Shield/DM or SR/DM?

[Marshal_General]

I am trying to decide between two tanks. I decided after running several TFs and summer events where we had to tank or healing, I would make a self healing tank that I could take through incarnate trials. I have two builds I have made up.

 

This first one is shield and my goal was to get as much damage as I could while getting to the defense soft cap and as much resist as possible for when I do get hit. The only thing that concerns me is the 66% DDR. I don't know how well that will hold up at the end game or even on the trip to the end game.

Hero Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.1
https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer

Click this DataLink to open the build!

 

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This next one is the SR one. I never really played SR back in the old days even after they improved it. I am including the full build as Mids/Pines seems to have a bug for me where any SR tanks I make and reload has Radiation Emission powers slotted unless I use version 2.21.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.962
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

SR DM 1: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Super Reflexes
Secondary Power Set: Dark Melee
Power Pool: Sorcery
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Soul Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Focused Fighting -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(3), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(3), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(5), Ksm-ToHit+(5)
Level 1: Shadow Punch -- SprGntFis-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprGntFis-Dmg/Rchg(7), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg(9)
Level 2: Focused Senses -- Rct-Def(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(11), Rct-EndRdx/Rchg(13), Rct-Def/Rchg(13), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Rct-ResDam%(15)
Level 4: Shadow Maul -- SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg(A), SprGntFis-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprGntFis-Rchg/+Absorb(23), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23), Obl-Dmg(25)
Level 6: Mystic Flight -- WntGif-ResSlow(A)
Level 8: Practiced Brawler -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Taunt -- PrfZng-Dam%(A)
Level 12: Evasion -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx(25), Rct-Def(27)
Level 14: Dodge -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(27), Rct-Def/EndRdx(29)
Level 16: Siphon Life -- TchoftheN-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(A), TchoftheN-Acc/Heal(29), TchoftheN-Heal(31), ThfofEss-Acc/Heal(31), ThfofEss-+End%(31), Prv-Absorb%(33)
Level 18: Agile -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), Rct-Def(33), Rct-Def/EndRdx(33)
Level 20: Lucky -- ShlWal-Def/EndRdx(A), ShlWal-Def(34), ShlWal-Def/Rchg(34), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(34), ShlWal-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(46)
Level 22: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%(A)
Level 24: Tough -- StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GldArm-3defTpProc(36), ImpSki-Status(36), UnbGrd-ResDam(36), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(37), UnbGrd-Max HP%(37)
Level 26: Weave -- LucoftheG-Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(37), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx(39), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg(39), LucoftheG-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(39)
Level 28: Soul Drain -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(40), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40), Arm-Acc/Rchg(40), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Arm-Dam%(42)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(42)
Level 32: Assault -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(43)
Level 35: Dark Consumption -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Midnight Grasp -- SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMghoft-Dmg/Rchg(43), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprMghoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), SprMghoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), SprMghoft-Rchg/Res%(45)
Level 41: Quickness -- Run-I(A)
Level 44: Gloom -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(46), HO:Nucle(50)
Level 47: Dark Obliteration -- Rgn-Dmg(A), Rgn-Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Rgn-Acc/Rchg(48), Rgn-Dmg/EndRdx(50), Rgn-Knock%(50)
Level 49: Touch of Fear -- CldSns-Acc/ToHitDeb(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Clr-RunSpd(A), Clr-Stlth(9)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Clr-EndRdx(A), Clr-RunSpd(46)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clr-RunSpd(A), Clr-EndRdx(11)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A), RgnTss-Regen+(17), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(17), Mrc-Rcvry+(19)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(19), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg(21)
Level 50: Agility Core Paragon
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Both have perma Soul Drain and will be stupidly expensive in influence and merits.

 

On paper, it looks like the Shield tank is the better build as it does better damage, though I am not an expert and both can probably be improved.

 

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

[Heraclea]

I wuld prefer Shield for two reasons that have nothing to do with your proposed builds.

 

Reflexes apparently has a weak taunt aura like Willpower does.  This requires you to take a much more active role, and makes it easier for teammates to attract mobs away.

 

Shield remedies the chief weakness of Dark Melee, which is slow AoE powers you will prefer to slot for things other than pure damage.  You get Shield Charge, a good AoE opener that is pure damage.  And of course you get a full strength taunt aura.

[JCMcBoo]

I would personally go SR based solely on the synergy with DM's tohit debuffs. 

[FUBARczar]

no question, Shield, it's a way better set, more utility, more well rounded, added dmg, great aoe attack, added resistance, simply way better overall. 

[Bronana16969]

19 minutes ago, FUBARczar said:

no question, Shield, it's a way better set, more utility, more well rounded, added dmg, great aoe attack, added resistance, simply way better overall. 

Not that it's entirely optimal but SR does get significant damage resistance when getting to lower thresholds of hp.  How this plays out in game is a bit more subject to your team composition.

 

They only reason I lean toward SR is the BIG defense debuff resistance.

 

However shield gives you allies defense.