Artificer amalgamation - advice?

[Wizzly_Bear]

My next life will be an artificer. It will be my first artificer. As I'm not generally a fan of ranged or melee, I came up with a build idea to combine both with casting ability to see which is like best for the subsequent two artificer lives I have planned. I understand the build is sub-optimal. I'm not looking to make him better; however, I am interested in getting thoughts or ideas on how I might differently/better achieve my goal of an artificer who is decently capable at melee, ranged, and casting - a true jack of all trades.

I often solo.
I don't care about bravery bonus.
Past lives will be 3x sorcerer.

General
Pure Artificer
Human 36-point
STR 16
DEX 16
CON 14
INT 16
WIS 8
CHA 8

+4 tome in all

Feats, in planned order of acquisition
1 Toughness
1 THF
3 Bastard sword proficiency
4 Construct Essence
6 Point Blank Shot
8 Precise Shot
9 ITHF
12 Improved Critical: Ranged
12 Improved Critical: Slashing
15 Maximize
16 Improved Precise Shot
18 GTHF

Skills, all maxed: concentration, disable device, open lock, search, spot, UMD, hide (half), move silently (half), tumble (1 rank), bluff (half)
Rest in balance/jump

Level ups in intelligence

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

[smkalinowski]

I just finished leveling my first arti (well multiclassed but mostly arti) to 20. I know your goal is a "true" jack of all trades but I've gotta say with all the casting and ranging (both xbow and rune arm) things are going to be mostly dead before they get close enough to melee.

My advice would be to reduce your investment in the THF/BS. You will still be multitasking a lot, especially if you decide to use the pet. Artis are a lot of management. Don't get me wrong, I loved it but they can take a little getting used to. Construct essence isn't all that good from what I've been told. Drop it for Spell Focus: Evo - it benefits both your spells and rune arm and rely on your awesomeness with scrolls for healing.

If you do plan to use the pet, or if you solo with a hireling, Augment Summon is worth it (it also affects Flame Turret). Also, on a ranged character, Precision is pretty important.

To increase your "jack of all trades" usefulness don't forget about your trap skills. You have points allocated to the skill but Insightful Reflexes and/or Dodge are also quite useful for survival (traps and also if you are planning to get up close an personal with meleeing).

How I would rework your feats to attain your "Jack of All Trades Goals"

1 Toughness
1 PB Shot
3 BS Proficiency
4 Precise Shot
6 THF
8 Augment Summon
9 SF: Evocation
12 IC: Ranged
12 Precision
15 Insightful Reflexes
16 Maximize
18 ITHF


The new feat lineup puts less focus on melee (but does not eliminate it) to allow for better spells and rune arms. I did take out Improved Precise Shot because despite the hype, I found it to be only situationally useful. I used Archer's Focus (which comes with Precise Shot) far more often. Removing it allowed for Precision. Finally, if you do use the pet (and I recommend it) Augment Summon will make it viable. If you want to be a jack of all trades you should use all the assets at your disposal - the pet is an asset if used properly.

Of course all of this is assuming you want to stay a pure arti. If you multiclass, even more possibilities open up.

Your base stats are fine and with a tome, even better.

Enjoy your arti life, they are a lot of fun!

[MartinusWyllt]

With easy UMD I found construct essence less that useful. Gimped reconstruct and gimped heal scrolls....yeah.

[Wizzly_Bear]

Thanks :)

[unbongwah]

I've been toying with similar "melee+ranged" arty build ideas. Is this a "race to 20 & TR again" build? If so, then it doesn't matter if you sacrifice the capstone; so why not splash monk and/or ftr for more feats?

[BuyTiles]

Melee on an arti is like melee on a sorc. You can do it, but why?

You'll end up spreading your stats too thin, losing dc's, damage and hps.

With 3 sorc past lives, you'll get excellent dc's.

Play to the strengths of the class and you'll dominate all the content from 1-20 on elite.

You've got enough feats to maximise ranged and spell casting feats.

Go WF and you've got self healing as well, don't gimp by construct essence.

Dump str/wis/cha.

Max int. Dex base+tome enough to hit 19 for IPS, rest into CON

Caster feats: Maximise/Quicken/SF:evo,GSF:evo
Ranged feats: PBS,Rapid shot, PS,IC:ranged,IPS

Don't take augment summons, it's really a wasted feat.

I'm currently running my completionist arti and it's very viable in endgame content.

[Bunker]

I'll toss in a suggestion. You dont' like melee or ranged, and knowing you Wizzly, you have all the bells and chimes of a TR. Surprised you want to go human, figured for arti you would just run WF.

