Ice Dark Tank

[Snarky]

Here is a Ice Dark Tank.  Full disclosure: I have never run an Ice Armor Tank.  But going into it this is how I would kit it out and see how it ran.

 

52% s/l Res

 

58% energy Res

 

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Dethice: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Ice Armor
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Frozen Armor -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(3), ShlWal-Def(3), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(5)
Level 1: Shadow Punch -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Mk'Bit-Dam%(9)
Level 2: Hoarfrost -- TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(9), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(11), TtnCtn-ResDam(11)
Level 4: Shadow Maul -- Mlt-Acc/Dmg(A), Mlt-Dmg/Rchg(17), Mlt-Acc/EndRdx(17), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(19), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(19), Obl-%Dam(21)
Level 6: Chilling Embrace -- PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(A), PcnoftheT-Dmg/Slow(21), PcnoftheT-Acc/EndRdx(23), PcnoftheT-Rng/Slow(23), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(25)
Level 8: Wet Ice -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 12: Permafrost -- TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(25), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27), TtnCtn-ResDam(27)
Level 14: Icicles -- Mlt-Acc/Dmg(A), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Mlt-Acc/EndRdx(29), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)
Level 16: Siphon Life -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(31), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(33)
Level 18: Glacial Armor -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(34), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34), ShlWal-Def(34), Ksm-ToHit+(36), Rct-ResDam%(36)
Level 20: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A)
Level 22: Tough -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx(48), TtnCtn-ResDam/Rchg(48), TtnCtn-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(50), TtnCtn-ResDam(50)
Level 24: Weave -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(37), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), ShlWal-Def(39)
Level 26: Energy Absorption -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(36), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), ShlWal-Def(39)
Level 28: Soul Drain -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(42)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(42), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(48), ShlWal-Def(50)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 35: Dark Consumption -- Mlt-Acc/Dmg(A), Mlt-Dmg/Rchg(43), Mlt-Acc/EndRdx(43), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(45), Obl-Acc/Rchg(45)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(45), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mk'Bit-Dam%(46)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Tactics -- RctRtc-Pcptn(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run 
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(13), Mrc-Rcvry+(13)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(15), EndMod-I(15)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon 
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[Redlynne]

12 hours ago, Snarky said:

Level 6: Chilling Embrace -- PcnoftheT-Acc/Slow(A), PcnoftheT-Dmg/Slow(21), PcnoftheT-Acc/EndRdx(23), PcnoftheT-Rng/Slow(23), PcnoftheT-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(25)

You have made a mistake with this slotting.

I would recommend slotting 2 common Taunt IOs, 2 common Slow IOs and whatever additional procs strike your fancy (Pacing of the Turtle does wonders for reducing incoming damage!).  Add the Impeded Swiftness chance for Smashing damage proc if you can.

 

The reason I say this is because, as an Ice Tanker, the SAFEST place for your $Targets to be is RIGHT BESIDE YOU WHERE THEY CAN'T GET AWAY FROM YOU.

As an Ice Tanker, you want to turn your build into "flypaper" ... where everything sticks to you and cannot escape from you.  The recharge debuffing from Chilling Embrace is nothing to sneeze at and is a significant source of damage mitigation, and procs from Pacing of the Turtle make that damage mitigation even more powerful.  Slotting Taunt enhancements into Chilling Embrace turns the power into a MEGA aggro magnet.  Remember, your job is to (and I quote myself from years past) ... "inhale aggro like a wind tunnel" ... and Chilling Embrace goes a LONG way towards achieving that goal.

 

Besides ... you hate runners, right?

12 hours ago, Snarky said:

Level 14: Icicles -- Mlt-Acc/Dmg(A), Mlt-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Mlt-Acc/EndRdx(29), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31)

Again, you have made a mistake with your slotting.

I would strongly urge you to 6 slot Icicles and decide how you want to leverage procs with it.

A 6 slotted Might of the Tanker or Gauntleted Fist in Icicles does WONDERS for an Ice Tanker!

A 6 slotted Avalanche set is highly thematic and the random Knockdowns are actually useful to you for incoming damage mitigation and runner prevention!

A 6 slotted Eradication, Scirocco's Dervish, Obliteration and even Overwhelming Force sets are ALL extremely useful for an Ice Tanker who wants to dish out more damage!

A 5 slotted Armaggedon (drop the first Damage enhancement) and Fury of the Gladiator proc turns Icicles into a "burning sensation that increases pain" on procs!

