GameAmp: Trying to pick between two types

Forum >> Archetype Discussions >> Tanker >> Trying to pick between two types

User

Message

Codexia

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/20/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

Trying to pick between two types

I plan on soloing a hero (just because I've never really played a hero) and figured that Tank would be a nice way to go. The problem is picking between the two tank types that I like the best.

Was looking into either Ice/Fire or Inv/Fire. Not really sure which would be easier to solo with.

Ice would make it so I'm getting hit a lot less often and has an End drain in there, plus a damage shield which I love. BUT the set itself has absolutely no resist vs Smash/Lethal damage. Does this effect it?

Inv is, well...it's inv :P we all know it stops lots of damage :)

Just not sure which would make soloing easier in the long run honestly.

08/27/07 13:12

pyro master

Posts: 0
Joined: 07/21/2007
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

well if u have never played a hero, i would try ice just because it would be something new for u since villains dont get ice armor

08/27/07 13:21

Electro

Posts: 7
Joined: 04/07/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Personally, I think a Blaster or Scrapper is the better solo hero. But, if you have your heart set on a Tanker, I would recommend a Fire/Ice. Combine Ice Patch with Burn Patch and you will solo with ease.

08/27/07 14:20

Chuck Bronco

Posts: 0
Joined: 06/20/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

But, if you have your heart set on a Tanker, I would recommend a Fire/Ice. Combine Ice Patch with Burn Patch and you will solo with ease.

I second that Electro, That combo will become available at level 22 when you can finally get ice patch.

That has been my bread and butter 1, 2 punch with Chuck.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

Tank'ns my Bidness and Bidness is GOOD!

08/27/07 14:28

Codexia

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/20/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Blasters and Scrappers solo better? I have to ask how of course, since I have no real experience with heroes. I've never seen a ranged character that can solo the harder to kill bosses without getting hit to hard and dying, and Scrappers are melee with less defense right? I dunno, I'm more set on the "classic" builds from older games so I tend to hear less health but more damage as a group setup, not a solo one. I can very easily be wrong though.

08/27/07 14:30

Cillion

Posts: 1
Joined: 05/02/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

I think scrappers are the best solo heroes. They are not as tough as tanks, but they can kill a lot faster.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

08/27/07 15:10

Sturmwolf

Posts: 0
Joined: 02/09/2007
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Tanks are pretty easy to solo, because you have a much better chance to stay alive, even without a teammate.
If you want to solo a tank, go for invulnerability.
You don't need to grab aggro with your elemental dmg auras, because you are the only target anyway.
Fire as a primary would be my second choice, go without Blazing Aura and it is pretty fine, but you have to be more aware about when to use which power.
Don't go for Ice as a secondary, the dmg output is pretty low and the combo Ice Patch/Burn is more fun with a lot of foes, but you will not meet that much foes solo.

I'm listening to real music.
Real Rock, real Gothic, real Rap, real Soul, real Funk...etc

(If you feel insulted by any of my posts.
Remember first, that I'm not writing in my native language.
You might missjudge me.)

08/27/07 15:11

giles202

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 11
Joined: 05/31/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

But, if you have your heart set on a Tanker, I would recommend a Fire/Ice. Combine Ice Patch with Burn Patch and you will solo with ease.

I second that Electro, That combo will become available at level 22 when you can finally get ice patch.

That has been my bread and butter 1, 2 punch with Chuck.

The whole fire/ice combo is still good burn/ice patch however just helps knock em down and minor damage cuz of the nerf. Soloing tank I would say Inv/Fire just because of the mass damage output and you can take quite the beating. But overall, go with a /regen scrapper for the soloing.

My 2 cents.

This is Paramore:

If you don't know them, why are you reading this?

08/27/07 15:44

Phase_of_Echoes

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 0
Joined: 05/03/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

If your going to Solo a Tank I would say Invul for a Primary. It is well rounded against all damage types except for Psy.

As far as a Secondary Powersets I say there are 3 to look at and choose from for a soloist. Fire,Energy,Super Strength.

With Smashing and Leathal being heavily resisted in the later levels I put Super Strenght 3rd. I can honestly tell you though I have a level 50 Invul/SS Tank and he is a wrecking ball.

Fire is good for AoE attacks. With decent DOT you can take Mobs out in a hurry.

Energy is good for soloing Tanks because of the chance to the inhert disorent effect. Less you are hit the better off your going to be.

