Da/tw

Yup, I made one and I knew what I was getting into.

Besides the end issue, which I hope to ameliorate with vigor alpha, conserve power and phys perfection, I would appreciate some eyes on this build and suggestions for improvements. Thanks.


Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

X'amu: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(34), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(36)
Level 1: Defensive Sweep -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(3), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(3), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:31(15), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(17), LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(17)
Level 2: Dark Embrace -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:31(19), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:31(19), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(21), RctvArm-ResDam:31(21), S'fstPrt-ResKB:10(43)
Level 4: Titan Sweep -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(5), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(5), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:31(11), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(11)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(A), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:31(7), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(7), Aegis-ResDam:31(9), Aegis-Psi/Status:31(9)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A)
Level 10: Murky Cloud -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(A), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:31(33), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(33), Aegis-EndRdx/Rchg:31(34), Aegis-ResDam:31(34)
Level 12: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), HO:Cyto(13), HO:Cyto(13)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Winter-ResSlow:31(A)
Level 16: Follow Through -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:31(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:31(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:31(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(31), HO:Nucle(33)
Level 18: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-+End%:30(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(40), Nictus-Acc/Heal:31(40), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(45), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:31(45)
Level 20: Boxing -- Acc(A)
Level 22: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(A), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:31(42), Aegis-EndRdx/Rchg:31(42), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(42), Aegis-ResDam:31(43), GA-3defTpProc:31(46)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), HO:Cyto(25), HO:Cyto(25)
Level 26: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), HO:Cyto(27), HO:Cyto(27)
Level 28: Rend Armor -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:31(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:31(29), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:31(29), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(31), HO:Nucle(31)
Level 30: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt:31(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:31(37), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:31(37), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:31(37), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:31(39), Mocking-Rchg:31(40)
Level 32: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 35: Whirling Smash -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(36), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(48), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(50), FrcFbk-Rechg%:50(50)
Level 38: Arc of Destruction -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(39), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(39), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:31(48), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(50)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:31(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I:50(A)
Level 47: Build Momentum -- Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(A), Rec'dRet-Pcptn:20(48)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I:31(A)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Vigor Core Paragon
Level 50: Diamagnetic Core Flawless Interface
Level 50: Rebirth Core Epiphany
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:31(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:31(46)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(45), P'Shift-End%:31(46)
Level 1: Momentum
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

A few quick things:

1) I would probably opt for -KB IOs rather than Acrobatics, especially in a build where endurance is a concern. I use three of them on my DA tank. Just find a few slots to throw onto two of the Defense powers, say Combat Jumping and Weave, and you're good to go. You could take OG in place of Acrobatics, which gives you a low-endurance control method which stacks with the stun in Follow Through. Alternatively, you could take Hasten.

2) Small point, but you can swap one of the generic EndMod IOs in Stamina for the EndMod IO from the performance shifter Set, which gives you the same enhancements but also gives you the 2-IO bonus. Not much, but no reason not to do it either.

3) The GladAmor proc is ridiculously expensive and you can softcap pretty easily without it - if you have the inf to blow, great, but you're looking at billions of inf just for that one IO. My tank is softcapped without it and does extremely well, so it's hardly necessary for a high-end build. The same argument applies to the large number of HOs in this build, though they don't represent quite as large an investment per enhancement.

4) Vigor is an understandable choice for an alpha - personally, I think Cardiac, Vigor and Resilient are the most beneficial options. I prefer Cardiac but I think Vigor is a good option as well. I would argue that there are better options than Rebirth for Destiny, however (though of course you can have more than one and swap them out). Ageless gives Recharge Reduction, +Endurance and (in the radial tree) Debuff Resistance - all of which are useful to a DA tank. My tanker has several Destiny options (Clarion for UGTs, for instance), but Ageless is what I use at default and it's very effective. Also on the subject of incarnate slots, if you do opt for OG you might consider the Spectral Interface for its immobilization effect to pair with the stun.

Thanks for going over the build.

