EK Build that works and is raid worthy

[Lifespawn]

So being tired of the threads about how ek sucks and is splash only I decided to come up with a build and try it out before posting.

Not huge on grammar so i'll try to keep it as easy to read as possible.


PDK 36 point build

18 sorc/2 pally

16 str +5 tome +2 lvlup= 23 for oc
18 cha +5 tome +5 enh +10 item + 5 lvlups +2 exc +1 ins +2 ship +2 Yugo = 50 for a 20 mod
rest in con


feats in no order

PA
Cleave
Great Cleave
THF
Improved Crit Slashing
Max
Empower
Quicken
Ruin
Overwhelming Critical


I'd like to fit in the whole thf line but simply no room

using Esos or ECloudburst from FOT

first 3 cores of EK for the Doublestrike and 2 elements plus some force sp

Taking ek to top tier for the 30 second force damage cleave max out the shield sla for sure and the mage armor one if you want but it doesn't really help much.
Tensers toggle is also a must use cha enhancments for fillers to get to top tier.

PDK tree the main reason for the build synergy and it sounds odd but really only 2 enhancments from this tree that you need.

First tier allowing you to use cha for attack and damage mod and for Cormyr top tier racial that adds your cha bonus (20) to damage supposed to be 2 minutes currently only 1 minute.

SD tree first core and 3 points in extra loh.

Few points into the ice savant tree to flavor and off you go.

Obviously not a powerhouse top tier dps but it is very doable needs shroud hp item and as much help with con items and tomes as possible due to the lower hp pool of sorc.

Where this build shines the most is that for Cormyr enhancement once per rest when under 50% hp activate to heal to full and add your cha mod to all nearby allies damage for 2 minutes(currently bugged at 1 minute)

20 to damage while somewhat hard to get to and setup tho the shield that pops up from this tree when your at 50% health really helps.

The damage bonus for 2 minutes is amazing especially if we get raids that matter 20 damage to 8-10 other melee/physical damage doers over 2 minutes is a huge dps boost and that 20 is not the max I think you can get to 23-24 bonus if fully geared with the best of the best.

Mainly in LD with Tsunami and energy burst twisted in and either primal scream which I think most people have or a utility like cocoon or the spell point bump from the fvs tree.


Tsunami is somewhat hard to use but once you get the hang of it it's a great spell and under appreciated.

Burst is great aoe damage and being set up for cold and force both of these twists benefit from your spellpower setups.

Ruin I know is debated but it's large damage when you need it and can be a life saver.

Healing will be with scrolls cocoon or the 4 lay on hands that will hit for 250+

Displacement is a must and some prr to stack with your full plate full bab prr and the 10 from your shield sla should hit you to around 60 prr .

Gear to suit force and cold are your focus.


Again the main bonus that really makes this shine is a once per rest ability to add your cha mod to damage and that should be 20+ for 2 minutes having this while on a boss should make it top tier dps for those 2 minutes And it helps everyone in range.

Gives you flex ability to be melee or casting LD or Shiradi for your main destiny to suit without giving up dc's because it's all cha for the main stat for both playstyles.

[thesnoman]

PDK 36 point build

18 sorc/2 pally



I admire the choices here on the build - but I have a quick question - did you LR to get 2 Pally - IIRC PDK is fighter?

[Lifespawn]

ya unfortunately you do have to lr to get rid of the fighter level tho you could keep the 1 ftr level and pick up another in the thf line and I wouldn't lesser out the fighter till you were done with tr/etr

[hucka]

cant you TR into any class even on an iconic?

considering that the U20 notes say:

When generating your new character, you can choose between any classes or Iconics available to you.
which sounds like you can start as any class even as PDK

[dunklezhan]

cant you TR into any class even on an iconic?

considering that the U20 notes say:

which sounds like you can start as any class even as PDK

PDK is a race not a class, and your first level in it HAS to be the iconic's prime class. You can LR to get rid of it, but initially you HAVE to take it. Why not go bladeforged for pally naturally and arcane self heals? I realise you'd lose the Cormyr enhancement, but its only once per rest. Reconstruct + conc opp is forever... :)

[Lifespawn]

