Mag DK tank build?

Carbonised

I usually main a MagDK DD, but a while back I did quite a lot of tanking too, for vet dungeons and normal trials. My setup back then was an ultigen build with Dragon, Bloodspawn and Tava. Sustain was great, though the health was a bit on the low side.

Now Tava is ruined for heavy builds, so I'm sort of wondering what to do with my tank setup, and I need someone to point me towards some good MagDK tank builds.

I have all stats in magicka, and CP setup for DD, and I would like to keep it that way. My aim is vet dungeons, especially the Hist, Reach and Bones DLC dungeons, and I hear you need quite a lot of health to tank them sufficiently.
What kind of sets would be good on a MagDK tank build for that? Is the ulti option still viable, despite losing Tava? Without evasion, would Hist Bark be viable, or would it be better to go for health sets such as plague doc and warrior poet, to offset any low health?

I would prefer sets that can be crafted, or at least don't cost a million gold to buy at traders, or takes a million years to farm. I also need some input for traits and enchants, especially with the recent blocking changes on PTS.

Help please? And then there will at least be one more tank available on PC/EU for the queues.

Asardes

Same as Stamina DK. Just use maximum health + stamina food or tri-food and tri-glyphs on your gear to stack 17-18K stamina. Gear: Choclethorn+Shadowrend + barrier slotted for a lot of magicka recovery or Bloodspawn or Lord Warden and any combo of 2 5 piece sets: Torug's Pact, Ebon Armory, Akaviri Dragonguard.

Carbonised

Asardes wrote: »

Same as Stamina DK. Just use maximum health + stamina food or tri-food and tri-glyphs on your gear to stack 17-18K stamina. Gear: Choclethorn+Shadowrend + barrier slotted for a lot of magicka recovery or Bloodspawn or Lord Warden and any combo of 2 5 piece sets: Torug's Pact, Ebon Armory, Akaviri Dragonguard.

Thanks, and forgive my ignorance on the tanking subject, but wouldn't that be more of a tank for trial runs? Ebon is of limited use in a 4 man dungeon, and Torug's is also more for increasing DPS and scores in trials and (maybe) vet dungs.

I'm looking more of a "selfish" tank setup. I'm assuming my CP and magicka stats, catering to the DD role, will make me have less survivability overall, so I would prefer a more "selfish tank" setup instead of a setup that's focused on aiding group DPS.

Vet Trials aren't going to be an issue at all, I have no intentions of taking those, it's pretty much only for DLC vet dungs.

Asardes

For veteran dungeons almost anything goes. If you are new to tanking you may try Hist Bark (crafted) with Plague Doctor (Deshaan overland drop). Hist Bark is good since it basically saves 15% of block costs over longer fights trough the dodge chance. As for monster sets for dungeons, the options listed above remain valid. I recommend going with shield play glyphs on your jewelry, sturdy on your small armor pieces (shoulders, feet, waist, hands) and infused on the big ones with tri-glyphs on everything to maximize your resource pools without sacrificing your main one. 1H+S at least on your front bar, you may go either the same on back bar or use an ice staff though on DK that's really not necessary since you already have an AoE CC & Maim (Choking Talons) and snare (Cinder Storm).

Carbonised

I was going to replace the now defunct Tava with Hist Bark, to get my evasion back. But a guy I was talking to in game, who has some tanking experience, mentioned that as a MagDK, the health pool would be too low for content like Vet Bloodforge and Vet Falkreath. So he recommended I go with Plague Doc and/or Warrior Poet to get that health instead.

Also, with the current change on shieldplay glyphs in PTS, I hear some people recommending for instance mag regen instead of shieldplay, so dunno if that's more viable.

Carbonised

Maybe something like Bloodspawn, Plague Doc, Dragon sets with infused on big pieces and sturdy on small.

Btw, does anyone know, what Mundus Stone do tanks usually go with? And what type of health would be the minimally viable for content like vet Reach dungs?

Asardes

Carbonised wrote: »

I was going to replace the now defunct Tava with Hist Bark, to get my evasion back. But a guy I was talking to in game, who has some tanking experience, mentioned that as a MagDK, the health pool would be too low for content like Vet Bloodforge and Vet Falkreath. So he recommended I go with Plague Doc and/or Warrior Poet to get that health instead.

Also, with the current change on shieldplay glyphs in PTS, I hear some people recommending for instance mag regen instead of shieldplay, so dunno if that's more viable.

