Guide
Ash isn't an ideal solo tank, but with this build she can hold her own incredibly well with this build. It is also great for bullying your opposition and totally dominating a space. If you are the second (off) tank, use this to create space for your DPS and comforatble protect your back line/supports. Card choice reasons below:
Fortress Breaker - Ash' best Legendary. Some people may argue that the longer range Slug Shot is better, but this card is superb for protecting both yourself and your team, as well as completely denying space for your enemies. I only use this, solo tank or not.
Heavy Metal V - 750 extra health makes Ash incredibly resilient, and has saved my skin more times than I can count. A must pick for me.
Indomitable IV - I never feel the need to go 5 into this card, 56% is enough. If they don't have many/any CC champions, swap this card out and put some extra points into the other cards. ALWAYS have a CC and non-CC version of this build. More often than not you wiill need it with all the Terminus, Furias, Jenos and Khans out there however.
Percussion III - the bully card. This is great for getting rid of anything on point and just generally annoying your oppostions. Even if Khan CC immunes everyone, it stil does damage and is the second half of Ash' 1200 damage shoulder charge combo. Not a neccessary card but definitely great at controlling space.
Siege Engine II - Use this to get your shield back mega quick once it goes back on cooldown. Don't worry about aiming for big groups, use it against 1-2 champions if you don't think you can kill them (don't use if your team are shooting the same enemy, however this is VERY good for saving your supports. Flanks rarely reduce CC and it buys your support time).
War Machine I - 10% cooldown reduction for Ash is enough. Her cooldowns are long, so this has a greater impact. You do AOE damage so should be getting plenty of eliminations.
Buy full Cauterise as Ash is AOE damage, full Rejuvenation and usually Chronos. Master Riding is pretty good too if your cooldowns are fine. As a solo tank you never really want to use Shoulder Charge in big battles, this is your getaway ability. Use very defensively UNLESS it will guarantee your kill without leaving you in a bad spot. Just remember that is has a long cooldown, so if you think you may need it to 180 out of there, save it. I rarely use this aggressively, you will notice you hardly ever die if you follow the same rule. 90% of my Shoulder Charges are to get away from a lot of damage, or to get to a support if they are in trouble. Don't forget, a solo Ash isn't ideal so you will have to play her defensively.
Drop your shield first, fire a couple of caut shots and as your shield is about to end, fire off a Kinetic Burst. This will help get your shield back quicker, whilst keeping you safer once it ends. Your shield should really be up anytime you are facing even one enemy, but remember to hold onto it if you know a big push is coming, or if you spot an enemy flank on his way to your support.
Your ult is hard to measure a lot of the time. It does suprisingly good damage when you land on someone, so plan accordingly. I try not to use this when I am dangerously low, but more if I know I am about to be dangerously low. It is great at contesting if your team are on the way back in overtime, this is really its main use. If you know you will die at the end of it and the enemy will still cap, don't use it.
Ash is honestly my favourite tank and whilst not meta, she can be suprisingly useful (especially on console). With this build and some good game sense, you will do well with her.
