Discussion about tank in keep and defensive stat

[Hakker]

This is my ranking (from best to worst) of tanks that can survive in a fortress/keep with a warband. Keep in mind that I based the statistics on full Sovereign gear, so gear bonuses and ability bonuses do not stack (10% chance to increase Parry, Block, Disrupt and Dodge by 10% for 10 seconds with 7 piece). In a keep defense means you’re effectively always benefiting from it. Lastly, I am not taking the Rugged tactic into consideration since any tank can have it.

Tank Survival Ranking (Best to Worst):

1-Ironbreaker (Best)
2-Black Orc
3-Swordmaster
4-Chosen
5-Knight of the Blazing Sun
6-Blackguard (Worst)

1. Ironbreaker

Passive Effects:
20% damage reduction
10% block
-15% critical damage received

Abilities (100% success when used):
120 initiative
700 shield against magic
10% parry

Abilities that require you to hit a target (if the target defends, you get nothing):
990 armor
120 toughness
12% disrupt (5-second cooldown)

Summary: As we can see, the Ironbreaker has more defensive buffs than any other tank.

2. Black Orc

Passive Effects:
10% block
20% parry
+160 wound

Abilities (100% success when used):
40% block (5-second cooldown)
Shield for 500 damage (10-second cooldown)
10% damage reduction for 6 seconds (30-second cooldown)

Abilities that require you to hit a target (if the target defends, you get nothing):
120 toughness
+48 wound and 480 healing

Summary: The Black Orc should rank lower overall, but his main ability ("Can't Hit Me") make him a monster with only a 5-second cooldown.

3. Swordmaster

Passive Effects:
20% improved healing on self
15% block
20% disrupt

Abilities (100% success when used):
Shield for 500 damage (10-second cooldown)
990 armor (20-second cooldown)
10% damage reduction for 6 seconds (30-second cooldown)

Abilities that require you to hit a target (if the target defends, you get nothing):
10% parry (targeted ability)
+48 wound and 480 healing

Summary: The Swordmaster has many tools to survive in a long, intense fight. The 20% improved healing is incredible if you’re in a good warband. Although he does not possess any bonus Toughness, a toughness potion (providing 80 Toughness) makes him quite effective.

4. Chosen

Passive Effects:
15% improved healing on self
120 toughness
350 magic resist
25% parry
-10% critical damage received

Abilities (100% success when used):
None

Abilities that require you to hit a target (if the target defends, you get nothing):
10% parry (10 second cooldown)
-15% damage reduction for 10 seconds (20 second cooldown)
990 armor (20 second cooldown)

Summary: The Chosen has good passive tools. He would rank higher if his defensive ability activated 100% of the time. Since you have to wait 20 seconds if you miss the "Oppression" ability, and his magic resist is only mediocre (especially since a Shaman or Zealot in a good warband can buff you with magic resist), his overall effectiveness is somewhat limited.

5. Knight of the Blazing Sun

Passive Effects:
15% improved healing on self
300 magic resist
120 toughness
15% disrupt

Abilities (100% success when used):
50% damage reduction for 10 seconds (30-second cooldown)
990 armor for 10 seconds (30-second cooldown)

Abilities that require you to hit a target (if the target defends, you get nothing):
10% parry (when using a tactic)

Summary: The Knight of the Blazing Sun has solid passives and good survival tools, but only for a short period and with very long cooldowns. His main defensive ability (Vigilance) is effective, but after 10 seconds you’re likely to be overwhelmed. I do not recommend placing him on the front line during a fortress defense.

6. Blackguard

Passive Effects:
15% block
25% disrupt
25% parry

Abilities (100% success when used):
Shield for 900 damage (10-second cooldown)
990 armor for 10 seconds (20-second cooldown)
-15% critical hit reduction for 10 seconds (20-second cooldown)
40% block (20-second cooldown)

Abilities that require you to hit a target (if the target defends, you get nothing):
10% disrupt (5-second cooldown)
120 toughness (5-second cooldown)

Summary: Technically, the Blackguard has more tools for survival compared to the Black Orc. However, his 40% block with a 20-second cooldown is too lengthy. His other abilities suffer from the same issues as those of the Knight of the Blazing Sun—good survival tools, but they do not last long and have extended cooldowns. I do not recommend him for front-line defense in a fortress.

Final Thoughts on Defensive Priorities (from most to least important):

1-Damage reduction
2-More effective healing on you
3-Critical reduction
4-Critical damage reduction
5-Block
6-Toughness (not more than 1050)
7-Resist (not more than 600)
8-Armor
9-Parry
10-Disrupt (or substitute with Dodge if playing Destruction)
11-Dodge
12-Self-healing
13-Shield

What do you think?

Thank you!

[TrainInVain]

This was interesting and informative to read.

I find with Black guard you have one of the best stam regeneration in the game (driven by hate. So I frequently go for None Shall Pass right into hold the line and can sustain those 2 top defensive abilities better than any other tank, except for IB.

The most important part is the player. If they are afraid to die doesn't matter which tank they are. Sadly see it too often they won't push or hold a door.

[Hakker]

You're right about stamina regeneration for the Ironbreaker and Black Guard. A 20-second cooldown for full regeneration is good. However, with Sovereign gear, you get even better stamina regeneration.

Also, any high-level class can use a stamina potion from Warcrest as well as a crafted stamina potion. This means you have access to two stamina potions, each with a 1-minute cooldown, allowing you to almost fully regenerate stamina every 30 seconds using potions. That’s why I don’t take that into consideration.

[Florian90210]

IBs should be nerfed. No other tank can just freely go in and out in keep sieges.
Warbands doesn't even stop to kill them, it's just waste of time.