Iconic Builds for New Players

[unbongwah]

The goal of this thread is to provide first-life Iconic builds which can take full advantage of the starter gear and hit the ground running. These builds are aimed at new players or those starting over on a new server and thus have little if any twink gear, tomes, etc. to start. I'll also try to keep them F2P friendly (i.e., no P2P multiclassing), at least at first.



Aasimar Scourge (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=6457351&viewfull=1#post6457351)
Bladeforged (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783396&viewfull=1#post5783396)
Deep Gnome (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783448&viewfull=1#post5783448)
Purple Dragon Knight (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783401&viewfull=1#post5783401)
Shadar-kai (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783405&viewfull=1#post5783405)
Sun Elf / Morninglord (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783398&viewfull=1#post5783398)

[unbongwah]

Bladeforged paladin is pretty much Easy Mode for DDO: high DPS, high survivability, and a fairly straight-forward build. There are only a few question marks, like which Epic Destiny to use and what to do with your extra feats.

So let's look at a BF Knight using 2H swords aiming for Legendary Dreadnought:

BF KotC Paladin
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Bladeforged


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 4: STR
Dexterity 6 6 8: STR
Constitution 16 18 12: STR
Intelligence 8 8 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 16 16 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
------------------------------------------------------------
4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


Feats

1 : Adamantine Body
1 Deity : Follower of: Lord of Blades
3 : Power Attack
6 : Two Handed Fighting
6 Deity : Bladesworn Transformation
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Improved Two Handed Fighting
15 : Greater Two Handed Fighting
18 : Quicken Spell
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Cleave (required to unlock Momentum Swing)
26 Destiny: Holy Strike (can swap for Perfect Two Handed Fighting)
27 Epic : Stunning Blow
28 Destiny: Elusive Target OR First Blood OR Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Embodiment of Order
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction (filler)
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Plane of Water


Spells



Bless, Divine Favor, <Any>, <Any>
Angelskin, Resist Energy, <Any>, <Any>
Prayer, Repair Serious Damage, Magic Circle Against Evil, Dispel Magic
Holy Sword, Zeal, Repair Critical Damage, Death Ward



Enhancements (80 AP)

Knight of the Chalice (41 AP)


Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil III, Champion of Good

Extra Turning II, Extra Smite II
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III, Melee Power Boost III
Improved Restoration III, Divine Sacrifice I, Exalted Smite I, Strength
Censure Demons, Passion I, Empowered Smite
Censure Outsiders, Holy Retribution III, Avenging Cleave III



Sacred Defender (22 AP)


Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption

Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III
Bulwark Aura III, Resilient Defense II
Resistance Aura III, Tenacious OR Strong Defense III
Swift Defense



Bladeforged (17 AP)


Improved Fortification

Mechanist III
Communion of Scribing III
Improved Power Attack I
Weapon Attachment, Power of the Forge



Leveling Guide


SD0 Holy Bastion; SD1 Extra Lay On Hands I, II, III
SD1 Durable Defense I; KoC0 Slayer of Evil; Bld0 Improved Fortification
Bld1 Mechanist I; SD0 Sacred Defense; Bld1 Mechanist II
Bld1 Mechanist III; Bld2 Communion of Scribing I
Bld2 Communion of Scribing II, III
Bld3 Improved Power Attack I; Bld4 Power of the Forge; KoC1 Extra Smite I
KoC1 Extra Smite II; KoC1 Extra Turning I, II; KoC0 Courage of Heaven
KoC2 Exalted Cleave I, II, III
KoC2 Divine Might I; KoC2 Melee Power Boost I, II, III
KoC2 Divine Might II, III
KoC0 Slayer of Evil II; KoC3 Divine Sacrifice I; KoC3 Exalted Smite I
KoC4 Censure Demons; KoC4 Passion I; KoC4 Empowered Smite
KoC0 Improved Courage of Heaven; KoC3 Improved Restoration I, II, III
KoC5 Avenging Cleave I, II, III; KoC5 Censure Outsiders
KoC5 Holy Retribution I, II, III; SD1 Durable Defense II
SD1 Durable Defense III; SD2 Bulwark Aura I, II, III
SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III; SD0 Divine Righteousness
SD3 Resistance Aura I, II, III; SD2 Resilient Defense I
SD2 Resilient Defense II; SD4 Swift Defense; SD0 Redemption; Bld4 Weapon Attachment
KoC0 Slayer of Evil III; KoC3 Strength; KoC0 Champion of Good



