✔ Taugrim's "Iron Fist" 25/14/2 PVP Tank Spec for SWTOR Powertech / Vanguard

This video covers my "Iron Fist" 25/14/2 PVP tank spec for the Bounty Hunter Powertech and Trooper Vanguard advanced classes in Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR). Vanguard and Powertech are mirrors so this video is applicable to players of both classes.

I designed the spec after discerning the limitations of the Defense (avoidance) and Shield (block) mechanics for tanks in PVP, as I documented here:
http://taugrim.com/2012/01/19/understanding-swtors-avoidance-and-mitigation-m...

Mitigation is king in SWTOR PVP. The two 2% mitigation talents and 5% mitigation from the tanking stance stack additively to provide 9% mitigation against all damage types (i.e. Elemental, Energy, Internal, and Kinetic) - you can see this by mousing over Damage Reduction on your Character window.

The 4-pc Tech set bonus, Flame Shield (Static Shield) talent, and Flame Surge (Static Surge) talent synergize to generate a high frequency of high-damage Rocket Punch (Stockstrike) crits.

Here is the spec used in the video:
- Powertech: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801GRGb0RroMZMcrroZb.1
- Vanguard: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#301GRGb0RroMZMcrroZb.1

The "Iron Fist" spec has been very effective for me in PVP, both group play and solo. It's designed to support aggressive close-quarters combat gameplay: you can tank and burn down MDPS and pressure and shutdown casters and healers, while retaining Guard, charge, and debuff capability.

For more information about Powertech / Vanguard PVP, please refer to my free in-depth Guide:
http://taugrim.com/2012/01/04/guide-to-bounty-hunter-powertech-trooper-vangua...

I queued solo for the Huttball match shown in the video.

Comments / Errata:
1. I had an incorrect Relic bound on my Quickslot bar. The point made in the video still stands: the level 50 Crit buff stacks with a Relic

UPDATE (2012/2/2): people have been asking about gear for this spec. Here's what you want to get:
1. Supercommando Shield offhand: to leverage the free +15% Shield Chance buff you get from the tanking stance. While I don't believe the Shield Chance stat is worth stacking for PVP, the +15% benefit is worth leveraging
2. Combat Tech 4-pc set: for the awesome +15% Crit Chance to Rocket Punch (Stockstrike). Alternatively, if you prefer the Supercommando set bonuses, you can go 4-pc Supercommando and swap out the mods for DPS ones
3. Go for DPS stats for the remaining slots: this means Eliminator, Combat Tech, and in some cases Combat Medic. The priority for the stats is what I documented in the Stats and Gear section of my Powertech / Vanguard Guide:
http://taugrim.com/2012/01/04/guide-to-bounty-hunter-powertech-trooper-vangua...

To see me PVP'ing live, check out the streaming schedule on TwitchTV. My stream features real-time commentary - and to the extent possible interaction with the Chat Room.

Cheers,
Taugrim

Twitter: @taugrim
Stream: http://twitch.tv/taugrim
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/taugrimtaugrim
Facebook: http://facebook.com/taugrim
GAMEBREAKER Host for The Republic show: http://www.gamebreaker.tv/category/the-republic/

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[taugrimtaugrim]

Iron Fist spec has been updated per the Surge Rating nerf in 1.1.3. Simply put given that fights are longer, mana management is more important now, so 1 point was moved out of Oil Slick (Smoke Grenade) to the 2nd point in Shield Vents (Shield Cycler).

[Mekias]

One thing I noticed that was wrong in this video. You said that the AoE accuracy debuff affects smugglers and agents because of their melee. Actually, smugglers and agents melee is all tech based. They have ranged and tech for their attacks. It will affect a sniper/gunslinger as they do a lot of ranged attacks but it won't affect an operative/scoundrel that much. Great videos. Just started up my Powertech again this weekend and am loving him.

[taugrimtaugrim]

@Mekias What I meant is that many of the bread-and-butter attacks for classes such as Sniper/Gunslinger are Ranged and therefore Defensible and Shieldable

[Shagthegoat]

Nice vid m8, but i was wondering if this spec is viable for tanking hm's?

[taugrimtaugrim]

@Shagthegoat I've tanked all 7 Hard Mode Flashpoints with this spec with a mix of PVP DPS and PVP tank gear.

It works fine.

It's not optimal, but it's fine.

[glikozzzz]

why you did not take the %3 absorption talent ?

[taugrimtaugrim]

@glikozzzz read the Guide article linked in the description for this video, I explain why I skip most of the Shield talents in great detail.

[taugrimtaugrim]

@cowgoesmoow the 3-sec root effect is *amazing* in PVP.

Roots do *not* build Resolve on the target. I recommend reading the Resolve article on my blog so that you are clear on the mechanics.

[youbet2011]

@Mareekaka your computer is bad or you wouldn't have these issues... I have a decent rig and I run everything as high as it goes, only place I have any fps issues is ilum

Q

[psynthpriest]

MVP the healer. <3

[LazieGenius]

@MaReekaka me too. im actually probably gonna go back to wow just cuz i can run it perfectly.

[Stratoforce42]

@taugrimtaugrim I found Oil slick/smoke grenade to be pretty bad and already did this anyway!

[wraithaur]

@taugrimtaugrim How often are you using retractable blade? Just often enough to keep the dot up?

As its a melee spec mostly i am typically hitting rblade, rocket punch, then the 10yard flame attack with a rail shot where i can...is this the normal rotation? I'm only to lvl 22 so far so don't have all the abilities to comment in depth.

[nosaj73]

@taugrimtaugrim Awesome video. FYI, it looks like you have the spec links reversed.

[FreedomFighter08]

Taugrim I like the close combat with vanguard but i wanna do dmg too and iron fist only lets me crit with stockstrike and barely anything else, your all ou dps assault spec lets me crit with alot of things not just stockstrike.