Set bonuses. You can easily softcap yourself by 47 with HOs and set bonuses. You won't have the RESISTANCE, but you'll at least be defensive and have some +regen/+HP/heal stuff.
When you get ON the team, just tell them you deal lots more damage, but in turn they MIGHT actually have to buff you sometimes.
Enemy Resistances - Damage, Mez and Defense
Enemy XP Mods
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My current Stone/Fire tanker, for example: 42% def(SLENP, the important stuff) without Granite up.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/
[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]
Zephos: Level 50 Mutation Tanker
Primary Power Set: Stone Armor
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Pyre Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Rock Armor -- HO:Enzym(A), HO:Enzym(3)
Level 1: Scorch -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg:40(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:40(34), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:40(37), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(40), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(42), T'Death-Dam%:40(42)
Level 2: Earth's Embrace -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(3), Heal-I:50(11), Heal-I:50(11), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:50(17)
Level 4: Combustion -- C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx:50(5), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(5), Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(7), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(13), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(17)
Level 6: Swift -- Run-I:50(A), Run-I:50(7)
Level 8: Rooted -- HO:Golgi(A), HO:Golgi(9), HO:Golgi(9)
Level 10: Taunt -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(13), RechRdx-I:50(27)
Level 12: Recall Friend -- IntRdx-I:50(A)
Level 14: Teleport -- Zephyr-Travel:50(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:50(15), Jnt-EndRdx:50(15), Jnt-EndRdx/Rng:50(19)
Level 16: Health -- Heal-I:50(A)
Level 18: Crystal Armor -- HO:Enzym(A), HO:Enzym(19)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod:50(21), P'Shift-End%:50(21)
Level 22: Mud Pots -- CtlSpd-Acc/Slow:30(A), CtlSpd-Dmg/Slow:30(23), CtlSpd-Acc/EndRdx:30(23), CtlSpd-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow:30(25)
Level 24: Build Up -- Rec'dRet-ToHit:20(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(25)
Level 26: Minerals -- HO:Enzym(A), HO:Enzym(27)
Level 28: Fire Sword Circle -- C'ngBlow-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngBlow-Dmg/EndRdx:50(29), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(29), Erad-Acc/Rchg:30(31), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(31), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(31)
Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(50)
Level 32: Granite Armor -- HO:Enzym(A), HO:Enzym(33), ResDam-I:50(33), ResDam-I:50(33), ResDam-I:50(34)
Level 35: Incinerate -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg:40(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:40(36), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:40(36), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(36), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(37), T'Death-Dam%:40(37)
Level 38: Greater Fire Sword -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg:40(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:40(39), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:40(39), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(39), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(40), T'Death-Dam%:40(40)
Level 41: Ring of Fire -- Enf'dOp-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Enf'dOp-EndRdx/Immob:50(42), Enf'dOp-Acc/EndRdx:50(43), Enf'dOp-Immob/Rng:50(43), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob/Rchg:50(43), Enf'dOp-Acc/Immob:50(46)
Level 44: Fire Blast -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(45), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(45), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 47: Fire Sword -- T'Death-Acc/Dmg:40(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx:40(48), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg:40(48), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:40(48), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(50), T'Death-Dam%:40(50)
Level 49: Stone Skin -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A)
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Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
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[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]<ul type="square">[*]10% DamageBuff(Smashing)[*]10% DamageBuff(Lethal)[*]10% DamageBuff(Fire)[*]10% DamageBuff(Cold)[*]10% DamageBuff(Energy)[*]10% DamageBuff(Negative)[*]10% DamageBuff(Toxic)[*]10% DamageBuff(Psionic)[*]17.7% Defense(Smashing)[*]17.7% Defense(Lethal)[*]3% Defense(Fire)[*]3% Defense(Cold)[*]17.1% Defense(Energy)[*]17.1% Defense(Negative)[*]3% Defense(Psionic)[*]23.9% Defense(Melee)[*]14.3% Defense(Ranged)[*]3% Defense(AoE)[*]3.6% Max End[*]7% Enhancement(Accuracy)[*]2% Enhancement(JumpHeight)[*]2% Enhancement(RunSpeed)[*]3% Enhancement(Immobilize)[*]2% Enhancement(JumpSpeed)[*]2% Enhancement(FlySpeed)[*]3.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime)[*]9% FlySpeed[*]112.4 HP (6%) HitPoints[*]9% JumpHeight[*]9% JumpSpeed[*]MezResist(Held) 11%[*]MezResist(Immobilize) 12.1%[*]4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery[*]4% (0.31 HP/sec) Regeneration[*]1.88% Resistance(Negative)[*]9% RunSpeed[/list]
Enemy Resistances - Damage, Mez and Defense
Enemy XP Mods
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Looks pretty good, though I'm going Stone Melee instead of Fire. How expensive would it be for the Sets (a ballpark would be fine)?
