Talk me into tanking on anything

Blake6332 · February 2017

Hey guys, so I am looking to start a completely new character with the intent to tank in Veteran dungeons, MAYBE trials, and MAAAAYBE Veteran Maelstrom Arena. I was planning on trying a Wood Elf Stamina Templar Tank, but I got him to level 15 and it seemed that the resource regeneration was almost non-existent, even with Champ points into Mooncalf for stam regen and 2 points into the wood elf regeneration racial. I am looking for something that will be viable tanking in ONLY crafted sets as well, if possible (although I don't actualy "roleplay" per se, I do think the characters armor is a huge part of how I feel about the game and am immersed). Another requirement would be that it would HAVE to use 5 heavy armor at the least.

That said, can somebody help me out? I need a character I can feel right about doing all content with. I don't care which class, I have tried all on tanking except for Sorcerer and Nightblade. Another point to make is that I would like the character to be an Orc.

Nidro · February 2017

Delete that char mate....

Go for Dragonknight, as These are the only real tanks....

-super good resourcemanagement... the best by FAR in game.
-very good damage mitigation.
-Good Support abilities for your Group.

As Tank you can take #1 Nord #2 Imperial #3 Redguard

My Tank for example is dark elf... i got 9% max Magicka and 6 % max Stamina.. and im usually playing as off tank in Trials.
im at 25k Health, 30k Stamina, 20k Magicka (full middle armor as off tank - full Support only)

As Main Tank i would be in 7 heavy Armor with 30k health, 28k Stamina and 19k Magicka.
i also have about 2000 magicka Regeneration.
the more magicka you have the more infinite sustain you will have as dragonknight, BUT ONLY as DRAGONKNIGHT.

If you want to learn how to be a good tank check out Woeler's YouTube channel.
He got very good Videos, where he explains the different tanking styles, Setups, etc...

Just search for Eso Woeler Tanking in Youtube

I Hope this helps.

Yours Nidro~~

Nidro · February 2017

by the way... when you hold block, you will NOT Regenerate Stamina...

my tank got like 600 Stamina Regeneration?
its not needed at all...

Wood elf is just a wasted race for tanks :-(
high elf would be even better lol.... due to magicka regen

kewl · February 2017

Orc is fun but Argonian DK Tank FTW:

Resourceful

Increases your Max Magicka by 3%.
Whenever you drink a potion you are restored 12% of your Max Health, Magicka, and Stamina

Argonian Resistance

Increases Max Health by 9% and Poison and Disease Resistance by 1485.

Quick to Mend

Increases your healing done and received by 5%.

Blake6332 · February 2017

I am not new player, I played at launch and have played on and off since then, so I did know about Stamina not regenerating while blocking. I just came back to the game a few days ago after an 8 month or so break. I have a Nord Stamina DK tank at level 50, and a Dunmer Magicka DK tank at 50, as well as a Breton Templar Magicka tank at 50, so I'm not new to the tanking mechanics. I was asking my initial question because I actually wanted to see some responses other than typical Dunmer/Imperial/Nord DK tanks that I see all over the place.

I will probably end up rolling another DK tank, as I pretty much can't stand myother two DK tanks because of their race/appearance (can't afford to buy appearance/race changes at the moment) and am looking for a fresh start, slow and steady, enjoying questing and all once again while I learn about the game again. Argonian looks very promising, and with the whole Lizard thing and the draconic abilities, could turn into a very cool concept for a character. Those racials seem absolutely incredible for tanking and healing, considering that one heavily!

So with that said, I am not opposed to playing a couple of chars at the same time, can anyone recommend some Sorcerer or Nightblade tank builds? Templar just seems to not be my thing gameplay wise, which stinks because I enjoy the concept so much.

kewl · February 2017

Blake6332 wrote: »

So with that said, I am not opposed to playing a couple of chars at the same time, can anyone recommend some Sorcerer or Nightblade tank builds? Templar just seems to not be my thing gameplay wise, which stinks because I enjoy the concept so much.