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack
Lay Waste, Critical Damage I, Haste Boost III
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz


Twists of Fate (14 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer) OR Endless Lay on Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)


Optional feats: I took Quicken Spell to reduce cast time on Reconstruct SLA; Cleave to unlock Momentum Swing / Lay Waste combo in LD; Stunning Blow for obvious reasons; Epic DR is just a filler feat, you can replace it with whatever you want. As for picking your Legendary / Scion feat: Arborea is the "no-brainer" DPS option (+2 Enhancement bonus, +20 Melee Power) which requires no extra effort on your part; OTOH, Plane of Water adds +20 MRR (more important nowadays since Turbine eliminated armor MRR) and the 2d20 Cold dmg is scaled with Spellpower, which can go a lot higher than MP, but the downside is needing to slot Glaciation somewhere.

Skills: normally I max out Use Magic Device (UMD) on every character, but there's not much a BF pally needs to UMD, unless you're dying to use, e.g., Stoneskin wands or alignment-restricted gear. So here I maxed Intim, but other options include Concentration, Repair, or even Spellcraft (would boost Cold Spellpower for Scion of Plane of Water).

Required extra gear to start:

Any WIS +6 item (preferably neck slot) so you can use lvl 3 & 4 spells. [Alternatively: a +2 WIS tome or access to a guildship with +2 WIS buff.]

Recommended extra gear to start:

Deadly & Seeker items to boost DPS; goggles slot is a good spot for it.
Wizardry item for extra spellpoints; can be a swap item for ring slot.
Forgeblade (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Forgeblade) is kinda so-so DPS, IMO, so upgrading that should be an early priority too. Falchions (http://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Falchions) are usually best for 2H pallies; Whirlwind (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Whirlwind) is good too. Ideally you acquire a SOS (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Sword_of_Shadow), but...not exactly what I would call a "first-life friendly" option.


Eldritch Knight (non-lousy DPS edition) - this is an update on a build I've been using off & on for the last couple of years. Basically, it trades the extra melee DPS from the last two KotC cores for extra survivability from Eldritch Knight PrE plus two bonus wizard feats. In particular, I like Arcane Barrier: both a handy defensive buff and a visual reminder you forgot to Reconstruct yourself. ;)


Loses: +10 Melee Power, +4d6 light dmg, +4 CHA (-> +2 STR -> +1.5 dmg mod), good-aligned weapons
Gains: +10% AC, +10 PRR, Arcane Barrier, +1d6 cold dmg, 23 ranks of Spellcraft (boosts Cold Spellpower)


BF Eldritch KotC
15/5 Paladin/Wizard
Lawful Good Bladeforged


Level Order

1. Paladin 6. Paladin 11. Paladin 16. Paladin
2. Wizard 7. Paladin 12. Paladin 17. Wizard
3. Paladin 8. Paladin 13. Paladin 18. Wizard
4. Paladin 9. Paladin 14. Paladin 19. Wizard
5. Paladin 10. Paladin 15. Paladin 20. Wizard


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 4: STR
Dexterity 6 6 8: STR
Constitution 16 16 12: STR
Intelligence 12 12 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 14 16 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
P W P P P P P P P P P P P P P P W W W W
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 23
Repair 1 1 1 3
Balance 1 1
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3


Feats

1 : Adamantine Body
1 Deity : Follower of: Lord of Blades
2 Wizard : Quicken Spell
3 : Power Attack
6 : Two Handed Fighting
7 Deity : Bladesworn Transformation
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Improved Two Handed Fighting
15 : Greater Two Handed Fighting
18 : Stunning Blow
20 Wizard : Extend Spell
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Cleave
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Maximize Spell
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR First Blood
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Water


Enhancements (80 AP)

Knight of the Chalice (34 AP)


Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven


Extra Turning II, Extra Smite II
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III, Melee Power Boost III
Improved Restoration III, Divine Sacrifice I, Exalted Smite I
Censure Demons, Passion I, Empowered Smite
Censure Outsiders, Avenging Cleave III



