Theosupus

Or use Glacierbane (dampener on crit) and have high acc+hit->crit conversion

I typically choose one or the other (defenses or HPs) to push super high (on non glass-cannon builds). I've found that having both as high as possible is usually defense overkill and negatively impacts other aspects (dps, etc.). If you go low defense high HPs then you need Crit damage protection, if you go the opposite you need to make sure you have affliction resistances and quick healing options. If you pump both defenses and HPs then that character is pigeonholed into tanking (holding engagements) which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long you plan the party around the fact one guy won't do damage.

Toxic strike is very strong. It deserves it's cost and use. People who pass it up, are passing up on a lot of damage potential.

Yes! don't use any adra ban until you are sure it's your end game gear. You will be so mad at yourself if you upgrade a weapon you no longer want.

I only have done it with my endgame party and it was a cakewalk so I'm definitely doing it earlier in my next play through. I'm convinced that dual hammers is OP now though; I had Glacierbane+Last word and the dragon died so easy (silence on crit, and suppression on crit) on my fanatic hitting at blender speed with fire lashes.

Just ran a test myself and, you're right, when you get surrounded it happens I guess I fight in choke points too often. I still think #1 is a better choice for what OP is looking for though.

This is not true at all. All it takes to be flanked is for two enemies to threatening you in melee at (roughly) opposing sides. I can only think of two things in game affect when/whether you are flanked; Squid's Grasp (immunity) and One Stands Alone (one more foe needed). Are you sure? I was pretty sure my tank never got flanked. I guess I have something else to test tonight

As far as tanky types: 1. So far the most fun I've had in the game was my Fanatic. Some adjustments on race, background, weaponry, and headgear and you can fine tune the theme. 2. A very close second on pure fun was a retribution barbarian based on Sin Tee's God Of War build but it doesn't really shine until later in levels and requires multiple respecs as you go. I've tried: -Melee rangers (because of the amazing pl7 ability); but even spec'd melee they always perform better ranged, they are just made to shot. -Lancer (wizard summon spirit lance + martial class); got sick of being a "one trick pony". -Wizard tank could adjust per encounter by changing spellbooks instead of respecing; found mopup to be very annoying. -Most of your uber power builds are either one trick ponies and every fight is the exact same, or they are so good they get boring fast. The 2 above were always interesting for me.

I would not play an unbroken/trickster as an "action packed" toon. They are very "fire and forget" and a basic AI can run them. Position manually, let AI buff and hold aggro Blow all the mobs up with other characters There are specific tricks you can use to make him more brutal but most involve debuffing the mobs around you so you can riposte more often. I also used Eder as a rogue w/ 2x mortar wearing just a robe to get a few disengagements when he would do a big hit.

Reflex malus is easily made up with weapon and shield style. The true power of the unbroken is choke points, but in the open it ends up being a semi-permanent pull of eora because the AI hates breaking engagements. If/when they do though they almost insta die because of all the stacking bonuses that apply to a disengagement attack from an unbroken (and the rogue half adds deathblows on a mob that is automatically susceptible to them due to constant distraction). Streetfighter is amazing when you want to ride the line with barring death's door and take advantage of all the "more dps when hurt" synergies but if you mix a "better when hurt" character with a "stop from getting hurt" half you are working against yourself. So with presented options #1 is FAR superior. I'm not sure anyone could screw up a */paladin tbh.

Unbroken Street Fighter has an anti synergy you aren't flanked until you go above your engagement count so if you stack really really high engagement you'll never get flanked

I'll join in on the unbroken/trickster train. I couldn't build a better tank. Keep in mind "the best tank" for me doesn't just mean it's a toon that can live longer than another; it means it protects the back line better than others. I can get so many engagements loaded up on the Swashbuckler that all debuff the mass of mobs, and if any decide to break engagement they are basically dead at that moment with all the bonuses in that disengaging knockdown deathblow.

How does one get Akola's Apex ward normally ingame? https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/98889-unique-items-–-how-and-where-to-find-them/?p=2067490

I spent most of the game double hammer, all the way across. It was fun.

