Fighter/Barb Dwarven Stalwart 36pt build tank, advice from vets.

[bward76]

Just started my 6th life toward completionist and want some veterans advice about my build. I chose fighter since I will be using a Stone of experience and feel the fighter life will be the most slow going and I have never played a HP tank. Build is basically a dwarf hit point, AC & damage absorbing tank. I am currently 4th level and have already messed up my stats after realizing I wanted to get whirlwind attack now that it does 4[w] damage. I want to Max HPs taking toughness every time possible, but also wanted to squeeze in whirlwind attack when I stone up to 16th lvl. I should have lowered con or str by 1 point so that I could increase int/dex to take combat reflex/dodge earlier. As a result I had to put 1 lvl up point into INT at 4th lvl so I could use a fighter feat for combat reflex and get my whirlwind by 16th (this also cost me one of my toughness feats when I take spring attack at 15th). I wonder if I can still use the free Lessor Reincarnation even though I just TR'd a few days ago?

Highlights:
Hit Points: 1156 with stance and rage, considerably more with Epic destiny levels.
Barb splash: speed/sprint, (3) 3minute rages (includes past life barb), & extra con point
Stalwart III to be in stance as much as possible plus raging at fight times (you can rage and stance at same time, right?)
Damage Mitigation: High PR (100ish), Dodge 7% , Fairly high AC (maybe 60ish), DR 5/- (stoneplate)
Playstyle: sword&board porcupine, shield block/bash with greensteel drwarf axe whirlwinds (8d8) as I get surrounded
Decent Trip Feat at 44 DC for caster take downs.
Mild Intimidate at 50

Feats:
Combat Expertise
Dodge
Improved Critical (Slashing)
Improved Shield Bash
Improved Shield Mastery
Improved Trip
Mobility
Past Life (Berserkers Fury)
Shield Mastery
Spring Attack
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Two-Handed Fighting
Whirlwind Attack

Character Generated Using: DDO Character Generator
Direct Link to Build: http://www.ddochargen.com/home.aspx?build=24323

Fighter 18 / Barbarian 2
Male Dwarf - True Neutral
________________________________________________________________

