Help a noob.

[Frucket]

After playing around with f2p for about a week I decided to go vip. Tried a couple of different builds and probably spent more time on the build planner than playing the game (kind of reminds me of the PnP days where it took me a whole week just to get a char planned and rolled up).

So here was what I was thinking (still on 28 pts). A halfling with the healing dragon mark that could get empower healing and healing boost enhancements, and still do some damage. Picked BRD at 1 to unlock umd, and some extra sp for later on. After that RGR for the twf and ranger devotion, and finished with fighter for some more feats and picked up Kensai I.

So here it is, any hints, tips, or criticism welcome.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 True Neutral Halfling Male
(8 Fighter \ 11 Ranger \ 1 Bard)
Hit Points: 306
Spell Points: 210
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 17
Will: 12

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 22
Dexterity 10 16
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 12 12
Charisma 8 8

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 4 20
Bluff -1 0
Concentration 6 17
Diplomacy -1 0
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 3 3
Heal 1 3
Hide 0 7
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 7 22
Listen 1 3
Move Silently 0 5
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 0
Search 0 0
Spot 1 1
Swim 6 9
Tumble 1 4
Use Magic Device 3 22

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) I
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Will) I
Enhancement: Bard Balance I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I


Level 7 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) II
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Will) II


Level 8 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II


Level 10 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use III
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III


Level 11 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild II


Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion IV


Level 13 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Will) III


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use IV
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 17 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Kensei Khopesh Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 19 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Khopesh Specialization I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

[r3dl4nce]

You should go ranger 12 and remove the useless bard level. Lower wis (8 is good, item +6 and you cast every ranger spell) lower int, raise con. Regarding ap, too much useless halfling luck and dexterity, you are missing halfling guile and cunning, the best dps option for halfling.
You are near doing a ok build, just go a little far and you will have a good buld! :)

[Moltier]

As r3dl4nce said, ranger 12 could help you if you can fit in the tempest enchantment, which needs some feats too.
With lvl11 or 12 ranger and mana items, you will have more then enough mana for any self buffs and heals, so bard only for this in unnecessary. UMD can come from a lvl of rogue. Also dragonmarks dont need concentration check when mobs hit you. Thats a lovely thing about that. :)
A lvl12 ranger (tempest)/lvl6 fighter (kensai) and lvl2 rog is a strong and fun character. You could fight really well, UMD, self heal (or save others), and if you can fit in, you could sneak or find and disable traps too.

About skills:
concentration is not really good,
jump is unimportant, you can have a clicky or spell,
swim is unimportant

so a lot of free points to use elsewhere :)

Overall, the build looks pretty good even without any changes. :)

[Frucket]

Thx for the replies.

Well I picked Bard over Rogue because while they both unlock umd, Bard gives sp and I was getting Evasion from Ranger anyway.

Should I switch Bard for Rogue and try to do traps too?

[Dingdongtudelu]

Hey Frucket, welcome to DDO!

The first thing to do when asking for build advice, is to tell us where exactly you would like to go with the character. You probably have a specific idea of what you want the char to do. Is your plan to have a selfhealing melee halfling with evasion? You want UMD I read, is there anything else? Is there a reason why you want to go ranger instead of fighter, and get your evasion from a rogue splash, for example?

[Cinderbeard]

Yeah the bard option doesn't seem to great to me. 12Rgr/6Ftr/2Rog would be the obvious class split, although 0 originality.

What worries me in your build is the 10 dex, this will make your reflex-evasion pretty low. I'd go 8 Wis and 14 Dex.
Full rogue skills will be a stretch with 10 int I think, but you'll be able to fit in UMD, balance, open lock etc.

[Frucket]

Hey Frucket, welcome to DDO!

The first thing to do when asking for build advice, is to tell us where exactly you would like to go with the character. You probably have a specific idea of what you want the char to do. Is your plan to have a selfhealing melee halfling with evasion? You want UMD I read, is there anything else? Is there a reason why you want to go ranger instead of fighter, and get your evasion from a rogue splash, for example?

