Discontented

Hello, everyone. Play a level 42 ice tank on virtue by the name of APLE Unit T02. I must say that I am quite happy to see that ice tanks may be getting some attention in the future. In all the playing I have done, I have yet to be one-shotted, except by the psychic clockwork king and the crystal titan, but I suppose it may be possible. I know that I was able to tank the titan without ambrosia, unlike the invlun tank I team with on a regular basis. I also know that I am unable to tank such things as swarms, caltrops, and nemesis snipers thanks entirely to the auto-hit damage. The real reason I'm posting here, though, is because I saw someone make the following comment:

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4. PVP is irrelevant in this discussion.. let's face it.. nobody is going to be playing a ICE tank in PVP. PVP will come down to 3 things, cookie cutter builds, tactics and who has the fastest computer.

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On the contrary, I've played PvP with my Ice/EM tank, and I've done quite well, for much the same reason as a super reflexes scrapper. I even have the advantage of two very strong attacks that most other ATs don't even know exist. I can't tell you how many blasters got a nasty shock during the Thursday Throwdown when they got the idea in their heads that their 30% unresistable damage would put me in my place only to miss once or twice before I reached them. Then it was build up, energy transfer, total focus, and down they went. Things were similar for the poor controllers, who had a nightmare of a time trying to out-mag wet ice when none of their holds could even land on me. I did rather well, until I faced an SR scrapper with that toggle accuracy epic power. I couldn't touch her, but she could get me reliably enough, and since she was 11 levels up from me at the time ( I was 39 ), I don't really mind that.

What I'm saying is, just because we are below the bar in PvE, does not mean we are in bad shape for PvP. At this point, I see that as my final saving grace. Sure, I won't be able to participate in Hamidon raids, except as a silly sort of pseudo-scrapper, but at least I'll be able to help out my SG in the arena.

This is my first post on the forums, so I'll take it a little slow to start. I've read this entire thread, and found it very enlightening. I have reached 34 with my ice armor/energy melee tanker APLE Unit T02, and although I know that I'm not as tough as my invulnerability/super strength friend (Whom I trained in the ways of tanking, since it was his first character) I haven't been having too many problems. Only about half a dozen times has my team taken casualties because I couldn't last against the enemies. I was even sidekicking with some 49s and 50s the other day, who commented that I was one of the best ice tanks they had ever seen, and I managed to tank Neuron without incident.

My build so far is simple: I have taken every single ice armor power, and I have every armor 6 slotted with 1 endurance and 5 defense (with the exception of permafrost, which is 5 slotted with resistance). I have Chilling Embrace 6 slotted also, with 1 endurance and 5 slow (Do these enhancements actually improve the -recharge effect, or just the slow movement effect? Slowing movement is, in my opinion, not worth the slots, so I would like to know.) Lastly I have icicles with 1 endurance, 1 accuracy, and 1 damage and right now energy absorption has 2 slots, an endurance and a recharge, if I remember right. The only optional attack I have taken is Whirling Hands, and I have it 3 slotted at the moment, and I have taunt and the fitness pool.

So, I've really put a great deal of effort into being strong in defense, but what I'm hearing from you number-crunchers is starting to frighten me. I am so weak? I knew I was worse off than other tankers, but I didn't realize the margin was so embaressing. Now, for the big question: What do I do about it? I'm taking this character to 50 if it kills me, so what do I do?

I'm thinking that I may try taking the fear powers in the presence pool, I can see a use for provoke as a stepping stone power and I know from my dark defender that fear can be a very powerful tool, I think it may be enough to tip the balance in my favor IF the powers are effective. Do any you guys have any thoughts on that? I'd love to hear your opinions.

So, if you have time, please throw me a bone in regards to the presence pool powers and to the effect of enhancements in chilling embrace. Thanks!