Dwarven TWF Stalwart Defender

[MagicBlade]

Currently my character is a druid, but wanting to TR into a possible Dwarven TWF Stalwart Defender, 18 levels of fighter for Stalwart Defender III. Using Dwarven War Axes and Tower Shields, the TWF line is for me to switch to dual Dwarven Axes to increase my damage on single target mobs or small groups, when a tank isn't necessarily needed.

Was playing around with a build, 18 Fighter/2 Barbarian - Barbarian for the possible Con enhancement, as well as the Barbarian Sprint Boost and other possible enhancements. I understand that with this class combination, I am a little short on enhancements, since Dwarven, Fighter and Barbarian all have some very nice enhancements to provide.

This character has not yet been made, but I would appreciate any feedback regarding my build. If you think I should change something, please state why.

No armor has yet to be listed because I do not know fully which armor I'll be using, for lvling 14+ will be using Black or White Dragonplate Armor, Lit II Dwarven War Axe (Holy, Shocking, Shocking Burst, Chain Lightning, Lightning Strike), the best Tower Shield I can find, the Sora-Kell set upgraded for the +2 to hit +2 to dmg, +6 Str, +6 Cha, a +6 Dex Ring, +6 Con/Fortitude Belt, Running Speed/Balance boots, Feather Falling cloak of Protection, and either Jorgund's Collar (10% Melee Alacrity) or +5 Natural Armor for necklaces, this is all gear for lvl 12-14 and while lvling up to 20... however, if anyone could offer any suggestions for other gear, or lvl 20+ gear.. Id appreciate it.

Skill points: Intimidate, Jump, Balance
Stat point: Strength

Fighter 18 / Barbarian 2
Male Dwarf (Chaotic Good)

HP: 436
SP: 0
AC: 16

SAVES
FORT: 20
REFL: 9
WILL: 6

BAB: +20/+20/+25/+30

STR: 24 (+7)
DEX: 17 (+3)
CON: 22 (+6)
INT: 13 (+1)
WIS: 11 (0)
CHA: 6 (-2)

Balance: 18
Bluff: -2
Concentration: 6
Diplomacy: -2
Disable Device: n/a
Haggle: 1
Heal: 0
Hide: 3
Intimidate: 29
Jump: 28
Listen: 0
Move Silently: 3
Open Lock: n/a
Perform: n/a
Repair: 1
Search: 1
Spot: 0
Swim: 8
Tumble: n/a
UMD: n/a
PAST LIVES SELECTED:
Druid (1)

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LEVEL 1
Race Selected: Male Dwarf
Alignment Selected: Chaotic Good
Class Selected: Barbarian (Barbarian 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 17, DEX: 15, CON: 18, INT: 11
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +2 (2), Haggle +2 (2), Intimidate +4 (4), Jump +4 (4)
Feats Selected: Toughness
Automatic Feats Granted: Past Life (Druid), Attack, Heroic Durability, Sneak, Defensive Fighting, Dwarven Stability, Dwarven Stonecunning, Fast Movement, Giant Evasion, Orc Bonus, Poison Save Bonus, Rage, Spell Save Bonus, Sunder, Trip, Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Shield Proficiency (General), Light Armor Proficiency, Medium Armor Proficiency, Exotic Weapons (Dwarven Waraxe)

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LEVEL 2
Class Selected: Fighter (Barbarian 1 / Fighter 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (2.5), Intimidate +1 (5)
Feats Selected: Two Weapon Fighting
Automatic Feats Granted: Tower Shield Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficiency

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LEVEL 3
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (3), Intimidate +1 (6)
Feats Selected: Power Attack, Cleave
Tomes Applied: STR: +1, DEX: +1, CON: +1, INT: +1, WIS: +1

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LEVEL 4
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 3 / Barbarian 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 19
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (3.5), Intimidate +1 (7), Jump +1 (5)

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LEVEL 5
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 4 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (4), Intimidate +1 (8), Jump +1 (6)
Feats Selected: Shield Mastery

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LEVEL 6
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 5 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (4.5), Intimidate +1 (9), Jump +1 (7)
Feats Selected: Weapon Focus (Slashing)

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LEVEL 7
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 6 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (5), Intimidate +1 (10), Jump +1 (8)
Feats Selected: Weapon Specialization (Slashing)
Tomes Applied: STR: +2, DEX: +2, CON: +2, INT: +2, WIS: +2

