Bastard S&B Kensei/Defender Tank - Help Wanted!

[Messsenger]

I'm looking for a self-sufficient build that will be good for soloing and tanking some endgame epic quests. I'm noob to DDO but I know this build is not going to MT raids, but maybe a situational off tank? I'm sure the DPS will a bit low compared to committed DPS'rs.Not sure if Force of Personality is overkill; or if Shield Bash is garbage (as it may be, just trying to make up for lost DPS) they can be swapped out for Imp. Shield Mastery, Lightning Reflexes, or another Toughness.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

This would be a pretty straight forward S&B mid-grade tank with mediocre Intimidate and Divine Righteousness for aggro tools to support Bastard Sword Glances and Cleaves beefed up by Power Surge.

2 Lay on Hands for hairy situations, and Unyielding Sovereignty as an "Oh Sh#t!" button every 10 mins.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.09.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Female
(12 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Rogue)
Hit Points: 304
Spell Points: 50
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 17
Will: 16

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 25
Dexterity 13 14
Constitution 12 12
Intelligence 13 13
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 15 18

Level 1 (Rogue)


Level 2 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 5 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 6 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 8 (Fighter)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Kensei Bastard Sword Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 10 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I


Level 12 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I


Level 13 (Paladin)


Level 14 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys I


Level 15 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II


Level 16 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Bastard Sword Specialization I


Level 17 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III


Level 18 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery III


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Kensei Bastard Sword Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III




Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave

Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting

Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons

Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality

Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting

Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Bash

Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


One big curiosity I have is about the difference in DPS if I were to switch out the Bastard S&B (specialized in) for a regular 2Hander that I'm not entirely specialized in. If they are close, S&B is the obvious choice especially if I keep Shield Bash.

Feedback Appreciated!

[Henuindohr]

I'm not an expert, but i think publishing your skills list should be important to understand all you are trying to get out of that build. I can't understand why you got a so high INT? and a low CON?
And the last but not the least... where are your feats? :)

[Marco_Targaryen]

Imo if you're planning to take Combact Expertize, you should start with INT 11 and read a +2 INT tome.
A tank should have a high hp and healing ampl.

[Messsenger]

I'm not an expert, but i think publishing your skills list should be important to understand all you are trying to get out of that build. I can't understand why you got a so high INT? and a low CON?
And the last but not the least... where are your feats? :)

Sorry, it was late when I posted the build. Must have turned off the important stuff on accident.

As far as the intellect goes, (aside from buying one from the DDO store) I have no idea where to get a tome to make it high enough for CE later on and intellect is the only stat that is not retroactively affected by an increase later in the game. Why not have the benefits of slightly higher skill points right from the get go?

I was worried that the HP here are way too low; but this is still without gear or any tomes factored in. As I mentioned in the post without the feats (durr!) " I'm sure the DPS will a bit low and if Force of Personality is overkill; or if Shield Bash is garbage (as it may be, just trying to make up for lost DPS) they can be swapped out for Imp. Shield Mastery, Lightning Reflexes, or another Toughness."

Again, any feedback is highly appreciated as I am still quite green!

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Female
(12 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Rogue)
Hit Points: 304
Spell Points: 50
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 17
Will: 16

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 25
Dexterity 13 14
Constitution 12 12
Intelligence 13 13
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 15 18

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 5 18
Bluff 2 6
Concentration 1 6
Diplomacy 2 6
Disable Device 5 5
Haggle 6 8
Heal -1 -1
Hide 1 2
Intimidate 6 29
Jump 7 22
Listen -1 -1
Move Silently 1 2
Open Lock 5 6
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 1 1
Search 5 5
Spot -1 -1
Swim 7 11
Tumble 5 6
Use Magic Device 6 27

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 5 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 8 (Fighter)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Bastard Sword Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 10 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I


Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I


Level 13 (Paladin)


Level 14 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys I


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Bastard Sword Specialization I


Level 17 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Bash
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery III


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Bastard Sword Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III

[unbongwah]

It seems a shame to make a human BSword&board tank that wants to do epics and not take the Sentinel DMs to take advantage of the forthcoming improvements (http://ddowiki.com/page/Update_11_Release_Notes) to Epic Chimera's Fang. Unfortunately, that makes feats pretty tight on what's already a surprisingly constrained build.