Play as a caster, with ranged repeater backup. The low lvl spells do work, and work well. IMO, pick up augment summoning and quicken by time you hit lvl 6. You will be able to ride out quests to lvl 12 with your Flame Turrent. It is awesome, but quicken is important early, and augment summoning actually makes a difference IMO.

For enhancements, spec out lightning using spells lightning sphere and lightning motes.

Lightning motes at low lvl is great for mid ranged area dmg and stun. Basically, it is an Arti soundbust type spell. It works and works well.

Keep up your ranged feats, and hit up a few metas. Once you hit lvl 12, get rid of aug summoning and pick up another meta, by now you should have max and empower and once you get bladebarrier, you will have force and electric maxed.

I know you like caster, so play it as a caster if you want to blitz thru. That is my 2cp.

-Bunk

[Wizzly_Bear]

I've been toying with similar "melee+ranged" arty build ideas. Is this a "race to 20 & TR again" build? If so, then it doesn't matter if you sacrifice the capstone; so why not splash monk and/or ftr for more feats?

Primary reasons for going pure
- want to experience full artificer, since it's my first real stab at the class
- blade barrier already has to wait until 15, and I'd hate to have to wait even longer

[Wizzly_Bear]

Melee on an arti is like melee on a sorc. You can do it, but why?
Sorcerers don't get Insightful Damage, or rune arms.


You'll end up spreading your stats too thin, losing dc's, damage and hps.
36 point with +4 tomes in all stats. I don't think I have anything to worry about.


Play to the strengths of the class and you'll dominate all the content from 1-20 on elite.
I don't care about elite.


Go WF and you've got self healing as well, don't gimp by construct essence.
I should have been more clear in the OP in these regards. I'm considering human for my first artificer life due to more skill points, and a desire to experience construct essence. Part of my intention is to try new things with each life. For instance, in this life I am trying out a sneaky sorcerer.


Dump str/wis/cha.

Max int. Dex base+tome enough to hit 19 for IPS, rest into CON
No interest in min/max.


Caster feats: Maximise/Quicken/SF:evo,GSF:evo
Ranged feats: PBS,Rapid shot, PS,IC:ranged,IPS
With 3 sorcerer past lives and not caring about running elite, the spell foci are likely overkill. I'd probably be better served with mental toughness.

[Wizzly_Bear]

I'll toss in a suggestion. You dont' like melee or ranged, and knowing you Wizzly, you have all the bells and chimes of a TR. Surprised you want to go human, figured for arti you would just run WF.

Play as a caster, with ranged repeater backup. The low lvl spells do work, and work well. IMO, pick up augment summoning and quicken by time you hit lvl 6. You will be able to ride out quests to lvl 12 with your Flame Turrent. It is awesome, but quicken is important early, and augment summoning actually makes a difference IMO.

For enhancements, spec out lightning using spells lightning sphere and lightning motes.

Lightning motes at low lvl is great for mid ranged area dmg and stun. Basically, it is an Arti soundbust type spell. It works and works well.

Keep up your ranged feats, and hit up a few metas. Once you hit lvl 12, get rid of aug summoning and pick up another meta, by now you should have max and empower and once you get bladebarrier, you will have force and electric maxed.

I know you like caster, so play it as a caster if you want to blitz thru. That is my 2cp.

-Bunk
I had forgotten that flame turret was a summons (long cast), and I had assumed that my SPt. pool would be too limited to go full on caster. I'll look into this more. I do have plenty of elixers saved up from the sorcerer lives. I'll roll up a couple vets and play around with your suggestions. Thanks :)

As far as human v. warforged - more skill points, + experiencing construct essence. Part of my trying to revive my interest in the game is trying a whole bunch of new stuff (and hence trying to work in melee/ranged).

[Bunker]

After seeing what you said, about trying soemthing new. Have at it. I have a Human Arti parked @ 20 for crafting, and practiced in the art of Repeater, my favorite. And they can be pretty cool in ranged.

On mothergoose, I'm on my Atri life right now. Decided to go WF, since I haven't been a WF in about 10 lives, and go more pure caster with ranged backup.

At mid lvls, with Flame turret + Endless Fusillade, there isnt' a room you cannot clear.

As for min/max builds, I've never been a fan. I like bluff because you can bluff targets at a range (a rather good distance if you ask me), and that can be useful.

When I mentioned having all the bells and chimes, I figured you'd have a Vibrant Purple Ioun Stone. I'm at lvl 9 on my Arti, and with little to no effort, I have 800 sp. More than enough for anything.