I am finding it hard to softcap to all damage types save psi without the glad proc with the power choices and powerset combo I picked. The proc is not necessary of course, 40%ish defense to most damage types affords me plenty of survivability so I could swap that slot out and replace it with something more useful, like another +recharge proc in titan sweep or a +end proc in phy perf or another -kb proc. Just out of curiosity, how are you managing to softcap with your build?

I picked vigor because 1) I don't like the acc on my attacks due to the low acc enhancment value from KC and 2) The end discount doesn't require any explanation. The destiny slot is arbitrary, barrior, ageless and rebirth are all useful in their own ways.

I took acro because I really hated getting knocked around but even with it certain foes will still kb me. 4 points probably will suffice for most game content but how much should I shoot for if I wanted to main tank some of the games more challenging content? 12? 16? or 20?

I took acro after level 30 because you'll notice that I have all my def bonuses around level 28-29 and most content around that level range and below won't have enough kb to over come 4 pts of kb protection from my steadfast proc. I'm not a big fan of OG but if I dump acro I can certainly fit OG in, or hover to get around the KB issue. If I get hover then I won't be able to use arc of destruction while hovering, but I can accept that because it will be situational and hover gives me another positioning tool, more defense, and another mule for LOTG.

I find that since Hover was *fixed* awhile back it's no longer an adequate route to protect from KB (in my estimation). Yes, the tumbling animation in flight is shorter, but the effect is still essentially the same and I find it's far better if you're going to be main tank to have real protection. I would recommend for main tanking. That is what I have and I can't recall the last time I was knocked back by anything sort of a geyser in the Renault SF.

My secondary was a bit more amendable to softcapping than yours is (Elec Melee) and I went for S/L/E/N rather than all types. As you did, I used a lot of Erads and KinCombats along with Reactive Armors. I have 45% in S/L/E/N and combined with a tier4 cardiac boosting my resists and endurance reduction, I do very well. Ageless ensures I never run out of endurance and provides a buffer against cascading defense failure from defense debuffs, and at tier 4 is perma.

As for acro, I can see the rationale behind it and if you do opt against working in more -KB then I would certainly keep it. You're going to want more than -4 if you're going to main tank on most of the higher-end TFs or trials.

Why did u SC Fire/cold when most of the games content is leaning to S/L then Neg/End very few out there that dose fire damage. I would of gone with reactive armor rather gone with Aegis and free up a few slots to get you at SC with S/L.

Nemu,

I tinkered with your build a bit and took it in a different direction- namely positional rather than typed defense. You get a head start on this with defensive sweep. The following build caps positional defenses with a single swing of Defensive Sweep; you can double stack it for tougher stuff or to combat defense debuffs a bit. I used tactics to get the accuracy up in your attacks to be capped vs. +3s, allowing you to choose Cardiac rather than Vigor. Cardiac has the side benefit of boosting your resists, which i think would benefit you more than boosting the heal in Dark Regen. (To see the accuracy values in Mids', remove the proc from the Gaussian's set). I used -kb IOs for knockback protection (12 pts) and dropped Acrobatics. I also put a Pshifter proc in Physical Perfection (the proc is worth .2-.22 end/s). I lost a bit of global recharge, but not much. End use/Recovery looks to be pretty decent with Cardiac. Most other stuff I left as is, but was curious as to the reason for using lvl 31 enhancements.