The Imperial Fanatic This is another thematic build (so not 100% min/max). It ends up being tank enough to just run into the fray (with support) and most of boss fights were WAY easier than they should have been because of the amount of crits I could pump out with Last Word silencing the mobs. I just wanted to make a Warrior Priest and this was the result. It was a really fun toon to play that was resistant to every affliction and I even got the party efficient enough that I could let my custom AI run almost all the fights (with a little micro for consumables and empowers). Last word locking down Concelhaut for the whole fight was HILARIOUS Game Version: 2.0 Difficulty: PotD (+all Upscale, no mods) Solo: Untested Race: Human Class: Fanatic [berserker/Bleakwalker] Home: The Living Lands Background: Explorer Stats: (not including blessings) Mig: 20 Con: 10 Dex: 16 Per: 16 Int: 12 Res: 4 Skills: Active: Split Alchemy : Athletics Passive: History Abilities: Frenzy FoD Sworn enemy Deep faith Blooded Thick skin Zealous aura Two weapon style Divine purpose One stands alone Eternal Devotion Bloodlust Sworn rival Blood frenzy Exalted focus Mental fortress Inspired path Interrupting blows Scion of flame Iron gut or Clear head (based on which enchant you put on DoC BP) Righteous Soul Brute force Virtuous Triumph Barbaric blow Barbaric smash Retribution Bloodthirst Equipment Main weapon: Magran’s favor + Last Word (used lastword + bardatto’s until I could get Resounding call, double hammer so win on looks, until I could get the axe) Backup weapons: Glacierbane + Last Word Heaven’s Cacophony Charm of Bones Devil of Caroc BP (plan the resistance to complement ability choice) Ring of greater regen Ring of Focused Flame Boots of the stone The Giftbearer’s Cloth Boltcatchers Gwyn’s bridal garter Pet: Nalvi (Used Abraham until I got Nalvi)

Specially with Oathbreakers.

You never "have" to drink, but the mad drunk + debauchery enchantment on the dagger gives you amazing attack speed and when you don't kill something they typically are CC'd by having to puke all over the place. If you go for riposte build though you don't really need attack speed. I never had a penetration problem; but I never solo'd either so I had debuffs available. Here's Sin Tee's Mirke build that I based my Drunkenmaster build off of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJgCh9W2yF8

And your own scream will get you if you spec to the circular line (the one on the right)

Does Nalpazca generate wounds when drunk? That'd be amazing. No, you have to be drunk and high for that build.

Pirate based? Rogue + Saber of choice + pukestabber + Fair Favor + alcohol + drunken stance You can take it to the next level by adding Nalpazca to it to get attack speeds as close to no recovery as possible.

Ahh yes, makes sense, Thanks for pointing that out.

Is that with a Berzerker? And if so are you mitigating the confusion? Because if not then I'd say that is why. I purposely did not mitigate the confusion to see if I'd carnage myself. I don't with sabers but do with the axe? Is it a reach thing?

This (Oathbreaker's end) working as intended? I tried exact same fight exact same guy, but with the backup weapons and he was not hitting himself. i get that some of that was the Frenzy, but am I supposed to be hitting myself with this axe? I don't with other weapons.

2.0 update up

Test 1. With Bow, ensuring she died w/ soul charge effect -I loaded it up, killed her she only dropped the helm. -I reloaded and she dropped both the plate, helm, and mace. -I reloaded for #3 and she dropped both the plate, helm, and mace. Test 2. With Bow, ensuring she died w/ soul charge effect -I exited the game completely and then loaded the save back up and he only dropped the helm -I reloaded and she dropped both the plate, helm, and mace. -I reloaded for #3 and she dropped both the plate, helm, and mace. Test 3. No bow used -I reloaded and she dropped both the plate, helm, and mace. -I exited the game completely and then loaded the save back up and he only dropped the helm -I reloaded and she dropped both the plate, helm, and mace. So it's not the bow after all, it's just something wonky with the straight from title page load as opposed to a in game load. I added this in tech support thread with saved game file but wanted to follow up here