Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 corey_austin_dup Apr 28, 2008 11:19:01	Here's the deal. I'm joining a long-running campaign, and since everyone is pretty much optimized to do damage I thought I'd go a different route and try a meatshield. I've never played one before so not entirely sure what to do, in terms of feats and items. Level 16 human fighter, but all WotC books allowed for items and feats 260,000 gp to spend I need to maximize AC and DR, preferably DR/-. Damage output isn't very important, but being able to protect my allies is. For feats atm I was looking at Active Shield Defense, the Armor Specialization feats, etc.
#2 Vitarri_Whitemane Apr 28, 2008 11:40:58	ignore #2 see #3
#3 Vitarri_Whitemane Apr 28, 2008 11:41:23	Just a thought but if you want to tank why not go knight for at least 6 levels so you get sheild ally. Maybe go into crusader after so you can dive in front of a physical attack charge your furious counterstrike and drop a manuver on top of them. Not to mention there are some good counters out there. This is just a thought though you may have other ideas :D
#4 squashmonster Apr 28, 2008 11:43:03	Tanking as in being a big guy with lots of hitpoints who doesn't take much damage? It doesn't work. It only works in MMOs, where you have aggro mechanics instead of vaguely intelligent creatures. However, if you break down the idea of tanking you'll realize that what you really want is somebody who stops the other people from getting hit. In D&D, there are two major ways to do that. You can either create a lockdown build, or you can play a battlefield control focused wizard. The level you're playing at, conveniently, is also exactly the level when the classic lockdown build starts to work. Which is very lucky, as battlefield control wizards stop working so well once everybody gets Freedom of Movement. The basics are that you get a reach weapon, the Stand Still feat, and the 16th level Fighter substitution level from PHII. These, along with Combat Reflexes and a bunch of feats that help you generate attacks of opportunity, stop everything within your reach from moving without your permission. The details of the classic lockdown build are here: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=883706 There's also lockdown 2.0, which works at much lower levels. However, I prefer the original during the levels in which its available. http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=953434
#5 corey_austin_dup Apr 28, 2008 12:04:06	Well, in terms of tanking I took the goad feat, but what Squash had to say was very helpful. I picked fighter because they're playing core classes only, and just allowing all variants / wotc book abilities to be chosen rather than prestiges and alternate base classes.
#6 Senevri Apr 28, 2008 13:17:28	+1 on lockdown or 2.0.
#7 Endarire Apr 28, 2008 13:19:00	See Tome of Battle for Dummies.
#8 corey_austin_dup Apr 28, 2008 13:31:35	Tome of battle isn't allowed. K, well I've worked out my feats, going for a lockdown spear build, now i just need items. 260,000 gold budget So far I've got a ghost touch sizing longspear
#9 squashmonster Apr 28, 2008 14:14:12	Getting Dispelling or Greater Dispelling on that weapon is probably a good idea. A belt of battle is pretty much mandatory at this level, especially if you don't pick up Travel Devotion (which you should). A ring of Freedom of Movement is also required for non-casters at this level. Also try to find items that let you fly and teleport, and some way of casting Enlarge Person on yourself in case you find yourself without a caster to back you up. Since you're not using a spiked chain, make sure your armor has armor spikes so you can threaten adjacent squares.
#10 archerpwr Apr 28, 2008 17:34:48	So, how'd you modify the build?