Which Class?

[Sual]

I want GREAT!! Melee damage but also a choice to heal O.K and i want SOME form or buff or kind of spells any kind not straight up melee... and I want the Drow race no matter what :)

Also it is ok to multiclass..

but any help.. not sure what to do :(

[~Jules921]

Ok so you want to melee, buff and heal in 1 character. Sounds to me like you want a warchanting bard. You will have to make some choices - but look in the bards section for the warchanter threads there are plenty with some good builds there. I got a lot of help from the regular posters there when building my warchantress bard. She's lvl 5 and a blast to play. She can tank - buff and play healer in a pinch.

Jules

[Ghoste]

I want GREAT!! Melee damage but also a choice to heal O.K and i want SOME form or buff or kind of spells any kind not straight up melee... and I want the Drow race no matter what :)

Also it is ok to multiclass..

but any help.. not sure what to do :(
Pft, that's where you absolutely lost my interest. Bye.

[Arianrhod]

Might want to look into some of the more aggressive paladin builds - "Vindicator", maybe?

[sigtrent]

You definately want to play a bard.

Go check out the various Warchanter builds on the bard forums.

[Sual]

Thank you guys very much!

[Flicken]

I don't know about warchanter for this particular case, but I would highly recommend a bard of some flavor.

[Sual]

Ya, iam looking into it most are 32 point NON-drow (cant have either of those :P)
bard i might actually try my hand at making my own THW build but wondering 2things..

What is best dps weapon for TWF and THW?
also is it proven that TWF or THW does more dps?

Wondering too... if i take Weapons Finesse does that hurt my damage at all if i just go all dex and no str?

[~Jules921]

I'll post my stats for my warchantress below. She's drow and if you're going to go drow, your weapon of choice would be shortswords and rapiers. You get some very nice racial enhancements for these weapons (plus to attack and damage) and the most sought after weapons are the wounding of puncturing items which you will see most often (when at all) in shortsword/rapier flavors. These are some of the highest dps in the game. I'll compare the numbers for this with the one from my laptop, and repost if necessary:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Warchantress
Level 14 True Neutral Drow Female
(2 Fighter \ 12 Bard)
Hit Points: 140
Spell Points: 491
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 12
Will: 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Stats Modified Stats
Abilities (Level 1) (Level 14)
Strength 14 16
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 12 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 18 22

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1


Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 14)
Balance 3 8
Bluff 4 6
Concentration 6 17
Diplomacy 4 6
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 8 12
Heal -1 0
Hide 7 19
Intimidate 4 6
Jump 2 9
Listen -1 3
Move Silently 7 19
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform 8 20
Repair 0 0
Search 0 2
Spot -1 1
Swim 2 3
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device 8 21

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I

Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Hypnotism
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I

Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Armored Agility I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I

Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Otto's Resistable Dance
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Heightening I

Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Glitterdust
Spell (2): Blur
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I

Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Spell (2): Soundburst
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II

Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Warchanter I

Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Good Hope
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II

Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (3): Displacement
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II

Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II

Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Spell (4): Dominate Person
Spell (3): Charm Monster
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II

Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III

Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Heightening II

Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I



Some thoughts on the build - reason for maxing out move silently and hide - to go into sneaky mode play my song to entrance the mobs then allow the rest of the party to take them out 1 at a time. The threads that details her build progression are listed below:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=122462
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=121864

Enjoy,
Jules

[Twerpp]

I want GREAT!! Melee damage but also a choice to heal O.K and i want SOME form or buff or kind of spells any kind not straight up melee... and I want the Drow race no matter what :)

Also it is ok to multiclass..

but any help.. not sure what to do :(


Drow? Little purple squishingtons.

[~Jules921]

I have two computers that I use for ddo - I was on my desktop when I first posted this which didn't have my final version of Warchantress. Below are the correct stats:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.75
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Warchantress
Level 14 True Neutral Drow Female
(2 Fighter \ 12 Bard)
Hit Points: 140
Spell Points: 490
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 12
Will: 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Stats Modified Stats
Abilities (Level 1) (Level 14)
Strength 14 16
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 12 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 18 20

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 1 (actually an item)


Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 14)
Balance 3 8
Bluff 4 5
Concentration 6 17
Diplomacy 4 5
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 8 11
Heal -1 0
Hide 7 19
Intimidate 4 5
Jump 2 9
Listen -1 3
Move Silently 7 19
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform 8 19
Repair 0 0
Search 0 2
Spot -1 1
Swim 2 3
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device 8 20

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I

Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Hypnotism
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I

Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I

Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Otto's Resistable Dance
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Heightening I

Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Glitterdust
Spell (2): Blur
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I

Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Spell (2): Soundburst
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Improved Drow Spell Resistence I
Enhancement: Bard Spell Penetration I

Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Warchanter I

Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Good Hope
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III

Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (3): Displacement
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I

Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II

Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Spell (4): Dominate Person
Spell (3): Charm Monster
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Music of the Dead

Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Enhancement: Bard Music of Makers
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I

Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music III

Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I



As to your question about twf vs thf -in my opinion twf gives higher dps as you are inflicting damage from two weapons in a single hit. There is a huge debate over in the barbarian thread - look for the fighter vs barb challenge - its long but the gist is that a capped ftg and capped barb went in a party to see who would do the most damage and the twf won hands down - like the barb had more than twice the number of kills compared to the thf fighter.

