Ironbreaker vs. Swordmaster

Here are two good threads on warhammeralliance that discuss the Ironbreaker vs. the Swordmaster.

Thread 1
Thread 2

It seems to me, based on the responses, that the Ironbreaker comes out on top as a tank.  Especially in the lower levels which is what most people got a chance to test on the preview weekend.

I've never played them, I haven't have the good fortune to get into the closed beta.  But most of the posts seem pretty well thought out.  The Swordmaster just plays as more squishy.

There's a couple things we know however.  One is that in any MMO there needs to be balance and any spin on an archetype needs to be "the same but different"  A tank of a certain level will inevitably need to absorb similar types of damage output in PVE, and be equally survivable in PVP.  Especially in the end game. Otherwise you have thousands of screaming players on your forums giving you grief. 

Certainly, different Tanks will have different roles in PVE and you'll want one of each tank in your guild, but in PVP balance is the watchword.

I fully expect that it'll take Mythic a couple of patches to make sure that tanks are well balanced in this regard.  When the game launches there will definately be issues with all classes.

Personally?  I'll probably roll 2 tanks, to hedge my bets.

Comments

[Kronor]

I tried out the Ironbreaker some over the preview weekend. I felt pretty weak and un-tanky at lvl 1. I had to run away from those litte squig mobs so I wouldn't die! LOL. But by lvl 6 I felt like an unstoppable tanking machine. I could hold my own against multiple mobs my lvl solo. In one of the PQ's I found I could also take and hold aggro extrememly well. Hopefully I'll get the chance to try out the swordmaster some time.

[Adhar]

Kronor, thanks for the insights. Keep us posted on your experiences

[Doomblade]

I rolled an SM and haven't tried out an IB, so I can't comment on their comparative leetness. However, my take on the whole of the comments in the various threads is that the IB is more in line with the common perception of what a tank is - in looks, play and effectiveness. I think the relative familiarity has some jumping to conclusions while the jury is still quite out.

My biggest criticism so far on the SM is that, while I've had plenty of survivability, I have had somewhat of a difficult time holding aggro. At least through level 19. I see some abilities on the horizon that I think will help with that, so I assume that it's simply a function of the leveling process.

Having lots of fun so far with my SM.

[Fenric (drifting castle)]

Well i have played a 2 mmo's thus far in my gaming career. the brilliance of Warhammer Online, and the continuous shifting disapointment that is World Of Warcraft. the same trends have followed tho. i start off playin some blitzy dps class, then i shimmy my way into some plate gear and try Dps or damaging with that class, since i enjoy the extended survivability.
i started playin the lovely pincusion that is a Witch Elf. then i stumbled into a T3 match and witnessed the wonderment that is the Ironbreaker. he WRECKED ME.

now i do understand that this is RVR or pvp that i am talking about BUT, i have done a few keep seisures amd just general PQ grindings.

when i am lucky to throw down as a tank i do notice that because i use my shield and axe i use 2 Aoe attacks...(stuff that helps me piss off the baddies so that they attack me more) and then the good ol' HATE-ME-MORE-CUZ-I-ATTACKED-YOU-attack and i never have an issue holding aggro or taking some damage... and that is with a lvl 5 shield and a lvl 12 one handed axe. and im lazily sitting at rank 17.

when i go to a keep siesure or a guild driven rape of a PQ and the Sword master is the tank, i notice some differences. even tho he sits there with the keep lord or countless enemies introducing his face to pain with a shield and sword, he tends to drop a lil faster than i normally would with my breaker. now am i saying they r hella squishy? nah. im just sayin maybe i was a hell of a lot luckier that i didnt have to tank it.... cuz then id be sweatin at my keyboard wondering if i was gonan fail everyone. the thing that i am Envious for is that i havent really seen a SW lose the keep lords focus. (i mean keep aggro if yall couldnt get that) where as im couting down as fast as i can on my taunt to throw it back on the bastard as he licks his lips lookin at my runepriest throwin some green numbers my way (once again i mean healin me....)
so as far as the comparison. i think its maybe a tie. which is hard for me to say.... as i am an avid dwarf fan.... MYTHIC, gAMES WORKSHOP, AND YOU OTHER PRODUCERS/PROGRAMMERS/CREATORS BRING IN THE SLAYER!!!!! COOOOOMMMMOOOOOOONNN!!!!!!!