PDK is a race not a class, and your first level in it HAS to be the iconic's prime class. You can LR to get rid of it, but initially you HAVE to take it. Why not go bladeforged for pally naturally and arcane self heals? I realise you'd lose the Cormyr enhancement, but its only once per rest. Reconstruct + conc opp is forever... :)



because one you can't use the for cormyr and 2 you can't use cha for attack and damage so you would have to invest heavily in str and lower your dc's for casting+spellpoint pool/lay on hands/saves

[AtomicMew]

1) bladeforged
2) wizard is superior to sorc for EK builds
3) Splash more. No EK build should have more than 12 levels of arcane. You get almost nothing from more levels. You also need way more feats than you have listed to be a decent build. Splash 6 monk and go for centered sireth.
4) I don't understand the phrase "raid worthy", it doesn't seem to mean anything anymore. Raids are far less difficult than newer content.

[Rhaphael]

1) bladeforged
2) wizard is superior to sorc for EK builds
3) Splash more. No EK build should have more than 12 levels of arcane. You get almost nothing from more levels. You also need way more feats than you have listed to be a decent build. Splash 6 monk and go for centered sireth.
4) I don't understand the phrase "raid worthy", it doesn't seem to mean anything anymore. Raids are far less difficult than newer content.

I was in a EE group yesterday with the leader being a Bladeforged 16 Sorc / 2 Pally / 2 Monk and his build rocked. He was using perma-Tenser's and was meleeing with greatsword, not casting. His hp never dropped below 75% and he was killing things very fast.

So to me that proves
1) You don't need wiz for good EK builds
2) EK builds with more than 12 levels can work well
3) EK builds can work well into EE

[Pala-forged]

I was in a EE group yesterday with the leader being a Bladeforged 16 Sorc / 2 Pally / 2 Monk and his build rocked. He was using perma-Tenser's and was meleeing with greatsword, not casting. His hp never dropped below 75% and he was killing things very fast.

So to me that proves
1) You don't need wiz for good EK builds
2) EK builds with more than 12 levels can work well
3) EK builds can work well into EE
Not sure why you'd use perma tensers, it's one of the better scrolls... anyway.

1) Just because you don't need it doesn't make wizard better, unless you want saves without getting all of 17 int. I don't even think you need 17, but whatever.
2) Can work doesn't mean it's superior.
3) He pointed out "raid worthy" is nothing special now, saying EE is harder... which is true. He didn't say a EK couldn't do EE.

I get that you want to defend your build and all, but not everything posted here is an attack on you.

[sirgog]

Not sure why you'd use perma tensers, it's one of the better scrolls... anyway.

1) Just because you don't need it doesn't make wizard better, unless you want saves without getting all of 17 int. I don't even think you need 17, but whatever.
2) Can work doesn't mean it's superior.
3) He pointed out "raid worthy" is nothing special now, saying EE is harder... which is true. He didn't say a EK couldn't do EE.

I get that you want to defend your build and all, but not everything posted here is an attack on you.

The act of casting Tensors is a significant DPS loss, as while casting Tensors you are not swinging your weapon.

Casting spells is not instantaneous in DDO, casting a quickened spell locks out melee attacks for ~350 milliseconds (negligible), 700ms if you do not have Quicken, but casting a scroll locks out melee attacks for a full three seconds.

Sometimes you can time it so that occurs during downtime (running to the next mob) but in longer fights that is not an option. As such perma Tensors is a real benefit. (Not necessarily worth taking, but not garbage).

[Pala-forged]

The act of casting Tensors is a significant DPS loss, as while casting Tensors you are not swinging your weapon.

Casting spells is not instantaneous in DDO, casting a quickened spell locks out melee attacks for ~350 milliseconds (negligible), 700ms if you do not have Quicken, but casting a scroll locks out melee attacks for a full three seconds.

Sometimes you can time it so that occurs during downtime (running to the next mob) but in longer fights that is not an option. As such perma Tensors is a real benefit. (Not necessarily worth taking, but not garbage).

I normally buff it up beforehand, with extended tensers on my bar (or one of them) if need be. When I get around to my next wizzy life, I'll throw quicken on it - it's not like sp is an issue these days, just feat slots.

[EllisDee37]

Isn't the primary value of tenser's the stacking +4 strength? Kind of wasted on a cha-for-damage build. (As is rage.) I would think divine power clickies would be a better way to get full BAB.

