Finduilas

I also think that people are overestimating the impact that improving resistance set bonuses would have on builds. Even if as someone suggested the current resist bonuses were paired like defense bonuses are, and doubled in size I don't think it would be possible to make a soft-capped for defense, hard-capped for resistance character with any AT.

The reason is simply that there are a limited number of slots, and in many cases slotting for one kind of bonus would preclude slotting for another. High defense sets that don't need many bonuses to soft-cap generally have low native resistances and it would be a long slog to get even one resist type to the 90% cap, let alone all of them. Currently, soft-capping high resist sets takes devoting most of the available slots to that purpose, and I really don't think there would be enough slots left over to cap more than one pair of resist types. And evidently, having soft-capped defense and being able to cap some resist types is okay, since Invul has been able to do it for some time.

I suspect that if resist numbers were made more attractive it would simply give melee ATs more of a choice; they could go for hard-capping some resist types OR soft-capping defense, and I don't think that's a bad thing, or overpowered.

But as you can tell, that's just a guess on my part, so if someone wants to try the experiment assuming resist bonuses were paired and doubled, it would be interesting to see if say, a Shield tank could soft-cap and hard-cap resists, or whether an Invul tank could soft-cap and significantly raise the amount of non-S/L resists.

I remember seeing a notice about the possibility of doing TT Justice in Praetoria--or at least partly in Praetoria. Is that on for this month, or planned for a future date?

I have a teenage tank in Praetoria all ready to go...

The second build is a good start, but I think you could squeeze some more S/L defense out of it by moving some slots around.

Defense slots in Indomitable Will only enhances Psi defense, and CJ has a relatively low base value, so taking a slot from each won't hurt much. Also, if you use level 50 common IOs in QR and Stamina, you'll free up a slot without losing much recovery. Also, change the level 35 resistance IOs in TG to level 50 and move the Steadfast +Def there, which will free up another slot.

Then I'd use the slots to 4 slot Taunt with Mocking Beratement and 5 slot Jab with four Kinetic Combat (or Smashing Haymaker if KCs are too pricey) plus a fifth slot with some accuracy and damage.

I'd also switch the slotting in Rage to two Rectified Recticle and 2 level 50 common Recharge IOs, for the 1.88% S/L def bonus. That will get you to almost 38% bonus.

That's the minimalist approach, but if you want to go whole-hog for S/L def, slotting Kinetic Combat in your ST attacks will give you twice the bonus of ToD. They're not cheap, but full sets of ToD aren't either. Here's a version with 43% S/L def and around 37% E/NE/F/C.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Apex: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Willpower
Secondary Power Set: Super Strength
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Fitness
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: High Pain Tolerance -- Heal-I:35(A), Heal-I:35(3), Heal-I:35(3), ResDam-I:50(43), ResDam-I:50(43), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(45)
Level 1: Jab -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:30(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(13), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(40), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(42)
Level 2: Punch -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(5), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(7), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:40(7)
Level 4: Mind Over Body -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(9), RctvArm-ResDam:40(11)
Level 6: Fast Healing -- Numna-Heal:35(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:35(11), Numna-Heal/Rchg:35(15), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:35(50)
Level 8: Indomitable Will -- LkGmblr-Def:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(15), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:50(37)
Level 10: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(34), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:50(37)
Level 12: Quick Recovery -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(13), P'Shift-End%:35(33)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Jump-I:35(A)
Level 16: Rise to the Challenge -- Numna-Heal:35(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:35(17), Numna-Heal/Rchg:35(17), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:35(19)
Level 18: Haymaker -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(19), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(21), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(21), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(23)
Level 20: Knockout Blow -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg:35(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx:35(23), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg:35(25), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(25), P'ngS'Fest-Acc/Dmg:30(27), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg:30(43)
Level 22: Heightened Senses -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:35(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:35(27), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:35(29), LkGmblr-Def:35(29)
Level 24: Boxing -- Acc-I:35(A)
Level 26: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(33), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(34), RctvArm-ResDam:40(34)
Level 28: Rage -- Rec'dRet-ToHit/Rchg:20(A), Rec'dRet-Pcptn:20(46), RechRdx-I:50(46), RechRdx-I:50(46)
Level 30: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def:35(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:35(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:35(31), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:35(31)
Level 32: Swift -- Run-I:35(A)
Level 35: Health -- Numna-Heal:35(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:35(36), Mrcl-Rcvry+:35(36), Mrcl-Heal:35(36), RgnTis-Regen+:30(37), Heal-I:50(45)
Level 38: Foot Stomp -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(A), Oblit-Dmg:50(39), Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(39), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(40), Oblit-%Dam:50(40)
Level 41: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(42), P'Shift-End%:50(42)
Level 44: Strength of Will -- ResDam-I:35(A), ResDam-I:35(45)
Level 47: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt:35(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(48), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(48), Mocking-Rchg:50(48), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(50), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:50(50)
Level 49: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:35(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 0: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 3% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 3% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 3% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 3% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 3% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 3% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 3% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 3% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 26.8% Defense(Smashing)
• 26.8% Defense(Lethal)
• 6.13% Defense(Fire)
• 6.13% Defense(Cold)
• 5.5% Defense(Energy)
• 5.5% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 17.7% Defense(Melee)
• 4.25% Defense(Ranged)
• 4.56% Defense(AoE)
• 1.8% Max End
• 12.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 12% Enhancement(Heal)
• 27% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 267.1 HP (14.3%) HitPoints
• MezResist(Held) 2.75%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 13.2%
• MezResist(Stun) 2.2%
• 20% Perception
• 2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
• 84% (6.57 HP/sec) Regeneration

