The New Steelmaiden (U45) - AC Tank Build

[PainStealer]

This version of the Steelmaiden has been deprecated. Please refer to
https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/535618-Steelmaiden-U57-Update?p=6553937#post6553937
for the current version.


**** Please use the other thread to comment on this build ****
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/514643-The-New-Steelmaiden-(U45)-AC-Tank-Build-627-AC-Pics-and-Gear-Included



I have updated the Steelmaiden build again. This time much to my chagrin she is primarily a Paladin.

The original version was posted almost 4 years ago. https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/476148-The-Elven-Steel-Maiden-(-AC-Fighter-)
The Ravenloft update was 2 years ago https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/493593-The-Elven-Steel-Maiden-(-AC-Fighter-)-Ravenloft-Edition

With the tanking changes in U45 it made sense to re evaluate the build and post it here.

The new split is 12 Paladin / 4 Fighter / 4 Artificer. I chose PDK as my race this time although other races would work just fine. I am still fine tuning the build as my tank character is still on the Racial TR hamster wheel for 10 more lives.

This is a rough outline of how I plan the build. Please note if you have less than a +3 Dexterity tome you will need to start with up to 13 Dexterity. Also a few of the feats I chose (ITHF,GTHF) require 17 Strength. If you cannot swing that the build will still work you will just need to choose something else.

The major decisions of the build were:
PDK: Charisma to Hit and Damage and bonus to Tactics as well as some more AC enhancements.
12 Paladin : Awesome saves and new Angelskin spell and Sacred Defender core that rquires 12 Paladin.
4 Fighter: 3 Feats and tier 4 Stalwart Defender enhancements to stack more AC.
4 Artificer: 1 Feat and Tier 3 RMM enhancements that stack even more AC. Possibly trap skills if I can squeeze them in.

I made the build level up with Charisma. Constitution would work as well. (More HP and a little less intimidate and slightly lower Dire Charge DC)
While working on this build on Lammania I was able to attain 570+ AC. I have a feeling that when I have finished gearing and tweaking everything I may break 600 AC.

Some people have already asked me why I did not bother with the shield mastery feats. The quick answer is that with the levels of PRR the build attains the extra mitigation from them becomes about 1/2 of 1% damage mitigation. Personally I would rather have more toughness than that. Bit as you will see there is definitely room to take them if you feel unreasonably compelled to do so. Also the feat progression is not as polished as I would like it but as I will never level this build from level 1 ( You start at 15 as a PDK, or if you get to 30 as with DPS oriented feats and enhancements then LR you don't have to have the pain of leveling a raid tank ) I did not really care.

Scion Feat: There will be some debate as to which scion is best. I felt that water was the most bang for the buck. The +MRR as well as the extra cold damage on hit to help keep aggro were the reasons I chose water.

Once I finish the Racial TR train expect some screen shots as well as a detailed gear break down. For now I am thinking Sharn tank set and the Charisma artifact ring is where to start.


Character Name: Steelmaiden U45
Classes: 12 Paladin, 10 Epic, 4 Artificer, 4 Fighter
Race: Purple Dragon Knight Alignment: Lawful Good

· · ·Start ( I have +8 tomes. If you have less you will need to tweak these )
Str:· · 12· ·
Dex:· · 10· ·
Con:· · 16· ·
Int:· · 12· ·
Wis:· · ·8· ·
Cha:· · 18· ·


Class and Feat Selection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Fighter(1)· · · ·Standard: Toughness
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Purple Dragon Knight Bonus: Toughness
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fighter Bonus: Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
2 · · Paladin(1)· · · ·Follower of Faith: Favored by Helm
3 · · Paladin(2)· · · ·Standard: Precision
4 · · Paladin(3)· · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
5 · · Paladin(4)· · · ·
6 · · Paladin(5)· · · ·Standard: Dodge
7 · · Fighter(2)· · · ·Fighter Bonus: Mobility
8 · · Fighter(3)· · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Fighter(4)· · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fighter Bonus: Two Handed Fighting
10· · Paladin(6)· · · ·Deity: Ever Watchful
11· · Paladin(7)· · · ·
12· · Paladin(8)· · · ·Standard: Improved Two Handed Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Paladin(9)· · · ·
14· · Artificer(1)· · ·
15· · Artificer(2)· · ·Standard: Greater Two Handed Fighting
16· · Paladin(10) · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
17· · Paladin(11) · · ·
18· · Artificer(3)· · ·Standard: Spring Attack
19· · Paladin(12) · · ·
20· · Artificer(4)· · ·Artificer Bonus: Combat Expertise
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Bulwark of Defense
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Toughness
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Elusive Target
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Dire Charge
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Blinding Speed
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Plane of Water

[Argan]

Returning player. This build looks like fun. I’ve been looking for a reaver tank build. I’m not sure what classes I have to TR from. I’ll be grouped with a melee rogue, ranged alchemist and a healer (searching for build for healer (http://https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/512771-Group-Healer-looking-for-Builds?p=6300541#post6300541) that my wife will play).

How would this work for a first life?

What skills do you suggest?

Any tips on enhancements would be appreciated.

Thanks again for taking your time to share your build.

