Do you slot your defenses first as a tanker?

[Suparaj]

Hi!  Do you slot your defenses (primaries) first as a tanker? Or do you build it like any other dps and fill out all of your attacks first?

[lemming]

I tend to try to build a fairly rounded tank lately for level 20 content, but I do tend to lean toward the defense side first.  There are some pool picks I try to cram in if possible such as Teleport Target since it's an all around useful power.

[Maelwys]

When levelling up; accuracy, damage and unsuppressed movement are normally my main priorities. Any defensive armor toggles typically get an endred in the base slot and fleshed out properly in the mid 20s.

[MonteCarla]

I'll usually slot my attacks up first for 1 acc, 2 damage at the least.

 

I find doing almost double damage and hitting my targets reliably has an immediate impact on my performance.

Shields are more of a long game - the difference between having 36% S/L Resists (1 slot) vs 45% (3 slots) is not so noticeable. The extra points from slotting become more important the higher you get for both Resistance and Defence builds.

I'll pick up Tough/Weave and start building for defences in the late 20s/early 30s once slots become more freely available.

 

There has been the odd tank where I've gone straight for defensive slotting for concept reasons, but I'll slot for attacks first if I'm being practical.

[Biff Pow]

Offense first, Accuracy and Damage is way more effective than a small increase in Resist/Defense. My one exception is a high value power like Temp Invulnerability (30% Resist S/L) where some enhancement will be noticeable.

[Suparaj]

thanks!

[SableShrike]

Also depends if you team exclusively!  A purely team Tank can get by maxing defenses and taking Taunt asap.

 

But this can hamstring you from doing any solo content, as you’ll not be able drop enemies fast (meaning they wind up doing way more damage to you).

 

Same idea behind a “pure healer” Defender; you’re forcing yourself into relying on others to play.

[Myrmidon]

On Excelsior, there are so many chances to find teams that building for Defense first and Damage second works out for any Tanker build that I make.

[Frozen Burn]

As I level up, all powers typically get the following 2 slots so that attacks have an Acc, endredux, and a damage; defensive typically have an endredux and 2 def or resists depending on the type.  When I get I get extra slots because something needs nothing other than the 1 it comes with or etc... I focus on defensive powers first - I'm a tank and being a meat shield is my job.  Otherwise, I'd have made a Brute instead to slot up the attacks first.  

 

If you team, even a little bit - I'd suggest slotting up defenses first, but certainly put the basics in your attacks so you aren't completely gimped.  

 

If you only solo - do whatever you want.

 

Also... it's your character - do whatever you want.  😄