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1552;733;1466;HEX;|
|78DA65544B4F135114BE777A4B9D5228A59429AF52411EA5505AC035318246430D0|
|BA26E4C33E0D00E9469335391BA73E14F30F88C1BDF0B176E7C91F83F8C096B1241|
|97EEC633738EA53093C0775EDF39E79B7BA7F99D85D087CBF7E7190F5D2CAB96555|
|8518D4DCD0CAE686B25A352AE14EB0C1EFFCD3175EB4E00AC1ECC1716B475CDB0B4|
|CC826A6E162E985B15B3973279ADAC699915BDA61A851B9A5AAD18160B2D572AE5C|
|C1278BA516C739D4B7AB154032FFC3F755B33AD925E8DB8FE15635BB7F455BDACD7|
|EAD1C5AABE96593434B3582FE455ABA699F538AC9281BF4F32FCE3CE8AB69F1D498|
|C0D0876A60C6E0E700BB1DD403C7B88F9E15F880F1587EB906DC10E3026514EA2DA|
|F67BC8ED88415D5C669F65A2C03CAE70B7A6730E30019845EC9A25CC214ECC20EEC|
|23C1F73B9C2B78D7DC55DC21DC4609D90E67E85797E9C27F9A97F0BCD6BA139DD70|
|2E01ACE101DAB3E32FB8B2605F802F634EC8C44FD25EC9D993FB4D53DF3DE0B4D2C|
|C56EA173A0F2ECC7151F89802761B6AE16D3F2577D6E40FC9DDF931E80C63CE1F5E|
|471DDD45C2126242474C6ED0D96C227E83D911866712E9F4B9EF772C4218F3E1BED|
|7B85B3BA9A0CF619728CE4384FD7C108B91EE18E94E91EE14E94DC5B9BBF7D40CF6|
|11C05148B742BAE3A43B4EBA2360F7504D0FD5F4524D2FD53C05FD7DA4BF8FF4F79|
|3FEFE53FA13A7F43F02EE006919D8C0F71985DE8374E7065F62ECDC2BC2D7846F10|
|47DF228EBD03EC12EC19F41BA25D860E4EDEFF61BAE3D374D7723672730F109F037|
|784EEEB087147893BDACC4D1017F005BCCA71DA7F3C8DB9F77051D2B83F4BEF62EF|
|270A7EBF4E2CE3D44505FB0E679FA558368BDCC360E37B63DC8687FD3E8E707E95B|
|BCCA9EB78A2479EEA3FC711892751E724E1D42EEEBCAF307A6CBB5F346CC7850E29|
|D1F885B1273CD9AC2792F344663D91394F64C913591634B6A145EE68FC7ED8CB414|
|73FDAB79A6CB5C95E6DB2DD670FBE8E1C35F8D864CF37D9FF00ADFD00A9|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

LSK - I was thinking of slows when building for fire/cold def, but most those attacks would have some s/l component so I made adjustments and came up with another build that focuses on S/L/E/N. S/L falls a wee bit shy but I'm ok with that. I was going to post the build but upon seeing EJI's post and build....

EJI - I like your build, a lot. My positional defenses are already in the mid-30s in my initial build and I did not even think to explore that option. I tinkered around with the build you have and this is what I came up with:

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

X'amu: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(34), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(36)
Level 1: Defensive Sweep -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(3), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(3), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(15), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(17), LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(17)
Level 2: Dark Embrace -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(19), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(19), Aegis-ResDam:31(21), GA-3defTpProc:50(37)
Level 4: Titan Sweep -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:31(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:31(5), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:31(5), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:31(11), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:31(11)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(A), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:31(7), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(7), Aegis-ResDam:31(9), Aegis-Psi/Status:31(9)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A)
Level 10: Murky Cloud -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(21), Aegis-ResDam:31(33), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:31(34), Aegis-EndRdx/Rchg:31(42)
Level 12: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), LkGmblr-Def:31(13), HO:Cyto(13)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx:31(A), Zephyr-ResKB:10(33)
Level 16: Follow Through -- Mako-Acc/Dmg:31(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx:31(23), Mako-Dmg/Rchg:31(23), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:31(31), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(33), Mako-Dam%:31(43)
Level 18: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-+End%:30(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:30(40), Nictus-Acc/Heal:31(40), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:31(45)
Level 20: Boxing -- Acc(A)
Level 22: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:31(A), Aegis-ResDam:31(34), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:31(42)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), LkGmblr-Def:31(25), HO:Cyto(25)
Level 26: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), HO:Cyto(27), HO:Cyto(27)
Level 28: Rend Armor -- Mako-Acc/Dmg:31(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx:31(29), Mako-Dmg/Rchg:31(29), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:31(31), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:31(31), Mako-Dam%:31(40)
Level 30: Taunt -- Zinger-Taunt/Rchg:31(A), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:31(37), Zinger-Taunt/Rng:31(37), Zinger-Dam%:31(39)
Level 32: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 35: Whirling Smash -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(36), FrcFbk-Rechg%:31(45), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(48)
Level 38: Arc of Destruction -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(39), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(42), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(43)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%:21(A)
Level 47: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit:31(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:31(48), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:31(48), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:31(50), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:31(50), GSFC-Build%:31(50)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+:20(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:31(46)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(45), P'Shift-End%:21(46)
Level 1: Momentum
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