[Silverleafeon]

I was in a EE group yesterday with the leader being a Bladeforged 16 Sorc / 2 Pally / 2 Monk and his build rocked. He was using perma-Tenser's and was meleeing with greatsword, not casting. His hp never dropped below 75% and he was killing things very fast.

So to me that proves
1) You don't need wiz for good EK builds
2) EK builds with more than 12 levels can work well
3) EK builds can work well into EE
Interesting.

Bladeforged 16 sorc / 2 pally / 2 monk could be built by TRing into Iconic w/o needing lesser heart.

While in that class configuration, one could epic TR into various spheres such as:

Legendary Dreadnought with EK build
Shiradi with magic missle build
Draconic with elemental build
Not sure about divine sphere?



The act of casting Tensors is a significant DPS loss, as while casting Tensors you are not swinging your weapon.

Casting spells is not instantaneous in DDO, casting a quickened spell locks out melee attacks for ~350 milliseconds (negligible), 700ms if you do not have Quicken, but casting a scroll locks out melee attacks for a full three seconds.

Sometimes you can time it so that occurs during downtime (running to the next mob) but in longer fights that is not an option. As such perma Tensors is a real benefit. (Not necessarily worth taking, but not garbage).

Well said.

[Lifespawn]

Isn't the primary value of tenser's the stacking +4 strength? Kind of wasted on a cha-for-damage build. (As is rage.) I would think divine power clickies would be a better way to get full BAB.


personally i use tensers for the extra con same for rage along with the full bab that gives me a better to hit and prr

[Lifespawn]

1) bladeforged
2) wizard is superior to sorc for EK builds
3) Splash more. No EK build should have more than 12 levels of arcane. You get almost nothing from more levels. You also need way more feats than you have listed to be a decent build. Splash 6 monk and go for centered sireth.
4) I don't understand the phrase "raid worthy", it doesn't seem to mean anything anymore. Raids are far less difficult than newer content.


1. Bladeforged gets rid of the primary reason for this build lowers saves and loh and my dc doesn't suffer having to put points in str

2.Personal opinion

3.more levels gives me more spells your 12 levels of arcane only, locks you out of being a serious caster if need be

4. Raid worthy as we have 2 new raids coming out that will hopefully bring us an endgame with raids worth running and assuming dps will matter

[Pyroweasle]

1) bladeforged
2) wizard is superior to sorc for EK builds
3) Splash more. No EK build should have more than 12 levels of arcane. You get almost nothing from more levels. You also need way more feats than you have listed to be a decent build. Splash 6 monk and go for centered sireth.
4) I don't understand the phrase "raid worthy", it doesn't seem to mean anything anymore. Raids are far less difficult than newer content.

I have a First life 14Sorc/4Pally/2Rogue Bladeforged EK That is pleanty survivable. Yes it is feat starved, but you don't need THAT many feats unless you are trying a TWF build (which mine is now after I got a few tomes). In Fury, he has right around 900 Hp's self buffed, and a plenty big SP pool to spam his EK cleaves. The 4 pally was to get Divine might, and the 2 rogue was for evasion and so i could max out UMD. And on top of all that, his saves are 52+ for all three. Without much gear, other than a EE Hunter's slayer(slotted Impulse), and 2 EE Alligence's(slotted recon and impulse), he has basic loot gen gear. He tear's stuff up, and his Recons heal for 560-600 depending on if i have Power of the Forge running. If i could get a cleaver on him, id go back to LD, and he would probably destroy even more. EK's are not just a splash build, and the perma-tensers is alot of fun.

[AtomicMew]

1. Bladeforged gets rid of the primary reason for this build lowers saves and loh and my dc doesn't suffer having to put points in str

2.Personal opinion

3.more levels gives me more spells your 12 levels of arcane only, locks you out of being a serious caster if need be

4. Raid worthy as we have 2 new raids coming out that will hopefully bring us an endgame with raids worth running and assuming dps will matter

1) PDK is terrible compared to bladeforged. It's not even close.

2) Sorc gives you nothing that wizard doesn't also give you.

3) You can't be a "serious caster" either way with 12 levels or 18 levels, unless you swap destinies and enhancements and LR to change races and stat distribution, so I don't really see the point.

