Replies: 77
Hey everyone, I’m Geraint (@GeraintAmbrosia) from the EU Megaserver, member and Dungeon Mentor of the social/casual guild Alith (http://www.alitheso.com)
I thought I’d share my Dragon Knight PvE tanking build(s) “The Blockade” with you all.
Please be aware that the following build variations are for endgame PvE tanking only, I don’t do PvP.
The skill points spent are only for the mentioned builds, feel free to spend points in other skill lines with your remaining points (all heavy armor passivies are a no-brainer anyway but also nearly all of the light/medium passives are good).
My build lists Champion point allocations for a character with 90, 150, 240, 300, 360, 420, 501 champion points as well as a split for stamina or magicka DPS for vWGT Flame Atronach boss.
Changes for Orsinium are in green
Latest update:
January 23rd, 2016 – build overhaul for Orsinium DLC, build update video
[spoiler]
October 2nd, 2015 – build overhaul for Imperial City, build update video
May 10th, 2015 – added new section “Food & Drinks”, made changes to champ point distribution for 90, 120, 150 & 180 points, removed 360 champ point setup, changed trait recommendation for the gear to reinforced, adjusted skill use on bar 1 & 2 (personal preference).
April 26th, 2015 – included video section & City of Ash video
April 7th, 2015 – Weapon trait recommendation change
March 23, 2015 – old CP video removed & corrections on CP passives
[/spoiler]
Build video (timestamps available in the video as well as in the youtube description)
Tanking a speedrun in veteran Imperial City Prison (VR16)
Tanking a speedrun in veteran White Gold Tower (VR16)
Race
I personally use an Imperial for the health & stamina passives but the build should work for pretty much any race.
Attribute distribution
All attribute points are put into Health.
Food & Drinks
I’m currently using either VR 15 blue food (health & stamina) or purple 3 stat food for more difficult encounters.
Star Sign
The Tower (Stamina) but if you think you got enough I encourage you to use The Mage (Magicka) instead and only in worst case select The Lord (Health)
Champion Point distribution
If you want to be a stamina DPS at WGT Flame Atronach boss fight
[spoiler]
Setup for 90 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 30 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
=> unlocks passive “Phase” (more armor and spell resistance after a roll dodge)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
=> unlocks passive “Synergizer”
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 30 points into “Mighty”
=> unlocks passive “Perfect Strike” (increases your Weapon Critical rating by 12%)
Setup for 150 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 30 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 10 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 18 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 2 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 50 points into “Mighty”
Setup for 240 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 45 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 15 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 40 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 10 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 80 points into “Mighty”
Setup for 300 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 65 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 15 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 47 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 23 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
From 300 point onwards I use a 2:1 point distribution for Warlord to Magician
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 85 points into “Mighty”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
Setup for 360 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 80 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 20 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 60 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 30 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 90 points into “Mighty”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Bow”
Setup for 420 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 100 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 20 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 70 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 40 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 100 points into “Mighty”
The Ritual – 5 points into “Precise Strikes”
The Ritual – 5 points into “Piercing”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Bow”
Setup for 501 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 100 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 20 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 27 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 10 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 90 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 47 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Ritual – 100 points into “Mighty”
The Ritual – 10 points into “Precise Strikes”
The Ritual – 10 points into “Piercing”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Bow”
The Apprentice – 17 points into “Blessed”
I’m using Blessed to increase my healing done with skills like Coagulating Blood.
