The Catalyst. Pure Fighter Epic Tank

[Blue_wizards]

The Catalyst. Pure Fighter Epic Tank.

Trained and geared to face the deadliest of foes this machine of war shimmers with overwhelming malice and wow that no foe can withstand and whose magnitude can only be contended by its own rare and powerful absorption of the divine healing. The Catalyst will shake the heart of the heartless and beat the unbeatable god avatars as he withstands punishment few others can and magnifies to the extreme the aid of his supporters. The existence of the Catalyst will quicken the demise of all who stand in his and his allies' way.

The Catalyst is a max hate, max heal amp, no fail intim, sturdy damage mitigation specialist tank build with a very decent dps mode. This build has no ac focus, its design is intended to hold agro while mitigating incoming damage and making it really easy for the healers to keep him going.

This is the build used for tanking the World Record Epic Lord of Blades speed run (19 minutes).
The guide for tanking epic lord of blades and a link for the video of the speed run can be found at http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=359765.

• 271% heal amp
• 325% to 525% hate (depending on obsession proc and intimidate, both of which are easy enough to keep up most of the time)
• 83 intimidate (no fail for everything)
• Over 1000 hp
• Typically 25% damage mitigation (+27 dr when shield bashing).
• 50 str while tanking, 52 str in dps mode.
• No need to have the stars aligned for this tank to work. A couple of specced scroll healers will suffice for epic raids, using spell points to heal this tank will rarely be needed.

Note:
This build incorporates a lot of GS, raid loot and epic loot some of which are very hard to obtain. It also relies on +3 tomes. Not a build for those without virtual means.

34 point build Half Elf pure Fighter (fighter past life)
Chose Helf for the human adaptability, social skills, monk dillatante, and human improved recovery.

This build uses improved shield bash to great effect. Due to twink gear, rather high strength, max hate gear and no fail intimidate you can hold agro shield bashing alone vs well geared dps toons (if those toons d not use hate gear). Against epicly geared dps toons with hate gear (claw set) you will have to alternate shield bashing with swinging your main hand.
Due to the nature of this build I've taken khopesh and Bludgeoning weapons feats over bustard sword and THF feats.



Gear setup (Tank mode):
Goggles : +6 cha skills gs goggles.
Helm : Epic helm of frost slotted with GFL.
Necklace : Stalwart necklace.
Trinket : Epic Brawn spirits slotted with +1 exceptional str.
Cloak : Epic Envenomed Cloak slotted with toughness.
Belt : +45 hp gs belt.
Ring1 : Cinder's band (with +20% heal amp).
Gloves : Epic gloves of the claw.
Boots : Epic Boots of Corrosion slotted with Good luck and +6 dex.
Ring 2 : Upgraded Circle of Hatred.
Bracers : Epic Bracers of the Claw.
Armor : Fleshshapers Brigandine (with obsession).

Gear setup (DPS mode):
Goggles : +45 hp gs goggles.
Helm : Epic helm of frost slotted with GFL.
Necklace : Shintao cord
Trinket : Litany of The Dead
Cloak : Epic Envenomed Cloak slotted with toughness.
Belt : Colethenis belt (ravager set) // Epic spare hand for tactics.
Ring1 : Kyosho's ring (with +20% heal amp).
Gloves : Epic gloves of the claw.
Boots : Epic Boots of Corrosion slotted with Good luck and +6 dex.
Ring 2 : Ring of The Ravager (with +2 exceptional strength)
Bracers : Epic Bracers of the Claw.
Armor : Epic Marilith Chain for dps// Epic Denith heavy chain for tactics.

Weapon sets:
Epic SoS slotted with aligned planes (Don't really need to elaborate on this one).

Terror (Extremely useful especially in conjunction with improved sunder).

Alchemical Air-Fire-Air GA (stunning trash)

Levik's defender + Min2 kopesh/lit2 khopesh when turteling non construct non devils.

+5 HB of GCB tower shield + khopesh (large guild augment slots slotted with health and accuracy). Can be scrolled with adi weapons to break LoB dr.

