Switch bitter - hybrid fighting style compendium

[CrackedIce]

Edit: Switch-Hitter (darn smart phones)

There was a discussion in the Ranger thread that the power playstyle of the Helves Angel build - of high dps ranged and high dps melee was no longer obtainable. I would like to start a thread of a build compendium of such builds in current game.

I'll go first.

Deepwood Skirmisher.

Human. PDK.

14 Ranger 3 bard 3 fighter. LD Destiny. - Swashbuckling Skirmisher with Manyshot.

The ultimate goal for this build is when Manyshot is up, have 200% doubleshot for third arrow every time as well as have extremely high doublestrike.

To have expanded crits and multipliers for both ranged and melee.

Still have decent heals and solid defenses.

Doubleshot breakdown:
20 - Strikes like lightening
20 - killer
8 - equipment bonus
3 - guild bonus and swashbuckler's second core
10 - epic destiny feat
20 - doubleshot action boost
120 - manyshot

201 doubleshot

Doublestrike:

10 - strike like lightening
15 - legendary shield mastery
20 - killer
12 - battleragers harness
3 - guild bonus and second swashbuckler's core
9 - past lives
5 - epic twf destiny feat

74 doublestrike

Double expanded crit for bow with Deepwood core four and LD Pulverizer.
Expanded crit for rapier with Deepwood and extra crit with swashbuckling or using light mace and pulverizer.

AP breakdown:

40 in Deepwood
6 in AA
6 in stalwart defender
8 in Harper
13 in swashbuckler
4 in tempest for improved deflect arrows
3 in Human

I chose to go 14 Ranger rather than another fighter feat since I preferred better heals (without cocoon) than taking PA C, GC, MS, and LW, for AOE damage but that is an option - but will be giving up Precision, better heals, twist, and need to take haste boost from enhancements rather than from destiny.

I purposely did not breakout each enhancement tree as each person has own preferences. And also because did on my phone. Hopefully get to builder to post in entirety.

Feel free to lower or raise swashbuckler's action boost based on current setup to obtain 200% doubleshot.

Cheers!

[CrackedIce]

Here is the build mentioned above. I did not bother with skill breakdown, but there is more than enough to take what you want/need.


Looks like the Harper enhancements did not come through all the way. Took KTA tier 3 and strategic combat to-hit for intelligence for melee. (Will be maxing intelligence as much as possible anyway so saves me from taking weapon finesse feat)

Since could afford extra favored enemy in tier 5 in Deepwood, pick the race that playing currently while other three are the general FE you always want available due to their prevelancy. In hindsight, I should have switched human and giant.

The question is which epic feat is better: pure single weapon fighting or perfect two weapon fighting. I do not see this build using vorpal abilities that much, but I could be missing something. I preferred to break into 70% doublestrike territory instead.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.28.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Deepwood Skirmisher
Level 28 Neutral Good Human Male
(3 Fighter \ 14 Ranger \ 3 Bard \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 423
Spell Points: 360
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 24
Will: 8

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 28)
Strength 8 10
Dexterity 18 29
Constitution 14 16
Intelligence 16 20
Wisdom 8 10
Charisma 8 8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 16
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 16

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 28)
Balance 4 17
Bluff -1 7
Concentration 2 11
Diplomacy -1 8
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle -1 7
Heal -1 8
Hide 4 17
Intimidate -1 7
Jump -1 8
Listen -1 10
Move Silently 4 17
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 3 13
Search 3 15
Spellcraft 3 13
Spot -1 10
Swim -1 8
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Human Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Selected) Single Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Precision


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Single Weapon Fighting


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Single Weapon Fighting


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Morphic Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Awareness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Awareness (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sneak Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sniper Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sneak Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Tendon Cut (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Tendon Cut (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Tendon Cut (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Survivalist I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Improved Weapon Finesse (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Damage Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Damage Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Survivalist II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Aimed Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Survivalist III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Killer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Killer (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Killer (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Merciful Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Leg Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Enemy (Human) (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Heavy Draw (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Strikes Like Lightning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Head Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Improved Archer's Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Shield of Whirling Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Confidence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Swashbuckling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Blow By Blow (Ranged) (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Blow By Blow (Ranged) (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Blow By Blow (Ranged) (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Deflect Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doubleshot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doubleshot (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Skirmisher (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Stalwart Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Stalwart Defensive Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Harper Agent - Agent of Good (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Combat Archery


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Primal Sphere: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


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


Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Primal Sphere: Doubleshot

[Grailhawk]

A 14 Ranger with a shield this build should be called Dayhawk, Ghallanda knows what I'm talking about.