[/spoiler]
If you want to be a magicka DPS at WGT Flame Atronach boss fight
[spoiler]
Setup for 90 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 30 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
=> unlocks passive “Phase” (more armor and spell resistance after a roll dodge)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
=> unlocks passive “Synergizer”
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 30 points into “Elemental Expert”
=> unlocks passive “Spell Precision” (increases your Spell Critical rating by 12%)
Setup for 150 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 30 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 10 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 18 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 2 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 50 points into “Elemental Expert”
Setup for 240 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 45 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 15 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 40 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 10 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 80 points into “Elemental Expert”
Setup for 300 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 65 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 15 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 47 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 23 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
From 300 point onwards I use a 2:1 point distribution for Warlord to Magician
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 85 points into “Elemental Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
Setup for 360 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 80 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 20 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 60 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 30 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 90 points into “Elemental Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Staff Expert”
Setup for 420 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 100 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 20 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 5 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 5 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 70 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 40 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 100 points into “Elemental Expert”
The Apprentice – 3 points into “Spell Erosion”
The Apprentice – 7 points into “Elfborn”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Staff Expert”
Setup for 501 points
Warrior Star Signs
The Steed – 100 points into “Block Expertise” (block cost reduction)
The Steed – 20 points into “Spell Shield” (increases Spell Resistance)
The Lady – 27 points into “Elemental Defender”
The Lady – 10 points into “Hardy”
The Lord – 10 points into “Heavy Armor” (reduces damage received while resurrecting another player by 15%)
Thief Star Signs
The Lover – 30 points into “Arcanist” (magicka regeneration)
The Tower – 90 points into “Warlord” (reduces stamina cost of spell & abilities)
The Tower – 47 points into “Magician” (reduces magicka cost of spell & abilities)
Mage Star Signs
The Apprentice – 100 points into “Elemental Expert”
The Apprentice – 3 points into “Spell Erosion”
The Apprentice – 20 points into “Elfborn”
The Apprentice – 14 points into “Blessed”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Blade Expert”
The Atronach – 15 points into “Staff Expert”
I’m using Blessed to increase my healing done with skills like Coagulating Blood.
[/spoiler]
Gear
My armor setup is 1L / 1M / 5H to get the maximum out of the Undaunted passive.
Tanking gear < 299 CP
[spoiler]
Option 1: Bloodspawn / Lord Warden – Footman / Mark of the Pariah – Hist Bark:
Head – Heavy – Bloodspawn / Lord Warden – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Shoulders – Medium – Bloodspawn / Lord Warden – Infused – Stamina enchant
Chest – Heavy – Hist Bark – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Gloves – Heavy – Footman / Pariah – Divine / Infused – Stamina enchant
Belt – Light – Hist Bark – Infused – Stamina enchant
Pants – Heavy – Hist Bark – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Boots – Heavy – Footman / Pariah – Exploration (Footman) / Infused – Stamina enchant
For the Head & Shoulders Undaunted set a heavy Head and medium Shoulders would be best, if you are unlucky to find them you can use either armor type to complete the set just make sure to create the Hist Bark belt in the right armor type to preserve the Undauted armor type attribute passive bonus.
You can also replace the Footman armor / jewelry with pieces of the Orsinium “Mark of the Pariah” set if you have it but I think Footman is the better choice even with the one exploration trait piece.
The trait is mainly infused instead of reinforced as you will be at or over the hard cap for pdef & spell resist as soon as Bloodspawn / Lord Warden procs.
If you can’t afford to craft prismatic enchants, enchant the big slot parts with any missing attribute enchant that you might need.
Jewelry – 2x Footman / Pariah ring, 1x Footman / Pariah necklace – block cost reduction enchant on all 3
2x 1h Sword – Hist Bark – Defending – Hardening (damage shield enchant) or Stamina / Magicka leech enchant
2x Shield – Hist Bark – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Option 2: Engine Guardian – Footman / Mark of the Pariah – Hist Bark:
Head – Heavy – Engine Guardian – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Shoulders – Medium – Engine Guardian – Reinforced – Stamina enchant
Chest – Heavy – Hist Bark – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Gloves – Heavy – Footman / Pariah – Divine / Reinforced – Stamina enchant
Belt – Light – Hist Bark – Reinforced – Stamina enchant
Pants – Heavy – Hist Bark – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Boots – Heavy – Footman / Pariah – Exploration (Footman) / Infused – Stamina enchant
For the Head & Shoulders Undaunted set a heavy Head and medium Shoulders would be best, if you are unlucky to find them you can use either armor type to complete the set just make sure to create the Hist Bark belt in the right armor type to preserve the Undauted armor type attribute passive bonus.
You can also replace the Footman armor / jewelry with pieces of the Orsinium “Mark of the Pariah” set if you have it but I think Footman is the better choice even with the one exploration trait piece.
The trait is mainly reinforced instead of infused to compansante that you will probably not be at the hard cap of pdef because Engine Guardian doesn’t have a pdef / spell resist proc.
