Inquiring Stone Tank info

The -Spd is VERY noticeable. To the point where many Stoners are "required" to take [Teleport] in order to get around when in combat. Though the penalties seem harsh, you get survivability in spades!

Play a Tank until you get [Rooted] and think about if you want to continue to play the character... there is a significantly different feel to a Stoner than most any other character... especially considering the not inconsequnetal lack of upward (and forward) mobility.

[Earth's Embrace] is the self-heal in Stone and to my knowledge does not incur any penalty at all. What you probably meant was [Rooted] the mezz protection and +Regen power in Stone.

Earth's Embrace is the "Dull Pain" of Stone Armor. It gives you a large heal and a good amount of extra HP. You are probably thinking of Rooted, Stone's Mezz toggle, which is what gives the -speed. Incidentally, Rooted has the higher -speed of the two, meaning that once you get Granite Armor (which provides its own mezz protection), you can just run around in that and not move as slow.

Now, to comment on the OP's issues. Yes, Stone Armor inherently moves slower than other sets. If I could make one change to the whole of the set, it would be to make Rooted function more like Grounded from Elec Armor, IE it only gives you it's effects when you are close to the ground. Keep the +regen, but maybe lower it a bit (as a balancing point to not being slowed) but kill the -speed. Granite does enough of that without making the whole of the experience "tougher."

Frankly, it really isn't that big of a concern. There are a few ways around the -speed, at least in PvE. If you take Swift from the Fitness pool and 3 slot it with Run Speed Enhancements, you'll get moderatly good maneuverability. Still slower than base running, let alone running with Sprint, but still good enough to get around during a fight. Teleport is also often taken by Stone tanks because it can be used regardless of whether or not Granite/Rooted/Both are active. The combination of Teleport and 3-slotted Swift means you'll be able to move around quite easily. And for what it's worth, I personally love Teleport on a tank, as it allows you to appear right in the middle of the mob. With a taunt aura active and some form of PBAoE qued up, you quickly get the mobs attention, with much less risk of splash from ranged AoEs hitting your allies as you run into the mob.

A few other things to consider. First of all, both Granite and Rooted are, as should be considered, situational powers. You don't have to run around in Granite all the time. Rooted is only needed when you know you are going to fight an opponent with a mezz, or end drain, or if you foresee a lot of incoming damage that you will need the +regen for. As far as mezz/end drain goes, remember that Stone is at it's core a defense based set. You *can* get a small amount of s/l resistance from Stone Skin, and Granite gives resistance and defense, but other than those two powers, Stone Armor relies on not getting hit as much, or at all. If you aren't getting hit, you aren't getting mezzed, or having your endurance drained. This means that Rooted is even more situational, because even when you fight an opponent or two that may mezz you, odds are likely you won't need to worry about it, because the mezz is a lot less likely to get through. If it does, pop a break free and toggle on Rooted. No matter what AT I play, I *always* have a break free or two on hand, just in case. Even with Stamina and proper end reduction slotting, blue bars can run out and mezz protection toggles can drop, so a BF can save you a trip from the hospital, as well as allow you to keep protecting your team. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

One last thing. Mudpots. Take it. Use it. It's just that good a power. It taunts for you. It *slightly* adds to your damage. It's taunt aspect isn't affected by Granite's -recharge, meaning when you do need Granite, you can still keep a mob focused on you without worrying about whether or not Taunt is up, or you have an attack ready to get attention. Turn it on and leave it on for as long as you have endurance to run it. The best part about it, though? It slows enemies down, with a small chance for a weak immobilization. Granite/Rooted running and a mob is trying to get away? With Mudpots affecting them, they'll likely run just as slow as you do.

Just remember this: our lovely developers would not have a built in "debuff" if it couldn't be countered in some way, shape, or form. Between Pool powers and the other powers in the set, the -speed just really isn't that much of an issue, especially once you get used to it and used to countering it.

~WP

Now I'm afraid I have to rather strongly disagree with that... a tanker without mez protection in combat is just asking for a quick trip to the floor. In my opinion it's foolish to actually be in combat and not running a mez shield. With a Stone tanker that means either Rooted or Granite... in rare situations both of them together.

I've played two stone tankers to 50 and I fully understand the -speed & -jump involved but I can't count the number of times detoggling Rooted to move from one group to another has gotten me mez'd. Even non-mezzing mobs tend to have knockback and if you're on your butt you're not tanking.

Bottom line, always run mez protection on any tanker anytime you're in combat.

Actually Mud Pots will be your #1 most damaging power. I'm not joking here, run Herostats and then run a few missions. Look at the total damage done by all your powers. Mud Pots will have done more damage than anything else.

The reason for that is because while the damage may not seem significant it's applied to everything in melee with you every 2 seconds. Insignificant damage stacked up every 2 seconds on all around you adds up to quite significant amounts over time.

But getting back to the original topic, the only valid answer to the question of "does it slow you down" is a definite heck yes. There are things you can do to mitigate the situation.

First, take Swift from Fitness and 3 slot it for runspeed. That will get your speed with Rooted up to a walk.

Second, the "magic wand" cure for the speed issue is, of course, a Kinetic with Speed Boost... it will totally eliminate your run speed problem. Failing that you can help things via IO bonuses for runspeed or you can do what I've done and simply rely on TP as a means of combat mobility.

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MAIN: Desi Boy> Level 51 Fire/Fire Tank
Super Group: C.O.R.E.
Tanking since 05'
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