+5 HB of GCB adamantine tower shield + khopesh. Use this set when an arti is in the group and can hit you with deadly weapons.

+5 HB of GEOB mithril tower shield (mithril breaks silver dr) and +5 HB of GEOB silver khopesh.


STARTING STATS:

Str :18
Con :16
Cha :14
Wis :10
Dex :8
Int :8

Supreme +3 tome used.

Str breakdown:

Str (DPS mode):
18 (base)
5 (level up points)
3 (exceptional)
3 (tome)
2 (ship)
6 (stance)
4 (enhancements)
6 (item)
2 (yugo pot)
3 (3 piece abishai set)
Total at 52

Str (Tank mode):
52
-2 Exceptional str (replacing ring of the ravager with circle of hatred)
Total at 50

CON breakdown:

16 (base)
3 (exceptional)
3 (tome)
2 (ship)
6 (stance)
1 (enhancements)
7 (item)
2 (yugo pot)
Total: 40

CHA breakdown:
14 (base)
3 (tome)
2 (ship)
7 (item)
2 (yugo pot)
Total: 28


Tank/DPS mode stats at 20 with ship buffs and yugo pots

STR:50/52
CON:40/40
CHA:28/29
DEX:20/19
INT:12/14
WIS:14/20

HEAL AMP BREAKDOWN

100% base
10% Ship buff
10% Fleshshapers brigandine.
20% Human improved recovery (Half Elf line)
20% Half Elf improved recovery (Monk dilettante)
20% Tod ring incredible potential
30% Gloves of the claw
Total at 271% heal amp.

Playing with some numbers SCROLL HEALING a tier 4 scroll and wand mastery
Cleric/fvs will heal you for 462 hp
Bard/rouge will heal you for 521 hp
Artificer will heal you for 711 hp


HIT POINTS BREAKDOWN

200 base
10 divine vitality
20 heroic durability
20 toughness
30 greater false life
132 toughness feat x 6
70 enhancements
45 gs hp item
20 yugo pot secondary effect
300 constitution (including stance and yugo primary effect)
847
Times 1.2 (stance)
TOTAL: 1016 SUSTAINABLE
Using large guild health augment 20
10% from artificer life infusion/toven cookie
1127 with arti buff and specific LoB tanking shield.

HATE BREAKDOWN:

100% base
75% stance
75% using shield in stance
10% brawn spirits
15% Stalwart tod set
20% Claw set
30% Circle of hatred
325% standing
100% Intimidating with a shield
100% Obsession proc (Easy to maintain while hasted and using S&B, harder to do just shield bashing)
525% Max hate gen

INTIMIDATE BREAKDOWN:
23 ranks
9 charisma
4 enhancements
2 past life fighter
6 stance
4 gh
2 luck
20 brawn spirits
6 gs
5 gloves of the claw
2 Coin lord favor
Total 83

FEATS:
Coin lord finishing school
Exotic weapon proficiency khopesh
Weapon focus bludgeon
Weapon spec bludgeon
Greater weapon spec bludgeon
Stunning blow
I.C. slashing
Improved shield bash
Shield mastery
Improved Shield mastery
Past life student of the sword
Power attack
Toughness x 6

ENHANCEMENTS:

Armor class boost 3
Fighter haste boost 1
Fighter capstone
Stalwart defender 3
Fighter improved flanking 2
Human adaptability STR
Human greater adaptability CON
Human improved recovery 2
Half Elf improved recovery 2
Fighter item defense 3
Racial toughness 3
Improved intimidate 4
Fighter str 3
Fighter toughness 4
Fighter improved sunder 1

Some would prefer to lose Fighter toughness 4, improved flanking 2 and improved sunder in order to take Haste boost 4. Personally I like both options and switch around occasionally.

Thank you for reading, any constructive comments are welcomed.

