Tank mages...Can they still be done? Throwing, perhaps?

[Vittorio Di Riniari]

This is what I had planned before learning that special moves can't be activated while casting. While it's unfortunate to lose the enchanted Blade of Battle's myriad of useful bonuses, I'm considering Throwing, as it'd be easier to follow up combos with weapon attacks and I'd be less helpless if dismounted. The downside is that I'd have to completely rework the suit to accommodate for throwing.

I was also considering Swordsmanship for the Sword of Shattered Hopes, as it seems like I'd easily have the firepower to finish someone off if they were slowed. Thoughts?

Race: Gargoyle

Skills:
120 Eval
120 Myst
120 Fencing
100 (120) Focus
100 Tact
80 Resist
80 (100) Magery

Stats: 120 (129) str, 10 (20) dex, 125 (130) int
Resists: 72/80/71/70/70
HCI: 45%
DCI: 60%
FC/FCR: 2/6
MR: 22
HPR: 9
HP Inc: 25
Mana Inc: 40
Stam Inc: 16
LMC: 40%
LRC: 100%

Weapons: Blade of Battle with the Enchant spell cast upon it, along with a backup spell channeling +15% HCI shortblade and bloodblade.

Talisman: Faction Primer on Arms Damage Removal

Head: Faction Folded Steel Reading Glasses

Body: Five imbued leather pieces, splicing in an Infused Void Kilt and/or Lavaliere if I can somehow get them.

Bracelet: Faction Ornament.

Ring: Faction Crystalline Ring.

Shield: Faction Order Shield.

Robe: Conjurer's Garb.

Cloak: Quiver of Infinity.

Sash: Lieutenant's Sash.

Half-Apron: Faction Crimson Cincture.

 

[icm420]

I don't know anything about gargoyles, I have no interest in them and can't help you out there. What I can help you out with is a template I have been playing recently that is a "tank" mage.

120mage
120eval
120resist
120fencing
80poison
70tactics
80med

I have 10 extra points I am not sure what to do with yet, looking at skill jewels, I may go to 90 tactics or switch out to swords w/ capt. john hat. I have quite a few options, but what this guy does is nox/ai with a kryss with nox mage behind it. So far it's a blast, I am tweaking the suit constantly to get it right but it's working out good. I can't make up my mind on a shield or pot chugging, I don't have EP so I use a shield a lot, but I die sometimes to stupid things caused by stam blocks,etc. I AI for about 28 with grapes, not great but I only invested 70 tactics.. I wasn't going for 35 AI's when I built it, but I may try to get the damage up higher..once again tweaking the suit. The suit is the hard part of this temp because of it needing the LRC/mage mods and the HCI/dexxer mods.

Anyways most people right now are having a hell of a time adjusting to the poison so I abuse that, and then the magery end is just so nice mixed with it. I guess I could've done necro instead, but I decided that overall magery is stronger, more defense and healing options, summons and res.

Perhaps not what you wanted to hear but thats my newest "tank mage". Good luck with yours!

 

[icm420]

Oh I also wanted to mention that with a kryss you don't need much stamina to swing at max speed.. so take that into consideration because if you have to invest a lot of stamina/dex to get your weapon speed up it may not be worth it, or you may want to consider parry since you will have high dex to begin with.

 

[Vittorio Di Riniari]

I've already considered a template similar to that. Why would you choose AI over a cleaver's bleed? Purely for swing speed consideration?

 

[icm420]

No not at all, in fact I am considering moving to swords and picking up a cleaver. This temp has wiggle room, and an extra 20 points threw a Capt. John hat, mixed with the big HCI mod would be very nice. I happened to have 120 fencing on a stone and my guy had already eaten a 120 fencing scroll so I slapped it on there to try. Now I may also try to beef up my AI damage, if I am hitting 32-35 dmg AI's then a kryss would make much more sense. I am not sure what I am going to do yet, but so far I know this is the most fun I've had on a "tank mage" in a long time. I often think I should try 90+ tactics.. but I think the focus for me would switch too much to trying to use the weapon more then the caster end. I find that being a caster first and a dexxer second works better. But my goal wasn't to go purely disruption, bleed will disrupt and stop healing but it doesn't do the damage I want. In all honesty I think I am going to go for higher AI damage.. a 32-35 AI on an explode combo while poisoned would hurt. I'll see what happens, but like I said this temp has a lot of room to adjust.