Well I don't know about now with all the tickets flyin' around. I did up my guy with merits/money from throwing merit stuff on the market. It was PROBABLY 70-100 mil when I ran it up, taking several weeks to get all my bids accepted & stuff. (Note: I don't run uniques as I don't find them cost effective.) And so much depends on what level you get your set bonuses at. I don't exemp my Stoner, in fact I basically never am out of Granite anyway except v. Psi because it is my 2nd favorite power in the game (1st: White Dwarf), so I got high level ones that are more easy to find than lower level ones like around 35.
Enemy Resistances - Damage, Mez and Defense
Enemy XP Mods
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In particular, at good graphics resolution, Brimstone is beautifully detailed; the lava moves slowly over your body.
Typed defense bonuses, Tough & Weave are the way to go, maybe even Maneuvers. Try for the softcap or close, then get regen bonuses to stack with Rooted, and you should be able to build a pretty capable tanker without Granite. You can always hold Granite in reserve for emergencies.
If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
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The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog
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Looks pretty good, though I'm going Stone Melee instead of Fire. How expensive would it be for the Sets (a ballpark would be fine)?
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What he has posted? I'd say close to 300-500 mil (if not more). The dozen or so Hamio's by themselves would run you over 100 mil. easy.
As for the original post: At the late game, people pick up Stone Tankers for a reason. If I got one on my team who objected to (or actually didn't even take) Granite form, I'd insta-boot him. And more then likely wouldn't pick him up in the first place if it was explained to me before hand. Sorry to sound so caustic but an L32+ Stone Tanker without Granite screams that you have a crappy build (whether you actually do or not).
I sympathize about the aesthetics ... that's what keeps me from playing the Fire and Ice secondaries for the most part.
(Not a he) It was definitely not 500 mil or close, I bought it over the course of 4-6 weeks (excepting a few pieces that took about 2 months to get due to rarity), had quite a few as drops, used some merits, etc. The HOs I generally got for 3-5 mil each (I do NOT know why, they were in a slump, I was the only bidder for the Enzymes). This was shortly after merits came out, after all, so quite a while ago. I didn't have much cash on hand ever, then. At MOST I paid 200 mil including salvage & crafting fees. I wasn't using my stoney at all then so I didn't mind taking forever. I have extreme market patience on characters I don't feel like playing!
I'd definitely recommend others to adapt 'build tactics' that mine shows to go toward their own needs. I liked lots of +Dam for granite mode, but didn't want to instantly die when facing mixed-with-Psi damage, or soloing without being so slowed sometimes, without exemping. So...it's by no means ideal. I am sure Stone Melee can do well or better on the front of getting better set bonuses. Like the Enzymes are a good shenanigan, you might do better with Kinetic Combats, etc.