My Toons:
Goldmooon, Goodthings, Goodtings, Lichlordd, Catalyster,Blackart

[Lillith87]

Love it! (Zen btw)

[Blue_wizards]

Love it! (Zen btw)

Thx Zen :-)
P.S. get your other toons flagged, there are no alcs for the lazy ;-)

[KyrzaBladedancer]

Very nice Gold, few things I would do differently, but that's preference and not substance. It doesn't get much better than this.

PS. Next time I get to heal you, I'm bringing my Cure Crit Wands and that's all you're gonna get!

[Blue_wizards]

Very nice Gold, few things I would do differently, but that's preference and not substance. It doesn't get much better than this.

PS. Next time I get to heal you, I'm bringing my Cure Crit Wands and that's all you're gonna get!

That's very generous of you, some people would do no more than whip out their eternal wand. I didn't know i mean so much to you buddy :-)

[protokon]

I like it.

I do have a request though - can you do a stats breakdown/ build projection that does not include a +3 supreme? just to make it easier for folks who want to replicate it and don't have one of these lieing around

[Blue_wizards]

I like it.

I do have a request though - can you do a stats breakdown/ build projection that does not include a +3 supreme? just to make it easier for folks who want to replicate it and don't have one of these lieing around

Thank you for your reply.

Sure, I'd love to:

For no available +3 tomes I would go with starting stats:
STR: 17 (18 original : +3 ability points)
CON:17 (16 original : -3 ability points)
CHA:13 (14 original : +1 ability point)
WIS:11 (10 original : -1 ability point)
INT:8
DEX:8

If you take into account all projected stats take a -1 hit due to replacing +3 tomes with +2 tomes you'll find that the abilities I've decremented will suffer a total of -2 (str and cha) and the abilities I've incremented will stay the same (con and wis).

Int will still be 11 with brawn spirits, +2 tome and ship buff and so will allow the usage of silver flame pots.
Dex will take a hit to its modifier.

Final stats will be:

Tankps
STR:48/50
CON:40/40
CHA:26/27
DEX:18/19
INT:11/13
WIS:13/19

Total loss:
-1 modifier str
-1 modifier cha
-1 modifier dex for dps mode only
-1 modifier wis

Intimidate will be 82 instead of 83 which might still be no fail.
I never failed it on an 83.
I've failed it on a 81 once (forgot to swap striding boots for Epic boots of corrosion with gl slotted in them)
A guildie of mine runs with 82 and hasn't encountered a failed intim however he did not notice if he ever rolled a 1 (chances are he did).

If it is crucial to get 83 you can swap Past life student of sword with Skill focus intimidate and get an extra +1 cha skills there. You'd be losing +1 combat DC's and 3x1 minute stacking clickie of +4 to hit per rest.
Alternatively a 36 point build will not have this problem (planed my stats with 34 points).

All n all, lack of +3 tomes definitely do not break the build :-)

[maddmatt70]

What do you think of 18 fighter 2 paladin or 18 fighter 2 monk instead. The reason for those two builds vs. the pure fighter is better saves or slightly better saves and evasion. Nice build though regardless. Half-Elves for the win.

[Blue_wizards]

What do you think of 18 fighter 2 paladin or 18 fighter 2 monk instead. The reason for those two builds vs. the pure fighter is better saves or slightly better saves and evasion. Nice build though regardless. Half-Elves for the win.

Thx for your reply Norg,

I wouldn't consider monks since the gear setup I used would suffer too much. Can still have the obsession proc on a different (light) armor but would lose disintegration guard and 10% heal amp in tank mode and would lose Epic Mari chain in dps mode in order to have evasion.

Regarding Pali splash, 2 levels of pali have their merit. Would get +11 fort/+9 ref/ +9 will to saves (or +10/+8/+8 if no +3 tomes) but would lose 1 feat, fighter capstone, would need to upgrade the LoTD and would gain a negative level while using the Epic Mari chain.

