Input on a Human Tank

[AylinIsAwesome]

I'll start off by saying I was intrigued by the new Bastard Sword from the Sentinels pack. Yes, I know it's a Bastard Sword and not a Khopesh, and yes I know the benefits from it aren't really that great, even on the Epic one. I'm still interested in it though, which is why I decided to build a Fighter tank (as opposed to Paladin so I could take advantage of the Dragonmark feat thingy on the sword).


I take Khopesh prof instead of Bastard Sword prof since besides that one bastard sword, when in S&B mode I intend to use Khopeshes, and Falchions otherwise. My INT is a little high, and that's because since I splashed Rogue for UMD, I was pretty tempted to include trap skills as well since I already needed 13 INT for Combat Expertise. If that puts too much of a strain on other stats (DEX) from feedback I get, I can drop that down though.

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Level 20 True Neutral Human Female
(18 Fighter \ 2 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 344
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 11
Will: 9

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 23                   27
Dexterity            12                 14                   14
Constitution         14                 16                   17
Intelligence         16                 18                   18
Wisdom                8                 10                   10
Charisma             10                 12                   12

Tomes Used
+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 Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               5                 12                   12
Bluff                 0                  1                    1
Concentration         2                  3                    3
Diplomacy             0                  1                    1
Disable Device        7                 27                   27
Haggle                0                  1                    1
Heal                 -1                  0                    0
Hide                  5                  6                    6
Intimidate            4                 24                   37
Jump                  7                 12                   12
Listen                3                  4                    4
Move Silently         5                  6                    6
Open Lock             5                  6                    6
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                  4                    4
Search                7                 27                   27
Spot                  3                  4                    4
Swim                  3                  8                    8
Tumble                5                  6                    6
Use Magic Device      4                 24                   24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Least Dragonmark of Sentinel
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Trapfinding


Level 2 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Quick Draw


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Sentinel


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


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


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Sentinel


Level 10 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+6)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge


Level 17 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Sunder
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Trip
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender II
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Sunder) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Sunder) II
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Deneith Intimidation I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

Now, I've never made a Stalwart Defender before, so I want to make sure that I'm going to be hitting the required marks for AC and Intim.

Intim:

23 ranks
+ 1 CHA mod
+ 3 +6 CHA item
+ 15 Intimidate item
+ 4 Greater Heroism
+ 2 Bullheaded
+ 2 Least Mark of Sentinel
+ 6 SD 3
+ 1 Human Intimidate
+ 2 Fighter Intimidate
+ 5 CHA skills Stalemate 2 Shroud item
=64 self-buffed

+ 1 Prayer
+ 2 Walk of the Sun
+ 2 Bard Song
= 69 party-buffed

Is that high enough?


AC:

Max DEX bonus (this is the part I think I might have screwed up):

Tower Sheild:
2 base
+ 3 SD 3 bonus
+ 1 Tower Sheild Mastery
= 6 (22 DEX)

Fullplate:
1 base
+ 2 SD 3 bonus
+ 3 Armour Mastery
= 6 (22 DEX)

DEX:
12 base
+ 2 tome
+ 5 Spectral Gloves
+ 1 Litany
= 20 non-epic

+2 Epic Spectral Gloves
= 22 when I finally get them


10 base
+ 3 SD 3
+ 15 Dragontouched Plate
+ 5 Combat Expertise
+ 1 Dodge
+ 5 DEX bonus
+ 2 Chaosguard
+ 3 Chattering Ring
+ 9 Levik's Tower Sheild
+ 1 Armour Eldritch Ritual
+ 1 Sheild Eldritch Ritual
+ 4 Natural (Madstone rage)
+ 4 Insight (GS Khopesh or Epic Chimera's Fang)
+ 5 Protection
+ 4 SD 3 Stance
= 72 self-buffed (after ~60 years of grinding, that is)

Max-buffed:
+ 2 Recitation
+ 4 Action Boost
+ 1 Ranger Barkskin
+ 5 Paladin Aura
+ 4 Bard song
+ 1 DEX bonus (Epic Spectrals)
= 89

Now really that's just 85, since I intend to be using mainly Haste Boost 4, and I'm not sure I can really rely on a +4 boost to AC that only lasts for 20 seconds. I've heard that you need 90+ AC for it to matter on Epics, so...is there some way I can get 5 more AC out of somewhere?