Thx for the Welcome.

Part of the problem is I don't know what I'm aiming for with this build, having never gotten a char over 4 yet. I was trying to make toon that can byoh and contribute to teams, while still being able to solo when needed. I went RGR just so I could pick up twf/itwf/gtwf without having to have the prerequisite dex. As far as skill selection goes I was just trying to get the "good" ones, like umd, balance... are there any other important skills?

[Cinderbeard]

The thing is when being a new player, heavy multiclass builds like yours are really hard to do well. It's so easy to mess up.

Coming to these forums seeking aid is definately a step in the right direction, but I would advice levelling a pure or near pure character first, learning the ropes of high level content and gathering some plat. Then with the experience create an advanced build.

Or you could snoop around in the class forums like the ranger forum for a build that interests you and go from there.

Most important thing is to enjoy yourself, but with those tough multiclasses it can be a bumpy ride :)

[Cinderbeard]

Part of the problem is I don't know what I'm aiming for with this build, having never gotten a char over 4 yet. I was trying to make toon that can byoh and contribute to teams, while still being able to solo when needed.

A pure ranger tempest or 18/... split would do these things and shine like a gem.
Beastly DPS, selfhealing with wands and later on cure srious wounds spell, evasion, lots of skills. Great solo capability.

[unbongwah]

Biggest problem with this build is feats get really tight: Tempest takes 3, Kensai takes 2, DMs take 3 plus meta(s). You could skip either or both PrEs, but that would gimp your DPS. Monk splash would help with the feat shortage, but you'd give up full UMD.

I can't promise either of these is any better than your original build for what you want, but I tried building this two different ways. First is a rogue 2 / ranger 12 / ftr 6:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 True Neutral Halfling Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Ranger)
Hit Points: 290
Spell Points: 115
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 18
Will: 6

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 15 22
Dexterity 15 18
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 12 12
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 8 8

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 6 8
Bluff -1 3
Concentration 2 3
Diplomacy -1 0
Disable Device 5 24
Haggle 3 3
Heal -1 1
Hide 2 8
Intimidate -1 0
Jump 6 12
Listen -1 1
Move Silently 2 6
Open Lock 6 10
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 1 1
Search 5 24
Spot 3 19
Swim 2 6
Tumble 6 8
Use Magic Device 3 22

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing


Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy Resistence Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use III
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use IV
Enhancement: Kensei Scimitar Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion I
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion II
Enhancement: Ranger Item Defense I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion IV
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


Decent trapmonkey: full ranks in Disable, Search, and UMD; 20 ranks in Spot. But no feat to spare for khopesh, unless maybe you drop Empower Heal. And both Toughness & Empower Heal are loaded later than I would like.

Here it is with a monk 2 splash instead:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Halfling Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Monk \ 12 Ranger)
Hit Points: 294
Spell Points: 115
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 19
Will: 9

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

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility


Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing


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


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 13 (Ranger)


Level 14 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use III
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use IV
Enhancement: Kensei Khopesh Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion I
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion II
Enhancement: Way of the Clever Monkey I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion IV
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


The two extra feats really help out: lets you take khopesh & Maximize (w/ Emp Heal gives 150% boost to 1st two Marks & ranger Cure spells). And having Evasion by lvl 4 doesn't suck, either. Gives up traps and max UMD, but can't have everything, I suppose.

[FlyingTurtle]

As far as I can tell the 6 Fighter levels are purely to make up for the 3 feats lost via Dragonmark. You lose 6 Ranger levels, Tempest III, lots of skill points, some casting power, for what? A couple of Heals per mission, something you already can get via Heal scrolls and UMD. Isn't it a bit of a stretch?

[Frucket]

Thx for the replies, especially unbongwah for the builds. Probably just over thinking it, just need to roll something and stick to it.

Again thx for the 411.

[FlyingTurtle]

just need to roll something and stick to it.

Whoa. The cure to overthinking it is to follow a bog-standard build. "Just roll something and stick to it" is the recipe for a high-challenge mode of playing called G.I.M.P. Look it up. ;)