Finduilas

Well, here's the build I put together for my Dark/WM, adapted for Dark/SM. As you can see, I didn't go for max defense--it doesn't have Weave--but it shows what you can do by choosing your sets carefully. Personally, I don't think soft-capping is as necessary for Dark/ as it is for other Tanker primaries since it has a number of mitigation tools, and I didn't want to make the sacrifices needed to get there. If you do decide to soft-cap defense you can probably get pretty close with Weave added to the sets I've used here, and make a very tough Dark tank.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas. Since you want the two epic powers, you'll have to drop at least two from this build; I'd suggest Cloak of Fear and maybe an additional power from the secondary. I don't see how you could slot both for soft-capped defense and pick up those epic powers without cutting powers you want, but I'll let you decide that.

Please note that I don't claim any sort of expertise in Stone Melee--for instance, it could be that slotting Fault with Taunt sets is really boneheaded. I slotted it that way for the S/L def bonus, but hopefully someone will say so if I got that or any of the other SM slotting wrong.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Stone Melee
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:37(3), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(7), S'fstPrt-ResKB:11(36), RctvArm-ResDam:32(43)
Level 1: Stone Fist -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:29(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:30(3), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:27(13), KntkC'bat-Knock%:21(15)
Level 2: Stone Mallet -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:32(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:29(5), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:31(13), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:27(15), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:35(45)
Level 4: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:32(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:38(5), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(9), RctvArm-ResDam:35(43)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- Ksmt-ToHit+:30(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:50(7), Zephyr-Travel:50(17)
Level 8: Obsidian Shield -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:22(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB:11(9), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:36(11), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:34(43), Aegis-ResDam:35(45)
Level 10: Taunt -- Zinger-Taunt/Rchg:40(A), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:40(11), Zinger-Taunt:50(33), Zinger-Acc/Rchg:40(36), Zinger-Taunt/Rng:40(42), Zinger-Dam%:40(46)
Level 12: Dark Regeneration -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(17), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(19), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Heal:30(19), Theft-+End%:14(21), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(21)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel:40(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:40(23)
Level 16: Swift -- Flight-I:40(A)
Level 18: Health -- Mrcl-Heal:40(A), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx:34(23), RgnTis-Regen+:30(25)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(25), P'Shift-End%:40(27)
Level 22: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(27), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:19(29), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:42(29), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:44(46)
Level 24: Fault -- Mocking-Taunt:30(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(31), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(31), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(31)
Level 26: Oppressive Gloom -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg:39(A), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg:34(33)
Level 28: Hurl Boulder -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(34), Mael'Fry-Acc/Dmg:35(34), Mael'Fry-Dmg/EndRdx:35(34), Mael'Fry-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(45)
Level 30: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(36)
Level 32: Cloak of Darkness -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx:38(37), GftotA-Def/Rchg:38(37), GftotA-Def:38(50)
Level 35: Tremor -- Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(37), Erad-Dmg:30(39), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:44(39), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:42(39)
Level 38: Seismic Smash -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(40), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(42), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:37(46)
Level 41: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(42)
Level 44: Boxing -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 47: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:32(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:37(48), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:34(48), RctvArm-ResDam:34(48)
Level 49: Cloak of Fear -- N'mare-Acc/Fear:50(A), N'mare-EndRdx/Fear:50(50), N'mare-Acc/EndRdx:50(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
------------
Set Bonus Totals:
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Fire)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Cold)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Energy)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Negative)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)
* 2.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)
* 23.6% Defense(Smashing)
* 23.6% Defense(Lethal)
* 8% Defense(Fire)
* 8% Defense(Cold)
* 23.6% Defense(Energy)
* 23.6% Defense(Negative)
* 3% Defense(Psionic)
* 13.3% Defense(Melee)
* 18% Defense(Ranged)
* 5.5% Defense(AoE)
* 9% Max End
* 1.65% Enhancement(Terrorized)
* 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
* 84.3 HP (4.5%) HitPoints
* Knockback (Mag -8)
* Knockup (Mag -8)
* MezResist(Held) 2.75%
* MezResist(Immobilize) 13.8%
* MezResist(Sleep) 1.65%
* MezResist(Terrorized) 2.75%
* 10.5% (0.18 End/sec) Recovery
* 30% (2.35 HP/sec) Regeneration
* 2.5% Resistance(Fire)
* 8% RunSpeed

If you're looking to reduce endurance costs, I see some major issues with this build. Other than your attacks, the two biggest endurance users are Dark Regen and Death Shroud; DS is underslotted for end reduction, and Dark Regen has no end reduction at all! I see that you've slotted the Theft of Essence +End proc, which is great, but on those occasions it doesn't hit, DR will take a big chunk of your end bar. Both DR and DS need at least 60% end red, IMO. Also, Focused Accuracy costs a huge amount of endurance; if you're talking it for the +Acc, drop it and get a Kismet +Acc instead.