Soloing is difficult in the early levels for Tanks,but its not impossible.

If you decide to solo a Scrapper, I would go with Katana,Broad Swoard / Regen,Super Reflex. Any of those combos would be good.

08/27/07 16:05

bigspeer

Posts: 3
Joined: 02/22/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

But, if you have your heart set on a Tanker, I would recommend a Fire/Ice. Combine Ice Patch with Burn Patch and you will solo with ease.

I second that Electro, That combo will become available at level 22 when you can finally get ice patch.

That has been my bread and butter 1, 2 punch with Chuck.

I have to strongly disagree with this combination of power sets. Having played both fire/ and /ice separately, I really would not want to match these sets up just for the ice patch&burn combo. Yes, fire/ is the most offensive oriented tanker primary, but it's offensive capabilities in no way compensate for ice melee's lack thereof.

Hitherto, I can see how ice melee would exponentially increase the survivability of fiery aura visavie the superior crowd control ability of ice melee. Even though Ice armor has no lethal/smashing resistances, the defensive capabilities and tools ala energy absorption, chilling embrace und hibernate surely make up for the dubious lack of resistances. Errgo, Ice Armor would be the set, how you say, for the win, as far as soloing capabilities are concerned.

Now, when paired with a more offensive oriented secondary power set i.e. fire melee, stone melee, energy melee, super strenff, the true soloability of the tanker rises to the surface like an orca whale surging the the calm surface of the tank at Seaworld and coming down in a massive heap of blubbery goodness to splash the foolish onlookers who haphazardly sought refuge for their tired appendages in the first row of the entertainment complex.

My name is Jean Claude Van Damme and I dance for you...

08/27/07 16:24

Codexia

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/20/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

I think I'm going to end up with an Inv,Ice /Fire Tank, or a Dark,Broadsword /regen scrapper. Not sure which of the three to mess around with, I may end up with the tank and one of the scrappers. Of course, builds for either one are going to be a pain...most of the powers look good to have :P lol.

[edit] Well here's char 1 :) I love the synergies between Dark/Regen, and since dark isn't resisted as much as smathing/lethal damage...here's one idea so far:

Also I may want to switch out Hasten so that I get it earlier, but I'm not sure what the best place is...I know it's useful, but so are the other powers =/

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
---------------------------------------------
Name: Kain Linear
Level: 50
Archetype: Scrapper
Primary: Dark Melee
Secondary: Regeneration
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Smite==> Acc(1) Acc(3) Dmg(3) Dmg(5) Dmg(5) Rechg(7)
01) --> Fast Healing==> Heal(1) Heal(7) Heal(9)
02) --> Reconstruction==> Heal(2) Heal(9) Heal(11)
04) --> Shadow Maul==> Acc(4) Acc(11) Dmg(13) Dmg(13) Dmg(15) Rechg(15)
06) --> Air Superiority==> Acc(6)
08) --> Siphon Life==> Acc(8) Acc(17) Heal(17) Heal(19) Dmg(19) Rechg(21)
10) --> Dull Pain==> Heal(10) Heal(21) Heal(23) Rechg(23) Rechg(25) Rechg(25)
12) --> Quick Recovery==> EndMod(12) EndMod(27) EndMod(27)
14) --> Fly==> Fly(46) Fly(48)
16) --> Integration==> Heal(16) Heal(29) Heal(29)
18) --> Dark Consumption==> Acc(18) Acc(31) Dmg(31) Dmg(31) EndMod(33) EndMod(33)
20) --> Swift==> Fly(20)
22) --> Health==> Heal(22) Heal(33) Heal(34)
24) --> Stamina==> EndMod(24) EndMod(34) EndMod(34)
26) --> Soul Drain==> Acc(26) Acc(36) Dmg(36) Dmg(36) Rechg(37) Rechg(37)
28) --> Instant Healing==> Heal(28) Heal(37) Heal(39) Rechg(39) Rechg(39) Rechg(40)
30) --> Assault==> EndRdx(30)
32) --> Midnight Grasp==> Acc(32) Acc(40) Dmg(40) Dmg(42) Immob(42) Rechg(42)
35) --> Revive==> Rechg(35) Rechg(43) Rechg(45)
38) --> Resilience==> DmgRes(38) DmgRes(43) DmgRes(43)
41) --> Tactics==> EndRdx(41) TH_Buf(45) TH_Buf(45) TH_Buf(50)
44) --> Hasten==> Rechg(44) Rechg(46) Rechg(46)
47) --> Conserve Power==> Rechg(47) Rechg(48) Rechg(48)
49) --> Focused Accuracy==> TH_Buf(49) TH_Buf(50) TH_Buf(50)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==>
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Critical Hit==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------

