User:Ananzi/Elemental Tank

This build takes advantage of the nature rituals Greater Conflagration and Winter to convert all damage into cold damage, which Rangers already have +30 innate armor to. Since all the damage dealt will be cold, it can further be reduced by Mantra of Frost, Frostbound Insignias and a "Leaf on the Wind" inscription to give a Ranger 125 armor against cold damage that is not effected by the armor cap.

Attributes and Skills
[build prof=Ranger/Elementalist Earth_Magic=10 Expertise=8+1 Wilderness_Survival=12+3 ][Stone Striker][Throw Dirt][Optional][Poison Tip Signet][Stoneflesh Aura][Great Dwarf Armor][Melandru's Resilience][Optional][/build]


 * Suggest a few optional skill(s) if you included an Optional slot in the skill bar.

Equipment

 * Frostbound insignia on all pieces
 * Poisonous Sword (or axe) of Warding. Either a shield or a focus with a "Leaf on the Wind" inscription and a handle/core of Endurance

Usage

 * Cast spirits before entering combat
 * Maintain Mantra of Frost and Apply Poison and cast Throw Dirt against melee and Earbite whenever you can

Counters

 * Large amounts of armor ignoring damage
 * Death of spirits, though it is unlikely in PvE
 * This build, while it will usually not affect other builds, can seriously interfere with some skills and combos. Mark of Rodgort, Barbs, Winnowing, Mark of Pain, Order of Apostasy, Order of Pain and Order of the Vampire will no longer trigger. However, skills that usually ignore armor will still do so. Spinal Shivers and Grenth's Grasp will become more effective.

Variants
List the major variants.