Adventures in Theorycrafting - the Kundarak Wall (dwarf ftr 12 / pal 6 / monk 2)

[unbongwah]

Inspired by Celcia, I decided to post my own CON-based tank - because, hey, misery loves company and so do us S&B "gimps."

This is a CON-based variant on a dwarf ftr 12 / pal 6 / monk 2 build I've got. Compared to Celcia, it won't have the insane number of HPs, full SD enhs, or racial heal amp; and it loses two feats and some AC&PRR by switching to lt armor. Plus there aren't any epic dwarven axes as nice as Nightmare, IMHO, despite the level-draining nerf; duergar waraxe, EE Prison Break, and EE Mountain's Fist seem to be our only options.

OTOH, it should have higher CON (+2 base, +2 racial enhs, +1 from Sacred D.), better saves (Divine Grace instead of HE pally dilly, +5 saves vs spells from dwarf enhs, an extra +3 saves from Resistance Aura), better DPS (TYWA, full THF chain, Overwhelming Crit, Headman's Chop), better self-healing (Emp Heal for Rejuv Cocoon, +Pos Spellpower from Heal skill + Shintao + Sacred D., Unyielding Sovereignty, weaksauce LoHs when all else is on cooldown), Evasion, Divine Righteousness for extra threat, fear immunity (frees an augment slot), and higher Dodge bonus (thanks to higher MDB from lt armor).

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.03
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 Lawful Good Dwarf Female
(12 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Monk \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 693
Spell Points: 170 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 29
Reflex: 12
Will: 12

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            10                    13
Constitution         20                    33
Intelligence         10                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             10                    13

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 2 (Paladin)
Feat: (Deity) Follower of the Sovereign Host


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Bash


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CON


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 10 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Trip


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting


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


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge


Level 17 (Paladin)


Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 19 (Paladin)


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Throw Your Weight Around (Axes) (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Overbalance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Stalwart Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Stand Fast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Threatening Countenance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Threatening Countenance (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Threatening Countenance (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Shield Striking (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Shield Striking (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Shield Striking (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Inciting Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Inciting Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Inciting Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Resilient Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Resilient Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Resilient Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Hardy Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Hardy Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Hardy Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Swift Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Block and Cut (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Block and Cut (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Block and Cut (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Divine Righteousness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Armor Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Armor Mastery (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Bulwark Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resistance Aura (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Spiritual Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike With No Thought (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Toughness


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Reflexes


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Elusive Target

For 36-pt build I would bump up CHA to 12. Extra pally PLs for more heal amp are the obvious choice.

Enhancements: For this build you need to put at least 18 APs into dwarf for TYWA and 33 APs into Stalwart D. for Block & Cut. That leaves 29 APs to spread around; feels weird to put together a build with so many pally & ftr lvls which doesn't take Divine Might + Power Surge, but that frees APs for other things. I put 15 APs into Sacred D. for Pos Spellpower, extra LoHs, Divine Righteousness, and aura boosts; 12 APs into Kensei for Haste Boost, Extra Action Boost, core enhs; and 1 AP into Shintao (+10 Pos +5% heal amp).

Other options for those spare APs: 3 APs into Exemplar (+3 Heal & Intim +10% threat); 3 APs into Reed in the Wind (+9% Dodge, Shintao ver. has shorter cooldown than Kensei); 4 APs into Ninja for Acrobatic (+3 Balance Jump Tumble +3% Dodge); ~15 APs into KotC for extra TUs & Smites, Divine Sacrifice, Exalted Smite, +heal amp, maybe Imp Restoration (adds Gtr Restoration to Remove Disease ability); if you choose to sacrifice Evasion to wear full plate, you could invest in Dwarf Fortress for +3-7% S&B DPS (4-12 APs).

Skills: Intim is a must-have, ofc. I like having max UMD; anything left goes into Heal and/or Balance.

EDs: basically, Unyielding Sentinel when you wanna go full-tank mode, Legendary Dreadnought the rest of the time. At all times you want Rejuv Cocoon Twisted in; Sense Weakness would be nice, too. When in LD you should also have Legendary Shield Mastery (+8% doublestrike +15 PRR); not sure what the third Twist should be in US.

[favour6]

Evasion with a shield?

[Teh_Troll]

Evasion with a shield?

In other news the sun rises in the east and water is wet.

[unbongwah]

Evasion with a shield?

Works fine: only med or hvy armor blocks Evasion (or being encumbered / helpless). EDIT: plan is to use hvy shield to avoid MDB penalty of tower shields; however tower work fine w/Evasion.

In other news the sun rises in the east and water is wet.

Stop the presses! What is this "sun" and "water" you speak of? And why wasn't informed about them sooner?!

[pappo]

Works fine: only med or hvy armor blocks Evasion (or being encumbered / helpless). EDIT: plan is to use hvy shield to avoid MDB penalty of tower shields; however tower work fine w/Evasion.

Stop the presses! What is this "sun" and "water" you speak of? And why wasn't informed about them sooner?!

So u r running around in light armor or robes to keep evasion ?

[unbongwah]

So u r running around in light armor or robes to keep evasion ?

Correct: I've got a lvl 20 variant on this build (32-pt and STR- rather than CON-based) who currently has a T3 epic Duelist's Leathers (slotted w/+12 PRR) and T3 epic Swashbuckler (slotted w/Good Luck +2). AC is unremarkable, as I expected, but she's got 16% Dodge (8% Duelist + 2% Dodge feat + 3% Mobility + 3% Ninja Acrobatic). If I added Reed in the Wind, I could boost it to 25%, but I'd need to invest in higher MDB; right now 20% is my cap (base MDB 18 + 2 Mobility).

[Kuunkukka]

Sorry for necroing this thread, but do you have any status update as to how this build is working in current content?

I'm working on somewhat similar split while doing my Fighter life. It has felt awesome during heroic levels, and while it'll never be actually EE-solo-capable, I'm having high hopes for epic content. Mine ditched monk for rogue (can't beat trap skills for heroics), since I already have couple paladin lives for H.Amp.

I'd like to hear if you've still been toying with evasive S&B types? There's not too much tanking discussions going on right now.

[unbongwah]

Sorry for necroing this thread, but do you have any status update as to how this build is working in current content?

Sorry, no: I got my char to lvl 20, but I've been mostly playing my Dwarven Defender on Sarlona for the last few months.