 

In short, do NOT skimp on slotting up Icicles.  In most Ice Tanker builds, somewhere close to 1/3rd of all damage production over time comes from Icicles!  Slot it for offense, since Chilling Embrace will be keeping $Targets close to you for Icicles to DoT into easy faceplants while you prioritize "thicker" $Targets.

12 hours ago, Snarky said:

Level 26: Energy Absorption -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(36), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), ShlWal-Def(39)

I would strongly urge you to put more slots into Energy Absorption.  You need Defense, Recharge AND Endurance Modification enhancement in Energy Absorption ... ALL THREE.

 

Additionally, I DO NOT CARE what other priorities you were slotting for prior to Level 26, but at Levels 27-31 your unconditional priority (after slotting a Numina in Health at Level 27) is to getting Energy Absorption fully slotted as fast as possible.  Why?  Because Energy Absorption is the LAST of your Defense buffing powers, and with enough Endurance Modification and Recharge will SOLVE any remaining lingering endurance management issues you might have with your build.  Energy Absorption is what makes Ice Tankers behave like Brutes (or Warshades, if you prefer) with seemingly bottomless endurance when surrounded by foes.

 

So hie thee back to the build planner, young whippersnapper ... you've got unfinished work to do!

Edited March 30, 2020 by Redlynne
pytos

[Vulpoid]

9 hours ago, Redlynne said:

I would strongly urge you to put more slots into Energy Absorption.  You need Defense, Recharge AND Endurance Modification enhancement in Energy Absorption ... ALL THREE.

When I looked at the amount of Defense this power provides, it seemed really small. Would a Defense IO be worth it? 
I also had a targeting question. The power description uses the word "Bodies."  Does this work on the Living, ..Corpses or ..both?
Thank you for your hard work and help on the forums. Both of you!

[Major_Decoy]

It is a fairly small amount, but it's per target hit, so in a good sized crowd, it's worth 10 times the stated value.

[Caulderone]

13 minutes ago, Vulpoid said:

When I looked at the amount of Defense this power provides, it seemed really small. Would a Defense IO be worth it?

It depends on how you want to build.

Want to build for saturated targets (8-10), you want to enhance the defense.

Want to build for worst case (1 target), it isn't worth enhancing.

 

Personally, I would build for 1 target and get enough defense to rely on without saturation.  Then, saturation would be bonus.

 

edit PS:  Winter IOs play very well with typed defense sets like Ice and Invulnerability.  Worth considering switching to several sets of those.

Edited March 30, 2020 by Caulderone

[Vulpoid]

Do we know if this works on the dead or the living or both?
This is important, because one wants as full an effect as possible, and if I can set it off AFTER I have used a lot of END, in a pile of corpses it would be even better.

[Caulderone]

Living only.

[Redlynne]

Back on Virtue, Energy Absorption used undefeated $Targets with HP of 1+.  The fluff text mentions bodies, but the context is not corpses.

 

Energy Absorption (like voting?) is a Use Early, Use Often kind of power.

[Redlynne]

1 hour ago, Major_Decoy said:

It is a fairly small amount, but it's per target hit, so in a good sized crowd, it's worth 10 times the stated value.

Most of the build planners I've used have a slider for showing you how much extra Defense you get from hitting multiple targets with the power.  My objective when slotting for Defense on the power was to ensure softcap AND endurance refill saturation while requiring the least number of $Targets to achieve that outcome.  Being able to saturate with only 3 was a lot better than needing 5 (or 8...) $Targets in the PBAoE.

 

Also, just because you reach the softcap for Defense doesn't mean you're "immune" to cascading defense failures due to Defense Debuffs.  Building for an overcap situation when you hit more than the minimum number required for saturation will go a long way towards sustaining your survival.

 

Don't just think about "optimal" situations that work out "perfectly" to your advantage ... also consider "failure" modes as well, and how "graceful" that downward curve in performance might be for you.

[Sura]

2 hours ago, Vulpoid said:

Do we know if this works on the dead or the living or both?
This is important, because one wants as full an effect as possible, and if I can set it off AFTER I have used a lot of END, in a pile of corpses it would be even better.

I don't know about others, but I use it when I first jump into a group.  Chilling and Icicles are taunting, so I'm not super worried about getting aggro.  I jump into the group, do EA, and then start taunting or whatever.

[Vulpoid]

Any recommendations for Ancillary/Patron powers pools and choices?

[Redlynne]

2 hours ago, Vulpoid said:

Any recommendations for Ancillary/Patron powers pools and choices?