Also, IMHO tank builds should plan for DPS first defense second, simply because you're not always going to need or want to be in S&B mode. In this case, I would actually take Kensai in a 2H weapon rather than BSword, with the expectation that you'll go into most fights swinging away with it and only switch to S&B when necessary.

[lopter]

well i think you have a good idea with this id suggest if you have an eye to soloing you might want to consider ac and saves and a higher base than 12 con

as an aside a build that achieves all that you are looking for and has s/b capabilities
is one i posted a few hrs ago lol

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=339735

if your looking to use chimeras fang be human replace wf body feat/mithral fluidity and wf khopesh with the 3 feats and you will max out the damage

(you may lose some ac in the process depending on what armor you go to)

i reccomend the event armor
+6 Enhancement Bonus
Feat: Mobility
Epic Nimbleness
Balance +15
Attack Bonus +2
+4 AC Dodge bonus
Upgradeable - Tier 3
Empty Blue Augment Slot

and making the blue slot a +7 for +9 ab with maxed dex bonus of 12 would definitely help get a comparable ac

if you insist on pure s/b just swap the twf line for thf

[Messsenger]

well i think you have a good idea with this id suggest if you have an eye to soloing you might want to consider ac and saves and a higher base than 12 con

as an aside a build that achieves all that you are looking for and has s/b capabilities
is one i posted a few hrs ago lol

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=339735

if your looking to use chimeras fang be human replace wf body feat/mithral fluidity and wf khopesh with the 3 feats and you will max out the damage

(you may lose some ac in the process depending on what armor you go to)

i reccomend the event armor
+6 Enhancement Bonus
Feat: Mobility
Epic Nimbleness
Balance +15
Attack Bonus +2
+4 AC Dodge bonus
Upgradeable - Tier 3
Empty Blue Augment Slot

and making the blue slot a +7 for +9 ab with maxed dex bonus of 12 would definitely help get a comparable ac

if you insist on pure s/b just swap the twf line for thf

Awesome build! Unfortunately WAY more bonuses than I have access to (currently). I put a decent amount of focus into saves, not so much into maxing HP tho. I've always found it hard to give up DPS tools for HP . . . the quicker things die, the more HP you save. I'm about to rebuild this again based on my current toon's progress which will be quite a bit different.

No Rogue levels - going to stick to Plate for armor so no evasion and too late for UMD as I'm currently lvl 8 (4 ftr 4 pally). I also messed up my stats a bit taking my first stat upgrade in Cha to get an even number for my saves but and starting with Int too low for CE. I plan on reincarnating this guy at 20 so I'm not going to buy any tomes this time around and if I'm lucky enough to find one, (assuming they are ultra rare) I may save it for the next life where I'll focus on perfection. Question for now is: Should I spend another stat bonus (@ lvl 12) on Int for CE and further gimp my Str or just go without?? Impossible to tank anything without CE I'd assume.

Thinking I'll go back to my original plan of fighter 12 paladin 8 for the extra aura boosts, lay on hands, and lvl 2 spells and rush to 20 and reincarnate.

[Messsenger]

It seems a shame to make a human BSword&board tank that wants to do epics and not take the Sentinel DMs to take advantage of the forthcoming improvements (http://ddowiki.com/page/Update_11_Release_Notes) to Epic Chimera's Fang. Unfortunately, that makes feats pretty tight on what's already a surprisingly constrained build.

Also, IMHO tank builds should plan for DPS first defense second, simply because you're not always going to need or want to be in S&B mode. In this case, I would actually take Kensai in a 2H weapon rather than BSword, with the expectation that you'll go into most fights swinging away with it and only switch to S&B when necessary.

Looks like my long nights of homework are not paying off that well. I haven't looked far enough down the road to plan for Epic gear yet. After taking a peek at that wep with the marks included I can see how it would free up the Exotic feat and add some killer tanking upgrades; absolutely worth it . . . but how difficult is it to get the weapon?? I'll say the dirty words and let everyone know that I'm coming from World of Warcraft where getting an item like that could take a very, VERY long time.