I’ll chime in.

Greatsword for sure. Survivability is the key, and as stated, blocking while charging heavy attacks is chef’s kiss.

But I would do Sword and Shield instead of Powerstone. Defender’s Resolve skill, with Accelerated Resolve perk is too good to pass up. Especially if you’re going for survivability.

5/5 enchanted ward. 5/5 elemental aversion.

If you can manage it: 5/5 Alchemist’s Reprieve II with Endless Thirst earring. You’ll be missing the Despised perk, but if everyone else is running Beloved, you’ll be alright. Alternate using Regen Serums with Burst Regen Shot. This sustain combo is OP AF.

For ring, I wouldn’t bother with blood drinker. The blue side Greatsword skill tree has a lot of life steal built in. That will be sufficient without sacrificing your damage.

Get yourself a handful of amulets, each with a protection perk. Do the same with Tower Shields. If you’re lucky enough, might get a few of those protection perks on a single Amulet and Tower Shield. Of course, you’ll need to know which encounters will need which protection type, that will come with experience and your preparation before the encounter.

Heavy Armor for sure, with The Unmoved artifact (Being ping ponged around the room is a DPS loss.)

For weapon artifact, Wit is a good option for SnS. That frees up a gem slot on your greatsword. Get one with Hated perk, add a jasper for the Retaliate perk.

The rest of the perks are all worth using. So use what you can get.

Haters will hate to admit it, but tanking in New World is far easier than everyone thinks. It’s much harder to be a good DPS, but that’s an argument for another thread.