I decided to keep Acro to save slots otherwise used for -kb procs, and left taunt slotted for 5% global recharge instead of 7.5%. The reason I kept most of my enhancements at level 31 is so that I can enjoy the benefits of those set bonuses at level 28 because I like doing mid level content.

I think you'll run into end woes on that build- net recovery even with a t4 cardiac is 1.45 end/s. I guess there's always the +recovery destiny power, I think it'll still be tight. As a rule of thumb, I shoot for around 2 end/s net recovery- I'd be tempted to try to push it higher for TW which is an end-hungry set. And you won't have incarnate powers for lower level stuff. You might consider calculating your 'burn time', which is how long you can attack before running out of steam. As an example: A dual blades toon I recently did used 3 end/s using its ST attack chain, with a net recovery of 2 end/s I've got 110s before you run out of end attacking nonstop (lower than I'd like). I'd consider 100s the minimum to shoot for; less than that and the toon starts to feel 'unplayable' due to endurance problems.

You might find an inspcombine macro useful to make blues, if you're not familiar with how to do this you can find a guide here: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=125603

Just to let you know Dark tanks are more surrounded by the typed def then with positional def. I see lot of problems going for your build there that u have both typed and positional up there and u are not getting the best the tank can offer when u do that. I am also wondering why you took the leadership pool in the build when u do not really need it. DA is a heavy end build in the first place and having tactics in it is costing u major end usage. I did a little bit to it and got you close to SC in S/L and got you SC in En/Neg. Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.953
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

X'amu: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Rchg(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36)
Level 1: Defensive Sweep -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(15)
Level 2: Dark Embrace -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GA-3defTpProc(11), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(19), RctvArm-EndRdx/Rchg(19), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(21), RctvArm-EndRdx(37)
Level 4: Titan Sweep -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(5), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 6: Obsidian Shield -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(7), RctvArm-EndRdx/Rchg(7), RctvArm-EndRdx(9), S'fstPrt-ResKB(9)
Level 8: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Krma-ResKB(17), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(48), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(48), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 10: Murky Cloud -- RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(A), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(21), RctvArm-EndRdx/Rchg(33), RctvArm-EndRdx(34)
Level 12: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(13), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(13), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-ResKB(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(17)
Level 16: Follow Through -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(33)
Level 18: Dark Regeneration -- Theft-+End%(A), Theft-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Nictus-Acc/Heal(40), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Heal/HP/Regen(43), Nictus-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 20: Boxing -- Acc-I(A)
Level 22: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg(34), RctvArm-EndRdx(40), RctvArm-EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(25), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(25), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 26: Build Momentum -- Rec'dRet-ToHit(A), Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg(27), RechRdx-I(27)
Level 28: Rend Armor -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(29), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(29), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 30: Taunt -- Zinger-Taunt/Rchg(A), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(37), Zinger-Taunt/Rng(37), Zinger-Dam%(39), Zinger-Taunt(43), Zinger-Acc/Rchg(45)
Level 32: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Whirling Smash -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(36), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(46)
Level 38: Arc of Destruction -- Erad-Acc/Rchg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(39), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A)
Level 47: Laser Beam Eyes -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(48), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(46)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(45), P'Shift-End%(46)
Level 1: Momentum
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run

| Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1524;743;1486;HEX;|
|78DA65544B4F1351143EF328634B913E282D05DA4281D29616AAEE8911341A48AA1|
|075639A01C732A1CCD4996AECD2BFA031A8E083AD0BB73E137F8826EE51D4A5BB7A|
|7ACF49A994A47CE7F1DDF3BC77561F2CF9DF5E7AB80892FF424D77DDCABA6E6D1B8|
|E6FDDD8DCB2EC9A5D6D02FE796E66F49D7B1A4A23E4AF2C19770CCB358A4BBAB35D|
|39EFECD84E9C3DAB46CD308AEB6643B72A370CBD6E5B2EF8CBB65D2BAEA0665AD50|
|1A15C34AB5B0DD47C425BAB1BC6EDA0102F5BF74DD7DC306B66A3195EAE9B9BC565|
|CB70AACDCAAAEE360CA719C32AF2F87BE7C57F52BBBA96023F648071154E1F124E1|
|C11A67F123E89029391CB1C997D32734F738CF71857A2B81E292A099BEF8C025052|
|2194443D8198221C4A104EA511331AEC621E05A82685F3A81C57E57C3ECEF711F37|
|8288FEAE1387D1CBF8FE39F4A33C6A88E615C81C667B4080A312F04FE82F0CD8724|
|51E37C80B01426FC8079BC3C276FB2BB6E0D529C67224DFA67E4F633B79FE3FB43E|
|4F39F881BC55A06A85769E09B2CE204BECAC2F70CE730483E75B00CC2377C95F11A|
|61628D30658238F309730769476A30A4889E3241C688226AC80DD31EE6A28A382B6|
|10D61CA03E138C551D016E11E223CD78924F590117B5221CB7DABC88D3237CAFDC6|
|86881BE33EB33CD7E7D8D308E59247F6B0CFB00AF1FD366A10CF53EE3DE48C72DFA|
|3DCF718F73D76A2EF04F7FD14CF8CD319CFB84D739CAA333A84332E61CEA2F9CEDD|
|259CC4FA93BC8324D79062DCC7B8937C17270FFF7F0F69BE83057137357881DC69E|
|64E337786EFED0C9FC91E11F7158E7E9673CE72AE1CE31BBC10799A27E477913FA4|
|C201F28B3CB7E201F1E65F13965E127EC1DD2FF01E1738D691AFF30E412AB46D1AF|
|C3EB649D21549ECA0709D76F9AB9B3F4BFC3FC736597AC4B37B4C58E0FABE8B6F83|
|E0B4C6D48EDC565B2DC8AA9DAF4C2BD7E35DE8B1947A2C677B2CE78E63E2D394C56|
|D5BE961955526B5FB11166FA0F37569957D8229E45B5DB2DE256F74C98BF84C4A2C|
|FF03F299E8B2|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

EJI - I've been dealing with the end issue with temp powers and insp combine for 49 levels and my goal with this tank is not to be an energizer bunny so I'm comfortable with the end consumption and recovery ratio with the build. Besides, once my build is complete I will be softcapped for mid level content so I won't have to run acro/tough and even maneuvers (I'll still be in the 40% range with it turned off) when exemped down.

LSK - What makes my build any different than a shield/SR/nin build with soft capped positional to range/aoe and softcapped melee with one def sweep? DA starts out with no affinity to either typed or positional defense so I don't see why I would need to build for type def as conventional wisdom dictates. As for the leadership pool, I don't necessarily need to use tactics and I could just as well replace it with build momentum. See above on my end conservation tactics when I exemp once my build is complete.

I would probably reference Dechs Kaison's posts on the subject preferentially, as the guide linked is several years old now. I based most of my research for my Tanker on Dechs's posts on DA and I found them immensely helpful when I was still learning how to best build a DA Tanker effectively.

Best bet is his website, which has some brief discussion on it as well as a very complete guide on tanking in general.

http://dechskaison.blogspot.com/2011...f-tanking.html
http://dechskaison.blogspot.com/2011...cks-build.html

You can also reference this thread:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=217233

While I generally agree that DA is easier to build using typed defense (because you get more bonuses for fewer slots), I think TW offers an exception. Having a +def boost to melee/smashing draws some parallels to katana/BS. For examples, have a peek at what the scrapper kids (and more recently, brutes) have been doing with their builds. Building for s/l/e/n, as conventional wisdom suggests, doesn't take advantage of defensive sweep.