I would also strongly recommend that you pick up Op Gloom. It costs almost no endurance, and takes all minions--except Stun resistant ones--out of the fight altogether. Used in combination with the SM attacks that Stun (Stone Fists, Fault) it will even Stun bosses. I think picking up Fault would be a good idea because of that.

You don't seem to be building toward stacking defense bonuses, so you might want to consider dropping Weave, too, if you need another power pick. If you do want more defense, you need to decide whether you are aiming for typed or positional defense, and look for the appropriate bonuses. (I prefer typed def for DA since you can concentrate on mitigating its weakness to Energy damage, but positional def would work too.)

Lastly, instead of getting Focused Accuracy, consider picking up the new Energy Mastery power, Physical Perfection, instead. It should help considerably in boosting your regen and recovery.

IMO, six-slotting Multi-Strike is a pretty sub-optimal choice for an Invul tank; the typed bonuses are tiny and there are much better choices. For instance, using 3 Eradication instead would provide an additional 3.13% E/NE defense. Another set of Eradication could easily go in Soul Drain for another 3.13%

Also, I also wouldn't recommend the fifth slot of Reactive Armor in UY and TI; is .63% F/C defense really worth dedicating a slot to? Not IMO, especially since adding just one slot to Taunt and a fifth Mocking Beratement enhancement is worth 3.13% F/C defense.

Just those small changes would boost the build's E/NE defense to almost 41% and the F/C defense to 34.5% without sacrificing the ability to soft cap S/L def.

With Phalanx Fighting set at zero allies, you're a little below the soft cap for Melee and Ranged. I'd recommend another set of Mako's in Jab or KOB, and using two Blessing of the Zephyr (not the -KB one) in Super Speed.

If you want a little more cushion, just one more slot of Gaussian's will give you an additional 2.5% defense to all positions.

EDIT: I also don't see much benefit from six-slotting LotG in Deflection. I think you'd be better off replacing two of those slots with ResDam IOs.

EDIT2: Urrgh, mixed up my sets. What I *meant* to say is that you should put a set of Touch of Death in either Jab or KoB for the Melee defense bonus. With the ToD, BotZ and a full set of Gaussian's you'd have 47.6% Melee, 48.9 Ranged, and 48.6 AoE defense; a little more than you need to soft-cap.

I'd also recommend doing some homework the first time through soloing EB/AVs. Some you may have breezed through with a good team can be absolutely brutal when soloed. (Madame of Mystery comes to mind.) Which ones will be tough depends in part on their strengths and your weaknesses, so asking on the boards or looking them up in the Wiki can be a big help.

And remember it's always an option to lower your difficulty or bring help (shivans, lots of inspirations, etc.) if you have problems.

I've got 2 WM tanks, and I'd recommend keeping Whirling Mace and skipping either Pulverize or Jawbreaker. (Most players skip Pulverize, but I kept it on my Dark/Mace to stack the stuns.)

As for the Invul passives, I'd say that Tough Hide and RPD are must haves, ResEn is desirable, and ResEl is nice if you can fit it in. ResEl is definitely the most skippable, IMO. F/C damage isn't terribly common, and Slow Resist is the least needed secondary affect of the three.

The most significant way your secondary will affect the quest to reach the soft cap is in the balance of single target vs AoE/Ranged attacks in the set. (ST attacks are good for adding S/L defense, AoE/Ranged for adding E/NE defense.) But in general, I think any secondary can at least reach the S/L soft cap if you build toward that goal.

The one thing I'd add to Call_Me_Awesome's guide is to strongly recommend that you 3 or 4-slot Eradication in your AoEs to increase E/NE defense.

EDIT: You mention reaching 90% resistance; just so we're clear, it is quite possible to do that on an Invul for S/L resistance, but there's no way to do it with the other damage types.

