Good drow arti-First life

[HongKongKid]

So I need a build for a good hybrid arti (like most people used to build before enhancements update). It is a drow and for my sister. We dont know how to spend the points in spell craft and balance it with other skills. It needs to be a trapper. The last one she built wasn't good. Bear in mind she is lring her current build. She hasn't lred it from the spell craft introduction yet. This is the lr.

[I_was_Whesper]

By "hybrid" you mean good repeating crossbow damage and fairly good spell DCs? Also, when you say that the last build wasn't good, could you be more specific? As in, what was wrong with it?

Also, what level character she currently is? Maybe it would be more feasible to change race to helf or human?

[unbongwah]

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/117232-Request-a-Build-Get-a-Build?p=5193263&viewfull=1#post5193263

[HongKongKid]

By "hybrid" you mean good repeating crossbow damage and fairly good spell DCs? Also, when you say that the last build wasn't good, could you be more specific? As in, what was wrong with it?

Also, what level character she currently is? Maybe it would be more feasible to change race to helf or human?

Exactly what I want. Well... she wants. And she built it so it could not do traps that well. She blew a few... She want it to stay drow. Even we we change to helf what dilltante you recommend. Wiz?

[I_was_Whesper]

Exactly what I want. Well... she wants. And she built it so it could not do traps that well. She blew a few... She want it to stay drow. Even we we change to helf what dilltante you recommend. Wiz?

I like helf for an artificer, because you can grab some healing amp and 2d6 Sneak attack damage from rogue dilettante which is quite nice considering the attack speed of repeaters.

But if she wants it to stay drow, let it be. A character that is more enjoyable is better than one with possibly bigger potential (I don't want to say helf is better, because I don't know that).

Other than that, building an artificer is pretty simple; 12 con, 16-17 int, 15 dex and then assign other points as you see fit between STR, CON, DEX and INT :) Invest in intelligence at level ups.

Trapsmithing is rather easy if you get appropriate items for your level and invest skillpoints into Search and disable at level ups. Not to mention that you will have rather high int to help with that.

[AbyssalMage]

Half-Elf would go Rogue Dilly for SA. UMD will be high enough for anything you may wanna cast that is Wizard based although not sure what that would be other than Fire/Ice Shield.

Drow looks like the best choice if she does not want to go WF thanks to the racial enhancements if they work on x-bows.

[HongKongKid]

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/117232-Request-a-Build-Get-a-Build?p=5193263&viewfull=1#post5193263

Ok, here is my sisters build for LR. She is currently level 16. Now I incorporated alot of the stuff from the builds from unbongwah and Soraksis. Now, in unbongwahs build, I can see that it is mostly castery however I balanced and went for equal spells and bows. But my sis will mostly be fighting with xbows. I mistakenly chose the end Archtech enchancements before she told me which she preferred. Now in unbongwah's build, she chose heighten as one of her feats, now I havent chosen it. But I do understand that some arti's do. For TactD and blade barrier.

Also, which end enhancements is best? Im choosing the Battle Engineer end enhancements. And I have chosen to take some points to qualify for Arcane Empowerment.

Are there any other feats I should have considered? Bearing in mind this is a non-solo build. It is built for parties, a party-arty if you will. As I said she is currently level 16, so are there any feats that I should change the level she takes them at?

Also, for end epic feat, is mass frog any use. Im sure she will fancy the idea of turning her enemies into a pile of frogs. Or is Ruin a better option? Or any of the of the other ones?



Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.03
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 28 True Neutral Drow Female
(20 Artificer \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 296
Spell Points: 1281
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 12
Will: 11

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 28) (Level 28)
Strength 8 8 8
Dexterity 17 21 23
Constitution 14 14 14
Intelligence 18 27 30
Wisdom 8 8 8
Charisma 10 10 10

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 20

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 28) (Level 28)
Balance 3 17.5 26.5
Bluff 0 0 9
Concentration 6 25 37
Diplomacy 0 0 9
Disable Device 8 33 45
Haggle 0 0 9
Heal -1 -1 8
Hide 3 6 15
Intimidate 0 0 9
Jump -1 2 11
Listen -1 -1 10
Move Silently 3 6 15
Open Lock 7 29 41
Perform n/a n/a n/a
Repair 8 33 42
Search 8 33 44
Spellcraft 8 33 42
Spot 3 22 33
Swim -1 -1 8
Tumble n/a 7 16
Use Magic Device 4 23 32

Level 1 (Artificer)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Repair (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spellcraft (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Spell (1): Conjure Bolts
Spell (1): Repair Light Damage
Spell (1): Static Shock
Spell (1): Ablative Armor
Spell (1): Resist Energy
Spell (1): Enchant Armor


Level 2 (Artificer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Inflict Light Damage


Level 3 (Artificer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Construct Essence
Spell (2): Elemental Weapons


Level 4 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Precise Shot
Spell (2): Elemental Prod


Level 5 (Artificer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Repair Moderate Damage


Level 6 (Artificer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Precision
Spell (3): Flame Turret


Level 7 (Artificer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Repair Light Damage, Mass


