Shield/Stone for inexperienced tank

[ShamanofNight]

I've been playing since a few weeks after launch of the live servers in 2004, but could never make a tank I stuck with past level 10. Recently I decided to make an ice/ice tank and have had more fun with it than most other characters I've made over the years. Pretty sure I have the recent update to tank AoEs and frost to thank for that. After running an Earth Assault Dom I kind of wanted to try stone melee, but was never interested in stone armor and couldn't think of what to pair it with besides such. I finally came up with a character, and slapped a shield that looks like a stone slab on him. I have a general idea of how I want to build it, but again, not much experience with tanks.

 

I've never been one to min/max, preferring concept and style over raw numbers, and I nearly always run solo or team with my wife as a duo when not on a task force. Any advice, tips and thoughts are appreciated, as I'm always open to tweaking some abilities, or using them in ways I couldn't predict. I'm not terribly sure what to expect with the attack chain, how end heavy it is, or other nuances, so is there anything I should be aware of before beginning a new adventure with this tank?

[Sovera]

Not to put your enthusiasm down but you might find a Shield/Stone tanker a difficult beast if only because of the endurance demands that Stone Melee has and then coupled with Shield that has nothing to recoup endurance.

 

Might I interest you in a Fire/Stone Melee? You can color the Stone Melee with the lava skins which goes trés bien ensemble with the thematic of Fire Armor. And it has Consume which will help greatly with the endurance demands of Stone.

 

Despite this you can still work Shield/Stone though, but carry Recovery Serums and slot endurance reduction and the recovery uniques as soon as possible.

[Erratic1]

8 hours ago, ShamanofNight said:

I've been playing since a few weeks after launch of the live servers in 2004, but could never make a tank I stuck with past level 10. Recently I decided to make an ice/ice tank and have had more fun with it than most other characters I've made over the years. Pretty sure I have the recent update to tank AoEs and frost to thank for that. After running an Earth Assault Dom I kind of wanted to try stone melee, but was never interested in stone armor and couldn't think of what to pair it with besides such. I finally came up with a character, and slapped a shield that looks like a stone slab on him. I have a general idea of how I want to build it, but again, not much experience with tanks.

 

I've never been one to min/max, preferring concept and style over raw numbers, and I nearly always run solo or team with my wife as a duo when not on a task force. Any advice, tips and thoughts are appreciated, as I'm always open to tweaking some abilities, or using them in ways I couldn't predict. I'm not terribly sure what to expect with the attack chain, how end heavy it is, or other nuances, so is there anything I should be aware of before beginning a new adventure with this tank?

 

I am not sure its a good idea, but its  perhaps something to inspire (further or avoidance I don't know):

 

Spoiler

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.4.7
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Stone Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Earth Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(3), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(3), Ksm-Def/Rchg(5), Ksm-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(7)
Level 1: Stone Fist -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(9), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(11), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(17), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(19), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 4: Heavy Mallet -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(21), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(21), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 6: Super Jump -- Empty(A)
Level 8: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Against All Odds -- Empty(A)
Level 12: Battle Agility -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(13), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(13), Ksm-Def/Rchg(15), Ksm-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(15), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(17)
Level 14: Taunt -- Acc-I(A)
Level 16: True Grit -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(23), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(25), Ags-ResDam(27), Ags-Psi/Status(27)
Level 18: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 20: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(34), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(36), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(36), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(36), GssSynFr--Build%(37)
Level 22: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 24: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(25)
Level 26: Shield Charge -- Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(37), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), ExpStr-Dmg/KB(42), ExpStr-Acc/KB(42), ExpStr-Dam%(42)
Level 28: Tremor -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(29), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(29), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(31)
Level 30: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-ResDam%(33), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(33), Ksm-Def/Rchg(33), Ksm-ToHit+(34), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(34)
Level 32: One with the Shield -- ImpArm-ResPsi(A)
Level 35: Hurl Boulder -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), FrcFdb-Rechg%(46)
Level 38: Seismic Smash -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(40)
Level 41: Stone Prison -- EntChs-Acc/Dmg(A), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx(43), EntChs-Dmg/Rchg(43), EntChs-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), EntChs-Heal%(45)
Level 44: Fossilize -- BslGaz-Acc/Hold(A), BslGaz-Acc/Rchg(45), BslGaz-Rchg/Hold(45), BslGaz-Slow%(46)
Level 47: Stalagmites -- PstBls-Acc/Dmg(A), PstBls-Dmg/Rchg(48), PstBls-Dmg/Rng(48), PstBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(48), PstBls-Dam%(50)
Level 49: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(9)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(7)
------------

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 I did try to stay within the theme of Earth. 

[ninja surprise]

This is roughly what I run with. It's a load of fun. You can swap out Leadership for the Fighting Pool if preferred. Move Gaussians into Build Up, etc.

 

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.0.5.6
https://github.com/Reborn-Team/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Stone Melee
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile: Ground Combat
Level 1: Deflection -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(3), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(3), Rct-Def/Rchg(5), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Rct-ResDam%(7)
Level 1: Stone Fist -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg(9), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(13), Mk'Bit-Dam%(13)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx(15), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(15), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17), TchofDth-Dam%(19)
Level 4: Heavy Mallet -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(19), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(25), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(34)
Level 6: Battle Agility -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(40), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(42), LucoftheG-EndRdx/Rchg(42), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(42)
Level 8: True Grit -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(9)
Level 10: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(11)
Level 12: Against All Odds -- Taunt-I(A)
Level 14: Phalanx Fighting -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 16: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A), PrfZng-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(48)
Level 18: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 20: Fault -- AbsAmz-ToHitDeb%(A), AbsAmz-EndRdx/Stun(21), AbsAmz-Stun/Rchg(21), AbsAmz-Acc/Stun/Rchg(23), AbsAmz-Acc/Rchg(23), FrcFdb-Rechg%(25)
Level 22: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 24: Mystic Flight -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 26: Shield Charge -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(27), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Arm-Acc/Rchg(29), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Arm-Dam%(31)
Level 28: Tremor -- Erd-Dmg(A), Erd-Acc/Rchg(31), Erd-Dmg/Rchg(31), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Erd-%Dam(33)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 35: Hurl Boulder -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(37), SprWntBit-Rchg/SlowProc(37)
Level 38: Seismic Smash -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(40)
Level 41: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 44: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(45), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(45), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(46), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46), RedFrt-Def(46)
Level 47: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(45), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(48), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(48), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(50), GssSynFr--Build%(50)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet 
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), Prv-Absorb%(43)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(43)
------------

[PLVRIZR]

13 hours ago, ninja surprise said:

This is roughly what I run with. It's a load of fun. You can swap out Leadership for the Fighting Pool if preferred. Move Gaussians into Build Up, etc.

 

 

 

That looks hella-fun!  Like the taunt duration in AAO and made me wonder.  Would the PZ +chance for Psi proc in the AOE?  Would it even slot?

[Bill Z Bubba]

1 minute ago, PLVRIZR said:

That looks hella-fun!  Like the taunt duration in AAO and made me wonder.  Would the PZ +chance for Psi proc in the AOE?  Would it even slot?

 

I threw one into evasion on my claws/sr brute and found it wasn't worth the slot even just standing there surrounded by an aggro cap's worth of cimerorans. I'm sure someone else can show the math.