1st-lifer "tank", rough build looking for additional advice

[kpak01]

So my guild says we need another tank for raid night, and I'm it. So I dusted off an old bank mule, and am running it up to 30 (current build is irrelevant), after which I will use a +20 heart into tank. Here's rough idea of what I'm thinking, looking for feedback and advice.

Pure Fighter. Race is Dwarf. I have supreme +3 stat tome. (Yes, that's a three, not an eight.) No past lives, and no fancy raid/rare/crafted gear. I'll farm up any non-raid Sharn or Ravenloft item needed.

Not going to try for good DPS, either, so going for high Intim. Defenses mainly high HP, PRR, MRR. No past lives includes no Epic Martial past lives, so not even trying for super-high AC.

Planned stats (32-point build):
Str 8 (Don't think I need more Str, as I'm not planning to do DPS, right?)
Dex 8 (Don't think I need more Dex, as Tower Shield Max Dex Bonus is tiny, right?)
Con 18 (16 build points) (+2 racial = 20) (also, all level-ups here)
Int 14 (6 build points) (Why Int? I like having some skill points to spread around.)
Wis 12 (4 build points) (Wis just for Will saves? Can lower if I need the 4 points elsewhere.)
Cha 14 (6 build points) (-2 racial = 12) (Cha for Intim & UMD.)

Fighter feats:
Fighter 1: Shield Mastery
Fighter 2: Heavy Armor Training
Fighter 4: Combat Expertise (to qualify for PRR twist from Legendary Dreadnought)
Fighter 6: Heavy Armor Combatant
Fighter 8: Improved Shield Mastery
Fighter 10: Heavy Armor Master
Fighter 12: Shield Deflection
Fighter 14: Heavy Armor Champion
Fighter 16:
Fighter 18:
Fighter 20:
What other Fighter bonus feats?
Improved Shield Bash probably not worth it, right?
Quickdraw, for weapon changes?
I guess I might as well get Dodge + Mobility? Seems kind of steep 2 feats for 2% dodge, since I'll cap out the max Dodge on a Tower Shield anyway, right? But then, I'm trying to figure out how to spend more Fighter bonus feats, so maybe worth it in this case. Oh, that means moving at least 2 stat points into Dex.

Basic feats (LOL):
1: Toughness
3: Toughness
6: Toughness
9: Toughness
12: Toughness
15: Toughness
18: Toughness
Hmm, are Skill Focus: Intimidate and/or Bullheaded, or saving throw feats worth considering?

Epic feats:
21: Epic Toughness
24: Bulwark of Defense
27: Epic Damage Reduction
30: Epic Reputation
Are don't-fail-on-a-1 saving throw feats worth considering?

Legendary feat:
Scion of Celestia

Destiny feats:
26: Epic Skill Focus: Intimidate
28: Guardian Angel (more saves + PRR when I need them most)
29: Deific Warding

Twists (I'll eventually have whatever number of fate points you get from maxing all destinies, but none from PLs or Tomes of Fate):
1: Meld into Darkness
2: Improved Combat Expertise
3: Rejuvenating Cocoon
4: +1 Con???

Enhancements:
Stalwart Defender, 41 points including Tier 5, usual stance stuff
Dwarf, 13, cores and Child of the Mountain
???, 26 more for whatever

Gear:

No idea, really.
- I assume the Sharn Guardian of the Gates set is a good starting point, which gives me armor, necklace, and helmet.
- Gauntlet of the Iron Council, +22 Con for minor artifact, I'm guessing.
- Weapon? No idea.
- Shield...Mirrorplate Tower Shield? +50 MRR while blocking sounds really good. Is there a better shield I should be using?

What else? I guess could also fit in Adherents of the Mist set. I guess that's good. What five items...Mirrorplate above, plus:
- Negotiator's Spectacles? Mostly just for the Linguistics
- Scarlet Scale Cloak, just for Quality Con +4
- Bracers of Fallen Hero, for Insightful Con +9
- Flightfoot Greaves

That leaves Belt, Gloves, Ring x2, Trinket.
Got maxed out Cannith Crafting if that's at all useful; probably not, though.
Probably need to fit in some Greensteel somewhere, too?

So, for any suggestions, looking for a decent but farmable gearset. So basically quest items, rather than raid items. If you want to point out a raid item as an eventual upgrade, that's fine, but I need a plan until then.

What filigree sets do people use on tanks? There's a lot of decent choices, but what to prioritize?

