Pure elven tempest ranger build --- feedback requested

[1halfelf]

I finally managed to cobble together a build for 20 level elven tempest, and I would like to solicit some feedback. Looking through the forums, I noticed that lots of people are saying that the tempest is the best ranger Pre for DPS and epic, but I couldn't find any builds. The closest I came was a pretty old post at http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p=2800940&postcount=16 . I used that as my base and made a few modifications of my own. My goals are:

1) The tempest needs to be elven and pure ranger all the way to 20. I realize that I could gain a LOT more bang for my buck by taking a level of rogue and a level of fighter or monk, but I'm wanting to use this build as part of a completionist project. Silly me...

2) It's a STR based khopesh wielder --- this was the best way I could figure to get decent DPS by the end and maybe be able to hang in epic content. Feel free to disagree or provide a better route.

3) I'm taking all 3 tempest Pre levels even though the 3rd is lame compared to the 1st two. I'm taking them as soon as possible.

4) My skills are pointed at having UMD enough to use raise dead items, not getting knocked down forever, and being able to stealth my way places if need be.

5) I also kind of upped the healing spell enhancements --- I figure it's always nice to be able to do a little emergency healing. As you can see, I've totally ignored the ranger capstone, at least until they change it.

Here's the build:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Rhialla Leafrunner
Level 20 Neutral Good Elf Female
(20 Ranger)
Hit Points: 262
Spell Points: 275
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 17
Will: 6

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 17 22 22
Dexterity 16 16 21
Constitution 14 14 14
Intelligence 8 8 8
Wisdom 11 11 11
Charisma 8 8 8

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Balance 4 16 16
Bluff -1 -1 -1
Concentration 3 10 10
Diplomacy -1 -1 -1
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle -1 -1 -1
Heal 0 0 0
Hide 6 25 25
Intimidate -1 -1 -1
Jump 5 12 12
Listen 0 0 2
Move Silently 6 25 25
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a n/a
Repair -1 -1 -1
Search -1 -1 1
Spot 4 16 18
Swim 3 6 6
Tumble 3.5 5.5 5.5
Use Magic Device 1 10 10

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+3)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+3)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
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
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Feat: (Automatic) Diehard
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Extra Empathy I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
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 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Swamp Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Tundra Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Desert Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Extra Empathy II


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Manyshot
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Wild Empathy
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
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
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense II


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Precise Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Precise Shot
Spell (3): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (3): Neutralize Poison
Spell (3): Remove Disease
Spell (3): Summon Nature's Ally III
Spell (3): Wild Instincts
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (4): Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Mass Longstrider
Spell (4): Summon Nature's Ally IV
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense III


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance III


Level 17 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest III
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild II


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Aberration
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion IV




Let me know what you think!

[GeneFrenkle]

Nevermind, I see what you did.

[Seamonkeysix]

Nevermind, I see what you did.

He's got dodge at level 1 and spring attack at level 6 in his build. I seem to recall that someone did a DPS calulation on elven attack and damage lines with scimitars and they were comparable to khopesh (at least close). It will save you a feat, if you don't really need to go khopesh. Anything you can use to up your to hit will be helpful. Maybe weapon focus or oversized two weapon fighting. I may be wrong on the khopesh vs. scimitar thing, but if not, I don't know that I would use a feat on a feat starved class.

[k1ngp1n]

As an elf, its a shame to not use scimitars, and save the feat for Maximize. (Mmm, tasty self hjeals!) But of course, thats your preference. If you want to use Khopeshes, might I suggest human?

[1halfelf]

Hmmm... scimitars? I'll have to do a little math. I'd definitely like to save a feat. That was the most painful part of this build. I did take OTWF at 18.

Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest III
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II

[stille_nacht]

twas i who did the dps calcs! (at least once)

youll find that scimitar does ~1.55 less damage per swing base (1.85 on GS), with an additional .1 less per str/enhancement mod to damage, and .55 less damage per bursting effect.

Khopesh does a worthwhile amount more damage IMO

he has khopesh in quite late, so i assume he plans to switch to them on crafting GS, which works just fine.

OTWF is not worth as much as you might think, your BAB will be in ridiculous reaches by end level, and the +1/+2 you get from it= not really worth anything

[1halfelf]

I only took OTWF so that I could get Tempest III. It seems the best choice among the requirements.
Thanks for the calculations. I was getting ready to attempt to use Excel and graph it all out. What a mess that would be!

