SJ/SR Tanker Advice

[CraterLabs]

With the understanding that Tanker really isn't the best archetype for PvP play, and that Street Justice/Super Reflexes might not be super intuitive powersets for it, how would you start setting up this build for PvP situations? Would the general practices for a Tanker using a defensive set instead of a resistance set still work, or would there need to be some wheel reinventing going on?

[bellona100]

Hi CraterLabs.

 

I see your post is getting quite a few views, but no one is responding to your questions.  I think the knowledge on PvP in the game is a fraction of what it used to be.

 

I actually took on a Shield Defense/SS Tank tonight in RV.  He didn't have Taunt and I was on my Blaster.  The Tank wisely lured me into the train station and the real fight began.

 

I was doing pretty good dodging and rolling around the station till he popped his One with the Shield power and I could not damage him.  At this time he also came at me with all he had because he only had 2 minutes till he crashed.

 

He won the battle.  He did a couple things right and I did a couple things wrong.  But sometimes when ya want a fight, you have to battle under the other guy's rules.

 

Almost all the Melee characters that come into RV these days are set up(built) for that Fight Club shit.  That would explain his not having Taunt on the toon.  The reason I keep bringing up Taunt is due to the power's ability to debuff range on your opponent by 70%(?).   It is a must have power in zone so that the Tank doesn't get kited by range ATs.

 

Back to your questions.  The rule of thumb for PvP Defense is this:  A little or moderate Def on a build does nothing to protect you.  You have to have a very large amount and then you get the protection from player attacks.  This has to do with +ToHit being so plentiful on characters.

 

You have to decide if you want your Tank built for Fight Club or general zone PvP.    Either way, I would place an emphasis on your Elude, One with the Shield, or other such power that only lasts a few minutes and then leaves your guy drained of all End.  But this is my personal opinion.  Lasty, as far I know, SS is the best secondary for tank to have - whether you're talking PvE or PvP.

 

Good luck with your build.

 

 

[wonderfull]

On 8/29/2025 at 11:51 PM, CraterLabs said:

Would the general practices for a Tanker using a defensive set instead of a resistance set still work

You're going to want to pair the Def with something else.   Res, Regen, +HPs, heals, or some combination of these.

 

The way Def mechanic works, some opponent attacks are going to get through.  You will need to have something to counter that incoming damage.