GOAL: Evil Tholaghruvian Nexus Champion

[Thalanor]

AK does make survival easier. Note though that if someone really wants to kill you, they usually can (if they're T3 with most of their build completed) - that is intended. Noone is supposed to be unkillable

Adaption's main benefit is against pets, where the NC fares better than any actual tank class. Even a kinship behemoth (or seraph) can be killed by a determined attacker, though. It will just take more AP.
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Real Mages Cast from Mana

[Nook]

I'd like to cost an attacker as much AP as possible. but after a recent mini poll, I can see even a max IB can get taken out in 10 AP

[Wozzy]

AK is basically the best skill for ferals sleeping in Laurentia instead of the outer planes. It protects you from random mortals, who seem to crawl all over the place, but it will only slightly slow down a T3 (if a T3 struggled to kill another T3, it would be a pretty dull game).
Equilibrium will help, as long as you can get your MO up to 0. Otherwise, Tem shop can hook you up with some decent armor, and enchant it for you as well for a price (though you may want to ask about 1 or 2 durability since you don't have a faction to help with repairs).
If you decide to get Bengal Tiger, that will help you as well. Setting it on defensive means it won't mess with your MO, letting you stay neutral and keep your Equilibrium dodge.
NCs biggest weakness is their mundane hole, meaning you really want some armor. If you are dead set on being independent, you could get Tattoo of Spellcraft and Mystic Mail for 5 stackable hours of 5 mundane soak. It's not like your hurting on MP.