Alistair Tank Build - The Juggernaut - Dragon Age: Origins (DAO)

Alistair Tank Build - The Juggernaut

The build is pretty straightforward and makes Alistair the Ultimate tank to stand his ground against the strongest enemies. Alistair is a very popular companion, first, he is the first one to join your ranks. Second, he offers unique and entertaining banter throughout the journey.

Regarding the build mechanics, the build will rely on heavy or massive armor to have a very high armor value. This will help to reduce incoming damage.

Defense stat, allows for the avoidance of enemy attacks, ensuring that Alistair does not incur any damage. This will be optimized for the latter part of the game, and the good thing is that this does not create any kind of animation that would slow damage output.

The last part is drawing aggro, this will be achieved with the help of a few talents, but mainly, having sufficient strength and access to Threaten. The latter will be invaluable as each hit will slowly increase threat levels, ensuring that enemy attention is drawn to him.

Attributes

In this section, I would like to review the recommended attributes for Alistair Tank Build. You will be required to pick them every level up, so optimizing and not wasting any of them will prove vital for the build.

There are a few goals that you want to reach first:

• Dexterity: 26 - unlocks all the talents in the Weapon and Shield tree. You should continue investing in it later on. But this is what I recommend to have as a starting goal.
• Cunning: 12 - unlocks more tactics slots via Combat Tactics skill.
• Strength: 42 - allows wearing heavier armor and improves weapon damage.

Here is my recommended way of reaching it:

You might see that one attribute is missing - the Constitution. The main reason is that you should be getting some of it from equipment. Moreover, the HP boost is very low. If you feel comfortable you can invest some points, but generally, this is not needed as good Armor and high Defense value will overcome this.

You could also play around with +2 Dexterity and +1 Strength once you reach 42 Strength. This way you would have a bigger improvement to defense at the cost of lower Threat generation.

Skills

This section will go through recommended skills to optimize the character. These unlock general utility actions or improve combat capabilities in terms of new talent levels or tactics slots.

Specializations

To be fair, you can play around with other Specializations like Berserk or Reaver if you are into more offensive playstyle.

Talents and Spells

In this section, I would like to go through the recommended talents for Alistair Tank Build. They are important in optimizing the various bonuses and what actions are unlocked.

Templar

I would not give this tree a high priority. The last ability is unlocked late into the game, and by that time you will probably have a mage with Mana Clash. So the talents here I kind of wasted.

Champion Tree

Only one talent will be relevant here.

Warrior

Powerful Tree

Precise Striking

Weapon and Shield

Almost all the talents are relevant for the build.

Shield Bash Tree

Most of the actions here will give some degree of control by stunning or knocking down targets.

Shield Defense Tree

Shield Block Tree

Equipment

The gear you use with Alistair Tank Build will play a crucial role in combat. There are various combos that you can go with. I would recommend going with either Heavy or Massive armor pieces as these will provide a substantial boost to armor.

Below, you will find the gear that should be used with the build. Generally, the lower the item is in the table the lower its priority and the earlier you can get it. So the top ones are the best picks.

Weapons

There are a lot of weapons to choose from in terms of one-handed. I listed just a few of them that I think are the best.

Item	Description
Starfang (longsword)	This weapon has the highest base damage, making it an excellent choice for Alistair. It also comes with 3 rune slots enabling it to further enhance it.
The Veshialle	This weapon would be the best one if excluding Starfang (longsword). It can surpass it, but this will require a huge strength investment which is not possible with AI companions.
The Reaper's Cudgel	A powerful mace with high direct damage and strength improvements.
Maric’s Blade	Use this weapon together with Cailan's Shield for the Cailan's Arm set. With the set, stamina regeneration will increase greatly allowing Alistair to use many more active talents. Moreover, it weakens darkspawn and increases damage against them.
Keening Blade	A late-game weapon was obtained from one of the bosses. It is a powerful option, but not as good in my opinion compared to others.
Asturian's Might	A sword that is a good progression between Oathkeeper and the higher Tier 7 swords.
Oathkeeper	A decent early-game sword that you can obtain in Lothering. Also comes with 1 rune slot

Shields

Similar to weapons, there are a lot of choices throughout the game for the best shield.