[kogado2]

[QUOTE=kpak01;6255644]

I'm sorry. I'm not fluent because English isn't my native language.

It is ideal, but not enough, that healing healers from time to time is sufficient. We strongly recommend a multi-tank tank that also works well for subhealers.

I recommend Fvs15Pal5 multi, not pure fighter.

Planned stats (32-point build):
Str 8(+0)
Dex 8(+0)
Con 20(MAX)+Lvup
Int 12(It takes a bit of skill to shake.)
Wis 10(+0)
Cha 15() (Intim & UMD.)

1 Paladin(1)Standard: Adamantine Body
Follower of Faith: Follower of the Lord of Blades
2 Paladin(2)
3 Paladin(3)Standard: Tower Shield Proficiency
4 Paladin(4)Constitution: +1 Level up
5 Favored Soul(1)
6 Favored Soul(2)Standard: Shield Mastery
Battle Feat: Grace of Battle
7 Favored Soul(3)Child Of Faith: Child of the Lord of Blades
8 Favored Soul(4)Constitution: +1 Level up
9 Paladin(5)Standard: Shield Deflection
10 Favored Soul(5)Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Electricity
11 Favored Soul(6)Deity: Bladesworn Transformation
12 Favored Soul(7)Standard: Improved Shield Mastery
Heart Feat: Stout of Heart
Constitution: +1 Level up
13 Favored Soul(8)
14 Favored Soul(9)
15 Favored Soul(10) Standard: Empower Healing Spell
Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Fire
16 Favored Soul(11) Constitution: +1 Level up
17 Favored Soul(12) Beloved Of Faith: Beloved of the Lord of Blades
18 Favored Soul(13) Standard: Quicken Spell
19 Favored Soul(14)
20 Favored Soul(15) Energy Absorbance: Energy Absorption: Acid

[Komradkillingmachine]

You're doing your Aasimar tank build wrong. Also, 14ftr/5art/1wiz is the superious split, but it requires Aasimar even more so.
If you're stuck with Dwarf you might be better off doing 17Fvs/3ftr or even yet 15clr/4ftr/1wiz split. If you can reach about 3000+ HP that could work for most easy content.

[kpak01]

I'm sorry. I'm not fluent because English isn't my native language.

No worries, thank you for the feedback.

It is ideal, but not enough, that healing healers from time to time is sufficient. We strongly recommend a multi-tank tank that also works well for subhealers.

This is for guild raid runs, and we will have healers.

I recommend Fvs15Pal5 multi, not pure fighter.

Can you explain why, please?

You're doing your Aasimar tank build wrong.

I don't know if you're talking to me or the other guy, but the character in question is not an Aasaimar, but a Dwarf. It's a pre-existing character that I'm going to use a +20 Heart on, so though I can change stats/feats/skill/classes, I can't change race.

If you're stuck with Dwarf you might be better off doing 17Fvs/3ftr or even yet 15clr/4ftr/1wiz split. If you can reach about 3000+ HP that could work for most easy content.

Can you explain why you're suggesting a FvS or Clr instead of a Ftr (or Pal)?

[Komradkillingmachine]

I don't know if you're talking to me or the other guy, but the character in question is not an Aasaimar, but a Dwarf. It's a pre-existing character that I'm going to use a +20 Heart on, so though I can change stats/feats/skill/classes, I can't change race.

It was just a remark in general, best in slot race for any tank - future, past or present is Aasimar hands down with at least 16+ APs for Protector stance, heal amp and Endless healing hands.

Can you explain why you're suggesting a FvS or Clr instead of a Ftr (or Pal)?

They are more well-rounded and you can self-heal like very easily, to the point of soloing Korkaza on LE/R1. The only raids where these builds might struggle w/o past-lives is PN and THTH on LE or R1+. Lets be honest tho. These aren't the difficulties you and your guildies are doing anyways, especially if they have to rely on a 1st life tank. You really do need to unlock and max out all EDs tho. Very important.

Point is, I've seen plenty of 1st and 2nd life toons that are very capable of tanking with those FvS and Clr splits. You just have to be smart about your gearing choices for obvious reasons. That usually means Guardian of the Gates set + Adherents of the Mists (Mirrorplate helps here) + Stolen signet of ir'Wynarn + LGS Opp material x2 set for HP + SL item with Q.Con +4 and go from there.

[kpak01]

I
They are more well-rounded...

What, exactly, does that mean?

I
...and you can self-heal like very easily...

