Build/advice request. Traps and dps

[Lucidark]

I've been playing this game for about a week now and I've gotten to level 6 as a pure Rogue. The problem I'm having is when I go through an elite dungeon I'm worthless agaisnt spotting and searching traps making me worthless to the party; half the time we wipe. I had 14 INT, maxed spot/search and of course the other the important rogue skills. The build I was using was a high dex assassin build. I'm aware of potions, wand, tomes to increase my INT to tackle traps but I honestly can't afford the tomes yet and using potions/wands before every trap I can't spot isn't realistic to me; Of course I'm going to need to use them sooner or later but at lower levels no thanks. Now, can someone please help me build a Pure Rogue with high trap capabilities that can still be viable when it comes to DPS?

I was thinking something like this for the stats:

STR: 14
DEX: 16
CON: 10
INT: 16
WIS: 8
CHA: 8

I don't know, I really want to have 16 INT so I sacrificed my HP because from experience mobs hit me pretty hard; It's pretty much 1-3 hits (a few seconds) and I'm dead when I'm in an elite dungeon. So HP isn't really that important to me unless I was going to tank something, which I'm not. I've also seen a few builds with 10 CON and I hear 12 CON is obsolutely the lowest you can have. So I'm leaning towards 10 CON if anyone knows if its viable or not? Mabye 12 STR and put rest into CON? Can enchantments/feats be used to spot/search traps without sacrificing dps? I hear khopeshes are better then Rapier?

tl:dr
Need a pure Rogue build that can spot/search most traps with viable dps for endgame

[cesarjblack]

It sounds like your main issue is traps. Potions certainly help, and for elites you might have to get some, but I didn't see any mention of Search/Disable/Spot skill items. Effects increasing both can be found on items like almost any other skill, and keeping those up-to-date for your level often makes the difference between finding/disabling them or having to run past them.

On a build, the ability spread you have is fine, and here's what I ended up with after doing a quick build in the planner.

I didn't spend the time filling in all the skill points, max the usual rogue skills, you've plenty of points to work with. Just don't forget UMD.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Rogue)
Hit Points: 222
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 16
Will: 5

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 22
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 14 14
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 8 8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 19 (Rogue)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin II
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy IV
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Improved Hide II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery III

[Ugumagre]

Hi, Lucidark.

How often and in what dungeons did happen this to you?
Sometimes the trap pannels are behind the trap, or above the trap (climbing a ladder) or below the trap. Some traps you can only disable with a lever. Sometimes you have to search at the right place. I also had a wipe because I could not find the traps (Bounty Hunter: I wont spoil it)
For your proposed Rogue, people in the forums wont like it. If you were a veteran player, I wouldn´t say anything, but as you have some trouble let me recommend:

STR: 16
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 14
WIS:8
CHA: 8

You can be also a horrible killing machine AND be good at traps, like Sockpuppet:

STR:16
DEX:15
CON:16
INT:9
WIS:8
CHA:8
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=309669

You have to get good gear (+5 to spot and +5 to search, very easy to get in the Crystal Cove event, but that is now gone), use the "rogue skill boost" (enhancement), and maybe for the low levels get enhancements for detecting traps. Later you can change them.
Get some money. Forget about crafting and sell the essences for 600 pp at the AH. You will get enough money for buying heroism potions at the guild potion vendor in Kundarak. That is a +2 to skills.
Ask somebody to craft you a +2 INT item. Get some googles with a guild augment slot.
Lets say you are in a 25 lvl guild: +5 item, +1 extra intelligence item, +2 heroism, +2 rogue skill boost (or +2 human versatility), + 2 guild slot= +12
12 + 9 ranks +2 intelligence = 23 to search. Something less to spot.

Dont go weapon finesse, is a waste. After replying I am going to post a threat for my rogue for advice, as I took weapon finesse.