If you can’t afford to craft prismatic enchants, enchant the big slot parts with any missing attribute enchant that you might need.
Jewelry – Footman / Pariah ring, 1x Footman / Pariah necklace – block cost reduction enchant on all 3
2x 1h Sword – Hist Bark – Defending – Hardening (damage shield enchant) or Stamina / Magicka leech enchant
2x Shield – Hist Bark – Infused – Prismatic enchant
[/spoiler]
Tanking gear > 300 CP
[spoiler]
Option 1: Bloodspawn / Lord Warden – Hist Bark – Willpower – Agility:
Head – Heavy – Bloodspawn / Lord Warden – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Shoulders – Heavy – Bloodspawn / Lord Warden – Infused – Stamina enchant
Chest – Heavy – Hist Bark – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Gloves – Medium – Hist Bark – Infused – Stamina enchant
Belt – Light – Hist Bark – Infused – Stamina enchant
Pants – Heavy – Hist Bark – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Boots – Heavy – Hist Bark – Infused – Stamina enchant
For the Head & Shoulders Undaunted set a heavy Head and heavy Shoulders would be best to get the highest overall armor stats, if you are unlucky to find them you can use either armor type to complete the set just make sure to create the Hist Bark armor part(s) in the right armor type to preserve the Undauted armor type attribute passive bonus.
If you can’t afford to craft prismatic enchants, enchant the big slot parts with any missing attribute enchant that you might need.
Jewelry – 2x Willpower ring (robust), 1x Agility necklace (any trait you still need) – block cost reduction enchant on all 3
2x Shield – Agility – Infused – Prismatic enchant
Weapon options: The Master’s Sword / Maelstrom Arena Sword / VR 16 Fighters Guild Prismatic Sword / any VR 16 sword with defending trait and hardening or stamina / magicka leech enchant
In worst case the Agility pieces can be replaced with Endurance set for more health (Grievous Ward shield is a part of that – ICP quest)
Option 2: Engine Guardian – Hist Bark – Willpower – Agility:
Head – Heavy – Engine Guardian – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Shoulders – Heavy – Engine Guardian – Reinforced – Stamina enchant
Chest – Heavy – Hist Bark – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Gloves – Medium – Hist Bark – Divine – Stamina enchant
Belt – Light – Hist Bark – Divine – Stamina enchant
Pants – Heavy – Hist Bark – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Boots – Heavy – Hist Bark – Reinforced – Stamina enchant
For the Head & Shoulders Undaunted set a heavy Head and heavy Shoulders would be best to get the highest overall armor stats, if you are unlucky to find them you can use either armor type to complete the set just make sure to create the Hist Bark armor part(s) in the right armor type to preserve the Undauted armor type attribute passive bonus.
If you can’t afford to craft prismatic enchants, enchant the big slot parts with any missing attribute enchant that you might need.
Jewelry – 2x Willpower ring (robust), 1x Agility necklace (any trait you still need) – block cost reduction enchant on all 3
2x Shield – Agility – Reinforced – Prismatic enchant
Weapon options: The Master’s Sword / Maelstrom Arena Sword / VR 16 Fighters Guild Prismatic Sword / any VR 16 sword with defending trait and hardening or stamina / magicka leech enchant
In worst case the Agility pieces can be replaced with Endurance set for more health (Grievous Ward shield is a part of that – ICP quest)
Option 3: Fashion Victim
Check out my build video for that one
[/spoiler]
Stamina DPS Gear (White Gold Tower veteran Flame Atronach boss)
[spoiler]
For this encounter you’ll need DPS gear otherwise it will be nearly impossible for you to close the portals in time with this build.
You don’t have to have “the best” gear but you should be able to close a portal with 1 attack.
Following a list of possible gear and also crafted alternatives (only one head or shoulder piece of Molag Kena is needed).