I'm working on my tank as we speak, but its HARD o.o; trying to decide when to get the powers is annoying for them so far.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

08/27/07 16:36

Sturmwolf

Posts: 0
Joined: 02/09/2007
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

I love the synergies between Dark/Regen,

And this synergies would be...what?O.o

08/27/07 20:15

Cillion

Posts: 1
Joined: 05/02/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

I say do what the rest of us have done. Make one, or two, or three of everything on every server. Then you will get the whole experance of the game.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

08/27/07 21:23

Codexia

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/20/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Healing, hehe. Regen has lotsa heals, Dark has some healing, and its a damage type that isn't resisted by everything unlike the swords :)

08/27/07 21:58

Randy7

Posts: 0
Joined: 08/11/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

If you're going dark go dark/dark. Totally compliments each other and the shields are great. You have one of the few psi shields in the game. My first (and only) 50 is a dark/dark. There is nothing like going into a battle and pulling healing and endurance off your targets. It's a really fun set to play.

Randy

Guardian:
- Dark Judge - Lvl 50 Dark/Dark/BM Scrapper
- Sharp Jennie - Lvl 50 DB/WP Scrapper
- Stan XX - Lvl 47 Inv/SS/Fire Tank
- Load-Stone - Lvl 28 Elec/Stone Brute
- Sonick Boom - Lvl 27 Kin/Son Defender
- Zezo - Lvl 20 Ill/Rad Controller
- Issalla - Lvl 17 Ice/Ice Blaster

08/28/07 04:41

Rhingo

Posts: 0
Joined: 02/08/2007
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

if you are planning on going the Dark Melee route i would have to be inquisitive as to what you plan to do mainly PvE or PvP? I only ask cause DM in PvE has some awesome synergy with Super Reflexes.

SR depends heavily on your opponent's Acc and DM without any ToHit Debuffs slotted already has a nice base debuff in it. As well as DM's Siphon Life kinda makes up for the fact that SR has no heal. Kinda tough prior to the mid 20's to play but after that they are really fun mine is currently 46 and he is a machine.

For PvP play i would say keep the regen, I suppose it is really all just a matter of prefrence.

as for a tank to solo with I like Ice/nrg melee, nice def plus nice dmg. I also like fire/fire which is more or less not really a tank persay but a Scrapper on Steriods. I run an Ice/NRG tank and my friend runs Fire/Fire. I have no problem on unyeilding with mine and my friend seems to not care which diff setting he is on cause he kills stuff so fast. course he gets hit alot more too but his heal is like stupid quick on the recharge(not sure how he slotted it)

Virtue

Fire Bug XI 50 Fire/Fire/Force Blaster
Granite Gargoyle 46 Dark/SR/Body Scrapper aka: Rhingo
Crazy Crustacean 40 Ice/EM Tank
Deja View 34 Mind C/Emp. Controller
Mythology 30 Peacebringer
Bling-Bling 29 MA/Regen Scrapper
Fire Bug XII 26 Fire/Fire Tank
and various alts

Victory

Ape Sexy 33 NRG/NRG Brute
various alts still trying to find my niche in the villian world

Champion

Juan Carlos 39 Thugs/FF Mastermind
Senor Pedro Vasquez 28 EM/Ninjitsu Stalker
By-Polar 25 NRG/Electric Brute

08/28/07 05:29

RonJ73

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 2
Joined: 01/10/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Solo Tank: Inv/Energy, Inv/SS, Fire/Fire, Fire/Energy. Those would be my suggestions.

Solo Scrapper: Spines/Dark, Spines/Regen, Dark/Regen, Dark/Dark.

City of Heroes/Villains
Onion - L50 - Katana/Super Reflexes/Body Mastery Scrapper
Scotch Bonnet Girl - L50 - Fire Aura/Fire Melee/Pyre Mastery Tanker
RonJ73 - L50 - Stone/Energy Aura Brute
Aurora Australis - L50 - Willpower/Energy Melee Tanker

08/28/07 05:58

RonJ73

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 2
Joined: 01/10/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

I think scrappers are the best solo heroes. They are not as tough as tanks, but they can kill a lot faster.

