What would be the best choice for a level 20 mercenary tank to end the game?

I have used the "Budget Trip Vivi" to great effect, but for my current playthrough I would like to try something tankier.

can do saint on a slightly lower stat budget. It won't matter by 20. generally would depend on what your party is lacking.

I am running a party of five, all of them builds of yours: Arcane Archer, Bard Jaethal, Annoying Dragon Val, Jubilost and Gozreh Cleric Merc.

The leopard is dying too fast and needs a replacement in the front line. Besides, Jaethal is not tanky enough

Well Yeah some monk tank would fit in alright. Depending on gear I'd have on hand I'd probably grab saint with serpent prince if I got that or with lion's claw if not.

Hooooray, finally finished my non-mercenary unfair playthrough.
Main Character is Sylvan Sorcerer, the party members I used for each boss fight are:

The Stag Lord
MC 6, Linzi 4, Jaethal 5, Valerie 4, Regongar 5, Ocatavia 5

Tartuk + Hargulka
MC 9, Linzi 8, Harrim 8, Kalikke 9, Jubilost 9, Ekudayo 9

Everblooming Flower
MC 12, Linzi 10, Tristian 10, Kalikke 11, Jubilost 11, Nok-Nok-11

Vordakai
MC 13, Tristian 11, Kalikke 12, Jubilost 12, Ekudayo 12, Nok-Nok-12

Defaced Sister at Abandoned Keep
MC 13, Linzi 12, Jaethal 12, Kalikke 13, Jubilost 13, Nok-Nok-13

Armag
MC 16, Amiri 13, Tristian 13, Kalikke 13, Jubilost 13, Nok-Nok 14

Irovetti + Engelids
MC 19, Linzi 18, Tristian 17, Jubilost 17, Ekudayo 18, Nok-Nok 17

Nyrissa
MC 20, Tristian 20, Kalike 20, Jubilost 20, Ekudayo 20, Nok-Nok 20

The Lantern King
MC 20, Tristian 20, Jubilost 20, Ekudayo 20, Nok-Nok 20, Tartuk 20

I bring Kalikke in most of the time because:
1) I didn’t buy DLC during my first playthrough.
2) If I cannot beat the game, I can still use True Strike Bowling Deadly Earth.

Glad I was wrong and don’t have to use Deadly Earth.

Thank you for your guide, it helps a lot.


There are somethings I want to discuss about.


=About Animal Companion=

I admit, we cannot give them Mirror Image and there is no way to save their low Touch AC, so they can never be the best main tank in mid - end game.

But… since the hardest part in this game is A1, and I must say Animal Companion really like beasts during early game! Especially when the party has enough buffs, even MC and Mercenary are no match for them.

And about Bear, because all Animal Companions will transform to Smilodon or Dragon in the end, so thanks to scimitar, Bear will have highest damage among all Animal Companions, it is not important, though.


=About Tristian=

You didn’t mention about one important thing makes him becomes “best of the best” story companion.
https://i.imgur.com/LVH32kO.jpg

Extend all 0-9 spells! Don’t even need to activate! Always works! And it can combine with Rods!
In end game we can have Maximized Empowered 12 secs stun Stormbolt without Extend Spell Feat, bwahahahaha!

None of the other companion nor mercenary can give us this, only Tristian can be the one: THE REAL WORTHY SACRIFICE!

Although I prefer to keep both Tristian and Jaethal alive.


=About Nok-Nok=

I’m using him as the damage dealer and off-tank in my playthrough, he’s doing fine. He even became my main-tank member after I got Gyronna’s Amulet.
Although I always need one Alchemist, one Cleric and maybe one Foresight caster to buff him.

The build is Knife Master 12/Slayer 6/Vivisectionist 2, not with any defense Feats except Dodge and Toughness because he came with them.

