User:Vallen Frostweaver/Build Archive/Hammer Stance Tank

Stats	Self/Enemy	Party/Allies
Damage	Medium to High	n/a
Defense	Medium	None
Healing	Low to Medium	None
Support	None to Low	None

This is a PvE build that focuses on the stance renewing ability of "On Your Knees!" combined with a powerful ranger stance that increases attack speed and blocks attacks. With high elemental armor and near constant physical blocking, this build is highly resistant to most damage and can deal it's share as well.

Attributes and Skills

Hammer Mastery	12
Expertise	9 + 1 + 3
Wilderness Survival	9 + 1

Earth Shaker

Crude Swing

Yeti Smash

"On Your Knees!"

Lightning Reflexes

Dryder's Defenses

Troll Unguent

Optional

Equipment

• Max furious hammer of fortitude.
• It's often beneficial to bring along an extra hammer with an elemental damage mod such as an icy hammer grip to help damage enemies resistant to physical attacks.
• Max Sentry's armor or it's equivalent for additional armor while in a stance.

Usage

1. Lead with Troll Unguent before charging into combat if you think you might be the target of heavy fire (especially if charging a group of casters instead of physical attackers).
2. Use Lightning Reflexes next to build adrenaline with Crude Swing to help (as you should be blocking 75% of attacks you will have a lower chance of interruption).
3. Use Dryder's Defenses if Lightning Reflexes runs out or use it first if you need extra elemental protection when charging enemies with elemental attacks.
4. Make sure you are in a group of foes before executing the next step for the best effect. It is best to already be surrounded by foes rather than seeking targets.
5. Start the chained attack sequence with Earth Shaker to knock down your foes, then Crude Swing to build adrenaline back up and damage opponents while they are down (which also helps avoid interruption), then Yeti Smash while they are getting up to finish the chain.
6. Either Earth Shaker chain again or use Earth Shaker to knock down your foes and "On Your Knees!" to recharge your stances.
7. Optional slot:
   • Antidote Signet to counter blindness if expected.
   • "For Great Justice!" to help build adrenaline when you need it most.
   • Apply Poison to spread degen and damage.
   • Dodge, Zojun's Haste, Storm Chaser, or Natural Stride for speed options.

Counters

• On hit hexes such as Empathy or Spiteful Spirit.
• Blindness.
• Adrenaline/energy drain.
• Anti-block/stance skills.

Variants

• For a non-AoE version switch out the 3 hammer skills for one of the below combos:
  • Counter Blow, Earth Shaker, and Crushing Blow - Deep Wound combo
  • Forceful Blow, Heavy Blow, and Fierce Blow - Weakness combo
  • Mokele Smash, Devastating Hammer, and Heavy Blow - Twin combo
  • Irresistible Blow, Counter Blow, and Backbreaker - Knockdown combo
  • Forceful Blow, Heavy Blow, and Crushing Blow - Damage combo

Notes

• Crude Swing may get interrupted while in a stance but it helps a lot to build adrenaline (as well as spread poison, see the Variants section) so don't be afraid to use it early and often regardless.
• Armor and Health are important as tanking requires these and you will not have any shield to help out. Having a teammate bond you helps considerably.
• A cooperative team allowing you to tank will make your damage even more effective as you will have the enemies around only you.
• AoE scatter skills used by your teammates will ruin the DPS of this build. Be sure to coordinate with them to avoid this.
• Beware larger enemies that are immune to knockdowns or enemies that use anti-knockdown skills.
• As you will be in the front line and tanking a Resurrection signet isn't always the best to have along as you can benefit more from other skills.