Build Request: Melee DPS Wolf Build

[Ikeas]

Hi everyone!

I'm pretty new to the "druid world", and I want to make a wolf dps build to get PL. I don't really know how animal damage works, so not sure what combat style I should use. I've read about a TWF+SWF bug, about SWF wolfs WAI, about handwrap wolves... honestly, I'm lost.

That's why I request a build. I would like to follow some guidelines:

-Using PDK as a race, for leveling/TR reasons. That means at least 1 lvl of fighter.

-Not spellcasting. Buffs and healing is OK, but I'm looking for a melee toon.

-No artificer (because I have not that stuff)

-I would like to not use any bug/not WAI mechanic: I don't know when I'm going to use this build (nor how long) and I don't want to see it suddenly nerfed.

Thank you everyone for the help and your time.

[macadope]

10druid 4fighter 6ranger

At that first fighter level take swf, then take your ranger levels.

4 fighter gives u stance (6str and percent hp) in medium armor.
Make sure u hit 17dex for gtwf. (The others are autogranted regardless of dex)
Use any tf wep since puppy paw crit profile overwrites.
Try to fit as many natural fightings as u can.
Maybe quicken and emp heal, your flavor.
I twisted cocoon balanced attacks and sense weakness and ran LD

Hope that helps.

[unbongwah]

10druid 4fighter 6ranger
D 11 / R 6 / F 3 is also an option; it basically boils down to extra feat vs lvl 6 spells.

4 fighter gives u stance (6str and percent hp) in medium armor.
Once you have access to dragonscale, there's no reason to stick with med armor, unless you want to use a named option (e.g., Leaves of the Forest, Terrorweb Chitin).

However, the OP requested a non-exploit-y build and the TWF bugs are a known issue (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/424332-TWF-feats-now-work-with-Wolf-and-Bear-forms-is-this-wai?p=5110235&viewfull=1#post5110235).

OP: this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/455517-Melee-druid-what-is-working-with-it) tries to cover everything which is & isn't working with druids - and what's WAI AFAIK. If you want a PDK wolf build which does not involve exploiting TWF bugs, you should skip the rgr lvls and look into other options:

The SWF Drunken Wolf, such as the classic druid 9 / monk 9 / ftr 2 split; or the Kensei wolf such as the WoodChipper (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/454134-The-WoodChipper-Drunker-%28druid-fighter-monk-melee%29-Build-v2-0). The first build gains Imp Evasion and Shadow Veil; the latter is able to use Anvil of Thunder + Headman's Chop in LD.
The S&B druid / ftr, with Shield Mastery & Natural Fighting feats. I've also discovered (thanks to other posters) that Skirmisher will work in wolf form, which allows you add GSWF's +30% atk speed if you have a bard splash as well. [Caveat: not sure if this is WAI.]

[Ikeas]

Thanks for answers.

The drunken wolf is cool, but that build would give me monk past life. Would it work with 2 ftr 8 monk 10 druid?

Also, do SWF line work with animal form? Do I have to wear just one weapon on my mainhand to use SWF on wolf form? Or it will work regardless the weapon (like handwraps)?

[Krelar]

Also, do SWF line work with animal form? Do I have to wear just one weapon on my mainhand to use SWF on wolf form? Or it will work regardless the weapon (like handwraps)?

SWF works fine just like for non-animal builds. Single handed weapon in your main hand and either nothing or an orb in the off hand. I've never tried single weapon fighting with handwraps so I'm not sure about those.

[unbongwah]

The drunken wolf is cool, but that build would give me monk past life. Would it work with 2 ftr 8 monk 10 druid?
Monk 8 doesn't get you anything; for a druid PL, I would do either D 10 / M 9 / F 1 (lose a ftr feat, keep Imp Evasion), D 10 / M 6 / F 4 (lose Imp Evasion, gain a feat & defensive stance for +25 PRR), or the Wood Chipper (D 9 / M 3 / F 8).

Also, do SWF line work with animal form? Do I have to wear just one weapon on my mainhand to use SWF on wolf form? Or it will work regardless the weapon (like handwraps)?
It works as long as you have a 1H weapon in your mainhand; naturally, it needs to be a ki weapon if you want to stay centered. Likewise, offhand needs to be empty on a Drunk wolf to stay centered. SWF doesn't work w/handwraps, in or out of wolf form, AFAIK.

[Ikeas]

Monk 8 doesn't get you anything; for a druid PL, I would do either D 10 / M 9 / F 1 (lose a ftr feat, keep Imp Evasion), D 10 / M 6 / F 4 (lose Imp Evasion, gain a feat & defensive stance for +25 PRR), or the Wood Chipper (D 9 / M 3 / F 8).

It works as long as you have a 1H weapon in your mainhand; naturally, it needs to be a ki weapon if you want to stay centered. Likewise, offhand needs to be empty on a Drunk wolf to stay centered. SWF doesn't work w/handwraps, in or out of wolf form, AFAIK.

To make it clear: if my monk/druid with SWF and a shortsword on the main hand goes into Frost Wolf Wildshape, the damage will be 1d10 x (unarmed monk dice) 19-20 x3 (or 17-20 with IC:B), also adding all the special effects of the weapon I'm using. Am I right?

Also, where can I found the Drunken Wolf build? Forum hunt is showing no results.