End game gears
Weapons= Fiery Blood + Cold Blood
Head= The Paragon of Defenders
Cloak= Castigator’s Cloak
Rings= Ring of Circumstances (DEX, AC, Damage, whatever) + Daring Duelist
Bracers= Bracers of Armor +8
Amulet= Gyronna’s Amulet for defense, River Fox’s Memento Pendant for damage
Body= Censor’s Robe
Belt= Belt of Physical Perfection +8, use Mirrored Belt before battle when not using Gyronna’s Amulet and need Mirror Image for him.
Gloves= Alkali Gloves
Boots= Opportunist’s Boots

He has 48 AC and 40 Touch AC without any buffs, not acceptable.
https://i.imgur.com/MnNZezE.jpg

After all long duration buff (Magical Vestment, Barkskin, Shield, Shield of Faith, Legendary Proportions, Reduce Person, Mutagen) and Haste, he has 76 AC and 46 Touch AC, much better.
https://i.imgur.com/G8nbgjq.jpg

And when I need to fight with Wild Hunt Scouts, I will add Blessing of the Faithful on him, now he has 47+ Touch AC to deal with Crystal, wonderful!
Too bad I must keep him in tiny size (So cute!) Makes he lost some reach and damage, it may fix by picking Combat Expertise, or hire a 15+ level Bard to help him with Inspire Heroics, Haha.

From what I know, there are only two boss battles he cannot be the main tank.
Kean (67 AB) and Wild Hunt Lantern King (66 AB), but I’m not worry.
https://i.imgur.com/G48Mj5B.jpg

By the way, during my test, I don’t know why The Lantern King always keep shooting the Animal while Tartuk (36 AC) in his sight…


=About Trip Merc=

Since it’s Trip build, how about taking Pummeling Bully?
Lost AC from Crane Style and Wing is painful, but free Trip within first hit per round always cool, don’t have to wait until bites.


=About Saves=

You said nothing protect against Domination, but I thought Cloak of Chaos, Holy Aura, Shield of Law and Unholy Aura should protect Mind-Affecting spells and effects? And I cannot find them on your important Cleric spells list.
https://i.imgur.com/zlbNnFB.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dxJzZsV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kBLiH7A.jpg

The only Mind Affecting effect I find those spells cannot protect against: Spawn of Rovagug’s shouting (Probably is “Corruption of the Rough Beast”) DC 39 Will save in unfair.
The spells will prevent Confusion or Domination effects show on the Effects and Conditions screen, but sometimes I find my members still lost control and act like they are under Confusion effect after Spawn of Rovagug’s shouting.

Another thing I want to add up: Defaced Sisters’ Baleful Gaze, neither Echolocation, Blind Fight nor Death Ward can protect the ability score drain effect, maybe Fiery Body can? My level still far away from getting Fiery Body while I fight with Defaced Sisters.
This can be a moment where we do need (Fortitude) save.

Lastly, the “Bestow Grace” mention in your guide is actually “Bestow Grace of the Champion”, they are two different spells, may you fix that?


=About stacking AB=

Just want to add up some non-personal “Other” Bonus can be stack.

Freebooter’s Bane:
Freebooter’s ability, maximum of +5 at 20th level.
It is good, but not worth it if somebody ask me, I prefer just to have low level Freebooter as a little bonus.

Freebooter’s Bond:
Another Freebooter’s ability, at 4th level, all allies within 30 feet who can see or hear the Freebooter gain an additional +2 bonus on attack rolls when flanking.
Can be helpful, makes a level 4+ Freebooter a good choice for party.

Mark of Justice:
11th Paladin (and Divine Guardian) will have this ability, evil creatures’ nightmare. Paladin’s allies add her Charisma bonus to their attack rolls against the evil target.
Too bad The Lantern King and Wild Hunts are Chaotic Neutral, but since there are many Evil bosses, this is still a particularly good ability for stacking AB for group.

Vanguard’s Bond:
Vanguard’s ability, at 4th level, Vanguard can grant half his studied target bonus against that target to all allies. Maximum of +2 at 15th level. (I tried, level 20 Vanguard still gives only +2 bonus to allies)
Hmm…Not a great investment if somebody ask me.

Magic Fang & Magic Fang Greater:
You already write about them, one of the reasons why Monk is so powerful.

Haste:
+1 AB, Haste is love, Haste is life.

