Diablo® III

This guide was last updated on: 6/24/12.

Latest update:
I have added a video of myself duoing with my sexy DH friend from the beginning of Act 4 Inferno, all the way to the end, including killing Diablo. I also added a solo diablo video.

Here's the short (14 minute) diablo fight w/ commentary:
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322515131

Here's me soloing inferno diablo for all the people saying the Demon Hunter carried me (2 attempts, first one I took him down to a SLIVER. Both attempts in this video):
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322574007

Here's the long (1 hour, 23 minute) full act 4 run:
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322510827

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Yes, you read correctly. Tank Docta. Please don't ever call it Doctor, either. It's Docta.

Where do I start?

GEAR:
I'm progressing smoothly and safely with this build, and it doesn't feel nearly as volatile as my glass cannon build. Act 1 is trivial, act 2 is on farm-mode, act 3 is now on farm-mode as of patch 1.0.3, and act 4 is challenging but doable.

I've decided to release my stat detail sheet as well as reveal all my gear to the public now. On top of that, I display my gear chart. Check it out in this video:
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/321083595
(Note: The gear in this video is now rather outdated. However, you can still learn much from it, as I discuss which stats are important, and a great method on how to gear. I show my current gear and stats in most of my long videos.)

A helpful guide on what to search for:

Int

Resists

Armor

Vitality

Life Regen

(Optional) Thorns

(Optional) On-Hit Effects

BUILDS:
Before I even begin linking builds, I want to stress the importance of trying out as many different builds as possible. If you're farming, try to run at least 1 different skill, rune, or passive every single run! Test out everything that sounds even remotely useful! The builds I'm going to link are some combos that I found to work rather nicely. I'll list the pros and cons I've experienced with these couple builds. Once again though, these aren't necessarily the ONLY builds a tank docta can run. I'm not going to tell you how to use your skills, I'm pretty sure you are bright people and can figure out how to use your skills properly. If you're not sure for whatever reason, watch some of my videos. Let us begin...

Tank Docta Summoner (The build I use in the pet videos):
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/witch-doctor#WYXUTP!Zcg!ccYcYZ
(Except the act 2 pet video, I replace Fetishes with Soul Harvest)

UPDATE:

I made the pet build and demonstrations videos just to showcase their survivability (or lack thereof). I do not recommend running pets, nor do I run them myself in any serious setting. I highly advise waiting for pets to be buffed before seriously considering them in Act 2-4 Inferno. Act 1 Inferno and below, pets do very well with proper gearing.

Before considering pets, please watch this 20 minute act 2 demonstration video using pets:
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/321637299
(When I'm referring to this thread in the video, I'm referring to my post on page 8, located here:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5592455562?page=8#150 )


Pros:

Pets provide a nice damage soak when properly geared.

Pets tend to grab aggro really easily, making life much easier for your glass cannon friends.

If you go the thorn route, some people are reporting some impressive numbers in the 15k+ range.

Makes you feel less lonely if you're soloing.

Old-school throwback of Summoner necro, if that was your cup of tea.

By changing some runes around, you can go an On-Hit "Procta" build which focuses on spamming CC given by your gear. See this thread by Peter for more details:

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5594214282

Cons:

Low damage output, unless you manage to stack thorns really high or have wicked gear.

Unless properly geared for tanking, pets have low survivability until they are buffed in some way by Blizzard.

Long cooldowns on pets make it sketchy if all your pets die to some brutal combo like arcane + frozen + molten + plagued.

In later acts, pets survive even less.

CC-Heavy Tank Docta:
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/witch-doctor#WSXUdj!ZcV!ccYcZb
(OR)
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/witch-doctor#WaXUdj!ZcV!YbYcZb

Pros:

Obviously has heavy crowd control, enabling the tank docta to control the flow of battle.

Both builds are mana efficient.

Has some of the best survivability in the game.

Great for team play.

Very flexible in terms of being able to swap skills, such as hex for zombie wall, confusion for grasp, etc.

