Shield Bashing Intimitank!

[Atax]

That's my challenge for you all. I realize shield bashing aint the best thing in the world, but that's why its so important for me to make a character who uses it as best as possible!

Now, I envisioned the best character for shield bashing would be an intimitank, since he's already going to be using a shield. Why not also make him a dwarf and max out constitution with toughness? Big, fat blocking DR.. Nice, massive hitpoints and a decent chunk of AC. Sure, he won't put out damage.. but this is a niche class, ******. He wants to be a better turtle than a turtle!

I'm not so great at melee-types... My highbies are all casters, that's where my experience is at. That's where you come in! You'll be kind enough to help me set up a character with good AC, HP, DR and intimidate.. and I'll thank you kindly to make you feel all warm inside. It'll be great!
_________________________

HIS NAME... IS CAPTA AMERICAIN!

This is what I came up with.. but I'm pretty sure I've done something horribly wrong.

He should have:
-Maxed intimidate (enough for good use at high levels)
-Shield mastery and Improved Shield mastery (for maximum blocking DR!)

Now, CURRENTLY weapon focus & weapon critical: bludgeoning doesn't work for shields... but THIS MIGHT BE CHANGED in mod7. If you look at the patch notes, they're making power attack and such work with shield bash, so why not weapon focus bludgeoning? At worst, I can dragonshard them out for slashing. Otherwise its towershield & warhammer for me.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.85
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Capta Americain
Level 16 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(13 Fighter \ 3 Paladin) 
Hit Points: 378
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 9
Will: 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         17                    20
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             14                    14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               2                    13.5
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         3                     5
Diplomacy             2                     2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate            6                    21
Jump                  3                     6
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         0                     0
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     0
Search                0                     2
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

Level 2 (Paladin)

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Bash

Level 4 (Paladin)

Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons

Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack

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

Level 8 (Fighter)

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

Level 10 (Fighter)

Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons

Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave

Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave

Level 14 (Fighter)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical

Level 16 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost IV
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery III
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness I
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness II
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness III
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness IV
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) II
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness IV

[sigtrent]

Looks pretty decent. Most intimi tanks run combat expertise to get their AC up as high as they can (requires 13 int though).

Probably my favorite take on a shield bashing character was a fighter/barbarian who really went for the DR and also was using critical rage to upp the crit range on his shields. He also had the barbarian intimidate enhancement to debuff his attackers while pulling their agro. It was pretty clever an unconventional.

[MrWizard]

If I was to build a shield basher....I would want maximum ac and hp.... a nice buttoned up tank...a brumbar indeed.

[Borror0]

You'll be kind enough to help me set up a character with good AC, HP, DR and intimidate. [cut the scary part] It'll be great!

The problem is, Shield Bashing's DPS is... well... horrible. For having tried it... it's not worth the investment you're putting in it.
But I guess it can be a fun build.

Other than that, it's quite silly to make a character for AC when you're skipping on Combat Expertise.
Power Critical is the worse melee feat ever, take anythnig else!! Stunning Blow would be nice, you're blunt spec'd anyway.
If you're going for it, try to get gear like the bramble casters... it'll be a nice addition to your build.

[rimble]

I think Paladin 6 is a requirement for this silly character. You'll need that 6th level Paladin aggro Enhancement.

[Jendrak]

nice build....would suggest swapping the dex and cha stats and cleave and great cleave for dodge and cleave (or another feat of your choosing). the higer dex would allow you 6 more points of ac at the cost of only 2 skill points and a feat.

[Wizzly_Bear]

looks pretty good, but i would suggest the following for fine tuning.

swap cha and dex
drop con to 16
raise int to 12
use +1 int tome at 1st lvl
get combat expertise
lose power critical.

[Borror0]

I think Paladin 6 is a requirement for this silly character. You'll need that 6th level Paladin aggro Enhancement.

If he shield bashes... 6*2 = 12 damage... he won't steal aggro.

[Kraak]

The problem is, Shield Bashing's DPS is... well... horrible. For having tried it... it's not worth the investment you're putting in it.
But I guess it can be a fun build.

Other than that, it's quite silly to make a character for AC when you're skipping on Combat Expertise.
Power Critical is the worse melee feat ever, take anythnig else!! Stunning Blow would be nice, you're blunt spec'd anyway.
If you're going for it, try to get gear like the bramble casters... it'll be a nice addition to your build.

I'd have to agree with Borror. Leave yourself an out, if you build. That way you can rebuild to a mainline tank. My experience was with a pure barb, and he's on the chopping block. The new changes to shields may help but right now, its not worth it. GL and have fun.

[Borror0]

Stunning Blow would be nice, you're blunt spec'd anyway.

I remember Illuminati saying we could Trip with a shield, how about Stunning Blow?

[Atax]

I remember Illuminati saying we could Trip with a shield, how about Stunning Blow?