It's a matter of personal preference I guess. The reason I didn't splash pali is due to the gear setup and MO this build uses. Losing 10% melee alacrity can be roughly compared to losing 10% dps. That dps lost is multiplied by 3.25 to 5.25 in terms of hate generation for this build. You'd also lose something that is harder to measure which is Obsession proc. You get a chance for 15 seconds of +100% hate every time you perform a successful melee attack. So potentially losing 10% alacrity may also cause losing a lot more hate generation.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Wouldn't IC:B be more DPS than GWS:B?

Great build

[Blue_wizards]

Wouldn't IC:B be more DPS than GWS:B?

Great build

Regardless if it does or doesn't (Depending on the fortification I think it at least breaks even, first number is around 50 and then you have the extra holy damage when using HB) I would have taken it in order to max my shield bashing damage. However I was sorely disappointed to find out that IC:B doesn't work on shields. Not sure if this is intended or not.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Regardless if it does or doesn't (Depending on the fortification I think it at least breaks even, first number is around 50 and then you have the extra holy damage when using HB) I would have taken it in order to max my shield bashing damage. However I was sorely disappointed to find out that IC:B doesn't work on shields. Not sure if this is intended or not.

Bug report it and submit a thread to the lammania bug report forum

[Shadowaras]

very nice built m8..
I went with 18/2monk on my half elf stalwart cause wanted the evasion .Got him 3xmonk,2xpal,1xbbn past lifes b4 finilize bulit and equipped him with..

Epic brawns
Epic abi set helm,cloak,boots
Epic claw set
Epic spare hand (+5 on sunder is sweet,dblstrike is bonus )
tod stalwart set (+2 str sloted)
tod ring2 dex +7/20%heal amp
parasitic +10 reflex (i made obsesion 1 also but never found occasion that needed more hate so i dont use it)
tanking t3 adamantine(devils ruin slot) alch tower fire (seeker)/earth(con +2)/air +epic chimeras fang(demons ruin)
dps esos(devil ruin) ,terror,eaga(good) with epic bloodstone

didnt bother with crafted weaps since i have much eda augments to keep weap slotted like that which pretty much covers everything ..(need adam for elob but even wihtout arti u can scroll cast with umd)

went with 3x dragonmarks for chimeras and thf line ..which seems to come out well both for tanking extra dps is enough to keep hate from almost anything ,and for dps since is nice for the esos.
i stand without arti buff at 1090 hp (got bbn dilettante for max hp ,put leveling ability points in str )

[Blue_wizards]

very nice built m8..
I went with 18/2monk on my half elf stalwart cause wanted the evasion .Got him 3xmonk,2xpal,1xbbn past lifes b4 finilize bulit and equipped him with..

Epic brawns
Epic abi set helm,cloak,boots
Epic claw set
Epic spare hand (+5 on sunder is sweet,dblstrike is bonus )
tod stalwart set (+2 str sloted)
tod ring2 dex +7/20%heal amp
parasitic +10 reflex (i made obsesion 1 also but never found occasion that needed more hate so i dont use it)
tanking t3 adamantine(devils ruin slot) alch tower fire (seeker)/earth(con +2)/air +epic chimeras fang(demons ruin)
dps esos(devil ruin) ,terror,eaga(good) with epic bloodstone

didnt bother with crafted weaps since i have much eda augments to keep weap slotted like that which pretty much covers everything ..(need adam for elob but even wihtout arti u can scroll cast with umd)

went with 3x dragonmarks for chimeras and thf line ..which seems to come out well both for tanking extra dps is enough to keep hate from almost anything ,and for dps since is nice for the esos.
i stand without arti buff at 1090 hp (got bbn dilettante for max hp ,put leveling ability points in str )

Thx for commenting Shadow :-)

Your build must be fun with evasion and high saves and of course it works, I've seen it :-) I miss the +10 sunder efang has but i still prefer crafted weapons, mostly due to my fighting style (which consists mostly of shield bashing).

[-Zephyr-]

Hey Good
I truly love your build, but I do have a little question for you.

Since you're not going to TWF at all, why did you go with Khopeshes ? If you had them from before your TR (I don't remember seeing you with any before, mostly your big epic sword ) it could be a reason... But for S&B, I thought bastard swords were better ? Simply because of the glancing blows. And those would have benefited from the THF line if you had taken it as well (lose ~66 HP + 20% from stance for more DPS/aggro ?).