Holy Sword:
Tristian, a Glory Domain Cleric, or a Paladin can cast this spell.
This spell gives Enhancement +5 to main hand weapon, if the weapon already has Enhancement +5, it won’t stack. BUT! It will stack with +0 ~ +4 weapons. I think this is a bug…
For example: Retribution will become a +9 Greataxe, while Vanquisher will stay as a +5 Greataxe.
https://i.imgur.com/MExtZc0.jpg

Anyway, in 2.0.8, it is a great spell for stacking AB and damage, especially for those great non +5 weapons like: Serpent Prince, Arcane Enforcer, Lion’s Claw, Steelwind…

--
At last, since you suggest people rob the lich during A2 and write about Ira abuse.
Have you considered write about Bank…oh, Bane of the Living grind in your guide?

Thank you again for your guide.

Nothing Tristian can get goes anywhere near community domain buff.

About nok-nok... he's usable. Anything is if you are focused on it enough. He just isn't great. Including when it comes to damage. With gyronna everything can tank, but gyronna is when you are pretty much just having fun choosing how to murder poor WH, so it's not like it matters. I don't like him. I'd sooner add abadar sacred ekun to the party. At least that's +2 to everything and another meatbag.

Speaking of meatbags. I didn't say pets are bad. I said they are meatshields. And that's true. And in a1 they are pretty useful, which I mention too. After that buffing them much is just a waste of time, imo. The party is strong enough and it's easier to just plug holes with them instead with minimal buff, if at all, which they do admirably.

Pummeling on a trip vivi is not what I'd do. He kinda does need that AC. 1 trip aint worth it, imo. 3 trips a round(if you micro it) are more than enough.

As to AB stacking it's about what you'd expect, that's why I didn't write a lot about it. Nobility, booter, bard, all works about how it's expected.

I'm not sure 'shield of' spells work against spawn. Think they didn't when I first tried it ages ago, although I might be mistaken. I don't bother and just nuke the thing from orbit in about 2 rounds instead. Great strategy. Works for everything.

Holy sword info is neat. Never tried it for that. Although it's +3AB/Damage for one guy instead of nobility +2AB/AC to everyone. So the latter is still miles ahead.

I don't feel you need to grind at all. Just skill exp will put you at 20 by pitax and you'll have a few mil spare to share with your party after, if you so desire. And gold is never a problem. Artisans shower you in expensive gear so long as you don't slack on kingdom progression.

It’s not about Domain spells or abilities, it’s about story reward.
[delete about spoiler]

You mention Nok-Nok ‘has low AC and no real way to fix it’ in your guide, isn’t that too harsh?

I know nuke is great strategy for everything, since 1 full round is more than enough to take down Spawn of Rovagug.
I simply curious about why you said nothing protect against Domination, and it still in your guide.

Holy Sword +3 AB/Damage? Isn’t Holy Sword +5 AB/Damage? And why compare it with Inspiring Command? Inspiring Command is Insight Bonus, we can have both.

And another new question about Sorc/AT build in your guide, why chose Fire instead of Electricity for Elemental Focus Feats? We are using Stormbolt, right?

I prefer making tristian destroy the oculus in the city for story reasons. Sure you can use it, but it's not so big of a deal.

Because there is no real way. He can't get mirror till late-game and getting 70AC on him involves giving him all tank items that could be better used elsewhere. Sneak damage is overhyped. It's just the easiest to use. I can make reggie or amiri deal more damage than nok-nok and have the same armor in the process without too much hassle and he wouldn't need the items. And after all the investments he's a mere DD/Tank with nothing else attached. Now that just won't do. Why would I spend so much on something that just does a bit of damage? He's ok for the gobbo village if you buff his scrawny butt, but that's about all the use-cases. He has too many levels in rogue out of the box to be useful and Jubi eats his cake when it comes to skill monkey guy in the party.

it's +3 from +5. If you are using falcata you are likely magus that ramps it to +5 anyways. so it's +3. I guess it's not bad, but limited access, high costs and relatively low duration is a bummer. Also the use case is quite literally limited to serpent prince and lion's claw. In every other occasion good +5 weapons will outclass everything else just by the virtue of other enchants.

It's because of the rod of flaming vengeance. That sorc doesn't give too much of damn about initial element of any given spell.