And yeah, if I was building a team and got a stoner without Granite Armor, or who said they did not use it, I would be ready to kick them, after giving them a little shot. I don't pick up tankers for damage on teams. And non-Granite tankers just CAN'T get aggro like Granite can simply due to the resistances on top of the defenses. My Granite there, I practically slept through tanking in an MSTF, the empath that was to help me handle Lord Recluse ended up going back to the team, etc. I can't see a not-Granite ever being able to do that, or getting to be the main tank on one at least. It is true: it makes me think that you don't know what the powers do, or you're more focused on theme rather than ability (fine for solo, fine for special theme teams, not for random teams). Bad in situations where ability is highly important.
Enemy Resistances - Damage, Mez and Defense
Enemy XP Mods
(Drag my avatar into your mp3 player!)
Sorry for the pronoun mis-usage (automatic assumption when not obvious).
I was going to say those prices were quite awhile ago. I just sold my old HO's off of Kruunch (about 9 of them or so) and the *least* I got was 15 mil for one.
Also with the current influx of players with I14 and the shift to doing MAs over regular content, you're seeing many uncommon (i.e. Crushing Impact) and rare (i.e. Scirroco's Dervish) getting *very* inflated. So yeah, the build you posted now would cost quite a bit more then it did awhile ago.
Additionally, the OP didn't say how they were funding this toon or to what dedication they were going to put towards this toon. The OP might take 6 months to level to Granite, in which case most of what we're saying is fairly moot because they probably aren't going to be that married to the toon.
However if the person is planning on hitting 50 in say a month or two, then saying you can go without Granite is a little misleading. You can *physically* get away without having it. However as noted, you might find it hard getting on end content teams which will make it hard to get recipe drops and merits at a pace that might be considered acceptable.
And yeah I agree, Stoners can sleep through most content that might have other Tankers sweating their support.
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I already know the answer to my first question. Is it absolutely necessary? *listens for the resounding "YES!"*
I already know why also, but let's say I'm crazy. (I am.) I like the Stone tanker primary, and I like how most of the various armors look. However, I find the look of Granite Armor to be bland and not fitting for the character I have in mind, so I either choose not to take Granite Armor, or I take it and use it only very (VERY) rarely. How would I do such a thing without being ostracized by any team that may pick me up expecting a huge Granite golem?
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You sound like you'd fit right in on a team with the guys in the other thread who feel like playing a kinetics set without choosing speed boost.
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Additionally, the OP didn't say how they were funding this toon or to what dedication they were going to put towards this toon. The OP might take 6 months to level to Granite, in which case most of what we're saying is fairly moot because they probably aren't going to be that married to the toon.
However if the person is planning on hitting 50 in say a month or two, then saying you can go without Granite is a little misleading. You can *physically* get away without having it. However as noted, you might find it hard getting on end content teams which will make it hard to get recipe drops and merits at a pace that might be considered acceptable.
And yeah I agree, Stoners can sleep through most content that might have other Tankers sweating their support.
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This character is to be my main on Virtue (which I've recently fell in love with due to the activity and role-playing aspect), so I'll be putting some effort into him, although my dedication in hunting down recipes may only come if I hit 50.
As for how long it'll take me, I can't say. I do find it kind of unnerving that it's apparently possible to hit the cap in a month (especially seeing as how I have a total of zero level 50s over the twenty-four non-consecutive months I've been playing).
Regarding teaming in general, I tend to prefer soloing or playing in a group of people I know, PuGs seem to have expectations of your build and playstyle that I find somewhat distasteful (it seems all too much like profiling in an odd way).
Honestly, the best way for this issue to be fixed is to allow some customization of the Granite look, so I'm an individual, and not just Stone Tanker #12345. I mean, I worked on my costume for a reason.
Lol why not be a Will Power or Invuln Tanker then (two sets that don't really mess with your costumed look)?
Given your criteria, I would say you can get away without using Granite, but I could envision you switching "mains" after awhile 
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I already know the answer to my first question. Is it absolutely necessary? *listens for the resounding "YES!"*
I already know why also, but let's say I'm crazy. (I am.) I like the Stone tanker primary, and I like how most of the various armors look. However, I find the look of Granite Armor to be bland and not fitting for the character I have in mind, so I either choose not to take Granite Armor, or I take it and use it only very (VERY) rarely. How would I do such a thing without being ostracized by any team that may pick me up expecting a huge Granite golem?