I love magicka NB tanking. Great post with many options. Invellous's Mageblade Tank Guide
http://tamrielfoundry.com/topic/invellous-magicka-nightblade-tank-guide-tg-ready/

Gaggin · February 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kROoi6ybSc&t=134s

If you really wanna make a Templar tank, this build will allow you to clear any content in the game, better than a nightblade and just as good as any DK. However you know you don't really want to judge any build at lvl 15, gotta wait for the end result to see how effective it is.

grannas211 · February 2017

Nidro wrote: »

As Tank you can take #1 Imperial #2 Argonian #3Nord

fixed that for ya

casparian · February 2017

I am looking for something that will be viable tanking in ONLY crafted sets as well, if possible

Hist Bark + Tava's Favor is a standard beginner tanking set that will work just fine in dungeons. It will definitely put your team at a disadvantage in Trials, though, if you decide to run them. The meta is Alkosh + Ebon, which looks...ehh. It would be nice if we could run a costume to deal with this, but unless you like Breton armor there aren't really any nice tanky-looking costumes right now.

kylewwefan · February 2017

Orcs have good health regeneration. Maybe play with beekeeper, orgnum, green pact, trollkeeper super fast health regen build. I've no idea what class would suit that well. Maybe Templar for the major mending passive thing

Lynx7386 · February 2017

Nidro wrote: »

by the way... when you hold block, you will NOT Regenerate Stamina...

my tank got like 600 Stamina Regeneration?
its not needed at all...

Wood elf is just a wasted race for tanks :-(
high elf would be even better lol.... due to magicka regen

Right now this is true, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the frost staff option changes a tank's benefit from regen.

If you use shield on one bar and frost staff on the other, you're only ever halting one resource at a time, while the other regenerates. You use the shield and drain your stamina blocking, then switch to the staff and drain magicka while your stamina regenerates, and then go back to the shield so your magicka can regen.

It looks like permablocking could be making a comeback there, albeit only for hybrid tank builds. This is what I'm hoping to run on my future warden character - a pure hybrid tank with massive survivability and defense.

Blake6332 · February 2017

Thanks for all of the insight guys. I started an Argonian Magicka based Nightblade Tank, and it is a lot of fun so far, the potential for resource regeneration and self healing is incredibly powerful! Appreciate everyone's advice.

Lynx7386 · February 2017

Not to dissuade you from your choice, but I've tried tanking with my nightblade and it never really worked out. I found the lack of control spells a real detriment to tanking, at least when working with disorganized pug groups. It was fine with coordinated teams though.

Nestor · February 2017

I have had Tanky characters before and enjoyed playing them. Did OK too.

But, now I have a real Tank and its so much fun to play. I do have to get used to having no DPS to speak of, but I can hold Aggro, Survive, Debuff the Boss and Buff the Group. I am glad I cleared the content on this character already, as he is only suited for Tanking Dungeons now.

Silver_Strider · February 2017

It really depends on the type of tank you want.

Stamina tanking is sort of meh IMO as your options are much more limiting in regards to what skills you can use overall as your stamina regen is totally cut off while you block, not to mention the lack of utility most stamina skills have for tanking.

Templar tanking is also on the lower end of the tank spectrum just because of how limited they are in the stamina sustain department and after the changes to engine guardian, repentance just doesn't carry anymore during those long drawn out fights without adds.

Wood Elf, while not a bad race, just isn't greatly suited for tanking. Their stamina regen is made almost redundant by blocking, they have less stamina than Imperials or Redguards and less health than Orcs, Nords or Argonians and stealth bonus is completely wasted.

Not trying to being discouraging but you picked hard mode for tanking. You can pull it off, of course, but it will require much more effort for no real benefit over other class/race tanks.

Blake6332 · February 2017

I understand that it will be harder to play than a dragonknight tank, but I wanted to try something new and different, so I am giving it a shot!

kewl · February 2017

@Blake6332 How is your build progressing? Would love to hear about your experiences.

Blake6332 · February 2017

kewl wrote: »

@Blake6332 How is your build progressing? Would love to hear about your experiences.

Hey! Its progressing well, I spent a LOT of time doing all of the available normal dungeons while leveling for the skill points, at this point I have done all of the normal dungeons including the DLC ones besides Imperial City Prison and Vaults of Madness. Currently I just hit level 43 already so it is progressing incredibly quickly.