I plan on using Litany of the Dead as my trinket to even out my STR and CON, and Mentau's Goggles for my Seeker slot. I know Tharne's Goggles could help me get aggro back, but as soon as they look at me I'll lose that DPS (unless I get a Radiance Guard, in which case I have to wait for it to proc), and if I'm looking to get hate I'll probably be in S&B mode, and not have the DPS to get it anyway.

I haven't planned out the rest of the gear yet, so any suggestions there are also appreciated. Thanks!

[AylinIsAwesome]

So...feedback? I wanna know if this is worth the character slot.

[lord_of_rage]

If you are going THF why not go dwarf? Dwarven axes will get the same glancing procs. Youll have axe dmg, more ac, and synergy with great axe. You also wont need to use a feat. Not that fighters dont have a ton of feats. Id drop int to 11 and use a +2 for ce. That frees up points for dex to get max ac bonues.

If you stay human Id still look to get your dex higher. Do you plan on using kopesh/bastard sword for s&b and great axe or falchion for THF?

[AylinIsAwesome]

If you are going THF why not go dwarf? Dwarven axes will get the same glancing procs. Youll have axe dmg, more ac, and synergy with great axe. You also wont need to use a feat. Not that fighters dont have a ton of feats. Id drop int to 11 and use a +2 for ce. That frees up points for dex to get max ac bonues.

To be honest, the main reason I don't play Dwarves is that I don't like how the look. I know they're generally better for tanks, but...

The free Human feat (used for Khopesh, sort of, anyway), makes up for Dwarves getting the Axe for free, and the main reason I wanted to build this was to use the Bastard Sword that drops from Sentinels (hence the dragonmarks). Am I missing any key feats though?

For the DEX bonus, did I screw up thinking that 22 DEX would give me the max I can get out of armour? If so I can definitely see raising it. Otherwise I'm just -1 AC 'till I upgrade the Spectrals, which I think i can live with.

If you stay human Id still look to get your dex higher. Do you plan on using kopesh/bastard sword for s&b and great axe or falchion for THF?

Pretty much.

[lord_of_rage]

Do remember that bastard swords will be getting glacing blows in S&b mode. Your feats look good. Maybe quick or Mr Wizard will have more input there.

[AylinIsAwesome]

I'm a little wary how well the glancing blows on B-Sword and D-Axe will work. The main reason I choose Khopesh is because I have a nice collection of pre-shroud ones I've used on other toons I can simply just pass along.

Thanks for the input.

[Quikster]

what are your plans and goals for this build? Do you plan on just being another melee in a group, running solo, tanking, elite raids, epics, etc? Give a bit more of an idea what you want to be able to do and we can give you a little more specific feedback.

[AylinIsAwesome]

what are your plans and goals for this build? Do you plan on just being another melee in a group, running solo, tanking, elite raids, epics, etc? Give a bit more of an idea what you want to be able to do and we can give you a little more specific feedback.

Some solo of course, but also Raids, and hopefully eventually Epics.

[Quikster]

Keep in mind a lot of this will be my opinions, take the for what they are worth. Ultimately you are going to play this build so its up to you to be happy with it.

The first thing that jumps out at me here is the starting int. It really doesnt make sense to take it so high. Youre spending 4 build points on the last two int points, which is very expensive for a build that will get so little out of it. I understand you are wanting to do traps, but it really hurts this build imo. If you really plan on end game tanking this is something I would reconsider.

I think the best thing about taking a rog splash on a tank is to get evasion. You are trying to get too many things in a build here with the traping. High intimidate, high ac, moderate dps, high umd, and trap skills. There is always the option of going as planned here and then respecing once your capped, but I would recommend making a decision to drop one of the listed goals.

Not using evasion while tanking to me is a strong argument for going 20 fighter. A few more hp, and capstone are nice, but not a necessity, simply my preference.

Here is an incomplete list of some of the end game intimidate dcs. Some of the numbers you are fine on, some your build will fall a little short on. You need to decide if the ones you fall short on are a big deal or not. Thats really something only you can answer based upon what you want this build to be able to do. Your numbers can be boosted a little more with gear/enhancements as well. I personally wouldnt count on the monk buff in your buffed score, it simply doesnt come around that much. I like to find the scores I can get on my own, maybe with a bard. As an intimitank you are expected to be able to hit the dc's in the given quest, and failing because the monk forgot to buff you every 60 seconds can be an issue. For example in ToD if you are holding agro while the rest of the group is across the room fighting sully. If you fail in this situation you will be off to the races trying to chase horoth down. He moves fast, and can put out a lot of damage quickly. A few deaths here has sever consequences imo.

