Anti-Granite Stone Tank

[Onlyasandwich]

Good evening! I have a character whom, for thematic reasons as well as practical preference, is just not going to suit Granite armor. I know Stone can still be pretty tough without, and I'd like to pair it with /Ice this go-round, as I've had my eye on Frozen Aura fun for a while.

 

Although I've played plenty of tankers, I've never actually built Stone/ or /Ice before. I've put together this build looking at others I have seen around the forums, but would really appreciate input on any oversights or optimizations you may see!

 

The goals I have aimed for here:

- Close-enough to incarnate softcap S/L defense (55.7 currently)

- As much S/L resist as I can squeeze in without sacrificing much offensive power.

- Aggressive recharge slotting to cycle FA/Ice storm and my better ST attacks.

 

Areas I am not totally happy with:

- 5% shy of incarnate softcap E/N defense. Workable for sure, but would love to find a way. Maybe barrier? I feel like I may end up needing Ageless.

- Endurance management. I am used to playing hungry builds on the edge, but I know this one is a little unbalanced on consumption.  Not sure if I want to lean on Ageless - would be nice to be able to run Barrier.

- Not capped on S/L resist, although close if we account for ideal tanker ATO proccing.

- No Taunt! I like Taunt - it's convenient and has good IO sets. I could drop ice epic and go to Energy. I like the purple slotting opportunities and theme of ice though. 

 

My general tanker playstyle is very aggressive, bounding forward to new spawns as soon as I feel like the situation is manageable behind me. When the new issue hits, I'll likely swap Speed of Sound for teleport pool and the new combat teleport power. Otherwise using ninja run/whatever for travel. Rooted so far is really annoying and I'm not sure how it justifies its speed penalty, but here we are.

 

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.7.2.10
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Mother Lode: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Stone Armor
Secondary Power Set: Ice Melee
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Experimentation
Ancillary Pool: Arctic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Rock Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(13), ShlWal-Def(13), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(15), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 1: Frozen Fists -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(15), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(17), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 2: Ice Sword -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(11)
Level 4: Frost -- SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(A), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(5), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 6: Mud Pots -- Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Mlt-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 8: Stone Skin -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(36), RctArm-ResDam(43), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(43), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(46)
Level 10: Earth's Embrace -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(21), DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(23), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(50)
Level 12: Rooted -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(48)
Level 14: Brimstone Armor -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(23), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 16: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 18: Crystal Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(27)
Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34)
Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Minerals -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(27)
Level 28: Freezing Touch -- Hct-Dam%(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Rchg(31), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(31), UnbCns-Dam%(31)
Level 30: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), RctArm-ResDam(34), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(34), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37), RctArm-EndRdx(40)
Level 32: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(33), Rct-Def(33), Rct-ResDam%(33)
Level 35: Block of Ice -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(36), BslGaz-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(37), BslGaz-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(37)
Level 38: Frozen Aura -- Arm-Dam%(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Rchg(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40)
Level 41: Ice Blast -- SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(42), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Apc-Dam%(46)
Level 44: Ice Storm -- Rgn-Knock%(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(45), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(45), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(45), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(46)
Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Speed of Sound -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(19), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(19), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
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), Mrc-Rcvry+(36)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon 
------------

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[Onlyasandwich]

I've switched over to Energy epic, and think I'm happier overall with what I see. Looking more closely at ice storm, the recharge is too long for the investment required to get it, and I have strong aoe in FA/Frost.  I see people say good things about Frost, but do find the cone difficult to use - so very short!  Going with it for now.

 

I think the addition of some more health uniques and conserve power should allow me to run barrier instead of ageless, which will bridge the gap for incarnate cap on E/N as well.

 

Added Taunt too!

 

