[MENTION=6678119]Jackinthegreen[/MENTION]
Yup, I'll again clarify what I posted above. I didn't mean "tank" is in MMO play style, just rather a heavy front line fighter that can take a beating. Though I appreciate the suggestions on how possibly to achieve a WoW-style tank.
Battlefield control is great and I love it. But I question it's usefulness against a dragon. Thought perhaps according to RAW you can trip a massive creature, I don't see the DM going for it. Granted there will be occasions to mass combat, but dragons tend to be singular opponents with opportunity attacks might be less likely. Though I'm open to counter arguments haven' not fought all that many dragons.
Yup, I think the imagery would be pretty cool tool. I imagine the downside here is you really need to focus on casting if you're going to go this route, correct?
Personally the coolest aspect of frenzied berserker to me isn't the power attacks and str (though cool as well), but rather the "deathless frenzy". A dragon can do as much damage as he can dish and still not take the character down. Granted the character might not live at the end of the encounter. But I do at least want to avoid killing my party members should I go that route.
This is a cool suggestion and build. Read my next post and let me know if you still think it makes sense.
WoW-style tank can kind of work using various things, but it can be difficult to do if your DM isn't humoring you on a tank build. If a monster finds its attacks aren't really hitting a target that isn't doing much damage to it (usually called a turtle), but another target that's squishy is hitting it for a lot, chances are the monster is going to attack the squishy character because attacking the well-armored character not being much of a threat could get it killed by the squishy, and it's usually in the monster's best interests to live.
Yup, I'll again clarify what I posted above. I didn't mean "tank" is in MMO play style, just rather a heavy front line fighter that can take a beating. Though I appreciate the suggestions on how possibly to achieve a WoW-style tank.
Another form of tanking is called Battlefield Control. Basically you make it difficult or impossible for an enemy to harm you or your group. Martial types usually go for a Lockdown build that prevents opponents from moving and taking actions. This is often achieved through things like Thicket of Blades, Combat Reflexes, and Stand Still, plus a reach weapon. Tripping using Improved Trip and Knock-down can also limit enemies.
Battlefield control is great and I love it. But I question it's usefulness against a dragon. Thought perhaps according to RAW you can trip a massive creature, I don't see the DM going for it. Granted there will be occasions to mass combat, but dragons tend to be singular opponents with opportunity attacks might be less likely. Though I'm open to counter arguments haven' not fought all that many dragons.
I imagine a construct could use welds and such to mimic scarring for Runescarred Berserker. Focused heat like from a blow torch could also work. @Imaginari , the Runescarred Berserker can be found in Unapproachable East if you're interested in looking at it.
Yup, I think the imagery would be pretty cool tool. I imagine the downside here is you really need to focus on casting if you're going to go this route, correct?
If you're worried about not being in control of a Frenzied Berserker, you might not want to play one. Yes, the damage can be phenomenal, but chances are you'll be able to do enough damage and such without it.
Personally the coolest aspect of frenzied berserker to me isn't the power attacks and str (though cool as well), but rather the "deathless frenzy". A dragon can do as much damage as he can dish and still not take the character down. Granted the character might not live at the end of the encounter. But I do at least want to avoid killing my party members should I go that route.
If you really want something insane though, you might look at Martial GOD (or how to be BSF and GOD at the same time). Basically the non-cheesy parts of that build use the Bloodstorm Blade PrC from ToB along with Knock-down and Knockback to throw melee weapons around while tripping and bull rushing opponents to move them around and keep them down. The primary cheesy part is Boomerang Daze with a generous interpretation of the Aptitude weapon enhancement in ToB (page 148) that allows one weapon to count as another for purposes of feats. Even if the Dazing stuff isn't allowed, throwing weapons around to trip and bull rush opponents is quite useful.
This is a cool suggestion and build. Read my next post and let me know if you still think it makes sense.