Item	Description
Fade Wall	If you are lucky to obtain this one, it is a very powerful shield to use on the tank character.
Champion's Shield	Can be easily stolen in Orzammar. The +12 Defense boost is significant and the highest in the game. Can be obtained early on.
Cailan's Shield	Use this shield together with Maric’s Blade for the Cailan's Arm set. Will boost stamina regeneration allowing Alistair to use offensive abilities more often.
Duncan's Shield	A well-rounded shield that boosts willpower, stamina regeneration, and defense. Unfortunately, you only obtain it late in the game
Warden Tower Shield	A solid shield with very good stats. However, it is not a guaranteed drop.
Bulwark of the True King	I would say one of the best shields in the early game, but requires a significant investment into strength before equipping it.
Eamon's Shield	An early game shield that can be obtained in Redcliffe Castle. It boosts both defense and stamina, allowing Alistair to use more offensive abilities.

Helm

Item	Description
Corruption Helm	Although this is an extremely good helmet for a tank, you obtain it close to the end of the game. You can use it against the last boss due to the high Spirit Resistance it provides
Helm of Honnleath	The only helmet to give direct damage and survivability boost in one. However, it will probably be used by the main character.
Juggernaut Helm	Equip together with Juggernaut armor set. The helmet provides +1 bonus armor
Bergen's Honor	I would say these helms are equal. On the one hand, you get some good bonuses to armor and attack. On the other +25 stamina with Executioner’s Helm is a really good boost for additional active ability during an encounter.
Executioner’s Helm
Helm of the Deep	Boost to the constitution for a bigger HP pool. A great helmet as you earn it for free early in the game

Armor

Item	Description
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Armor	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. This will increase Alistair's stamina and stamina regeneration. Moreover, it will reduce fatigue with the total set.
Evon the Great’s Mail	The Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set is lighter in terms of fatigue stats but has less armor. Still, with Evon the Great’s Mail which can be used instead of Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Armor, you will get additional armor, making it a very close contender, to Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Armor but this will cost a lot of gold.
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Armor
Knight Commander's Plate	The high spell resistances will make you a much better tank, able to withstand various magic effects.
Juggernaut Plate Armor	Mid-game armor that comes with significant elemental resistances and some boost to strength and constitution.
Warden Commander Armor	This armor can be excellent if obtained early. The negative aspect is that it will have lower-tier materials which will be outclassed later on. Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set.

Gloves

Item	Description
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Gloves	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. This will increase Alistair's stamina regeneration. Use it together with the whole set
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Gauntlets	Part of Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set
Juggernaut Plate Gloves	Equip together with Juggernaut armor set. The gloves provide bonus elemental resistance.
Warden Commander Gloves	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The gloves give a bonus of 10% fire resistance

Boots

Item	Description
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Boots	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. This will increase Alistair's stamina regeneration. Use it together with the whole set
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Boots	Part of Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set
Cailan's Greaves	These boots are an excellent way to reduce the chance for enemies to hit you. I do recommend using it with The Spellward and other items giving bonuses to dodge.
Juggernaut Plate Boots	Equip together with Juggernaut armor set. The boots provide bonus elemental resistance
Warden Commander Boots	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The boots give a bonus of 50 stamina
The Lion's Paw	Decent early games shoes that give chance to avoid enemy attacks.

Accessories

Item	Description
Andruil’s Blessing	The best belt available all around. The bonuses to stamina regeneration are great to counteract the sustained abilities.
Cinch of Skillful Maneuvering	You will need to finish Witch Hunt DLC to unlock this accessory. The chance to dodge is excellent for survivability improvement.
Buckle of the Winds	+3 defense boost to slightly improve the chance of avoiding enemy attacks.
Dwarven Warrior's Belt	Improves armor and strength for slightly more damage.

