Best Melee Tank for 6th level (core) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Melee Tank for 6th level (core) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RoastSlinky
04-13-04, 12:02 AM What's the best melee tank build for starting 6th level? Our DM says core only.
ksbsnowowl
04-13-04, 12:16 AM Probably something along the lines of a Spiked Chain tripper/disarmer. Throw on a couple of Wizard levels throught the 20 levels and you've got a pretty decent tank.

You'll find a decent base for a disarm build here. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130518&highlight=disarm) It's 3.0, but the only change would be to add +4 from Imp Disarm. Being a Dwarf and entering Dwarven Defender could be good too. Here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169895&highlight=disarm) is a more fleshed out character build that combines disarm and trip. IIRC, the only non-core stuff I listed in either build was the Knockdown feat from Sword and Fist; you can pretty much use them as is and they'll be pretty effective.
LunarCaustic
04-13-04, 01:24 AM Cleric/Fighter with Str and Distruction domains you can boost your attacks I would Start Cleric2/Fighter4 for now get a warhammer or Great Axe for the greatest damage output on a critical. go the weapon spec route
Blade2718
04-13-04, 01:53 AM Half-orc (for +2 str) or Dwarf(stability) Barb4/Ftr2 with Imp. Trip, a spiked chain, potions of enlarge person (or regular access to the spell), aggression to spare, and a bad attitude. Drink potion, rage, let the good times roll.
Nick_Nameless
04-13-04, 09:30 AM Does alignment matter?

If not, how about Dwarf (or Human, but you don't need the feat and I'd rather have the darkvision) Cleric of Hextor 1 (War, Destruction), fighter 5. Lawful Evil or Lawful Neutral.

Feats:
Bonus Cleric - Focus Flail.
Level 1: Combat Expertise
Fighter 1: Improved Disarm
Fighter 2: Power Attack
Level 3: Combat Reflexes
Fighter 4: Weapon Specialization
Level 6: Improved Initiative.
(Human if desired): Quickdraw

High strength. Mid Intelligence, wisdom, con, and dex. Cha unimportant.

You have +10 to disarm before you add your BAB or strength. Make sure to pick up cleave soon, and improved crit when available. I believe you can also trip with the flail.

A little blackguard later on might add to the flavor.
Neonsamurai
04-13-04, 09:45 AM Dwarf Fighter2/Barbarian4 in fullplate sword&board style might be the toughest HP-tank when using core only. Yeah you lose fast movement, but you're not going to move around a lot as a tank anyways.
Erudite
04-13-04, 12:30 PM half-Ogre human Fighter 4/Barbarian 1

Grab an adamantine halbard and spiked armor.

Feats:
power attack
Improved Sunder
Improved Bullrush
Shock Trooper
Combat Brute
Dodge
Combat Expertise

Take Karmic Strike and Combat Reflexes at first opportunity.

Amp up your Power Attack, especially when you charge or bull rush. Make an extra attack when you successully sunder a weapon. Once you have karmic strike, you can make extra attacks when hit.

You will need Int and Dex of 13+, so make Cha and Int your dump stats.
KBAZZ
04-13-04, 02:56 PM 4 FTR/2 Pal use dwarf for +2 con
1st level feat (power atk)
1 Bonus feat (weapon focus) +1 to atk
2 Bonus feat (Improved toughness)
3 Bonus feat (weapon spec) +2 damage
3rd level feat (Roll with it) +2/- DR
6th level feat (Roll with it) +2/- DR
The pal levels give ya Aura of good detect evil, and smite evil, lay on hand ,and divine grace
and the feats stack to give you 4/- DR
KBAZZ
04-13-04, 02:58 PM You used to many feats in your build 5th level would have 5 feats not 7

half-Ogre human Fighter 4/Barbarian 1

Grab an adamantine halbard and spiked armor.

Feats:
power attack
Improved Sunder
Improved Bullrush
Shock Trooper
Combat Brute
Dodge
Combat Expertise

Take Karmic Strike and Combat Reflexes at first opportunity.

Amp up your Power Attack, especially when you charge or bull rush. Make an extra attack when you successully sunder a weapon. Once you have karmic strike, you can make extra attacks when hit.