Yes, you can trip, stun, sunder with shields. Might be able to cleave/gcleave as well.

Thanks for the quick responses, I'll take them all into consideration. I realize that shield bashing BLOWS at the moment, but that's the fun of this char: to somehow make shield bashing work.

He won't be using shield bash as primary DPS.. That'd be impossibly bad. Instead, he will intimidate everything.. shield block with as much AC/DR/HP as possible, then whack away with the shield while the party kills the rest. When things cool down, he can stop and whup some ass with his warhammer.

This build is for my new guild project, GIMPED. Check it out here.

TY again.

[Atax]

Update on build: Made the suggested changes here. EDIT: Realized 14 dex is because dodge needs 13, gotcha.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.85
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Capta Americain
Level 16 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(13 Fighter \ 3 Paladin) 
Hit Points: 378
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 10
Will: 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            14                    14
Constitution         16                    20
Intelligence         13                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             11                    12

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 16
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 16

                 Feat/Enhancement
                  Modified Skills
Skills             (Level 16)
Balance                 15.5
Intimidate              20.5
Use Magic Device        10.5

Level 1 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)

Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Bash

Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)

Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons

Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge

Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons

Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)

Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Shield Mastery

Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)

Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons

Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise

Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow

Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning Weapons

Level 16 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost IV
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery III
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness I
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness II
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness III
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness IV
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness IV

Final Statistics [for comparison's sake]

HP
362 base HP (19con)
527 HP (+6 item, +3 tome, Greater False Life, Shroud HP item, Draconic Vitality)

Blocking DR:
2 Base
4 Active
11 Madstone Shield
3 Shield Mastery
3 Improved Shield Mastery
3 Dwarven Shield Mastery III
= DR26

AC
10 base
13 armor (+5 Mithril Full Plate)
3 Dex
9 Shield (+5 Tower/Madstone Shield)
5 Dodge (Combat Expertise)
5 Deflection (+5 Protection)
2 Dodge (Chaosgarde)
1 Dodge (Feat)
2 Active Block
1 Alchemic

(5) Fighter Action Boost IV
(5) Natural (Barkskin)
(1 Haste)
= 51 (61 buffed)

[wolfy42]

Funny I've been playing around witha shield bashing character on Risa due to there being the ability to wear 4 different guard items there (Fire/ice/lightning/acid).

Unlike most intimitanks I made my character have as low an AC as possible on purpose (I used monk levels but actually barbarian lvls are better for a variety of reasons).

In order to make the character have the highest DR possible I went with WF since the adamantium DR stacks with the Shield DR.

At lvl 1 he had 13 DR while shield blocking and it went up rapidly.

AT lvl 1 each time an enemy hit him it tood 4d6 dmg...which increases with better guard items.

By lvl 2 you can get shield bash as well and you have a maxed strength for Stunning blow.

Eventually you also get power attack and cleave.

I don't know if the multiple types of guard items is going to be an official part of mod 7 or if it is a bug.

If it is official though Shield bashing is going to be a very effective build.

[Aeneas]

no, it isn't... even wearing the best of every guard item, you won't generate enough dps to make it viable. Not even wielding talon.

Bramblecasters, ring of resonance, lion headed belt buckle, antithesis, lesser guard necklace, lesser guard ring, lesser guard bracers = 1d10 + 1d8 + 1d8 + 1d4 +1d4 +1d4 +1d4 +1d4 for 8 - 44 damage assuming no resistance (rare in high end) AVG = 26ish damage i guess. At DR 26 while shield blocking (an average number) you'll be taking as much damage as you make at high levels, and that math don't fly when mobs have thousands of hp's and you have a few hundred.

Making this build 7 wiz and using mana for basically nothing but fire shield could add 3-15 to that amount. Cloak of curses and/or demonic bracers could be fun additions as well.

Stoneskin wands and barb DR would help too. Barb crit rage I would let you crit on a 16 with talon.

Even still, you'll be a shotty intimitank that does nothing but soak damage and swing once every 2 seconds and with a shield no less. Shield DR only works when you're facing the attacker, anybody flanking you ignores it entirely.


Honestly, the only way i see this semi working, is to custom build a WF wizard that carries nothing but AOE DOT's and stands in them while wearing all the above mentioned gear, at high hitpoints, while stoneskinned and wearing the docent of defiance and praying that it procs and keeping up quicken and extend and maximize to take full advantage of fireshield/firewall etc. when it needs to be recast. Self healing for the win of course.




As with all intimitanks, you're reliant on having a half decent party behind you. After level 7 or so, you'll have a hard time breaking waves of enemies on your shield.

I don't know bro, i like the idea, but i've tried to wrap my head around it so many times and just can't justify the lack of versatility in a build like this. A few new lesser guards isn't going to change my mind about what didn't work before either. Not to mention that you sacrifice so much wearing them instead of other more useful items.

