Fighter/Rogue... THF or TWF?

[Psychotisis]

Best way to go about this?

I'm mainly asking this question as to address DPS.

Fighter will be main class with rogue only there for lockpicking/trap finding

Is this a viable class even? and THF or TWF? what are preferations on these?

[Rauven]

To maximize traps you need at least 4 skill points per fighter level (2 for disable, 2 for search). If you want locks as well you can get away with 5 skill points per fighter level if you don't max open lock. Just be aware that you might have to try a few times but as long as you have the highest possible +OL item, tools, GH, etc you'll be able to hit most locks. Whether you max UMD is your choice but it will require another 2 skill points to maintain max ranks.

You will likely want at least 2 levels of rogue for evasion. Take the second rogue level around 10, which will allow you to get caught up on skills you may have fallen behind on, for example if you didn't have enough points to maintain OL during the preceding fighter levels.

Most likely you'll want to go human for the extra skill point, which will allow you to save ability points on INT. With the above in mind you'll need a base 16 INT at level 1. Base 16 INT will give you 6 skill points per fighter level and allow you to maintain max ranks in DD, Search and UMD from levels 2 through whenever you eat a +2 INT tome and/or take your second rogue level and get caught up on OL. If you forgo UMD lower your INT as appropriate. You can start with lower base INT and still maintain your rogue skills but that will require you to appropriately juggle your second rogue level, a +2 INT tome and which skills you raise each fighter level. For example, 14 INT would mean placing 1 skill point per level into UMD and using your second rogue level to catch up. Whatever you do you'll want to eat a +2 INT tome at level 7.

The decision to go TWF or THF is personal. Go with whichever you prefer. Obviously, THF will allow for more points into STR and CON.

[Psychotisis]

Okay, another question which is a little off topic... but

For a non spellcaster... what exactly is UMD for? I've only seen umd neccessary on Wands/Scrolls/etc

What could this possibly provide for a fighter/rogue?

[Gnorbert]

Okay, another question which is a little off topic... but

For a non spellcaster... what exactly is UMD for? I've only seen umd neccessary on Wands/Scrolls/etc

What could this possibly provide for a fighter/rogue?

Well... full UMD on a fighter/rogue will allow you to use heal Scrolls on yourself... stoneskin wands, ddoor scrolls, raise dead scrolls. It will allow you to be a neutral alignment and use Pure good/chaos/law weapons. Will allow you to use racially restricted items.

In short... it's used for a LOT.

[Krago]

Well... full UMD on a fighter/rogue will allow you to use heal Scrolls on yourself... stoneskin wands, ddoor scrolls, raise dead scrolls. It will allow you to be a neutral alignment and use Pure good/chaos/law weapons. Will allow you to use racially restricted items.

In short... it's used for a LOT.

Except Docents. The last Dwarf who had max UMD didnt make it out alive when we placed the disc into his chest.

[Kinerd]

For single target DPS, TWF and eSoS THF are competitive. TWF outclasses all other THF. If you don't have or don't expect to have an eSoS, you would therefore go with TWF.

An additional benefit of going human (on top of the skill point) is you can get Human Versatility, which became a very potent DPS boost in update 11.

[Alex301]

TWF will benefit the most from the sneak attack damage as well so the more rogue levels you have the more you'll gain from twf.

[honkuimushi]

One question, why Fighter? These sorts of builds are often better with some Ranger, especially if you don't have a lot of gear banked. Also, most of the Rogue 2 builds I've seen go with TWF because the Dex you need for that also helps your Reflex save, which determines the success or failure of your Evasion. I suppose if you start with a 16+ Int you could take Insightful Reflexes, dump Dex and go THF, but I would still suggest some Ranger levels.


Why Ranger? A few reasons, first Rangers get 6 skill points per level and Search and Spot are class skills. That makes it a lot easier to keep your trap skills up. Second, Rangers are a high Reflex save class and get Dex enhancements which will help your Evasion work better. Third, You get TWF and ITWF as bonus feats-- you can just take them, or take the Spring attack Chain for Tempest. It's not as nice as before, but you should have enough feats and it does increase the rate of off-hand attacks. Fourth, those bonus feats don't require high Dex so you can delay your tomes until higher level or skip them entirely. Fifth, Ram's Might is nice. Sixth, using healing and resist wands at low levels before you can UMD them is nice. Seventh, you pick up some decent Ranged ability. Eighth, a little Favored Enemy damage is nice,

So what does it cost you? 12-24 hp, Kensai II or III.
But if you really want to be able to do traps, I think it's worth it.

Usually you would go 12 Fighter/ 6 Ranger/ 2 Rogue or 12 Ranger/ 6 Fighter/ 2 Rogue. 12 Fighter gets GWS, Power Surge, a little more favored weapon damage, and more hp.

Ranger 12/ Fighter 6/ Rogue 2 gets a higher Reflex saves, doesn't need a Dex tome, better off hand procs, better buffs, and more skill points.

Either of these are probably better in most situations that an 18 Fighter/ 2 Rogue.

[Psychotisis]

One question, why Fighter?


Because I want to be able to hold my own as much as possible. I dont like grouping, If i want to group, i will. If I can I'd like to be able to solo as much as possible. The idea of being forced to group 99% of the time is actually my biggest issue with this game. however thats not the point here.

I want to be able to be hack/slash while being able to not be stopped by locked doors/chests.

however that ranger/fighter/rogue is a cool idea. I might give that a whirl. I've been looking into tempest as well. Thanks for the advice.

[Alex301]

While i wouldn't advocate 12 ranger over 12 fighter from a dps standpoint, kensei III vs tempest 1 is definitely worth considering.

All 18 fighter offers over 12 fighter is +1 damage and +1 to crit range.
6 ranger offers +3 damage from ram's might with 10% more off hand attacks from tempest 1 and +6 damage against 2 favoured enemies. The higher reflex saves will help with evasion too.

[Dragavon]

Well... full UMD on a fighter/rogue will allow you to use heal Scrolls on yourself... stoneskin wands, ddoor scrolls, raise dead scrolls. It will allow you to be a neutral alignment and use Pure good/chaos/law weapons. Will allow you to use racially restricted items.

In short... it's used for a LOT.

This.

UMD is incredibly useful when you get it to 35+ around lvl 15-16. And the more you use it the more you realise how useful it is and you will end up with loads and loads of scrolls and wands and RR items that are useful to you.

Good scrolls are heal, restoration, raise dead, GH and invisibility. Good wands are stoneskin, shield, blur and cure critical.

My main char (MC rogue) heals himself for 304 with heal scrolls now, and average 80 with ccw wands.

[Emizand]

Have a look at this

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=277496

Should suit your needs

[dfgdsdfv]

Not a popular build but 12fighter/7rogue/1ranger or 12fighter/8rogue is a fun one.
I made a 12 figther/8rogue 34 point build TWF Dwarf, with D-Axes. Could get every trap in the game, umd heal scrolls with 100% success, break 650 hp, saves 40+. I used stunning blow and a radiance guard item so i could be very effective on trash. With this update it might have lost some dps on raid bosses but u have room to take improved sunder if you want. Can be a good backup tank, when there isn't a better one (i tanked every boss, except hard and elite Horoth). I'll post details of the build if anyone is interested