Sword + Shield, hammer throw doesn’t use you weapon damage at all. Throwing damage/speed → void damage → phys damage for damage scaling. Get your glancing blow % and block % way up and you’ll be super tanky.
Yes I went Forge Guard. The high level passives for Paladin and Void Knight were pretty underwhelming for Hammer Throw IMO. That said I’m starting to value defence more and more because the damage is really high so getting more doesn’t feel like it does anything.
Basically just stack the damage type you are using. Void, fire whatever. Then Throw attack damage. If youre not trying crit I would just go defense after that.