Head – light / medium – Molag Kena / Vicious Ophidian – any trait – Stamina enchant
Shoulders – light / medium – Molag Kena / Vicious Ophidian – any trait – Stamina enchant
Chest – medium – Vicious Ophidian – any trait – Stamina enchant
Pants – medium – Vicious Ophidian – any trait – Stamina enchant
Boots – heavy – Dreugh King slayer – well fitted – Stamina enchant
Belt – medium – Vicious Ophidian – any trait – Stamina enchant
Gloves -medium – Vicous Ophidian – any trait – Stamina enchant
Weapon – 1 x Agility Bow – Weapon damage enchant or poison/flame enchant
Jewelry – 1x Dreugh King Slayer Necklace, 2x Agility set rings – 3x weapon damage enchant
You can exchange any Vicous Ophidian with Dreugh King slayer parts as long as you keep 5 Vicous and 1 Dreugh King armor on.
If you have you can also use 3x Agility jewelry with a Master/Maelstrom Bow, 1x Kena Head and 1x Bloodspawn Shoulders and don’t use Dreugh King Slayer.
Craftable armor alternatives
Head – medium – Hundings Rage – infused – Stamina enchant
Shoulders – medium- Hundings Rage – divine – Stamina enchant
Chest – heavy – Hundings Rage – infused – Stamine enchant
Pants – medium – Hundings Rage – infused – Stamina enchant
Boots – medium – Hundings Rage – divine – Stamina enchant
Gloves – medium – Ashen Grip – divine – Stamina enchant
Belt – light – Ashen Grip – divine – Stamina enchant
Weapon choices:
1 x Bow – Ashen Grip -Weapon damage enchant or poison/flame enchant
Jewelry – 3x Agility with weapon damage enchants
[/spoiler]
Magicka DPS Gear (White Gold Tower veteran Flame Atronach boss)
[spoiler]
For this encounter you’ll need DPS gear otherwise it will be nearly impossible for you to close the portals in time with this build.
You don’t have to have “the best” gear but you should be able to close a portal with 1 attack.
Following a list of possible gear choices:
Head – light – Molag Kena – divine – Magicka enchant
Shoulders – light – Molag Kena – divine – Magicka enchant
Chest – heavy – Julianos – Divine – Magicka enchant
Pants – medium – Julianos – Divine – Magicka enchant
Boots – light – Julianos – Divine – Magicka enchant
Belt – light – Julianos – Divine – Magicka enchant
Gloves -light – Julianos – Divine – Magicka enchant
Weapons
Bar 1
1 x Master Inferno Staff (DSA) / Maelstrom Inferno Staff / Fighters Guild VR 16 Prismatic Inferno staff
Bar 2
2x Torug’s Pact Swords – Precise – Poison / Flame damage enchant
Jewelry – 3x Willpower set – 3x spell damage enchant
You can exchange Kena and/or the special staffs with crafted Torug’s Pact if you don’t have them.
[/spoiler]
Skills
This is the basic tanking setup before you make changes depeding on the situation
Bar 1
1 – Pierce Armor (Taunt)
2 – Burning Embers
3 – Hardened Armor
4 – Coagulating blood
5 – Defensive Stance or Absorb Magic – my personal preference is Defensive Stance
U – Magma Shell / Ferocious Leap
Bar 2
1 – Inner Rage (ranged Taunt)
2 – Heroic Slash / Deep Slash
3 – Choking Talons / Extended Chains
4 – Igneous Shield
5 – Defensive Stance or Absorb Magic (can be replaced if you don’t want it on both bars)
U – Shooting Star / any Dawnbreaker morph (depending on your selection of stamina or magicka CP)
Stamina DPS (WGT Flame Atronach)
1 – Snipe morph
2 – Evil Hunter
3 – Poison Injection (use only when boss is below 50%)
4 – Coagulating Blood
5 – Flames of Oblivion
U – Flawless Dawnbreaker
Magicka DPS (WGT Flame Atronach)
Bar 1
1 – Force Pulse / Crushing Shock
2 – Evil Hunter
3 – Elemental Drain / Destructive Reach
4 – Eruption
5 – Inferno (no morph)
U – Shooting Star / Dawnbreaker of Smiting
Bar 2
1 – Burning Embers
2 – Harness Magicka
3 – Engulfing Flames
4 – Coagulating Blood
5 – Inferno (no morph)
U – Standard of Might
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I hope this tanking guide helps you in your tanking build decisions, if you have questions or want to comment on it please reply here or pm me ingame (@GeraintAmbrosia).
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This topic was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by
GeraintAmbrosia.