Creating a Template(For dummies!)

Ok guys, I played a while when the game came out, just started back a few months ago, and have been asking around my SG for temps and such for my characters. I would love to learn what to put in a template, how to make them, things to look out for, etc.

Does anyone know of a "Template guide for dummies" thread around here? I Looked in the guide section and saw some good stuff, but nothing that goes into pretty basic detail on the thought process on creating your first template (as oppsoed to finding someone elses and just using it). For instance, I want to try a shield / ?? tanker (going with SS for now) but I have so many qustions, and I dont really know the answers.

I think I'm going to play with the hero designer first, and post different templates and my thoughts behind them, and see what people think - after I get corrected and straightened out move to the next part, I'm talking basic power selection, them moving on to how to slot powers, then on to which sets to use and why.

Before I did all this, I wanted to see if something like this existed already.

Hopefully it will be a very informative thread to any other noobs coming into the game wondering the same things.

So, Hello and thanks in advance for the help!

Here is how I would initially take the powers, I'm REALLY not sure about the epic powers, I just took fire because I noticed it had more AE, and I figured AE damage would be good for holding aggro against multiple bad guys.

What are the glaring holes on this one?

Level 48 Mutation Tanker
Primary Power Set: Shield Defense
Secondary Power Set: Super Strength
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Pyre Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1: Battle Agility Empty(A)
Level 1: Jab Empty(A)
Level 2: True Grit Empty(A)
Level 4: Punch Empty(A)
Level 6: Hover Empty(A)
Level 8: Active Defense Empty(A)
Level 10: Taunt Empty(A)
Level 12: Against All Odds Empty(A)
Level 14: Fly Empty(A)
Level 16: Phalanx Fighting Empty(A)
Level 18: Hand Clap Empty(A)
Level 20: Swift Empty(A)
Level 22: Health Empty(A)
Level 24: Stamina Empty(A)
Level 26: Shield Charge Empty(A)
Level 28: Boxing Empty(A)
Level 30: Tough Empty(A)
Level 32: One with the Shield Empty(A)
Level 35: Weave Empty(A)
Level 38: Foot Stomp Empty(A)
Level 41: Char Empty(A)
Level 44: Melt Armor Empty(A)
Level 47: Fire Ball Empty(A)
Level 49: Rage Empty(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet

Most of the people who post tend to use Mids which can be found here:

http://www.cohplanner.com/

I think if you can use it, it will be of good use as you can compare powers and powersets plus look at powers in detail.

Your power choices will look good to me but maybe not in how you use them. Handclap isn't very popular where as rage is so rage could be moved sooner.

also, get familiar with paragon wiki, and the titan network

http://cohtitan.com

the best advice for coming up with IO templates specifically, using mids, make your basic build, then look for the glaring holes.

for shields, you are looking to softcap POSITIONAL defense. Melee/AoE/Ranged. 45% softcapped.

now, in paragonwiki, you can look up what sets give specific bonuses. The best way to look for IO sets is to be specific in what you are aiming for, and for shields that is Melee/AoE/Ranged def. After that, you can choose the other areas you may wish to improve, such as regen, max hp, max end or haste.

the more you mess with builds, the easier it gets. You become familiar with what set bonuses come with what sets, and how deep into the sets you need to get. I can toss together a framework/preliminary build that is relatively solid in 5-10 minutes for tankers.

These boards are your best friend as far as designing builds goes, there is a ton of experience and knowledge floating around.

Call_Me_Awesome, Jebe_the_Pirate, Kruunk, Serrate, Heraclea, Findulias, Shannon_EU, Scrapulous, the list goes on and on. I have learned a ton from these people.