Level 8 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Rapid Shot
Spell (3): Personal Augmentation: Insightful Damage


Level 9 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Spell (4): Lightning Motes


Level 10 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Repair Critical Damage


Level 11 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Armor of Speed


Level 12 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation
Spell (5): Tenser's Transformation


Level 13 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (5): Eagle's Splendor, Mass


Level 15 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Spell (6): Reconstruct


Level 16 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Balance (+1.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Quicken Spell
Spell (6): Tactical Detonation


Level 17 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (6): Deadly Weapons


Level 18 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
Spell (6): Blade Barrier


Level 19 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (6): Repair Critical Damage, Mass


Level 20 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Empower Spell
Enhancement: Drow - Spell Resistance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Drow - Drow Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Drow - Spell Resistance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Drow - Drow Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Arcanotechnician (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Palliative Admixture (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Thaumaturgical Battery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Bolt (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Critical Admixture (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Arcane Empowerment (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Static Shock (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Static Shock (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Static Shock (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Energy of Creation (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Energy of Creation (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Spell Critical (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Imbued Defender (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Spell Critical (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Shocking Vulnerability (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Sphere (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Sphere (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Sphere (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Automated Repairs (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Spell Critical (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Blast Rod (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Blast Rod (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Blast Rod (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Spell Critical (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Motes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Motes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Lightning Motes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcanotechnician (Art) - Evocation Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Battle Engineer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Infused Weapons (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Infused Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Infused Weapons (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Crossbow Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Field Engineer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Field Engineer (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Field Engineer (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Crossbow Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Thaumaturgical Conduits (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Thaumaturgical Conduits (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Thaumaturgical Conduits (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Crossbow Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Arcane Capacitors (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Crossbow Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Endless Fusilade (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Arcane Capacitors (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Battle Engineer (Art) - Dexterity (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Combat Archery


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Epic Skill Focus (Arcane)


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Mass Frog

[unbongwah]

Heighten does nothing for Blade Barrier & TacDet, which are already at max spell lvl for an arty. It's for the Arcano SLAs, which can be meta'ed for free; main reason I front-loaded the metas on my arty build. By lvl 16, your sister may be better off skipping Construct Essence & relying on UMD (CCW + Heal).

Mass Frog is an ED feat; Ruin is a lvl-27-only epic feat; so they don't go in the same slot. Since Mass Frog is a WIS-based save, I'm sure it's useless to an arty; Doubleshot makes much more sense.

[HongKongKid]

Instead of Int increase at level 20 Ill use it for dex and then only need a +3 dex tome. How much are the dex +3 and +4 tomes anyway on DDO store and AH respectively. And not the shard exchange. Also what is the ML on +3 and +4 tomes?

[unbongwah]

+1/2/3/4/5 stat tomes are ML:3/7/11/15/19 and cost 355/595/895/1195/1395 TPs, respectively. Upgrade tomes are 300 - 500 TPs less expensive than the full tomes; e.g., 495 TPs for +2->+3 tome vs 895 TPs for +3 tome. AH prices can vary widely, but a rule of thumb is expect to pay 10x as much for each pt you add: e.g., 50-200K for +1s, 500-2,000K for +2s, etc.

[HongKongKid]

I think my build is good. Your opinion?

[I_was_Whesper]

I think my build is good. Your opinion?

It looks good except for Construct essence, Blinding speed and Mass Frog. I don't think Mass Frog will have a good DC in areas where it will matter, Blinding speed can be replaced by haste clickies and pots witch will have increased duration due to Artificer passives. Construct essence I don't like because I think it's a trap- it would be an ok feat if it didn't give healing reduction, but as it is I wouldn't take it for free, much less spend a feat.

[Singular]

It looks good except for Construct essence, Blinding speed and Mass Frog. I don't think Mass Frog will have a good DC in areas where it will matter, Blinding speed can be replaced by haste clickies and pots witch will have increased duration due to Artificer passives. Construct essence I don't like because I think it's a trap- it would be an ok feat if it didn't give healing reduction, but as it is I wouldn't take it for free, much less spend a feat.

You are absolutely correct. These are wasted feats on an artie. Haste does very little for an artie except increase run speed - you already get Armor of Speed and it has a greater effect on ranged. Ruin is better; it's a second Boulder Toss (mine crit for up to 9500 dam). Mass Frog will only work for you if your enemy fails their save on 1 - basically worthless unless you're running EN or Epic Casual.

Also, Combat DCs are wasted here. Artie repeater builds do not use melee feats like trip or stun (again, you're going to fail unless your enemies fail their save as your str will never be high enough, especially on EE). You'd be better with combat archery, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Intelligence (maybe a couple of times, Doubleshot, Ruin, and whatever Epic Spell power you are using - I use force, so that's a +20 spell power to my rune arms and spells, but some arties use Acid or even Fire.

[Red_Knight]

If soloing, I like construct essence. Then again if soloing healing amp is less useful for most characters unless they can innately cast healing spells. Still if grouping a lot I'd say no to Construct Essence too. If there were feats or enhancements that improve it, that would be awesome IMO though.