I chose Argonian for the healing bonuses and man, the bonuses really stack up. I put all of my mage points into blessed for more healing and my warrior points are split between Hardy and Elemental Defender. Thief points are in...27 Arcanist and 11 Magician. Only CP 114, but I love the character so much so far that I plan on doing all content on him so I will be getting a lot of XP from all of the questing zones.

As far as the characters survivability in dungeons, it only gets better as I level. Resource sustain is simply a non issue and thats without my most important AoE skill being morphed, Sap Essence. Currently its at level 3 unmorphed and will be incredibly powerful when morphed, allowing great resource sustain and healing.

I found myself as the last man standing MANY times while dungeoning, even over level 50s and such, pulling off a res to save the group and have us come back one more time as if nobody had ever died. The build is incredible at not having to rely on a healer, with Major/Minor ward/resolve and Major Evasion being very easy to keep up, and healing itself so well that you really have to try to die.

I may post an update after level 50 and perhaps getting into veteran dungeons, I can't wait to get to that point! I am on PC/NA (username is @Blake6332) if anyone here has a guild they have an open spot in, or just want someone to play with. Been having a really fun time and would love to have a new guild to play with.

TL;DR,
Its going really well and wow nightblade is fun to tank on

actosh · February 2017

(K)nightblade is fun. U wont encounter problems in vet dungeons.
Same goes for Trials. I can tell u that. Tanked every vet trial and vet trial hm (still missing vmol hm kill) with my Stamblade Tank. Never found myself in a situation where i had to cry for spears.

I always lol when i hear a dk tank call for shards or,and this is my fav, "gotta drop my horn, need ressources" ^^. Thats around 25% of all dk's, the rest is great and knows how to manage ressources ^^.

Keep goin

kewl · February 2017

Blake6332 wrote: »

kewl wrote: »

@Blake6332 How is your build progressing? Would love to hear about your experiences.

Hey! Its progressing well, I spent a LOT of time doing all of the available normal dungeons while leveling for the skill points, at this point I have done all of the normal dungeons including the DLC ones besides Imperial City Prison and Vaults of Madness. Currently I just hit level 43 already so it is progressing incredibly quickly.

I chose Argonian for the healing bonuses and man, the bonuses really stack up. I put all of my mage points into blessed for more healing and my warrior points are split between Hardy and Elemental Defender. Thief points are in...27 Arcanist and 11 Magician. Only CP 114, but I love the character so much so far that I plan on doing all content on him so I will be getting a lot of XP from all of the questing zones.

As far as the characters survivability in dungeons, it only gets better as I level. Resource sustain is simply a non issue and thats without my most important AoE skill being morphed, Sap Essence. Currently its at level 3 unmorphed and will be incredibly powerful when morphed, allowing great resource sustain and healing.

I found myself as the last man standing MANY times while dungeoning, even over level 50s and such, pulling off a res to save the group and have us come back one more time as if nobody had ever died. The build is incredible at not having to rely on a healer, with Major/Minor ward/resolve and Major Evasion being very easy to keep up, and healing itself so well that you really have to try to die.

I may post an update after level 50 and perhaps getting into veteran dungeons, I can't wait to get to that point! I am on PC/NA (username is @Blake6332) if anyone here has a guild they have an open spot in, or just want someone to play with. Been having a really fun time and would love to have a new guild to play with.

TL;DR,
Its going really well and wow nightblade is fun to tank on

I'll hit you up with a DIG invite tomorrow. Happy to do some Skyreach Catacombs grinding with you. We'll have those skills maxed in no time.

VaxtinTheWolf · February 2017

I was lurking this thread on and off. I have 3 role focused nightblades, One for DPS, healing or Tanking. I very much enjoy that NB tank which is also an Argonian. Eventually after you get more morphed skills, push yourself with Darkshade Caverns II Vetern. That's personally a lot of fun for me to tank, despite having inadequate DPS sometimes.

There was a time everyone else had died and I tanked the netch + increasing number of ads for at least 4 extra minutes alone before it started to become too much to keep up with. Soul Harvest + mitigation ult is literally life extending.

SirCritical · February 2017

Blake6332 wrote: »

Hey guys, so I am looking to start a completely new character with the intent to tank in Veteran dungeons, MAYBE trials, and MAAAAYBE Veteran Maelstrom Arena.

