Storm-themed Tanker?

[Socks10]

I'm looking for some ideas. My friends and I have been going on a storm-based powers kick lately. This mostly consists of using ATs that have access to the Storm Summoning set, which has been a ton of fun. However, I feel like having a character that can taunt would be beneficial for us and I enjoy Tankers, so I have been trying to find a fit. There really isn't much though. Ice/Ice? Ice/Elec? These are about as close as it gets. I have already been looking through the forums and had a peak at @Infinitum's Tanker post (which is excellent). However, the best idea I got out of there was an Elec/Storm Controller (which is my other favourite AT, so I will be trying one of those). 

 

Any ideas for a storm-based Tanker? 

[Erratic1]

 

Think volcanic lightning and we can dispense with talk of Ice in favor of Stone/Electrical Melee. It's a storm which portends nastier things to come. 

 

I'll even give you a theme to work with....

 

Do NOT make the volcano goddess mad!

 

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Erratic1

[Sovera]

There are two things that can help:

 

A) Don't need to be super focused on attack sets because cosmetics matter more. Simply choosing the cloudy lightningy body aura can already do half the concept.

 

B) A common thing in volcanic eruptions is the 'dirty lightning storms' like Erratic just mentioned. This is where the static electricity from the volcanic dust creates lightning (googlable and also a spiffy sight). I had a volcano-deity-avatar character whose use of Judgement Ionic was perfectly in character.

 

Combining both you can do Stone Armor (with lava skin) and Elec Melee.  Or Fire Armor (with just one of the toggles using the Dark palette so you get a smoky sooty FX). Or Elec/Elec. Or Elec/War Mace because-you-know-who.

[Socks10]

Thanks for the posts! This is excellent. I didn't think of Stone/Elec. I have created one, but still working through what power choices to make. Thanks for the advice guys!

[Cutter]

Dark/Elec can also work, especially with costume and path auras to play with.

[StriderIV]

One of my mains, Storm Aegis, is Shield/Elec. Shield Defense has nice Elemental options for their shields, so I just went with the Electrical one. You can definitely make a lot of sets fit with your theme!

[Gobbledigook]

Maybe Rad/electric for some sort of nuclear/atomic storm? Lightning rod in then Ground zero.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Gobbledegook

[Without_Pause]

First thought was Elec/ice. I guess it depends on what kind of storm. I don't really think of Stone when I think of storm. Elec/kin might be an option since Kin mimics wind.

[Erratic1]

4 minutes ago, Without_Pause said:

I don't really think of Stone when I think of storm. 

 

You're making the volcano goddess mad by denying her lightning. She just might roll you some pyroclastic flow (and there aint no ice in that)....

 

[Socks10]

29 minutes ago, Erratic1 said:

 

You're making the volcano goddess mad by denying her lightning. She just might roll you some pyroclastic flow (and there aint no ice in that)....

 

 

You don't, by chance, have a build lying around for Stone/Electric, do you? I've gotten to 11 so far and grabbed Jacobs Ladder...and I'm not so sure it was worth it. 

[Without_Pause]

30 minutes ago, Erratic1 said:

 

You're making the volcano goddess mad by denying her lightning. She just might roll you some pyroclastic flow (and there aint no ice in that)....

 

Like I said, it depends on the type of storm. Having lived in the northern part of the US, ice is absolutely involved in a storm.

[Erratic1]

11 minutes ago, Without_Pause said:

Like I said, it depends on the type of storm. Having lived in the northern part of the US, ice is absolutely involved in a storm.

 

During the last great snow storm my heater went out and the repairman could not make it to my house for 2 days because the snow was so thick. It is amazing when one can tell the difference between 53F and 57F, which I managed with a single space heater for the entire house. The previous big storm, 3 months before caused the central tree in my back yard to develop cracks running along the branch over my powerlines to both my and my neighbor's house.  But hey...what's $7000 to deal with both events between friends?

 

What makes you think those of us elsewhere do not know of ice and snow? 

 

And have you never heard of a sandstorm? Or a dust storm (which this region was famous for about a century ago)?

 

Not all storms come with ice.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Erratic1

[Erratic1]

34 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

 

You don't, by chance, have a build lying around for Stone/Electric, do you? I've gotten to 11 so far and grabbed Jacobs Ladder...and I'm not so sure it was worth it. 

 

 Working up a Electric/Stone brute (currently level 41) so don't have a Tanker build up my sleeve, but let me see what I can crib together from what I am doing with her....