[Thrudh]

While working on this build on Lammania I was able to attain 570+ AC.

breakdown please?

Could you give us a list of enhancements and end-game gear?

[Quikster]

Im sure breakdowns will be added later after he does another 10 lives. I think he's pretending to be a sorc atm.

[PainStealer]

Im sure breakdowns will be added later after he does another 10 lives. I think he's pretending to be a sorc atm.

Yeah... stupid overpowered sorcerer lives. I did play with a gear planner for what I might suggest .... I'm sure there is probably a better gear set but I won't really worry about that for another 9 lives.

A guild mate of mine is running a very similar build right now that seems to be performing very well in high reapers.

As far as enhancements are concerned .... 13 in Renegade Master Maker for more AC. 23 in Stalwart for the Tier 4 AC enhancements. 42ish in sacred defender for the tier 5 AC loving. And you have 2 left over for PDK charisma to hit/damage. If you feel like you don't need all that AC then put a few points in KOTC for divine might for more tactics.


EXTREMELY PROVISIONAL GEAR (lots of heal amp in there)
Weapon: The Shattered Hilt of Constellation
Offhand: Legendary Crystalline Ward
Armor: Legendary Watch Captain's Platemail
Belt: Legendary Chains
- Legendary Slaver's Prefix Slot: Dexterity +17 Enhancement
- Legendary Slaver's Suffix Slot: Resistance +14 Enhancement
- Legendary Slaver's Extra Slot: Stunning +20 Enhancement
- Legendary Slaver's Bonus Slot: Intimidate +11 Quality
Boots: Boots of Blessed Travels
Bracers: Mysterious Bracers (Level 21)
Cloak: Legendary Cloak of the City's Champion
Gloves: Legendary Hands of House Jorasco
Goggles: Legendary Collective Sight
- Nearly Finished: Constitution +21 Enhancement
- Almost There: Charisma +10 Insight
Helm: Legendary Standard Issue Faceplate
Necklace: Legendary Standard Issue Sigil
Ring1: Stolen Signet of ir'Wynarn
Ring2: Legendary Celestial Ruby Ring
- Nearly Finished: Dexterity +21 Enhancement
Trinket: Epic Litany of the Dead

[Rull]

The 4th core of sacred defender doesn't look that great (5 prr/mrr). Is there another reason to go up all the way to 12 in paladin?
I could see just 8 paladin for angelskin, for instance. Not that I know how what you'd do with 4 more fighter... If you just use it for the feats and take Heavy Armor Combatant you're back at the same spot prr/mrr-wise.

While you're PDK anyway, with good tactics... is there any way to work in a good stun that strikesthrough? I guess stunning shield is not worth it with the 30sec cooldown...

[PainStealer]

The 4th core of sacred defender doesn't look that great (5 prr/mrr). Is there another reason to go up all the way to 12 in paladin?
I could see just 8 paladin for angelskin, for instance. Not that I know how what you'd do with 4 more fighter... If you just use it for the feats and take Heavy Armor Combatant you're back at the same spot prr/mrr-wise.

While you're PDK anyway, with good tactics... is there any way to work in a good stun that strikesthrough? I guess stunning shield is not worth it with the 30sec cooldown...

Rull , I have copied your post to the more updated thread and I have responded there. Thanks for the well though out ideas.

[Chelles]

Yeah... stupid overpowered sorcerer lives. I did play with a gear planner for what I might suggest .... I'm sure there is probably a better gear set but I won't really worry about that for another 9 lives.

A guild mate of mine is running a very similar build right now that seems to be performing very well in high reapers.

As far as enhancements are concerned .... 13 in Renegade Master Maker for more AC. 23 in Stalwart for the Tier 4 AC enhancements. 42ish in sacred defender for the tier 5 AC loving. And you have 2 left over for PDK charisma to hit/damage. If you feel like you don't need all that AC then put a few points in KOTC for divine might for more tactics.


EXTREMELY PROVISIONAL GEAR (lots of heal amp in there)
Weapon: The Shattered Hilt of Constellation
Offhand: Legendary Crystalline Ward
Armor: Legendary Watch Captain's Platemail
Belt: Legendary Chains
- Legendary Slaver's Prefix Slot: Dexterity +17 Enhancement
- Legendary Slaver's Suffix Slot: Resistance +14 Enhancement
- Legendary Slaver's Extra Slot: Stunning +20 Enhancement
- Legendary Slaver's Bonus Slot: Intimidate +11 Quality
Boots: Boots of Blessed Travels
Bracers: Mysterious Bracers (Level 21)
Cloak: Legendary Cloak of the City's Champion
Gloves: Legendary Hands of House Jorasco
Goggles: Legendary Collective Sight
- Nearly Finished: Constitution +21 Enhancement
- Almost There: Charisma +10 Insight
Helm: Legendary Standard Issue Faceplate
Necklace: Legendary Standard Issue Sigil
Ring1: Stolen Signet of ir'Wynarn
Ring2: Legendary Celestial Ruby Ring
- Nearly Finished: Dexterity +21 Enhancement
Trinket: Epic Litany of the Dead


Why do you have Dex enhancement twice? Is one supposed to be Charisma? (Ring 2 and Belt)