List of Fighter Related Questions

[BoBoDaClown]

Hiya,

Soon I unlock the 32pt builds and so am gonna roll my alt. This character is going to be a bit of a flavour character, but I still want him to be effective. I will post the build for analysis later, but at the moment would like some advice regarding some specific questions.

Essentially I am planning to build a Halfling high AC, high intimidate, tactics fighter -a tank, would like OK dps. I realise halfling's get -4 to intimidate, but am planning to max intimidate every way I can, and am willing to sacrifice a small amount of effectiveness (such as 70% landing vs 90% etc) for rp purposes.

My questions:

1) What benefit do I get for each of 3 possible paladin levels that I throw in? Do I need to use feats to get these benefits? or enhancements? Do I need to take the paladin/fighter levels in any particular order to get maximum advantage (I don't care if it all evens out in the end)? If you take force of personality, do you really need Paladin?

2) Trip/Stunning Blow: Do halflings get any disadvantage to this? I know in DnD they do, but suspect in DDO it hasn't been implemented. Do you need different kind of weapons for each, i.e. a slashing weapon for trip and a bludgeoning weapon for stunning blow? Does strength affect the DC of these? I do realise the viability of tactics might be limited, so will swap out the relevant feats at cap if I need to (or the rules change).

3) 3 Skills for 13 int - Jump, Intimidate, Balance or UMD? I guess if I have ahigh str I won't be knocked down as much anyway?

4) I was thinking of taking healing dragonmarks, or should I focus on raising will saves first? Do I really need to worry about the other saves?

5) AC - a bit confused here. Is 16 base dex what I should be gunning for - and make use of 3 armour masteries and three tower shield masteries? Or more masteries with more dex to gain max AC - I am unsure of the exact numbers in this relationship?

6) Str - I was thinking of starting with 16, although I could go with 18 (+2 tome), but I don't see much sacrifice with 16 and I can build a more rounded character - I lose 1 pt of damage (halflings get +1 to attack) and maybe one of trip/stunning DC?

7) Just an off the wall idea - is a finesse build viable? Still sword and board, but focus all pts into dex, and use vorpals, banes, etc for damage? I thought I could screw myself with this if dps become vital as the game expands.

8) Is precision viable? To mitigate fighting in CE?


I know that's a lot of questions, and I know dwarves are better, but any advice on the above would be awesome.

Thank you!

Udine

p.s. I'll probably bombard you with some more questions as I think of 'em ;p

[Missing_Minds]

1. http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Class:Paladin

Essentially you'll lose out on your Cha bonus to saves, lay on hands, auras, disease and fear immunity,

1b. http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Feat:Force_of_Personality

Up to you as FoP only means you use Cha bonus instead of Wis bonus for will saves.

2. I do not believe they suffer any disadvantages to it, but wouldn't be surprised if they do. Trip ala Vertigo weapons come in all flavors. Stunning ala Weighted weapons only come on bludgeoning type weapons. You strength will effect the opposing check (it isn't a DC), however improved trip has a higher DC and longer timer between checks for the NPC to get up compared to the standard trip.


3. I always went to 14 for the extra bonus aka extra skill point. High strength means nothing for getting knocked down. A Str of 32 and I was still getting knocked on my rear constantly by trips and such. However, the points I put into balance for getting back up means I was up right away. UMD is nice, but depends on how much your build can afford, as unless you are taking levels of bard or rogue, it will cost you 2 to 1 each time.

4. Honestly... having high saves is nice or you just deal with what you have. Me, I just accept what I had and delt with it and took the fighting feats I wanted. It really is a personal preference and both are really nice. Self healing that can't be stopped is always yummy, and you'll (if you take the dragonmarks as soon as possible) will be able to toss Heal before clerics can.

5. Go hunt the forums for AC guides on this. This is an ENTIRE topic all of its own.

6. As a halfling, buy it up to a 14, and then blow the +2 if you want. I found at end levels the difference between 32 and 30/28 really isn't hugely noticeable.

7. I've yet to ever see a finesse build I've liked. That is my opinion. However, fact a lot of quests hold undead and all red/purple bosses do not take stat damage. which is what most of the finesse builds I've seen work with. If you don't have dps, you will be gimped against these creatures. So.. honestly, rule number 1 applies. Play that which you'll have the most fun with.

8) If you plan on doing stat damage, and they do not have DR.. yes, it is very viable. But don't forget about answer #7 there.

