Comprehensive Guide to Tanker Secondaries

docbuzzard · 05-05-2005 11:48 AM

A Guide to Tanker Secondaries

What this guide will profess to be is a collection of the various data on Tanker Secondaries. I will provide some measure of evaluation of the strengths, weaknesses, and popular impressions of each power set. While there are plenty of guides out there for tankers, I dont believe that as yet there is a comparative guide to all secondaries. I will be using data complied from a number of sources, some of which may be a touch suspect, but I will be comparing different sources and going with seems to be consensus figures. I have included a calculation for damage per activation since that is the important number for optimizing effective attack chains. Damage per activation means the amount of damage inflicted in the time it takes for the animation to complete. This does not take into account recharge time. Owing to the fact that a character will not simply stand there and spam one attack continuously, I have omitted damage per second which is generally calculated using the recharge and the activation time. In an efficient attack chain things are generally arranged such that you always have something ready to attack with, and as such the activation time is the rate limiting factor. Also damage per endurance was calculated to get a feel for if a power is worth it in cost. It should be understood that AOE powers are always appreciably more expensive in endurance.

Damage is measured in Brawl Index. The Brawl Index is a database compiled by Ian_of_ Moore which measures damage done by powers as a ratio of the damage done by the un-enhanced power vs. that done by an un-enhanced brawl. Since damage scales with both level of the user as well as level of the target this is a sensible measure which can give you a feel for relative strengths and weaknesses. The comprehensive database can be found in the guides forum, and will provide a more specific breakdown of things like portions of damage type from mixed damage powers. I always summed up values into a total number for easy comparison.

A note on status effects: Magnitude of a status effect is an indicator of what it will affect in the way of enemies. A status effect of 2 will affect a minion, a 3 will affect a lieutenant, and a 4 will affect a boss. Status effects of like type can be stacked to overcome targets with higher resistance. Thus two attacks of like type of magnitude 2 could overcome a boss. This is an important thing to consider for PvP, since most status protections will require stacked effects to overcome. Gecko has indicated that most normal (integration, unyielding, plasma shield, etc) status protection powers are magnitude 15.

At the suggestion of Gladdog, I will include a rating of how good the power set fairs against the rest in a number of categories. They will be Single target DPS, AOE DPS, Mez ability, and endurance efficiency. The single target DPS comes from 20 second attack chains that I have built and optimized for each power set to try and drag out as much damage as possible. Only powers from within the set are used, no pool powers are included. These chains try to focus on the single target attacks, but do include AOE if they will actually increase the single target damage. The chains are not necessarily realistic due to these restrictions because some powers sets would be improved by the addition of pool powers, but I felt that in comparing sets, one should stick to the set. Also the chains are not necessarily extendable beyond 20 seconds without some pause. I did not develop chains which could be extended indefinitely. The AOE numbers are fairly apparent from number of AOEs in a set, and their brawl indices. PBAoEs will score higher on this, and it will be a score of 1-5, since figuring numbers for AOE attacks is not simple. The endurance efficiency is based on the optimized DPS chain I have calculated for the set. I dont intend to include all these calculations, but if you drop me a line I will provide them. Mez ability will also be based on a rating scale as it is also somewhat subjective. Knockdown/knockback will be included in this category.

I would like to thank the posters of the tanker forum for their help in getting this guide up to speed. I was given a great deal of help both in corrections and suggestions. Without their aid it would not be as useful as it is.

Battle Axe

A fairly versatile set composed of a mix of fairly strong single target and AOE attacks. It involves fairly long animations and recharges, and pretty high endurance cost. The main secondary ability of all the attacks is knockdown. This is a fairly popular set owing to its strengths.

Single target DPS rating: 2.65
AOE Rating: 4
Endurance Efficiency: .376 DPE
Mez Ability:3- knockdown ability, but nothing else

Attack Chain:
cleave
beheader
chop
swoop
beheader
chop
cleave
beheader
swoop

Powers:
Gash: Low damage, but fast recharge attack which is likely to be passed over later in the career for harder hitting, better DPA attacks.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 7.5
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 4 seconds (2.35 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.778 lethal
Damage per activation: 1.5433 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 40% knockdown

Chop: A nice attack for how early it is available. It's a bread and butter power of the set.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 12.3
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 8 seconds (4.71 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556 lethal
Damage per activation: 2.5309 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% knockdown

Taunt: An impressive aggro management tool available in all tanker secondaries. It is an auto-hit AOE effect, which has a fairly long duration. It has no endurance cost, and a 3 second animation.

Beheader: A fairly powerful single target attack. Good damage for when it becomes available.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 1.4
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 10 seconds (5.88 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 5.4444 lethal
Damage per activation: 3.888 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3703 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% knockdown

Build Up: A temporary boost to other attacks. All attacks for 10 seconds get +50% accuracy and +80% base damage. Recharge is 90 seconds, so you cannot come anywhere close to making this power permanent.

