A different kind of tank

[MrBumberdumble]

Ok so first off, I just want to thank all you guys (girls?) for helping me out with the other melee thread I started a few days ago.  I received nothing but positive, helpful responses.  I'm definitely not used to that in a forum community, and will be spending more time here because of it.

That said, I'm looking for some more advice.  My good friend wants to create a tank.  I say that in MMO terms.  He wants a character that can control the field of battle, and force enemies to attack him.  He's not as familiar with optimization and he isn't a mathlete like most of the folks on this forum, so I want to keep it relatively simple for him.  He's not opposed to multiclassing, but I don't think he'd be able to handle a build that dips all over the place.  He also doesn't want to do the standard issue spiked chain, lock down tank.  He wants to try something a little different.

So that said, here's what I'm hoping you guys can help me find/build.  A tank build that incorporates the following:

1. Some degree of battlefield control without going the spiked chain/super tripper route.
2. Limit the number of classes to 3 including a prestige class
3. All 3.x books are acceptible, but trying to avoid campaign specific abilities within reason.  It's ok if they are from campaign books, though.
4. Be solid/playable starting at low levels
5. Limited spell casting.  He doesn't want to take caster levels if possible (I know that makes it tough.  He doesn't want to play a "complicated" character).
6. Does not have to be super optimized, but optimized for the most part.

Hopefully you guys can help me out with this one because I can't think of a damn thing.  My suggestion was to go the tripper route and just use a more interesting weapon like a whip or something.  He said he wasn't particularly interested.

[Sunic_Flames]

So he wants a Crusader Stand Still build but without any of the things that make that work? Good luck with that.

[Solo]

Knight 20.

There.

[MrBumberdumble]

So he wants a Crusader Stand Still build but without any of the things that make that work? Good luck with that.

Yeah I know...

Are there any tank builds out there that go a different route other than tripping?

[Sunic_Flames]

So he wants a Crusader Stand Still build but without any of the things that make that work? Good luck with that.

Yeah I know...

Are there any tank builds out there that go a different route other than tripping?

Not effectively. 10 + half level + half your dump stat saves, at an action cost are not effective.

Abilities that only work if you are standing directly adjacent to the person you want to take hits for aren't effective either.

If he's not willing to change his mind about the tripping thing, your options are to make up something completely different to let him taunt "mobs", or tell him his concept isn't supported by the system and to play something else.

[Rebel7284]

Knockback + expansion.  They still end up prone, but after a nice flight.

[RobbyPants]

Yeah I know...

Are there any tank builds out there that go a different route other than tripping?

Well, tanking is all about making guys attack you instead of your buddies, and you being able to take the hits.

Sadly, there's little in 3.x to force guys to attack you other than situational stuff that's entirely under the DM's control, like having access to a five-foot-wide choke point, or something.  That can make you a good tank, but then you kind of suck out in the open.

Tripping is nice because of two reasons:

1) it implies reach, which gives you the ability to affect a good portion of the field.
2) trips deny others actions and stop them from moving.  You can lock people in place or at least really slow them down.

There's not much in the non-magic realm that can really do that.  It sucks, but his only other option is to blast stuff for so much damage when he charges that they'll want to focus on him instead.  Your friend needs to redefine his build parameters.

[BeholderSlayer]

Wizard 20 is a pretty good tank.

[MrBumberdumble]

Lol true.

And yes I realize he's being rather ridiculous.  I think if I can talk him into going the trip route, in combination with just going Knight 20, he'd be happy and a reasonably competent (enough for his liking) tank.

[Sunic_Flames]

Wizard 20 is a pretty good tank.

Also Druid 20.

[the_shadowmind]

Binder X/KotSS/x, makes a half-decent tank, and it technically isn't a spellcaster.
So try:
Fractional BaB recommended.
Totemist 2
Binder 8 or 10-(Improved Binding feat)
KotSS 5(If binder 8, Acererak, Balam
If Binder 10-(Zceryll, Haures)
Binder X.

[InnaBinder]

Snow Elf

STR 12 DEX 16 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 8 CHA 21 before buffs; MUST GET INT BOOSTER!

Knight 4/Crusader 6/Eternal Blade 10

FEATS:
Combat Reflexes (PHb 92)
Mounted Combat (b) (PHb 98)
Goad (CAd 109)
Protection Devotion (CCh 61)
Weapon Focus (Glaive) - pick any melee weapon if he dislikes this one (PHb 102)
Robilar's Gambit (PH2 82)
Defensive Sweep (PH2 78)
Overwhelming Assault (PH2 81)

MANEUVERS/STANCES:
Foehammer
Defensive Rebuke
Revitalizing Strike
Entangling Blade
Stone Vise
Overwhelming Mountain Strike
Crushing Vise
Douse the Flames
Tactical Strike
White Raven Tactics
White Raven Strike
White Raven Hammer
-----
Iron Guard's Glare
Martial Spirit
Press the Advantage

[Rebel7284]

I'd dip warblade.

[The_Mad_Linguist]

If you want everyone to attack your character, play a kender.

[Solo]

Kender monk.

[InnaBinder]

I'd dip warblade.

I would too, but the OP wanted no more than 3 classes, and I felt the Devoted Spirit maneuvers and better recovery method would be more useful to the concept with that limitation.  The character I posted could be done as Knight/Warblade/Eternal Blade, for more INT synergy and less CHA focus.  At that point, a Painted Elf works better than a Snow Elf.

[Nunkuruji]

Although perhaps too much math

Druid or WildShape Ranger / Master of Many Forms


Although inferior to Crusader/tripped, could try and use some of the Complete Warrior weapon styles to at least force some other kind of effect: disarm, daze, etc.

Could build a Mystic Lash abusing character; persisted electric stun whip.

[Mixster]

Doesn't the King of Smack do this rather well? I mean dealing so much damage you can't be ignored is probably gonna make mooks want to target you, right?

Also, most builds feature him as an elan, meaning he can soak up loads of damage.

[snakeman830]

I remember seeing a build that used Shield Slam and Shock Trooper to great effect, providing an astounding amount of battlefield control in a rather surprising method.

IIRC, it varied with the race (I believe Half Ogre was used, although numerous large races could be instead).  War Hulk made up 10 levels of the build, slamming everyone with Knockback+Shock Trooper and a not insignificant Daze save DC (DC30 with just War Hulk and 20 HD, and you'll have a much higher Str than that)  If you hit someone, there was a very good chance they were useless for the next 2 turns (1 round dazed, the next getting up, with a likely 3rd turn for them to get back into range if they're melee).  It was also rather mobile as it could hit every enemy in reach as a standard action.

[carnivore]

what about a Ranged Tripper .... focus entirely on Dex .... and can combine with additional effects ... will get one for you later