Another great item imo, especially if you get into a bit of ranged combat are a few rings. Walmart special manslayer ring from House C challenges is super useful, and upgraded ring of lies from Reaver Raid is great. Imp. deception at lvl 13 is awesome.

Also, you are thinking human, so I'm sure you know all about he Frozen Tunic, but if you don't, it works with ranged combat, and is a wonder.

-Bunk

Happy Hunting!

[BuyTiles]

Sorcerers don't get Insightful Damage, or rune arms.
True, but would you put 16 into a stat that has no use even on a sorc?


36 point with +4 tomes in all stats. I don't think I have anything to worry about.
Your primary stat is int on an arti. I'd prefer to max the primary stat in any build, but of course you build as you like.

I don't care about elite.
This was just to give an idea about the power of the build. Level up with casual if you like.

I should have been more clear in the OP in these regards. I'm considering human for my first artificer life due to more skill points, and a desire to experience construct essence. Part of my intention is to try new things with each life. For instance, in this life I am trying out a sneaky sorcerer.
An int based arti gets more than enough skill points. 1 more skill point for 50% healing, don't think the pay off is worth it.

No interest in min/max.
Roll how you like, your build, your game. Personally I hate having to chase mobs, so really enjoy the ranged aspect of an Arti. Dropping mobs quickly is also a pleasure.

With 3 sorcerer past lives and not caring about running elite, the spell foci are likely overkill. I'd probably be better served with mental toughness.
My experience (again on elite and harder content) is you'll need all the evo focus you can get. Your spells max out at lvl 6. Tactical detonation is awesome when it lands all the time, as is prismatic strike.

Comments in gold

[Grimaxe]

[QUOTE=BuyTiles;4801337]Melee on an arti is like melee on a sorc. You can do it, but why? [QUOTE]

why....? cause playing a wf arti or sorc that can self heal is awesome and everyone should try it atleast once...lol

Lol ok not trying to start anything but just want to point out that probably the most successful Caster melee is the Tukaw build (Sorc16/pal2/rog2) as well Melee artificers can be just as successful in melee combat I havea first life pure arti atm who is lvl 16 and uses two-handed-weapons. only down fall to the toon is I built him to be a buffing melee with emergency trap skills with high UMD/haggle with minimal ranged and offensive casting use, so offensive spells and ranged combat is lacking as well he sucks at opening locks....LMAO

For the person looking for advice, I'll agree with most of everyone else, ranged and rune arm use will pretty much demolish anything before it gets close to you. for feat selections it looks like there have been good suggestions for spell/ranged combat. Artificer can be fun to play, and there are many play styles you can use with them like most other classes. Good luck with your arti lives :D

[MartinusWyllt]

...
Also, you are thinking human, so I'm sure you know all about he Frozen Tunic, but if you don't, it works with ranged combat, and is a wonder...

Is it still bugged with the rune arms? Whichever was put on last is the effect that get to the repeater over the other?

[Wizzly_Bear]

After seeing what you said, about trying soemthing new. Have at it. I have a Human Arti parked @ 20 for crafting, and practiced in the art of Repeater, my favorite. And they can be pretty cool in ranged.

On mothergoose, I'm on my Atri life right now. Decided to go WF, since I haven't been a WF in about 10 lives, and go more pure caster with ranged backup.

At mid lvls, with Flame turret + Endless Fusillade, there isnt' a room you cannot clear.

As for min/max builds, I've never been a fan. I like bluff because you can bluff targets at a range (a rather good distance if you ask me), and that can be useful.
I've seen MrCow use it to good effect, but neer tried it myself, so I decided to give it a whirl this sorcerer life. I like it so far, so I'm planning on keeping it for the artificer lives.


When I mentioned having all the bells and chimes, I figured you'd have a Vibrant Purple Ioun Stone. I'm at lvl 9 on my Arti, and with little to no effort, I have 800 sp. More than enough for anything.
I had meant to farm one last life (new server, so don't have quite all my bells and whistles), but got antsy to TR again. Also meant to farm some Greensteel. Maybe this life...


Another great item imo, especially if you get into a bit of ranged combat are a few rings. Walmart special manslayer ring from House C challenges is super useful, and upgraded ring of lies from Reaver Raid is great. Imp. deception at lvl 13 is awesome.

Also, you are thinking human, so I'm sure you know all about he Frozen Tunic, but if you don't, it works with ranged combat, and is a wonder.

-Bunk

Happy Hunting!
Haven't had any experience with either of those - I'll have to take a look. Thanks again, Bunk :)