Swoop: A slow animation, but fairly high damage attack that knocks your enemy up into the air.

Level Available: 20
Activation: 2.9
Endurance cost: 16
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 12 seconds (7.06 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 6.333 lethal
Damage per activation: 2.1839 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3958 BI/End
Secondary effect: 70% knockup (no, they wont be pregnant)

Whirling Axe: The PBAOE of the set, which attacks all surrounding enemies. It is roughly equivalent to a gash on all adjacent foes.

Level Available: 28
Activation: 2.9
Endurance cost: 19
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 14 seconds (8.24 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.7778 lethal
Damage per activation: .9579 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .14621462 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% knockdown

Cleave: This is the hardest hitting attack of the set. It is a narrow and short cone, so with judicious use can hit multiple foes.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 2.9
Endurance cost: 20.7
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 15 seconds (8.82 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 7.667 lethal
Damage per activation: 2.6438 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 80% knockdown

Pendulum: The best AOE of the set, and one of the best among tanker secondaries. It is a wide frontal cone hitting enemies in front of you. The downside of the power is a high likelihood of knocking the enemies away, which is often counterproductive for a tanker.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 2.3
Endurance cost: 20.7
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 15 seconds (8.82 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 5.2778 lethal
Damage per activation: 2.2947 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .2550 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% knockback

Energy Melee

This is the best single target set among tanker secondaries. However that ability is only realized very late in the career (level 37+), and before that the set is fairly unimpressive. Energy melee attacks are all a mix of smashing and energy damage. The ratio of this damage shifts from being mostly smashing for the early powers (60% smashing or so) to being most energy for the last two attacks (60% energy).

Single target DPS rating: 3.65
AOE Rating: 2
Endurance Efficiency: .455 DPE
Mez Ability: 5 stuns in all attacks which can stack

Attack Chain:
ET
BS
energy punch
TF
energy punch
BS
barrage
energy punch
barrage
ET
BS
TF
energy punch

Powers:
Barrage: Fast recharge, low damage and a small chance of sun are the characteristics of this attack. There are better pool attacks.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 1.3
Endurance cost: 5
Accuracy bonus:0%
Recharge 2 seconds (1.18 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 1.888
Damage per activation: 1.4523 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3778 BI/End
Secondary effect: magnitude 1 stun

Energy Punch: A quick but not very heavy hitting attack. It is roughly comparable to the 1st attacks of other tanker secondaries. However the very fast animation and quick recharge can make it worthwhile.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 0.6
Endurance cost: 7.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 4 seconds (2.35 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.777
Damage per activation: 4.6295 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 30% of magnitude 2 stun

Bonesmasher: The first relatively heavy hitting attack in the set. It does fair damage for a pretty short animation. It also has a good chance to unleash a powerful stun.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 1.5
Endurance cost: 12
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 8 seconds (4.71 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556
Damage per activation: 3.0371 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3796 BI/End
Secondary effect: 60% chance of magnitude 3 stun

Whirling Hands: Its a fairly low damage AOE, but it arrives early. It is also the only AOE in the set.

Level Available: 16
Activation: 1.7
Endurance cost: 19
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 14 seconds (8.24 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.777 lethal
Damage per activation: 1.6335 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .1462 BI/End
Secondary effect: 30% of magnitude 2 stun

Stun: This attack is pretty self-explanatory. It is a guaranteed high magnitude stun. It does laughable damage however. Then again, used properly with total focus and bonesmasher you can stun AVs. Given the presence of attacks that actually do damage while they stun, this is often skipped.

Level Available: 20
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 seconds (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: .6945 lethal
Damage per activation: .3858 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .0472 BI/End
Secondary effect: magnitude 3 stun

Build Up: See previous listing.

Energy Transfer: The best single target attack in the game, period. This attack makes the secondary. It inspires envy among scrappers not to mention other tankers. It hits exceedingly hard, and quite quickly. However it does some damage to the user. At lvl 50 (for example) it does 167 points of damage to the user. This is not an inconsequential amount of damage. Users will have to be careful during close battles or they will kill themselves.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 1
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 seconds (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 12.666 lethal
Damage per activation: 12.666 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .8617 BI/End
Secondary effect: I3- minor damage to user (44 points of health at 50th level). I4 some stun effect (unmeasured, assumed to be like bonesmasher) and damage to user (167 health at 50th level)

Total Focus: This is a power sometimes seen as a bone of contention among energy melee users. Many like it due to its large damage and very strong stun effect. Many others dislike it due to its huge endurance cost and very long animation time. Given that it ties for second place as highest damage attack among tanker secondaries, I dont really think of it as a liability. The stun power of this is such that it will consistently stun bosses.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 3.3
Endurance cost: 28
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 seconds (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 9.888 lethal
Damage per activation: 2.9966 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3532 BI/End
Secondary effect: magnitude 4 stun

Fiery Melee

The king of tanker AOE sets. With 2 strong PBAOEs and a narrow cone, this has a good selection of area attacks, and is backed up with some reasonably effective single target attacks. The only secondary effect of the attacks would be damage over time, which is a variable amount in most cases.