Shield Play is still viable, it hasn't been tuned down that much. Plus you get a lot of magicka recovery from your gear, especially if you slot barrier and have 10% (2/2 Magicka Aid passive). I rock with around 1.8-2K recovery on my DK Tank, when I use Whichmother's Potent Brew. 35K health suffices for any dungeon, regardless on your gear. I've done Bloodroot with 33K and once tanked the Warrior on vet (non HM though) with 28K (Ghastly Eye Bowl consumable). Note that health doesn't matter that much if you screw the mechanics because you'll day even with 40K+. I'd rather drop my block cost below 500 with a 3 rd shield play enchant than have an extra 200 magicka recovery from a Magicka Recovery one. Ex. in Bloodroot you need to block most of the time at the last boss, especially after he splits, since any of those hit will be one-shot if not blocking. Going without stamina there is certain death since blocking without stamina is almost as bad as not blocking at all.

Carbonised

Alright. Nice input. I think I'm going to try and run with the Bloodspawn/Dragon/Plague Doc setup, can always mix around with enchants and food to tweak the details.

I haven't really used Barrier much as a tank, I usually switch between the Sword/Shield ult, Warhorn and Magma armor. But perhaps it's better to try Barrier? That would also lend some group support.

Which Mundus stone would you recommend for a build like that?

And do you run 5 heavy 1 light/med, or all 7 heavy? My current tank setup was 5 heavy for the Undaunted extras.

idk

Carbonised wrote: »

Asardes wrote: »

Same as Stamina DK. Just use maximum health + stamina food or tri-food and tri-glyphs on your gear to stack 17-18K stamina. Gear: Choclethorn+Shadowrend + barrier slotted for a lot of magicka recovery or Bloodspawn or Lord Warden and any combo of 2 5 piece sets: Torug's Pact, Ebon Armory, Akaviri Dragonguard.

Thanks, and forgive my ignorance on the tanking subject, but wouldn't that be more of a tank for trial runs? Ebon is of limited use in a 4 man dungeon, and Torug's is also more for increasing DPS and scores in trials and (maybe) vet dungs.

I'm looking more of a "selfish" tank setup. I'm assuming my CP and magicka stats, catering to the DD role, will make me have less survivability overall, so I would prefer a more "selfish tank" setup instead of a setup that's focused on aiding group DPS.

Vet Trials aren't going to be an issue at all, I have no intentions of taking those, it's pretty much only for DLC vet dungs.

If you are merely looking for dungeon runs, no trials, you can basically wear whatever you want. It is not a taxing environment for tanks. You could even change out the Tavas for WW to get more ult gen though if you think Ebon is not worth it in dungeons then the same could be said for the ult gen build. If you want more health just wear Plague Doctor.

Carbonised

idk wrote: »

Carbonised wrote: »

Asardes wrote: »

Same as Stamina DK. Just use maximum health + stamina food or tri-food and tri-glyphs on your gear to stack 17-18K stamina. Gear: Choclethorn+Shadowrend + barrier slotted for a lot of magicka recovery or Bloodspawn or Lord Warden and any combo of 2 5 piece sets: Torug's Pact, Ebon Armory, Akaviri Dragonguard.

Thanks, and forgive my ignorance on the tanking subject, but wouldn't that be more of a tank for trial runs? Ebon is of limited use in a 4 man dungeon, and Torug's is also more for increasing DPS and scores in trials and (maybe) vet dungs.

I'm looking more of a "selfish" tank setup. I'm assuming my CP and magicka stats, catering to the DD role, will make me have less survivability overall, so I would prefer a more "selfish tank" setup instead of a setup that's focused on aiding group DPS.

Vet Trials aren't going to be an issue at all, I have no intentions of taking those, it's pretty much only for DLC vet dungs.

If you are merely looking for dungeon runs, no trials, you can basically wear whatever you want. It is not a taxing environment for tanks. You could even change out the Tavas for WW to get more ult gen though if you think Ebon is not worth it in dungeons then the same could be said for the ult gen build. If you want more health just wear Plague Doctor.

Well, base game dungeons, yes. But I was thinking something that would be viable for Reach and Bones dungeons as well. And while I haven't tanked them yet, instead I've been DDing them, I hear they are a bit more demanding, so I didn't want to make a new setup that wasn't viable for those dungeons.

Ult is always nice for my build, since as a DK, every ult equals resource returns. But I think I'll switch Tava out for Plague Doc, to at least secure a bit more health, since all my stats are in Magicka.

Asardes

Barrier is there just for the passive and as emergency anti-wipe tool: ex. healer is down and one of the DDs is ressing, you need to cast barrier. Magma Shell is almost the same, but slotting barrier adds to your magicka recovery.