[Faent]

The first, and most important, point is that you shouldn't be running up to level twenty. As you're well aware of, the last two levels of ranger add almost nothing of value to this build. What you're not aware of is that to get Completionist, you do not need to take this ranger to twenty. As long as ranger is your dominant class, you will pick up the ranger past life feat, and *that* is what you need for completionist. So please, don't gimp yourself. Splash away. I recommend starting as a rogue for easy UMD access. Since you won't be stopping with this build, you have lots of other options to consider (and should probably ignore shooting for AC). Trash this build and start over, now that you know you don't have to take the ranger up to twenty. =)

[1halfelf]

Thanks Faent! I was not aware of that. I'll have to think about that a bit. The only real thing I gain is the extra favored enemy and the +2 to damage on all favored enemies as they advance at 20.

[Blazer]

Rangers tend to be pretty feat strapped, especially tempest ones. Seven character feats total and you need four of them for tempest III. This leaves your final three feats for toughness, improved critical and power attack (which I see you did not take for some reason). Khopesh is obviously very nice but you'd have to splash to pick up a feat for it or else sacrifice something more important.

This leaves a couple of options: stay pure, go scimitar (or rapier) and pick up power attack OR splash two fighter levels to pick up khopesh and add a 2nd toughness feat (this also gives you other things like fighter haste boost I, fighter strength I and fighter toughness I enhancements as well as d10 HP for those levels vs d8). And yes, I know you can't use a fighter feat for toughness, obviously I mean to move something else to that feat slot and use the character feat for toughness.

EDIT: Obviously you actually have many more options than just the two I presented if your goal is to cap a ranger on your path to Completionist. I just tossed a couple out there for you.

[Faent]

Thanks Faent! I was not aware of that. I'll have to think about that a bit. The only real thing I gain is the extra favored enemy and the +2 to damage on all favored enemies as they advance at 20.

Yeah, stop the RNG at 12 or so. Add ROG/FTR levels. =) You'll still get the RNG past life you need for completionist, and you'll have way more fun leveling.

[unbongwah]

I would dump-stat WIS and go with max STR.

Khopeshes are sweet. Having to give up Power Attack to get them, though, is less sweet. Elf with rapiers or scimitars is comparable DPS if you can squeeze in the elven racial enhs, esp. if you like using weapons which proc effects on crits (burst, Banishing, Enfeebling, etc.).

The typical FE recommendations are Undead, Giants, Evil Outsiders, Elementals, and Constructs (not necessarily in that order).

The ranger capstone is only 2 enh pts; unless you NEVER EVER EVER use ranged weapons (and I don't know why you'd bother playing a rgr who never whips out a bow), it's worth 2 pts.

[grodon9999]

I have two 18/1/1 "Exploiter" rangers. One human, one elf. If they were geared the same (they are not) the elf with rapiers would do 95% as much damage as the human with khopeshes.

Though my elf, 34-point, isn't a bad toon at all my human is better. That extra feat is huge. Why elf? Going for an all-elf completionist?

[kernal42]

Why elf?

I was going to ask the same question.

Especially if the OP is including EWP:Khopesh, I see only penalties in going elf, while there are only benefits with going human.

-Kernal

Edit: I should clarify that this applies to tempest rangers. I'm not blind to the benefits of an elven AA.

[yawumpus]

The ranger capstone is only 2 enh pts; unless you NEVER EVER EVER use ranged weapons (and I don't know why you'd bother playing a rgr who never whips out a bow), it's worth 2 pts.

The catch is that if he is only using ranger to get completionist, while it is worth 2 pts, it is certainly not worth two (now really 5-7) nearly dead levels of ranger. They should go into rogue or fighter.

[NaturalHazard]

As an elf, its a shame to not use scimitars, and save the feat for Maximize. (Mmm, tasty self hjeals!) But of course, thats your preference. If you want to use Khopeshes, might I suggest human?

also maybe the +2 to hit with scimitars from racial enhancements might come in handy later on?