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LEVEL 8
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 7 / Barbarian 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 21
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (5.5), Intimidate +1 (11), Jump +1 (9)

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LEVEL 9
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 8 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (6), Intimidate +1 (12), Jump +1 (10)
Feats Selected: Improved Critical (Slashing), Improved Two Weapon Fighting

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LEVEL 10
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 9 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (6.5), Intimidate +1 (13), Jump +1 (11)

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LEVEL 11
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 10 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (7), Intimidate +1 (14), Jump +1 (12)
Feats Selected: Great Cleave
Tomes Applied: WIS: +3

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LEVEL 12
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 11 / Barbarian 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 22
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (7.5), Intimidate +1 (15), Jump +1 (13)
Feats Selected: Greater Two Weapon Fighting

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LEVEL 13
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 12 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (8), Intimidate +1 (16), Jump +1 (14)
Feats Selected: Stunning Blow

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LEVEL 14
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 13 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (8.5), Intimidate +1 (17), Jump +1 (15)

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LEVEL 15
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 14 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (9), Intimidate +1 (18), Jump +1 (16)
Feats Selected: Improved Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Bash

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LEVEL 16
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 15 / Barbarian 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 23
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (9.5), Intimidate +1 (19), Jump +1 (17)

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LEVEL 17
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 16 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (10), Intimidate +1 (20), Jump +1 (18)
Feats Selected: Improved Sunder

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LEVEL 18
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 17 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (10.5), Intimidate +1 (21), Jump +1 (19)
Feats Selected: Greater Weapon Specialization (Slashing)

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LEVEL 19
Class Selected: Fighter (Fighter 18 / Barbarian 1)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (11), Intimidate +1 (22), Jump +1 (20)
Feats Selected: Combat Expertise

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LEVEL 20
Class Selected: Barbarian (Fighter 18 / Barbarian 2)
Abilities Raised: STR: 24
Skills Ranks Raised: Haggle +1 (3), Intimidate +1 (23), Jump +1 (21), Swim +1 (1)
Enhancements Selected: Improved Intimidate I, Fighter Armor Class Boost I, Fighter Toughness I, Dwarven Axe Damage I, Dwarven Armor Mastery I, Racial Toughness I, Dwarven Constitution I, Fighter Toughness II, Improved Intimidate II, Barbarian Constitution I, Dwarven Axe Attack I, Fighter Stalwart Defender I, Fighter Item Defense I, Fighter Armor Class Boost II, Racial Toughness II, Fighter Toughness III, Fighter Haste Boost I, Barbarian Sprint Boost I, Dwarven Axe Damage II, Racial Toughness III, Fighter Toughness IV, Dwarven Armor Mastery II, Dwarven Tactics I, Fighter Stalwart Defender II, Fighter Item Defense II, Fighter Armor Class Boost III, Dwarven Armor Mastery III, Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I, Fighter Tower Shield Mastery II, Fighter Stalwart Defender III, Dwarven Shield Mastery I, Dwarven Shield Mastery II, Fighter Armor Mastery I, Fighter Armor Mastery II, Barbarian Damage Reduction Boost I, Dwarven Spell Defense I
Automatic Feats Granted: Uncanny Dodge

[Ap0k]

Hello,

Id like to give you some suggestions on how to modify your build... some of these are quite a massive chnage to your plan.

First of all, whats the purpose of the 2 barb levels? if its running speed then 1 level will do, if its con id suggest to rethink, as a dwarven tank, with all the gear and tomes available now that one point of con is useless. And as a defender you are immune to rage while in stance (which will be always)

So in case you want just running speed id suggest 1 rogue/18 fighter /1 barb, this build lets you get some some nice UMD/other skills.


I have build several dwarven tanks over the years and this build is what i liked the most:

pure lvl 20 dwarven fighter, chaotic good (good for sentinel weapons of good)
I build him as a dwarven axe and board dps/tactics build with twohanded fighting feats for more dps while using a shield and more dps with greataxes. As weapons i liked the duerger waraxe with stunning 10/ drow greataxe with stunning 10/ epic templars justice with silver slotted, and EAGA, elemental greataxe etc.