Cons:

Low damage output.

Toads are rather unpredictable and frustrating to use, not to mention, extremely annoying sounding.

In later acts, your low damage output will not be able to deal with rare monsters quickly enough, such as Illusionists, Extra Health, and Shielding. Enrage timers will make you rage. (Run with DPS friends or buy a godly weapon to counteract this.)

"Spray 'n Pray" Tank Docta (Newest experiment, and now my most commonly used build):
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/witch-doctor#caXUdQ!ZcU!bYYcZZ
Small Description:
I hate VQ as much as the next docta, but there's a time and a place for it. If you find your team doesn't have enough damage, this build can help solve that issue. Plagued bats spread poison damage, but don't cost nearly as much as zombie bears. I tried bears but you just can't sustain them reasonably without lots and lots of mana regen gear + passives. Give it a whirl and see if you like it. I'm pleasantly surprised with it thus far. I also use it for soloing now, due to the sheer clearing speed it has. Even though it is more dangerous and less tanky, I enjoy the hybrid style of this build.

I made a short (10 minute) video explaining this build a little bit, as well as demonstrating it on a couple rare packs. If you're interested, check out the video here:
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/321368410

Here's another (10 minute) video of myself soloing Belial with this build. I'm using Honored Guest (Spirit Walk mana rune) instead of healing journey:
http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/321396559

Pros:

One of the highest damage output builds I've tested so far for tank docta. You deal significant AoE damage, and respectable single target damage.

Bats are more mana efficient than bears, but still spread poison for bad medicine. Plagued bats also have a DoT component, which isn't listed in the skill description. If you find yourself low on mana, firing bats in 2-3 second bursts can maintain 100% damage upkeep. Then, during the DoT ticking (about 4-5 ticks), you can shoot off a couple Fire Darts for even more damage.

Much better range and ease-of-use than Toads. Also eliminates the annoying Toad-shout, and looks so much cooler as well.

Even though it's a VQ build, it's still very unique compared to the rest. Have you ever even used Plagued Bats? ;)

Cons:

Super mana reliant. Even with VQ, you're going to find yourself running out of mana at inopportune times. Try not to spam bats 24/7 to counteract this. Keep an eye on cooldowns and mana.

VQ forces you to blow cooldowns when you normally wouldn't want, just to juice back up. This is probably the biggest con. I sometimes have to blow Horrify on nothing, or Mass Confusion on white mobs, just to keep my mana up.

No spirit vessel! It's almost like playing hardcore! One chance, don't die. Some people might be turned off by this. I only recommend this build if you're farming an area you're comfortable with. Not an act you're trying to progress through.

There are plenty more variant builds for being a Tank Docta, and there's no correct one. Play around with every skill we have, be your own judge. Each video I'm running different skills, and sometimes in the same video I change skills up. If you still have a question about any builds I run, just ask!


VIDEO SECTION:
"Did you say videos?"
Why yes, yes I did. Tons, with more all the time! (*Hint, hint* Follow me on Twitch.Tv! *hint, hint*)

Recommended, Commentary, and Quick Videos for your Convenience:

Act 1 Inferno Tank Docta Pet Build Explanation and Sample Pack:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320407243

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta Pet Build Sample Farm Run with Commentary:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320501992

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta CC-Heavy (Petless) Build 3-man. Rare monster samples:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320632470

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta CC-Heavy (Petless) Build 3-man, 5-Stack Belial Commentary:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320871454

Act 3 Inferno Tank Docta Spray 'n Pray Solo Farming, 5-stack Cydaea & Azmo. Commentary with discussion on strategies and tactics:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322105727

Act 4 Diablo Kill CC-Heavy Support Build. Duo'd with DH. Commentary:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322515131

Long, Unedited Videos. These videos have tons of content for your viewing pleasure, with lots of juicy deaths, running, and everything nasty that I know you want to see, because you're sick and twisted like that:

Act 1 Inferno Tank Docta Pet Build, a full 5-stack Warden + Butcher run. (27 min long):

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320422611

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta Pet Build Farming Run with 3 & 4 players (1 hour).