Single target DPS rating: 2.3
AOE Rating: 5 two very strong PBAOEs and a narrow cone
Endurance Efficiency: .538 DPE though this is somewhat deceptive since this is only for single target work, and relies heavily on incinerate, which is an extremely efficient attack. If many AOEs are used, endurance costs will go up very quickly as AOE are always pricey.
Mez Ability: 0 none whatsoever

Attack Chain:
Incinerate
Scorch
Fire sword
Scorch
Incinerate
Scorch
Fire sword
Scorch
Fire sword
Incinerate

Scorch: Very likely the best starting attack among tanker secondaries. It both does good damage, and recycles quickly. Also since it is all fire damage, it is not very commonly resisted.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 1.7
Endurance cost: 6.3
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 3 (1.764 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 3.028
Damage per activation: 1.7812 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .4806 BI/End
Secondary effect: 0-5 damage over time, the average value (2.5) is included into the BI above.

Fire Sword: A fair single target attack. It is a mixture of lethal and fire damage with a bit of DoT at the end. The quick recharge and animation time can make this a better addition to an attack chain than greater fire sword.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 10
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 6 (3.52 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.3612
Damage per activation: 2.4229 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .436436 BI/End
Secondary effect: 0-5 damage over time, the average value (2.5) is included into the BI above.

Combustion: A power often disliked by users of this set owing to its damage over time nature. In terms of the absolute numbers, it is quite respectable, but since most of the damage is DoT, people often overlook it and consider the power gimpy. In fact is a very efficient and effective AOE with a large radius.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 3
Endurance cost: 12.8
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 12 (7.056 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 3.6113
Damage per activation: 1.2038 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .2821 BI/End
Secondary effect: Only around 40% of the damage from this is in the initial pulse with the rest following in 8 DoT ticks.

Breath of Fire: A long narrow cone often skipped due to difficulty in use do to the shape and the fact that tankers are more often surrounded by enemies. The damage is ok though. It appears to be most often used as a ranged attack for runners.

Level Available: 16
Activation: 2.7
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 10 (5.88 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.472
Damage per activation: 1.6563 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3042 BI/End
Secondary effect: 0-5 damage over time, the average value (2.5) is included into the BI above.

Fire Sword Circle: The highest damage AOE among tanker secondaries. It's a very popular attack with users of fiery melee secondary. It both does more damage than combustion, and delivers it more quickly. However it has a very high endurance cost, a long animation, and a long recharge time.

Level Available: 28
Activation: 4.2 (+ some amount of after lag)
Endurance cost: 26.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 5.005
Damage per activation: 1.1917 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .1875 BI/End
Secondary effect: 0-5 damage over time, the average value (2.5) is included into the BI above.

Incinerate: Very often considered the Must Have power of the set. This is a fairly high damage, quick recharge, and low endurance cost attack. The drawback is that it is all damage over time. However given its large advantages, it is foolish to skip this power.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 1.7
Endurance cost: 10
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 10 (5.58 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 6.944
Damage per activation: 4.084 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .6944 BI/End
Secondary effect: All damage over time in 10 ticks.

Greater Fire Sword: Damn this is a really big impressive sword. However it seems that the size must imbalance the user because there is a large hang time after use that ruins the ability of this power to contribute to a good attack chain. The damage is quite solid really, and it is easily the hardest a fiery melee user can hit in a single attack. However, for sustained single target pounding, it should be avoided.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 3 (+0.9)
Endurance cost: 18.3
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 12 (7.056 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 8.167
Damage per activation: 2.0941 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .4463 BI/End
Secondary effect: 0-5 damage over time, the average value (2.5) is included into the BI above.

Ice Melee

Well known to be an offensively weak secondary among the options, it makes up for this by having a bunch of abilities one would find among controllers. There is a very effective synergy when the set is paired with Fiery Aura because the burn+ice patch combination is quite devastating. Otherwise one can end up as a defensively supreme, but offensively weak tanker. If you have little desire to solo this set can be a major boon to teams.

Single target DPS rating: 2
AOE Rating: 1 (one cone, of decent damage)
Endurance Efficiency: ..385 DPE
Mez Ability:5 freezing touch is a very good hold, and ice slick is a truly amazing power.

Though keep in mind that the above damage rating does not reflect normal slotting since in most cases freezing touch will be slotted for hold instead of damage.