Max dex on a tower shield is base 4 + 3 sd + 1 enhancement=8 instead of the 6 you have listed. This works well for you as you can drop the enhancement.

Max paly aura is 6 for a dos III

Halfling can give +3 for up to 5 minutes.

You also gain 5 ac from blocking.

You can get another 2 ac from the stalwart ToD set. Outside of that you are looking at more dex being the only way. The max dex you can get as a human in fp is 10, but you arent going to like what it takes to get that

Now obviously having a halfling with maxed buff, dos III paly, bard, ranger, boost, and blocking are temporary buffs, im just giving you all the numbers.

The only thing you really gain on this build over a pure fighter is evasion. I would consider a way to build youre reflex save and drop the fp to take advantage of that. You are also going to have issues with your will save, its woefully low. Make sure you arent intimidating around casters who will exploit that.

One last thing, make sure your hp are high enough, horoth throws 500+ point disintegrates on failed saves

Once again these are just my opinions, and this build may suit your gameplay well. Hopefully I have pointed out a thing or two that will make you think, and you can either be confident in the choices you are making or you can adapt your build accordingly.

[AylinIsAwesome]

Keep in mind a lot of this will be my opinions, take the for what they are worth. Ultimately you are going to play this build so its up to you to be happy with it.

I want the build to work in harder content, otherwise I won't be all that happy with it.

The first thing that jumps out at me here is the starting int. It really doesnt make sense to take it so high. Youre spending 4 build points on the last two int points, which is very expensive for a build that will get so little out of it. I understand you are wanting to do traps, but it really hurts this build imo. If you really plan on end game tanking this is something I would reconsider.

True, I did start out INT pretty high. I took the Rogue splash for UMD, and with only one skill point per level away at 14 starting INT to be able to max those skills, I pushed it up a little bit.

I guess you'd suggest a higher CHA with Force of Personality?

I think the best thing about taking a rog splash on a tank is to get evasion. You are trying to get too many things in a build here with the traping. High intimidate, high ac, moderate dps, high umd, and trap skills. There is always the option of going as planned here and then respecing once your capped, but I would recommend making a decision to drop one of the listed goals.

Well, I took Rogue for the UMD as a class skill and the Sneak Attack. Can I really get by with no Sneak Attack?

Not using evasion while tanking to me is a strong argument for going 20 fighter. A few more hp, and capstone are nice, but not a necessity, simply my preference.

Is it really possible to get an AC that high in Light Armour or no Armour for Evasion to work? o_O I can see with a Monk splash, but wouldn't I need to focus a lot more on DEX/WIS then?

Here is an incomplete list of some of the end game intimidate dcs. Some of the numbers you are fine on, some your build will fall a little short on. You need to decide if the ones you fall short on are a big deal or not. Thats really something only you can answer based upon what you want this build to be able to do. Your numbers can be boosted a little more with gear/enhancements as well. I personally wouldnt count on the monk buff in your buffed score, it simply doesnt come around that much. I like to find the scores I can get on my own, maybe with a bard. As an intimitank you are expected to be able to hit the dc's in the given quest, and failing because the monk forgot to buff you every 60 seconds can be an issue. For example in ToD if you are holding agro while the rest of the group is across the room fighting sully. If you fail in this situation you will be off to the races trying to chase horoth down. He moves fast, and can put out a lot of damage quickly. A few deaths here has sever consequences imo.

Thanks, I'll have a look at this when I post an updated version to see if I can hit all the important ones.

Max dex on a tower shield is base 4 + 3 sd + 1 enhancement=8 instead of the 6 you have listed. This works well for you as you can drop the enhancement.

Oh, I thought the base DEX bonus on a Tower Shield was 2. Glad to know I can save a couple of APs.

Max paly aura is 6 for a dos III

Halfling can give +3 for up to 5 minutes.

You also gain 5 ac from blocking.

