Let's build a FvS tank!

[FuzzyDuck81]

In the official "lets talk..." threads..

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=357100 over 50 pages so far though so bit of a read.. still looks like some interesting stuff will be coming

[XavierElanor]

Yep, I'm hoping DD will work well with the ideas I have for the FvT end build.

[fedechicco]

The new dwarven PrE will be something we could effectively use to build odd-tanks.

I'll come back with a new build when we know something more about it, it'll probably be next moth.

I don't feel allright losing the DR to take a level of pally/fighter/rog just to get intimidation, so the build will probably have a very low intimidation skill...

That means i'll have to work more on DoT, as some of the builds you guys posted do.

Feel free to submit builds (+ gear), as the gear will make the difference between a normal FvS and this tank.

[korsat]

I think this could work, you need at least the anathema ring, the torc of prince rayum and an epic shield(kundarak is the best) with 12dr.
I think you will be able to tank suulo on normal without heals just keeping dots on him, for horo normal+ or suulo hard+ you will need another healer to heal you while you keep dots up.
I can say that because I do so on my wizard...

If we will really have defender enhancments for free on dwarf and wf then tank with casters will be much more efficient and a lot of fun!

Btw remember that some overgeared toon with eclaw set and such can dps more than you with dots...

[XavierElanor]

I cannot see the hate from Anathema alone being enough to hold aggro in other than ideal situations which is why I went with intim. IF DD gives enough bonuses to intim, and its got to make up a lot, I'll consider making a pure build if not I'm sticking with the splash as I'd also lose 2 feats without it.

[korsat]

I cannot see the hate from Anathema alone being enough to hold aggro in other than ideal situations which is why I went with intim. IF DD gives enough bonuses to intim, and its got to make up a lot, I'll consider making a pure build if not I'm sticking with the splash as I'd also lose 2 feats without it.

dps will hold aggro...400 damage/2sec, over 1000 on crit. This is boosted +25%
but yes... being able to keep aggro with intimidate would be awesome if you can reach the dc

[DaDolo]

I have seen a FVS tank Epic Lord of Blades, Elite Tower of Despair, Elite Vision of Destruction, and multiple other raids/quests. Capstone heal+healing amp+con opp+Torc+HP= Very survivable and easy tank that can pretty much self heal through those raids. Look up Lotusfly, he tanked elob multiple times. Healings, Zoesha, and Myriad have done similiar. All on Cannith

[FooWonk]

° Starting with 11 CHA is enough for favored soul...(21 CHA with +2 tome, +6 item, +2 capstone)

° Shield Mastery is great. Improved Shield Mastery is okay. I'm not going to bother with the latter on a FvS.

° Get Shield Mastery early.

° Use the best shields available for shield mastery & blocking DR:
—> Level 1-6: Battered Phiarlan Shield
—> Level 7-13: +5 Master Craftsmanship Mithral Heavy with Guild Slot
—> Level 14+: Madstone or Levik's

° Craft a conc-opp long sword and accessory!

° Let's get Torcs for Snemeis and Arrwn!

° Demonic Shield is awesome (available on Cavalry Plate or Bracers of the Demon Consort).

° Here is how I establish aggro with Arrwn:
—> activate superior radiance
—> enable auto-attack
—> cast max-power divine punishment
—> cast max-power holy smite
—> cast max-power searing light
—> cast max-power nimbus of light

° Maintaining aggro while shield blocking:
—> turn off auto-attack
—> keep divine punishment stacked (be certain of facing before casting)
—> keep your shoulder cannon out
—> wear a positive guard item (e.g., http://goo.gl/k6t1P)
—> get another AoV's crown
—> repeat steps in establishing aggro as necessary

° Use hate gear for +35% spell hate & +45% melee hate:
—> +25% from Anathema (http://ddowiki.com/page/Anathema)
—> +20% from Levik's Defender 2 piece
—> +15% from Tier 1 Brigand Cutlas (http://ddowiki.com/page/Epic_Brigand...utlass_(Tier_1))
—> +10% from Draconic Ring & Necklace

High DC isn't absolutely essential to establishing aggro with FvS spells (holy smite has a will save for 1/2 damage). I'd still suggest high wisdom just for the ease of soloing with blade barrier kiting. Heighten is the single best feat for a FvS to take for increasing DC's. I'd suggest fitting it in if you're go the wisdom route.