PAST LIVES SELECTED:
Barbarian (1), Cleric (1), Monk (1), Ranger (1), Wizard (1)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 1
Race Selected: Male Dwarf
Alignment Selected: True Neutral
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 18, DEX: 10, CON: 20, INT: 10
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +4 (4), Jump +2 (2), 
Swim +2 (2)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Shield Mastery
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Toughness I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 2:
Class Selected: Barbarian (Barbarian 1 / Fighter 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (5), Jump +2 (4), 
Swim +1 (3)
Enhancements Selected: Barbarian Sprint Boost I, 
Dwarven Tactics I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 3:
Class Selected: Barbarian (Barbarian 2 / Fighter 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (6), Jump +2 (6), 
Swim +1 (4)
Feats Selected: Past Life (Berserkers Fury)
Tomes Applied: STR: +1, DEX: +1, CON: +1, INT: +1, 
WIS: +1, CHA: +1
Enhancements Selected: Barbarian Constitution I, 
Barbarian Extra Rage I, Barbarian Extend Rage I, Barbarian Swamp Lore I, 
Racial Toughness I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 4:
Class Selected: Fighter (Barbarian 2 / Fighter 2)
Abilities Raised: INT: 12
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (7), Jump +1 (7), 
Swim +1 (5)
Feats Selected: Improved Shield Bash
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 5:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 3 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (8), Jump +1 (8), 
Swim +1 (6)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 6:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 4 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (9), Jump +1 (9), 
Swim +1 (7)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Two-Handed Fighting
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 7:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 5 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (10), Jump +1 (10), 
Swim +1 (8)
Tomes Applied: STR: +2, DEX: +2, CON: +2, INT: +2, 
WIS: +2, CHA: +2
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 8:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 6 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: CON: 24
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (11), Jump +1 (11), 
Swim +1 (9)
Feats Selected: Combat Expertise
Equipment Mods Changed To: HP: 15
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Item Defense I, 
Fighter Toughness II, Fighter Strength I, Fighter Critical Accuracy I, 
Dwarven Constitution I, Racial Toughness II, Dwarven Axe Damage I, 
Fighter Strength II, Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I, 
Fighter Strategy (Trip) I, Fighter Armor Mastery I, 
Improved Intimidate I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 9:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 7 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (12), Jump +1 (12), 
Swim +1 (10)
Feats Selected: Toughness
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 10:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 8 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (13), Jump +1 (13), 
Swim +1 (11)
Feats Selected: Improved Critical (Slashing)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 11:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 9 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (14), Jump +1 (14), 
Swim +1 (12)
Tomes Applied: STR: +3, DEX: +3, INT: +3, WIS: +3
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 12:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 10 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: CON: 26
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (15), Jump +1 (15), 
Swim +2 (14)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Dodge
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 13:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 11 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (16), Jump +1 (16), 
Swim +2 (16)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 14:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 12 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (17), Jump +1 (17), 
Swim +1 (17), Tumble +0.5 (0.5)
Feats Selected: Mobility
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 15:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 13 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (18), Jump +1 (18), 
Swim +1 (18), Tumble +0.5 (1)
Feats Selected: Spring Attack
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 16:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 14 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: CON: 27
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (0.5), Intimidate +1 (19), 
Jump +1 (19), Swim +1 (19)
Feats Selected: Whirlwind Attack
Equipment Mods Changed To: HP: 110, SP: 300, 
STR: 17, DEX: 7, CON: 17, WIS: 6, CHA: 6, Intimidate: 13, 
Jump: 15, Swim: 15
Favor Bonus Granted: Coin Lord Finishing School (400 Coin Lord Favor)
Favor Bonus Granted: Draconic Vitality (15 Agents of Argonnessen Favor)
Enhancements Selected: Racial Toughness III, 
Fighter Toughness III, Fighter Toughness IV, Dwarven Armor Mastery I, 
Fighter Item Defense II, Improved Intimidate II, Fighter Armor Class Boost I, 
Fighter Stalwart Defender I, Fighter Armor Class Boost II, 
Fighter Stalwart Defender II, Dwarven Constitution II, 
Racial Toughness IV
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 17:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 15 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (1), Intimidate +1 (20), 
Jump +1 (20), Swim +1 (20)
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Strategy (Trip) II
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 18:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 16 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (1.5), Intimidate +1 (21), 
Jump +1 (21), Swim +1 (21)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Improved Trip
Enhancements Selected: Dwarven Shield Mastery I, 
Dwarven Tactics II
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 19:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 17 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1.5 (3), Intimidate +1 (22)
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Strategy (Trip) III
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 20:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 18 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: CON: 29
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (23), Jump +1 (22), 
Swim +2 (23)
Feats Selected: Improved Shield Mastery
Equipment Mods Changed To: FORT: 7, REFL: 7, WILL: 7
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Armor Class Boost III, 
Fighter Stalwart Defender III, Dwarven Spell Defense I
Stats at End of Level 20:
HP:944 SP:300 AC:18 FORT:39 REFL:18 WILL:16 BAB:+20/+20/+25/+30
STR:40(+15) DEX:20(+5) CON:46(+18) INT:14(+2) WIS:17(+3) CHA:14(+2)
Balance:12, Bluff:2, Concentration:18, Diplomacy:4, 
Disable Device: n/a, Haggle:2, Heal:3, Hide:5, Intimidate:50, 
Jump:52, Listen:3, Move Silently:5, Open Lock: n/a, 
Perform: n/a, Repair:2, Search:2, Spot:3, Swim:53, Tumble:6, UMD: n/a

[unbongwah]

My view is you've sacrificed too much DPS - no capstone, only 1 THF feat, no WF/WS feats, can't take Overwhelming Crit - for a ton of HPs, some Dodge bonus, and Whirlwind (which seems fun yet still too expensive IMHO).