You can get another 2 ac from the stalwart ToD set. Outside of that you are looking at more dex being the only way. The max dex you can get as a human in fp is 10, but you arent going to like what it takes to get that

Now obviously having a halfling with maxed buff, dos III paly, bard, ranger, boost, and blocking are temporary buffs, im just giving you all the numbers.

Good points.

What would be the minimum self-buffed AC I would need to have on myself? I don't really expect every Paladin near me to have the highest AC aura possible (mine sure doesn't).

The only thing you really gain on this build over a pure fighter is evasion. I would consider a way to build youre reflex save and drop the fp to take advantage of that. You are also going to have issues with your will save, its woefully low. Make sure you arent intimidating around casters who will exploit that.

Took the Rogue for UMD, though I guess I could drop that... Always been iffy with a lack of UMD.

One last thing, make sure your hp are high enough, horoth throws 500+ point disintegrates on failed saves

I think I can get to over 500, 344 as shown there (base), +30 for Greater False Life, +20 for Minos, +60 for +6 CON item, +20 for Litany = 474 standing. With single Madstone Rage, I'll go to 514.

Does that work or will I need more Toughness enhancements?

Once again these are just my opinions, and this build may suit your gameplay well. Hopefully I have pointed out a thing or two that will make you think, and you can either be confident in the choices you are making or you can adapt your build accordingly.

Thanks for your input. I'm not very knowledgeable about building a tank, so the help here is greatly appreciated.

[Quikster]

I want the build to work in harder content, otherwise I won't be all that happy with it.



True, I did start out INT pretty high. I took the Rogue splash for UMD, and with only one skill point per level away at 14 starting INT to be able to max those skills, I pushed it up a little bit.

I guess you'd suggest a higher CHA with Force of Personality?
Thats one way, you can also go higher con, or higher dex and twf instead, doesnt matter really

Well, I took Rogue for the UMD as a class skill and the Sneak Attack. Can I really get by with no Sneak Attack?

If you plan on having agro, you wont get any sa anyway right? With gear, sf umd, and some points into cha you can get a vaible umd as well. Its just a little harder

Is it really possible to get an AC that high in Light Armour or no Armour for Evasion to work? o_O I can see with a Monk splash, but wouldn't I need to focus a lot more on DEX/WIS then? You would need more dex yes, but you should be able to get close, but yeah not quite as high. Id have to run the numbers.



Thanks, I'll have a look at this when I post an updated version to see if I can hit all the important ones.



Oh, I thought the base DEX bonus on a Tower Shield was 2. Glad to know I can save a couple of APs.




Good points.

What would be the minimum self-buffed AC I would need to have on myself? I don't really expect every Paladin near me to have the highest AC aura possible (mine sure doesn't).

I think Mr. Wizard gets about 75 ish with a shield iirc

Took the Rogue for UMD, though I guess I could drop that... Always been iffy with a lack of UMD.



I think I can get to over 500, 344 as shown there (base), +30 for Greater False Life, +20 for Minos, +60 for +6 CON item, +20 for Litany = 474 standing. With single Madstone Rage, I'll go to 514.

Does that work or will I need more Toughness enhancements?

You will want a little more, but stalwart stance adds +4 con, another 40hp with yugoloth favor pot, and another 45 with a shroud item if you can fit it in. You can always take the enhancements then respec out of em when you get more gear.

Thanks for your input. I'm not very knowledgeable about building a tank, so the help here is greatly appreciated.

In red. I dont think it needs a total rework to be solid, you are pretty close here, just need to drop one focus imo (trapping, intimi, ac, umd, dps) and adjust a bit. Also with reincarnation if you make a few mistakes (or realize later they are mistakes) its simply not as big of a deal.

[Maetrim]

Yup, I pretty much agree with almost everything Quickster has to say. You have too much int, 12 or 14 is fine to start with as eitehr way you can qualify for CE. I would put the points into either dex and/or cha. With a starting dex of 14, with a +2 and a single point during level up you can qualify to take all the TWF line which gives you a secondary tanking option when not in s&b mode. Or you could take the THF line and aim for that epic SoS.

My tank has a standing AC of 65 atm, missing 3 from the chattering ring (lost a roll last night to a wizard who wanted one) and 2 from dex (needs to upgrade some epic armour with +2 max dex bonus). Once I get my +4 dex tome I should hit the 28 dex required to get he full +9 dex bonus (+10 if you went epic red dragon plate and eeked your dex to 30 - but ouch thats hard).