With Phalanx Fighting set to 0, and CJ toggled, you have 43.9% Melee defense, which is pretty darn close to the soft-cap. As for sets that will get you there, here's a good place to start:

http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Catego..._Melee_Defense

As for your build otherwise, I agree that the Karma -KB in CJ is not needed; a Kismet +To Hit or even a plain defense IO would be better. Also, Tremor and Char have no or almost no slotting for Damage, which I don't think is a good idea at all. You should be able to get the set bonuses you want *and* slot them for Acc, Dam, End Red, etc. Slotting for secondary effects is waay down the list, IMO. Try another set of Multi-Strike in Tremor and Thunderstrike in Char instead. Then just swap out the four Perfect Zingers in Fault for Mocking Beratement, and you'll be past the Melee soft-cap.

Rats, missed last night.

I'll be there next week on Justice for certain!

I hear ya, GP. I can rarely afford the Healing uniques, so being able to get an ancilliary power that will do something similar is very tempting.

However, since I also rarely have room for one or two ancillary powers, let alone three or four, this doesn't seem like a doable option. (Or at least not one I'm willing to sacrifice three powers to get!)

Hmm, unless you're just standing there using Taunt, using your attacks is an important part of controlling aggro.

And keep in mind that it doesn't take any more endurance to hit a foe with a fully slotted, damaging attack that it does a poorly slotted one. You just get better results and contribute more to your team.

First the bad news; 30-35% resistance to E/NE/F/C is all you're going to get with Invul without set bonuses.

Also, I don't know who told you that you don't need Tough to cap S/L resistance, but that's flat-out not true. You need TI, UY, RPD and Tough to reach the 90% cap.

The good news is that Invul doesn't rely solely on resistance for damage mitigation; it also has a +HP power (Dull Pain) and two defense powers (Invinc and Tough Hide) that together provide significant protection against non-S/L damage types except Psi.

What most Invul tanks do to be tougher is to take Tough and Weave, and to slot for IO defense bonuses. The nice thing about using defense against exotic damage is that if there is a combo attack, say smashing/fire, whether the attack hits is determined by the highest typed defense that applies to that attack. Because of that, you can get substantial protection from most attacks without getting needing your defense to all damage types to be super-high.

Hope that helps!

I'm no expert on Tanker FM, but on the build you posted you've waaay overslotted your Invul toggles for end reduction. With SOs, TI and UY don't need more than one End Red slot, and I consider putting even one in Invinc to be optional.

In general, I consider 'standard slotting' for tank attacks to be 1xAcc, 1xEndRed, 1xRchg, 3xDam, though you can of course vary that to taste. IMO, your current slotting is overslotted on end red, underslotted on damage, and could use some recharge in your longer-recharging attacks. Remember, defeating a foe with fewer, more damaging attacks is an endurance saver too!

IME, I have found Invul to be relatively easy to manage, endurance-wise, and FA isn't a particularly heavy end user AFAIK. I'd recommend starting with one end red per attack, and if you find yourself frequently running out of endurance you can add more to your most endurance-heavy attacks. Two or three-slotting end red in a normal shield toggle--as opposed to a high end damage aura--has a very small return on investment and is not usually recommended.

I often solo because my play time is sporadic and often brief. However, when I do have time to team, I hate sitting around waiting for a invite.

What I do in that case is put up my LFT flag, and put a note in my comment area that I'm okay with getting tells while I'm in a mish. (A lot of people aren't.) Then, I can solo until I get an tell invite--makes the time go faster!

Does Tanker Tuesday ever visit Guardian? I have a level 31 Ice/Axe there that would love to participate!

My first tanker, Watcher's Hand (and second character created) is a homage to my favorite NPC in a fantasy RPG. That character, a mace-wielding cleric, became a Invul/Mace tank--though if shields had been around back then, I would probably have gone Shield/Mace.

Sounds trite, I know, but I have invented a modern backstory for him that I think really works, and that I swear I'm going to make into a fanfic someday. The one thing that is consistent with the original character is that his abilities are god-given; which has been the impetus to create a couple of other "Watcher" variants.

Though I made the first Watcher a tank because it fitted the character best, since then I've kept making tanks (I think I have 5 or 6 that get play time) just because I like the AT so much. As a matter of fact, I just started a new one on Freedom so I'll have one for Tanker Tuesday tomorrow!