As to the difference between a SD or SR build, DDR is the answer. And resists. You'll have (comparitively) massive resists (and a ridiculous heal) to back up your positional defenses, making you tougher in some instances. However, with no DDR, those defenses can go away very quickly.

I reviewed all the builds here and I was bothered at the end management in mostly all of them. I picked cardiac as the alpha pool and that midigated it some but I thought about how the build would survive in non-50 content. I posted my build that I came here to have tweeked but I think I might stick to it. If anyone can offer suggestions or pull something from it, please be my guest.


Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.954
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Qronos: Level 50 Magic Tanker
Primary Power Set: Dark Armor
Secondary Power Set: Titan Weapons
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Death Shroud -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(3), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(23)
Level 1: Defensive Sweep -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), Ksmt-Def/EndRdx(9), Ksmt-ToHit+(25)
Level 2: Dark Embrace -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/EndRdx(A), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(5), S'fstPrt-ResKB(13)
Level 4: Crushing Blow -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(13), KntkC'bat-Knock%(25)
Level 6: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+(11)
Level 8: Murky Cloud -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(11), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg(17), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(27)
Level 10: Titan Sweep -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(27), Erad-Acc/Rchg(46)
Level 12: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-ResKB(15)
Level 14: Obsidian Shield -- HO:Ribo(A), GA-3defTpProc(21)
Level 16: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg(21), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng(23), Mocking-Rchg(36)
Level 18: Dark Regeneration -- Mrcl-Heal(A), Mrcl-Heal/Rchg(29), Mrcl-Heal/EndRdx(29), Mrcl-Rcvry+(39), RgnTis-Regen+(43)
Level 20: Kick -- Empty(A)
Level 22: Follow Through -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(31), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), KntkC'bat-Knock%(46)
Level 24: Cloak of Darkness -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31), LkGmblr-Rchg+(33)
Level 26: Build Momentum -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(33), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(33), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(34), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(34), GSFC-Build%(46)
Level 28: Tough -- ImpArm-ResDam(A), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx(43), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg(43), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg(45), ImpArm-ResPsi(45)
Level 30: Cloak of Fear -- SipInsght-ToHitDeb(A), SipInsght-%ToHit(34), SipInsght-Acc/ToHitDeb(36), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(36), SipInsght-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 32: Rend Armor -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(37), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(37), KntkC'bat-Knock%(37)
Level 35: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(39), LkGmblr-Rchg+(39)
Level 38: Oppressive Gloom -- Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(40), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(40), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(40)
Level 41: Whirling Smash -- Erad-Dmg(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(42), Erad-Acc/Rchg(42), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Soul Transfer -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45)
Level 47: Arc of Destruction -- Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(48), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(48), Armgdn-Dam%(50)
Level 49: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
Level 50: Void Radial Final Judgement
Level 50: Spectral Radial Flawless Interface
Level 50: Ageless Radial Epiphany
------------
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(7), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(17)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(7), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(19), P'Shift-End%(19)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 1: Momentum


I was going for the best possible end management while trying to SC s/l/e/n, I fell short but with the powers I wanted, I was willing to accept this. I think it will be a pretty good build once I access the incarnate tree.

Ok, here's my 2 inf for the above build:

Powers:
I find that, on Titan alts, I have a much smoother attack chain and damage burst if I only have 5 attacks, on my Tanks I go with Defensive Sweep, Crushing Blow, Rend Armor, Whirling Smash, and Arc of Destruction. I use kick for those awful times when I'm exemp'd low enough that I have to use it to fill in.

Also, I'd drop Oppresive Gloom, I find the fear aura is superior, and it stacks far better with all the Dark Control and Stalkers now running around. On my DA TW, I'll be going Vigilante - that way, I can stack Fear twice when solo with the alignment power.

Slotting:
You probably won't really need the Impervium Armour +psi resists, I feel the psi resist from Dark Armour tends to be enough as is. In Dark Regen, a Theft of Essence chance for +end proc helps a great deal, it has a chance to execute per enemy in range, I've been able to recover endurance to full more than once this way.