A fire/fire tank or an inv/energy tank can have close to the killing power of a scrapper, with the durability of a tank.

08/28/07 06:04

LordStarwolf

Posts: 3
Joined: 08/28/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Ok, my two cents worth.

For soloing a tank I recommend fire/energy. Mine can kill faster than scrappers with for more hit points. And I've decided I like the disorient better than the KB/KD of SS.

For a scrapper, I decided on spines/regen. Everyone knows I love regen for the secondary, and spines is the king of AOE, for taking down the groups fast. I don't like dark melee. I had one up to 33 and deleted him. The lack of attack powers was a real crimp in the old playstyle. I went with the spines/regen instead, and I've got him up to 28. Everyone comments how fast he kills.

Guardian
Avant Guard = Emp/Rad/Psychic Defender Lvl 50 (Dedicated Healer)
Astral Plane = Peacebringer Lvl 50
Spica = Fire/Em/Energy Tank Lvl 50 (Scranker)
Avant Spines = Spines/Regen Scrapper Lvl 50 (AOE King)
Beliskner = Eng/Eng Blaster Lvl 42 (Blapper)
Avant Kin = Ill/Kin Controller Lvl 39
BMG = AR/Dev Blaster Lvl 29
Avant Psy = Psychic Blast/Empathy Defender Lvl 20 (Offender)
Avant Def = Kinetics/Energy Blast Defender Lvl 16
Avant Stone = Stone/Storm Controller lvl 15 (Super Controller)
Triumph
Lord Yu = MA/Regen Scrapper Lvl 25
Protector
Electrostun = Electric/EM Blaster Lvl 21 (Sapper)
T-99 = Ice/Ice Tanker Lvl 20
Starwolf = Katana/Inv Scrapper Lvl 18 (my very first toon, 3 1/2 years ago)
Pinnacle
Avant Claws = Claws/Regen Scrapper Lvl 24
Champion
Avant Dragon = Fire/Fire Blaster Lvl 20
Freedom
Avant Arch = Archery/NRG Blaster Lvl 50
Avant Char = Fire/Kinetics Controller Lvl 50
Avant Shade = Warshade Lvl 41
Avant Fire = Fire/Mental Lvl 34

And many, many, many, many, many more....

08/28/07 07:32

Thundarpants

Posts: 2
Joined: 12/18/2004
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

Scrappers are the best solo class in the game on the Hero side with the DPS + good defenses or regen capabilities. No harpin on Tanks because I love them to death, but you have to put a lot of slots into the offensive powers to make solo'ing them a slow grind. They are quite capable, but you have to give up a little of those defensive powers to make it happen.

Blasters are great solo up to the mid 40's when you start filling up your mission queue with AV's. It's a get them before they get you concept for solo'ing. Generally a Solo Blaster would turn down the difficulty where a solo Scrapper would not need to, or could run at a higher difficulty.

Tankers are great solo. Go for the fire, energy or super strength melee. You will have less resistance to the damage from Fire and Energy from your enemies. Pick the defensive primary of your choice.

World of Warcraft

Don't hate Raza because she's beautiful......
Because she's not......

08/28/07 08:47

swissarmy68

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 5
Joined: 07/08/2005
Credibility: -10 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

Hello, you are a meat shield so the real heroes don't get killed.

I am just kidding... actually I have created an Ice/Energy Tanker. I had a Stone/Stone Tanker and felt like I ran out of endurance before a fight was even over. I decided to go with something different.

I am more responding to Big's response. That was some impressive writing there Big. That sounded like you were give a lecture at college on the fine art of Tanking (which of course you are qualified to do). That was beautiful.

I chose Ice Tanker because Big is an Ice tanker and I know he really enjoyed his run to 50 with him, so why not. I wanted a tanker in my supergroup and didn't care for my first choice, so we will see want the Ice Tanker has for me.

Swiss

This space is currently under construction

08/29/07 07:21

bigspeer

Posts: 3
Joined: 02/22/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

Thanks, Swiss. I was trying to sound more like the architect from The Matrix.

Tanker U. is accepting qualified applicants through the end of September for the fall semester!

I'm running a stone/stone tank right now myself and finding out how end-intensive stone melee actually is. I only have two attacks, stone fists and heavy mallet, and I always have half an endurance bar.

Mud Pots is also greatly increasing my endurance consumption, but any PBAoE tank power that causes damage and slows will do that. Icicles and Blazing Aura are the same way.