Hmm, well, your build looks more than a little unfocused in terms of goals. You do know that Ice uses typed defense, right? Because although you've more than hit the soft-cap for S/L, you've used some sets that give primarily positional defense (Impeded Swiftness, Obliteration) which means you've used a lot more slots than you needed to to achieve that goal.

I would recommend making your primary goal to soft-cap S/L/E/NE without EA; you've gotten there for S/L, but not for E/NE. But to do that, you shouldn't have to sacrifice attack slotting; as it is, most of your attacks are poorly slotted.

From the top:

Frozen Armor/Glacial Armor: most standard armor toggles are fine with four slots. It's ok to five slot for a specific bonus like you did with FA, but not at the cost of underslotting other key powers. Glacial Armor needs at least 2 more slots, and I'd recommend three.

Sleep sets like Lethargic Repose are a poor choice for attacks because they don't provide any damage enhancment. I'd recommend four slots of Smashing Haymaker for the S/L bonus plus an additional slot to make sure it has enough accuracy and damage.

Hoarfrost doesn't need resistance slotting, it needs Heal and Recharge. I'd recommend 5 slots of Doctored Wounds.

Six-slotting CE for 1.25% S/L defense is a lot of slots for little return, especially since you can get the same bonus with four slots of Curtailed Swiftness. (If you need it, and I'm not convinced you will.)

If there's a choice between taking Permafrost and fitting in Hibernate, Hibernate is a no-brainer, IMO, it's a much, much more useful power. Since you do want to keep the Steadfast +def, use it as the sixth slot in Hoarfrost. If you do decide to keep Permafrost, take it late, it's much less important than the the other powers you could take pre-20.

Obliteration is a very poor choice for Icicles, it has high recharge, which Icicles doesn't need, and very little end reduction, which Icicles definitely does need. I'd recommend using 3 or 4 slots of Eradication instead, plus two slots of Scirocco's Dervish, heavy on end reduction. I'd recommend the same for Jacob's Ladder and Thunderstrike, though they don't need quite as much end reduction. Another good choice for Icicles is a Multi Strike set; 6 slots has plenty of accuracy and end reduction.

Speaking of Jacob's Ladder, I'd take it much earlier, since you currently only have one attack until level 14. Icicles can easily be delayed until later. And more importantly, take the Fitness Pool earlier; as it is, I'm afraid you're going to have crippling endurance problems until you get EA at 26. The Fighting Pool can and IMO, should be delayed until at least the 20s, and definitely after Stamina.

For Tough, I'd recommend using the 4 slots of Reactive Armor like you currently have in Hoarfrost and Permafrost. Weave is way overslotted; you are not going to be able to get meaningful amounts of Psi resist, so don't waste slots on it. Pull the Def/Rchg and End/Rchg slots; if you use them in Taunt to 6-slot Mocking Beratement you'll get some F/C def and a 7.5% recharge bonus.

Health needs more slots, and another in Stamina wouldn't hurt either. You want to be close to the ED cut-off on both, if possible.

Energy Absorption does *not* need taunt, Chilling Embrace and Icicles provide more than enough of that. You should aim to get EA as close to the ED cut-off as possible for Defense, End Mod, and Recharge.

Lightning Rod is a good candidate for an Oblit set, since it will benefit from all the recharge. Currently, it's poorly slotted for accuracy and has no end reduction at all.

Blessing of the Zephyr gives very poor return for slots for typed def builds, and since Ice doesn't need additional KB protection, I'd drop those and just use a Run IO.

Focused Accuracy is a complete ed hog, and since Ice has +percep in Glacial, pretty much all it's giving you is a to-hit bonus. I'd replace FA with CP instead, and use a Kismet +Def if you want the bonus. But honestly, I don't think you need Physical Perfection on an Ice tank, between Stamina and EA you should be okay end-wise without it. You might want to consider picking up Build Up or a couple of epic attacks instead.

