Dwarf melee PM; would this work?

[xMund]

Hi all

I am considering doing a melee PM for my next life and was hopping to get your input. This is mostly for heroic levels. He might cap a single destiny while getting tokens, but heroic content is the focus. I mostly solo, so I count on having aggro most of the time under any circumstance...

The overall idea, is to go Dwarf, Wiz 19/Fig 1, run in Wraith form with tenser's and death aura going, dipping in AM tree for web SLA and utilizing Throw Your Weight Around (and axe enhancements) from Dwarf tree.

The basic build is here (repair is placeholder for spellcraft): http://www.ddochargen.com/home.aspx?build=57813

This would be my first caster, so I have a few concerns/questions I am hoping to get input on:

1) Will I be able to hit anything with base STR 13, and if I can will it be hard enough to matter?

2) Will my spell casting still be effective, even with Tenser's running (mostly thinking of DCs webs and FoD, and spell pen)?

3) Would I be better off taking a second Fighter lvl to add in cleave?

4) Will I be too squishy to handle all the attention I would be getting?

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
xMund

[korsat]

Hi all

I am considering doing a melee PM for my next life and was hopping to get your input. This is mostly for heroic levels. He might cap a single destiny while getting tokens, but heroic content is the focus. I mostly solo, so I count on having aggro most of the time under any circumstance...

The overall idea, is to go Dwarf, Wiz 19/Fig 1, run in Wraith form with tenser's and death aura going, dipping in AM tree for web SLA and utilizing Throw Your Weight Around (and axe enhancements) from Dwarf tree.

The basic build is here (repair is placeholder for spellcraft): http://www.ddochargen.com/home.aspx?build=57813

This would be my first caster, so I have a few concerns/questions I am hoping to get input on:

1) Will I be able to hit anything with base STR 13, and if I can will it be hard enough to matter?

2) Will my spell casting still be effective, even with Tenser's running (mostly thinking of DCs webs and FoD, and spell pen)?

3) Would I be better off taking a second Fighter lvl to add in cleave?

4) Will I be too squishy to handle all the attention I would be getting?

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
xMund

Hi, you talking about my main :) korsat is 18wiz/2monk/5legendarydreadnought.

50 str/48 con/50 int and 850hp in LD with lich form but for melee i'm finding wraith probably better for the 35% incorporeal. That +25% dodge when blitzing and aura hitting for 60-70 with evasion and 40+ reflex save makes him nearly unkillable on normal quests. (soloed eeda 1st wave the other day just to try the wraith form and it rocks really).
If you add the 250 cold spellpower and energy burst twisted in from draconic hell it's dps! Also have 3 wiz pl for 32 base spell penetration for otto dance and 45 dc fod in ld (can pump to 55 maybe more with magister and new gears).

But this is epic content. if you want lvl 1-20 toon without p2p classes then 18wiz/2fighter sounds cool. I sugget to level up int anyways.
Cleaves are good if you plan to play epic content and take OC (need 23 base strenght for that)
you can drop dex to 8 cause you will take insightful reflex feat.
if you are 36 pb 18 8 14 18 8 6 are the stats, lvl ups depend on tomes, if have +5 str tome put everything on int since you can hit 23 base str just with tome for OC.
if you are 32 pb then 14 8 18 18 8 6 lvl up int and you can drop cleaves for more oriented caster feats (like spell penetration), also because on heroic content cleaves aren't that strong. take epic thoughness instead of OC.

if you want to know if it works yes it does. with tenser at 20 can easily hit 34-38 strenght even on a 1st lifer and you just need power attack and ic:slash to contribute in dps.
on the other side I suggest to take cleaves and OC only if you plan to play epic content, but it's another type of build.

gl ^^

EDIT: regarding feats no conjuration focus or augment summon, take mental thoughness instead 1 and 2. or something else. Also I would suggest 2 fighter for the extra feat instead of 19/1.

[stoerm]

Heh, I came to the Wizard thread while considering this same concept for my main's wizard life.

I was thinking of how to best utilize Throw Your Weight Around and it seems the best synergy is with classes that don't push you into either the strength or dexterity path for melee, i.e. arcane or divine. Taking two monk levels would give you evasion, and as far as I can tell being uncentered from holding a axe/pick/maul won't affect that.

As for your questions:

1) You'll get to-hit bonuses from lower tier enhancements that you'll need to take anyhow. With greater heroism and a few divine power clickies, you shouldn't have a big problem. Even less so if you've held (web also probably works) the mobs first.

3) Probably worth it if you can fit it in. You'll get aggro from glancing blows anyhow. I'd take improved critical first, however.

2 and 4) You should be ok with maximized int, adjust your playstyle to the situation.

[Panzermeyer]

Heh, I came to the Wizard thread while considering this same concept for my main's wizard life.

I was thinking of how to best utilize Throw Your Weight Around and it seems the best synergy is with classes that don't push you into either the strength or dexterity path for melee, i.e. arcane or divine. Taking two monk levels would give you evasion, and as far as I can tell being uncentered from holding a axe/pick/maul won't affect that.

As for your questions:

1) You'll get to-hit bonuses from lower tier enhancements that you'll need to take anyhow. With greater heroism and a few divine power clickies, you shouldn't have a big problem. Even less so if you've held (web also probably works) the mobs first.

3) Probably worth it if you can fit it in. You'll get aggro from glancing blows anyhow. I'd take improved critical first, however.

2 and 4) You should be ok with maximized int, adjust your playstyle to the situation.

As an INT build I would go with Rogue for evasion rather than Monk. Running with axes you will be uncentered and so all you gain is one feat. With INT that high you can be a viable trapper and get the occasional small boost from sneak attack.