First life tank?

[Col Kurtz]

This was what I found on my 2 lifer paladin.

Everyone I see tanking looks like they have a ton of lives; I gave up on that char.

you can do a 1st lifer(yes I know theOP may/may not be...but it sounded insinuated) the grind for gear is insufferable ...unless you are in a static group that passes some equipment as it drops

 

[Alrik Fassbauer]

Don't forget Dragonmarks. Some can help as well.

 

[Falkor]

If running a FvS / hybrid tank ... I can't think of why dragonmarks would help? What am I not seeing here?

Perhaps if running a fighter or paladin, I think halfling may have some merit for its heals.

Halfling gives you heal .. FvS does it better.
Ddoor and teleport from human are attainable via epic tree + scrolls.
Dwarves have radiant forcefield ... maybe?

It just seems like an overall expensive approach that removes other, more effective, low-cost hanging fruit.

 

[vryxnr]

Dwarf dragonmark, Radiant Forcefield, reduces all damage but untyped type by 25%. Percentage reductions are where it's at yo!

I would go for LGS radiant forcefield clickies myself, but that also requires a fair amount of farming.

 

[Falkor]

That looked like the only real viable one to me. My take on it is that a feat + AP are not worthwhile in a first life build. AP are too tight, and there are better options.

 

[Alrik Fassbauer]

f running a FvS / hybrid tank ... I can't think of why dragonmarks would help? What am I not seeing here?

Quoting from the DDo Wiki :

Dwarf : Greater Dragonmark of Warding . Spell-like ability : Radiant Forcefield
Human : Greater Dragonmark of Sentinel : Globe of Invulnerability

I don't think that most people would use an Elf as a tank, but the Wiki says :

Khorvaire Elf : Greater Dragonmark of Shadow : Displacement

 

[Falkor]

I'd still never go for dragonmarks on a first life tank and don't recommend it. The AP and feat are too expensive. That being said, feel free to give it a try and see how it works. To each their own. Whatever floats your boat.

- Displacement has limited use when tanking a boss that has true sight. It can also be gained via clickies.
- Globe of invulnerability only works against spells, not really applicable for tanking bosses. Also requires staying in one place which isn't always attainable.
- Radiant Forcefield ... decent. I personally wouldn't go for that, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

I'd rather use those AP in other ways, to get hit points or PRR or increase intimidate.

 

[PraetorPlato]

Dwarf seems like a very solid option to me—2 racial con, 2 more in tree, 5% quality hp and 30 HP is a solid racial tree before the radiant forcefield, and RF is *very* good.

 

[Falkor]

Dwarf is an excellent choice. It's probably the only race I'd consider using a dragonmark for, if the plan is to utilize the racial tree. If you get the +5% quality hps in dwarven tree, that opens up an epic feat.

Tanking with a tankard o' ale! Just don't let the elves toss you.

 

[Vox]

If you're going to be spending points in the racial tree, consider half elf - double intimidate & spamable 25% damage reduction all for 3 ap. This stacks with radiant forcefield.

If you want to spend AP they'll get human defensive & stat action boosts, with monk dilettante the highest static hamp of all the races, & so forth.

 

[PraetorPlato]

Dwarf is an excellent choice. It's probably the only race I'd consider using a dragonmark for, if the plan is to utilize the racial tree. If you get the +5% quality hps in dwarven tree, that opens up an epic feat.

Tanking with a tankard o' ale! Just don't let the elves toss you.

It's generally more efficient to take falc anyway since sprint boost is near-mandatory, but that saves about 3-5 points.