[Socks10]

21 minutes ago, Erratic1 said:

 

 Working up a Electric/Stone brute (currently level 41) so don't have a Tanker build up my sleeve, but let me see what I can crib together from what I am doing with her....

 

No rush. I will mostly be playing this character with some friends, so it won't be a fast levelling toon. 🙂

 

I've also been playing another Tanker recently, based off a post by @Sovera I believe. It is a Fire/Claws Tanker and I absolutely love it. And based off of their post above, I'm wondering if I can get it to work with this Storm theme as well. 🙂

[Erratic1]

40 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

No rush. I will mostly be playing this character with some friends, so it won't be a fast levelling toon. 🙂

 

What follows is a quickie without a lot of deep thought put to it to convert it from Brutal fashion to something more Tankish. No doubt better exists...probably far better. It skips Jacob's Ladder because you are uncertain of it. FWIW, a trick to using Jacob's Ladder is to move away from a group slightly while targeting a foe on the edge then auto-follow [F] back to the group with Jacob's Ladder activated. But if you're spending more than a half second doing this then yeah...perhaps Jacob's Ladder is best dropped.

 

Spoiler

This Hero build was built using Mids Reborn 3.1.2.5
https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Stone Armor
Secondary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Rock Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(3), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(3), LucoftheG-Def(5), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(5)
Level 1: Charged Brawl -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(7), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(7), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9)
Level 2: Havoc Punch -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(11), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(13), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(15), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(15)
Level 4: Earth's Embrace -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(17), Mrc-Heal/EndRdx(17), Mrc-Heal/Rchg(19), Mrc-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(19), Mrc-Heal(21)
Level 6: Teleport -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 8: Rooted -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(21), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(23), Prv-Heal/Rchg(23), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(25), Prv-Absorb%(25)
Level 10: Mud Pots -- Erd-Acc/Rchg(A), Erd-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Erd-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Erd-%Dam(29), Arm-Dam%(29), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(31)
Level 12: Brimstone Armor -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(31), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Ags-ResDam(33)
Level 14: Stone Skin -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(33), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(33), Ags-ResDam(34), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34)
Level 16: Thunder Strike -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(34), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(37)
Level 18: Crystal Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(37), LucoftheG-Def(39), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(39), PwrTrns-+Heal(39)
Level 20: Boxing -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Tough -- Ags-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Ags-ResDam/Rchg(40), Ags-ResDam(40), Ags-Psi/Status(40), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(42), GldArm-3defTpProc(42)
Level 24: Taunt -- Acc-I(A)
Level 26: Minerals -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 28: Chain Induction -- TchofDth-Acc/Dmg(A), TchofDth-Dmg/Rchg(42), TchofDth-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), TchofDth-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), TchofDth-Dam%(43)
Level 30: Weave -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-ResDam%(45), Ksm-Def/EndRdx(45), Ksm-Def/Rchg(45), Ksm-ToHit+(46), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(46)
Level 32: Build Up -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Focused Accuracy -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Lightning Rod -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(46), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(50)
Level 41: Physical Perfection -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(50)
Level 44: Granite Armor -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 49: Lightning Clap -- Acc-I(A)
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 -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(9)
Level 1: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(11)
------------

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[Socks10]

Thanks for taking the time to give me a build to look at. I really appreciate it. Also, that tip on how to use Jacobs Ladder is very interesting. I'm sure it applies to other cones and just not something I have ever thought about. 

 

Edit - Is there a reason for choosing Teleport? I have seen it in other tank builds and I typically go for super jump or flying. Is there a reason this is a good pick for a tank?

Edited December 28, 2021 by Socks10

[Erratic1]

4 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

Edit - Is there a reason for choosing Teleport? I have seen it in other tank builds and I typically go for super jump or flying. Is there a reason this is a good pick for a tank?

 

No reason other than I like to change things up and hadn't used it in a while. But I will note that before you get Lightning Rod a nifty way to enter a crowd is to pre-target an enemy, queue up Thunder Strike then teleport to the target's location. 

 

But that is not really a great reason to choose teleport over any other travel power.

[Socks10]

3 minutes ago, Erratic1 said:

 

No reason other than I like to change things up and hadn't used it in a while. But I will note that before you get Lightning Rod a nifty way to enter a crowd is to pre-target an enemy, queue up Thunder Strike then teleport to the target's location. 

 

But that is not really a great reason to choose teleport over any other travel power.