[bward76]

My view is you've sacrificed too much DPS - no capstone, only 1 THF feat, no WF/WS feats, can't take Overwhelming Crit - for a ton of HPs, some Dodge bonus, and Whirlwind (which seems fun yet still too expensive IMHO).

I don't plan to do my DPS with my axe, I plan to porcupine more with greensteel guards, armor guards, fireshield, shield guards and so forth. Being hit does my damage, but when surrounded by like 10 mobs I wanted to be able to hit whirlwind and quickly deal a blast of damage to most of them. The fact that I have 20% less DPS is acceptable to me. Also Overwhelming crit is not currently functioning. I will TR quickly, probably before DDO can fix it.

I am unhappy about only the one THF but I was stuck due to improper stats with a blank feat slot at that level and THF does improve my glancing blows. The bad news is I just discovered that Whirlwind does not let you glancing blow like cleaves do. Plus I find out whirlwind is much longer wasteful graphic than cleaves. http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=384257

I think I may respec to go the Power attack line and give up the dodge angle since I need my enemies to actually hit me not dodge them.

[mathrin]

Stalwart III stance negates rage effects unless it is broken.

I've been kicking around the idea of an 18/2 fighter barb sd as well for my lvl 20 fighter. I think the bump in hps, negation of speed penalty while in stance and unlimited uncanny dodge may be worth it. I can toss up a rough draft tonight.

[unbongwah]

I don't plan to do my DPS with my axe, I plan to porcupine more with greensteel guards, armor guards, fireshield, shield guards and so forth.

Historically guard-based tanks have been unable to generate enough threat to hold onto aggro, even with the threat bonuses from Defensive Stance + shields + Intim; AFAIK that's still the case now. Unless maybe you run with people who do terrible DPS?

Besides, the best defense against a caster is still a blade between the eyes.

Also Overwhelming crit is not currently functioning. I will TR quickly, probably before DDO can fix it.

Fair enough. To be honest, I think OC is too expensive to fit on most tank builds, unless you wanted Cleave & GC anyway.

The bad news is I just discovered that Whirlwind does not let you glancing blow like cleaves do.

I may be mistaken but I don't think glancing blows proc on Cleaves.

If you really want to embrace this "spinning dervish" idea I'd add Cleave & GC on top of Whirlwind; that also opens up OC:S if they fix it before you TR.

[bward76]

Stalwart III stance negates rage effects unless it is broken.

I've been kicking around the idea of an 18/2 fighter barb sd as well for my lvl 20 fighter. I think the bump in hps, negation of speed penalty while in stance and unlimited uncanny dodge may be worth it. I can toss up a rough draft tonight.

So no Rage (barbarian), Madstone boots, or Rage Spell will work while in Stalwart Stance? This kind of kills a big portion of my build.

[unbongwah]

IIRC, Rage effects applied after you enter stance will work; it's activating the stance which breaks them. But you should probably check before basing your build on it.

[bward76]

IIRC, Rage effects applied after you enter stance will work; it's activating the stance which breaks them. But you should probably check before basing your build on it.

I hope this is correct as I will be staying in SD stance almost 100% of the time. I think I'll continue to test this build out and as soon as I get to 8th level (aka 16th with stone) I can verify the rage/SD stance interactions. I'll also try out the whirlwind since I've already started down that path putting my point into INT. If this setup stinks with whirlwind working too poorly I'll hope to LR into a Power Attack cleaver build. Worse case I'll suffer through the **** build and TR quickly at 20th.

[bward76]

[QUOTE=unbongwah;4593331]Historically guard-based tanks have been unable to generate enough threat to hold onto aggro, even with the threat bonuses from Defensive Stance + shields + Intim; AFAIK that's still the case now. Unless maybe you run with people who do terrible DPS?

