Drow Ranger Rogue Feat selection

[MojoDDO]

I am pretty new and will probably get the advice to re-roll. But I would like to avoid that if possible. I also would like some feedback as to whether my thinking is all wrong and I should go down a different path considering where my character is at.

I guess my questions is: How do I best go about getting arcane archer for my drow ranger trap monkey?

I am 6 rgr/2 rog and currently do not have the option to select arcane archer because i did not take the Point Blank Shot feat. That puzzled me because, other Feats with that pre-req were overlooked because I was a Ranger, yet that is what is holding me back from getting Arcane Archer. ???

I took my 2nd level in rogue to get evasion, with the intention to switch feats once i hit level 9 ranger. But now it looks like i may have to do that early in order to get my Point Blank Shot. I am just wondering if I should save up enhancement points and wait til i hit level 9 rng before heading down the Arcane Archer route.

As i said , I am fairly new to DDO and a semi-casual DND player so I know the basics, but not the nitty-gritty.

Please let me know if i need to pull my head out of bum and redo this char entirely.

I have this gal as Dex based, so I am sure I am going to hear, "why did you do that, dex based characters suck in DDO". Well I did not know that before I started playing and this is only my second toon and she is fun to play.

Here are her stats:

Str 11 (when i buff with bulls and rams, +2 gloves it works out pretty good)
Dex 18+2 Feat (Elven and Ranger Dex I)
Con 15
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 10

I realize I am in some trouble with a 10 for Int on a trap money, but I do pretty well even in Tear of Dhakan on elite group, just need to carry around a few sets of goggles.

I am kinda all over the place here, but I guess I just want to know if I should use my free feat exchange now or wait til level 9 rng and then retro-fit to get my AA. So far I do pretty well in parties as a trapmonkey/support fire role and I think that is the direction I want to keep this character.

Thanks for any advice to a new player (just started two months ago).

[Habreno]

Save that free exchange. Use that when you're level 17 and need to swap something out... when it's ungodly expensive to do so.

Other than that, I have no knowledge of AAs and will let an AA or someone experienced with them help you out further.

[TiberiusofTyr]

I am 6 rgr/2 rog and currently do not have the option to select arcane archer because i did not take the Point Blank Shot feat. That puzzled me because, other Feats with that pre-req were overlooked because I was a Ranger, yet that is what is holding me back from getting Arcane Archer. ???

I took my 2nd level in rogue to get evasion, with the intention to switch feats once i hit level 9 ranger. But now it looks like i may have to do that early in order to get my Point Blank Shot. I am just wondering if I should save up enhancement points and wait til i hit level 9 rng before heading down the Arcane Archer route.





You cannot use feat exchange to trade out Class Feats (like Evasion).

To take Arcane Archer you will need Weapon Focus: Ranged, Point Blank Shot, Mental Toughness and a +6 base attack bonus. What feats have you already selected?

EDIT: You get the archer feats despite not having PBS just like you get the TWF feats regardless of your DEX score. It doesn't count you as having the feat so you have to take it for AA.

[MojoDDO]

You cannot use feat exchange to trade out Class Feats (like Evasion).
Ack!. Well I guess "Live and learn" on that one. Thanks for the info.

I have Weapon Focus: Ranged, and Mental Toughness, but never took Point Blank Shot as that pre-req was bypassed with all my other ranger feats. I thought since it "Ranger Arcane Archer", the same rule would apply.

I wonder at this point if I should skip the AA and just use my House D favor for ammunition. I would still like to use this character as an Archer, is that still viable without AA?

[unbongwah]

A couple of caveats: drow aren't as good for AAs as elves because they lack the longbow racial enhs and can't take the elven AA line (so their multiclassing options are more limited); and splashing a ranger costs you the capstone, which is a significant hit to your endgame ranged DPS. So you have to decide if the added versatility (UMD, trap skills) is worth the sacrifice.

