Defensive / instance tanking build?

[Knomi]

<p>Just throwing out a question, that I should parse and research for myself.  Is there such a thing as a defensive build?  I have a 64 bru and am looking to tank when my wife and I group (she plays a 70 fury).  I've toyed around with some of the various AA, and for the most part they seem relatively in check with each other.  Right now, I'm specced WIS / INT with mastercrafted weapons with a heal proc adornment.  I haven't played with the STR in a long while, is the defensive portion of the STR better than having the heal proc on the weapon?  It seems like the extra parry / riposte may be more beneficial.</p><p>I've read a lot of the threads around here, and I notice that there is a trend toward "It's either best DPS or worthless."  </p><p>Does anyone have a helpful opinion on bruiser Defense?  Is there any imbalance toward a monk being better suited to instance / group tanking?  </p><p>Is there a way to find a list of heal / ward proccing gear?</p>

[Agaxiq]

I would surmise with the best gear obtainable (which will get you max Parry), that one would go down the Conditioning line if you tank full time.  Otherwise, its fairly worthless on its own with sub-par gear.  I would go down the Attentions line and get the final ability (mini-rescue on a short timer) as well as knockouts (all bruisers should go knockouts whether you tank or dps, IMO)Your WIS/INT is right on for a nuking fury, as you'll need all the abilities in the WIS tree for maximum agro control, IMO.  Luckily there are lots of cheap weapons for us at 70 which don't suck (Ancient Velium Claws for example) which will totally outschool mastercrafted.Pick up the Planar Orb of the Warrior from the planar orbs collection (heal proc on melee attack) and adorn your weapons with heal.  The Fury can then spend at least a bit more time nuking rather than healing.  Get the 5 points in Ignore Agony as well, and make sure Ignore Agony is M1.Devastation Fist will be a great tool for both damage and agro control when grouping now that they've basically unlocked the ability.agressiv

[Knomi]

<p>You say add healing adorns to "weapons."  Does the off hand weapon trigger the proc also?  I don't know why, but I was under the impression that procs only hit from the primary slot.</p><p>Also, what is max parry?</p>

[JamesRay]

<p>I have a bruiser that I commonly group with a healer.</p><p>I have two sets of ancient velium claws, 2 imbued with the +2% riposte/parry, 2 imbued with the power proc.</p><p>I've also got the wrist imbues for 2% parry I think so it is a total of 8% toward avoidance.</p><p>Not sure how much of a difference it makes, but I like to pretend it helps against ^^^ heroics.</p>

[Prrasha]

<cite>Anphimo@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>You say add healing adorns to "weapons."  Does the off hand weapon trigger the proc also?  I don't know why, but I was under the impression that procs only hit from the primary slot.</p><p>Also, what is max parry?</p></blockquote>I really wish SoE would fix the text on weapon adornments. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Yes, off-hand weapon adornments proc.  They just won't proc on your combat arts, so if you put powertap on main hand and lifetap on off hand, you'll see more power procs. Max parry is the same as any skill; max skill = (6.5 x your level); so 455 at level 70.  You can get skill points up to 5x your level (350 at L70), the rest has to come from equipment, buffs, AAs, etc.

[Raca]

I use offensive stance quite a bit while tanking, only switching to defensive one a tough named. Especially duo, I think the extra dps is well worth it. Only time I use defensive stance exclusively is when the mobs are more than 3 lvls higher than me. Healers do just fine healing me too. As for spec. I used traditional spec's till I noticed a bruiser continually out dpsing me by quite a bit with the same gear. I am now 4-4-8 agi 4-4-8 sta and 4-4-8 int with full knockouts and ignore agony. You tank well enough without getting the extra almost worthless defensive aa's.

[ganjookie]

Getting gear with +deflection will do you well too!

[Sheirark]

I have spent well over 30 plat [Removed for Content] with bruiser achievements, and i find that the best mix of dps and tanking is wis int.  U want the crits in the int line, and the parry and eagle claw for kidney punch when u tank, and the last one under 30% increase mit by 1400, well that plus ur mit buff puts me at 4k mit, which sounds low, but better than what u had, and that's close to plate tanks, [Removed for Content] really goes down use hardened skin, that's another 2k mit i'm over 6k, plus a self heal for 50% life, easy to keep urself up with a healer even on hard mobs if u just use ur arts effectively.  Wis line offers u alot more hp, aoe agro and dps, which u need if u plan on tanking.  Crane flock is priceless, u want to pull 8 mobs, go for it. aoe aoe aoe crane flock agro is urs.

[Sheirark]

<p>Something else to remember, deflection/parry mods of like 5 is worht more total avoidance than 20 agility on a piece of armor, so make sure u check ur persona and ur avoid and compare. I have seen armor with 24 agility and still used armor with no agi but a +7 parry because i actually garner more avoidance out of the +to parry.  Course this is taking into effect that u are not already at cap parry.</p>