King Fissure - HW/Earth tank advice

xaqchance

So, I'm trying to build an Earth/Heavy Weapons tank, but as with my previous builds, I'm not familiar with the synergy in the power sets or what Super Stats, Spec Trees and Advatages would best compliment what I'm looking to accomplish.

I haven't decided what the toon's concept/theme is, I'm just building this around the name. I imagine it to be tanky due to Earth's nature and also went with HW for the costume feature of a large kingly scepter. With that being said, I'd like to stick with HW and Earth powers and because of his name and the healing ability, I would like to keep fissure. So far, I think the powers I've selected should work well together, I'm just not very familiar with Active Defenses (I know of Masterful Dodge, but don't know if it's fitting for a tank) or Energy Unlocks.
Any advice or tips are appreciated, especially with the last four powers. Please and thank you! =0)

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: King Fissure

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Devastator
Level 6: Physical Conditioning
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Relentless
Level 15: Bodybuilder
Level 18: Amazing Stamina
Level 21: Boundless Reserves

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Tremor (Challenging Strikes)
Level 6: Cleave (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Regeneration (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 14: Aggressor
Level 17: Skullcrusher
Level 20: Fissure (Reconstruct)
Level 23: Resurgence (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Stone Shroud
Level 29:
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Tunneling
Level 35: Earth Flight

Specializations:
Constitution: Fuel My Fire (3/3)
Constitution: Tough (2/3)
Constitution: Quick Healing (3/3)
Constitution: Adrenaline Rush (2/2)
Warden: Slaughter (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Tenacious (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Constitution Mastery (1/1)

carrionbaggage

Great name! I love a good concept character. Here's my take on it, with some notes below:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: King Fissure

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Devastator
Level 6: Relentless
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Physical Conditioning
Level 18: Body and Mind
Level 21: Healthy Mind

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Stone Shroud
Level 6: Land Slide (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Regeneration (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Eruption (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Skullcrusher (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 20: Brimstone (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Fissure (Reconstruct)
Level 29: Annihilate (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 32: Resurgence (Rank 2, Evanescent Emergence)
Level 35: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 38: Masterful Dodge

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

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)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

This is definitely a retcon build. I would pick up Cleave from the beginning, and keep it until retconning sometime in the 20s.

I made STR the Primary, rather than CON. For a Regen tank, Juggernaut feeding the Best Defense/Aggressive Stance loop is difficult to resist. I also replaced REC with INT for a better return from the (newly added) Molecular Self-Assembly. With the listed talents, you should still be able to launch a Fissure from resting equilibrium.

I figured that Skewer would look unacceptably odd with a giant scepter, which puts Heavy Weapons in an awkward position for single-target DPS. This build focuses on building knock resist stacks to prepare for knockless Annihilates. When your stacks wear off during combat, you can rebuild them quickly (and energy-efficiently) with Skullcrusher taps. Cycle in an Eruption every few seconds to maintain Molecular Self-Assembly.

I opted for Brimstone over Cleave as your staple AoE. I think it will look great for your concept (very kingly), and fighting within your Fissure makes it difficult to line up optimal Cleave cones.

I know of Masterful Dodge, but don't know if it's fitting for a tank

It's fantastic for a tank.

kamokami

carrionbaggage wrote: »

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: King Fissure

Archetype: Freeform

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

Talents:
Level 1: The Devastator
Level 6: Relentless
Level 9: Quick Recovery
Level 12: Negotiator
Level 15: Physical Conditioning
Level 18: Body and Mind
Level 21: Healthy Mind

Powers:
Level 1: Wield Earth
Level 1: Stone Shroud
Level 6: Land Slide (Nailed to the Ground)
Level 8: Regeneration (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Eruption (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Skullcrusher (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 17: Enrage (Endorphin Rush)
Level 20: Brimstone (Rank 2, Rank 3, Challenging Strikes)
Level 23: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 26: Fissure (Reconstruct)
Level 29: Annihilate (Rank 2, Crippling Challenge)
Level 32: Resurgence (Rank 2, Evanescent Emergence)
Level 35: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 38: Masterful Dodge

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

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)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: The Rush of Battle (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Strength Mastery (1/1)

Vixy would suggest putting Crippling on Eruption instead of Annihilate as the loss of rank 3 damage on Anni is too great of a sacrifice.

Don't need nailed to the ground unless you plan to pvp (in which case you should not be regen). Drop nailed and rank up Ego Surge.

There also seem to be too many attacks in this setup. Try dropping Skullcrusher and grab Aggressor (r3) instead. Especially if you plan to use the Juggernaut spec....it will boost your damage in more ways than one! (adds to SS, to offense, has a dmg buff, applies enrage, minor boost to crit sev via brutality)

Don't need the adv on Resurgence, just rank it to 3.

Your travel power choices are not going to serve you well in lair runs as your group will likely reach mobs before you and not let you tank. Consider something like Acrobatics for at least one of your TPs.

xaqchance

Most excellent advice from the both of you, I appreciate it a ton! I like redone build shown and think the advice given on the rebuild is awesome as well. I'm not too interested in PVP, so I think both your tips will help me greatly. I would also like to thank you for the compliments and staying in theme. You guys are great! Thanks =0)

carrionbaggage

Judging by some Gravitar runs I've seen, Vixy knows Annihilate.

I did keep the travel powers a little too thematic; Acrobatics is a great suggestion. I'd drop Tunneling for it, and shift Earth Flight's ranks into it. When you lose the Nailed to the Ground advantage, you'll still have a flight power up your sleeve to reach the occasional (albeit rare) airborne enemy. And you'll impress the civilians by floating around on your regal rock throne.

High five for criticism teamwork.

kamokami

carrionbaggage wrote: »

High five for criticism teamwork.

Cheers! Another player helped. <feels heroic>

xaqchance

Don't want to flood the threads with needless posts, but another thank you is deserved. It's pleasant to see other players being thoughtful as they help someone out. All the advice I've received is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for taking time out to help another hero!