1h and shield a must for tanking, or can I still do decently using a 2h'er?

[WaywardSyl]

originally this topic was on dps, but I must have been blind when  Iwas looking through the recent threads because I didn't see the topic not to far below this one on the dps calcs. So now another question that's been bugging me <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> . Is it an absolute must to be sword and board when tanking? I'd really like to just cruise with 2h'ers.<p>Message Edited by WaywardSylph on <span class=date_text>04-20-2005</span> <span class=time_text>03:21 AM</span>

[TheGeneral]

Personally, I have two fight modes.  Defensive, which is knights stance (Adept3) with sword and board.  This is simply because KS ups your shield ability.  Then I have what I like to consider my Offensive which is Lucans Pact (Adept1) and a two handed slash.  I do this simply because LP does not lower your slashing skill.  Overall though if I am going up against something thats going to hit like a truck, KS with sword and board is the only way to go.  The added defense from the shield is an immense help.

[megatra]

<DIV>you can try to tank with a sword but your healers might get [Removed for Content] at you. they also might "accidently" fizzle on a heal. so basically your answer is no. no good SK tanks with a 2hander. the difference a shield makes is just too great. this goes for any tank type class. the shield is a must.</DIV>

[Bruener]

Now what about against mobs that riposte a lot or have a damage shield that is doing a lot of damage.....Wouldn't a big slow 2h wep be better?

[far]

<DIV>The issue is at higher levels your shield can give you 750+ AC. This is nothing to be scoffed at, and will help your mitigation a good deal (seeing as we dont get all the spiffy defense buffs that other class cough cough) get. I would always recommend using a shield while tanking.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If a mob has a high damage shield/ripposte ( I would assume it is a raid encounter of some type) you dont really need to attack at all, just taunt taunt taunt and slip in other feats/HOs that build aggro.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The only time I ever go 2 hander while tanking is against green/or group green mobs who cant hit me anyways.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>At least in my 49 levels of experience...  </DIV>

[pyroglyph]

<P>I say it depends on what you're doing.</P> <P>If you're killing lots of blue to yellow mobs, and have a good healer, 2H can be fun and devastating, especially when you start cranking out AoE's. With buffs and wards it shouldn't be any more taxing on your healer than 1H + shield.</P> <P>If you're fighting lots of orange or ^^ mobs, shield and 1H are the better way to go, you'll soak up less of your healer's mana, and be open to bash healer and caster mobs, which can be dangerous over longer battles.</P>

[MF2K|Wh]

<DIV>I pretty much used sword and shield exclusivly when tanking while leveling up</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now that I'm 50 I use my 2hander (master chest 2 hander <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) most, and only use sword and shield if I'm tanking named or somthing harder.</DIV>

[WaywardSyl]

I'll carry both sword and board aswell as a 2h'er with me. This character is to be lvling with my wife's upcoming inquisitor so we'll be doing alot of the quests that we missed the first time around lvling and generally focussing more on fun factor than anything else. She has a 42 defiler so is no stranger to the healing gig, and she's gone through her fair share of guild raids as main/2ndary healer <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> . Gosh I'm proud of her :wipes a tear: . I think I will stick to mainly 2h'er during our lvling. Since for the most part we'll be duo'ed and I want to be able to pump out as much damage as I can, so we won't be hitting anything to difficult that would absolutely require the added mitigation...well depending on what changes come from the melee rebalancing. I'm excited to finally play an sk. I've wanted to play one since eq1 days, but playing as a bard made any other class seem to slow or monotonous. <div></div>

[Toogel]

<DIV>On a side note, I use the polished granite tomahawk when tanking for small groups or full groups exp.  that and my shield seem to help immensly.  The ward procs often enough to at least "help" keep agro and make the healers jobs a little easier.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>DPS may be crap, but if you are Main tank its not your primary role, keeping agro is.  Im sure as I get higher I will mature out of the PGT, but even at 42 I still use it and love it.</DIV>

[megatra]

In duoing you are probably better off with a 2hander being that you are pretty much the only dps. If you are duoing white mobs or higher you definately would need a shield or else your healer is gonna run out of power trying to heal you.