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My advice would be to take Granite just for when the excrement hits the rotary air device. If careful and on the [u]right[u] team you could spend most of your time in the other armors.
In my opinion after playing tankers (forever it seems) you will need Granite regardless of your team or being solo. Sometimes things just go awry and you can either fail or get past the aesthetics of granite.
Just try to play with the idea it is another tool on your utility belt.
Juzam
Tanker aficionado
Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.
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This character is to be my main on Virtue (which I've recently fell in love with due to the activity and role-playing aspect)
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I'm going to try and tip-toe around this point delicately, but like any good Stone tanker knows...there's nothing delicate about being Rooted.
I bet you will be ok tanking on Virtue with a concept driven toon that may not be maximized. From my experiences tanking on Virtue, that community is much more friendly to the idea especially if you are a good roleplayer. That will also be more significant if you get yourself into a regular group of players who know your backstory and work with it.
Were you to tank on any other server, you'd be held to a different standard. From my experiences tanking on Freedom, Justice, Champion, I can say that, in a very general sense, players on those servers care less about character concepts and roleplaying and expect tanks to be maximized for damage mitigation and aggro management.
Global: @FuzzyOne
Find me playing these servers: Champion, Justice, Freedom, Virtue and Pinnacle
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Lol why not be a Will Power or Invuln Tanker then (two sets that don't really mess with your costumed look)?
Given your criteria, I would say you can get away without using Granite, but I could envision you switching "mains" after awhile
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Willpower is too squishy for my tastes, and I mustve made over a dozen Invuln tanks over the years. Ive always toyed with Stone tanks, but was never really taken by a concept until this one, so I figure Ill stick with it.
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My advice would be to take Granite just for when the excrement hits the rotary air device. If careful and on the [u]right[u] team you could spend most of your time in the other armors.
In my opinion after playing tankers (forever it seems) you will need Granite regardless of your team or being solo. Sometimes things just go awry and you can either fail or get past the aesthetics of granite.
Just try to play with the idea it is another tool on your utility belt.
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Ill probably pick up Granite Armor as a Panic Button for when it gets really bad, and just picture to myself that it looks like Id want it to. (The character is Triceratops Man, so if I could just put a fossil skull on the normal Granite body Id be happy. After all, Im using Bunny Ears as the long twin horns, so whats a bit more imagination?)
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I'm going to try and tip-toe around this point delicately, but like any good Stone tanker knows...there's nothing delicate about being Rooted.
I bet you will be ok tanking on Virtue with a concept driven toon that may not be maximized. From my experiences tanking on Virtue, that community is much more friendly to the idea especially if you are a good roleplayer. That will also be more significant if you get yourself into a regular group of players who know your backstory and work with it.
Were you to tank on any other server, you'd be held to a different standard. From my experiences tanking on Freedom, Justice, Champion, I can say that, in a very general sense, players on those servers care less about character concepts and roleplaying and expect tanks to be maximized for damage mitigation and aggro management.
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Im not sure what youre saying about Rooted, but the main reason I (mostly) left Guardian for Virtue is the fact that Ive never liked the pigeon-holing of character roles that typically goes on. I know its a game, and thats how most play it, but Ive never liked the idea of optimizing characters if it doesn't fit the concept.
Nothing wrong with that and given your criteria I don't think you should have many problems (especially given the server you're on).
Hey im a Granite but in hero form im a Fake Superman but hey its funny
I already know the answer to my first question. Is it absolutely necessary? *listens for the resounding "YES!"*
I already know why also, but let's say I'm crazy. (I am.) I like the Stone tanker primary, and I like how most of the various armors look. However, I find the look of Granite Armor to be bland and not fitting for the character I have in mind, so I either choose not to take Granite Armor, or I take it and use it only very (VERY) rarely. How would I do such a thing without being ostracized by any team that may pick me up expecting a huge Granite golem?