Even without the THF line, it seems a little and easy change : replace khop proficiency by BS proficiency, and re-craft your toys with cannith crafting (you didn't craft any GS/alchemical since you have eSoS, did you ?)

I'm looking forward to building as well, slowly piling on gear... By the time I'm done, tha game may well be changed a lot and this build not viable/needed anymore, but oh well !

[Blue_wizards]

Hey Good
I truly love your build, but I do have a little question for you.

Since you're not going to TWF at all, why did you go with Khopeshes ? If you had them from before your TR (I don't remember seeing you with any before, mostly your big epic sword ) it could be a reason... But for S&B, I thought bastard swords were better ? Simply because of the glancing blows. And those would have benefited from the THF line if you had taken it as well (lose ~66 HP + 20% from stance for more DPS/aggro ?).

Even without the THF line, it seems a little and easy change : replace khop proficiency by BS proficiency, and re-craft your toys with cannith crafting (you didn't craft any GS/alchemical since you have eSoS, did you ?)

I'm looking forward to building as well, slowly piling on gear... By the time I'm done, tha game may well be changed a lot and this build not viable/needed anymore, but oh well !

Hi buddy and thank you for commenting! :-)

Cata is a very very old toon. He started out as a TWF bard (with lit and min 2 khopeshes). Then he got his sos shard and went Kensai chanter 14/6. However going for khopesh was not due to haveing them allready.

E fang is pretty sweet however by itself (not including glancing blows) it produces less dps then a crafted +5 HB of GCB Khopesh. If no one in the party is using destruction/imp. destruction then the +4 to hit from greater bane evens out with E fang's destruction (from the tank's perspective). If someone is using destruction then the crafted weapon gains another advantage. That's why I chose Khop over E. fang.

The reason i didn't go THF is twofold. First of all the idea of my build is to generate max hate (which in a way enables the party to do max dps) and use that hate to allow myself to shield block the majority of the fight. So no sense wasting feats for a weapon i'm using maybe 20% of the time. The other reason is that i twitch fight when using my Esos and so again no benefit from THF.

Please please build this buddy or something in the neigbourhood! Having another geared tank in the hands of a great player such as your self would be awesome :-)

My toons:
Goldmooon, Goodthings, Goodtings, Lichlordd, Catalyster, Blackart

[aggressive49]

STARTING STATS:
Wis :10
Supreme +3 tome used.
20% Half Elf improved recovery (Monk dilettante)

Can you get a feat swap at level 11 when the +3 is applied? because of the required 13 wisdom, just wondering if the wisdom is applied at the feat swap because its a level one feat or w/e.

[Blue_wizards]

STARTING STATS:
Wis :10
Supreme +3 tome used.
20% Half Elf improved recovery (Monk dilettante)

Can you get a feat swap at level 11 when the +3 is applied? because of the required 13 wisdom, just wondering if the wisdom is applied at the feat swap because its a level one feat or w/e.

Yes, you can swap the dilli feat later on after leveling pass 11 or at cap.
Using pally dilli for leveling up is actually pretty nice and then when you cap and get your epic gear you can respec to monk dilli. That's what i did

[SensaiRyu]

The Catalyst. Pure Fighter Epic Tank.
[Snip]

34 point build Half Elf pure Fighter (fighter past life)
Chose Helf for the human adaptability, social skills, monk dillatante, and human improved recovery.
[Snip]

STARTING STATS:

Str :18
Con :16
Cha :14
Wis :10
Dex :8
Int :8
[Snip]

Monk dilly feat requires 13 wisdom.

What does monk dilly give you?

Otoh I like the build. Very nice healing amp and hate gen numbers.

[Faent]

Monk dilly feat requires 13 wisdom.

What does monk dilly give you?

Otoh I like the build. Very nice healing amp and hate gen numbers.

Healing amp.