I focus my build on DPS with power attack, max str, cleave & great cleave, stunning blow, imp sunder, imp crit, weapon focus slashing, weapon spec und improved weapon sepc slashing, imp crit

I tried to max doublestrike with shield mastery/ improved shield mastery and shield bash (not sure if its woth a feat tbh, but i wanted maxish dps for a axe and board build), capstone is 10% doublestrike, shield up to 6% doublestrike and that sentinel tier 2 ability. I think the total was 34% doublestrike

I dont recall all the feats in detail anymore since its been a while that i logged in, but im pretty sure there was dodge and mobility in there and no combat expertise or improved trip

epic feats were overwhelming cirtical and epic toughness



I played this character mostly as a axe and board dps tank, he had high dps with dwarven axe and shield due to glancing blows and doublestrike. Usually i was running in LD with some sentinel stuff twisted in.

If i was needed as a raid tank I would switch into Sentinel and twist LD stuff in.

Sorry for the lack of detail, just some food for thought.

TLDR dwarf axe and shield goes extremely well with twohanded fighting, use greataxe for pure dps moments, even though with this build you wont feel a lot of difference between axw and board and greataxe.

[Carpone]

Currently my character is a druid, but wanting to TR into a possible Dwarven TWF Stalwart Defender

Take the THF line instead of TWF. You'll get glancing blows with your Dwarven Axe when tanking to increase DPS/threat. When you don't need to tank, then you'll have the option to use eSoS or eAGA.

[unbongwah]

Using Dwarven War Axes and Tower Shields, the TWF line is for me to switch to dual Dwarven Axes to increase my damage on single target mobs or small groups, when a tank isn't necessarily needed.

For S&B tanks, I think THF makes far more sense than TWF: the EDs seem to favor THF over TWF (esp. LD); and with doublestrike bonuses from Shield Mastery feats & gear, "DPS S&B tank" is no longer the oxymoron it once was (see maddmatt70's Axehead as one example). If you need more DPS, that's what greataxes are for. Plus going THF lets you divert some pts from DEX into maxing out STR.

Was playing around with a build, 18 Fighter/2 Barbarian - Barbarian for the possible Con enhancement, as well as the Barbarian Sprint Boost and other possible enhancements.

These days, the only thing I would give up the fighter capstone for is Evasion - maybe UMD.

[MagicBlade]

Take the THF line instead of TWF. You'll get glancing blows with your Dwarven Axe when tanking to increase DPS/threat. When you don't need to tank, then you'll have the option to use eSoS or eAGA.

Why THF line? I can understand the glancing blows for while tanking, however... the reason I chose to do TWF instead of THF is because at lvl 12 Ive got a Lit II GS Dwarven Waraxe, and want to keep using that, if i take THF, the char would be only a tank with no option of extra dps... yes I could use a Great Axe for the added dps, but I do not have a GS Greataxe built, and I don't think that there are any greataxes which are dropped that could match the dps of a Lit II Dwarven Axe..

If so, please name them

[cdr]

Why THF line? I can understand the glancing blows for while tanking, however... the reason I chose to do TWF instead of THF is because at lvl 12 Ive got a Lit II GS Dwarven Waraxe, and want to keep using that, if i take THF, the char would be only a tank with no option of extra dps... yes I could use a Great Axe for the added dps, but I do not have a GS Greataxe built, and I don't think that there are any greataxes which are dropped that could match the dps of a Lit II Dwarven Axe..

If so, please name them

2HF daxe+shield doublestrike builds are on par with 2WF DPS, with all the advantages of using a shield. Take a look at DDD type builds. Granted, most of the benefits are at 20 when you get Legendary Shield Mastery and epic gear. There is no reason anymore to switch out of axe+board for DPS.

Your attachment to LitII is a bit strange; it's great at level 12 but far from ideal at level 20.

[Zerkul]

Why THF line? I can understand the glancing blows for while tanking, however... the reason I chose to do TWF instead of THF is because at lvl 12 Ive got a Lit II GS Dwarven Waraxe, and want to keep using that, if i take THF, the char would be only a tank with no option of extra dps... yes I could use a Great Axe for the added dps, but I do not have a GS Greataxe built, and I don't think that there are any greataxes which are dropped that could match the dps of a Lit II Dwarven Axe..

If so, please name them

Epic Antique Greataxe at epic levels is slightly beaten only by Epic Sword of Shadows and Cleaver fully upgraded with Planar Focus of Prowess Set Bonus if you run Legendary Dreadnought Destiny with Head's Man Chop ability. Eaga is just awesome.

[MagicBlade]

2HF daxe+shield doublestrike builds are on par with 2WF DPS, with all the advantages of using a shield. Take a look at DDD type builds. Granted, most of the benefits are at 20 when you get Legendary Shield Mastery and epic gear. There is no reason anymore to switch out of axe+board for DPS.