My opinion of Defensive Sweep is that slotting it for +damage is kind of a waste, I've found from others that what I prefer to do is slot in a +acc, and as many damage procs as I can stand. Eradication, Armageddon, etc, it can get crazy that way. I will, when I get the chance, be putting a Fury o/t Gladiator -res proc in DefSweep asap, too.

Also, having the Tank ATO proc in Rend Armor, I cannot praise enough. Debuffing their resist and buffing my own all at once is just too sexy to pass up, since it auto-executes due to Rend's 16s base recharge. I threw the other 5 into Crushing Blow, with an Achilles -res proc as well.

Incarnate:
...Not sure why you're going with Ageless Destiny? Then again, Clarion, Barrier, and Rebirth are kind of redundant, but that can be a good thing, too. Spectral Interface can help, it locks some people in place but then again so does the fear aura. My DA TW tank will be going with either Diagmagnetic or the -damage interface. Cardiac and Void are excellent choices for your DA TW Tank.

Anyways, my 2 inf, and of course, your mileage may vary. Good luck with that tank.

~Raven

A counterargument about Oppressive Gloom: the main attraction of the power for me is that you can use it just fine with just a single Accuracy IO in it, which frees up slots for other thing. It's endurance cheap and the stun duration is fine for an aura, so all you need is accuracy. As for status stacking, overall there're considerably more powersets that apply stun than those that apply fear. (Not to mention that Dark Control gets a stun too, though I usually only use mine when the fear+tohit debuffage isn't enough.)

Meanwhile, Cloak of Fear needs a lot of slotting to be even halfway decent. It's pricy in terms of endurance (more so even with slotting than OG unslotted) and has low accuracy (though you can probably get away with not slotting for fear duration, too). However, fear works on some mobs where stuns wouldn't (and vice versa, I believe). Also, it doesn't suppress mob attacks as completely as stun does. On the upside, it doesn't cause wandering like stun does.

In the end you can use personal preference. It's usually best to focus on the status aura that corresponds with what your attack set inflicts (for example, I run Oppressive Gloom with Stone Melee), but if your attack set desn't inflict either of those two statuses, you can pick what you like.

Supanig

You don't have a lot of Acc in your attacks and that might end up working against all your efforts to conserve end. That and the fact that you don't have much end redux slotted in your attacks may lead to longer fights and ultimately more end consumption.

Are you planning on running CoF all the time? If so your net end recovery isn't all that better than mine. Your build nets about 1.9 end/sec with it on. My build nets around 1.4 but you have to keep in mind that I don't HAVE to run acro (have 4pt kb protection in the BOTZ proc) or tactics. So with those off I'm actually pretty close to your build at 1.8 end/sec.

With the exception of the theft of essence proc (and you really should get one), the healing procs should go in health, not in dark regen, you will need Acc in dark regen especially when you are facing small spawns or an AV. While on the topic of healing, take the extra slots out of health, you have dark regen.

You have to focus on what you want from your set bonuses. For example, the 4th slot in opp gloom and the 5th slot in tough are completely unnecessary. The measly gains in mez resistance and stun duration has no practical benefit for your tank. The extra slot in soul transfer can be better used elsewhere. These slots can go to obsidian armor and dark embrace to shore up your s/l and psi resists. One slot in obsidian will do magnitudes more than the 3% resist the impervium proc gives you.

Above all else I've said in this post I'd strongly recommend better Acc in your powers. You may want to consider the vigor alpha instead of cardiac.

I find that Ageless is a very good fit for my DA tanks, actually. The +recharge comes in handy if I get hit with any -rechage debuffs and the additional endurance especially on the perma tier 4 version helps as additional endurance management, but those are fringe benefits.

The real reason I went with Ageless Radial tier 4 is because of the debuff resistance. Of course, as a resistance-based set with Defense from Inventions, you have no Defense Debuff Resistance... well, now you do. I've found it makes a huge difference especially in incarnate trials. I went from having to use Dark Regen several times in each phase to having to use it once or twice the entire trial. It's certainly not DDR on the order of what, say, Super Reflexes has, but it's a heck of a lot better than nothing.