Elf - The Next Generation in Sustainable DPS

[savingsoul]

One thing I just can’t stand is an archer who kites monsters or generally runs from melee. Naturally, if I were to build an archer I would need to get around that. I came up with several solutions, originally starting with variations on a drow, perhaps the best being 1M, 1F, 18R. The other variations involved compromising how much of an arcane archer the build would be; for example, 15R, 3M, 2F. Of course, I naturally thought, how could I live without slaying arrows? I then caved in and went elf, which opened up a whole world of possibilities using the arcane archer racial enhancement. I was surprised at how disappointing most builds were using this feature (please make me aware if I am wrong), and quickly realized that you could do just about anything class-wise while retaining the arcane archer enhancements.

I certainly did not intend to come up with a variation on the monster build, as the solution I found actually stems from my earlier attempts to beef up melee on an arcane archer. The ultimate compromise on a drow arcane archer, for example, would have been only force arrows with 12F, 2M, 6R; so even though absurd that was one conclusion I reached. The solution was to go elf.

I give you the Insane Archer:

This one is decent melee, excellent ranged.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.32
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

The Insane Archer (2M-6R-12F)
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(12 Fighter \ 2 Monk \ 6 Ranger)
Hit Points: 306
Spell Points: 195
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 18
Will: 14

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 16 19 22
Dexterity 16 19 23
Constitution 12 12 12
Intelligence 8 8 8
Wisdom 14 15 16
Charisma 8 8 8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11


Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Breezes
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Candles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Pebbles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Puddles
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Kama
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves
Feat: (Automatic) Flurry of Blows
Feat: (Automatic) Unarmed Strike


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Feat: (Automatic) Meditation


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Automatic) Diehard


Level 7 (Ranger)
Spell (1): Camouflage
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Longstrider
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing
Spell (1): Ram's Might
Spell (1): Resist Energy
Spell (1): Summon Nature's Ally I
Spell (1): Tumble


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Manyshot


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Great Fortitude
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Scimitar Specialization I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness IV




My tribute to the monster (originally unintended, to be sure), currently my main, the Beastly Archer:

This one has excellent melee and great ranged.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.32
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

The Beastly Archer (2M-6R-12F)
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(12 Fighter \ 2 Monk \ 6 Ranger)
Hit Points: 306
Spell Points: 195
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 18
Will: 14

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 16 19 22
Dexterity 16 19 23
Constitution 12 12 12
Intelligence 8 8 8
Wisdom 14 15 16
Charisma 8 8 8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Breezes
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Candles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Pebbles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Puddles
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Kama
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves
Feat: (Automatic) Flurry of Blows
Feat: (Automatic) Unarmed Strike


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Feat: (Automatic) Meditation


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Diehard


Level 7 (Ranger)
Spell (1): Camouflage
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Longstrider
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing
Spell (1): Ram's Might
Spell (1): Resist Energy
Spell (1): Summon Nature's Ally I
Spell (1): Tumble


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Manyshot


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Defense


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Great Fortitude
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Kensei Scimitar Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Scimitar Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Scimitar Specialization I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness IV




Let me know what you think.

Regards,
Savingsoul

[unbongwah]

I had a similar build idea last week - glad someone beat me to the punch so I didn't have to mess with the builder myself. :-) My thoughts:
- I would be tempted to start with base DEX 17 and put all level-ups into STR. Definitely wouldn't bother putting an extra point into WIS, regardless.
- I would take Precise Shot instead of Iron Will at lvl 3 so you could take GTWF & Improved Precise Shot at lvl 12. Why wait three extra levels to get one of the more useful & fun ranged feats? Likewise, I would take IC Ranged before IC Slashing, presuming this is an archer-focused build.
- I wouldn't bother with Dodge if you don't plan to take Mobility & Spring Attack as well. Maybe Stunning Blow instead?

[Gnorbert]

I agree that iron will should be moved out of there in favor of moving point blank shot to level 3 and then precise shot at level 4.

They look like fun builds.

[savingsoul]

I had a similar build idea last week - glad someone beat me to the punch so I didn't have to mess with the builder myself. :-) My thoughts:
- I would be tempted to start with base DEX 17 and put all level-ups into STR. Definitely wouldn't bother putting an extra point into WIS, regardless.
- I would take Precise Shot instead of Iron Will at lvl 3 so you could take GTWF & Improved Precise Shot at lvl 12. Why wait three extra levels to get one of the more useful & fun ranged feats? Likewise, I would take IC Ranged before IC Slashing, presuming this is an archer-focused build.
- I wouldn't bother with Dodge if you don't plan to take Mobility & Spring Attack as well. Maybe Stunning Blow instead?

I actually forgot about the one point in Wis, but I likely did that not to get two odd stats and eliminate the need for more +3 tomes (though that's not a big deal). The benefits on this build from wisdom are manifold though. I took Dodge mainly because I wanted to at least be on a par with the monster build on AC, once I became aware of inevitable comparisons to the monster. Likewise with taking the TWF ac boost in the other version. On second thought, perhaps that's another reason for the one point in wisdom (since you don't get +2 to ac from tempest). If you don't plan on soloing much you are probably fine with waiting on iron will. Yep, you could put IC: Ranged before slashing, but I think you will find youself doing a lot of melee. In fact, the melee is so good on the toon you can really do what you wish according to mood; or do the typical manyshot, then switch to melee, then manyshot, switch back, etc. Lot's of possibilities in terms of weapon choice and style (since it remains str based). Fun, fun, fun. Thx for you comments.

[savingsoul]

For those of you still browsing this old thread, see http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=360460 for a monkster/monkcher upgrade to the Insane Archer with the 10k stars enhancement. I'm currently working on the monkster/monkcher equivalent of the Beastly Archer as well, and will post it to the same thread.

[savingsoul]

I ran into someone who does not yet have access to half elf or monk, but they are doing something like helves angel. You can lesser reincarnate into one of these builds with an elf when you get monk.

Here is an updated khopesh version of the Beastly Archer that uses some of the feedback from this thread:
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=257136

For the most accessible starting point for such a build -- a "pauper's" version of Helves Angel, see http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=344706