Tank builds

[Gerion of Mercadia]

A good way not to get fatigued from raging is to play a Warforged.

Ok, but the DM would have to allow you to play the Non-standard race... And a Warforged Barbarian? How does a race of "constructs" get into the Barbarian class? Sorry, but NIMC

 

[Darklone]

Hmm... Warforged barbarians... IMHO: If they can't get fatigued, they can't get enraged. YMMV.

"Ooops, my clockwork is running too fast..."

Tank build: Paladin? Go halfling. Or gnome bard/paladin with Devoted Performer. Great saves, good hitpoints, can ride a dragon soon.

 

[Amazing Triangle]

I didn't say it please don't shoot the messenger. I read it on the wizards ask sage portion of the site.

In my mind rage is not a physical response but a mental mind set. Since warforged can get mad they can get furious hence rage. Barbarian is just an uncivilized fighter. So any fighter not in some form of mercenary company or army should be a barbarian. But I digress.

To me a tank needs hp so Barbarian or fighter or (cringe) paladin are my favorite choices. The Paladin has strict alignments even if you use the variants from UA that are in the SRD. The role playing restrictions would make paladins my last choice.

 

[Legildur]

Ftr2/Pal10

1. Power Attack
F1. Cleave
F2. Wpn Focus (waraxe)
3. (pal1) Combat Expertise, Dodge or Blindfight
6. Extra Smiting
9. Extra Smiting
12. Extra Smiting

Smite Evil 9/day for +10 damage - adds up pretty quick in a combat....

AC (with Tower Shield and 12 Dex) minimum of 23, with option to boost to 28 with Combat Expertise. Add magic on top of that.

 

[Darklone]

Ftr2/Pal10

1. Power Attack
F1. Cleave
F2. Wpn Focus (waraxe)
3. (pal1) Combat Expertise, Dodge or Blindfight
6. Extra Smiting
9. Extra Smiting
12. Extra Smiting

Smite Evil 9/day for +10 damage - adds up pretty quick in a combat....

AC (with Tower Shield and 12 Dex) minimum of 23, with option to boost to 28 with Combat Expertise. Add magic on top of that.

I would add Divine Might. You have Power Attack after all and you want to do something useful with these turn attempts.

 

[Legildur]

I would add Divine Might. You have Power Attack after all and you want to do something useful with these turn attempts.

You know, I originally had that in the mix, but I chucked it out because I read Pallandrome's 'core classes only' to mean 'core rulebooks only'. So yeah, you are absolutely right... Divine Might! But then you have to start looking at Divine Vigor and Divine Shield as well.

 

[Dimensional]

Ok, I'm thinking of making a straight up hard to kill tank type character for a campaign I'm in. Sincle only the core classes are availible, I'm thinkin a Dwarven Pally is going to win, hands down. Great saves, and TONS of HP, as well as an easier time in full-plate+tower shield make for a good combo. Does anyone have any other ideas?

What exactly Are your restrictions here? is it Core books only? I.e. Core PRC's available but no feats spells etc from other books. or external stuuffs allowed but only Core Classes.

cause if it's the first I'd recomend Ranger3/Fighter2/Paladin2/DD5

Your saves will be Pretty much all good. Your HP will Be strong, Your Ranger levels give you a smattering of skillpoints, and With Stance Your Ac will nothing to sneeze at.

I suggest maxing Tumble even if it is cross class(dwarves can tumble in fullplate as their MOvement is not reduced) and the spot and listen.

You loose out on Your mount, Immunity to disease and Most of your lay on hands.
Aim to keep a couple of wands o cure light wounds on hand as you can still use them.


If you can't do this I'd Stick pretty much to Paladin straight, Look to possibly swap out your mount for something useful as a mounted combatant is not normally a tank.The charching Smite from PHB2 aint all that but It might fit the dwavern Feel better and a charging Smiting Divine MIght powered First blow can really Hurt.
See if the Dwavern Variant that has -2 dex rtahre than -2 Cha is an option.



Jeremy

 

[pallandrome]

Thank you all for your ideas, You've given me quite a few ideas with what to do. I am gonna go DD, and I'm glad ya'll reminded me of it. Thanks!

 

[Darklone]

Hmm. I don't like the DD at all... not moving means deadsittingduck to me.

 

[Bagpuss]

Is it just Core for classes? or everything? As there are a load of new Fighter bonus feats from available in the PHB II, that help with Tanking.

Combat Focus (+4 Will saves - handy for a tanks main weakness), Combat Stability (+8 to resist trips, grapples, disarm etc.) and Combat Vigor (fast healing 4), would make you pretty touch to kill, or shift by 9th level. Need Wisdom 13 however.

Shield Specialization and Shield Ward (Shield bonus to touch AC and resist trips, grapple, disarm, etc.)

Shame you can't take Knight levels, it's easily a better tank than the DD.