Attack Chain:
Greater Ice Sword
Frozen fists
Freezing touch
Ice sword
Frost
Greater Ice Sword
Ice sword
Frozen fists
Freezing touch
Frost

Frozen Fists: The low damage, fairly high endurance cost, and the apparent ineffectiveness of the secondary effects leave one rather nonplussed. The attack is a mixture of cold and smashing damage.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 1.3
Endurance cost: 6.3
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 3 (1.765 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.3334
Damage per activation: 1.7949 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: Minor slowing of recharge and movement of the target. This value Ive seen estimated at 20% or so, but doesnt last long enough to stack.

Ice Sword: This attack has fairly good DPA, and is a good thing for ice attack chains. Again the damage type is a mix, this time lethal with cold. The slow effects are generally reputed to be minimal in effectiveness; with the numbers I have being hearsay.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 9.9
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 6 (3.5294 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 3.6667
Damage per activation: 2.0371 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: Minor slowing of recharge and movement of the target. This value Ive seen estimated at 20% or so, but doesnt last long enough to stack.

Frost: The single AOE attack in the set. It is a short cone (11 range), which delivers cold damage over time. It also has the token slow effect that is standard to cold attacks. Given that it is the only AOE in the set, and the damage isnt all that bad, I could see non fiery aura primary tankers taking this regularly.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 2.3
Endurance cost: 15.9
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 11 (6.47 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5 (.75*6)
Damage per activation: 1.9565 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .2830 BI/End
Secondary effect: Minor slowing of recharge and movement of the target. This value Ive seen estimated at 20% or so.

Ice Patch: The real strength of this set lies not in an attack, but in a controller ability. This power creates a patch of ice that has a huge ability to knock foes down. Basically once this is in effect, you are surrounded by flopping fish. Coupled with burn you can have a big fish fry. No matter what the primary though, it is an incredible defensive tool, as enemies cannot attack while falling down. Either hasten or a couple very fresh recharges makes this permanent.

Level Available: 20
Activation: 2
Endurance cost: 15
Accuracy bonus: 100%
Recharge 35 (20.5882 with hasten)
Duration: 20
Secondary effect: Knockdown in a 10 radius.

Freezing Touch: While this attack also does damage, its utility primarily lies in the hold ability. It is a fairly strong hold, which can easily take care of minions or lieutenants. Stacking will enable bosses to be held as well. All damage is cold type.

Level Available: 28
Activation: 1
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 16 (9.4118 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.668
Damage per activation: 4.6668 (in 6 ticks) BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3175 BI/End
Hold Duration: 10
Secondary effect: Magnitude 3 hold.

Greater Ice Sword: A fairly low damage attack for the level at which it becomes available, it is still the best in the set. Damage is a fairly even split between lethal and cold.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 2.7
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 10 (5.882 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 5.4445
Damage per activation: 2.0165 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: Minor slowing of recharge and movement of the target. This value Ive seen estimated at 20% or so.

Frozen Aura: Now if I said bad things about Greater Ice Sword, words fail me on how bad this power is. This power is an AOE sleep. What good does this do a tank? Dont ask me, Ive never heard of a soul finding a use for this power. It might be handy to blasters as it is also present in the ice blaster secondary to be able to run away, but thats about it.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 2.1
Endurance cost: 18.8
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 (11.76 with hasten)

Secondary effect: magnitude 2 sleep.

Stone Melee

A set, which features what many see as the best special effects of the secondaries. The attacks simply sound and look impressive. You get to whack enemies with big old mauls that make loud booming noises. There are a number of quite impressive single target attacks in the set, and some ability to stun is present. There is only one AOE and it is nothing special (there is a second AOE, but it does not do damage). One downside would be that everything is smashing damage, which is very commonly resisted.

Single target DPS rating: 3.1
AOE Rating: 2 1 fairly weak PBAOE
Endurance Efficiency: .339 DPE
Mez Ability: 4- a good mix of knockdown, stuns and holds, None are guaranteed though.

Attack Chain:
Seismic smash
Stone fist
Stone mallet
Heavy mallet
Stone fist
Hurl boulder
Stone mallet
Stone fist
Seismic smash
Heavy mallet
Stone fist
Stone mallet

Stone Fist: A reasonably decent mandatory attack. It cycles very quickly and does median damage for good damage per activation, but you pay for this in a fairly high endurance cost. It also can stun the enemy.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 0.6
Endurance cost: 7.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 4 (2.3529 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.7778
Damage per activation: 4.6296 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 10% chance of magnitude 2 stun.