4) My suggestion is to build to be competent at current content before even thinking about future content.

[AtomicMew]

I have a First life 14Sorc/4Pally/2Rogue Bladeforged EK That is pleanty survivable. Yes it is feat starved, but you don't need THAT many feats unless you are trying a TWF build (which mine is now after I got a few tomes). In Fury, he has right around 900 Hp's self buffed, and a plenty big SP pool to spam his EK cleaves. The 4 pally was to get Divine might, and the 2 rogue was for evasion and so i could max out UMD. And on top of all that, his saves are 52+ for all three. Without much gear, other than a EE Hunter's slayer(slotted Impulse), and 2 EE Alligence's(slotted recon and impulse), he has basic loot gen gear. He tear's stuff up, and his Recons heal for 560-600 depending on if i have Power of the Forge running. If i could get a cleaver on him, id go back to LD, and he would probably destroy even more. EK's are not just a splash build, and the perma-tensers is alot of fun.

52 in saves is really bad. You want to shoot for 70 in saves. I'm guessing you also don't have manyshot, which is why you think you don't have any feat problems. All melee toons should be trying to fit in manyshot since it is a large increase in DPS.

[Lifespawn]

1) PDK is terrible compared to bladeforged. It's not even close.

2) Sorc gives you nothing that wizard doesn't also give you.

3) You can't be a "serious caster" either way with 12 levels or 18 levels, unless you swap destinies and enhancements and LR to change races and stat distribution, so I don't really see the point.

4) My suggestion is to build to be competent at current content before even thinking about future content.

1 spouting your opinion over and over doesn't make you right i agree bladeforge is easier not better

2 sorc allows me to synergize my main stat with everything saves to hit healing damage spellpoints dc's umd

3 i can be a serious caster with an easy destiny switch maybe your not actually reading the build why would i have to lr to change stat distribution my cha covers everything

4 this build is already competent at current content and will just shine when harder actual endgame raids comes out i'm putting it out there so that other people can see what it's capable of and be able to get to a 36 point build as well as gear it out before the raids to come out

5 i have a shiradi sorc and a serious dps casting fvs along with an original monkcher before it got popular this is something new and will be an asset it's just going to take you some time to see it obviously

[Atremus]

TRing Tomorrow. Will try this out (yes it will be odd to not be a caster Sorc)

Edit: will probably splash 2 FvS for access to Divine Might. So 16/2/2

[Failedlegend]

That is a very nice build...unfortunately it does nothing to prove that EK is a good Prestige beyond what people are already saying it shows that PDK and Sorc Mix well if your trying to a make a Gish build very little of it has anything to do with EK.

EK's cleaves are nice and perma-tensers is a nice convenience but their not worth wasting that many points or locking out other tier 5 abilities

[AtomicMew]

1 spouting your opinion over and over doesn't make you right i agree bladeforge is easier not better

2 sorc allows me to synergize my main stat with everything saves to hit healing damage spellpoints dc's umd

3 i can be a serious caster with an easy destiny switch maybe your not actually reading the build why would i have to lr to change stat distribution my cha covers everything
CHA doesn't "cover" anything.

Caster DPS, most of your damage is coming from destiny and enhancements. You can literally dump CHA and be a competent caster. You also don't need 18 sorc levels, you really only need 12-16. Yes, you can swap enhancements and destinies, but then you are just a weaker version of a more specialized toon.


4 this build is already competent at current content and will just shine when harder actual endgame raids comes out i'm putting it out there so that other people can see what it's capable of and be able to get to a 36 point build as well as gear it out before the raids to come out

5 i have a shiradi sorc and a serious dps casting fvs along with an original monkcher before it got popular this is something new and will be an asset it's just going to take you some time to see it obviously
Your basing your race choice on a weak, one time use bard-like ability and CHA to damage (which is weaker than divine might). You obviously want to highlight and share your build, right? But you have not shown or provided evidence that this is a competent build.

Show some relevant evidence and accomplishments that this build is capable of in current end game EE content and I will gladly take back my words and re-evaluate. Keyword *relevant* - anyone can be carried through EE content. I don't expect every build to be able to flawless solo EE WGU and EE U20, but duo-ing or trio-ing flawlessly (where you contributed equally) should not be out of the question for builds that are being hailed as new and powerful along the lines of monkchers and shiradi casters.