I PUG alot and usually this is the case no matter what build I'm running.

[NytCrawlr]

IIRC, Rage effects applied after you enter stance will work; it's activating the stance which breaks them. But you should probably check before basing your build on it.

That sounds backwards actually. Not able to use any rage affects on my SD while she is in stance, however, if I do it before I go into stance and then activate the stance they stay. Or at least they did, haven't bothered with rage pots on her for awhile now.

[bward76]

OK, massaged the build today moving it to Power attack and full THF chain but using it for the glancing blows from my dwarven axe.

Feats:
Cleave
Great Cleave
Greater Two-Handed Fighting
Improved Critical (Slashing)
Improved Shield Bash
Improved Shield Mastery
Improved Two-Handed Fighting
Past Life (Berserkers Fury)
Power Attack
Shield Mastery
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Toughness
Two-Handed Fighting

Enchancements:
Barbarian Constitution I
Barbarian Extend Rage I
Barbarian Extra Rage I
Barbarian Power Attack I
Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Barbarian Swamp Lore I
Dwarven Armor Mastery I
Dwarven Axe Damage I
Dwarven Constitution I
Dwarven Constitution II
Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Dwarven Shield Mastery II
Dwarven Spell Defense I
Dwarven Tactics I
Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Fighter Armor Mastery I
Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Fighter Item Defense I
Fighter Item Defense II
Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Fighter Stalwart Defender II
Fighter Stalwart Defender III
Fighter Strength I
Fighter Strength II
Fighter Strength III
Fighter Toughness I
Fighter Toughness II
Fighter Toughness III
Fighter Toughness IV
Improved Intimidate I
Improved Intimidate II
Improved Intimidate III
Racial Toughness I
Racial Toughness II
Racial Toughness III
Racial Toughness IV

Character Generated Using: DDO Character Generator
Direct Link to Build: http://www.ddochargen.com/home.aspx?build=24425

Fighter 18 / Barbarian 2
Male Dwarf - True Neutral
________________________________________________________________