[unbongwah]

The problem I'm having is when I go through an elite dungeon I'm worthless agaisnt spotting and searching traps making me worthless to the party; half the time we wipe.
Your problem may simply be you're trying to run Elites without the gear & buffs you need to make it possible at level. Elites are as much if not more about your gear as they are about your build, esp. if you're still 28 pts.

One option is to go Mechanic (even as a TWF build) and load up on the static skill enhs; don't forget to use Skill Boost too. Later once your gear catches up, you can switch to Assassin; tier 1 is sorta blah anyway.

CON: 10
Don't do that! You're just trading one problem (too low trap skills) for another (too low HPs).

[Feithlin]

As unbongwah mentioned, the problem may come more from lack of gear than from your Int score.
Going from 14 to 16 costs a lot (4 build points) for only a net +1, especially if you sacrifice Con to get this.
Here is a list (probably not exhaustive) of things you could/should easily get to improve your trap skills:
* Optimal items for your level (+5 at 5, +7 at 7, etc.) in your trap skills.
* Attribute boosts: Fox pots (+4 Int), then a +6 Int swaped item (not on the same slot as your skill items).
* Heroism pots (+2 skills) then a GH clickie (planar girdle from Xorian Cypher) or GH scrolls (39 UMD for no fail).
* +5 tools.
If you can't find all this (especially the items, that are usually very expensive since the introduction of cannith craft), you can compensate with:
* Imp. Search/Spot/Disable device rogue enhancements (+1-4 for 1 AP each).
* Human versatility (esp. the 1st level, giving +2 for 1 AP).

[Lucidark]

It sounds like your main issue is traps. Potions certainly help, and for elites you might have to get some, but I didn't see any mention of Search/Disable/Spot skill items. Effects increasing both can be found on items like almost any other skill, and keeping those up-to-date for your level often makes the difference between finding/disabling them or having to run past them.

On a build, the ability spread you have is fine, and here's what I ended up with after doing a quick build in the planner.

I didn't spend the time filling in all the skill points, max the usual rogue skills, you've plenty of points to work with. Just don't forget UMD.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(20 Rogue)
Hit Points: 222
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 16
Will: 5

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 22
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 14 14
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 8 8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 19 (Rogue)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin II
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy IV
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Improved Hide II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery III



I don't have 32 point build


Hi, Lucidark.

How often and in what dungeons did happen this to you?
Sometimes the trap pannels are behind the trap, or above the trap (climbing a ladder) or below the trap. Some traps you can only disable with a lever. Sometimes you have to search at the right place. I also had a wipe because I could not find the traps (Bounty Hunter: I wont spoil it)
For your proposed Rogue, people in the forums wont like it. If you were a veteran player, I wouldn´t say anything, but as you have some trouble let me recommend:

STR: 16
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 14
WIS:8
CHA: 8

You can be also a horrible killing machine AND be good at traps, like Sockpuppet:

STR:16
DEX:15
CON:16
INT:9
WIS:8
CHA:8
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=309669

You have to get good gear (+5 to spot and +5 to search, very easy to get in the Crystal Cove event, but that is now gone), use the "rogue skill boost" (enhancement), and maybe for the low levels get enhancements for detecting traps. Later you can change them.
Get some money. Forget about crafting and sell the essences for 600 pp at the AH. You will get enough money for buying heroism potions at the guild potion vendor in Kundarak. That is a +2 to skills.
Ask somebody to craft you a +2 INT item. Get some googles with a guild augment slot.
Lets say you are in a 25 lvl guild: +5 item, +1 extra intelligence item, +2 heroism, +2 rogue skill boost (or +2 human versatility), + 2 guild slot= +12
12 + 9 ranks +2 intelligence = 23 to search. Something less to spot.

