looking for advice on a shield tank.

[Grymbeard]

Ok, so, I've put this build together about 12 different ways. This is what I have come up with. I am worried that the resistance numbers are too low to actually tank ... can some folks look at it and give opinions?

elecshieldagain - Stalker (Electrical Melee - Shield Defense).mbd

[PLVRIZR]

Did you mean to post a stalker build or did you post in the wrong forum?

[Grymbeard]

dangit wrong build.

 

shieldelectank - Tanker (Shield Defense - Electrical Melee).mbd

[Grymbeard]

I was working up a shield stalker and shield tank lol posted the wrong one

 

[Warboss]

I'm not sure the PSi proc from PZ will work in the "Taunt Aura" AAO. Might just need to replace that with a regular one. 

 

I'm not big into "hover Tanking", but if it works for you, I don't see any major issues with the build. I'm sure others will stop by and point out refinements and reason for, so I won't get into those (also because I'm not super well versed on the ins and outs of SD). Have you tested this build yet, or is it just the outline for you next project. And, only because it was the first build posted... You do realize that the Stalker will out damage a Tank...right?

Edited February 29 by Warboss

[Thraxen]

Here is my shield tank.  It is /SS so different powers, but could give some ideas. 

Thraxicus - Tanker (Shield Defense) 03 19 2023 no cross punch or boxing and Cardiac.mxd

[Thraxen]

Here is a rough one.  Doesn't have TP stuff.  Barrier will bring s/l to 90.  

 

Build notes. - Tanker (Shield Defense - Electrical Melee).mbd

[Grymbeard]

yeah, the stalker way outdps's the tank, the TP stuff is something I really want to fit in. This is a project, I am working on a tank and stalker build simultaneously.

 

[tidge]

My Shield/Battle Axe build. The only difference between what I listed below and what I actually have slotted is that the two pieces in Active Defense were replaced with two D-Sync Decelerations @ 53,,,, which is kinda pricey, but I had the means to acquire them.

 

The thing about Shield Defense (or at least my build) in my experience is that it is a slightly more "active" Tanker than some other builds... such as "Aura"-based ones. IIRC it is somewhat inferior to other Tanker primaries in the self-healing department, so don't skimp on leveraging True Grit.

 

Spoiler

Primary Power Set: Shield Defense

Secondary Power Set: Battle Axe

Power Pool: Force of Will

Power Pool: Leadership

Power Pool: Teleportation

Power Pool: Concealment

------------

Level 1:                 Deflection          

 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50

 (*) Unbreakable Guard - +Max HP: Level 50

 (*) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance: Level 50

 (*) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance: Level 50

 (*) Unbreakable Guard - Resistance/Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Impervium Armor - Psionic Resistance: Level 40

 

Level 1:                 Chop    

 (A) Hecatomb - Damage/Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Hecatomb - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Hecatomb - Damage/Endurance: Level 50+5

 (*) Hecatomb - Chance of Damage (Negative): Level 50

 (*) Hecatomb - Damage: Level 50+5

 

Level 2:                 Battle Agility      

 (A) Reactive Defenses - Defense: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Scaling Resist Damage: Level 50

 

Level 4:                 Gash     

 (A) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage: Level 50

 (*) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Superior Gauntleted Fist - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Superior Gauntleted Fist - RechargeTime/+Absorb: Level 50

 

Level 6:                 Mighty Leap      

(A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 

 

Level 8:                 Weaken Resolve             

 (A) HamiO:Lysosome Exposure (Accuracy, Defense Debuff, ToHit Debuff): Level 53

 (*) Shield Breaker - Chance for Lethal Damage: Level 30

 (*) Touch of Lady Grey - Chance for Negative Damage: Level 50

 

Level 10:              Active Defense

 (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 (*) Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 12:              Phalanx Fighting              

 (A) Kismet - Accuracy +6%: Level 30

 (*) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50

 

Level 14:              Against All Odds              

 (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 16:              Taunt   

 (A) Mocking Beratement - Taunt: Level 50

 (*) Mocking Beratement - Taunt/Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Mocking Beratement - Taunt/Recharge/Range: Level 50

 (*) Mocking Beratement - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Mocking Beratement - Taunt/Range: Level 50

 (*) Mocking Beratement - Recharge: Level 50

 

Level 18:              True Grit             

 (A) Gladiator's Armor - Resistance: Level 50+5

 (*) Gladiator's Armor - TP Protection +3% Def (All): Level 50

 (*) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance: Level 50

 (*) Panacea - Heal: Level 50+5

 (*)Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%: Level 30I

 (*) Healing IO: Level 50+5

[was  (*) Impervium Armor - Psionic Resistance: Level 40)]

 

Level 20:              Pendulum          

 (A) Multi-Strike - Accuracy/Endurance: Level 50+5

 (*) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage: Level 30

 (*) Armageddon - Chance for Fire Damage: Level 50

 (*) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage: Level 50

 (*) Superior Might of the Tanker - Recharge/Chance for +Res(All): Level 50

 (*) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage: Level 20

 

Level 22:              Wall of Force     

 