 

Ha, I'd say that is a pretty great reason to choose it. 🙂

 

This game has so many little quirks that make it fun. Glad my friends found it again last year and keep coming back to it. 

[Warboss]

Just saw this thread, but I'd like to add that Dark and Rad Armor can be colored for the "Storm" effect (I've done it several times), add either the Lighting or Smoke auras and it will look pretty stormy. Pair either of them with Fire or Electrical Melee and you'll be pretty well off. You might even look at Kinetic, and Ice Melee. Energy Mastery may be one of the best Epic power sets for either Dark or Rad Armor, but you can go with Mu, Dark, Pyre or Ice for "more storm". Ice will give you an "Ice Storm" AoE.

[Socks10]

17 hours ago, Erratic1 said:

 

No reason other than I like to change things up and hadn't used it in a while. But I will note that before you get Lightning Rod a nifty way to enter a crowd is to pre-target an enemy, queue up Thunder Strike then teleport to the target's location. 

 

But that is not really a great reason to choose teleport over any other travel power.

 

Ha, I'd say that is a pretty great reason to choose it. 🙂

 

This game has so many little quirks that make it fun. Glad my friends found it again last year and keep coming back to it. 

[Socks10]

I have been enjoying the Stone/Elec Tanker, but also made an Elec/Ice Tanker. Both sticking with the storm theme. Not sure which I like better. I might actually be leaning towards Elec/Ice as there are more powers I like in there....maybe too many actually. It's difficult to find a good build as there are too many power choices. I'll keep playing both though, for a bit, to see which one becomes a clear favourite. 

[Erratic1]

2 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

I have been enjoying the Stone/Elec Tanker, but also made an Elec/Ice Tanker. Both sticking with the storm theme. Not sure which I like better. I might actually be leaning towards Elec/Ice as there are more powers I like in there....maybe too many actually. It's difficult to find a good build as there are too many power choices. I'll keep playing both though, for a bit, to see which one becomes a clear favourite. 

 

Life is too short to not play what gives you the most enjoyment. If Elec/Ice is firing your imagination more than Stone/Elec, why fight it and not just wholeheartedly dive into Elec/Ice?

 

My latest Tanker's powersets are not a combo which you will see talked about much if at all--Elec/Rad. I cannot hold it up as being either particularly outstanding in the realm of survival nor damage output. But something about the combo and the character theme fired my imagination, even at the point in levelling where it at times it seemed perhaps better to move onto another build. But I could walk away from him. Sure enough, once I got his IOs slotted and upped his global recharge things were so much better--Energize was up 75% of the time reducing endurance issues and Radiation Siphon could serve to both contaminate a target (with decent chance due to its cooldown) and to then proc healing from the same target without needing to play whack-a-mole with randomly contaminated targets.

 

The one that grabs you will be the one you stick with to squeeze the most performance from.

[Socks10]

I think it's the sticking with the storm theme that is causing the most trouble. We got back into the game recently with a couple of storm summoning characters and it has been a lot of fun. For some reason though, we are making new storm characters and I'm trying to find a Tanker that fits that theme, as I like the AT. Electric Armour has been good, but Lightning Field is a little too much. The animation is throwing off too much lighting for a rare winter storm. 🙂

 

I'm over thinking this I realize, but that's part of the "fun". Electric Melee might be the better option, and I think I can work with that. I'll keep messing around with these builds, and maybe a couple new ones, until I find one that fits. 

[Erratic1]

6 minutes ago, Socks10 said:

I think it's the sticking with the storm theme that is causing the most trouble. We got back into the game recently with a couple of storm summoning characters and it has been a lot of fun. For some reason though, we are making new storm characters and I'm trying to find a Tanker that fits that theme, as I like the AT. Electric Armour has been good, but Lightning Field is a little too much. The animation is throwing off too much lighting for a rare winter storm. 🙂

 

I'm over thinking this I realize, but that's part of the "fun". Electric Melee might be the better option, and I think I can work with that. I'll keep messing around with these builds, and maybe a couple new ones, until I find one that fits. 

 

Ice Armor/ Energy Melee using Thunderhead or Electricity Aura. Color Energy Melee attacks to match the color of Ice Armor.

[Socks10]

Oh man, another good option. 🙂

 

Actually, the only Tanker I leveled to 50 is an Ice/Ice Tanker. I love him. So, this might be a really good choice. I'll be giving him a chance as soon as I have time at the character creator, for sure.