Alistair the Juggernaut tank build - Dragon Age: Origins (DAO)

Who hates him? Probably no one. He has excellent conversations, interesting banter, and is probably the best setup to be your main tank in the party. The aim of this build is to make him a walking fortress - Juggernaut. What does this mean? The name goes over the huge Golems which were guarding the gates of Minrathous according to Dragon age lore

You can easily use this build on Nightmare difficulty, I did not have any difficulties and it had exceptionally good survivability.

Alistair Juggernaut Tank Build

This build will make Alistair the main tank in your party. Not only he will be able to soak damage but also shield himself from enemy attacks.

Attributes

Your priorities early in the game:

• Dexterity: 26

• Cunning: Level it to 14 maximum, to get some tactics slots

• Strength: at least 42, you need this amount to have the heaviest armor in the game

Once you have the above stats allocated here is what you should do at every level:

• +2 dexterity: increases Alistair's defense resulting in more blocks
• +1 constitution or +1 strength: if Alistair dies often or cannot handle enemies put points into the constitution. Otherwise, go for strength

Skills

• Tactics: 2-3 levels (based on how many skills Alistair will use)

• Combat training: Max

• Survival: 1-2 levels

Specializations

Alistair will automatically have Templar specialization and go for Champion. This makes Alistair a true walking fortress where your allies behind you feel safe due to your sustained skills and Warcry.

Talents

Alistair starts off the game with these talents already obtained:

• Shield Bash
• Shield Pummel
• Shield Block
• Shield Cover
• Powerful
• Righteous Strike

So I will not be including them in the progression. Here is how I recommend allocating your points for the build:

Order	Skill	Description
1	Shield Defense	Will increase defense resulting in more avoided and blocked attacks for Alistair
2	Shield Balance	Removes attack penalty for Shield Defense
5	Shield Wall	This is the main tank ability. It will increase armor and missile deflection. Moreover, with Shield Mastery Alistair will get bonus defense
6	Shield Tactics	Alistair will no longer get flanked by enemy attacks
7	Precise Striking	We mainly take this for progression
7	Taunt	This is a useful ability so that Alistair could divert enemy attention to himself if your other party member is being attacked
8	Shield Mastery	It will provide an overall boost to all the shield-related talents
9	Shield Expertise	Will increase the effectiveness of Shield Wall making Alistair immune to knockdowns
10	Cleanse Area	A good skill to be used when allies are paralyzed
11	Mental Fortress	We mainly take this for progression
12	Holy Smite	Extremely effective ability against mages, disabling them, draining mana, and dealing large amounts of damage
13	War Cry	This ability will decrease enemies' attack stat. Moreover, the Superiority upgrade will knockdown them
14	Rally	Will boost allies attack and defense
15	Motivate	Boosts Rally ability
16	Superiority	Boosts War Cry ability to knockdown enemies
17	Overpower (optional)	If late in the game, Alistair will have free stamina, and use it to get more offensive abilities
18	Assault (optional)	If late in the game, Alistair will have free stamina, and use it to get more offensive abilities
19	Threaten	Mainly take it for progression
20	Bravery	Boosts physical and mental resistance stats
21	Death Blow	Restores stamina after each enemy has been killed

Recommended Equipment

Generally, your priority should be stats that increase: constitution, health, defense, dodge, physical resistance, and mental resistance. Feel free to swap your gear if it is already used by another companion, to the one which provides these stats.

Weapons

Your goal is to get a weapon with 3 runes slots. Use them to either increase damage or Alistair's defensive capabilities

Item	Details
Starfang (longsword)	This sword should be taken if you want Alistair to deal more damage. Moreover, the weapon comes with 3 rune slots that you can use for improvement in the defense.
Keening Blade	Another good offensive option that has its damage scale well with Frost Runes. Has 3 rune slots.
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 abilities
Duncan's Sword	This sword can be obtained in Return to Ostagar, a great blade that can even last to the end of the game if you upgrade it with 3 Rune slots.
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

There are many shields to select. Mainly your priority should be the ones with the highest defense bonus. However, there are some exceptions:

Item	Details
Howe's Shield	This shield gives the largest bonus of +12 to defense. However, check other options in case Alistair will feel comfortable with less defense
Fade Wall	Provides bonus stamina and stamina regeneration. Good if you want Alistair to use more offensive abilities like Assault
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
Bulwark of the True King	The shield comes with the ultimate edition of the game. So it can be used quite early on Alistair
Warden Tower Shield	Provides +6 defense, willpower, and stamina regeneration good all-around shield.
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.
Earthheart's Portable Bulwark	Easily accessible shield early in the game. Provides a boost to dexterity, constitution, and strength. however, you will need 36 strength to equip it

Armor

Mainly, what armor you use depends on the set that you equip. So try to match your gear.