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320930389
(Not the most successful run, but don't blame it only on the pets. We have a DH that dies when looked at, and 3 tanks. Still fun though, and the video showcases pet survivability quite nicely, except against specific affixes.)

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta CC-Heavy (Petless) Build 3-man full version. (1 hour, 49 minutes):

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320629737

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta CC-Heavy (Petless) Build 2-man and 3-man run (including 5-stack Belial and tons of singing in skype) (All ~3 hours of it):

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320860686

Act 2 Inferno Tank Docta CC-Heavy (Petless) Build 4-man 5-stack ZK+Beliak runs (3.5 hours):

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/321077295

Act 3 Inferno Tank Docta Spray 'n Pray Solo Farming, 5-stack Cydaea & Azmo (2 hours, with music and commentary):

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322097136

Act 4 Inferno Tank Docta CC-Heavy Support Build from beginning to end, including Diablo kill (1 hour, 23 minutes):

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/322510827
(Note: I went pure support for this run, since I had my favorite and sexy DH with me.)

If you want to hear me scream like a rabid pokemon during an inferno belial fight (as splinter cannon), watch this shiz:

Epic 5-Stack Inferno Belial Fail:

http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869/b/320959021

Plenty more videos on my channel, and plenty more to come. Please support me by following my Twitch.Tv channel (http://www.twitch.tv/mrmuffles869), droppin' a comment in this thread, or making your own unique build and guide! Break the cookie cutter trends! Also, if you go Tank Docta, let me know how it turns out for you!

If you have any questions or comments, lets hear it. Hope you enjoy.

Stay Tanky, Doctaz.
- MrMuffles

i was just thinking about trying a build similar to urs once i can that is and my gear will need 2 stats on it that im sure urs do to here is mine let me know if u can try it out and see if it works not sure if hex with heal is better then horrify since it will heal allies it should heal pets. and since pets will be getting a vit boost hopefully i decided to go with bad medicine rather then zombie handler

i believe it's all about EHP vs DPS ...

to be able to tank up to ACT 4, mayb mininum of 600k EHP is required, together with other WD skill, Tank Docta is indeed a good idea.

I'm only in act I hell but this is an exact build I have been theorycrafting but unable to try myself just yet. I've always felt toads especially are meant to be used in a tank or pet build considering the close range, so I've always felt tank docta was possible. Happy to see others thinking the same. I have a few questions:

What is your life on hit? Also, have you tried changing bad medicine for zombie handler? What are your thoughts on using sacrifice?

Finally, I might have missed it but whats your health at?

06/04/2012 10:14 PMPosted by Tyr777

i was just thinking about trying a build similar to urs once i can that is and my gear will need 2 stats on it that im sure urs do to here is mine let me know if u can try it out and see if it works not sure if hex with heal is better then horrify since it will heal allies it should heal pets. and since pets will be getting a vit boost hopefully i decided to go with bad medicine rather then zombie handler

I basically went Tank Docta for the Horror 100% armor rune, so if I decided to use Hex, I'd replace something else. Also, the Hex heal is not that great. Lastly, once (if) they buff pet health, zombie handler will be better than it is now, due to scaling with their health.

What is your life on hit? Also, have you tried changing bad medicine for zombie handler? What are your thoughts on using sacrifice?

Finally, I might have missed it but whats your health at?

I actually opted to not use LoH. Most people running LoH builds tend to run higher health pools as well. I'm at 29k hp only, with 750-800 resists. At a later time, I will explain in detail my gear and the reasoning behind it.

I'm running bad medicine to improve my tanking dramatically. If I took zombie handler, it'd probably replace fierce loyalty. If/When I run with a barb using the resist shout, I can see replacing Jungle Fortitude with zombie handler. (I'd keep bad medicine because it is a group-friendly passive.)