Amulets

Item	Description
The Spellward	It is one of the best amulets as it increases the mana pool adds a chance to dodge and a significant boost to spell resistance.
Pearl of the Anointed	The +1 to all attributes is a significant boost, especially at the start of the game.
Mark of Vigilance	Provides a decent boost to defense. Spell resistance and mental resistance bonuses are a good addition.
Magister's Shield	Provides a decent boost to defense. Spell resistance and mental resistance bonuses are a good addition. It does decrease nature resistance, which is a minor concern.
Heart of Witherfang	This can be equipped on Alistair due to a +1 Strength bonus.

Rings

Item	Description
Key to the City	One of the best rings in the game. It will be contested by many builds, so just listing it here as an option.
Lifegiver	Gives a significant boost to health. Overall, I recommend using it on the tank or on Blood Mage in the group to improve survivability.
Harvest Festival Ring	Overall good ring for the Warriors, improving damage, hit chance, and defense.
Ring of the Warrior	Overall good ring for the Warriors, improving damage, hit chance, and defense.
Dawn Ring	Significantly improves strength, which results in higher damage. This is a late-game ring, so it will have minimal impact.
The Lucky Stone	Gives +1 to all attributes. Excellent ring when starting the game.
Band of Fire	Good early-game ring, providing a bonus constitution for higher survivability.

How to use the Build

In this section, I would like to go through some general tips on how to correctly utilize the build.

Main mechanics

In this part, I would like to go through the core mechanics of the build. Although this is a companion build it is still crucial to understand how to best utilize it in the party composition.

Sustained Abilities

For this tank build, various sustained abilities can be used. You should be balancing between them. If you use too many of them, actions will cost too much, and there won't be much free stamina for Taunt or other active options.

Here is what I recommend:

1. Threaten - increases generated threat. With gradually increasing damage, this should easily keep the enemy's attention on Alistair.
2. Shield Defense or Shield Wall - use the latter if you are not using any mods with skill fixes, as the vanilla game version is bugged and does not reduce weapon damage. Otherwise, go for Sheild Defense.

And here are some optional ones, that I might use depending on the situation:

1. Rally - excellent talent to boost attack and defense values of yourself and allies. I would use this once you feel confident with Alistair's tanking capabilities. The upkeep cost is significant which could be used for another Taunt or other control ability.

Control and Damage

As a tank character, you will not be dealing huge amounts of damage or disabling multiple enemies with a single attack. Still, you have a few abilities that should make it easy to stun or knockback a foe to make the encounter easier:

• Shield Pummel
• Shield Bash
• Overpower
• War Cry - requires the Superiority upgrade. Without it, I would not even use the action.
• Holy Smite - very expensive ability to use, that should either be used at the start or not utilized at all. Sadly, its damage depends on Willpower so it's only good for stunning foes.

Draw the enemy's attention.

The most important part of the tank is to keep the enemy's attention - Threat generation. If you have the enemy's attention allies can freely inflict damage and use spells. Overall, the logic is that the more damage you deal (as a percentage of the target's total HP) the more threat you generate.

With Threaten active ability you should easily sustain threat levels at least on the single target. To help with other targets I recommend taking Taunt, which can further help with drawing aggro. In addition, staying close to the enemies will also generate threat.

Early Game Tactics

These are the tactics that I would use for the early game, up until levels 10-12. The game up to this point can be very hard, so you might need to do some cheesing. A few things of note:

• I would start with the Defender preset and work from there.
• Change Shield Cover to Shield Defense
• I would pick Threaten and use it at about level 8+. Before that, you will not have enough survivability to consistently maintain large numbers of enemies with Alistair

Late Game Tactics

These tactics are aimed towards the late game when you have most of the build talents covered:

• Due to limited stamina, you might not be able to utilize all of them
• Threaten could be disabled if Taunt is enough to maintain aggro, this will allow another use of something like Shield Bash

Conclusion

Thank you for reading the Alistair Build, post for Dragon Age: Origins. I hope you enjoyed reading this build and it will help you to optimize one of the best tanks in the game. With the correct gear and tactics, your playthrough will become very easy.

Feel free to leave feedback below