Melee from scratch

[Aleslayer]

I haven't played in ages and happened across a notce about the new expansion so decided I would see how things are going in DDO!

My question is: If I were to start a brand new melee character, be it DPS or tank or what have you, what would you recommend? As a background, I have some old junk gear lying around, nothing better than what came out of the earliest raid, and even that was limited.

Is it even feasible to make a melee character, this far behind in the game's evolution, that can at least not be gimp and be useful? I signed up for VIP status. I do have a few characters, not sure if/how to reincarnate (reset all the feats and such) so I figured starting from scratch would be best.

Any tips, strategies, advice are greatly appreciated. I would love to get back into DDO as I always enjoyed it but got dragged into other things throughout the years.

[Loromir]

I haven't played in ages and happened across a notce about the new expansion so decided I would see how things are going in DDO!

My question is: If I were to start a brand new melee character, be it DPS or tank or what have you, what would you recommend? As a background, I have some old junk gear lying around, nothing better than what came out of the earliest raid, and even that was limited.

Is it even feasible to make a melee character, this far behind in the game's evolution, that can at least not be gimp and be useful? I signed up for VIP status. I do have a few characters, not sure if/how to reincarnate (reset all the feats and such) so I figured starting from scratch would be best.

Any tips, strategies, advice are greatly appreciated. I would love to get back into DDO as I always enjoyed it but got dragged into other things throughout the years.


I think you can absolutley roll up a new Melee toon and be successful. Your old gear might not be very useful, but the new stuff dropping will definitely be a boon to you.

If you choose Fighter, I think Stalwart Defender looks good right now since AC can be meaningful again. Kensai is still not bad, but got a very slight nerf (Maybe Unintended).

Barbarian is always a good choice for Melee...just slightly more complex to play than fighter, but still pretty fun.

[Aleslayer]

Excellent! that is good to hear. I hope dwarf is still a viable choice, although half-orcs are new and intriguing as well, never having played one...

[Loromir]

Dwarf is still a good choice, Half-Orc is also a great choice. Max Str + Big Two hander and you'll mow through the lower levels like hot butter.

[Aleslayer]

Dwarf is still a good choice, Half-Orc is also a great choice. Max Str + Big Two hander and you'll mow through the lower levels like hot butter.

You have been very helpful. Thanks for the advice. One last question: I have done some research trying to find a modern Stalwart Defender. I found a couple of older ones but is there any way you could post an up to date one with the expansion?

Meaning in the older builds, everyone took THF, now I see people talking about replacing that with Sunder feats. Should I do the same, especially while levelling up? If posting a build is too onerous, and if it is no worries, could I just go loosely off the older ones found via Search?

[Loromir]

You have been very helpful. Thanks for the advice. One last question: I have done some research trying to find a modern Stalwart Defender. I found a couple of older ones but is there any way you could post an up to date one with the expansion?

Meaning in the older builds, everyone took THF, now I see people talking about replacing that with Sunder feats. Should I do the same, especially while levelling up? If posting a build is too onerous, and if it is no worries, could I just go loosely off the older ones found via Search?

When I say stalwart defender, I mean take the Prestige Enhancements. In the enhacement screen, click on show unavailable enhancements and it will list the pre-requisites for that line.

There are certain feats and enhancements that are required to take in order to get to that "PRE".

The older builds out there should still be viable.

[Aleslayer]

so I made a dwarf SD and gave him some gear, mithral full plate +4, mithral tower shield +4, some dwarven axes, and joined a group for Gwylans Stand Elite. It went fairly well. I did take a beating at times.

My AC with bark potion was 42. Not sure how that is for a fresh level 7 fighter but it seemed ok. I have a +2 to all stat tome sitting on him but am reluctant to use it yet. I just hope the Stalwart is viable in the mid levels.

I was pondering trying a monk but it sure seems like there are a ton on Ghallanda. Maybe it was just that time of the evening. Anyhow, figured I would give an update.

Thanks again.

Dharv Aleslayer of Ghallanda