This is probably just ignorance but..

[narosh]

what is the difference between consitution and metabolism? Would a tank
prefer one over the other?

[philu]

Put simply, constitution is how healthy you are.

The higher your contitution, the more HP you have.

Metabolism is the rate your HP regenerate after you have been hit.

A tank needs both.

[philu]

P.S. a tank would also need strength and balance to raise their Stamina.

See this post which has some information about it. (Post no 2 by Wolfstar)

http://www.ryzom.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180

[narosh]

Thanks, philu, that source does clear things up.

[philu]

No probs mate.

[lyrah68]

As a melee, you should max these and stamina and its regen before ANY other melee skill item. The more constition and metabolism, and the more stamina and whatever its regen is called, the better weapons and armor you can use, and the longer you can swing those weapons, and the longer you live.

Welcome to the game.

[sidusar]

As a melee, you should max these and stamina and its regen before ANY other melee skill item.

Isn't that pretty much true for all the four reserves you have? In my (limited) experience, you can usually hardly use the best attacks/spells/extractions available for your skill level unless you have the maximum stamina/sap/focus reserve and regen available to you. Maybe this changes at higher levels, I wouldn't know. As for health, you'll ofcourse want the best reserve and regen available to keep yourself alive longer, regardless of what skill you're using. Well, unless you're only crafting, as far as I know it's not possible to blow yourself up in an ammo crafting failure.

[aelvana]

Regen > ALL