You will need Int and Dex of 13+, so make Cha and Int your dump stats.
RoastSlinky
04-13-04, 11:02 PM What's Karmic Strike? That doesn't show up in my PHB.
PhaedrusXY
04-13-04, 11:44 PM Erudite and KBAZZ, he said CORE ONLY. That means only the PHB, MM, and DMG. Not the Complete Warrior and Savage Species...

There is no "best tank". It depends on what kind of "tank" you want to play. Do you want to just dish out the most amount of damage reliably? Do you want to have a high AC and high hit points? Do you want to be tactical and trip/disarm/grapple people, etc? This is a pointless question. What kind of character do you want to play?

If you just want high damage, play a barbarian2/rogue4, take the TWF feat and always have some partner to flank with. If you can't get a better one, buy a heavy warhorse and, instead of riding it during combat, use it to flank with. For your weapons, use a greatsword and spiked armor. You'll dish out more damage than any other core melee build if your enemy is vulnerable to sneak attacks and you can reliably flank them. You could also go barb1/rog5 for another sneak attack die, but you lose Improved Uncanny Dodge and a point of BAB, so in my opinion it's not worth it.

If you want high hit points and AC, maybe a dwarf fighter of some flavor. Add 3 levels of wizard for access to Alter Self to boost your natural armor. This is also a decent thing to do in the tactical builds, as you can Enlarge yourself to gain reach (or extra reach). There might be a cleric domain that grants access to those spells also. If so, the cleric levels are better for a melee fighter.

For tactical, it's hard to beat a fighter/barbarian with a spiked chain. If you want more defense, use a light flail and shield instead. You can trip without provoking attacks of opportunity and get a +2 to disarm attempts.

You could even combine this into something that uses a light flail and small spiked shield, has the TWF and Improved Shield Bash feats, a level or three of rogue for Sneak Attack, and a level of barbarian for rage. But it won't be as focused on one aspect of combat as the other character types. A dwarf barb2/rog2/fighter2 would fit the bill. Or use spiked armorfor your off-hand instead of the shield and save a feat.
TaisharMalkier
04-14-04, 01:37 AM Zug Zug.

I'm fond of Fighter 4 / Barbarian 1 / Cleric 1. For a total core build, I'd go with Fighter 4 / Barbarian 4 / Cleric 12 (BAB of +17) with a spiked chain. For best early level power, get the domain that gives enlarge person (strength? shrug).

Cheers
Harry
04-14-04, 02:05 AM Dwarf
Commoner 1/ Survivor 5
Feats
1- Toughness
3- Roll with it
6- Roll with it

for Damage Reduction 9/-
:) :D ;)
SpiritGlyph
04-14-04, 03:17 AM Ahem: CORE ONLY!!! Thank you.

If you want to tank above all else, be a full plate wearing sword-and-board type. Make your class Fighter, Cleric, or some combination of both. Your race should either be Human for the bonus feat, Gnome for the size bonus to AC (if you want to be untouchable above all else), or Dwarf. If you're going to be leveling, a Fighter 4/Paladin 3/Dwarven Defender makes the perfect tank.
Lord Arkhaven
04-14-04, 09:38 AM Human Paladin. Highest score on Charisma. Weilds Greatsword

1st Level - Power Attack, Cleave
3nd Level - Divine Shield
6th Level - Mounted Combat

An all around good fighter that will have a decent AC and good mobility.
Cloakable
04-14-04, 10:18 AM Harry: A Dwarf isnt Monstrous, and that means he doesnt qualify for the feat "Roll With It".
It specifically says in the beginning of the Feat-chapter in savage species that you have to be monstrous to take Monster Feats.
Tytalus
04-14-04, 12:23 PM Originally posted by Cloakable
Harry: A Dwarf isnt Monstrous, and that means he doesnt qualify for the feat "Roll With It".
It specifically says in the beginning of the Feat-chapter in savage species that you have to be monstrous to take Monster Feats.

Roll With It is a [general] feat, not monstrous.
Blade2718
04-14-04, 02:34 PM Divine Shield (suggested by Lord Arkhaven) and Roll With It (by Harry) aren't core, either.

I still stand by my Half-Orc or Dwarf Barb4/Ftr2 :D
Cloakable
04-15-04, 09:12 AM Originally posted by Tytalus
Roll With It is a [general] feat, not monstrous.