[Lifespawn]

CHA doesn't "cover" anything.

Caster DPS, most of your damage is coming from destiny and enhancements. You can literally dump CHA and be a competent caster. You also don't need 18 sorc levels, you really only need 12-16. Yes, you can swap enhancements and destinies, but then you are just a weaker version of a more specialized toon.


Your basing your race choice on a weak, one time use bard-like ability and CHA to damage (which is weaker than divine might). You obviously want to highlight and share your build, right? But you have not shown or provided evidence that this is a competent build.

Show some relevant evidence and accomplishments that this build is capable of in current end game EE content and I will gladly take back my words and re-evaluate. Keyword *relevant* - anyone can be carried through EE content. I don't expect every build to be able to flawless solo EE WGU and EE U20, but duo-ing or trio-ing flawlessly (where you contributed equally) should not be out of the question for builds that are being hailed as new and powerful along the lines of monkchers and shiradi casters.



once i get back to cap i'll post some screenies i'm not saying it's THE top tier build but the 20 or so plus to damage for 2 minutes is not insignificant.


300+ points of force cleaves and 150+ cold cleaves is helpful dps

[Atremus]

So far so good... Just TR'd and got my gear situated. I havent had a lot of questing time yet (GH so far) but I havent had trouble or thought I was lacking DPS yet. Need to get into Amrath I think and see if I can still handle the mobs

[Scrag]

CHA doesn't "cover" anything.
...
Your basing your race choice on a weak, one time use bard-like ability and CHA to damage (which is weaker than divine might). You obviously want to highlight and share your build, right? But you have not shown or provided evidence that this is a competent build.
...

One thing. There is another feature about pdk that seems to be overlooked. If you ignore cha to damage and focus on divine might, you get 1/3rd your cha bonus as + to your tactical feats. If your cha to strength from divine might is high enough to have your strength equal your cha, you end up with pretty high tactical feats.

For instance, 42 cha, whatever strength needed to get +cha to str = to 41, gets you effectively a net bonus to tactical feats of 33%. Thats several points of tactical dc right there....

[Lifespawn]

So far so good... Just TR'd and got my gear situated. I havent had a lot of questing time yet (GH so far) but I havent had trouble or thought I was lacking DPS yet. Need to get into Amrath I think and see if I can still handle the mobs


Excellent it really shines when you start getting the good weapons and slot in your spellpowers.

On the way to capping still looking for an sos shard ran an EE Vault Of Night currently up to a 46 cha was very nice to hear all the wow's from people wondering why the dps just jumped up a fury shotter exclaimed over a 18k hit just affirms my usefulness for the build personally.

I can't wait till we get significant endgame raids.

With displacement and 62 prr soaking up 27% damage loh now hitting over 450 and cocoon healing is not an issue I might even drop scroll mastery out of my build even when they do fix it.

[Lifespawn]

One thing. There is another feature about pdk that seems to be overlooked. If you ignore cha to damage and focus on divine might, you get 1/3rd your cha bonus as + to your tactical feats. If your cha to strength from divine might is high enough to have your strength equal your cha, you end up with pretty high tactical feats.

For instance, 42 cha, whatever strength needed to get +cha to str = to 41, gets you effectively a net bonus to tactical feats of 33%. Thats several points of tactical dc right there....

I had looked at this and thought some of the same thing more likely on a paladin with fighter splash haven't done the math but wonder how it would work in relation to dwarf or wf tactical mastery.

[Scrag]

I had looked at this and thought some of the same thing more likely on a paladin with fighter splash haven't done the math but wonder how it would work in relation to dwarf or wf tactical mastery.

Turns out it works good. Caveat, the stupid enhancement only works with like 3 weapons, none of which are fun 2handed anythings except for greatswords. -_-

[Atremus]

Excellent it really shines when you start getting the good weapons and slot in your spellpowers.

I am very much looking forward to Level 20 and my Epic Ring of Elements along with my EGA. Dont have a eSOS but do have a partially upgraded Cleaver. Looking forward to this build in Epics

Solo'd Elite Crucible the other night with this build. Died in the swim, but the rest went perfect. I am still Level 16 so I want to retry for a flawless run before moving on to Necro IV.