The great thing about Ice Armor is Energy Absorption. It's the auto-hit endurance drain/replentishing power that is perma with 3 recharge SOs in it. Once you go Ice Armor past 28, it will be hard to play any other.

My name is Jean Claude Van Damme and I dance for you...

08/29/07 08:29

Phase_of_Echoes

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 0
Joined: 05/03/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

I'm running a stone/stone tank right now myself and finding out how end-intensive stone melee actually is. I only have two attacks, stone fists and heavy mallet, and I always have half an endurance bar.

Mud Pots is also greatly increasing my endurance consumption, but any PBAoE tank power that causes damage and slows will do that. Icicles and Blazing Aura are the same way.

The amount of Endurance used by a Stone/Stone Tank is enough to give you hearburn. The Stone Powersets are really best used for teaming.

08/29/07 08:48

Thundarpants

Posts: 2
Joined: 12/18/2004
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

The amount of Endurance used by a Stone/Stone Tank is enough to give you hearburn. The Stone Powersets are really best used for teaming.

I'd have to agree that the Stonies are one of the best group Tanks. I am running a Stone/Stone too and she's in the mid thirties. I have Stamina 3 slotted and you do need to put a little end redux in your shields if you want to spend some time scrankin. I don't have much problem with endurance at that level.

I have my Mud Pots 6 slotted. 2 End Redux, 2 Slow, 2 Taunt

Probably not the best combo for a Scranker, but it is fun to play. Sometimes it's more about what ammuses you as opposed to what's "best". There's something to be said for whacking some villain with a BIG ole hammer that still makes me chuckle a bit.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

World of Warcraft

Don't hate Raza because she's beautiful......
Because she's not......

08/29/07 09:04

swissarmy68

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 5
Joined: 07/08/2005
Credibility: -10 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

Tanker U. is accepting qualified applicants through the end of September for the fall semester!

I have a feeling that the first thing you need to get past and learn is you are going to die. It seems that as long as you accept this you can be a very good tanker.

08/29/07 09:57

bigspeer

Posts: 3
Joined: 02/22/2006
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

Tanker U. is accepting qualified applicants through the end of September for the fall semester!

I have a feeling that the first thing you need to get past and learn is you are going to die. It seems that as long as you accept this you can be a very good tanker.

You must be playing your tanker wrong. I don't die, unless it's Lord Recluse. But he's the exception and I magically turn into a fat kid in a game of dodgeball and get pelted over and over again.

My name is Jean Claude Van Damme and I dance for you...

08/29/07 10:10

Phase_of_Echoes

GameAmp Staff
Posts: 0
Joined: 05/03/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

QUOTE

I magically turn into a fat kid in a game of dodgeball and get pelted over and over again.

Hmm... Your Ice Defence must not have been slotted correctly back then.

08/29/07 12:32

dougnukem

Posts: 3
Joined: 02/21/2005
Credibility: 0 pts

RE: Trying to pick between two types

Not sure what or if the OP has made their decision, but what the heck, I'll toss my two cents in the well also.

Solo, scrappers are bar none, the best for this. And as much as I hate to say it, regen is the easiest solo scrapper. I know, a case can be made for every AT's soloability, but scrappers put out great damage (DPS, Burst, AoE, exc. depending on what you choose), they have pretty good survivability, which is key for soloing.

Sure, tanks can solo just fine, but their attacks come a little later, making soloing early on slower. Take energy melee for instance. It's two big hitters come at 35 and 38 respectively. I'm sorry, but waiting 36 levels to get your big hitters is a little long for solo work. Then there's the Fire/Ice combo. Yes, it still works, but there's much better out there for tanks. Super Strength probably offers the best ST overall for a solo tank, but the downside of waiting for Foot Stomp until 38. So pairing it with Fire Aura or Ice for their damage auras would help with some added AoE damage. The other nice thing about SS, is Rage, and it's ability to really help pump out your damage output. You're talking about a 20% ToHit buff and 80% damage buff for 120 seconds at a time that is easily made perma (besides the 10 crash the is unavoidable).

Just a couple of thoughts from a different view point to make you think even more. :p

Official Global Heroics Boozer
Lifetime Member of the National Potstirrer Inc.
*I am an AoE addict! *

08/30/07 09:13

Don't Forget! - Rate users posts to reward or demerit their posts with Credibility!