Oh my mistake, I just read trough the feat once again, Hmm I always thought it was a monstrous feat. Oh man is it broken or what?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RoastSlinky 04-13-04, 12:02 AM	What's the best melee tank build for starting 6th level? Our DM says core only.
ksbsnowowl 04-13-04, 12:16 AM	Probably something along the lines of a Spiked Chain tripper/disarmer. Throw on a couple of Wizard levels throught the 20 levels and you've got a pretty decent tank. You'll find a decent base for a disarm build here. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130518&highlight=disarm) It's 3.0, but the only change would be to add +4 from Imp Disarm. Being a Dwarf and entering Dwarven Defender could be good too. Here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169895&highlight=disarm) is a more fleshed out character build that combines disarm and trip. IIRC, the only non-core stuff I listed in either build was the Knockdown feat from Sword and Fist; you can pretty much use them as is and they'll be pretty effective.
LunarCaustic 04-13-04, 01:24 AM	Cleric/Fighter with Str and Distruction domains you can boost your attacks I would Start Cleric2/Fighter4 for now get a warhammer or Great Axe for the greatest damage output on a critical. go the weapon spec route
Blade2718 04-13-04, 01:53 AM	Half-orc (for +2 str) or Dwarf(stability) Barb4/Ftr2 with Imp. Trip, a spiked chain, potions of enlarge person (or regular access to the spell), aggression to spare, and a bad attitude. Drink potion, rage, let the good times roll.
Nick_Nameless 04-13-04, 09:30 AM	Does alignment matter? If not, how about Dwarf (or Human, but you don't need the feat and I'd rather have the darkvision) Cleric of Hextor 1 (War, Destruction), fighter 5. Lawful Evil or Lawful Neutral. Feats: Bonus Cleric - Focus Flail. Level 1: Combat Expertise Fighter 1: Improved Disarm Fighter 2: Power Attack Level 3: Combat Reflexes Fighter 4: Weapon Specialization Level 6: Improved Initiative. (Human if desired): Quickdraw High strength. Mid Intelligence, wisdom, con, and dex. Cha unimportant. You have +10 to disarm before you add your BAB or strength. Make sure to pick up cleave soon, and improved crit when available. I believe you can also trip with the flail. A little blackguard later on might add to the flavor.
Neonsamurai 04-13-04, 09:45 AM	Dwarf Fighter2/Barbarian4 in fullplate sword&board style might be the toughest HP-tank when using core only. Yeah you lose fast movement, but you're not going to move around a lot as a tank anyways.
Erudite 04-13-04, 12:30 PM	half-Ogre human Fighter 4/Barbarian 1 Grab an adamantine halbard and spiked armor. Feats: power attack Improved Sunder Improved Bullrush Shock Trooper Combat Brute Dodge Combat Expertise Take Karmic Strike and Combat Reflexes at first opportunity. Amp up your Power Attack, especially when you charge or bull rush. Make an extra attack when you successully sunder a weapon. Once you have karmic strike, you can make extra attacks when hit. You will need Int and Dex of 13+, so make Cha and Int your dump stats.
KBAZZ 04-13-04, 02:56 PM	4 FTR/2 Pal use dwarf for +2 con 1st level feat (power atk) 1 Bonus feat (weapon focus) +1 to atk 2 Bonus feat (Improved toughness) 3 Bonus feat (weapon spec) +2 damage 3rd level feat (Roll with it) +2/- DR 6th level feat (Roll with it) +2/- DR The pal levels give ya Aura of good detect evil, and smite evil, lay on hand ,and divine grace and the feats stack to give you 4/- DR
KBAZZ 04-13-04, 02:58 PM	You used to many feats in your build 5th level would have 5 feats not 7 half-Ogre human Fighter 4/Barbarian 1 Grab an adamantine halbard and spiked armor. Feats: power attack Improved Sunder Improved Bullrush Shock Trooper Combat Brute Dodge Combat Expertise Take Karmic Strike and Combat Reflexes at first opportunity. Amp up your Power Attack, especially when you charge or bull rush. Make an extra attack when you successully sunder a weapon. Once you have karmic strike, you can make extra attacks when hit. You will need Int and Dex of 13+, so make Cha and Int your dump stats.
RoastSlinky 04-13-04, 11:02 PM	What's Karmic Strike? That doesn't show up in my PHB.