Your attachment to LitII is a bit strange; it's great at level 12 but far from ideal at level 20.

There is no guarantee in using the build as a final life character, it depends on how much I like it, the attachment to the LitII is because it'll be used from 12-20+ when I can find better. If I intend on keeping the character at 20-25 for a time before I TR again, Ill definately be upgrading, most likely to an Alchemical Dwarven Waraxe, or if I can find a good named one... to my understanding there are few named axes, so chances are itll be an alchemical if I keep the build long.

In general the Fighter life is for a past life feat, but if I like it enough will either keep, or return to it in another life later on.

Epic Antique Greataxe at epic levels is slightly beaten only by Epic Sword of Shadows and Cleaver fully upgraded with Planar Focus of Prowess Set Bonus if you run Legendary Dreadnought Destiny with Head's Man Chop ability. Eaga is just awesome.

Those are for 20+ and no guarantee that will stay at 20 long... also, if the s&b dps tank using the double strike and thf is as good as people say, then there is no need for me to switch out from a dwarven axe to a greataxe... but if I used a 2h weapon, would likely be the eAGA, faster to farm, and then theres extra possible dps from the dwarven axe attack and dwarven axe damage enhancements.

I was referring to mid-level weapons when I asked them to be named, as low-mid level is when I would be using a great axe, because later lvls would likely be using the s&b the majority of the time since the Daxes have a high attack and high crit, plus the glancing blows of using a great axe, and the ac/dr/prr benefits of using a shield

[Dieterstrife]

If you just want to get through the life, you can go twf and be fine. Like others have said though, Try out the perma axe&board design with the thf feats. That and the entire Overwhelming chain are some pretty sweet dps, to the point that I know of 2 people who tred from barbarians into human stalwarts just like that.

Also, the 1 con you get from 2 barb is useless. You'll have more than enough con for any situation. 1 Barb for sprint boost is nice, but other than that it's worthless. Plus, a pure fighter grants more to the s&b build than a splashed one (with the exception of 2 monk, which there may or may not be a bonus to s&b built into it)

[FranOhmsford]

No armor has yet to be listed because I do not know fully which armor I'll be using, for lvling 14+ will be using Black or White Dragonplate Armor, Lit II Dwarven War Axe (Holy, Shocking, Shocking Burst, Chain Lightning, Lightning Strike), the best Tower Shield I can find, the Sora-Kell set upgraded for the +2 to hit +2 to dmg, +6 Str, +6 Cha, a +6 Dex Ring, +6 Con/Fortitude Belt, Running Speed/Balance boots, Feather Falling cloak of Protection, and either Jorgund's Collar (10% Melee Alacrity) or +5 Natural Armor for necklaces, this is all gear for lvl 12-14 and while lvling up to 20... however, if anyone could offer any suggestions for other gear, or lvl 20+ gear.. Id appreciate it.

I'm not seeing Heavy Fort {or any fort at all} unless it's on the Dragonplate? - Just noticed the Possible Fortitude on the belt...However where are you gonna put your Con if this is taken up with Fort?

No Deathblock either!

Bracers do seem to be missing from your Gear set-up - http://ddowiki.com/page/Thaarak_Bracelet{Missing Chain} would seem to fit.

So in case you want just running speed id suggest 1 rogue/18 fighter /1 barb, this build lets you get some some nice UMD/other skills.

Why not 2 Ranger Levels?
Bow Strength - For those times when missile weapons are handy.
Free Two Weapon Fighting Feat.
Favoured Enemy.
Ranger Sprint Boost.
Rapid Shot too.

[MagicBlade]

I'm not seeing Heavy Fort {or any fort at all} unless it's on the Dragonplate? - Just noticed the Possible Fortitude on the belt...However where are you gonna put your Con if this is taken up with Fort?

No Deathblock either!

Bracers do seem to be missing from your Gear set-up - http://ddowiki.com/page/Thaarak_Bracelet{Missing Chain} would seem to fit.




Why not 2 Ranger Levels?
Bow Strength - For those times when missile weapons are handy.
Free Two Weapon Fighting Feat.
Favoured Enemy.
Ranger Sprint Boost.
Rapid Shot too.