[GeneFrenkle]

I don't quite understand how people can justify a build with such low HP. I made a ranger 18/ fighter 2 build, and ended up taking 5 toughness feats along with all the possible toughness enhancements so I could get my un-buffed HP up to 500. Bear in mind that my build was a 28 pt, and I'm not counting greensteel HP.
With this kind of build do you find you have adequate HP to not be a burden to the rest of the party?

[grodon9999]

I don't quite understand how people can justify a build with such low HP. I made a ranger 18/ fighter 2 build, and ended up taking 5 toughness feats along with all the possible toughness enhancements so I could get my un-buffed HP up to 500. Bear in mind that my build was a 28 pt, and I'm not counting greensteel HP.
With this kind of build do you find you have adequate HP to not be a burden to the rest of the party?

***? 5 toughness feats on a Ranger? How did you NOT gimp yourself along the way? That's COMPLETELY a waste on a class that feat-tight. Go dwarf instead if you need that much HP.

My Starting 12 CON elf is 475 HP, she's got excellent gear though.

[1halfelf]

You do have somewhat of a point there... One thing though --- this build is sans equipment. A tome or two along the way along with the right equipment might be able to alleviate the low hp problem. Or alternately if I do take several levels of fighter and get more feats, the combination of feats and fighter hp's could help too.

[grodon9999]

You do have somewhat of a point there... One thing though --- this build is sans equipment. A tome or two along the way along with the right equipment might be able to alleviate the low hp problem. Or alternately if I do take several levels of fighter and get more feats, the combination of feats and fighter hp's could help too.

Why elf? Just curios. I have an elf ranger, it's not a good choice for the gear-impaired.

[Blazer]

I don't quite understand how people can justify a build with such low HP. I made a ranger 18/ fighter 2 build, and ended up taking 5 toughness feats along with all the possible toughness enhancements so I could get my un-buffed HP up to 500. Bear in mind that my build was a 28 pt, and I'm not counting greensteel HP.
With this kind of build do you find you have adequate HP to not be a burden to the rest of the party?

I'm fairly certain the 262 HP total displayed in the character planner will not be the final total. The build listed in the OP does not include:

AA favor (10 HP)
Shroud item (45 HP)
GFL item (30 HP)
Minos (20 HP)
+6 CON item (60 HP)
+2 CON tome (20 HP)

The above list puts the build at 447 HP. Throw in a +2 exceptional CON item and a rage and it sits nicely at 467. I'm curious what your stats and gear are like where you needed 5 toughness feats to break 500 HP. For what it's worth my ranger is human, full 20 levels of ranger and sits at 517 unbuffed HP without any crazy gear.

[GeneFrenkle]

***? 5 toughness feats on a Ranger? How did you NOT gimp yourself along the way? That's COMPLETELY a waste on a class that feat-tight. Go dwarf instead if you need that much HP.

My Starting 12 CON elf is 475 HP, she's got excellent gear though.

Dwarf may not be a bad idea, although I can never bring myself to make a dwarf character. I guess I just don't like the way they toon out for some reason?
Anyway that's why I had to take two levels of fighter so I could get the two extra feats to make up for having so many toughness feats. Nevertheless the fact that you have to take dodge, mobility, and spring attack just to get tempest kind of gimps the ranger to begin with. I reluctantly made the decision to give up one toughness for Power attack. I don't consider my character "gimpy" by any means. I didn't expect him to have the strongest DPS but he does have a pretty high survivability rate which makes him great for soloing. I took him out and soloed all the quests in the Vale on normal as a test which isn't saying much due to hireling and dungeon scaling factors, but still I feel he's usable.

[Faent]

I'm fairly certain the 262 HP total displayed in the character planner will not be the final total. The build listed in the OP does not include:


AA favor (10 HP)
Shroud item (45 HP)
GFL item (30 HP)
Minos (20 HP)
+6 CON item (60 HP)
+2 CON tome (40 HP)


The above list puts the build at 467 HP. Throw in a +2 exceptional CON item and a rage and it sits nicely at 507. I'm curious what your stats and gear are like where you needed 5 toughness feats to break 500 HP. For what it's worth my ranger is human, full 20 levels of ranger and sits at 517 unbuffed HP without any crazy gear.

No. A +2 CON tome grants 20 HP at cap. You're 20 HP high here.

[Faent]

My Starting 12 CON elf is 475 HP, she's got excellent gear though.

If I could hit that on my elf, I'd give up Toughness. =)