Stone Mallet: A fairly hard hitting attack, which puts up good numbers.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 2
Endurance cost: 12.8
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 8 (4.706 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556
Damage per activation: 2.2778 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3559 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% chance of knockdown

Heavy Mallet: The heaviest hitting attack for its level among tanker secondaries. The brawl index for this power is impressively high, but the endurance cost is commensurate.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 2
Endurance cost: 23.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 13 (7.6471 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 6.3333
Damage per activation: 3.1667 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .2695 BI/End
Secondary effect: 75% chance of knockdown

Fault: You stomp on the ground knocking foes up into the air and possibly stunning them. This is ranged attack centered on a chosen foe. However the attack does no damage.

Level Available: 20
Activation: 2.1
Range: 20
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 (11.76 with hasten)
Secondary effect: knockup, 50% chance of magnitude 3 stun

Hurl Boulder: This is one of the two ranged attacks available among the tanker secondaries. You rip a boulder out of the ground and throw it at your foe. It can knock down the foe as well. This power features both a long animation time and lousy range.

Level Available: 28
Activation: 3.8
Endurance cost: 13.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 8 (4.706 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556
Damage per activation: 1.1988 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3375 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% chance of knockback (no subject to magnitude)

Tremor: The AOE attack of the set. This causes a localized earthquake that damages and can knockdown foes. Damage is only fair, but it is the only AOE of the set. Also knockdown is a nice side effect. Footstomp from super strength is actually notably better, but of similar effect.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 3.3
Endurance cost: 19.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 14 (8.2353 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.7778
Damage per activation: .8418 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .1425 BI/End
Secondary effect: 80% chance of knockback

Seismic Smash: The second best attack among tanker secondaries following only energy transfer. This does huge damage, and has a decent chance of a very severe hold. With a quick activation, the only downside is high endurance cost (though OK for the damage dealt) and long recharge.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 1.5
Endurance cost: 26.7
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 9.89
Damage per activation: 6.593 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3732 BI/End
Secondary effect: 40% chance of magnitude 4 hold

Super Strength

This set definitely gets mixed reviews. While it is a decent set, with a good AOE, and a few nice attacks, it does have some real bowser powers, and many feel it does not really capture the feeling of a titan walking the earth. However others are satisfied, and overall the damage isnt bad. Permanent rage can make this into a respectable set damage wise. Damage type for all attacks is smashing.

Single target DPS rating: 2.5
AOE Rating: 3- one strong PBAOE
Endurance Efficiency: .480 DPE
Mez Ability: 4 mix of holds, stuns, and knockdown.

Attack Chain:

Knockout blow
Haymaker
Jab
Punch
Jab
Foot stomp
Haymaker
jab
Punch
Jab
Haymaker
Knockout blow

Jab: This is a low damage fast cycling attack. Damage is lower than that of most mandatory tanker secondary powers.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 1.1
Endurance cost: 5.1
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 2 (1.176 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 1.8889
Damage per activation: 1.7172 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 10% chance of magnitude 2 stun.

Punch: Not a bad attack, but it's no better than most of the level 1 powers from other secondaries. It has a knockdown component that can be nice.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 1.2
Endurance cost: 7.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 4 (2.353 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.7778
Damage per activation: 2.3148 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 30% chance of knockdown

Haymaker: The first real decent attack of the set. This one is fairly comparable to other attacks of this level and has some nice eye candy. You can actually feel strong using it.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 1.5
Endurance cost: 12.3
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 8 (4.706 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556
Damage per activation: 3.037 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 60% chance of knockdown

Hand Clap: This is a non damaging utility power, for which some might question the utility due to the knockback component. However it doesnt require slotting, and can be useful in some circumstances.

Level Available: 16
Activation: 1.2
Endurance cost: 18.8
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge: 30 (17.647 with hasten)
Secondary effect: knockback, 50% chance of magnitude 2 stun.

Knockout Blow: This is a devastating single target attack available quite early in the level progression. It vindicates calling the set super strength. You do pay for it with fair endurance cost and very long recharge.

Level Available: 20
Activation: 2.2
Endurance cost: 19
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 25 (14.706 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 9.8889
Damage per activation: 4.4950 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .5205 BI/End
Secondary effect: knockup, hold (unknown magnitude, probably comparable to other secondaries, so magnitude 3 or 4)

Rage: Now I have not been listing build up under most of the secondaries just to avoid typing so much. However this is the only secondary which doesnt have that power. Instead it has rage. This is also seen as another saving grace of the set. This power, which can be permanent, allows the tanker to run with an 80% base damage boost, and a substantial accuracy bonus (50%?). In return for this the current incarnation costs you 25 endurance and makes you do nothing for 10 seconds when it expires. For a soloing tank, this is very popular. For team tanks the rage drop could be an unwise gamble in certain situations such as AV fights.

