Is the Protector line a bad feat line? (seems unpopular in all the guides I find here)

jyotai

I don't see any guides that use the protector line in the Paragon Feats for GF.

I see mostly Tactician, and some straying into Conquerer. But when I look them over, as a tank player from many other MMOs - protector looks like the best line of the bunch.

As a new player, am I missing something big here? Are threat and damage mitigation so trivially easy that going 'tanky' is not needed? Is something else going on? Does Protector actually result is not enough threat? Are healers so powerful that you can faceroll the mitigation side of the game? Is it something like Guild Wars 2 where you can dodge everything and we only roll GF's because we like the look of the shield over the GWF two-hander?

Or are there a bunch of people using Protector, and just not posting guides about it?

oliboyph

It's pretty good depending on your build. Especially if you belong to a group that's not yet optimized, running that Path is a pretty good way to keep everyone alive. Back when Stronghold was new I was forced to respec to Protector so we can bring down Dragons. The Iron guard feat will reduce your targets damage by 20%, it's pretty big deal when Dragons at that time could wipe out my guild with one AoE.

At the same time since you are concentrating on Defense you will also end up with a pretty good ITF buff. Tactician is preferred by some at end game because of the extra 5% ITF boost and AP regen (not really a major advantage, but still an advantage).

jyotai

So it's pretty random then that I'm not seeing current guides on Protector. I've been speccing down the line by 'tank instinct' and its been very good for me 'so far' but I'm leveling and that's usually very different from endgame.

oliboyph

jyotai said:

So it's pretty random then that I'm not seeing current guides on Protector. I've been speccing down the line by 'tank instinct' and its been very good for me 'so far' but I'm leveling and that's usually very different from endgame.

You can check my build if you want: http://nwobarthos.com/2016/01/21/my-gf-hybrid-protector-build/

It's pretty old but I think this would still work today.

firearcher7

The protector path is amazing for a tank GF trust me you can't miss out on the +5 AC, the 20% damage reduction and the bonus deflection etc...

ghoulz66

It's nice for a new GF still decking himself out, but not needed later on.

My conq has the +5 AC and 5% deflection plus the extra 5% deflect upon guarding. Those alone are amazing. The slower guard drain is nice, but you can only get that as full protector and it isn't needed later on once you're geared up.

The capstone sounds amazing, but it's honestly not good. Once your group has a good foundation a fight becomes trivial and having to smack something 4 times before you take a couple hard hits in the first place. You're going to take hard hits at the start of an engagement anyway. Better off going tact for the amazing party support or conq for faster solo clearing and the extra damage = more threat in groups.

jumpingmorks

Most guides are only relevant for a mod or 2, Prot is a good tree, I use it for the party damage mitigation along with the Tact cooldown bonus and further damage reduction on hostiles. I could maximize this by also using a Feytouched but then I wouldn't look sexy!

abrams121

Protectors make amazing face tanks. If you like to get up in the bosses face that is what you want, or a Tankadin. I recommend starting put as a protector until you have mastered the finer points of tanking damage and understanding what each situation calls for.

The draw of the Tactician is a perceived notion that they provide the best ITF buff, but really once you get to higher levels any of the GF trees can provide an exceptional buff.

I believe the Swordmaster Conqueror to be the funnest at the higher levels, mainly because it isn't quite as one dimensional and you can change up your play style as the situation permits and do a little more in the way of controlling the flow of the fight. It's not all roses and happy things though, you need to be very aware of when you need to block or else you will get laid out just like anyone else. Also note the Tactician tree can adapt to this play style as well I just think the added damage of the conqueror is more than the added 5% the tactician adds to their buffs.

A good GF can really step up in the party and be more than just the meat shield the DPS classes think we need to be. A well played GF can really be the difference between winning and losing, and that is what draws the haters out. But the GWFs can hate all they want, my deflection is high and they can get plenty tankish too if they put their little noodles into it for a second.

jyotai

I'm up to level 60 now, and I've gone 26 points into the Protector line and 5 into Tactician. So far.

Dual leveling a GF and OP, so they both hit 60 today (Going Bulwark on the OP).
- Its interesting how they are very different and yet also pretty much the same.
-

oneblueeyethree

Sounds like you are well on your way? Are you in a Guild? The Guild boons help for sure.

You have excerience tanking, so just keep picking whatever you think is suited to your play style.

My personal preference is to hold aggro and protect the party, so protector is perfect for me. I ran Conqueror for a while and posted some good damage numbers, but I chose to re-spec to be a true blue tank.

Making that change had a HUGE impact on the ease of getting end game gear for me.

If I can help, just send me a message.

sulajpl

I agree and pop-up my co-discussion member post with the build i ACTUALLY use in mod 10.
http://nwcalc.com/index.html#/gf?b=2nyt:12v3zw6:dpcy:6jh08,13l3ni0:1000000:15z05u1:1uu0u00&h=1&p=ivn&o=10
Notes:
-"Improved Reaction" perk has now other name and now gives 20/40/60/80/100% chance to taunt and mark targets with Frontilne Surge.
-No Ubquitus (?) Shield because i claim that if You catch aggro, They're under Your control so there is no place for foe combat advantage.
-Brawling Warrior gets triggered in buffs bar now properly when using KV or having enhanced threat in power-bar.

indylol

Once you get 15 points into protector for unshakeable line, you'll have nearly unlimited stamina in group situations, and then you just need to learn positioning and self sustaining. I prefer tactician because the AP gain translates into personal survivability more so than a flat 20% damage reduction for enemies, but take some time and play both. Eventually you will see what differences i'm talking about.