Stoned Tank - PvE End-Game Main Tank Build (Update 13)

Liofa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R2hf-4EutY

Hey everyone ! Welcome to my DK Main Tanking Build for Update 13 , Homestead ! This is a build that you can use everywhere without having to change items . It has crazy sustain , insane tankiness and lots of group support . You can find the build video on my channel if you want , just click the Youtube link in my signature . Let’s start !

Advantages :
– A lot of tankiness . High Health pool , High Resistances and Big shields .
– A lot of sustain . Even though we have small Stamina pool and low Magicka Recovery , this build has better sustain than most builds .
– Being able to spam anything . Literally , your Magicka DDs are having Magicka issues ? Spam orbs from start of combat until the end . Heavy damage incoming to whole group ? Spam Igneous Shield ! No worries !
– Boosts group survivability a lot and increases DPS of group big time .

Disadvantages :
– No heals for group . Due to low Stamina pool and low Weapon Damage , our Vigor is almost useless . We cover this up by spamming almost 10k Igneous Shield for your group mates though .
– Healer dependant . A lot . If your healer is down , you gonna have a bad time . This is why we are running as DK .

RACE CHOICE

I am Dunmer and happy . BUT , Imperial is simply the best . Max Health is really important for this build . I don’t race change because I like Dunmers ^^
Secondary choices are Argonian , Orc and Nord .

STATS

All to Health .
I have around 44k Health , 15k Magicka and 18k Stamina . Should be higher if Imperial .
Buffed with Balance .




ITEMS

5 Ebon Armory : This set is really , really useful . I have seen so many people recovering from under 1000 Health during trials . Without Ebon , they would die . A necessity .
Chest (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health
Legs (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health
Hands (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health
Waist (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health
Feet (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health

5 Roar Of Alkosh : Boosts DPS by a lot . The fact that it is AOE makes it super useful since most of the time we spend in trials are during trash fights .
Jewelry (Robust) : Shield-Play
Sword x2 (Infused) : Crusher
Shield x2 (Reinforced) : Health

2 Blood Spawn : Only set that increases group DPS . More Warhorns = more group DPS . Simple as that .
Head (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health
Shoulder (Heavy/Reinforced) : Health

SKILLS

1.Bar :
1- Pierce Armor : Melee taunt . Applies Major Fracture and Major Breach . Necessity .
2- Heroic Slash : Applies Minor Maim . Gives Minor Heroism . Less damage taken for group and more Ultimate for you .
3- Igneous Shield : Gives nearly 10k shield to allies . Spam this during heavy incoming damage to group . 1st boss vMoL shield phase , Warrior Starfall attack etc. Restores 5% stamina back and gives 3 Ultimate every 6 seconds .
4- Balance : This is where it gets interesting . This skill is considered the most useless by almost everyone . Definitely not . It steals your Health and gives you Magicka . This is how we are able to sustain through everything and spam whatever we want , however we want . Also , this is our source of Major Ward and Major Resolve .
5- Structured Entropy/Invigorating Drain : If fight wants you to go defensive , use Entropy to boost your Igneous Shield size . If fight is chill and all about doing max damage , use Invigorating Drain to boost Ultigen and pump Warhorns . Yes , I don’t use Absorb Magic , I don’t find it necessary , even while fighting Rakkhat , I can survive by spamming Igneous Shield . These 2 skills are more useful for this playstyle .
Ultimate- Aggressive Horn : Best Ultimate for tanks . Gives 10% Max Magicka , Max Health and Max Stamina to whole group . That means more survivability for your group and bigger Igneous Shields from Max Health ; more shield size and damage for your Magicka DDs and more pool to block , dodge for Magicka DDs , more damage for Stamina DDs . Even after Major Force nerf , this Ultimate is still the best .

2.Bar :
1- Flex Spot
2- Flex Spot
3- Flex Spot
4- Inner Rage : Ranged taunt . You don’t even have to morph this but if you do , choose the Magicka one .
5- Green Dragon Blood : Really big self heal but main reason to use this is the Minor Vitality and Burning Heart passive for more Healing taken .
Ultimate- Magma Shell : Saves you during emergencies .

Flex Spot skills : You just choose according to the fight .
1- Engulfing Flames : In trials , you should already have a Magicka DK but in pledges , you may not have . This is an insane boost to all other Magicka DDs .
2- Unrelenting Grip : Good old chains . Use wherever it is necessary .
3- Choking Talons : AOE Minor Maim and root . Has some use in trials and pledges .
4- Dragon Fire Scale : Has only one use . Ghost boss in AA . You don’t even have to block there . You can just reflect everything with this . Does around 10k DPS ^^
5- Elude : I use it against Warrior . Nice to dodge some attacks .
6- Invigorating Drain : Can be put on back bar as well .
7- Turn Undead : 24 seconds of AOE Minor Protection . Insane .
8- Mystic Orb : Really useful skill for Magicka sustain of DDs .
9- Bone Surge : Your off-tank can use the synergy to proc Alkosh while giving lots of shield to your allies .
10- Sanguine Altar : 46 seconds of 750 Healing per second to every DD .
11- Retreating Maneuver : Speed Buff . Necessary in speed runs and certain situations .
12- Echoing Vigor : Even though our Vigor is almost useless , I will definitely try this with using Powerful Assault instead of Alkosh .
13- Cleanse : Purges the negative effects from your allies while healing them . Don’t need the Magicka cost reduction thanks to Balance .

CHAMPION POINTS

RED

100 Bastion to boost Igneous Shield .
Rest depends on what you are doing . If Sanctum , AA or Hel ra ; spend 100 in Hardy . If MoL , 100 in Elemental Defender .

GREEN

Doesn’t even matter actually . You can tank without any points here . I have 75 Shadow Ward to get Treasure Hunter passive and 75 Arcanist to get Master Gatherer . Rest in Warlord . Just spend them with however you are comfortable .

BLUE

100 Blessed , 100 Elfborn . They increase our healing with Dragon Blood and Invigorating Drain .

That is all for now . I will update this guide according to the changes incoming . If you have any questions , you can mail me in-game @LiofaTR (PC EU) or just leave a comment here . Thanks for reading !

Cheers ,

Liofa