[Angelus_dead]

1) What benefit do I get for each of 3 possible paladin levels that I throw in? Do I need to use feats to get these benefits? or enhancements?
Level 1: wands and weak aura
Level 2: charisma to saves (make sure you have good charisma)
Level 3: fear immune


2) Trip/Stunning Blow: Do halflings get any disadvantage to this? I know in DnD they do, but suspect in DDO it hasn't been implemented.
Yes, halflings get a big disadvantage. First, they are at -1 DC from lower strength. Secondly, they're at -3 DC because they're not dwarves or warforged.


7) Just an off the wall idea - is a finesse build viable? Still sword and board, but focus all pts into dex, and use vorpals, banes, etc for damage? I thought I could screw myself with this if dps become vital as the game expands.
If you're finesse you really should have TWF.


8) Is precision viable? To mitigate fighting in CE?
Those modes cannot be used at the same time.

[feynman]

I have a finesse build tank, but you have to come at it from an entirely different direction.

First, take TWF; you can splash 2 ranger levels to get it for free, or go human for the bonus feat if you're strapped, and while you don't have to go TWF all the time, it will be your predominant fighting style. If you need the AC, take 12 int, eat a tome, and get combat expertise. I also like to take 6 ranger for tempest.

Second, find a bunch of kukris and rapiers with the stats that you need. Why those weapons? Because they have 18-20 crit ranges. With the improved critical feats, that's 15-20; this is how you deal damage as a finesse build.

Third, the stats you need on your weapons are: all of the power 5, construct bane, undead bane, giant bane, and transmuting of pure good. There are more that are handy, but they are mostly situational, like dragon bane.

[Missing_Minds]

Yes, halflings get a big disadvantage. First, they are at -1 DC from lower strength. Secondly, they're at -3 DC because they're not dwarves or warforged.

The reason A_D stated that about dwarfs and WF is because they have a tactical racial enhancement that can further increase the chances of those tactics landing.

[Gadget2775]

**SNIP**
Up to you as FoP only means you use Cha bonus instead of Wis bonus for will saves.


Meh, If you're only taking three levels of Palladin investing is FoP is great.
1. 3 lvls = no spells = no Wisdom min to cast = 1 less stat/item slot to mess with
2. FoP Stacks with Pally saves bonus. Means every +1 mod to Char = 2pts of Will saves.
3. Higher Cha makes LoH and Smite Evil more effective.

Most of the benifit (IMO) to #3 is at lower levels. However, emergency healing of [(10 + Paladin Level) * CHA Modifier] comes in handy even at later levels. With 3 Pally, you can get 2 LoH (via enhacements) for 26 (14 Char) to 65 (20 Char). Since Smites regenerate now having two for an occasional boost to hit/damage can be nice (not worth killing yourself over, but.....)

[BoBoDaClown]

Thanks guys for all the responses.

I have no interest in a twf build, so I'll chuck finese.

That's some really good info re: precision, that's a no go now.

It looks like I may take 2 lvls of pally for the +1 AC and saves.

So, can you only get +vertigo or stun on weapons? I take it you need that bonus to have any chance of being effective with your trips? I just can't imagine swapping a weapon out just to trip or stun, so I may forgo those feats. You can't get +vertigo on an item or shield?

Cheers, I appreciate the help.

Udine

[Missing_Minds]

It looks like I may take 2 lvls of pally for the +1 AC and saves.

So, can you only get +vertigo or stun on weapons? I take it you need that bonus to have any chance of being effective with your trips? I just can't imagine swapping a weapon out just to trip or stun, so I may forgo those feats. You can't get +vertigo on an item or shield?


I'd still consider 3 lvl of paladin. The fear and disease immunity is worth a lot more than what you realize I have a feeling unless you've played a lot of high level stuff.

As for bonus to vertigo and stun, near as I know yes. However named stuff I'm not 100% certain like I am randomly generated stuff. Check out the link below and search yourself to be certain. However, you can get weapons that have a bonus to veritgo and to damage (ala flaming, alignment, etc.) One of my fighters more fun weapons was an ice burst kophesh of vert +6. I also had a flaming burst light mace of weighted 5% on my barb (twf). So at the lower levels, yeah, you'd have to swap a lot if you wanted your chances to have a higher chance of landing, but, at the higher levels it is of less concern.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=121279

[Aesop]

Level 1: wands and weak aura
Level 2: charisma to saves (make sure you have good charisma) low powered Lay on Hands, Charisma 1 Enhancement
Level 3: fear immune Disease Immune, tier one Aura Enhancements


Yes, halflings get a big disadvantage. First, they are at -1 DC from lower strength. Secondly, they're at -3 DC because they're not dwarves or warforged.


If you're finesse you really should have TWF.


Those modes cannot be used at the same time.



just added a couple of things to A_D's list

[Lymnus]

Just remember, you said you wanted a halfling initmitank. Halflings do receive a penalty to intimidate because of their smaller size.