Best Tanking Set (Rep/Other)

kiloace

Okay, this is going to sound really dumb, but can somebody help me on which reputation set is ideal for a generic mitigation/heal-heavy tanking build on a T6 Andromeda/Eng character.

Rules:
- Can't be the Iconian set. I already have it on another character and I want to diversify my gameplay.
- Can't mix and match sets. Only exception is if it's a 3-piece, then I'd be willing to take the warp core from another set.
- Preferably, easy to procure in UR quality. I WILL take a Mk XII VR mission reward set, but I'd really rather have it UR already. Also, I'm not hurting for resources right now, so I'll include non-epic tier equipment that can be bought on the exchange.

Here is my current build:
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/18e135c53ea48107dc99adc050199402

I've been considering this:
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/f784e4fa433ffc57291a2257d2e43b24

As well as this:
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/f2cad40b83f037ac4d9e2d3eadc6b2d8

tempusmagus

Iconian is the best tanking set. There are are other sets/items that give better healing and such, but the Iconian set has a good balance for actual Tanking. The base stats and bonuses are good and the set bonus boosts dps. To actually Tank and not Turtle, you need to draw threat. To draw threat, you need some dps. If you are not pulling threat off your team, yup are just a Turtle swimming around not doing much of anything well.

I've spent quite a bit of time with the best tanks in this game and they haven't found a map where anything beats Iconian. This includes the bugged version of HSE, which was way more difficult than the current version.

peterconnorfirst

In my opinion one can diversify ones playstyle easily enough over the ship you take and the weapons layout you chose. Klickies from skills and special console also often do their part and keep the gaming experience fresh.

When it comes to gear and crucial boff powers I’d be a bit more conservative in the choosing. Gear is expensive so aiming for best and not going for too many experiments could be wise.

My advice to you is to follow the recommendation of my former poster. For general PvE on energy centric builds the ICO set remains state of the art.

I would also like to point out to you that you set yourself the goal to become a tank. If we talk about a PvE tank here you will need to dish out DPS yourself and generate a lot of threat in order to grab aggro from the npcs.

For that purpose please consider the +threat scaling consoles from the fleet embassy to fill your three sci slots.

kiloace

Exactly how much damage/extra threat is necessary on top of the Attract Fire CC and "Threatening Stance"? Also, I run strategist in space as a secondary spec, which I believe also bolsters threat to some degree. I don't know much about tanking since its my least played specialty, but I assumed it wouldn't take too much beyond what the game already gives you.

Man, that really bothers me. Because yeah, the Iconian set at a stats' glance is obviously better than anything else (aside from maybe science-y builds) for lightning bruisers. I was just hoping something else like the Aegis set or maybe the Kobali set (although I missed the anniversary ship for that year so no warp core or console sadly) might be at least competitive defensively.

Against the wishes of the people I'm probably gonna try to go for the Aegis set. I have the cash and I can get it in UR. Plus it doesn't seem terrible, featuring a lot of mitigation/avoidance abilities. The Iconian set will at least make my other cruiser tac lethal and resilient.

warmaker001b

If you intend to "Tank" you need to draw threat / aggro in the current game. To do threat / aggro, you need to do DPS.

Strategist Spec, using Threatening Stance is not enough. Just using BFAW is not enough. You need to draw threat AND do damage to draw aggro.

I have some 30k-ish builds that will draw aggro with aplomb in some average PUGs. But depending on some people I random into an instance with, they draw so much aggro from their DPS and build that I get no incoming fire whatsoever.

A "Tank" that only excels when something shoots at it is wholly useless. Because believe it or not, there's a sort of "race" to get aggro for some builds.

annemarie30

To play the game, i'd say if not ico, the it would depend. For healing, assimilated. Maybe the jem set if you run polaron

nikeix

Are sol defense and kobali sets relevant? I seem to remember those being quite tanky.

zerokillcf2011

Sol Defense give you the hull healing nanite cloud, but the Quantum Phase set gives you the destabilizing thing that increases DPS thus creating more agro/better "tank"

tempusmagus

zerokillcf2011 wrote: »

Sol Defense give you the hull healing nanite cloud, but the Quantum Phase set gives you the destabilizing thing that increases DPS thus creating more agro/better "tank"

Not near as much as Iconian. One thing to remember, Iconian gives your teammates buffs as well, this really pushes this set over the top. The whole "everyone killing things faster" helps tanking, because you don't have to hold out as long.

Things that help you pull threat:
1) DPS - You are the bigger "threat", so you get shot at first.
2) Threatscale - Imitates greater dps, therefore faking you into being the biggest "threat".
3) Distance from Foe - The closer you are, the greater the threat you generate. It should be noted that Gravity Well and Torpedos generate "0 range threat". You become the biggest "threat", unless others are using the same.
4) First shots on Target - The first guy hitting a target draws first threat. It is harder to pull threat off of them, so that is why Threatscale is important, to take it away from them.


This Reddit thread talks about Threatscale, it contains math: https://redd.it/3wto5d. The two main posters u/TheFallenPhoenix and u/mastajdog are probably the best theorycrafters and tanks you will find. There are some good general conclusions drawn that can help people understand how to generate threat and get rid of threat in their runs. It also mentions one important thing, if you have rarely been shot at, don't drop Sensor Interference Platforms, this messes up your tank's threat. If you are rarely being shot at, your tank is doing his job, don't mess it up .

fluorescentblack

I have been using the Kobali set over the Sol set but I'm wierd and I'd guess most would disagree with this choice.

My feelings on threat are wierd too. Always add to it with items and abilities, never decrease it. For example If everyone has +1000% threat and somone gets in danger of exploding and they stop shooting and go evasive the added threat of everyone else pulls the threat that much faster. I basically think lowering threat is a noob trap.

rattler2

nikeix wrote: »

Are sol defense and kobali sets relevant? I seem to remember those being quite tanky.

I view the Kobali as relavent. If you happen to have the full 4 piece set, you got some pretty nice extra heals. Throw in the Samsar Console and you got an extra 2 hull and 1 shield heal on top of whatever BOff powers you have.

As for other sets, I do have a fleetmate who swears by the MACO set, and won't even try anything else.

foxman00

rattler2 wrote: »

nikeix wrote: »

Are sol defense and kobali sets relevant? I seem to remember those being quite tanky.

I view the Kobali as relavent. If you happen to have the full 4 piece set, you got some pretty nice extra heals. Throw in the Samsar Console and you got an extra 2 hull and 1 shield heal on top of whatever BOff powers you have.

As for other sets, I do have a fleetmate who swears by the MACO set, and won't even try anything else.

For years I used the MACO three piece on my sovereign as well. Was a decent three piece set back in the day. Somewhat outclassed now, but still not too bad.

However, I agree with you Rattler, if you were lucky enough, the 4 piece Koabli set is a monster for tanks and healing, especially when combined with the Samsar console.

rattler2

Puts a whole new shine on the term Zombie Cruiser.
You do it right... you should get "WHY THE *beep* WON'T IT DIE?!"

foxman00

rattler2 wrote: »

Puts a whole new shine on the term Zombie Cruiser.
You do it right... you should get "WHY THE *beep* WON'T IT DIE?!"

Thats what alot of Klingon pilots have said about my sovereign (she uses a different set than Koabli) Shes very hard to kill, and sometimes i get very angry p**** PMs from some pilots

Anyway, yeah that set different does have a "zombie" feel to it, especially if you use the invincible trait if i remember right

roebotsixtyfive

Depends fully on HOW you want to tank (Threat Gen is dealt with by tanking stance and Rom Embassy Fleet consoles). For hull regeneration, Borg. For raw healing, Kobali.