The tanker archetype is exactly that, a tank. These heroes are unstoppable juggernauts destroying all evil in their wake. The primary task of a Tank is to soak up as much damage as possible and to keep his teammates from getting hit. Quoted from the City of Heroes website. “The Tanker is the “big man” of the super team, combining massive defense with a powerful, but not-exceptionally-quick offensive punch. Tankers make effective solo heroes, at their own deliberate pace, but they are also in demand by teams, where their function is to keep enemy attacks off the lightly defended Blasters, Controllers and Defenders.”

Fiery Aura - You can engulf yourself in flames to protect yourself. Fiery Aura is the most offensive of the Tanker’s defensive Power Sets.

Ice Armor - You can dramatically reduce your core body temperature to form various armors of ice around yourself. You can protect yourself from many different damage types, and you gain exceptional resistance to Cold based attacks. However, this set offers little protection to Fire based powers and no protection against Psionics.

Invulnerability - Invulnerability gives you incredible abilities to resist damage and other effects. However, Invulnerability offers no protection from Psionic attacks.

Stone Armor - You can transform your skin into various forms of rock and stone. Stone Armor is one of the only Tanker Defensive Power Sets that offers resistance to Psionics. Stone Armor offers amazing Defense, but many Stone Armors are mutually exclusive to each other. Only one Armor power may be active at any given time.

Battle Axe - You can wield a Battle Axe and master a variety of powerful Lethal attacks. Battle Axe is a slow but powerful weapon that has a tendency to send foes flying. This massive weapon has a bonus to hit.

Fiery Melee - Fiery Melee allows you to attack with fire, and even conjure up flaming melee weapons. Fiery Melee powers tend to set foes ablaze for added Damage Over Time.

Ice Melee - Ice Melee allows the player to use Cold-based attacks, and even conjure up frozen melee weapons. Ice Melee powers are known for their ability to slow an opponent.

Energy Melee - You can use Energy Melee to power your blows with pure energy. These focused power attacks often Disorient opponents.

Stone Melee - You can use the powers of earth and stone to do battle with your foes. Stone Melee allows you to strike with fists of stone, summon earthen weapons, and even quake the very ground itself.

Super Strength - Super Strength gives you combat powers derived from your super-human physical strength. Super Strength powers tend to knock foes back.

War Mace - You can wield a Medieval Mace and master a variety of powerful Smashing attacks. Attack speeds are good, and the weight of the Mace has good Disorienting capabilities. The sheer weight of this weapon gives it a bonus to hit.

The first thing most heroes get when the power pool opens up at level 6 is their first travel power. Hover/Flight is not a smart choice for Tankers. A Tanker’s primary means of dealing out damage is melee. Since Tankers do not receive any ranged attacks it does not make sense to fly letting an enemy harm you without the ability to strike back. Either Leaping, or Superspeed is preferred.

Tankers are the backbone of any group dynamic. They keep other teammates alive, not by healing or doing the most damage but by taking the most damage. A Tanker’s job is to keep the enemies attention off the rest of your team. Do this well, and groups will be lining up for your help. In order to be the most effective tank you can be focus your enhancement slots on your resist damage abilities. Slot them with the highest enhancements you can find.