Hope some of this helps,
Jules

[Blind_Skwerl]

I think a THF can offer a bit more dps. You want to be using greataxes for the faster swing unless you get a big ticket sword like the SOS, +4 elemental burst of PG, etc...

THF offers decent dps, but better crit effects because of more attacks in a round.

I use THF on my battlebard. I like all the area effect dps.

In the end it's a small difference, just pick one and go with it.

[Sual]

I picked Sorc, because i didnt see an builds that i liked (was before you posted yours) so i guess no glowing weapons and high ac for me

[Arianrhod]

I picked Sorc, because i didnt see an builds that i liked (was before you posted yours) so i guess no glowing weapons and high ac for me

Heh...guess your concept has undergone a bit of revision since the original post of wanting great MELEE damage ;)

[~Jules921]

I picked Sorc, because i didnt see an builds that i liked (was before you posted yours) so i guess no glowing weapons and high ac for me

Well you can roll up another character :)

Jules

[Sual]

lol ya got my sorc to 5 than couldnt stand not having AC so I looked into a TWF drow fighter.

[Slayer918]

If your going with a bard TWF is higher DPS then THF the reason being that with your inspire courage song buff you get +6-8 or so to each hand (6-7 attacks) where as the THFer only gets it to one weapon (4 attacks)

[Sual]

Ya i had ideas for a TWF fighter, (put build in fighter section) but still debating weather or not the build is viable.

[Blind_Skwerl]

If your going with a bard TWF is higher DPS then THF the reason being that with your inspire courage song buff you get +6-8 or so to each hand (6-7 attacks) where as the THFer only gets it to one weapon (4 attacks)

But THF fighting gives you a str bonus for using both hands, AOE splash damage with a significant range, and higher base damage. Plus, you only need to get one of those (insert uber melee weapon name here), and don't need to spend precious points on lots of dex for the TWF feats.

[Blind_Skwerl]

Ya i had ideas for a TWF fighter, (put build in fighter section) but still debating weather or not the build is viable.

If you want TWF, go with a str based ranger. Get all those TWF feats for free.

[Obitus]

But THF fighting gives you a str bonus for using both hands, AOE splash damage with a significant range, and higher base damage. Plus, you only need to get one of those (insert uber melee weapon name here), and don't need to spend precious points on lots of dex for the TWF feats.

TWF gives you the same STR bonus, per DnD design:

THF gets 1.5 STR modifier to damage.

TWF gets 1x STR modifier on main hand, and 0.5x STR modifier on the offhand.

1.5 = 1.5.

Of course, the issue is a little murkier in DDO, because the length of a round isn't exactly uniform, because you have potentially massive damage (and in an AoE no less) as a two-hander via glancing blows, and because you can't have as many offhand attacks as you do main-hand attacks (DDO gives us an extra mainhand attack at BAB +1, and it gives us further extras earlier, despite that the BAB requirements for TWF feats remain where they are in PnP). But the STR modifier for both weapon styles is roughly the same.

However, static damage bonuses (like those from Bard song, or Divine Favor) are better on two-weapon fighters, because the full bonus is applied to each wielded weapon. It's as if a Bard were giving you a STR buff from which you could derive 2x bonus, instead of 1.5x -- whereas the THF guy is getting 1x instead of 1.5.

To put it another way: A fully enhanced Bard song from a Warchanter is +9/+8 to attack/damage. For a one-handed build (sword and board), that's basically the equivalent of +16 to Strength. For a TWF build, it's the equivalent of ~21.33 to Strength (32 / 1.5 = 21.33). For a THF build, it's the equivalent of only ~10.66 to Strength.

Again, glancing blow damage will tend to make the whole question academic; I'm not saying that a TWF build will necessarily outdamage a THF build with or without songs, but in a vacuum, mechanically speaking, Bard buffs do add more to two weapons.

[~Jules921]

Also glancing blows tend to wake up things that were mezz's or fascinated. You can be more selective with your opponents if you are TWF than if you are THF.

Jules