Which isn't my goal.

I
The only raids where these builds might struggle w/o past-lives is PN and THTH on LE or R1+.

So, not a good choice.

I
Lets be honest tho. These aren't the difficulties you and your guildies are doing anyways

So rude and wrong. If you don't have any useful comments, why bother posting? Just to be insulting?

[Enoach]

From a person that has been tanking since 2006 on a pure paladin I'm simply going to suggest a few things based on your choice of 20 Ftr Dwarf.

Grab a Character Planner it will help with the decision process to make sure you qualify, it also makes it easier to tweak the build

Since you are going CON and while you didn't explicitly state, I am assuming you are using the "Throw your weight" Enhancements

On the Strength at 8 - I would recommend going 10. For these reasons
1. Enfeeblement maxes out at 8 - You don't have to kill a tank to make them useless
2. Carry capacity - you will be in heavy armor carrying heavy "needed" items you still want to carry some loot home when you are done. You still need to be able to move without being slowed.

On the INT - Skills are good but what I would do is map out the skills you want and work backwards to determine how many skill points you need for those skills. Since you are just LRing you can take CE later if the adjustment means you don't meet the 13 INT by level 4 as planned

On Enhancements - When using a shield the Vanguard Tree is a good paring with the defender tree. Especially since it comes with a shield stun that works off the 'highest' attribute which means you have a way to deal with annoying trash that tries to bother you while tanking a boss.

On feats - Generally more then 2 standard Toughness feats is excessive. Sure it sounds fun, but remember you want to be a Tank not a punching bag. Look to feats that will enhance your defense as well as "hate generation". So yes Dodge and Mobility are worth it, and even improved shield bash.

Not everything can be intimidated, you need to be able to generate enough damage that your "Hate bonus" will help you keep that agro while the others beat on it. So don't neglect improving your critical range or if you are going to use the Dwarven War Axe taking the THF feats.

Now, another recommendation as a Dwarf tank going CON is to go with the Silver Flame Favor and having a stack of the two Silver Flame healing potions. Sure those reduce your Attributes and slow your movement for 30 seconds but they don't effect CON and since that is your primary attribute, coupled with the Dwarven Drinking enhancement you should be able to cover yourself for any point where the Guilds "healing core" may not be able to get to you right away.


I also recommend taking a "golf bag" approach to gear. Most do this with weapons, but there is an advantage to doing this with your Shield and Armor. Each boss is different, so being able to switch up this gear can improve your survivability and even your ability to be the "thorn in its side" you want to be.

Another recommendation is to get yourself a good ranged weapon. You want to be proficient but you may need it for situations where no matter how many HP or how good your defense you don't want to be in striking range - Such as when the Red Dragons in Thunderpeak have 4x damage boost. This will give you a way to continue to annoy the boss but minimize the damage that boss can do to you.

[kogado2]

>Can you explain why you're suggesting a FvS or Clr instead of a Ftr (or Pal)?

The advantage of mixing FvS is simple, because of the increase in HP due to the Stout of Heart that you learn in Lv7.
With (Fvs15 + Epic10) x10 you can expect an increase of nearly 300 HP with a bonus of 250 + Sacred Defender (Tenacious Defense).

If you mix FvS, you should have the ability to self-heal even if you have a guild. That is my opinion.

[kogado2]

>Can you explain why you're suggesting a FvS or Clr instead of a Ftr (or Pal)?

The advantage of mixing FvS is simple, because of the increase in HP due to the Stout of Heart that you learn in Lv7.
With (Fvs15 + Epic10) x10 you can expect an increase of nearly 300 HP with a bonus of 250 + Sacred Defender (Tenacious Defense).

If you mix FvS, you should have the ability to self-heal even if you have a guild. That is my opinion.

Racewaf(no use Filigrees)
HP3310
SP1801
AC212
PRR243
MRR127(Blicking+50)

[psykopeta]

Don't use tower shields while tanking, the prr gain doesn't compensate the dodge loss (you shiuld be around 20 with large shield, half with tower)

You can use tower shield for blocking, vs heavy magic encounters, in which case u don't need proficiency, but on melee situations go large shield

[kpak01]

Don't use tower shields while tanking, the prr gain doesn't compensate the dodge loss (you shiuld be around 20 with large shield, half with tower)

You can use tower shield for blocking, vs heavy magic encounters, in which case u don't need proficiency, but on melee situations go large shield

Any specific Large Shields you'd recommend?