Looking for Tank Build Advice

rajakaji

So, all the discussions about the Nightmare event has got me thinking about my next FF purchase. The Darkness power set was the real draw for CO, and I'm still rather enjoying it, but Tanking and Support are really where my heart lies. And I'm not a big fan of squishiness. Ok, story time.

I was playing X-Men Legends 2 around the Core or the Infinite Factory on the top difficulty and got swarmed pretty suddenly. 3/4 Party Wipe. The only person left standing was Colossus. I threw the controller and stormed out of the room (I was significantly younger then, I don't do things like throw controllers anymore). I think I made a sandwich, ate, and had a cigarette. I came back to the game after I calmed down a bit. Colossus is still standing there, room full of enemies wailing on him. His health bar hasn't moved. From that point on he's been my dedicated Tank in X-Men Legends 2.

I want to make a character like that in CO.

I'm thinking Invincibility and Unbreakable are going to be the crux of the build. I'd also like some kind of regen (remeniscent of the Regenerative Plating Danger Room Item) to keep him topped off when he does actually take significant damage, but to my current knowledge the only thing that grants Regen is the Passive, which is already taken up by Invincibility, unless it's available on an item or Spec. Or maybe a HoT power as a last resort. If there's room for theme I'd like to go with the Earth/Mountain power set cause it fits well with a main character from my personal mythology, but mostly melee. Possibly some unarmed martial arts, but Brick/Might also uses unarmed fighting and that seems to be more Tanky anyway.

flowcyto

Regen can be replaced effectively by any self-heal aura or a HoT. Earth melee is one of the worst mini-sets in CO atm, so I prob would use Earth for ranged and AoE and Might for main dps/threat.

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Hero (Str: 8, Dex: 8, Con: 8, Int: 8, Ego: 8, Pre: 8, Rec: 6, End: 6)
Level 6: Covert Ops Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Con: 3, Int: 3)
Level 9: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 12: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 15: Body and Mind (Str: 5, Int: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Tremor (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 6: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Land Slide
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Demolish (Below the Belt, Challenge!)
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Haymaker (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 26: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 29: Thunderclap (Collateral Damage, Challenge!)
Level 32: Unbreakable (Better You Than Me)
Level 35: Stone Shroud (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Imbue
Adv. Points: 34/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Strength: Swole (2/3)
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (2/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Sentinel: Genesis (1/2)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Uses TClap to proc Wither and Sentinel Mastery (and MSA for extra energy), Haymaker for main single-target dps, Tremor for main AoE, and Demolish for its debuff (and if you want to dps an enemy w/o Hyamker's knockback). Gears mostly for Con and some Str (and maybe some Int for MSA and cd reduction).

shadowolf505

Here's a build that I use/used on my Tank. It's good for the Might stuff and has good defense.

Omni-Star - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: Superhuman (Str: 12, Con: 12)
Level 6: Physical Conditioning (Str: 5, Con: 5)
Level 9: Enduring (Con: 8)
Level 12: Mighty (Str: 8)
Level 15: Paramilitary Training (Str: 3, Con: 3, Rec: 3, End: 3)
Level 18: Martial Training (Str: 3, Dex: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 3)
Level 21: Survival Training (Dex: 3, Con: 3, Pre: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)

Powers
Level 1: Clobber
Level 1: Mighty Leap
Level 6: Defiance
Level 8: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 11: Aggressor (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 20: Haymaker (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 23: Demolish (Below the Belt)
Level 26: Arc of Ruin (No Quarter, Wildfire, Challenge!)
Level 29: Backhand Chop
Level 32: Telekinetic Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Unleashed Rage (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Masterful Dodge
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Power Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Displacement Superspeed (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

Block and TPs can change.

Gear it like this to start

Prime Off: Str Enh x2, Confront
Prime Defense: Con Arm x2, Impact
Prime Utility: Con Arm, Con Enh, Ripper's Rage

Secondaries are Con ones.

PM me @shadowolf505 if you need some mods or help getting them.

rajakaji

Thanks! Those are really helpful. And thanks for the offer shadowolf. I'm pretty set on mods atm though. I'd been collecting them to work on craft skills before I saw elsewhere that it's more grind efficient to buy skill ups.

I'm thinking I'll probably try to combine the two. Probably do Clobber for Energy Builder mostly because I'd rather the default auto attack be unarmed melee, even though as a tank I'll probably be blocking for energy most of the time. I'd also like to throw in that big all around AoE in Earth. The name's escaping me. I want to say Avalanche but I think that's Glacier. Resurgence looks like it'll work well for the regen effect. I'd probably do Con as primary though and push Str down to second SS unless you'd heavily recommend against that.

flowcyto

When you say 'all around AoE', do you mean a pbAoE, or a visual effect? Avalanche is in Ice, and isn't a pbAoE. Its also high base dps, but is a bit costly in energy.

