So I joined an EChrono this am that went south in a big way multiple times.  Pretty much the divine and arcane casters bailed us out.  Offers to recompensate pot use were refused.  But that completion should not have happened.

Elkabongg was the tank by default.  Although I knew I was not prepared for the task, I went with it as there were no other options available.  I failed in a big way.  My observations were:

1. To hit was an issue.  I needed to turn off power attack and still got misses on a 4 or lower roll.

2. Elemental damage was a bear to contend with on a toon without evasion.  I misjumped and was taken out by fire breath.  Other elemental attacks would take a giant chunk of hp away.

Elkabongg is my bard.  He is going through a barb life.  My plan was to get 20th reward lists in most raids then continue with his long term build plan.  He can be found here:  http://my.ddo.com/character/khyber/elkabongg/

Now since I was planning on continuing to TR him, eventually back to bard, I'm looking for help with his to hit and such.  If that can be helped at all.  He's a solid dps with around 850hp all raged out.  I have madstone boots, upgraded quariforged docent, Min2/Epic Antique Greataxe on him.  He still struggles to hit certain mobs in epic.

I'm a little frustrated with his performance currently and wondering if there is anything I can do to make him better in his current incarnation.  Opinions are welcome, if you have them.

Hey, Elka, you did a great job in that ToD last night as the Suulu tank, btw.  No issues with agro there.  You did a great job.

Agree with the above stuff.

Shintao set is a good booster.  Honestly, with a 55 strength raged tho (from your myddo), that's a +22.  With 20 BAB and a GS weapon you are looking at +47 with nothing else going on.  Throw in GH, haste, a +2 from the spectrals and you should be at +54.  With some recitation and bard songs you are easily topping +60-64.  PA will knock you back down to around the +55-58.  I don't know the exact AC of the end boss, but that should be sufficient in eChrono.

Epoch wrote on Jun 30^th, 2011 at 5:24am:

Issue with many a SS or Virt is people do not know how to build them... all bards should max out the IC APs. So a pure SS IC vs a splashed chanter should only be a difference of +1 damage - ic's to-hit then exactly the same. Personaly I been waiting patiently to see what tier three PrEs will be, I do hope notable as we waited over four years for tier II which btw was kind of a let down.

Funny thing about tanking him...  I did drag the Conjoined Abashai over to the pillars originally.  I botched my timing on jumping out of the way and got fried. 

Elemental Absorption items are an issue I am again seeing with this toon.  His first mishaps were in EVON6 on the fire base.  Compensating by getting his hp above the 500 mark helped immensely with fireshield scrolls.  Seems I may have to add more stuff to the 'to be crafted' list.

Epoch wrote on Jul 1^st, 2011 at 3:57am:


It doesn't fly on Khyber either Epoch. You're just grouping with a bunch of 'tards.

Not sure if you need any advice still, but after tanking this on my Pally and now Barb since Chrono came out, these are the 3 keys I find:

1: Reflex save 30+ buffed. I think 36 is save on 2+.

2: 50% and 33% Fire absorb (Cloak of Ice and Greaves for me)

3: Awareness - This includes jumping out on Ice and asking for new buffs that get dispelled and keeping your own combat buffs up.

You really only need 500 or so HP provided you have a reflex save...I have always stayed in for fire (first with evasion, then I added absorb gear to handle a 1 and realized half dmg + absorb gear is all you need).

A guildie has a rare ranger/fighter/monk AC build that can handle the damage fine but had trouble with agro simply because he was missing. +4 attack goggles and +4 hobglob's solved that issue though.

That is why watching your buffs is important, losing haste, GH etc might drop your to hit enough that you start missing and then lose agro.