Hello!
I am an Officer in
<Elite Runners> and that said -- I regularly tank elite maps.
>>This is my analogy for tanks when it comes to damage: WARRIORS throw pebbles. ROGUES and SORCERERS drop boulders.
>>Your focus is not to deal damage but to place your DPS team-mates in the best possible position for them to deal damage while simultaneously working to keep them alive.
My current build is as follows:
Pure
Strength for attributes
Skills:
Skyward Smash 4/5 (leave out Effortless Execution)
Chest Splitter 2/5 (only Staggering Blow)
Windmill 5/5
Axe Throw 5/5
Horn of Renew 4/5 (leave out Increased Duration)
Passives:
Might 5/5
Durable 5/5
...Now you might be thinking.. this guy is stupid.. Five skills? What an idiot.. Let me explain...
When tanking elite maps my skill loadout is SS, WM, CS, HoR up until the party reaches the boss. Once the party reaches the boss - I swap out WM for AT. This swap to AT now provides the opportunity to pull (most) bosses into the area in which the party is most capable of dealing damage i.e. the area with Rogue smoke - and - if playing with a good Sorcerer - a clock dropped in the smoke.
Pro-tip: CS is useful for enfeebling enemy critical attacks - so when an enemy is about to deliver a devastating blow -- do your best to time CS so that it goes off before the enemy delivers that devastating blow in attempt to lessen the blow to the squishies.
Pro-tip: unless you are tanking Breckenridge or Ydra Forest you should ALWAYS have HoR fully charged before using. HoR in this build has taunt which will help you maintain aggro. Once you release HoR - in theory - all enemies should switch their attention (and their attacks) to you. The invulnerability is key to surviving the barrage of attacks.
Pro-tip: SPAMMING POTIONS is a FULL-TIME JOB under HEAVY ATTACK so treat it like one.
Bonus commentary about gear:
Armor/Helm: Champions Chain/Helm of Will is the most budget friendly tank gear on the market. Noble Plate/Helm of Will is better but the difference in stats is barely noticeable and in my opinion does not justify the high price tag.
Amulet: level 25 Amethyst Pendant of the Tides
Ring: I use level 31 Glowstone Hoop of Assault primarily but I change it out with level 31 Arcane Braid of Fitness during times I need extra armor (AKA when my luck amulet is equipped toward end of boss-fight)
Weapon: I swear by the Vigilant Pavise of Fitness for tanking Elite maps - the damage output isn't spectacular but the bonus health and armor make up for it in a big way during boss fights. Refer to my analogy above if this low damage output comment is frustrating to you.
I hope this information helped! If you have any questions I will do my best to answer them.

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