Spoiler

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.7.2.10
https://github.com/Crytilis/mids-reborn-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Mother Lode: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Stone Armor
Secondary Power Set: Ice Melee
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Experimentation
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Rock Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(13), ShlWal-Def(13), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(15), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 1: Frozen Fists -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(15), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(17), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 2: Ice Sword -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(11)
Level 4: Frost -- SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(A), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(5), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 6: Mud Pots -- Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Mlt-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), Mlt-Acc/Dmg(50)
Level 8: Stone Skin -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(37), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(37), RctArm-ResDam(43)
Level 10: Earth's Embrace -- Prv-Absorb%(A), Prv-Heal/Rchg(21), DctWnd-Heal/Rchg(23), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(50)
Level 12: Rooted -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(48)
Level 14: Brimstone Armor -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam(23), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(25), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25)
Level 16: Build Up -- GssSynFr--Build%(A)
Level 18: Crystal Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(27), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(43)
Level 20: Ice Patch -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34)
Level 24: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 26: Minerals -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(27)
Level 28: Freezing Touch -- Hct-Dam%(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), Hct-Acc/Rchg(31), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(31), UnbCns-Dam%(31)
Level 30: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), RctArm-ResDam(34), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(34), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(37), RctArm-EndRdx(40)
Level 32: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(33), Rct-Def(33), Rct-ResDam%(33)
Level 35: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(36)
Level 38: Frozen Aura -- Arm-Dam%(A), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Arm-Acc/Rchg(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40)
Level 41: Laser Beam Eyes -- SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(A), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(43), Apc-Dam%(46)
Level 44: Taunt -- MckBrt-Taunt(A), MckBrt-Taunt/Rchg(45), MckBrt-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(45), MckBrt-Acc/Rchg(45), MckBrt-Taunt/Rng(46), MckBrt-Rchg(46)
Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 49: Speed of Sound -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(19), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(19), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21)
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), Mrc-Rcvry+(36), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(36)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A)
Level 50: Musculature Radial Paragon 
------------

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[Haijinx]

Play Shield, Ice or SR 

 

They will bury Stone outside of Granite 

[Onlyasandwich]

I know that it is not ideal. I am enjoying the theme and visuals, and working within the limitations of the set. I already have tanks of every other primary and enjoy them. 

Edited November 23, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[Onlyasandwich]

Getting up there with this build and enjoying it so far. The only thing I don't like is reliance on rooted. I didn't realize it even toggles off when you turn on sprint. They really didn't want you to be able to do a damn thing about the speed debuff!

 

This thread is now for ranting about rooted. If you feel like providing feedback on my build I would certainly appreciate it, but please remember to say a few bad words about this annoying power. Thank goodness for pay to win Mez protection!

[Cutter]

No real feedback on the build, other than to mention that I poached a large chunk of it to buff my in-progress Stone/MA... so thanks there!

 

Stone as a whole needs an overhaul. The armours don't offer enough in the current state of the game, and the penalties of using Rooted vastly outweigh its effects. (As an aside, I wish that it added +Damage for all my MA kicks - those massive stone feet should hit like a truck!)

[ninja surprise]

Yes, Rooted is so bad that even Electric Armor's Grounded laughs at it as it jumps through the air and gets kb'd back to the ground.

[Onlyasandwich]

3 hours ago, Cutter said:

No real feedback on the build, other than to mention that I poached a large chunk of it to buff my in-progress Stone/MA... so thanks there!

 

Stone as a whole needs an overhaul. The armours don't offer enough in the current state of the game, and the penalties of using Rooted vastly outweigh its effects. (As an aside, I wish that it added +Damage for all my MA kicks - those massive stone feet should hit like a truck!)

Glad it was useful enough to include! I definitely agree. I think stone is a jumbled, unfocused mess, quite honestly. There is no particular synergy between the types of protection, and granite armor is a fairly boring reason for it all to exist.

 

That said, anti-granite works well enough with this sort of io support.  Rooted is my only barrier to enjoyment, but it's a pretty big one.

[Onlyasandwich]

1 hour ago, ninja surprise said:

Yes, Rooted is so bad that even Electric Armor's Grounded laughs at it as it jumps through the air and gets kb'd back to the ground.

At least grounded saves you a slot for muling the gladiator defense io. Laughing indeed.

 

What could we call Rooted instead to justify unsticking it from the ground? 

[Cutter]

2 minutes ago, Onlyasandwich said:

At least grounded saves you a slot for muling the gladiator defense io. Laughing indeed.

 

What could we call Rooted instead to justify unsticking it from the ground? 

Grooted.

[Onlyasandwich]

2 minutes ago, Cutter said:

Grooted.

Perfection.

[Onlyasandwich]

With the new issue, I've specced this build into combat teleport and it is truly a delight!

 

I still think rooted needs a buff, but I don't mind it at all now that I can zip around instantly wherever I need on the combat field. This also makes frost oh so much simpler to set up again mid battle. There is great joy in porting to an ally in danger and being able to knock off an aoe to grab nearby attention before the dominos start falling. Using regular teleport in this way usually led to a late arrival and frustration.

 

So yeah - give combat teleport a try if you haven't! I'll have a hard time passing it up on any of my melees.

Edited November 26, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[Hyperstrike]

 

 

And no Taunt?  ON A TANK?

INFIDEL!

[Onlyasandwich]

I added taunt in my revised build. It is great for the set bonus and I missed its utility for sure. Second post in the thread if you feel the urge to provide input!

 

Aggro tanking works, but mobs have a little mini flee pretty often, and accuracy can at times be an issue on certain mobs. Although I am anti granite, I am not anti taunt!

