Protector Build?!

[FraggerDaddy]

Hey, im thinking about going for a Protector, because i found it quite interisting in VH3, but didnt look tofar into it in FC.

Maybe some of you that already played a few hours with him, could suggest me some skills that i should use for some good fun.

[datguy13]

Go up the chain for Retaliation. It's one of his more amusing Skills, even though it means you play the game at a slower, more purposeful pace and can't really button-mash. I also use the AoE auras Encircling Flame for extra damage, but you can mix and match to your tastes beyond the basic. Another good one is Flowing Combo. Spec into that as soon as possible, it's totally Op with a high Attack Speed. I'd avoid Cleave simply on the merits of it being counter-intuitive to a tank class, but if you construct the rest of the build right, it can actually be quite nasty.

[FraggerDaddy]

Originally posted by datguy13:

Go up the chain for Retaliation. It's one of his more amusing Skills, even though it means you play the game at a slower, more purposeful pace and can't really button-mash. I also use the AoE auras Encircling Flame for extra damage, but you can mix and match to your tastes beyond the basic. Another good one is Flowing Combo. Spec into that as soon as possible, it's totally Op with a high Attack Speed. I'd avoid Cleave simply on the merits of it being counter-intuitive to a tank class, but if you construct the rest of the build right, it can actually be quite nasty.

That sound nice. I guess first focus should be to get Flowing Combo maxed out, because retaliation only fills up with the tier 3 Shieldblock skill right?

[Statue]

I'm not sure if things are named differently due to localization or if I'm just not finding some of the skills mentioned. I see Embracing Flames but not Encircling Flame - are these the same thing? I see Arcane Retaliation, is that what people mean when they say Retaliation?

Just checking as I want to follow some advice I keep seeing on forums.

[FraggerDaddy]

Originally posted by Statue:

I'm not sure if things are named differently due to localization or if I'm just not finding some of the skills mentioned. I see Embracing Flames but not Encircling Flame - are these the same thing? I see Arcane Retaliation, is that what people mean when they say Retaliation?

Just checking as I want to follow some advice I keep seeing on forums.

I guess he just didnt remember the correct name, im useing the Embracing Flames and it works quite well.

Retaliation you get from Blocking attacks with ur shieldblock (only the tier 3) and it gives bonus dmg for your next attack based on the amount of retaliation you aquired.

I'm not yet sure if i really like Flowing Combo, but i wasnt really able to get thaat much bonus attack speed to really test it out. Its great for Trash but you take a lot of extra Damage if you fight multiple bigger Mobs, because the DMG gets split up. But i guess using both Flowing Combo and the Tier 3 attack from that chain for big mobs should work.

[wasabimousse]

what/where is retaliation? cant find it.

also im playing HC and for that i think a version of life leech is important

[FraggerDaddy]

Its the class ability, read the Despriction of the Shield Block Skill.

[datguy13]

Originally posted by Statue:

I'm not sure if things are named differently due to localization or if I'm just not finding some of the skills mentioned. I see Embracing Flames but not Encircling Flame - are these the same thing? I see Arcane Retaliation, is that what people mean when they say Retaliation?

Just checking as I want to follow some advice I keep seeing on forums.

Sorry, some of the names have changed since VH1/2/3 when the Skills were retuned over the last couple of years. I've been testing all the games, so I sometimes get the old names mixed with the new or just plaibn scren the name up.

Retaliation = Shield Block.
Encircling Flame = Embracing Flame

And in the case of using Retaliation to good effect at later levels, I recommend Smashing Blow. With a full Block meter, it can one-shot just about any normal, Veteran or Champion mob on all but Fearless or the Inhuman Difficulty levels.

[FraggerDaddy]

Originally posted by datguy13:

Originally posted by Statue:

I'm not sure if things are named differently due to localization or if I'm just not finding some of the skills mentioned. I see Embracing Flames but not Encircling Flame - are these the same thing? I see Arcane Retaliation, is that what people mean when they say Retaliation?

Just checking as I want to follow some advice I keep seeing on forums.

Sorry, some of the names have changed since VH1/2/3 when the Skills were retuned over the last couple of years. I've been testing all the games, so I sometimes get the old names mixed with the new or just plaibn scren the name up.

Retaliation = Shield Block.
Encircling Flame = Embracing Flame

And in the case of using Retaliation to good effect at later levels, I recommend Smashing Blow. With a full Block meter, it can one-shot just about any normal, Veteran or Champion mob on all but Fearless or the Inhuman Difficulty levels.

Where do you put your Ability Points? I currently spread them evenly on to top 2 and mostly ignore Fortified Mind.
I still have the feeling im doing mediocre amounts of DMG and still get massiv dmg from ranged mobs and DoT Abilities.

[Statue]

Thanks, some useful info here.

I too have been putting 1 point into each of the top two abilities and none in Fortified Mind. Seems to make sense intuitively.

My dmg is also kinda low but I have Katarina specced for ranged DPS and I just play tank, taunting and shielding while she takes care of business and hitting if my hp isn't dropping (working ok at lowish lvl so far, on Hard).

[datguy13]

I actually put quite a lot of points into Fortified Mind for the build I use. It helps in increasing the damage of the magic-type Elemental Skills like Embracing Flame, Freezing Sphere or Storm strike. Typically, I use two levels consecutive to build up Health (or 3 out of 4 points with the 4th point going to WM), then one level to build Fortified, then throw my extra points from quests and things like the Gluttoner Idol into Weapon Mastery. I also throw the two points from every fifth or sixth level into Weapon Mastery as well. The fact of the matter is that unless you build specifically as a melee glass cannon with purely offensive Skills, you're just not going to do enough damage with a Protector to merit spending too many of his Attribute points trying to build up his damage. Of course... it is possible to build that melee cannon, but it takes a fair bit of talent or experience to keep it alive at times.

The other trick is to collect gear that provides alot of Attribute/Ability bonuses while always building up Resistance and Defense. Go for stuff that has +XX All Resists and +XX% Item Defense especially, and whatever you do, DO NOT skimp on the Shield. Get one that has 43%-44% Deflection, good Defense and when possibe at least one good Ability bonus. Don't give a Shield like that up until another equally attractive Shield comes along.

One last tip: Auras. Pay close attention to the ones available. Some are good, but some are too situational to be effective on anything but a very narrow and specific type of build. Use careful consideration as to what's going to help you most, and if none of the available Auras really give you a boiost, then skip them until one comes along that does and use your Skill points for other stuff.

[Rookie]

Very usefull Thanks a lot, just added 2500 defense / 2k resist to my current build :P