Bladeforged (18 AP)


Improved Fortification


Mechanist III
Communion of Scribing III
Improved Power Attack I
Communion of Handling, Weapon Attachment, Power of the Forge



Sacred Defender (14 AP)


Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness


Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense II
Tenacious Defense III



Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (14 AP)


Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Frost


Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
Improved Shield III, Martial Training
Arcane Barrier III



Leveling Guide


Bld0 Improved Fortification; Bld1 Mechanist I
Bld1 Mechanist II; Bld2 Communion of Scribing I
Bld2 Communion of Scribing II, III; SD0 Holy Bastion
SD1 Extra Lay On Hands I, II, III; SD1 Durable Defense I
SD0 Sacred Defense; SD1 Durable Defense II, III; SD2 Resilient Defense I
SD2 Resilient Defense II; SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
KoC0 Slayer of Evil; KoC1 Extra Smite I, II; KoC1 Extra Turning I
KoC1 Extra Turning II; KoC0 Courage of Heaven; KoC2 Divine Might I
KoC2 Divine Might II, III
KoC0 Slayer of Evil II; KoC2 Exalted Cleave I, II, III
KoC2 Melee Power Boost I, II, III; KoC3 Divine Sacrifice I
(Bank AP)
KoC0 Improved Courage of Heaven; KoC4 Passion I; KoC4 Censure Demons; KoC3 Exalted Smite I; KoC4 Empowered Smite; KoC3 Improved Restoration I
KoC3 Improved Restoration II, III; KoC5 Avenging Cleave I, II
KoC5 Avenging Cleave III; KoC5 Censure Outsiders; Bld3 Improved Power Attack I
Bld1 Mechanist III; Bld4 Power of the Forge; Bld4 Weapon Attachment
Bld4 Communion of Handling; EKw0 Eldritch Strike; EKw1 Improved Mage Armor I, II
EKw1 Improved Mage Armor III; EKw1 Item Defense I; EKw2 Martial Training
EKw2 Improved Shield I, II, III; EKw3 Arcane Barrier I
EKw3 Arcane Barrier II, III; EKw0 Spellsword: Frost; SD0 Divine Righteousness



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost II
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack
Lay Waste, Haste Boost III
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Headman's Chop


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)
Endless Faith (Tier 1 Exalted)


Skills: you can see I maxed out Spellcraft for extra Spellpower and Concentration. If you'd rather max out UMD, Intim, or Repair - hey, knock yourself out. :)

Cold dmg: 1d6 Spellsword + 2d20 Scion of Water = 24.5 dmg per hit. Presuming 500 Spellpower, that becomes 24.5 * 6 = 147 dmg per hit. So that actually compares favorably to the +4d6 light dmg I lose by dropping KotC 18/20 cores.

In this configuration, I don't invest in ASF reduction; that's because Displacement has no somatic component (and thus is immune to ASF) and Haste can be replicated thru gear. That lets me focus APs elsewhere. But if you'd rather be able to cast Haste, you'll need to shift some APs into Inscribed Armor (-15%) and pick up a -15% ASF blue augment; Spellsword also provides -5% ASF, so that gets it down to zero.

[unbongwah]

Our first build is a WIS-based DPS caster focused on light spells, with heavy investment into the racial tree for extra Light spellpower and Sunburst SLA; with just enough invested in Radiant Servant for bursts.

Lightbringer
Cleric 20
True Neutral Morninglord


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 8 4: WIS
Dexterity 8 8 8: WIS
Constitution 12 14 12: WIS
Intelligence 16 16 16: WIS
Wisdom 18 18 20: WIS
Charisma 8 8 24: WIS
28: WIS

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Heal 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
20 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5


Feats

1 : Maximize Spell
1 Deity : Follower of: Amaunator
3 : Empower Spell
6 : Empower Healing Spell
6 Deity : Amaunator's Brilliance
9 : Quicken Spell
12 : Heighten Spell
15 : Spell Focus: Evocation
18 : Greater Spell Focus: Evocation OR Enlarge Spell OR Insightful Reflexes
21 Epic : Epic Spell Focus: Evocation OR Wellspring of Power
24 Epic : Master of: Light OR Intensify Spell
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Light
27 Epic : Ruin
28 Destiny: Mass Frog OR Epic Spell Power: Positive
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Greater Ruin OR Embolden Spell
30 Legend : Scion of: Celestia