PhaedrusXY 04-13-04, 11:44 PM	Erudite and KBAZZ, he said CORE ONLY. That means only the PHB, MM, and DMG. Not the Complete Warrior and Savage Species... There is no "best tank". It depends on what kind of "tank" you want to play. Do you want to just dish out the most amount of damage reliably? Do you want to have a high AC and high hit points? Do you want to be tactical and trip/disarm/grapple people, etc? This is a pointless question. What kind of character do you want to play? If you just want high damage, play a barbarian2/rogue4, take the TWF feat and always have some partner to flank with. If you can't get a better one, buy a heavy warhorse and, instead of riding it during combat, use it to flank with. For your weapons, use a greatsword and spiked armor. You'll dish out more damage than any other core melee build if your enemy is vulnerable to sneak attacks and you can reliably flank them. You could also go barb1/rog5 for another sneak attack die, but you lose Improved Uncanny Dodge and a point of BAB, so in my opinion it's not worth it. If you want high hit points and AC, maybe a dwarf fighter of some flavor. Add 3 levels of wizard for access to Alter Self to boost your natural armor. This is also a decent thing to do in the tactical builds, as you can Enlarge yourself to gain reach (or extra reach). There might be a cleric domain that grants access to those spells also. If so, the cleric levels are better for a melee fighter. For tactical, it's hard to beat a fighter/barbarian with a spiked chain. If you want more defense, use a light flail and shield instead. You can trip without provoking attacks of opportunity and get a +2 to disarm attempts. You could even combine this into something that uses a light flail and small spiked shield, has the TWF and Improved Shield Bash feats, a level or three of rogue for Sneak Attack, and a level of barbarian for rage. But it won't be as focused on one aspect of combat as the other character types. A dwarf barb2/rog2/fighter2 would fit the bill. Or use spiked armorfor your off-hand instead of the shield and save a feat.
TaisharMalkier 04-14-04, 01:37 AM	Zug Zug. I'm fond of Fighter 4 / Barbarian 1 / Cleric 1. For a total core build, I'd go with Fighter 4 / Barbarian 4 / Cleric 12 (BAB of +17) with a spiked chain. For best early level power, get the domain that gives enlarge person (strength? shrug). Cheers
Harry 04-14-04, 02:05 AM	Dwarf Commoner 1/ Survivor 5 Feats 1- Toughness 3- Roll with it 6- Roll with it for Damage Reduction 9/- :) :D ;)
SpiritGlyph 04-14-04, 03:17 AM	Ahem: CORE ONLY!!! Thank you. If you want to tank above all else, be a full plate wearing sword-and-board type. Make your class Fighter, Cleric, or some combination of both. Your race should either be Human for the bonus feat, Gnome for the size bonus to AC (if you want to be untouchable above all else), or Dwarf. If you're going to be leveling, a Fighter 4/Paladin 3/Dwarven Defender makes the perfect tank.
Lord Arkhaven 04-14-04, 09:38 AM	Human Paladin. Highest score on Charisma. Weilds Greatsword 1st Level - Power Attack, Cleave 3nd Level - Divine Shield 6th Level - Mounted Combat An all around good fighter that will have a decent AC and good mobility.
Cloakable 04-14-04, 10:18 AM	Harry: A Dwarf isnt Monstrous, and that means he doesnt qualify for the feat "Roll With It". It specifically says in the beginning of the Feat-chapter in savage species that you have to be monstrous to take Monster Feats.
Tytalus 04-14-04, 12:23 PM	Originally posted by Cloakable Harry: A Dwarf isnt Monstrous, and that means he doesnt qualify for the feat "Roll With It". It specifically says in the beginning of the Feat-chapter in savage species that you have to be monstrous to take Monster Feats. Roll With It is a [general] feat, not monstrous.
Blade2718 04-14-04, 02:34 PM	Divine Shield (suggested by Lord Arkhaven) and Roll With It (by Harry) aren't core, either. I still stand by my Half-Orc or Dwarf Barb4/Ftr2 :D
Cloakable 04-15-04, 09:12 AM	Originally posted by Tytalus Roll With It is a [general] feat, not monstrous. Oh my mistake, I just read trough the feat once again, Hmm I always thought it was a monstrous feat. Oh man is it broken or what?