No I'm not Dayhawk i never was any one who auto declined me because they thought I was that was not cool.

[CrackedIce]

This build is a response to the absence of melee AOE from the Deepwood Skirmisher.

But again, this is keeping faith to maintaining high level of ranged damage coupled with high AOE melee damage.

Preferred melee weapon is Falchion. Took C, GC and THF feats and is mean to twist in MS and LW from LD. (can drop a THF feat for maximize or quicken)

Human. PDK.

14 Paladin, 6 Ranger - Silver Flame Stalker.

It again seeks fifth tier of Deepwood for excellent doubleshot and doublestrike potential, but since it skips out on zeal and losses doubleshot action boost from swashbuckler, the best destiny is DC.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.28.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Silver Flame Stalker
Level 28 Lawful Good Human Male
(14 Paladin \ 6 Ranger \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 480
Spell Points: 340
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 23
Reflex: 18
Will: 10

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 28)
Strength 16 27
Dexterity 14 19
Constitution 14 18
Intelligence 8 8
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 16 18

Tomes Used
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+5 Tome of Dexterity used at level 20
+4 Tome of Constitution used at level 20
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 20

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 28)
Balance 2 12
Bluff 3 12
Concentration 2 12
Diplomacy 3 15
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 3 12
Heal -1 7
Hide 2 12
Intimidate 3 12
Jump 3 16
Listen -1 7
Move Silently 2 12
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 7
Search -1 7
Spellcraft -1 7
Spot -1 7
Swim 3 16
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Cleave
Feat: (Deity) Follower of the Silver Flame
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Paladin)


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Paladin)


Level 5 (Paladin)


Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Paladin)


Level 8 (Paladin)


Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Paladin)


Level 11 (Paladin)


Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 13 (Paladin)


Level 14 (Paladin)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 16 (Ranger)


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 19 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 20 (Ranger)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Primal Sphere: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Primal Sphere: Doubleshot
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Slayer of Evil I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Courage of Heaven (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Slayer of Evil II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Remove Disease (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Sacrifice (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Morphic Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Flaming Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Inferno Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Frost Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Soul Magic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Corrosive Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sneak Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Sniper Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Favored Protection (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Increased Empathy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Versatile Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Versatile Empathy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Survivalist I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Damage Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Damage Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Survivalist II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Thrill of the Hunt (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Aimed Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Survivalist III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Killer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Killer (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Killer (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Merciful Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Leg Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Heavy Draw (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Strikes Like Lightning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Head Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Improved Archer's Focus (Rank 1)

[CrackedIce]

Honestly, I am a bit surprised on the seeming non-interest in a hybrid character.

I either would have expected to see forum-level criticism of these builds or some sort of recognition for unusual synergy (only referring to Swash Ranger with this comment). Or some sharing of personal builds that fit same genre.

The lack of response does not sit well with me - is no one interested in running builds that are melee and ranged compatible? Or have people generally left this type of play-style?

Cheers?! :)

[Grailhawk]

Honestly, I am a bit surprised on the seeming non-interest in a hybrid character.

I either would have expected to see forum-level criticism of these builds or some sort of recognition for unusual synergy (only referring to Swash Ranger with this comment). Or some sharing of personal builds that fit same genre.

The lack of response does not sit well with me - is no one interested in running builds that are melee and ranged compatible? Or have people generally left this type of play-style?

Cheers?! :)

SWF Ranger goes against the archtypes that people in this game want to play enough that its just not interesting to most people i think.

THF 14/6 Ranger is kind of the same thing I bet.

Not saying there not interesting just saying it not what people (the majority of people at least IMO) want.

[CrackedIce]

SWF Ranger goes against the archtypes that people in this game want to play enough that its just not interesting to most people i think.

THF 14/6 Ranger is kind of the same thing I bet.

Not saying there not interesting just saying it not what people (the majority of people at least IMO) want.