Str PSS is very good for tanks when taking Con SS- mostly just due to Juggernaut's large Defense bonus when gearing heavily for Con (which most tank builds do), but also cause Brutality still gives you a dps/threat boost via the extra severity. You can take Con PSS for a tank and do fine, but I'd still prob recommend Str PSS over it.

Imo, its prob easiest to just buy mods from the AH, since rank 4-5s can be pretty cheap.

shadowolf505

I think you mean Fissure or something else. Not totally sure. Also, no problem. I do what I do.

rajakaji

PBAoE, that's the term. That means it's a sphere around you instead of a cone in front of you, right? I think that would work better for a melee. I think it might have been Fissure. Let me see if I can get the wiki to work. Quicksand maybe? Earth isn't done on the wiki. Just takes me to that joke Tacoportation page.

shadowolf505

Yeah, that what PBAoE is. The Earth one I know of is actually Quicksand though.

flowcyto

Yea, Quicksand is Earth's only pbAoE atm. It does have spherical AoE in Tremor and a ground effect in Fissure, but they're ranged and not pbAoE.

kamokami

rajakaji said:

Colossus is still standing there, room full of enemies wailing on him. His health bar hasn't moved. From that point on he's been my dedicated Tank in X-Men Legends 2.

I want to make a character like that in CO.

Sounds like a mega tough offtank. If you want that "hp bar has not moved feel" here's a build to try. Take w/e for the last 2 powers.

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Rockstar (Str: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
Level 6: Tireless (Rec: 8)
Level 9: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Enduring (Con: 8)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Electric Bolt
Level 1: Lightning Strike
Level 6: Ionic Reverberation
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 14: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 17: Unbreakable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Electrical Current (Unlimited Power!, Challenge!)
Level 26: Electrical Siphon (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Nanobot Swarm
Level 35:
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Earth Flight

Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Tenacious (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)


Here's a toxic type build that can easily be colored to feel more earth-like. Take w/e for the last 2 powers.

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform
v2.3.2-28

Super Stats
Level 6: Strength (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Recovery (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Rockstar (Str: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 8, End: 10)
Level 6: Tireless (Rec: 8)
Level 9: Relentless (Str: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 15: Enduring (Con: 8)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Amazing Stamina (Rec: 5, End: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Infernal Bolts
Level 1: Devour Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenge!)
Level 6: Supernatural Power
Level 8: Invulnerability (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Ebon Void (Rank 2, Voracious Darkness)
Level 14: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 17: Unbreakable (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Inertial Dampening Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Life Essence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Venomous Breath (Challenge!)
Level 29: Epidemic (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 32: Nanobot Swarm
Level 35: Seismic Smash
Level 38:
Adv. Points: 35/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Earth Flight

Specializations
Strength: Physical Peak (3/3)
Strength: Aggression (2/2)
Strength: Brutality (2/2)
Strength: Juggernaut (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Modified Gear (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: Tenacious (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

Note that these builds are not for Main Tanking a boss. But for being a super tough offtank that wont need a healer and re-creating that scene of a ton of mobs hitting you without your hp bar moving.

rajakaji

How's this look?

http://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=28&n=Tombstone&d=113409A31dbM0600A0J000JE0CJ1009A03I9009K04ON01I703JG0LJH0LK5037G00JO03IC0H10gA3BIL3T3B

Beatdown is just a placeholder because at that point I don't have enough powers under my belt to afford any of the real necessities. Also, just out of curiosity, is there a more tanky toggle? So far most tank builds seem to favor Enrage but that looks like it just increases melee damage. I mean, increasing damage does help generate threat and makes one generally more functional. But I'm just curious is there's a toggle that increases damage reduction or some such.

pantagruel01

rajakaji said:

But I'm just curious is there's a toggle that increases damage reduction or some such.

There is (inertial dampening field), but it's a bad choice on most builds.

flowcyto

IDF is the 'defensive' toggle atm, but it doesn't scale up to harder content that well and only blocks a small flat portion of dmg. It also doesn't do anything to boost your own dmg or healing, or give energy like other toggles. At least Enrage has the ER adv, in addition to everything else.

If you wanted a basic combo that works w/ Enrage, you could take Cleave. I may also use an AoE that can proc Enrage instead of Quicksand (like Tremor). Also, if you are going to be using TClap regularly, then you may want to consider Sentinel spec w/ Sentinel Mastery- maybe keeping Warden for the dps/threat and defense boost.

rajakaji

Ok, that works. I'll stick with Enrage then.

kamokami

rajakaji said:

How's this look?

http://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=28&n=Tombstone&d=113409A31dbM0600A0J000JE0CJ1009A03I9009K04ON01I703JG0LJH0LK5037G00JO03IC0H10gA3BIL3T3B

Beatdown is just a placeholder because at that point I don't have enough powers under my belt to afford any of the real necessities. Also, just out of curiosity, is there a more tanky toggle? So far most tank builds seem to favor Enrage but that looks like it just increases melee damage. I mean, increasing damage does help generate threat and makes one generally more functional. But I'm just curious is there's a toggle that increases damage reduction or some such.

