THF 18/2 Paladin tank, reference post

[FrozenNova]

Build by request.
A 28pt 18 paladin / 2 fighter tank with no tome requirements.
No feats to dedicate to AC, this will rely on 80+ PRR for 35%+ damage mitigation alongside any AC scraped together from equipment. Quickened maximized cures with fair healing amp (between 1.7 and 2.45) means external healing is rarely required in quests and it can take care of itself for a while during a tanking emergency.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.12.02
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Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(2 Fighter \ 18 Paladin) 
Hit Points: 302
Spell Points: 230 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 21
Reflex: 9
Will: 9

                  Starting          
Abilities        Base Stats         
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          
Strength             16             
Dexterity             8             
Constitution         16             
Intelligence         10             
Wisdom                8             
Charisma             14             

Level 1 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness


Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 5 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 6 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery


Level 7 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


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


Level 11 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 15 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 17 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 18 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 19 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)

This build would be likely to TR at 20. The 34pt version would continue into epic taking improved shield mastery and epic toughness, making use of the 45 bonus PRR found in unyielding sentinel.

[Carpone]

Not really a fan of the THF line for tanking with a Bastard Sword. I've run the Dark Knight 18 Paladin/2 Fighter build through 20 eLOBs prior to U14 and consider that to be superior for tanking. I wouldn't even think of running EE LOB with it now, considering DoS can't hit the Intimidate mark.

[FrozenNova]

With no THF line, you get 20% base damage glancing blows on 2 out of 4 swings.
With THF line, you get 50% base damage glancing blows on 3 out of 4 swings.
40% base damage over 4 swings versus 150% base damage out of 4 swings - or, 10% extra base damage per swing versus 37.5% extra base damage per swing.
..Which, granted, is not huge for a one-hander. However, compared to the dragonmarks which function only for one specific weapon (which, to the player, may be somewhat wishful thinking to obtain), the marks add +4 hit/dam, some incite, some intim, some fort, and superior parrying. The THF line still adds a fair bit more damage, there are other sources of incite, and unyielding sentinel provides a nice toy for agro management in the form of intolerant blow. The slot consolidation is nice, but in this case I don't think they beat out 27.5% extra base damage per swing when using all the animations in either tanking or two handed mode.

As for intim, I suppose the build will have to resign itself to not being able to intimidate epic elite lord of blades this life. There are worse fates.

[Carpone]

With no THF line, you get 20% base damage glancing blows on 2 out of 4 swings.
With THF line, you get 50% base damage glancing blows on 3 out of 4 swings.

I'm familiar with glancing blows, as I completed more than 300 raids as a barbarian with the full THF line. Paladin tanks are simply too feat starved to take the THF line.