Tanks a Lot

[Raikami]

Okay, so I did actually ask this question a long time ago in early days of RoR. However, I want to ask it again after much work as been done and I've only very recently. (As in like.. of Nov 1st) returned.

Question is simple.. and likely a bit subjective. I'll break it into two parts as well.

Tanking: Which ones do you think are the best Offensively and the best Defensively.. and then separate all six of them from RvR to PvE. (I still do not even know if there IS actual PvE at this point.)

To clarify as well, when I mean Offensively.. I mean the more aggressive and damage dealing (Which isn't my preference) and by Defensive I just mean.. the raw capability to take hits and keep on going. Please try to keep the trolling to minimum folks, looking forward to the comments! (Also bare in mind, I am NOT asking what tank I want to play, simply opinions on all six from both PvP and PvE)

[Ramasee]

Ironbreaker has the highest EHP.
Swordmasters has the highest dps.
Knights have the highest demand. Every group under current balance wants a Knight.

In PvE, Knight MT guarding a SM OT has been the best way I've seen.

Although we have done 2h SM MT with a 2H IB OT that worked well. But that was before avoidance formula revert when weaponskill was actually good lol.

[stmarrow]

This would be my ranking of "best" offensive (i.e. 2H) tanks. This is completely subjective, of course, and I value defensive capabilities available with 2H such as Vigilance and WODS highly, so that you can keep guard up and don't melt in PvP.

1. SM - high damage and WODS, but low utility
2. BG - decent damage, utility and WODS
3. BO - high damage, low utility, You Wot (much worse than WODS, but at least you can keep dealing damage)
4. KotBS - low damage, high utility, Vigilance
5. Chosen - low damage, high utility
6. IB - decent damage and utility

All tanks are capable of doing all PvE activity with ease - at least as far as I know - so that shouldn't a deciding factor when selecting tank.

[Raikami]

Interesting.. so current demand doesn't even involve an IB, that is unfortunate as it is my preference for a class. Not that I'll change it as #DwarfMasterRace

[Raikami]

I see, so PvE is around but generally not a commonly huge issue as far as people concerned, hm. I should add upon this. I know 2H is commonly loved for killing folk.. but what about Shield users as well, are they even worth the trouble in current game?

[stmarrow]

Interesting.. so current demand doesn't even involve an IB, that is unfortunate as it is my preference for a class. Not that I'll change it as #DwarfMasterRace

I don't think I've ever run into a situation where I've been turned away because of my choice of tank class.

Do yourself a favor and pick the class which appeals to you both playstyle-wise and aesthetically, not the FotM choice, because you'll enjoy the game so much more.

Besides, balance happens all the time, and after KotBS/Chosen pass the list might look completely different.

EDIT: Shield use is absolutely viable, probably more so than 2H, I just don't have enough experience with defensive tank play to offer the same kind of list.

[tazdingo]

an snb defensive tank tier list is impossible to make as there are simply too many variables, and no clear concensus on whether relying on regen, avoidance or defensive stats is best practice when it comes to self presevation. you also need to consider what, if anything, each class can offer whilst in a highly defensive set up

however, in every imagining of this hypothetical list, IB is always somewhere near the top, due to their flat damage reductions, self regen and ease of capping defensive stats. BO and SM are reliably near the bottom

[Raikami]

I'm glad for all the swift feedback, and yeah. I'll always pick what I love, it is why I generally stick to Dwarves in generally. Please keep it coming folks, again I know it is all subjective!

[Ramasee]

You can account for the variables. Gear and abilities info is widely available. As the formulas. Ironbreaker has the highest effective health points on order faction. This is from a mathmatetical analysys.

In general for PvP, 2h for small scale, SnB for large scale. They excel in these spots no matter the tank. Some tanks can have viability outside of that rule though.

[kmark101]

IB is only mediocre offensively because it is the only tank in the game that has only physical damage type in their arsenal. Every single other tank class has either a magic basic damage type or an armor bypass (%) ability. IB supposed to have an armor debuff ability to counter this, but the armor ratings are so high in the current meta that IB is unable to make a difference. Thus, being at the bottom by far, until some of it's abilities damage type changed (for example the dots to corp?) or it's armor debuff isn't inceased by a decent value (or general armor stats are nerfed in the whole game).