Level Available: 28
Activation: 1.2
Endurance cost: 18.8
Accuracy bonus: 50%?
Damage Bonus: +80% of base damage
Recharge 180? (105.88 with hasten)
Secondary effect: 25 endurance cost on expiration, 10 seconds of inaction on expiration

Hurl: This features long animation, medium damage, and poor range. However it is a ranged attack, so can prove useful sometimes.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 3.8
Endurance cost: 13.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 8 (4.706 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556
Damage per activation: 1.199 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3375 BI/End
Secondary effect: 50% chance of knockback

Foot Stomp: Another high point of the set. This one is really quite impressive. You stomp on the ground and shockwaves knockdown and damage your foes. Quite a nice AOE attack really, even if you do have to wait a long time for it. Endurance cost is very high though.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 2.1
Endurance cost: 26.5
Accuracy bonus: 0
Recharge 20 (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 3.944 BI/End
Damage per activation: 1.8781 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .0709
Secondary effect: 80% chance of knockdown

War Mace

The tanker set which often fills the Rodney Dangerfield slot of getting no respect. A common description is that it is a rubber mace. I had believed that it didnt deserve this abuse, then I ran the numbers. This set really is weak. I could almost do as much damage using Ice Melee. The biggest problem with the set appears to be overly long animation times. Another problem with the set is that while in most cases a decent attack is available at 10th level, in war mace this slot is filled by a single target stun. The third real attack is only available at 20th level. Damage type for this set is always smashing.

Single target DPS rating: 2
AOE Rating: 3- A decent PBAOE, a good wide cone, and a fair narrow cone.
Endurance Efficiency: .361 DPE
Mez Ability: 3 there is a mix of stuns and knockdowns available in the set. Clobber is a guaranteed stun.

Attack Chain:

Pulverize
Shatter
Jawbreaker
Pulverize
Bash
Crowd control
Bash
Pulverize
Shatter

Bash: Not a bad mandatory attack. Damage is comparable to others in the slot, and there is some chance of a stun.

Level Available: 1
Activation: 1.4
Endurance cost: 7.5
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge; 4 (2.353 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 2.7778
Damage per activation: 1.9841 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 10% chance of magnitude 2 stun

Pulverize: A good attack for the availability at level 2. It is quite comparable to chop. There is some chance of stun.

Level Available: 2
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 12.3
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 8 (4.706 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.5556 BI/End
Damage per activation: 2.2778 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 20% chance of magnitude 2 stun

Clobber: Basically this is a minimal damage stun attack. While there might be some use for this power (in PvP for example), it is poorly situated in the power list, and generally doesnt get much use.

Level Available: 10
Activation: 1.8
Endurance cost: 14.7
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 20 (11.76 with hasten)
Brawl Index: .6944
Damage per activation: .3858 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .0472
Secondary effect: magnitude 3 stun

Jawbreaker: A knock up attack like swoop, but doing less damage. Still a decent attack, even if the animation is a bit long.

Level Available: 20
Activation: 2.9
Endurance cost: 12.3
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 10 (5.882 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 5.4445
Damage per activation: 1.8774 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .4426 BI/End
Secondary effect: 75% of knockup

Whirling Mace: The PBAOE of the set. Damage is slightly higher than for the comparable one in the axe set. It can also stun your foes.

Level Available: 28
Activation: 2.9
Endurance cost: 18.8
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 14 (8.235 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 3.115
Damage per activation: 1.0729 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .1655 BI/End
Secondary effect: 30% chance of magnitude 2 stun

Shatter: This is a short-range narrow cone, which does pretty good damage.

Level Available: 35
Activation: 2.9
Endurance cost: 17.1
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 12 (7.058 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 6.334
Damage per activation: 2.184 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .3704 BI/End
Secondary effect: 80% chance of knockback

Crowd Control: a frontal wide cone AOE attack which does good damage for a moderate endurance cost. It also knocks down foes much of the time.

Level Available: 38
Activation: 2.3
Endurance cost: 17.1
Accuracy bonus: 5%
Recharge 12 (7.058 with hasten)
Brawl Index: 4.473
Damage per activation: 1.9448 BI/Sec
Damage per endurance: .2616 BI/End
Secondary effect: 60% chance of knockdown

Too many alts to list.

Ripcord · 05-05-2005 01:41 PM

I have a question about energy melee. You state that the last two powers in the set are 60% energy damage but then go on to list the brawl index for those in terms of lethal damage (while earlier attacks in the set have brawl indices without damage type). Which information is correct?

Also, do you have any information on the base stun duration for these Energy Melee powers?

docbuzzard · 05-05-2005 02:07 PM

Oops, typo. I thought I had corrected that. I'll be editing. The damage is energy and smashing.

And sorry, I don't have stun durations. Maybe one of these days I'll try to measure that.

