A noob friendly build

[Feithlin]

I will create some new characters on my 2nd account, without 32-points or any class/race, and I decided to try some new builds. Here is one I was thinking about: a dwarf Ranger Tempest 12 / Bard Warchanter 8.

The final result looks interesting:
* Full TWF (and 100% off-hand) without spending too much points in Dex;
* Many useful spells (Ram's Might, Jump, Resist energy, Protection from energy, Barkskin, Wild instincts for Ranger; Focusing chant, Expeditious retreat, Rage, Blur, Invisibility, Displacement, Haste) as well as an access to healing wands, neutralize poison, cure disease, remove curse;
* Full UMD for everything else;
* One of the best CC of the game (at least for solo), namely Fascinate;
* Nice bonuses from Favored ennemies and songs, which results in a very acceptable DPS;
* DR 5/- which helps a lot on survivability.

Of course, there are some drawbacks:
* No FoM, even if both classes have this spell in their list;
* A bit weak on HP, but slightly compensated by being a dwarf;
* Probably the worst of all, it is very very short on feats.

On the build I give, a +1 dex tome is required at level 3 for the Dodge feat. If you plan to use this build for your first character, you will probably not be able to get it. In this case, you can reduce Str to 17, Increase Dex to 13 and Cha to 10.
Be warned that you won't be able to cast your spells without some buffs. Just get +X Wis and Cha items to reach the minimum. At lower levels, use Owl's pots and/or House P buffs (only 75 favor required), which last 30 min.
To be able to use Heal scrolls at higher levels, you will need to craft a GS item with +6 Cha skills.
You could choose to start with 8 bard levels then switch to ranger. In this case, use a Two-handed weapon until you have access to iTWF (level 6 ranger, so level 14 total).

Here is the build:


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

Level 20 Neutral Good Dwarf Male
(12 Ranger \ 8 Bard)
Hit Points: 306
Spell Points: 340
BAB: 18\18\23\28\28
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 16
Will: 9

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 18 23 23
Dexterity 12 13 15
Constitution 16 16 18
Intelligence 8 8 8
Wisdom 8 8 8
Charisma 8 8 9

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Balance 5 8 12
Bluff -1 -1 -1
Concentration 7 27 27
Diplomacy -1 -1 -1
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle -1 -1 -1
Heal -1 -1 -1
Hide 1 2 2
Intimidate -1 -1 -1
Jump 7 9 9
Listen -1 -1 -1
Move Silently 1 10 10
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform 3 22 22
Repair -1 -1 -1
Search -1 -1 1
Spot -1 15 15
Swim 4 6 6
Tumble 2 3 3
Use Magic Device 3 22 22

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
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 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Spell (2): Barkskin
Spell (2): Bear's Endurance
Spell (2): Cat's Grace
Spell (2): Cure Light Wounds
Spell (2): Hold Animal
Spell (2): Mass Camouflage
Spell (2): Owl's Wisdom
Spell (2): Protection From Energy
Spell (2): Snare
Spell (2): Spike Growth
Spell (2): Summon Nature's Ally II


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Spell (3): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (3): Neutralize Poison
Spell (3): Remove Disease
Spell (3): Summon Nature's Ally III
Spell (3): Wild Instincts


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 15 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (1): Remove Fear


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Rage


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Feather Fall
Spell (2): Invisibility


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (2): Glitterdust


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Good Hope
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness IV
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery III




Any comments are welcome. :)

[unbongwah]

+1 tomes can't be taken until lvl 3. So you wouldn't be able to take Dodge at lvl 3 which screws up your feat progression.
I hesitate to include any tomes on any self-declared "noob friendly build," especially ones which need to be taken so early on.
This is a very back-loaded build, in the sense that your bard abilities don't really come into their own until very late. In particular, you won't get WC & Ironskin chant until lvl 18, at which point you'll probably be UMDing Stoneskin wands left & right. I don't really have a suggestion for how to improve that aspect, though.

[Feithlin]

+1 tomes can't be taken until lvl 3. So you wouldn't be able to take Dodge at lvl 3 which screws up your feat progression.
I hesitate to include any tomes on any self-declared "noob friendly build," especially ones which need to be taken so early on.
This is a very back-loaded build, in the sense that your bard abilities don't really come into their own until very late. In particular, you won't get WC & Ironskin chant until lvl 18, at which point you'll probably be UMDing Stoneskin wands left & right. I don't really have a suggestion for how to improve that aspect, though.


1. +1 Tomes can be eat at level 1, +2 Tomes at level 7.
2. This is one of the limits, but I give a variation to handle that (changing attributes to Str 17, Dex 13, Cha 10).
3. This is true, but you have the option to start with Bard 8 then only switching to Ranger. I thought a Ranger was easier to play at the beginning, but both options are viable.

[unbongwah]

+1 Tomes can be eat at level 1
Only if the wiki is wrong (http://ddowiki.com/page/Tomes): "+1 Tomes can be used at level 3 and higher."

[Kamo]

That build looks awful...

[Feithlin]

Only if the wiki is wrong (http://ddowiki.com/page/Tomes): "+1 Tomes can be used at level 3 and higher."

I checked ingame and you were right, my bad. Best borrow the build then. Anyway, it was not a great to mix two PrE requiring multiple (useless) feats with 2 feat starved class. The classic Kensei 12 / Warchanter 8 THF just does way better.

[Krumblee]

That build looks awful...

It is people like you that ruin this game.