play this dude hehe.

But he is doing good, picked up some nice rapiers, twf and imp crit pierce so i am getting decent kills when not tanking.

But its nice to tank quests bosses on elite and take almost no damage :) but then again that is not that hard in level 10-14 quests hehe.

Will update when i get him into hound, vod etc. Have no plans on doing shroud with him though as there is no real point of him in there and ings can be grinded on other toons.

You'll probably have almost 80 AC by 16 or 17 for sure.
As long as you can hit, the shroud should be okay. Especially with the new changes.
I am able to keep him faced towards me with intim about 75% of the time in part 5. I think because of the full encirclement it causes him to shift a bit to the side sometimes though. About 5% of the time he actually turns around.

Part 4 might be a lot harder for most groups and intim use the same as other fiends might make him go down better with less mana loss by clerics.

I'd take him for a spin when the new stuff comes out and you get around 16 or so.