Magicka Aid

Rank II Increases Magicka Recovery by 10% for each Support ability slotted Support Rank 9

As for mundus, use Atronach, and Whichmother's Brew, for maximum base magicka recovery. Plague Doctor, and even Ebon will give you enough HP to allow you that.

Skills:
Front bar: Pierce Armor | Heroic Slash | Unrelenting Grip* | Coagulated Blood | Ingenous Shield || Replenishing Barrier
Back bar: Burning Embers | Engulfing Flames | Choking Talons** | Cinder Storm | Volatile Armor || Aggressive Horn

* for fights that require a lot of blocking but no adds to chain use Absorb Magic instead
** for boss fights without adds that can be rooted you can slot either Inner Rage if you need to range taunt, or Efficient Purge if you need to purge certain effects, or Deep Breath if you need AoE interrupts

Carbonised

Asardes wrote: »

Barrier is there just for the passive and as emergency anti-wipe tool: ex. healer is down and one of the DDs is ressing, you need to cast barrier. Magma Shell is almost the same, but slotting barrier adds to your magicka recovery.

Magicka Aid

Rank II Increases Magicka Recovery by 10% for each Support ability slotted Support Rank 9

As for mundus, use Atronach, and Whichmother's Brew, for maximum base magicka recovery. Plague Doctor, and even Ebon will give you enough HP to allow you that.

Skills:
Front bar: Pierce Armor | Heroic Slash | Unrelenting Grip* | Coagulated Blood | Ingenous Shield || Replenishing Barrier
Back bar: Burning Embers | Engulfing Flames | Choking Talons** | Cinder Storm | Volatile Armor || Aggressive Horn

* for fights that require a lot of blocking but no adds to chain use Absorb Magic instead
** for boss fights without adds that can be rooted you can slot either Inner Rage if you need to range taunt, or Efficient Purge if you need to purge certain effects, or Deep Breath if you need AoE interrupts

Cheers, looks solid, though it's the first time I've seen barrier suggested. Must be because most DK tanks usually run health/stam, and mag regen isn't so important.

I was wondering about Defensive posture/absorb mag, I usually keep it on both bars always, to aid in blocking, but perhaps that is too excessive? You'd only run it now and then, and on 1 bar?

Other than that, I think my skill setup is pretty much the same.

Final question - do you go with 7 heavy, or 5/1/1? I don't see a lot of magDK tanks around, so excuse me for picking your brain so much =p

Asardes

Carbonised wrote: »

Asardes wrote: »

Barrier is there just for the passive and as emergency anti-wipe tool: ex. healer is down and one of the DDs is ressing, you need to cast barrier. Magma Shell is almost the same, but slotting barrier adds to your magicka recovery.

Magicka Aid

Rank II Increases Magicka Recovery by 10% for each Support ability slotted Support Rank 9

As for mundus, use Atronach, and Whichmother's Brew, for maximum base magicka recovery. Plague Doctor, and even Ebon will give you enough HP to allow you that.

Skills:
Front bar: Pierce Armor | Heroic Slash | Unrelenting Grip* | Coagulated Blood | Ingenous Shield || Replenishing Barrier
Back bar: Burning Embers | Engulfing Flames | Choking Talons** | Cinder Storm | Volatile Armor || Aggressive Horn

* for fights that require a lot of blocking but no adds to chain use Absorb Magic instead
** for boss fights without adds that can be rooted you can slot either Inner Rage if you need to range taunt, or Efficient Purge if you need to purge certain effects, or Deep Breath if you need AoE interrupts

Cheers, looks solid, though it's the first time I've seen barrier suggested. Must be because most DK tanks usually run health/stam, and mag regen isn't so important.

I was wondering about Defensive posture/absorb mag, I usually keep it on both bars always, to aid in blocking, but perhaps that is too excessive? You'd only run it now and then, and on 1 bar?

Other than that, I think my skill setup is pretty much the same.

Most blocking will occur on your front bar, you only go on back bar to recast your buffs and longer lasting skills. That's why there's no need to slot it on both bars. The only skill that must be slotted on both bars to work, and it's useful to tanking is Guard, but you won't need to use that in dungeons, bur will be useful in trials, for example in vHRC HM at the Warrior or vMoL at Rakkat.

Magicka recovery or another way of sustaining it is very important on a DK tank since all your utility skills are magicka. Some tanks use Mages Guild:Balance but that has been nerfed in Morrowind, and plus it costs health and reduces your healing done by 50% for 4s so it's very risky to use it unless you know mechanics perfectly and have a good healer caring for you. The build I was thinking about should be able to self-heal most of the time, and be capable of running dungeons with 3 DDs.