[fedechicco]

—> Level 14+: Madstone or Levik's

(...)

° Craft a conc-opp long sword and accessory!

° Let's get Torcs for Snemeis and Arrwn!

Hey man!
Levik's a towershield, isn't it better to go lorrik? I have the levik, but I won't be proficient in that case...

Torcs all the way! I'm slowing crawling my way to the 20th run to get it in the reward, i do hope i'll get it...
We gotta run that raid more often, I agree...

Otherwise, conc-opp on the sword? Wouldn't it be better to have a plain old min2 sword and some conc-opp goggles? I really don't know, my STR is going to be dump anyway, why even bother hitting something?

And again: I don't know if i'd prefer to go enough CHA, max CON and rest in STR to DPS when I solo.
This way I could get aggro better maybe.

Still the other option is offensive caster: enough CHA, max WIS and rest in CON, maybe less HP but I could cast like a real FvS instead of swinging like a mediocre DPS.

[good_ole_corwin]

Levik's a towershield, isn't it better to go lorrik? I have the levik, but I won't be proficient in that case...

-6 to hit when youre not proficient. If youre just gonna turtle up and cast, you dont care about attack bonus. On the other hand you get 5 percentage points more dmg absorption from shield mastery and a 1% chance of getting a heal everytime youre hit with a Levik, Lorrik gives you nothing besides being a shield.

Otherwise, conc-opp on the sword? Wouldn't it be better to have a plain old min2 sword and some conc-opp goggles? I really don't know, my STR is going to be dump anyway, why even bother hitting something?

Weapons can have healing amp.

[FooWonk]

Hey man!
Levik's a towershield, isn't it better to go lorrik? I have the levik, but I won't be proficient in that case...

Levik's provides free heals & 5% damage absorption.

If you want to actually hit things while using a tower shield, Madstone Shield is the way to go. It's 3 less DR than Lorrik's, but you should get that back in from the 5% damage absorption.

Otherwise, conc-opp on the sword? Wouldn't it be better to have a plain old min2 sword and some conc-opp goggles? I really don't know, my STR is going to be dump anyway, why even bother hitting something?

Arrwn uses the scimitar equivalent of http://goo.gl/QYS7a with Madstone Shield. With weapon and accessory, SP recovery is much faster than with accessory alone.

Also with the crown, that conc-opp isn't terrible DPS. A Mournlode longsword would be a better option for DPS'ing than Min2.

And again: I don't know if i'd prefer to go enough CHA, max CON and rest in STR to DPS when I solo.
This way I could get aggro better maybe.

Still the other option is offensive caster: enough CHA, max WIS and rest in CON, maybe less HP but I could cast like a real FvS instead of swinging like a mediocre DPS.

Arrwn's first life was as favored soul with 36 STR. After playing a real melee (Nijasapayi), I immediately LR'ed Arrwn to max WIS. Melee damage plummeted but overall awesome went through the roof.

Arrwn still can buff to-hit high enough to land hits against most epic mobs on 2 or greater. This life, I rarely bother with melee in epics though.

Re: HP w/o max CON:

260 - 36 CON (18 base + 3 tome + 3 exceptional + 7 item + 1 enhancement + 2 rage + 2 ship)
160 - Favored Soul
030 - Favored Soul Toughness III
030 - Dwarven Toughness III
023 - Toughness
040 - Epic Cavalry Plate
020 - Toughness Item
010 - Draconic Vitality
045 - Shroud Item
010 - Guild HP Crystal
===
618 HP

If you fully invest in CON & HP enhancements, there's 698 HP possible without getting another Toughness feat.

[fedechicco]

Let's continue the game:

in the very remote hypothesis that true AC is possible on FvS, what's the maximum attainable AC while shield blocking on a pure lvl20 FvS?

And what could it be on a 19FvS/1mnk splash?

Don't be cheap on equipment, i collected quite a lot of AC gear in the past lives, and i could collect more.
Just don't mention epic equipment please, this is a completionist situation, i'd like to stay at lvl20 as little as possible.