Dont go weapon finesse, is a waste. After replying I am going to post a threat for my rogue for advice, as I took weapon finesse.
I was using +3 gear at level 6 which made my search 14 and spot 12, I think +3 is the best I can get at my level. What enhancements should I switch to raise it? I was using this thread for enhancements: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=345727


Your problem may simply be you're trying to run Elites without the gear & buffs you need to make it possible at level. Elites are as much if not more about your gear as they are about your build, esp. if you're still 28 pts.

One option is to go Mechanic (even as a TWF build) and load up on the static skill enhs; don't forget to use Skill Boost too. Later once your gear catches up, you can switch to Assassin; tier 1 is sorta blah anyway.

Don't do that! You're just trading one problem (too low trap skills) for another (too low HPs).
Sounds like a good plan, and will 12 CON due?

[unbongwah]

Presuming we're talking a 28-pt halfling TWF DEX rogue, I'd expect it to look something like this at lvl 6:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 6 True Neutral Halfling Female
(6 Rogue)
Hit Points: 96
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 4\4
Fortitude: 5
Reflex: 11
Will: 2

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 6)
Strength 12 12
Dexterity 18 20
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 14 14
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 8 8

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Fire Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II
Enhancement: Improved Search I
Enhancement: Improved Search II
Enhancement: Improved Spot I
Enhancement: Improved Spot II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


This configuration sacrifices DPS for higher trap skills. Mechanic & the static skill boosts provide +4 to all trap skills; rogue Skill Boost II provides another +3 for 20 secs. - just long enough to find & disable a trap. [An elf or drow would have higher Spot & Search from racial bonuses.] Later on I would expect to respec into Assassin, like at lvl 12.

This guide (http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Is_my_%28insert_rogue_skill%29_high_enough) is a bit outdated, but it provides useful info about upping your skills. One thing I recommend: get your Free Agent favor (http://ddowiki.com/page/Favor#The_Free_Agents) to 150 ASAP so you can buy cheaper +4 thieves tools.

EDIT: in the end, though, if you want to run traps on elite, you're still going to need to invest in better gear & buffs. Mechanic helps, but by itself it won't be enough as you level up.

[Ugumagre]

Lucidark, if you are in Argo I can help you a bit with some gear.

[danielhrobbins]

I've been playing this game for about a week now and I've gotten to level 6 as a pure Rogue. The problem I'm having is when I go through an elite dungeon I'm worthless agaisnt spotting and searching traps making me worthless to the party; half the time we wipe. I had 14 INT, maxed spot/search and of course the other the important rogue skills. The build I was using was a high dex assassin build. I'm aware of potions, wand, tomes to increase my INT to tackle traps but I honestly can't afford the tomes yet and using potions/wands before every trap I can't spot isn't realistic to me; Of course I'm going to need to use them sooner or later but at lower levels no thanks. Now, can someone please help me build a Pure Rogue with high trap capabilities that can still be viable when it comes to DPS?

I was thinking something like this for the stats:

STR: 14
DEX: 16
CON: 10
INT: 16
WIS: 8
CHA: 8

I don't know, I really want to have 16 INT so I sacrificed my HP because from experience mobs hit me pretty hard; It's pretty much 1-3 hits (a few seconds) and I'm dead when I'm in an elite dungeon. So HP isn't really that important to me unless I was going to tank something, which I'm not. I've also seen a few builds with 10 CON and I hear 12 CON is obsolutely the lowest you can have. So I'm leaning towards 10 CON if anyone knows if its viable or not? Mabye 12 STR and put rest into CON? Can enchantments/feats be used to spot/search traps without sacrificing dps? I hear khopeshes are better then Rapier?

tl:dr
Need a pure Rogue build that can spot/search most traps with viable dps for endgame

Whoa! Please don't go 10 Con.

"So HP isn't really that important to me" - please, for the love of God, unlearn this. Stuff like this - along with the leader's ignorance in general - is why people won't accept rogues into their group at higher levels, despite that they have over 500hp and killer dps.