[wolfy42]

Yeah it was just a fun build on risa...it does not have long term potential at all.

Still fun to play with through mid lvls. Don't forget you do that dmg to ALL enemies hitting you constantly (since they never miss).

As long as they don't hit through your DR without a crit....they take the damage and you take none.

You do get constantly pounded thats true, but you have very high DR ...so thats something at least. It's not a HORRIBLE build with a good healer around at least...but I wouldn't want to try it without a set team that will back you up when you play.

Maxed out your DPS could be significant though against groups. Fighter 2/barbarian 12 for the extended crit range on shields and constant rage going for high strength boost to shield dmg along with cleave and great cleave with shield block...and full DR + elemental dmg (you can use robes with elemental dmg and DR btw since you don't want AC at all). Dwarven for the extra DR with the shield etc.

If going with WF you would want sorc lvls not wizard for the instant heals as needed. That may be worth it for the build over all as well....you stop so much damage coming in......and then can heal back the amount that you do take with a HUGE hp pool to use. Toss in a higher cha for your intimidate (Fighter lvls) and it might be worth the loss of 3 DR from dwarven enhancements and the hp loss from dwarven toughness.

You can also use stunning blow (Very high strength) and trip now with shield bash. This enable you to block, stunning blow and trip enemies till they are helpless and then destroy them (or let team mates do it). Dwarves and WF get tactical boosts to both of these abilities...so again...not totally worthless in a fight

Does this build make sense long term? Not really.

Is it a cool way to play a character a bit differently? Yep!!

Truth be told you could run in with a 2 handed weapon and THF feats on a barb and probably obliterate the groups of enemies the block/guard setup would work against...making it pretty obsolete......but even though that is true....it's kinda cool just the same!!

I kinda like the Sorc/WF setup myself though....you get fire shield AND fire wall to use which is useful through most of the game AND you get extreme instant self healing + a higher intimidate skill. Main problem is you need decent docents for that to work and you will be reliant on Stoneskin which is not nearly as good as constant DR. You can get some constant DR with enhancements but it's tiny compared to 10/- from stonesking.....but when your getting hit constantly....stoneskins DR is gone in seconds and unblocking to cast spells = super dangerous (even healing).

Also as mentioned before this build is VERY weak vs spellcasters and especially ranged attackers. Spellcasters at least you can just run up to and attack witha weapon (you have a very high strength so it's cool).

Ranged characters though will ALWAYS hit you and take no damage from guard effects. You have to either take the hits (sometimes a big problem) or guard and slowly shield bash/stunning blow etc.

If you did go the Sorc route though....you could at least use a firewall on them or something.

You only need 1 fighter level to make the sorc route work as well with a maxed intimidate...so you could still get decent non-DC sorc spells that way. It would hurt your AB on stunning blow etc if you take those feats......but opens up tons of other options like displacement when you need to fight ranged characters, stoneskin for the same and great no-save spells like MM/SL/FW etc (not to mention extreme healing abilities.

The WF version could go something like this:

WF 14 sorc/2 fighter (possibly 12 sorc/2 fighter/2 monk...more on that later)

Stats (28 point)

Str 16 (10)
dex 08 (00)
con 18 (10)
Int 10 (02)
wis 08 (00)
cha 12 (06) 14 for a 32 point

Int 10 is required to keep intimidate maxed...which you need.

Dropping 2 sorc levels for 2 monk levels adds significantly to max hp through 2 bonus toughness feats from monk and turtle enhancement for 5 more hp as well. You give up GH though since you only get 1 lvl 6 sorc spell (reconstruct) with 12 lvls only.

You gain 49 max hp though...which could be significant with such a low max hp build.

Con max should be 18 base + 2 enhancement + 6 item + 2 tome = 28 (+9 per lvl) if you took 2 barbarian lvls instead of fighter you lose out on a bunch of nice enhancements....1 strength and 2 bonus feats....but you get +1 con enhancement and with a +3 tome that would be a 30 con end game or +10 hp per lvl (not to mention an extra 4 hp from the barb lvls, the ability to rage twice and a faster movement speed etc (I think it's better with fighter lvls though.

Still don't think it would work that well...but it would be interesting

[BiocDkT]

OMG! A intimitank build that doesn't require any tomes except at end game o.0 This isn't possible!

[Mhykke]

Not a fan.

You're going to be hitting intimidate, and not building for ac, and not doing much DPS, just sitting there blocking.

As a cleric, I wouldn't want to group w/ someone like that. I'd have to babysit them, constantly watch their health b/c they're getting hit a ton (with little AC), and they wouldn't be getting rid of mobs all that quickly, since they're not doing much damage (either stat/vorpaling/or straight DPS).

[Borror0]

OMG! A intimitank build that doesn't require any tomes except at end game o.0 This isn't possible!

Quite frankly, this build is an horrible one. The dude made a build for fun, regardless of how poorly it will perform.