I didn't try but I thought they let the tome vendor re-stock a tome every level now? (only after the recent hotfix and NOT at release) <shrugs>
I know crafting is nice, but I think I will try not to use it beyond a dedicated character for it. Mostly because the stat requirements tend to be really high for it, and I want to try a somewhat more versatile build this time around.
I'm pretty sure the witch curse will work, but you have to be somewhat close... 8 meters. I definitely underestimated her and it cost me dearly. I'm sure if I crowd controlled her, I could definitely get her. Madora took most of her life in one hit with a good crit. My main character did so little damage with the dual wield crafted axes though... sort of sad.
As for a tank build, there are a lot of reflect items and one reflect skill in man-at-arms. Unfortunately reflect only works on NET damage, not incoming damage so the more armor you have, the more of a favor you are doing for them. Unfortunately this is more of a passive build and in honor/tactician mode usually you want to be striking first, not the other way around. I might try it for fun in tactician mode but not honor. If you make the tank immune to elements, you can just drop all sorts of nasty effects and let everyone try to kill that tank and kill themselves on reflect.
It might end up being more net dps.