Traps: traps in this game are completely f*ed and imbalanced; truth be known, they are much more difficult at lower levels than at higher. Honestly, try to keep your gear maxed out - the highest INT item, disable item, etc. - you can have for the level. Take skill boost if you have to. If you find yourself still struggling, stay away from any quests much higher (if higher at all) in level ...

Also, get beyond the concept of "my only usefulness is traps" ... when you cap, traps will seem like a boring waste of time, while your real contribution will be dps and killing.

Kopeshes vs. rapiers: an issue FAR overblown. You sacrifice a feat just for proficiency, with very little gained in the long run. Stick with rapiers, they have a better crit range anyway.

Again, I really really really wish rogue was a class that had to be "unlocked" ...

[Nysrock]

I was using +3 gear at level 6 which made my search 14 and spot 12, I think +3 is the best I can get at my level. What enhancements should I switch to raise it?


Incorrect. At level 5 you can use +5 Search, Spot and Disable items. Also, you can sometimes find some +7 Race Restricted (RR) or Bound to Account (BTA) ones to that are only level5.

At level 6 if you started with 14 Int and 8 Wis then you should have some skills like this:

Search
9 - Level Skill Points
2 - Int Modifier
2 - +4 Int (Fox's Cunning Pot)
5 - +5 Item (+7 Possible)
2 - Heroism Pot
Total= 20 You could add enhancement points into search and rogue skill boost and get this higher.

[Phyrewire]

Need a pure Rogue build that can spot/search most traps with viable dps for endgame

I wrote this article after playing a Rogue for awhile.

http://my.ddo.com/phyrewire/strength-build-rogue/

You will also have the UMD to use heal or ressurrect scrolls which will be an asset to a group.

It may be worth the read for you. It didn't transcribe well into the forums here due to the HTML formatting which is why I just linked it.

For traps, it is worth noting through trial and error, the formula: Dungeon Level * 2.3 = Passive Trap DC is fairly an accurate guide whether you have enough skill (except Epic content of course).

[Zipwire]

Spot is reliant on your Wisdom stat. If you can't spot the traps you do not know where to search.
If you are new to quests you don't know where all the traps are, once you run quests a few times you will learn where they are.
Find a +2 wisdom item (head or neck) will help alot, not only to find trap boxes but hidden doors as well.
Get a better Wisdom item as you level up as well as skill items.

At lower levels you can take enhancements for rogue skills (spot,search,disable and open lock).
When you gather better gear and are higher level you can reset them for others if your rogue skills are up to snuff.

[Mercureal]

As everyone is saying, gear and buffs are the key. You need Max Search and Spot bonus gear to get elite traps at level; Int and Wis boosts are helpful too (Fox's Cunning and Owl's Wisdom). You should also check the Auction House for tools, or buy them from the Free Agent Vendor if you have enough favour, to help with disabling once you find them.

And for melee, I agree with the rest of the comments: try to fit in as many HP as you can, every point helps at higher levels. Khopesh is a bit better than a rapier, but you don't need to use it to be effective - as a rogue, your main killing power will come from your Sneak Attack.

[wolfy42]

Hi Lucidark.

It sounds like the main problem your having is spotting the traps...not finding them once you know they are there.

Spot is based on wisdom, not intelligence, so if your not using an owls wisdom clickie....your missing out on +2 spot right there. It also will last for 3 minutes a pop....so a 3 charge item should get you through most quests fairly well.

As mentioned above take the rogue enhancements as well. Honestly you don't need enhancements on disarm traps if your using decent lock picks (you can buy +4 lockpicks (+6 to disarm traps and open locks) with very little favor) a + disarm trap item (buy +5 items from the AH ....they should be very cheap), and your rogue skill boost.

I have many times run all the way through level 9 quests on elite with just +5 skill boost items (i don't even bother upgrading till +9) because that is all you need if you max your skills at level up and use your skill boost.