PAST LIVES SELECTED:
Barbarian (1), Cleric (1), Monk (1), Ranger (1), Wizard (1)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 1
Race Selected: Male Dwarf
Alignment Selected: True Neutral
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 18, DEX: 10, CON: 20, INT: 10
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +4 (4), Jump +2 (2), 
Swim +2 (2)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Shield Mastery
Equipment Mods Changed To: HP: 15
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Toughness I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 2:
Class Selected: Barbarian (Barbarian 1 / Fighter 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (5), Jump +2 (4), 
Swim +1 (3)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 3:
Class Selected: Barbarian (Barbarian 2 / Fighter 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (6), Jump +1 (5), 
Swim +2 (5)
Feats Selected: Past Life (Berserkers Fury)
Tomes Applied: STR: +1, DEX: +1, CON: +1, INT: +1, 
WIS: +1, CHA: +1
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 4:
Class Selected: Fighter (Barbarian 2 / Fighter 2)
Abilities Raised: INT: 12
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (7), Jump +2 (7)
Feats Selected: Improved Shield Bash
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 5:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 3 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (8), Jump +1 (8), 
Swim +1 (6)
Equipment Mods Changed To: STR: 6
Enhancements Selected: Barbarian Sprint Boost I, 
Barbarian Constitution I, Barbarian Extra Rage I, Barbarian Extend Rage I, 
Barbarian Swamp Lore I, Racial Toughness I, Fighter Strength I, 
Dwarven Tactics I, Dwarven Constitution I, Fighter Item Defense I, 
Improved Intimidate I, Fighter Armor Class Boost I, 
Fighter Critical Accuracy I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 6:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 4 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (9), Jump +1 (9), 
Swim +1 (7)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Power Attack
Enhancements Selected: Racial Toughness II, 
Fighter Toughness II, Improved Intimidate II
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 7:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 5 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (10), Jump +1 (10), 
Swim +1 (8)
Tomes Applied: STR: +2, DEX: +2, CON: +2, INT: +2, 
WIS: +2, CHA: +2
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 8:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 6 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: STR: 22
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (11), Jump +1 (11), 
Swim +1 (9)
Feats Selected: Cleave
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 9:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 7 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (12), Jump +1 (12), 
Swim +1 (10)
Feats Selected: Toughness
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 10:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 8 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (13), Jump +1 (13), 
Swim +1 (11)
Feats Selected: Improved Critical (Slashing)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 11:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 9 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (14), Jump +1 (14), 
Swim +1 (12)
Tomes Applied: STR: +3, DEX: +3, INT: +3, WIS: +3
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 12:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 10 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: CON: 25
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (15), Jump +1 (15), 
Swim +2 (14)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Improved Shield Mastery
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 13:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 11 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (16), Jump +1 (16), 
Swim +2 (16)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 14:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 12 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (1), Intimidate +1 (17), 
Jump +1 (17)
Feats Selected: Great Cleave
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 15:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 13 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (18), Jump +1 (18), 
Swim +2 (18)
Feats Selected: Toughness
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 16:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 14 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: STR: 24
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (2), Intimidate +1 (19), 
Jump +1 (19)
Feats Selected: Two-Handed Fighting
Equipment Mods Changed To: HP: 110, STR: 8, 
DEX: 6, CON: 8, WIS: 6, FORT: 5, REFL: 5, WILL: 5, 
Balance: 10, Intimidate: 13
Favor Bonus Granted: Coin Lord Finishing School (400 Coin Lord Favor)
Favor Bonus Granted: Draconic Vitality (15 Agents of Argonnessen Favor)
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Toughness III, 
Fighter Stalwart Defender I, Racial Toughness III, 
Dwarven Constitution II, Fighter Toughness IV, Fighter Armor Class Boost II, 
Fighter Stalwart Defender II, Racial Toughness IV, 
Barbarian Power Attack I, Fighter Strength II, Fighter Strength III
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 17:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 15 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (20), Jump +1 (20), 
Swim +2 (20)
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Critical Accuracy II, 
Dwarven Axe Damage I
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 18:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 16 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (3), Intimidate +1 (21), 
Jump +1 (21)
Feats Selected: Toughness, Improved Two-Handed Fighting
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Armor Class Boost III, 
Fighter Item Defense II
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 19:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 17 / Barbarian 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (4), Intimidate +1 (22), 
Jump +1 (22)
________________________________________________________________

LEVEL 20:
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 18 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: CON: 27
Skills Ranks Raised: Intimidate +1 (23), Swim +3 (23)
Feats Selected: Greater Two-Handed Fighting
Equipment Mods Changed To: STR: 10, DEX: 9, 
CON: 9, FORT: 6, REFL: 6, WILL: 6
Enhancements Selected: Fighter Stalwart Defender III, 
Fighter Armor Mastery I, Dwarven Armor Mastery I, Dwarven Shield Mastery I, 
Dwarven Shield Mastery II, Dwarven Spell Defense I, 
Improved Intimidate III
Stats at End of Level 20:
HP:866 SP:0 AC:19 FORT:33 REFL:18 WILL:15 BAB:+20/+20/+25/+30
STR:36(+13) DEX:22(+6) CON:36(+13) INT:14(+2) WIS:17(+3) CHA:8(-1)
Balance:24, Bluff:-1, Concentration:13, Diplomacy:1, 
Disable Device: n/a, Haggle:-1, Heal:3, Hide:6, Intimidate:48, 
Jump:35, Listen:3, Move Silently:6, Open Lock: n/a, 
Perform: n/a, Repair:2, Search:2, Spot:3, Swim:36, 
Tumble: n/a, UMD: n/a