Introduction
Fighter is a strong tank class that really excels in holding aggro on single target enemies or bosses. In comparison with Paladin and Barbarian , this vanguard doesn’t have 360 degree or wide angle damaging encounter/at will for AoE ( area of effect ). Thus making it hard to grab, hold or retake aggro on multiple target. But do not worry folks, we have really nice equipment that we can use to compensate for that. There are four job you need to do as a tank:
- Aggravation – Bring the enemy attention to you. Can achieve this by attacking the enemy before your party member, using damaging at will to deal damage and encounter that put you to the top of threat list.
- Survive – Since all the damage dealt by enemies are directed to you. High HP (hit points) and defensive stats is a must to mitigate the incoming attacks. The more you have , the higher your survivability will increase.
- Combat Advantage – Position your tank properly in combat by making sure the enemy is between you and your party member. This is probably easiest thing to do that gives a great boost to party potential DPS.
- Buffing/De-buffing – Choose mount power, primary artifact, summoned companion and weapon enchantment that can increase party’s damage or increase enemy damage taken/reducing target outgoing damage. This isn’t mandatory however using a personal artifact or mount power won’t benefit you or the team.
Race
Aasimar is currently the best in slot to be running as a tank due to increase in power, incoming healing, defense and maximum hit points. However if you do not have access to this particular race then the Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn is your next best option. This being said, your race wont make a dramatic different and it can come down to personal preference as I even use Human for its cosmetic.
Ability Score
The main ability score is Constitution due to increase on maximum hit points and action point gain as they are vital for an effective tank. The secondary can be personal preference depending on your playstyle. First being the Charisma due to forte which provides multiple stats such as defense. Another option could be Strength or Dexterity.
Stats Priority
As a tank your role is to generate threat but at the same time having enough defensive stats to guarantee your survivability. You want to be focus on Hit Points, Defense and Awareness. You also want to aim on Power and Combat Advantage for building threat and holding aggro.
Powers
Your stamina (AKA your shield) is 40% of your total Hit Points and your stamina depletes depending on the magnitude of the incoming attack while holding your shield up by pressing shift or tab.
At-will
Encounter
Daily
Class Feature
Feat
Equipments
Tank is the second cheapest role to build after healer. You can just use all the highest item level gear that you possibly can get and also make sure it give you the stats and equip bonus that good for a tank. That being said, there is a few gear I highly recommend which is Wisp of the Shadow Demon feet from Avernus Tier 1 hunt, Ring of the Condemned from Avernus’s map boss and Lionheart weapon set from Tower of the Mad Mage or Earthen Weapon set from Elemental Evil. Everything else is base on your personal preferences.
Weapon and Armor Enchantment
Elven armor enchantment is highly recommend to use because it can give huge increase of stamina regen. For weapon enchantment, try build or get Bronzewood if you can. If not can go with anything that apply de-buff to the enemy.
My Fighter
To make it clear, I am not the type that love to min-max everything. Ever since I started play Neverwinter, I always love more Item Level or gear score. But I do make sure I can hold aggro properly and have decent survivability before I equip or change my gear to higher item level that give useless equip bonus. Most of my offensive and defensive enchantment are not BiS since I just equip whatever I have. In dungeon or Trial, the potion/food buff I usually use is Caprese, Invocation Blessing, Flask potency and Foehammer’s Favor Elixir. They all really cheap and easy to get.