 

I did look at your thread when making my build, hyperstrike. I'm glad there are others who appreciate the beauty of stone outside granite!

Edited November 26, 2020 by Onlyasandwich

[Hyperstrike]

Well, the Winter-Os are an AWESOME group of IO sets.

They can be used to spackle over MANY holes that would otherwise be left in a majority of builds.

And I've said it elsewhere.
Granite is simply and utterly incompatible with the modern pace of the game.

[Haijinx]

2 hours ago, Hyperstrike said:

Well, the Winter-Os are an AWESOME group of IO sets.

They can be used to spackle over MANY holes that would otherwise be left in a majority of builds.

And I've said it elsewhere.
Granite is simply and utterly incompatible with the modern pace of the game.

But so is Rooted really.

 

Of course with tanker numbers and IOs you can make a non granite stone tank work.  But the same investment will build you a better ANY other kind of tank. 

 

Its okay.  Someone has to suck the most.  That is Stone Armor's job. 

 

It just has this impossibly awesome Tier 9, toughness wise.  With all those drawbacks.  

[Onlyasandwich]

I think non granite would be pretty solid with just a little beef on defensive values, or maybe just higher debuff resistance, along with killing the rooted speed penalty.

 

Meanwhile it can be fixed with ios and combat teleport. I also think it's pretty.

 

Even with a great io build, I'll grant that it doesn't do anything special. No extra damage, no end tools, no interesting debuffs or self buffs. The closest thing would simply be its strong psi defense, which is a nice advantage, but not huge considering other high end io builds can plug their psi hole well enough while still retaining their special advantages.

 

I'm liking my build at 50. It's tough against any content and realizes my character's background better than another primary would. I think granite is a silly power, but don't know how I would change it. 

[Blueridger]

Anybody that tells you that Stone/ outside of Granite is weak needs to revisit how they're building stone. Stone/ can easily exceed the s/l/e/n/p soft caps while getting pretty decent s/l/f/r resists. People underestimate how good s/l defense is. It'll take about 75% of fire and ice attacks out of the game because most of them have a s/l component. Your first layer of protection should be defense - not resist. Most of the time, I just run around with Rock Armor and Rooted (as well as tough/weave/maneuvers) and mostly don't get touched. Add rooted - yes, the reduced movement is a pain, but it's pretty easy to retoggle into ninja/beast/athletic run and zip from group to group - or use teleport/combat teleport. Those who run Granite 24/7... are just bad might want to play something easier if they can't handle it. Heaven forbid we have to do more than just mash our attack buttons.

[Haijinx]

19 hours ago, Blueridger said:

Anybody that tells you that Stone/ outside of Granite is weak needs to revisit how they're building stone. 

Relatively it is. 

 

Tankers can be built so tough however it can be made to work. 

 

Find another Tanker Primary that is weaker than Stone outside of Granite.

[Hyperstrike]

3 hours ago, Haijinx said:

Relatively it is. 

 

Tankers can be built so tough however it can be made to work. 

 

Find another Tanker Primary that is weaker than Stone outside of Granite.

Honestly, most "tweaked" builds tend to fall apart at some point during the leveling process.
I wouldn't recommend doing more than adding the "gotta haves"

(The Endurance boosters in Health.
Performance Shifter.
The (+3% Defense) Resist IOs
The (+Resist) Defense IOs.

Stick to SOs until your 30's.
Once you can drop a full 6 slots on Granite, look at an IO rebuild.
 

[Haijinx]

Thought this was a no granite thread?

[Hyperstrike]

9 hours ago, Haijinx said:

Thought this was a no granite thread?

 I'm in a couple Stone Armor threads.  So it's entirely possible I'm getting corn-fused.

[Infinitum]

On 11/26/2020 at 8:54 PM, Hyperstrike said:

And I've said it elsewhere.
Granite is simply and utterly incompatible with the modern pace of the game.

Thats actually not entirely true anymore.

 

Combination of the new combat teleport, and teleport utilizing keybinds for movement and movement to target make a granite with with rooted a whole other level of fast, deadly and unkillable.

 

Throw in fold space and you have a nightmare to the bad guys.

[Hyperstrike]

8 hours ago, Infinitum said:

Thats actually not entirely true anymore.

 

Combination of the new combat teleport, and teleport utilizing keybinds for movement and movement to target make a granite with with rooted a whole other level of fast, deadly and unkillable.

 

Throw in fold space and you have a nightmare to the bad guys.

I stand by my words.

[Infinitum]

1 hour ago, Hyperstrike said:

I stand by my words.

I stand by seeing me do it last night effectively.