 (A) Javelin Volley - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5

 (*) Javelin Volley - Chance of Damage (Lethal): Level 50

 (*) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage: Level 20

 (*) Positron's Blast - Chance of Damage (Energy): Level 50

 (*) Bombardment - Chance of Damage (Fire): Level 50

 

Level 24:              Shield Charge   

 (A) Mocking Beratement - Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Mocking Beratement - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50

 (*) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage: Level 30

 (*) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage: Level 50

 (*) Scirocco's Dervish - Chance of Damage(Lethal): Level 50

 (*) Force Feedback - Chance of Global Recharge: Level 50

 

Level 26:              Grant Cover      

 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/RechargeTime: Level 50

 (*) Reactive Defenses - Defense/Endurance/RechargeTime: Level 50

 

Level 28:              Axe Cyclone      

 (A) Fury of the Gladiator - Accuracy/Endurance/Recharge: Level 50+5

 (*) Fury of the Gladiator - Chance for Res Debuff: Level 50

 (*) Eradication - Chance for Energy Damage: Level 30

 (*) Perfect Zinger - Chance for Psi Damage: Level 50

 (*) Obliteration - Chance for Smashing Damage: Level 50

 (*) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage: Level 20

 

Level 30:              Cleave 

 (A) Armageddon - Damage: Level 50+5

 (*) Armageddon - Damage/Recharge: Level 50+5

 (*) Armageddon - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge: Level 50+5

 (*) Armageddon - Accuracy/Recharge: Level 50+5

 (*) Armageddon - Damage/Endurance: Level 50+5

 

Level 32:              Build Up              

 (A) Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control - Chance for Build Up: Level 50

 (A)Recharge Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 35:              Combat Teleport             

 (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Range / Endurance: Level 50+5

 

Level 38:              Infiltration          

 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50

 

Level 41:              Unleash Potential           

 (A) Preventive Medicine - Chance for +Absorb: Level 50

 

Level 44:              One with the Shield       

(A) Impervium Armor - Psionic Resistance: Level 30

 

Level 47:              Maneuvers        

 (A) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed: Level 50

 

Level 49:              Stealth 

 (*) Shield Wall - +Res (Teleportation), +5% Res (All): Level 50

 

Level 1: Brawl    

 (A) HO Nucleolus (Accuracy/Damage) Level 53

 

Level 1: Gauntlet             

 

Level 1:                 Sprint   

 (A) Endurance Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 2:                 Rest      

 (A) Interrupt Reduction IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 4 :                Athletic Run      

 

Level 2:                 Swift     

 (A) Run Speed IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 2:                 Health  

 (A) Miracle - +Recovery: Level 40

 (*) Numina's Convalesence - +Regeneration/+Recovery: Level 50

 (*) Numina's Convalesence - Heal: Level 50

 

Level 2:                 Hurdle 

 (A) Jumping IO: Level 50+5

 

Level 2: Stamina               

 (A) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End: Level 50

 (*) Performance Shifter - EndMod: Level 50

 (*) Power Transfer - %Heal: Level 50

 

 

[tidge]

On 2/29/2024 at 6:04 PM, Grymbeard said:

yeah, the stalker way outdps's the tank, the TP stuff is something I really want to fit in. This is a project, I am working on a tank and stalker build simultaneously.

 

In the build I posted above, I originally had the intention of having Fold Space in the build, but I found it to be inferior to using Shield Charge, Combat Teleport and the enemy moving powers of (improved) Battle Axe. There are enemies that can't be teleported, and Fold Space requires slotting for both Recharge and (IIRC) Accuracy to be somewhat reliable. there is also the way Fold Space can grab teammate aggro by pulling enemies out of patches. My takeway is that Fold Space is a somewhat wasted power pick for Tankers. YMMV.

 

The one element of Fold Space that I can almost recommend it for.... if solo, it can be a reasonably efficient AoE Taunt, since it's target cap and range is so much higher than Provoke from the Presence pool. A highly mobile tank should be able to do better by just using it's actual Taunt and by making attacks.

Edited March 3 by tidge

[Carnifax]

18 hours ago, tidge said:

there is also the way Fold Space can grab teammate aggro by pulling enemies out of patches

Or accidentally murdering a Willpower brute because they'd jumped a spawn ahead and suddenly found all bar the purple bosses got yoinked by my Warshades version and they swiftly died. 

 

Glad I never did that 👀.....

 

I have it specced into my baby Shield/Axe but yep, it's been tough to fit. Not sure I'll stick with it. 

[Porche]

I favor defensive builds with my Shield/BS main, took your build and adjusted it a bit to be closer to what I like, maybe give you some ideas.

 

I dropped teleport pool entirely and replacing it with some additional skills from Shield.  The changes I made to the sets were to capture more set bonuses for better resists.  With resilient core paragon incarnate the resists are now between 65-81 except for Psi at 56.  You are softcapped on defense at 57/46/46

 

 

Grant cover doesn't give you any bonuses but that 13% defense helps keep the squishies alive.  You could swap this out for build up if you wanted more damage.

 

 

You have three mitigation buttons as well.  One with the shield, Melee Core Incarnate, and Barrier Core.  With three you can cycle between them for constant uptime and resists that are more like 85-90.  

shieldelectank - Tanker (Shield Defense - Electrical Melee).mbd