Too many alts to list.

deajai · 05-06-2005 01:53 PM

Great guide! I have been hungry for advice on my mace powers, and there just isn't much out there. Thanks.

I made a mistake that I am afraid that your guide may allow others to make, though. On the power Crowd Control, I was fooled by the description using the term "knocked down" into thinking it would do knockdown. It does knockback, even to things higher level to you. Your guide also makes people think it will do knockdown:
[ QUOTE ]
Secondary effect: 60% chance of knockdown

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe the devs will give mace some love some day. I was a dark/dark defender before it was cool...

docbuzzard · 05-06-2005 04:51 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I have been fairly unsure about what powers did knockback vs. knockdown since they changed things so that some did knockdown. I will probably have to post again as there have been a number of errors revealed already.

Too many alts to list.

Hibernoob · 07-14-2005 01:59 PM

This guide rocks and I love it. Thank you.

Golden_Ace · 08-26-2005 02:04 PM

Post I had on the Tanker thread. Think it fits in well with your Guide. Did not want it to disappear. I put to much work into it for that.

I got side tracked on my last post. The best damage dealing Tank for single target damage is Energy Melee which has the two most devastating attacks in the Tanker Secondary (Energy Transfer, & Total Focus), followed by Super Strength (Knockout Blow), Fiery Melee (Greater Fire Sword), and Battle Axe (Cleave).

As for multiple targets Boy thats a tough question. Battle Axe has the highest Multiple Target Attack however Fiery Melee has two of the top 5 Multiple target attacks.

Overall winner IMO is Fiery Melee. It has 2 of the top single target attacks and 2 of the top multiple target attacks.

Top Single Target Attacks
EM Energy Transfer - 4.3333 Smashing + 8.3333 Energy (Total 12.6666) single target
EM Total Focus - 2.7778 Smashing + 7.1111 Energy (Total 9.8889) single target
SS Knockout Blow - 9.8889 Smashing (Total 9.8889) single target
FM Greater Fire Sword - 2.7778 Lethal + 4.0000 Fire + (0.5556 Fire times 3) (Total 8.4446) single target
BA Cleave - 7.6667 Lethal (Total 7.6667) Single & multiple target (melee)
FM Incinerate - 0.6944 Fire times 10 (Total 6.944) single target
BA Swoop - 6.3333 Lethal (Total 6.3333) single target
SM Heavy Mallet - 6.3333 Smashing (Total 6.3333) single target
WM Shatter - 6.3333 Smashing (Total 6.3333) single target
IM Greater Ice Sword - 2.6667 Lethal + 2.7778 Cold (Total 5.4445) single target
WM Jawbreaker - 5.4444 Smashing (Total 5.4444) single target
BA Beheader - 5.4444 Lethal (Total 5.4444) single target

Top Multiple Target Attack
BA Pendulum - 5.2778 Lethal (Total 5.2778) multiple target (melee)
FM Fire Sword Circle - 2.1556 Lethal + Fire (2.1556 + 0.2778 times 3) (Total 5.1446) multiple target (melee)
FM Breath Of Fire - 1.8889 Fire * 2 + (0.2778 Fire times 3) (Total 4.6112) multiple target (cone)
IM Frost - 0.7500 Cold times 6 (Total 4.5) multiple target (cone)
WM Crowd Control - 4.4722 Smashing (Total 4.4722) multiple target (melee arc)
SS Foot Stomp - 3.9444 Smashing (Total 3.9444) multiple target (melee)
WM Whirling Mace - 3.1111 Smashing (Total 3.1111) multiple target (melee)
BA Whirling Axe - 2.7778 Lethal (Total 2.7778) multiple target (melee)
SM Tremor - 2.7778 Smashing (Total 2.7778) multiple target (melee)
EM Whirling Hands - 1.6667 Smashing + 1.1111 Energy (Total 2.7778) multiple target (melee)
FM Combustion - 1.3889 Fire + (0.2778 Fire times 3) (Total 2.2223) multiple target (melee)

Stats I have on the Attacks.

Ice Melee
Frozen Fists - 0.5556 Smashing + 1.7778 Cold (Total 2.3334) single target
Ice Sword - 1.3889 Lethal + 2.2778 Cold (Total 3.6667) single target
Frost - 0.7500 Cold times 6 (Total 4.5) multiple target (cone)
Freezing Touch - 0.7778 Cold Times 6 (Total 4.6668) single target
Greater Ice Sword - 2.6667 Lethal + 2.7778 Cold (Total 5.4445) single target

Battle Axe
Gash - 2.7778 Lethal (Total 2.7778) single target
Chop - 4.5556 Lethal (Total 4.5556) single target
Beheader - 5.4444 Lethal (Total 5.4444) single target
Swoop - 6.3333 Lethal (Total 6.3333) single target
Whirling Axe - 2.7778 Lethal (Total 2.7778) multiple target (melee)
Cleave - 7.6667 Lethal (Total 7.6667) Single & multiple target (melee)
Pendulum - 5.2778 Lethal (Total 5.2778) multiple target (melee)