Here's what I would do with your build; I dropped FA and Physical Perfection and picked up Hibernate and Build Up instead. If you'd prefer epic attacks, drop Build Up and Permafrost, but keep Hibernate. Note that I slotted LotG +recharges in the defense powers. If that's out of reach, budget-wise, you can replace the +Recharge with the Def/Rchg, or use another defense set like GotA instead.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.803
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
00-006: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Ice Armor
Secondary Power Set: Electrical Melee
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fighting
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Frozen Armor -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(3), LkGmblr-Def:50(3), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:50(5), Ksmt-ToHit+:30(29)
Level 1: Charged Brawl -- S'ngH'mkr-Acc/Dmg:35(A), S'ngH'mkr-Dmg/EndRdx:35(5), S'ngH'mkr-Dmg/Rchg:35(7), S'ngH'mkr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(9), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(11)
Level 2: Hoarfrost -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx:50(A), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg:50(9), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg:50(11), Dct'dW-Rchg:50(13), Dct'dW-Heal:50(13), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(15)
Level 4: Chilling Embrace -- EndRdx-I:50(A), P'ngTtl--Rchg%:30(7)
Level 6: Wet Ice -- EndRdx-I:50(A)
Level 8: Jacobs Ladder -- Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-%Dam:30(15), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(17), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(17), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(21), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(23)
Level 10: Taunt -- Mocking-Taunt:50(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(25), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(27), Mocking-Rchg:50(27), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:50(31), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(31)
Level 12: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
Level 14: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx:50(19), Numna-Heal:50(33), Heal-I:50(33)
Level 16: Thunder Strike -- Erad-%Dam:30(A), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(19), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(21), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(34), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(36)
Level 18: Glacial Armor -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), LkGmblr-Def:50(40), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(45)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(23), P'Shift-End%:50(37), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc:50(40)
Level 22: Icicles -- M'Strk-Acc/Dmg:50(A), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx:50(25), M'Strk-Dmg/Rchg:50(42), M'Strk-Acc/EndRdx:50(42), M'Strk-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), M'Strk-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(43)
Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(45)
Level 26: Energy Absorption -- P'Shift-EndMod:50(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg:50(34), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:50(36), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg:50(37), LkGmblr-Def:50(37), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(39)
Level 28: Chain Induction -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(29), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:50(31), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(33), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(34)
Level 30: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(39)
Level 32: Hibernate -- Heal-I:50(A)
Level 35: Boxing -- Acc-I:50(A)
Level 38: Lightning Rod -- Oblit-Acc/Rchg:50(A), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(42), Oblit-Dmg:50(48), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(48), Oblit-%Dam:50(50)
Level 41: Tough -- RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), RctvArm-ResDam:40(43), RctvArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(46), RctvArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(46)
Level 44: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx:50(A), LkGmblr-Rchg+:50(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46), LkGmblr-Def:50(48)
Level 47: Super Speed -- Run-I:50(A)
Level 49: Permafrost -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx:50(A), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg:50(50), Aegis-ResDam:50(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- ULeap-Stlth:50(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 3% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 3% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 3% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 3% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 3% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 3% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 3% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 3% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 11.4% Defense(Smashing)
• 11.4% Defense(Lethal)
• 10.2% Defense(Fire)
• 10.2% Defense(Cold)
• 10.5% Defense(Energy)
• 10.5% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 11.4% Defense(Melee)
• 6.75% Defense(Ranged)
• 8% Defense(AoE)
• 5.4% Max End
• 43% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 4% Enhancement(Heal)
• 37.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 10% FlySpeed
• 295.2 HP (15.8%) HitPoints
• 10% JumpHeight
• 10% JumpSpeed
• MezResist(Held) 2.75%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 5.5%
• MezResist(Sleep) 3.3%
• MezResist(Stun) 3.85%
• MezResist(Terrorized) 2.2%
• 2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
• 62% (4.85 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 2.21% Resistance(Fire)
• 2.21% Resistance(Cold)
• 15% RunSpeed

Yes, you can increase Psi defense/resistance, as Emperor Steele's build shows, but it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get both a substantial amount of Psi def/resist *and* soft-capped S/L/E/NE defense.

Personally, I think even with the "typed only" Psi attacks, you'll get a sturdier, better, all-around tanker by going the soft-capped route than trying to fill the Psi hole.

Unless of course, you're planning to concentrate on Psi enemies. And if you're going to do that, a primary that already has Psi resists like Dark, Electric or Willpower is a much better choice, IMO.

I believe that having 9 2x2 rooms is the most space efficient use of the 8x8 plot, even though it's very limiting in terms of aesthetics.

Most people either go with the setup you describe, or drop one of the porter rooms in favor of a 2x2 medbay. (I don't know about you, but there are hazard zones that I visit very rarely, so having space for 20 zones isn't too much of a hardship.)

BTW, aren't there 22 blue-side zones now that there's a beacon to Pocket D?