Its possible to craft Con + Fort belts, my current belt on my druid is +6 Con, Moderate Fort, lv 17... Belive i have a +6 of Light Fort floating around somewhere on a char for lower lvl... I'll be using Black Dragonplate the majority of the time for the added dps boost, and when a full tank is really required, can switch plates, the White Dragonplate has Heavy Fort on it, so Light or Moderate can get me by for the more dps situations, but I see it as more of a waste to have Heavy Fort on a seperate item when its on 1 of my armors, at later lvls when I outgrow the Dragonplate, can look into Heavy Fort on another item

Bracers werent listed because I dont have any bracers currently for a fighter/tank... the gear I listed is mid-lvl gear which I am currently wearing on my druid and will likely be changed/upgraded to full craft gears... the Sora-Kell set is nice, but a +6 Wis/True Seeing Helm is really useless to a tank aside from a lil extra will saves, so will likely forego the Sora Kell set to use an Intimidate helm

[FranOhmsford]

Its possible to craft Con + Fort belts, my current belt on my druid is +6 Con, Moderate Fort, lv 17... Belive i have a +6 of Light Fort floating around somewhere on a char for lower lvl... I'll be using Black Dragonplate the majority of the time for the added dps boost, and when a full tank is really required, can switch plates, the White Dragonplate has Heavy Fort on it, so Light or Moderate can get me by for the more dps situations, but I see it as more of a waste to have Heavy Fort on a seperate item when its on 1 of my armors, at later lvls when I outgrow the Dragonplate, can look into Heavy Fort on another item

Bracers werent listed because I dont have any bracers currently for a fighter/tank... the gear I listed is mid-lvl gear which I am currently wearing on my druid and will likely be changed/upgraded to full craft gears... the Sora-Kell set is nice, but a +6 Wis/True Seeing Helm is really useless to a tank aside from a lil extra will saves, so will likely forego the Sora Kell set to use an Intimidate helm

You're arguing with yourself....First you say you can get Con + Mod Fort {not even heavy} at min Lvl 17.
Then you say you're talking about Mid Levels! - 12+

You've used up your Hat slot with Sora Kell - So no Minos!
You've used up your Neck slot so no Silver Flame Pendant or Nightforge Gorget {I personally like to swap the Pendant in for Beholders and Wraiths when Fort isn't such a necessity.}

I've just made a +6 Con Belt {Min Lvl 9 with Masterful Craftmanship} for my Lvl 11 Arti {she was Lvl 9 at the time}.
Adding Light Fort to this would be pointless in my opinion as at these levels you really need Mod Fort at an absolute Minimum {Most people would say Heavy}.

The White Dragonplate has Heavy Fort? Great But when are you putting this on? Just for Tanking won't work in my experience!

Again...I'm talking about the Mid Levels - I know that come Level 17 you're highly unlikely to still be wearing the Sora Kell Set.
So I'm just saying what I feel you're missing from Lvl 12 up.

I know the Tharaak Bracelet is Min Lvl 15 - Frankly there aren't that many good Bracers available {Armoured = Useless to a Fighter}.
I like the Nightforge Bracers myself - Imp False Life from lvl 9 and 3 Charges of Heroism!
Bracers of Parrying could also come in handy to you if there's no Parrying Bonuses on your other gear and would be an easy swap out for the Heroism Clickie.

[cdr]

The level 12 Cannith Bracers of Wind is great, especially if you don't already have Blurry elsewhere.

[MagicBlade]

You're arguing with yourself....First you say you can get Con + Mod Fort {not even heavy} at min Lvl 17.
Then you say you're talking about Mid Levels! - 12+

You've used up your Hat slot with Sora Kell - So no Minos!
You've used up your Neck slot so no Silver Flame Pendant or Nightforge Gorget {I personally like to swap the Pendant in for Beholders and Wraiths when Fort isn't such a necessity.}

I've just made a +6 Con Belt {Min Lvl 9 with Masterful Craftmanship} for my Lvl 11 Arti {she was Lvl 9 at the time}.
Adding Light Fort to this would be pointless in my opinion as at these levels you really need Mod Fort at an absolute Minimum {Most people would say Heavy}.

The White Dragonplate has Heavy Fort? Great But when are you putting this on? Just for Tanking won't work in my experience!

Again...I'm talking about the Mid Levels - I know that come Level 17 you're highly unlikely to still be wearing the Sora Kell Set.
So I'm just saying what I feel you're missing from Lvl 12 up.