Whatever makes you happy ... IF you have the power picks left to invest in anything.

 

I personally recommend getting all 3 Leadership toggles (and possibly Vengeance and/or Victory Rush) before even considering whether to dip into Mastery/Patron pools.  Leadership makes EVERY TEAM AROUND YOU better at what they do best.

[Vulpoid]

16 minutes ago, Redlynne said:

I personally recommend getting all 3 Leadership toggles

Thank you very much!
My Ice/Dark Tank is at level 34 and I have not dipped into Leadership yet. I think I will respec and that will take care of the issue!
3 more toggles are going to justify the Energy Absorption and Dark Consumption choices...😉 

Edited March 31, 2020 by Vulpoid

[Sovera]

With the patch (finally) out my first thought was Ice/Dark Melee as well, but at first glance I'm not sure what Ice Armor really brings to the table. The resists are bad, but the defense is easy to softcap. It has the huge HP buff, but it recharges super slowly. It has Chilling Embrace b-... Ok, no cons in that.

 

Dark Melee tanker seems to fix most of these. Siphon Life keeps us topped until Hoarfrost recharges, the 20% (25% if Barriering) resists with the ATO proc goes a long way in spacking over the resists (though not up to Tanker snuff IMO).

 

Not sure if Shield just wouldn't do more.

[Vulpoid]

My Ice/Dark is an extraterrestrial from Sedna, the coldest, darkest object in our solar system. So... concept over efficiency! She does not carry a shield. 

[eSpicy]

I took a completely different approach. I obviously softcapped what I could but to make my resists competitive i took rune of protection and paired it with as much recharge as I could get, while also slotting a FF Chance for rech in arcane bolt. I plan on taking barrier to rotate with Rune to help me through Rune's downtime. 

 

So far I've tanked a MLTF at level 45, +4 Kill all ITF at level 48, a Keyes trial, and a +4 LGTF, unfortunately got killed at hami due to end drain, but without any sort of support to help I'm not mad about it tbh.

 

It's a weird playstyle but I think the way I'm currently running mine is the most well rounded. None of my resists are terribly low and it exemplars great. Would love to theory craft a bit with people because I think it's actually pretty darn strong. I'm excited to add incarnates because I think that will complete the build and fix the holes. 

[mbre2006]

3 hours ago, Vulpoid said:

She does not carry a shield. 

Can she cook?

[Vulpoid]

8 minutes ago, mbre2006 said:

Can she cook?

Very good at Indian and Mexican. Cilantro, Garlic, Hot Peppers and Cumin are apparently used frequently on Sedna.

[Redlynne]

35 minutes ago, mbre2006 said:

Can she cook?

Even if she's an intergalactic princess, you're still expected to do household chores. 

[Sovera]

I made a build myself but I'm a bit embarrassed at showing it since it's a bit of an odd duck in terms of power choices with some picks at least for PvP (Tactics (otherwise not needed since everything is close to softcapped in accuracy), Taunt for ranged characters, super speed to catch up to said ranged characters (I already have Fly so this is has no purpose otherwise). This is not really helping the PvE side of things).

 

I worked it to 40% defenses and will rely on Barrier for the last 5% (actually, 4 enemies caught by Energy Absorption is enough to softcap by its own). At least to S/L/R/N. F/C and Psi are going to be holes, but only Psi is a thing in the end game anyway.

 

Accounting for 3 stacks of the Tanker IO (reliable once slotted into an attack as per the experiments in the Elec/MA build) plus 5% of Barrier the resists end being 70%-ish S/L, 60%-ish Fire/Negative/Energy, and about-ish 53%  to Toxic. For a tank I find its low, BUT perma Hoarfrost, accolades and IOs cap HP at a whooping 3.5k HP and with my frankenslotted Siphon Life I'm getting back 577 HP every 3 seconds ( o_o; ), barring misses. Not to forget Chilling Embrace. Mobs really hate it and the -recharge plus the -damage can probably be mathed into pseudo resistances.

[Redlynne]

3 hours ago, Sovera said:

super speed to catch up to said ranged characters (I already have Fly so this is has no purpose otherwise).

Why aren't you using Mystic Flight instead so as to Teleport to where you want to get to in a hurry in PvP?

[Sovera]

4 hours ago, Redlynne said:

Why aren't you using Mystic Flight instead so as to Teleport to where you want to get to in a hurry in PvP?

Teleport has no fine control. By the time the animation has ran the person has moved a kilometer to the side and we can't even joust. Mystic Flight also has no Hover.