I prefer let Tristian alive, too, just as I said before.
But I still think it’s worth to mention under Tristian’s overview, especially I see you put Extend Spell feat and rods at many places in your guide.
And for those who want to use Eternal Clarity Jaethal, this is probably the most rewarded way to get rid of Tristian, don’t you agree?


May I ask what is the “real way” you mean?
I used gears, abilities, and spells to fix Nok-Nok's AC, and I think I success and prove he’ll be fine in unfair difficulty, yet seems like it still not the real way in your sight, is there anything I missing? Classes? Feats?

All tank items that could be better used elsewhere…Which one you mean?
Censor’s Robe? Neither Lawful Tank, Amiri nor Regongar will need it, they all have better choices.
The Paragon of Defender? Lawful Tank probably won’t use it.
Daring Duelist? Any better use except for melee member?
Bracers of Armor? There are plenty of them in game.
Ring of Circumstances? We have 2, one probably always goes to MC and the other goes to your favorite, besides Nok-Nok can still live without it unless he needs to be the main tank for Wild Hunt Scouts, which he usually doesn’t.
Gyronna’s Amulet? Top class Main Tank build won’t need it since they have enough AC and can cast Mirror Image themselves, besides Nok-Nok can still live without it unless he needs to be the main tank for Wild Hunt Scouts, which he usually doesn’t.

Make Amiri and Regongar deal more damage than Nok-Nok and have same AC… Including 47+ Touch AC?
Interesting, would you mind share the builds? Not using Crane Style series Feats, Right? Since even Nok-Nok doesn’t need them.


As for Magus, Holy Sword can stack with Arcane Weapon Enhancement, Lion’s Claw will be Enhancement +3, Temporary Enhancement +2, and Enhancement +5, so… Holy Falcata +10! Oh yeah!
https://i.imgur.com/MQLogYD.jpg


Rod of Flaming Vengeance transform spell damage, but spell’s DC still depends on initial descriptor.

Example:
Blue Draconic Bloodline with Greater Elemental Focus Electricity and Robe of Air; Red Draconic Bloodline with Greater Elemental Focus Fire and Robe of Fire.
Both mercenaries have 30 CHA and using Rod of Flaming Vengeance.

Blue Draconic Bloodline’s Stormbolt deals 20d8 Fire Damage, DC 37.
https://i.imgur.com/3b0mgCI.jpg

Red Draconic Bloodline’s Stormbolt deals 20d8+20 Fire Damage, DC 33.
https://i.imgur.com/00wNast.jpg

--
Lastly, still nothing can protect against Domination in your guide.
If you can fix that just like you fixed the Erastil Cleric build last time, I will be happy, haha.

I'd just like to point out that there are probably people using these guides that have not played through the game, so using gigantic spoilers about what certain characters will do in the late game is pretty bad. Let people experience the story themselves, and not metagame right out of the gates.

I actually don't. I try to keep spoilers to an absolute minimum I can and the benefit is not so great as to warrant it. It doesn't change anything about tristian himself and doesn't impact the playthrough at all. There are enough compelled choices in the game as is. I said I won't be shy from spoilers, not that I will shamelessly spoil all plot points of the game. It's the same reason I limited it to the guideline description of A1 instead of a step-by step guide to the whole game. It wouldn't be too much work to make a rigid go there, do that guide.

He doesn't do enough to warrant a spot and takes items. What exactly does he bring to the table? Damage? I can make at least two other companions do more. Utility? He has none. And being dex he is limited in AB buffs. It's not that he's unusable. He just takes too much and gives back too little.

He will hog paragon and eventually gyronna. Both are better used on a singing plate bard.

Touch AC is largely useless. It's pretty much a meme. With mirror and improved invis alone you will murder things faster than they'd put a dent. Sure it's ok to have it for free, but that's just saint.
As to builds - both booter Amiri and whatever reggie build will outpace him just by the virtue of being lower level initially. Reg build doesn't matter, really, he's just useless till midgame. Guess he can be an ok bard if you squint hard enough. Still more useful than Nok-nok, who has literally nothing outside of some sneak dice going for him. If you are so inclined on taking things with jsut damage and no utility you might as well take amiri to barb 16 with lethal strikes. At least she'd have more damage to show for her efforts.