I'm sure this is just a typo-like thing, and you wanted to write Dragonstar Arena. Or maybe I'm wrong and you're curious about a viable tank build in VMA. In this case I'd also like to see any tank build for this

Blake6332 · February 2017

SirCritical wrote: »

Blake6332 wrote: »

Hey guys, so I am looking to start a completely new character with the intent to tank in Veteran dungeons, MAYBE trials, and MAAAAYBE Veteran Maelstrom Arena.

I'm sure this is just a typo-like thing, and you wanted to write Dragonstar Arena. Or maybe I'm wrong and you're curious about a viable tank build in VMA. In this case I'd also like to see any tank build for this

Oh it wasnt a typo, I just don't know what I'm talking about

actosh wrote: »

(K)nightblade is fun. U wont encounter problems in vet dungeons.
Same goes for Trials. I can tell u that. Tanked every vet trial and vet trial hm (still missing vmol hm kill) with my Stamblade Tank. Never found myself in a situation where i had to cry for spears.

I always lol when i hear a dk tank call for shards or,and this is my fav, "gotta drop my horn, need ressources" ^^. Thats around 25% of all dk's, the rest is great and knows how to manage ressources ^^.

Keep goin

Last night me and a couple buddies did Wayrest Sewers for the Pledge (I hit level 47 last night) and I literally pulled about 100 enemies into one of those corridors and used Siphoning Attacks+Sap Essence+Refreshing Path until they all died. It was glorious. Infinite resources!

Blake6332 · February 2017

VaxtinTheWolf wrote: »

I was lurking this thread on and off. I have 3 role focused nightblades, One for DPS, healing or Tanking. I very much enjoy that NB tank which is also an Argonian. Eventually after you get more morphed skills, push yourself with Darkshade Caverns II Vetern. That's personally a lot of fun for me to tank, despite having inadequate DPS sometimes.

There was a time everyone else had died and I tanked the netch + increasing number of ads for at least 4 extra minutes alone before it started to become too much to keep up with. Soul Harvest + mitigation ult is literally life extending.

I definitely agree about Soul Harvest and Veil of Blades/Bolstering Darkness/Soul Tether/Agressive Warhorn being absolutely incredible for sustaining yourself. That stuff is insane. In AoE like I described earlier, unless you get one shot Soul Tether makes you invincible, and Veil Of Blades will kill everything and make you take no damage in addition to letting you heal like crazy with no damage incoming really at all.

kewl wrote: »

I'll hit you up with a DIG invite tomorrow. Happy to do some Skyreach Catacombs grinding with you. We'll have those skills maxed in no time.

That sounds great, thank you!

Blake6332 · February 2017

Alright guys - I said I would update this build and I will do it! Its been a while since the last post. Since then, I've reached level 50 (duh), after reaching level 50 I went from CP 114 to 162, and last night I made my gear sets.

If you all are interested in a full build let me know, but gear wise it is still a work in progress. I will need a lot more sets and will need to test them all to find what works for me.

But I will list the gear I crafted and purchased:
5/5 Seducers
5/5 Bahraha's Curse
2/2 Bloodspawn (temp until I finally get my damn swarm mother shoulders, I've used 10 keys already!)

I did my first veteran dungeon today with a couple friends (their first vet dungeon as well, though they played at launch just as I did) and WOW I was expecting it to go much much worse! I felt nearly invincible in AoE packs and the resource sustain is fantastic. In single target, as long as I am dilligent with mechanics, I can do anything a dk tank can, without ever needing shards. With some smart maneuvarabilty I dont need the chains DKs are so praised for, and swarm mother will act as such anyways.

Overall its SO much fun and I'm really enjoying the game again. Thanks to @kewl for reccomending Nightblade, I seriously can't thank you enough.

VaxtinTheWolf · February 2017

Good that you are enjoying the (K)nightblade. I didn't want to make a DK when I started since it was the obvious choice for that role. Sharing two vids here, they make good healers too. Self plugs below.

Tank

https://youtu.be/ot6vkLMvGXM?t=23m4s

Healer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juki6I0i1AY