I know the Tharaak Bracelet is Min Lvl 15 - Frankly there aren't that many good Bracers available {Armoured = Useless to a Fighter}.
I like the Nightforge Bracers myself - Imp False Life from lvl 9 and 3 Charges of Heroism!
Bracers of Parrying could also come in handy to you if there's no Parrying Bonuses on your other gear and would be an easy swap out for the Heroism Clickie.

Please read posts more carefully, I listed in my first post that the gear wasn't final, I only listed gear I currently HAVE, gear I'm using on my druid. None of the gear is final, some of what I have is what I'll use until I can get better either from crafts or from drops. And if you will read the last portion, said would swap out the Sora Kell Helm

[FranOhmsford]

Please read posts more carefully, I listed in my first post that the gear wasn't final, I only listed gear I currently HAVE, gear I'm using on my druid. None of the gear is final, some of what I have is what I'll use until I can get better either from crafts or from drops. And if you will read the last portion, said would swap out the Sora Kell Helm

You asked for help and listed your gear that {your words}...

this is all gear for lvl 12-14 and while lvling up to 20... however, if anyone could offer any suggestions for other gear, or lvl 20+ gear.. Id appreciate it.

I gave you my opinion.

More of your words...

the Sora-Kell set is nice, but a +6 Wis/True Seeing Helm is really useless to a tank aside from a lil extra will saves, so will likely forego the Sora Kell set to use an Intimidate helm

.

Nothing there about Fortification {Again - You've already said that the White Dragon Armour is not going to see that much use. AND you've talked about having Moderate {not hvy} Fort at lvl 17!}!

The only time when Intimidate becomes a must {as you probably already know} in this game is End-Game Raids!
Ignoring Fortification on a Stalwart in favour of a boost to Intim - Well I really don't know what to say.

I've said my piece now - Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[Bromuro]

To be honest i haven't readed the entire build that you posted but i'll give you my thoughts into SD TWF: Don't.

If you just want to do an FTR past live it's ok, and you can go whatever flavor you like, but if you are planning to be there for a while testing an SD build, the TWf is the wrong choice (and it doesn't matter that you have your backpack full of dual dwarven axes gathering dust). I'm telling you as a long full time user of a Dwarf SD Tank TWF style. It doesn't cut anymore, DPS for TWF combination plus all the feats you need to do it nicely just doesn't make any sense now in current endgame. The THF is far better, i was keeping my hopes into the druid TWF destiny, but when it came out was a great deception for me. In current game TWF for a SD Tank is a suboptimal choice for many reasons imho. Whatever you decide to do, i hope you enjoy it and have a great time playing it (remember that MIN/MAX isn't the main goal of the game xD)

[Wipey]

To be honest i haven't readed the entire build that you posted but i'll give you my thoughts into SD TWF: Don't.

If you just want to do an FTR past live it's ok, and you can go whatever flavor you like, but if you are planning to be there for a while testing an SD build, the TWf is the wrong choice (and it doesn't matter that you have your backpack full of dual dwarven axes gathering dust). I'm telling you as a long full time user of a Dwarf SD Tank TWF style. It doesn't cut anymore, DPS for TWF combination plus all the feats you need to do it nicely just doesn't make any sense now in current endgame. The THF is far better, i was keeping my hopes into the druid TWF destiny, but when it came out was a great deception for me. In current game TWF for a SD Tank is a suboptimal choice for many reasons imho. Whatever you decide to do, i hope you enjoy it and have a great time playing it (remember that MIN/MAX isn't the main goal of the game xD)

Which part of twf didn't work for you ? Damage, tactics, tanking, destiny ?
I run twf khop human pure stalwart in dreadnought and I think your words are too harsh, I can make 10 Antiques if I wanted to and be like everybody else, but I like twf style. Did you have overwhelm crit line, twists, tactics gear ?
I might go 2hand/Zerkul or Maddmat's s/b route if I ever make esos but twf is working for me, nothing she can't do or tank.
Twf doesn't have esos or broken glancing blows.

[Bromuro]

Which part of twf didn't work for you ? Damage, tactics, tanking, destiny ?
I run twf khop human pure stalwart in dreadnought and I think your words are too harsh, I can make 10 Antiques if I wanted to and be like everybody else, but I like twf style. Did you have overwhelm crit line, twists, tactics gear ?
I might go 2hand/Zerkul or Maddmat's s/b route if I ever make esos but twf is working for me, nothing she can't do or tank.
Twf doesn't have esos or broken glancing blows.

