I need to make a tank for an upcoming adventure, and was wondering what people could advise for the class.
Would a high AC class be best or an attack denying class (Flowing crane monk or Dervish Bard) be a better idea?
It sort of depends on what you mean by "tank". There are few mechanics that "draw aggro" or anything like that, so players tend to run into awkward situations where enemies learn to just ignore the guy with the enormous AC and buckets of HP and start to swarm on the archers and wizards.
Instead, the best analogs to a tank are either:
a) someone who poses such a huge threat on the battlefield that enemies can't afford to ignore them, or,
b) someone who can reposition and/or prevent movement in order to keep opponents where the party wants them.
In either case, you'll also need to shore up your defenses, preferably equally in terms of hit points, armor class, and saving throws. However, defense should probably be somewhat secondary, and if all goes according to plan, you should be getting help in this department in terms of buffs/debuffs from allies - particularly if you're lacking in one of these three major areas. Battlefield control spells should also help limit the number of attacks you have to deal with.
An easy example might be an Invulnerable Rager Barbarian, maybe with the Superstitious line of rage powers: huge damage, good HP with DR, okay AC, good on saves, huge damage. Some polearm fighter builds can fulfill the second type of tank with feats such as Stand Still and various combat maneuver feats.
Typically, I think the a-type builds are both the easiest and most rewarding in a small party; the trouble with the controlling types is that you're primarily just stalling, waiting for someone else to do the killing. However, in a large enough party that probably won't be an issue.
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Race-
Human
-Classes-
Fighter (Lore Warden) 14/ Monk (Monk of the Four Winds / Monk of the Sacred Mountain) 2/ Ranger (Weapon and Shield) 2/ Rogue 2
-Stats-
STR 14 (+6 magic item) = 20
DEX 16 (+4 leveling)(+6 magic item) = 26
CON 15 (+2 racial)(+1 leveling) = 18
INT 14
WIS 10
CHA 08
-Saves-
fort 22
ref 22
will 13
ac 47 (+5 combat expertise)(+3 fighting defensively) = 55
touch 24 (+5 combat expertise)(+3 fighting defensively) = 32
flat-footed 29
to hit with unarmed attacks with weapon finesse 26 (-4 combat expertise)(-1 fighting defensively) = 21
-Traits-
Threatening Defender
-Feat / Level Progression-
Ra01) Combat Reflexes, Stand Still
Ra02) Shield Focus
M 03) Elemental Fist, Dodge, Crane Style
M 04) Toughness, Deflect Arrows
F 05) Shield Proficiency, Missile Shield
F 06) Combat Expertise, Weapon Finesse
F 07) Crane Wing
F 08) Saving Shield
F 09) Bodyguard
F 10) Crane Riposte
F 11) Draconic Defender
F 12) Greater Shield Focus
F 13) Disruptive
F 14) Spellbreaker
F 15) Pin Down
F 16) Ray Shield
F 17) Mobility
F 18) Spring Attack
Ro19) Whirlwind Attack
Ro20) Talent - Combat Trick (what ever u want)
-Magic Gear-
Bracers of Armor(+8)
Mithril Heavy Shield (+5 Arrow Catching, Arrow Deflection)
Ring of Protection (+5)
Ring of Regeneration
Amulet of Natural Armor(+5)
Belt of Physical Might (+6 str / +6 dex)
Cloak of Resistance (+5)
-Tanking Method-
Fight with caster standing behind u since any thing that enters ur threaten area will not be able to exit ur threaten are via Stand Still and Pin Down as well all incoming missile attacks would veer towards u via Arrow Catching. When making an attack action fight defensively and use combat expertise to up personal ac and grant 1 adjacent party member a natural armor bonus equal to the dodge bonus from combat expertise and fighting defensively via Draconic Defender. Use AoO to grant aid another ac to an adjacent party member via Bodyguard and an immediate action grant shield bonus via Saving Shield. Negate 1 melee attack, 1 ranged spell attack, and 3 ranged missile attacks a round via Crane Wing, Ray Shield, Deflect Arrows, Missile Shield, and Arrow Deflection.
One of my favorite tanks is quite simple, so I'll throw it the ring. Paladin, no archetype, Fey Foundling, Power Attack, big two-handed weapon (greatsword, falchion, lucern hammer), heavy armor. . .
With a decent constitution and generous application of Lay on Hands, a paladin can take some serious hits and stay up. High saving throws help, and there are a handful of exceptionally useful spells that only take swift actions. Along with all of that defense, a good paladin poses enough of a threat that enemies don't just pass him by and attack the squishies.