Item	Details
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Armor	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. Will increase Alistair's stamina and stamina regeneration. Moreover, it will reduce fatigue with the total set.
Juggernaut Plate Armor	Equip the armor together with the whole Juggernaut armor set. The armor provides a large boost to different elemental resistances
Warden Commander Armor	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The armor gives bonus stamina regeneration
Blood Dragon plate	I recommend using this armor early in the game because you get it with the Ultimate Edition and no investment is needed. Later on, switch it with one of the armor sets mentioned above

Gloves

Match the gloves with the set that choose to use. Otherwise, before the sets pick the ones that have the highest armor value

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

Boots

Choose the boots to match the set you wish to use. Otherwise, take the ones with the highest armor value.

Item	Details
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Boots	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. Will increase Alistair's stamina regeneration. Use it together with the whole set
Juggernaut Plate Boots	Equip together with Juggernaut armor set. The boots provide bonus elemental resistances
Warden Commander Boots	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The boots give a bonus of 50 stamina

Helm

Item	Details
Helm of Honnleath	This is the best helmet in the game. It is THE BEST option. However, I would recommend putting it on another character who is responsible for dealing damage.
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
Juggernaut Helm	Equip together with Juggernaut armor set. The helmet provides +1 bonus armor
Bergen's Honor	The helmet can be obtained early in the game and bought from the camp. It provides bonus armor and physical resistance.
Executioner’s Helm	I would say this is on an equal level with Bergen's Honor. However, it provides bonus stamina if you want Alistair to use more abilities
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

Belts

The top belts may be taken by other characters, so check in order which one you should get

Item	Details
Andruil’s Blessing	The best belt in the game provides a large boost to all stats and gives stamina regeneration
Cinch of Skillful Maneuvering	You get this belt after you finish Witch Hunt DLC. So it may not be accessible to everyone.
Embri's Many Pockets	This belt provides +5% resistance to all elements. If you do not need this stat as much check the options below
Buckle of the Winds	Provides a small boost to the defense. This will allow Alistair to block more enemy attacks
Dwarven Warrior's Belt	This belt can only be obtained if your main character has Dwarven commoner origin. It provides a bonus to armor and strength
Dwarven Smith's Belt	This belt provides +1 armor. Not as good as the other options, but can be useful early in the game

Amulets

Item	Details
The Spellward	I recommend this amulet as it increases willpower greatly. However, if you do not need Alistair to have additional stamina, check other options below
Mark of Vigilance	This amulet will boost all the relevant tank stats. The most important is that it gives a bonus to a defense stat.
Magister's Shield	Another amulet that provides bonus defense. however, it also decreases the nature resistance
Apprentice's Amulet	An amulet that can be easily obtained early in the game. it will boost Alistair's armor and elemental resistances

Rings

Item	Details
Lifegiver	I think this is the best ring for Alistair. It gives huge amounts of the constitution, health regeneration, and increased armor. All that this tank build needs
Key to the City	As this is one of the best rings in the game it may be taken by another character. However, if there is a possibility, equip it on Alistair for +2 to all attributes
Ring of Ages	This ring can be used effectively with Juggernaut armor set. Minimizing spell damage
Harvest Festival Ring	Equip this ring if you want Alistair to deal more damage and miss fewer attacks.
Ring of the Warrior	Similar to Harvest Festival Ring, however, does not provide bonus attack
The Lucky Stone	Another good ring, that provides +1 to all attributes.
Band of Fire	A decent starter ring until you get the ones mentioned above. Gives bonus constitution

Tactics

There isn't much here to do, your main aim is to tank:

• Generally, always have Shield Wall active.

• Have Rally active to buff yourself and your allies

• If you have Taunt use it whenever an ally is attacked

• If you are surrounded by more than two enemies activate Warcry

• Use Holy Smite if the target is using magic attacks (he is a mage then)

• If enemy health is above 75% user Overpower and Shield Bash

• Use Shield Pummel on the nearest enemy

• If an ally is paralyzed activate Cleanse aura to negate the effect

Conclusion

Thank you for reading the Alistair build for Dragon Age Origins. I am really proud of this build and please share your opinions on it!