That said, were I to make a drow AA trapmonkey, I'd do something like this:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.2
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 True Neutral Drow Female
(1 Fighter \ 1 Rogue \ 18 Ranger)
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 330
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 18
Will: 5

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 21
Dexterity 16 21
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 12 12
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 10 10

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 7 9
Bluff 0 0
Concentration 2 2
Diplomacy 0 0
Disable Device 5 24
Haggle 4 4
Heal -1 -1
Hide 3 5
Intimidate 0 0
Jump 7 9
Listen -1 1
Move Silently 3 5
Open Lock 7 18
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 1 1
Search 5 26
Spot 3 21
Swim 3 5
Tumble 7 9
Use Magic Device 4 23

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) Point Blank Shot


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


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


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


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


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


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
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: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


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: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Attack II
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer 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: Ranger Dexterity III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


The final feat is subject to debate; I went for Maximize (+rgr Devotion IV) so she can toss off the occasional Cure spell. Instead of fighter, you could take a monk splash if you have it unlocked (lower HPs & -1 BAB, higher saves & AC) or barbarian for the +10% run speed & +1 PA enh if you're willing to sacrifice the extra feat. It would also be possible to go DEX-/Finesse-based, though I don't advocate it; in that case, I would start base stats 14 / 18 / 14 / 12 / 8 / 10; put all lvl-ups into DEX; bump up the ftr (or monk) splash to take Finesse; and push back IC Pierce & PA to lvl 15 & 18.

[MojoDDO]

Thanks for the information. I am guessing i need get myself a Lesser Heart of Wood, or just start over. too bad too becuase I like this toon. I guess I will prolly need to get over that in this game.

Just curious (and this comes from my lack of knoweldge, not skepticism), but why so low on the Will? I thought that was crucial for saves when avoiding traps/failed disables. Also, how are you able to cast any spells?

Thanks again for all the advice.

[unbongwah]

I am guessing i need get myself a Lesser Heart of Wood, or just start over. too bad too becuase I like this toon.
I empathize. I've still got a gimpy elf ranger I haven't played in ages but can't bring myself to delete: only lvl 7, but my first serious char so I remain sentimentally attached. Oh well, at least buying an extra char slot isn't that expensive... :o

Just curious (and this comes from my lack of knoweldge, not skepticism), but why so low on the Will? I thought that was crucial for saves when avoiding traps/failed disables. Also, how are you able to cast any spells?Reflex saves are what apply to traps; Will saves are for resisting spells like Fear, Hold, etc. Will saves are unfortunately one of the Achilles heels of rangers; you could put more effort into boosting them, but not without sacrificing something else. This build would rely on items or buffs for immunities to fear, hold, etc. To cast spells you need a +WIS item; base 8 + 6 WIS item is sufficient for all rgr spells. It's a little bit harder at lower levels because it will take a while to get a +3 WIS item, but in the long run it's worth it IMHO.

[TiberiusofTyr]

Will saves are unfortunately one of the Achilles heels of rangers; you could put more effort into boosting them, but not without sacrificing something else. This build would rely on items or buffs for immunities to fear, hold, etc. To cast spells you need a +WIS item; base 8 + 6 WIS item is sufficient for all rgr spells. It's a little bit harder at lower levels because it will take a while to get a +3 WIS item, but in the long run it's worth it IMHO.

Plus drow get spell resistance which will help some with the will save issue.

[TiberiusofTyr]

I wonder at this point if I should skip the AA and just use my House D favor for ammunition. I would still like to use this character as an Archer, is that still viable without AA?

You can still pick up PBS at 9, 12, 15, or 18. I recommend Improved crit at 9 though.

[MojoDDO]

Thanks for all the advice.

[MojoDDO]

OK... so I went ahead and used my free exchange and ended up having to buy two more feat exchanges (About 10k pp hit), just to get my Arcane Archer. Oh and I ended up taking Weapon Finesse again, becuase my Dex is just too high compared to my Str (even buffed).

So yes I ignored everyone's advice and stubbornly stuck to my level 9 build.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make 'im fish.

I will prolly shelf this char eventually, but for now I am having fun playing it.

Thanks again for all the tips/advice (it will help my future builds).