Interesting. Guess that's useful. I'll test it later today and add if it checks out. Extra 20-27 damage top end on crit is not insane, but it's a nice option to have. If I were to jam PA with it, I can get somewhere between 350 and 400 on crit by the house, if my math doesn't fail me.

Well yeah, but I don't really care about stormbolt DC's, it's a high level spell targeting fort. It'll never fail and quicken rod chain ligtning base damage is low enough that there won't be much of a difference. But I do care about lower level fire spells. I want sirocco to knock down mandragoras. Fort is the lowest saves on WH and you nuke bosses with rays anyway. If there is any argument about elemental DC feats - it would be for getting rid of them altogether.

I will test it on my next run against spawn and chanter whenever that happens. I don't have the saves atm since I nuked em all. Or you can toss me a save before spawn to expedite the process.

Holy Sword stacks with "normal" enchantment. It would be an absolute joke of a spell otherwise. Sword Saint's echantment, on other hand, has long duration and can be trade for other things, so it's kinda fair it doesnt.

I see, sorry about spoilers.

--
Damage, Utility... those aren't about AC.
You said there's no ‘real way’ to fix Nok-Nok's low AC in your guide, I was asking what is exactly the ‘real way’ is.
I know Nok-Nok isn't best Damage Dealer, Main Tank, nor even Off-Tank, and can't provide any buffs for party unless make him level 12-13 Vivisectionist, and his high Trickery and Stealth doesn’t make him the only one who can complete the works.
I use him because I like him and want to make sure he can still stand in unfair difficulty, not because he’s better than anyone.

--
Touch AC is largely useless because we can kill all enemies before they hurt us… I must say this might lead to a conclusion: All things are largely useless except Control and Damage at the end… Since even spawn can be killed by one button with Grandmaster’s Rod Weird.

--
Alright, it’s time for some damage test festival!
Let us welcome our noble guest – Kean!
He has 825 + Rage temporary HP and 11/- DR! Let us see how long he can stand after he’s getting Paralyzed.

Here comes first challenger: My favorite Jester Hero, Nok-Nok!
He is a 12 Knife Master/6 Slayer/2 Vivisectionist, using Fiery Blood + Cold Blood.
https://i.imgur.com/ADMCHl7.jpg

Looks like he’s ready to go…
https://i.imgur.com/Cc4xXbw.jpg

Begin!
182! 124! 128! 133! 121! 178! 127! K.O.!
https://i.imgur.com/t3jDo7z.jpg

Now the second challenger coming: Unstoppable Woman, Amri!
She is a 10 Freebooter/4 Vivisectionist/3 Two-Handed Fighter/2 Barbarian/1 Slayer, using Amiri’s Triumpth. (I didn’t get Furious Greater Shock Oversized Bastard Sword +5 or Serpent Prince during this run, sad)
https://i.imgur.com/zwWxeAw.jpg

Oh! She used Freebooter’s Bane! The battle begins! She’s raging!
https://i.imgur.com/N57fFNd.jpg

227! 253! 146! 157! 142! 1 round!
136! K.O.!
https://i.imgur.com/tsVrQxH.jpg

Finally, last challenger: True Magus of the Stolen Land, Regongar!
He is a 20 Eldritch Scion, using Lion’s Claw.
https://i.imgur.com/Q2BtQ1c.jpg

He’s almost ready…only Rage and Transformation left…hmm?
https://i.imgur.com/lJLjx2v.jpg

Boom! Oh my god! He casted Hellfire Ray! Quickened Maximized Empowered!
872! Kean still stands after this crazy damage! And Regongar’s attack incoming! 222! K.O.!
https://i.imgur.com/RIJNhel.jpg

“There is nothing cannot be resolved by one Maximized Empowered Hellfire Ray, if there is, shot it with another one.”
－ Lander Lebeda (fake)

This festival’s Champion is born! Congratulations Regongar!