If this is true, then I think people have forgotten advantage that basic D&D Rangers get. Prior to DDO, Rangers got only one combat style for free and had to choose between archery and twf and many times, folks chose the second set for feat choices during level progression. For DDO, you already get both for free. But when building for hybrid, the necessity and complexity for maintaining combat style relevance has become way more than just a selection of specific feats. Specifically, both TWF and Ranged require upper echelon abilities that are competing against each other.

Both the SWF and THF feats can be competitive with much less (ap) investment while maintaining ones ranged capabilities at a higher level.

Ignoring the free twf feats is no different than selecting the ranged feats on D&D Ranger and opting for a different combat style. In this case, Deepwood Ranger enhancements are way more compatible with swf and thf since TWF only really comes into its own with: Dance of death and or layered damage such as SA and the like, while a choice for swashbuckler will give you what you need with much less investment while THF gets you this with the choice of its AOE feats alone.

[unbongwah]

Your second build looks similar to what I was trying for here (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/467698-DWS-vs-Tempest-what-is-best-for-melee?p=5722866&viewfull=1#post5722866). I thought SWF made more sense than THF or TWF, since it benefits more from doublestrike bonuses.

[CrackedIce]

Your second build looks similar to what I was trying for here (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/467698-DWS-vs-Tempest-what-is-best-for-melee?p=5722866&viewfull=1#post5722866). I thought SWF made more sense than THF or TWF, since it benefits more from doublestrike bonuses.

You are correct. But I believe only partially.

You are correct that swf has more procs for doublestrike than THF due to the fact they that style attacks faster.

But it is specifically the fact that it attacks faster is what makes it less suitable for AOE damage - cleave attacks work off of a separate speed rate as attack speed. the advantage of THF is that the feats themselves create for more damage when cleaving than swf does. The goal of the Silver Flame Stalker is to provide AOE damage when in melee where swf is lacking.

You are still correct that swf will provide better single target damage, but tat was not the goal of the melee part of that build. The consideration is once agro is on you when manyshotting and or using improved precise shot with Deepwood clickies, you will be better off to resort to AOE damage rather than single target and THF is way better in that regard.

[unbongwah]

But it is specifically the fact that it attacks faster is what makes it less suitable for AOE damage - cleave attacks work off of a separate speed rate as attack speed. the advantage of THF is that the feats themselves create for more damage when cleaving than swf does. The goal of the Silver Flame Stalker is to provide AOE damage when in melee where swf is lacking.
Which is why I mention "AoE melee DPS is lacking" as one of its shortcomings in that build post. Something had to give way; I decided it would be Cleaves, since they don't benefit from doublestrike, which is one of the key advantages of having Zeal+SlL+Killer on one build. Likewise I use DC instead of LD largely for Zeal of the Righteous to keep my focus on doublestrike/shot bonuses; Celestial Champion boosting melee & ranged crits is another perk.

As soon as you bring AoE melee into the picture, the question quickly becomes, "Why don't you build for Tempest + Dance of Death instead?" The answer, of course, is because Tempest doesn't boost ranged DPS like DWS does.

I focused on what I thought were the build combo's strengths; you focused on shoring up its main weakness. It's all a matter of priorities.

[CrackedIce]

Which is why I mention "AoE melee DPS is lacking" as one of its shortcomings in that build post. Something had to give way; I decided it would be Cleaves, since they don't benefit from doublestrike, which is one of the key advantages of having Zeal+SlL+Killer on one build. Likewise I use DC instead of LD largely for Zeal of the Righteous to keep my focus on doublestrike/shot bonuses; Celestial Champion boosting melee & ranged crits is another perk.

As soon as you bring AoE melee into the picture, the question quickly becomes, "Why don't you build for Tempest + Dance of Death instead?" The answer, of course, is because Tempest doesn't boost ranged DPS like DWS does.

I focused on what I thought were the build combo's strengths; you focused on shoring up its main weakness. It's all a matter of priorities.

I hear ya.

What you are saying is exactly the reason I produced the Deepwood Skirmisher build as swashbuckling with a buckler provides greater doublestrike bonus. It was an added bonus that swashbuckler gives manyshot upwards of a 30% doubleshot action boost bonus as well.

So really, it is as you say as its all based on priorities and I really did not like dropping 6 Ranger to 5 Ranger for the Paladin build to pick up zeal. You lose one feat and the important sniper shot.