Spot will be your....well weak spot *heh*.....because your wisdom is so low. I know where all the traps are which makes spot only useful for seeing hidden enemies for me. You might want to run around with spot googles on though for now. At level 6 you can wear +5 spot googles which should usually be sold at the AH. If they are not...ask in trade if anyone has some spot googles to sell as they are not uncommon drops.

Finally it might be cheating a bit, but just look up the maps online...it'll show you where the traps are and then you only need to have a high enough int and search/disable...which even on elite is cake to get. Heck my artificers succeed on elite traps with a roll of 1......so yeah you can totally get a high enough search/disable.

If your in a party...full of people who have never done these quests before.....then you are very lucky....Even when the game first came out that was quite hard to find and now it's almost impossible. I'm very surprised there isn't 2 or 3 people in your party pointing out where every trap is!!

[Lucidark]

Alright thanks for all the advice helped me alot and I made a new toon. I've come into another problem now and it's really annoying to think about.

I want to use rapiers now because I don't want to spend a feat to use khopesh. I'm a drow elf with 16 STR 16 STR and I plan on being str based. So that means I won't need to take weapon finesee right? I'm not sure which enhancements and feats to take now that I want to be STR rogue with rapiers. Will I still need to take the DEX enchancments still? I know about Drow Racial Weapon Damage enchancements for rapiers and thats about it. Can anyone help me again?

[unbongwah]

I'm a drow elf with 16 STR 16 STR and I plan on being str based. So that means I won't need to take weapon finesee right?
Correct.

Will I still need to take the DEX enchancments still?
Only if you're an Acrobat; it requires the rogue DEX enhs (DEX I for Acro I, DEX III for Acro II).

[Mercureal]

Alright thanks for all the advice helped me alot and I made a new toon. I've come into another problem now and it's really annoying to think about.

I want to use rapiers now because I don't want to spend a feat to use khopesh. I'm a drow elf with 16 STR 16 STR and I plan on being str based. So that means I won't need to take weapon finesee right? I'm not sure which enhancements and feats to take now that I want to be STR rogue with rapiers. Will I still need to take the DEX enchancments still? I know about Drow Racial Weapon Damage enchancements for rapiers and thats about it. Can anyone help me again?

If you haven't already, check out the rogue class (http://ddowiki.com/page/Rogue) and rogue enhancement (http://ddowiki.com/page/Rogue_enhancements) pages on DDOWiki. They'll tell you what you have available to you, and what pre-requisites you will need for each Prestige Enhancement. The feats taken for a melee rogue are generally combat oriented: the Two-Weapon-Fighting line, Power Attack and Improved Critical are common and take up five of your seven feat choices. Feats also have pre-requisites, which you should research on the DDOWiki Feats page (http://ddowiki.com/page/Feats).

[unbongwah]

Here's a pretty typical STR-based drow rogue build:


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 True Neutral Drow Female
(20 Rogue)
Hit Points: 222
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 15
Will: 5

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 21
Dexterity 16 17
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 12 14
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 10 10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 8

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Crippling Strike


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Hamstring


Level 19 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Skill Mastery


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Rogue Deadly Shadow
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage II
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin II
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy IV
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Improved Hide II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery IV


If you find you need the boost to trap skills while leveling (again), you can start out as a Mechanic then respec into Assassin later. In which case your enhs might look something like this:


Level 6 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Perception I
Enhancement: Elven Perception II
Enhancement: Elven Keen Eyes I
Enhancement: Rogue Fire Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II
Enhancement: Improved Search I
Enhancement: Improved Search II
Enhancement: Improved Spot I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I

Level 12 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Perception III
Enhancement: Elven Perception IV
Enhancement: Elven Keen Eyes II
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device III
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device IV
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock III
Enhancement: Improved Search III
Enhancement: Improved Search IV
Enhancement: Improved Spot II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense II


Note that this is a pretty extreme example of trying to max out one's trap enhs - overboard, frankly - at the expense of DPS. But if you're trying run elites with subpar gear, your skills tend to need all the help they can get.