Ah! Seems like our Champion want to give us an encore, he’s ready with Rage, Transformation and Arcane Accuracy!
https://i.imgur.com/y3pvDTn.jpg

404! 217! 235! 198! K.O.!
https://i.imgur.com/l96wdhL.jpg

Thank you for your great help! Mr. Kean, you can rest now.

Some add up:
Unless critical miss combo happens, or else Nok-Nok always defeat Kean in 1 round, usually by 6-8 attacks.
If Amiri has 3 critical hits in first round, she can defeat Kean in 1 round as well, I tried about 20 times, that happens once, so she will defeat Kean by 5-7 attacks, she also has Cleaving Finish to against group.
Regongar always defeat Kean in 1 round, with Hellfire Ray, he only needs 0-1 attack to defeat Kean, since Hellfire Ray critical hit is 1 shot finished. Without Hellfire Ray, he needs 3-5 attacks.

All of them can deal more damage with Tale of Skerple buff, but it’s too random, I’m lazy.
Didn’t use food buff, again, I’m lazy.
Didn’t use Inspire Courage because I forgot to bring Bard or Sensei.
Didn't use Firebrand scrolls, again, I forgot.
Amiri and Nok-Nok can deal more damage with Oil of Bane Everything and Geniekind scrolls, but they’re so hard to collect, so I didn’t use them.

That’s enough about Nok-Nok for now, I did this test just for fun.
Seeing those harsh words about him really hurt my feeling, I won’t bother you any questions about his AC anymore.

--
Chanter not using Dominations during my test, she uses Overwhelming Presence, Song of Discord, Cacophonous Call Mass, all can be protected by Mind-Affecting immune spells just like Dominations.
https://i.imgur.com/DZ573Go.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9jBNrFm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/p9cavWX.jpg

Spawn is a special case.
It has a unique skill: “tMCHisah’scAA! EEIHsh’sraTZE!!!”, Mind-Affecting immune spells can prevent the pictures of Confused or Domination from pop in Effects and Condition screen, but sometimes party members who failed the Will saving throws still lose control. Like this:
https://i.imgur.com/O5SPMTn.jpg

Jubilost still has Holy Aura, and no Confused, Song of Discord, or Domination shows up, but he’s attacking Tristian right after “tMCHisah’scAA! EEIHsh’sraTZE!!!”
https://i.imgur.com/hDCmOb8.jpg

More interestingly, Nok-Nok and Okbo still have Holy Aura, yet they got Rage buff right after “tMCHisah’scAA! EEIHsh’sraTZE!!!”, which supposed to be another Mind-Affecting spell.
https://i.imgur.com/pQUBb44.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/q3cMeut.jpg

I guess this probably because “tMCHisah’scAA! EEIHsh’sraTZE!!!” is like Corruption of the Rough Beast, doesn’t have any descriptor itself.
https://i.imgur.com/CQb8ZT9.jpg

That's why neither Mind-Affecting immune spells nor Arcane Protection from Compulsions project can really against it.
https://i.imgur.com/vpcUx8y.jpg

Also, according to this, I think the reason why Heroic Invocation cannot protect Domination is: it makes you immune to ‘Fear’ and ‘Charmed’, yet both Domination Person and Domination Monster’s descriptors are ‘Mind-Affecting’ and ‘Compulsion.’
By the way, I still cannot find any ‘Charmed’ descriptor spell in game, even Irresistible Charm is Mind-Affecting and Compulsion, Charming Gaze is Mind-Affecting…

Oh, I used Regongar as a 16 Scion/4 DD in my last unfair run, too, best General path, hahaha.

I tested him with level 20 Scion because I want to keep both Bane Blade and Quickened Magic. (Q.M.E. Hellfire Ray!)
Next time I probably will try him with 19 Scion/1 Vivisectionist. (2d6 Sneak Attack + Mutagen vs True Magus + 1 more caster level, spell penetration and 6th spell slot)

By the way, don’t worry, DD only lose 1 caster level, so as long as we go with 16 Scion/4 DD, Regongar still get Greater Spell Access at level 20, won’t lose 5d6 Sneak Attack (Geniekind, Echolocation…) in the end.
https://i.imgur.com/x8rSqlr.jpg