It looks ok? Nothing terribly wrong, except maybe you don't have a main attack that's r3 and your Unbreakable is r1. There are ways you could improve it but it all depends on what you want to tank.

Inertial Dampening Field is amazingly excellent at reducing damage from lots of mobs, which from your OP, is what I assumed you wanted. It is terrible at reducing damage from everything else...so if you want to also tank bosses then don't take it and stick to Enrage.

rajakaji

I'm figuring Demolish would be my main single target attack and thunderclap my main group attack. So you would recommend dropping below the belt and collateral damage and just taking them both to R3? I would like to be able to continue tanking during boss battles and not just say "Sorry guys, I'm not built for this. Bye." just before the climax of a mission. So I think I'll go with my previous statement and stick with Enrage.

flowcyto

Yea, Invuln already provides a dmg block anyways, making IDF bit overkill vs. trash as is.

Again, I may still take Sentinel Mastery and use TClap everywhere here. The Mastery is quite good (the spec is also alright in giving a heal aura, plus boosting stun duration & crit heals), and then the extra reach on the special adv is nice to tag mobs w/. Also, I'm not sure how a cd attack is going to be your main attack, as it won't be up the majority of time in AoE.

Demolish's special adv is nice to keep it procing Enrage and for the CC, but if you have other means of maintaining Enrage reliably (even vs one target), and as long as energy is still good, then R3 is fine for the dps. I'm a bit skeptical of satisfying those stipulations w/ the build as is, though.

rajakaji

Yeah, I'm thinking I'm gonna swap Sentinel and its Mastery back in on the next draft, along with Cleave. I'll probably take your suggestion on Tremor instead of Quicksand too since Thunderclap gives me a PBAoE.

rajakaji

Ok, this is the next attempt. I figured there was a reason for the advantages on Demolish and Thunderclap that flowcyto and shadowolf suggested so I just tried to copy them as best I could. I wasn't aware either had a cooldown. I didn't see anything about it in the description on the hero creator. So I might have to think on that a bit.

http://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=28&n=Tombstone&d=113409A31dbM0600A0J000H100JE0C9A03I9009K05ON01I703JG0LJH0LK5037G005K03I30G10gC3T3B1lhP

As with my Darkness character I'll probably move things around over the course of gameplay, i.e. try to work MSE in earlier if I'm having a lot of energy issues, or Conviction if Resurgence isn't enough. But I'm thinking I won't have energy issues until I get Demolish and Thunderclap. I found Gravity Driver looking at the other ultimates and thought it made more sense for the theme than the Halford Scream, even though it's pretty much the default Ultimate for the Brick power set.

flowcyto

The general power layout can work, though the advantage point distribution will depend on what ur planned rotation is. I understand that Demolish may be ur main boss attack, though I'm not sure you'll have the energy to spam it here. Cleave can help in being lower energy demand, but it won't hit hard w/o advs. The choice of Grav Driver is interesting. Normally I'd reserve ults like that for dps or Support, but I suppose you can bring it too. I may not prioritize ranking it as a non-dps, though, as you get the CC and Overpower effect even at r1.

rajakaji

Ok, I 'think this is the final draft based on all the suggestions. I might play around in the powerhouse to compare might and unarmed martial arts before entering the world just to be able to experience both, and check both Tremor and Quicksand at the end to see which one works better. But I'll probably wind up sticking with the build as is in the end. I can't believe something like Cleave is a T0. Heavy Weapons might just be a little OP.

http://aesica.net/co/herocreator.htm?v=28&n=Tombstone&d=113409A31dbM0600A0J000H116JE0C9A03I9009K05ON01I703JG0LJH0L7G00K5035K00I30G10gC3T3B1lhP

flowcyto

Combos like Cleave are balanced around being cheap and easily available to train, but typically having low dps compared to later-tier melee attacks in the same powerset. They aren't very competitive for dps alone, but can be made more-so via Warden and/or Brawler spec options.

W/e powers you settle on, I'd back the thought of testing them out in the PH and/or PTS w/ the gear you want to see how energy and stuff works out.

rajakaji

Good idea. Not exactly possible fresh out of the tutorial but something to keep in mind for later visits to the powerhouse. I'm not gold yet so I don't have access to PTS. Thinking about LTS soon though.

I know it's going to take a while for it to come together, leveling up to 40 (and actually unlocking areas and going through the story arcs instead of grinding grabs) and collecting all the tokens and other variant currency forms. But I'm pretty set on Justice Tights of Fitness, Onslaught Gloves of the Defender, and Onslaught Tights of Fitness. Not sure whether Gloves of Precision or Healing would be more beneficial. And Mask of Speed or Efficiency will probably come down to whether I'm having more problems with energy or cooldown, which I'll figure out over the course of gameplay. Mostly pure Con Mods, some Str on Offense Gear, and maybe some Int, End, or Rec on the Utility. I've also been stockpiling Confront.