Let's see, i used to be twf for when i was dpsing and not tanking (shield and board mode on), this was before AC changes FR etc, etc, on the tanking part i was good and on the dps part was at least ok with none of those interfering each other, the build was doing fine just like that.

Same build with all the new changes FR/ED/AC etc, wasn't good anymore for dps and neither for tanking. For clarity in all cases im refering to EE content (and not caring about EH content that can be tanked without a problem even without being lvl 25 and EDs).

As TWF my DPS wasn't good anymore since you need to build up for that. As an SD Tank (shield and board) you are mising too much dps by not taking thf line (let's forget for a while on the ED + twists, that's another subject), so you need to use aggro gear to keep up on aggro against well geared dpser's and still in some cases you are having a harsh time keeping up, so going SD main tank twf you aren't good enough for any of both roles. At current game If you go with thf you can acomplish overall more dps without hurting at all your tanking part, basically you fulfill both roles pretty fine and even the ED + twist dont interfere each other, is a more rounded solution specially if you are trying to tanking EELob. Don't get me wrong, i have tanked EELob with guildies on my twf build and it was fine, but going twf isn't for the ultimate bleeding edge of tanking builds anymore :S. Ofc it depends on what's your ultimate goal, but my main role for a long time has been main tank of my guild, and we do run EE so i need to keep up on it too.

I really understand your words since im a dwarf just for flavor and that won't change no matter what, i chosed twf because my D&D real toon back in the days was using twf, and i could craft an eSoS since more than a year ago and parts are still gathering dust in my ingredient bag.

I hope i have cleared a little more my line of thoughts, anyway is just my general opinion and as you guys like to say... ymmv.

[goodspeed]

Why THF line? I can understand the glancing blows for while tanking, however... the reason I chose to do TWF instead of THF is because at lvl 12 Ive got a Lit II GS Dwarven Waraxe, and want to keep using that, if i take THF, the char would be only a tank with no option of extra dps... yes I could use a Great Axe for the added dps, but I do not have a GS Greataxe built, and I don't think that there are any greataxes which are dropped that could match the dps of a Lit II Dwarven Axe..

If so, please name them

Ho buddy stop right there. Ok first, for leveling purposes the gs is gonna be nice. But after 20 ditch that sucker, because their are any number of things that are going to (heh) dwarf it. Namely the elemental great axe of fire.

However you could always build one way and then use a LR at the end to change everything back around. I actually like the dwarf idea. If and whenever the class pre's do come around that puppy will by a kensei stawart. And the kensei 3 is really really nice for axes.

Of course with stawart your pretty much exclusively locked out of fury of the wild. Including primal scream. However in terms of hp, even stalwart 1 gives more all around by the end. So im assuming LD with those sexy crit multipliers and dmg before crit with axes is your aim.

So the reason why most go thf now is because of this. When you want survival you dawn the sheild to stack that prr and so forth. But doing so also really kills dmg. But with the thf line along with the LD ED it's actually a bit viable to be using that shield. Dmg won't be steller but it's gonna be acceptable.

As for the last 2 levels not a barb. I'd go for rog personally. Just can't beat being able to umd 40's with of course a very great thing at end game now evasion. Which everyone can also get good numbers for now as well with gear and +4 and 5 tomes shooting out of the woodwork. Well and a lil SA dmg as being a fighter your going to be stunning. (Again with gear now, stunning blow is reliable and is a no brainer as it WILL skyrocket dps, especially with twists)

Also question, why chaotic and of all things good? And next why 18 con? I mean that's 6 points equaling 25 hp at cap. It's not like a fighter is by any means in need of hp with enhancements every which way giving him it, as well as defender literally just stacking it.

Even with rog, you can't be whippn those scrolls in a real tank fight. That's where pots come in and they still take 10 of a stat. Even without that, again umd is nice (Firesheild, cause even with evasion, fire still lands sometimes, and it hurts...Alot) More stat points with int. Round out dex for another point in reflex. Wis based saves are also another big thing at end now.

[Wipey]

~stuff~

Cheers, I could see how building for eelob changes things. Didn't think or didn't read anywhere that difference between bs/da+board with glancing and let's say khop + board would cause aggro problems. I don't have any eelob experience though.
I guess you are right about the goals, mine is occasional epic elite, mostly hards, rare elite tod or whatever, trip/stun for eelite, heavy tactics sturdy dps/tank ish fighter with umd hjealscrolls :-)