I think sacrifice is useless, sadly. The only rune that's worth anything is the one that gives you +% damage, which is worthy not for the actual damage or dogs, but the buff provided.

Cool video. My guess is that you're stacking +armor, resist and maybe a bit of -dmg %? I picked up a few pieces of cheap -dmg % gear to test it out and the pets held up very well in an inferno butcher run and my stats aren't nearly as good as yours (400ish resist, 3.5k armor). As a side note, I also happen to have a weapon that does just short of 1k life on hit and with poison zombie dogs and big stinker I was able to stand and tank packs of elites which was very cool. I also dropped fetish army in favor of locust swarm with the pestilence rune to get everything on screen debuffed as quickly as possible.

At the games current state I think you'd need some pretty incredible gear to make this work past act 1 unfortunately.

I'm running a similar build atm, however I'm finding that using toads is too little dps especially vs some bosses or treasure goblins.

Instead I'm running Widow maker spiders with Plague bats. Plague burn till OOM then spiders for dps while the DoT is ticking. Plague bats also really good high damage with short bursts.

Gearing is tricky too, so far I think if pets got more HP buffs then zombie handler + fierce Loyalty + Blood Ritual would be quite potent.

Blood ritual and fierce loyalty really make a noticeable difference in HP regeneration during combat. Actual HP regen gear never seems to do enough.

I was doing something similar in hell but gave up when I hit inferno, nice to see that it just might be possible.

Pets are proven to be definitely viable in Act 1 Inferno. Even with 300 resists and 3k armor, I can manage to finish until Butcher.

I am excited for the progress of this build doing great in the upper acts. The reason why I chose WD are the pets. Good luck!

I actually opted to not use LoH. Most people running LoH builds tend to run higher health pools as well. I'm at 29k hp only, with 750-800 resists. At a later time, I will explain in detail my gear and the reasoning behind it.

Why all the secrecy about the gear? besides maxing resists, what other stats are you stacking that we may not even be looking at?

also could you do an act 2 video with this build?

I don't know if I'd profess the success of your tank doctor build because you can kill the butcher with it... I can practically tank him down and I haven't focused on survivability anymore than anything else.. Act 1 inferno is kinda like...trivial?

Tank down Beleil or some of the elite snakes packs ect in Act 2, and I may consider your phonetic requests of your build name.

Yeah seems interesting. will definitely try it out.

How is Leeching Beast working for you? People are reporting that Burning Dog aura can leech for your health. I seriously doubt that 50% of their pathetic 9% damage is enough for themselves. And if you are using Leeching Beast for your health, isn't Burning Dog better in many ways?

06/05/2012 12:28 PMPosted by Jibikao

How is Leeching Beast working for you? People are reporting that Burning Dog aura can leech for your health. I seriously doubt that 50% of their pathetic 9% damage is enough for themselves. And if you are using Leeching Beast for your health, isn't Burning Dog better in many ways?

As I mentioned earlier in another response, I don't use Life on Hit gear. I have 0 Life on Hit, therefore burning dogs will not grant me any health. I actually took Leeching Beasts just to help them survive a bit, but really any of the runes work equally if you're not using LoH. Rabid for more single-target and bad medicine spreading, burning for more aoe damage, life link for more self-tanking, final gift if health globes float your boat.

Act 2 videos coming soon, stuck in a place with horrible latency until tonight.

I'd like to know the reasoning as to why you take bad medicine rather than zombie handler. I used a similar build all the way up to Inferno, where it ceased working well. But I always thought that Zombie Handler worked better for me than Bad Medicine.

CODO
Edited by CODO#1397 on 6/5/12 3:56 PM (PDT)
How come you can have two voodoo skills?

Elective mode, look in your gameplay options.

This looks amazing... I would love to go down this path too. Please toss me an ingame msg as I'd love to start working on the gear. Azral#1232

Thank you!

Wondering, using act 4 items to tank act 1.