Anyway, most of this kind of stuff is detailed in the post I did about my tank which can be found here in the forum. A few of the details posted are slightly out of date (like trying to use teh daggertooth belt) but they have relevant comments from others and updated posts later correcting the issues raised.

Its a pretty solid build that can self buff to 77AC (78 with haste ;p), and can hit 90+ AC raid buffed (without turtling). 76 self buffed initimidate which should peak at 79 with missing items and tomes, which in theoiry gets everything in the game on a 1 at this time.

That said, any of MrWizard and Quickers builds are equally viable and are well worth checking out.

[krud]

I also agree with quickster, the starting int is too high; 12 or 14 is plenty. I would just put a few points into open lock, and stopped there with the rogue skills. Putting those points into Cha will help both your umd and intimidate score, and if you take force of personality, your will saves as well (and you can totally neglect wisdom). You could drop iron will for fop if you don't want to substitute something else. Since you are only taking the first tier human intimidate enhancement, there is really no point in taking the greater dragonmark (or even the lesser one). I would try to get both weapon spec feats instead for more dps. The tactical feats don't seem to work as well at higher levels, so those could be substituted if needed.

I have found the tumble skill to be very useful on my intimitank. He's only SD2, so he moves very slowly in stance. A high tumble helps me get around much faster. When hit with a tumble spell, I can tumble almost as fast as I can run (i'm able to leap in all directions).

Monk splash for evasion is nice, but with all the fighter feats, i'd prefer rogue for the umd. Monk does get the tenacious badger enhancement for another +1 to intimidate, though.

[Quikster]

Monk prolly wouldnt be worth it as it only adds the feats and not the skills the OP is looking for.

Both previous posters bring up somthing I want to address, the fighting style (and the previous poster the dragonmarks). The op stated they wanted to take advantage of two things, 1. the bump to s&b with bastard swords, and 2. the epic bastard sword with the dragonmark boosts (the name escapes me and its late). So I believe the OP would need to take the THF line to max 1 and the dragonmarks to get the benefits of 2.

While I personally wouldnt do it, I dont see it as being a horrible option, but after some time the OP will prolly end up changing if they like the build, as its simply to hard to hold agro s&b against frenzied barbs, tempest rangers, and kotc palys without using intimidate, which isnt always the best method (i know mr wizard disagrees).

Not to bash on intimitanks, they are viable, but to be a truly end game tank one needs to be able to hate tank imo. However, it takes a lot of gear and grind to get there, so in the meantime, have fun with the epic bastard sword

[krud]

While I personally wouldnt do it, I dont see it as being a horrible option, but after some time the OP will prolly end up changing if they like the build, as its simply to hard to hold agro s&b against frenzied barbs, tempest rangers, and kotc palys without using intimidate, which isnt always the best method (i know mr wizard disagrees).
....but to be a truly end game tank one needs to be able to hate tank imo

I've heard quite a bit of discussion that the hate generation in both of the third tier defender lines is broken. I can't confirm it one way or another, but +200% should be able to keep up. That's why I always suggest that every fighter intimitank pick up the gr weapon spec feats for more dps.

[Quikster]

I've heard quite a bit of discussion that the hate generation in both of the third tier defender lines is broken. I can't confirm it one way or another, but +200% should be able to keep up. That's why I always suggest that every fighter intimitank pick up the gr weapon spec feats for more dps.

I dunno. You lose attacks attack sequence and swings per attack atm. Maybe if the glancing blows are significant, but for a good group I highly doubt it. Definitely not the way the game currently is, maybe if they fix hate stances and add big damage to glancing blows.

[AylinIsAwesome]

Yeah, I'm not expecting to grab aggro in S&B mode except through Intimidate. When that's not the best option, I'll switch to a 2-hander.

From what I know, the extra hate from the stances are broken, which makes me sad.

[emptysands]

Is it really possible to get an AC that high in Light Armour or no Armour for Evasion to work? o_O I can see with a Monk splash, but wouldn't I need to focus a lot more on DEX/WIS then?

The best way to get high AC with an evasion build is go Warforged. The problem is that after Mithral Breastplate +5 there is no growth. The swing between Mithral Body with Dragontouch Docent and Dragontouch Leather is -4. Even epic light armor is -3 behind an epic red scale docent.

I've done some build analysis that might be interesting.