Tanking Classes/PrCs

[Inconsequenti-AL]

If stats are high, a fighter/monk/duelist could work out quite well? Needs a decent con. Add Int+Wis+Dex together for basic AC. Elaborate parry can give some very large AC bonuses - although it is a 7th level ability.

In a low magic game, I'd say a heavily armoured cleric 'wins' by a country mile, simply apply layers and layers of buff spells. Given a little time to prepare, nothing will get close. Except possibly a druid - shapeshift and another layer of buffs. The cleric could go for Fist of Raziel PrC, which is a pretty militant class.

 

[Izer]

For a low magic world incosequen-al is right. Nothing beats the right cleric build. Very good defensive spells and the ability to craft your very own magical armor and shields is pretty scary, especially if your opponents rarely has magical gear.

 

[Alduk]

The Tactical Soldier prestige class in Compete Warrior is similar to the Devoted Defender, but a little more versatile. I used it for a bodyguard type.

Hum... are you sure it's in Complete Warrior? I couldn't find it with a quick search.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

In that case, you will never be a full-BAB tank. Period. Look into either multiclassing with spellcaster classes, convincing your DM to allow a class-based defense bonus ala Star Wars or Wheel of Time, or look into classes that deal with foes by increasing their damage output beyond the point where their foes can keep up like the Tribal Protector and Frenzied Beserker.

In a low-magic world, good classes for a tank are Cleric X or cleric/any p-class with med or better BAB and full spellcasting (cast Magic Vestment on your armor and Greater Magic Weapon on your weapons)--especially with the plant domain for barkskin and the strength domain to unleash a full round of massively powered up attacks. Another option would be fighter/wizard/spellsword/eldritch Knight. Between Polymorph (or alter self), blink, displacement, the shield spell, Mirror Image, and a slightly enhanced mithral chain shirt (or mage armor/improved mage armor), you should be able to amass a substantial defense without sacrificing too much offense. Psychic Warrior would be another very good class for a low-magic world tank. It has a lot of mid-long duration buffs that can be augmented to a very high level.

Basically, if the DM isn't going to put any significant magic items in his world (+1 or +2 at level 20 is insignificant), you won't be able to function as a defensive fighter past level 4 or 5. Either reconfigure your character as an offensive fighter with lots of barbarian levels and prestige classes like Frenzied Beserker, Tribal Protector, and Exotic Weapon Master (Complete Warrior version) or find a way to get magical abilities that will substitute for the magic items you won't have.

Well - Its a very lowmagic world - So i will prob Never really have access to anything over +1 or 2 at lvl 20 - So defensive Class abilities become more important.

 

[Dire Serpent]

Tactical Soldier

Hum... are you sure it's in Complete Warrior? I couldn't find it with a quick search.

Actually, I believe it's in the Miniature's Handbook

 

[Alduk]

Thanks a lot. I'll check in that book ASAP.

 

[JoeBlank]

My oops, it is the Miniatures Handbook for the Tactical Soldier.

 

[Alduk]

Indeed it is. A nice class, if you don't mind giving more bonuses to other people than to yourself - but since I'm considering using it for an NPC, that's hardly a problem.

 

[Darklone]

Shining South has a real nice ability... a feat that let's you apply your Combat Expertise bonus to your adjacent allies as well.