The two best tanks I've ever seen or played was a very cool Tiefling Paladin who used Fey Foundling and the favored class option to be able to insta-heal pretty much any damage he took - combined with high saves and multiple immunities as well as the bonuses he gave to his fellow players he made a great tank and actually had a very cool RP angle too(let me know if you'd like to see the build).
The other one is a Barbarian tank of my own design who has solid AC but incredibly high DR and incredibly high saves as well. The build is discussed at length and outlined here.
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Personaly i find the best way to tank is not to get hit and force the enemy to try and avoid u. After all if ur not getting hit ur not taking damage and if they are trying to avoid u then they will need to eat up the actions to do so. Even on a natural 20 the ability to negate the attack is the greatest DR 1 can have since it can not be penetrated or reduced by any means.
I think the most durable tank you can build is a armored hulk barbarian using the superstition rage powers and working to spell sunder. I would do it sword (well, scimitar) and board.
You can get amazing AC, amazing saves, and you will not be inconsequential when it comes to damage (sure, not as hot as 2 handed killer, but not something to be ignored). I've tried one of these at 11th for a one shot occasion and it was as tough as nails. Yes there was a 2 hander at the table and he did more damage. He also sucked down healing from the cleric like a camel drinking water after days in the desert. If you go with a dwarf you can get steel soul and really make your saves sick against magic.
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Ive played the character and i will admit it is a tad difficult. It takes decent strategy to dance about the field getting all ur allies in the right position and knowing when to dance between stances. Once u get it down though it is very rewarding have the combat go about how u planned it especially when u can get in2 a bottle neck situation were only u and an ally can stand side by side with enemies in front of u out numbering 5 to 1 and ur allies behind u attacking with magic, reach and ranged. Knowing that the enemy cant hit u and ur ally who is dishing out all the damage to any and every thing in a 5ft radius.
I think the most durable tank you can build is a armored hulk barbarian using the superstition rage powers and working to spell sunder. I would do it sword (well, scimitar) and board.
You can get amazing AC, amazing saves, and you will not be inconsequential when it comes to damage (sure, not as hot as 2 handed killer, but not something to be ignored). I've tried one of these at 11th for a one shot occasion and it was as tough as nails. Yes there was a 2 hander at the table and he did more damage. He also sucked down healing from the cleric like a camel drinking water after days in the desert. If you go with a dwarf you can get steel soul and really make your saves sick against magic.
I'm just not an armored hulk fan - too many people lean too hard on AC. The Barbarian I linked above gets DR in the 20's on top of solid AC and the tremendous saves associated with Superstition... but the Paladin, he can swift heal his own hit points in the thousands each day on top of immunities, auras, Mercies and spells - and healing works against every sort of damage, not just blade and claw.
I'm just not an armored hulk fan - too many people lean too hard on AC. The Barbarian I linked above gets DR in the 20's on top of solid AC and the tremendous saves associated with Superstition... but the Paladin, he can swift heal his own hit points in the thousands each day on top of immunities, auras, Mercies and spells - and healing works against every sort of damage, not just blade and claw.I think the most durable tank you can build is a armored hulk barbarian using the superstition rage powers and working to spell sunder. I would do it sword (well, scimitar) and board.
You can get amazing AC, amazing saves, and you will not be inconsequential when it comes to damage (sure, not as hot as 2 handed killer, but not something to be ignored). I've tried one of these at 11th for a one shot occasion and it was as tough as nails. Yes there was a 2 hander at the table and he did more damage. He also sucked down healing from the cleric like a camel drinking water after days in the desert. If you go with a dwarf you can get steel soul and really make your saves sick against magic.
I certainly admit that invulnerable rager is nothing to sneer at either. I do find it odd that you say AC is leaned on too much. In my experience people sneer at AC. Also in my experience, AC is an 'all in' proposition where if you don't push it as high as possible, it generally doesn't do much.
Reach and high AC or the ability to HP tank. The two simplest is flat Paladin with a reach weapon of course. The next is 3 lvls of Phalanx Soldier (to be able to use a shield and a polearm.)after which you can branch out into a lot of things.
Of course there are other ways (have had a great run with a Whip master Kensai Magus but its a slow starter) But those two are the simplest.
i think anny of the above are good tanking in pathfinder is more about positioning than anything.
I have played a paldin and barbarian both can stand a nice bit of damage but i must say a paladin sword and board with some defensive feats is awsome. fast healing when you need is is just akways at hand!!
i think anny of the above are good tanking in pathfinder is more about positioning than anything.
I have played a paldin and barbarian both can stand a nice bit of damage but i must say a paladin sword and board with some defensive feats is awsome. fast healing when you need is is just akways at hand!!
Agreed.
Just as another Tiefling Paladin plug, you qualify for the Suicidal trait which is as ideal a Trait as a Tank could want.
Maneuver-Master Dirty-Trick-Monk!:D