Energy Melee
Barrage - 0.6944 Smashing * 2 + 0.2500 (Times 2) Energy (Total 1.8888) single target
Energy Punch - 1.9444 Smashing + 0.8333 Energy (Total 2.7777) single target
Bone Smasher - 2.7778 Smashing + 1.7778 Energy (Total 4.5556) single target
Whirling Hands - 1.6667 Smashing + 1.1111 Energy (Total 2.7778) multiple target (melee)
Stun - 0.4167 Smashing + 0.2778 Energy (Total 0.6945) single target
Energy Transfer - 4.3333 Smashing + 8.3333 Energy (Total 12.6666) single target
Total Focus - 2.7778 Smashing + 7.1111 Energy (Total 9.8889) single target

Fiery Melee
Scorch - 2.3333 Fire + (0.2778 Fire times 3) (Total 3.1667) single target
Fire Sword 3.6667 Lethal + (0.2778 Fire times 3) (Total 4.5001) single target
Combustion - 1.3889 Fire + (0.2778 Fire times 3) (Total 2.2223) multiple target (melee)
Breath Of Fire - 1.8889 Fire * 2 + (0.2778 Fire times 3) (Total 4.6112) multiple target (cone)
Fire Sword Circle - 2.1556 Lethal + Fire (2.1556 + 0.2778 times 3) (Total 5.1446) multiple target (melee)
Incinerate - 0.6944 Fire times 10 (Total 6.944) single target
Greater Fire Sword - 2.7778 Lethal + 4.0000 Fire + (0.5556 Fire times 3) (Total 8.4446) single target

Stone Melee
Stone Fist - 2.7778 Smashing (Total 2.7778) single target
Stone Mallet - 4.5556 Smashing (Total 4.5556) single target
Heavy Mallet - 6.3333 Smashing (Total 6.3333) single target
Hurl Boulder - 4.5556 Smashing (Total 4.5556) single target
Tremor - 2.7778 Smashing (Total 2.7778) multiple target (melee)
Seismic Smash (Dont have the numbers for it)

Super Strength
Jab - 1.8889 Smashing (Total 1.8889) single target
Punch - 2.7778 Smashing (Total 2.7778) single target
Haymaker - 4.5556 Smashing (Total 4.5556) single target
Knockout Blow - 9.8889 Smashing (Total 9.8889) single target
Hurl - (Dont have the numbers for it) single target
Foot Stomp - 3.9444 Smashing (Total 3.9444) multiple target (melee)

War Mace
Bash - 2.7778 Smashing (Total 2.7778) single target
Pulverize - 4.5556 Smashing (Total 4.5556) single target
Clobber - 0.6944 Smashing (Total 0.6944) single target
Jawbreaker - 5.4444 Smashing (Total 5.4444) single target
Whirling Mace - 3.1111 Smashing (Total 3.1111) multiple target (melee)
Shatter - 6.3333 Smashing (Total 6.3333) single target
Crowd Control - 4.4722 Smashing (Total 4.4722) multiple target (melee arc)

[color=gold][b][size=5]♪ Sometimes you feel like a Tank, Sometimes you don't! ♪[/size][/color][/b]

[url=http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=114726][color=black][b][size=5]Moon [color=red]Hazard [color=black]Zone![/size][/color][/color][/color][/b][/url]

vandalin7 · 10-13-2006 05:01 AM

hey just wanted to let u know that gash in the axe set is a power that u have to take and it cannot be skipped and it should be added to the axe attack chain... otherwise thanx for all the info

Angelsilhouette · 01-03-2007 03:15 PM

Regarding the War Mace secondary, it seems to be a little out of date because the Bash power (I think it's bash) is a mandatory selection, as gash is in the Axe set. Also, Jawbreaker is the third power and acquired at level 6.

This being the case, I can only conjecture that the archetype and set have undergone some changes since this guide was published. If this is the case, has anyone written a post change guide?

katman · 01-04-2007 07:30 AM

About the endurance. Im confused, is a high number good or bad? Im guessing that high is good and low is bad, since the endurance is .339 for stone melee (I thought that this was one of the most endurace using sets.)

thanks kat

Kossy · 01-04-2007 07:49 AM

Yeah. Higher is better; the measure is listed in damage/endurance point.

Aranrya · 01-04-2007 10:53 AM

I use Frozen Aura as a kind of "OH BLEEP" power, or if there are two large spawns near one another. I've got it bound so that it automatically turns off Icicles when I activate it, so I don't accidentally break them right after I sleep them. It's rather effective as a control ability when used properly.