Enhancements (80 AP)

Divine Disciple (45 AP)


Emissary: Light, Sacred Defense, Sun Bolt, Sunbeam, Sunburst, Transcend: Light

Nimbus of Light III, Spellpower: Light III, Spell Critical: Light
Spellpower: Universal III, Spell Critical: Light
Searing Light III, Spellpower: Light III, Spell Critical: Light, Wisdom
Holy Smite III, Evocation DC, Spell Critical: Light, Wisdom
Flame Strike III, Light Spellpower, Divine Empowerment



Morninglord (23 AP)


Elven Accuracy

Rejuvenation of Dawn II
Blessing of Amaunator III
Light of the Sun God III
Amaunator's Brilliance III, Aura of Radiance III



Radiant Servant (12 AP)


Healing Domain, Pacifism, Positive Energy Burst

Extra Turning III, Wand Mastery III, Altruism III



Leveling Guide


Rad0 Healing Domain; Rad1 Altruism I, II, III
DD0 Emissary: Light; DD1 Nimbus of Light I, II, III
DD1 Spell Critical: Light; DD0 Sacred Defense
DD2 Spell Critical: Light; DD1 Spellpower: Light I, II, III
DD3 Searing Light I, II, III
DD3 Spell Critical: Light; DD0 Sun Bolt; DD3 Spellpower: Light I, II
DD4 Holy Smite I, II, III
DD4 Spell Critical: Light; DD4 Evocation DC; DD3 Spellpower: Light III
DD3 Wisdom; DD4 Wisdom
Rad1 Extra Turning I; Rad0 Pacifism; Rad1 Wand Mastery I, II
Rad1 Wand Mastery III; Rad1 Extra Turning II; Rad0 Positive Energy Burst; DD2 Spellpower: Universal I
DD0 Sunbeam; DD5 Flame Strike I, II, III
DD5 Divine Empowerment; DD5 Light Spellpower
Sun0 Elven Accuracy; Sun1 Rejuvenation of Dawn I
Sun1 Rejuvenation of Dawn II; DD2 Spellpower: Universal II, III; Rad1 Extra Turning III
Sun2 Blessing of Amaunator I, II
Sun2 Blessing of Amaunator III; Sun3 Light of the Sun God I
Sun3 Light of the Sun God II, III
DD0 Sunburst; Sun4 Aura of Radiance I, II, III
Sun4 Amaunator's Brilliance I, II, III; DD0 Transcend: Light



Destiny (24 AP)

Exalted Angel


Avenging Light, Radiant Power III, Endless Faith II, Healing Power II
Soundburst III
(none)
Rebuke Foe, Blood and Radiance III, Excoriate
Leap of Faith
Divine Wrath (or Sunbolt SLA), Reborn in Light


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Empyrean Magic (Tier 3 Crusader)
School Specialist: Evocation (Tier 2 Magister)
Precise: Evocation (Tier 2 Draconic)


Stats: max WIS, of course, with 6 to 10 pts into CON. I bumped up INT for more skill pts and higher Spellcraft. Alternatively, you could go less INT and more CHA for extra TUs to power Radiant Bursts.

Feats: for me the must-have heroic caster feats are usually Maximize, Empower, Empower Heal, Quicken, Heighten, and at least one Spell Focus (usually Evocation) to unlock the DC Twists in Magister and Draconic. This leaves just the lvl 18 feat open; options include Gtr Spell Focus, Enlarge (increases the range of many of your spells), or Insightful Reflexes (in which case you can dump DEX gear entirely). The epic caster feats are the ones which are tough to pick, IMO: too many decent options, not enough slots.

Required extra gear to start:

None

Recommended extra gear to start:

Sage's Locket (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Sage%27s_Locket_%28Level_15%29) for +4 Evocation DCs, though it also means you'll want to find a different Speed / Striding item.
Wizardry item for extra SPs: ring makes a good swap slot, or farm a Sage's Sash (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Sage%27s_Sash_%28Level_15%29).
Blade Barrier is boosted by Impulse Spellpower. If you have access to a Cannith crafter, an Impulse of Kinetic Lore item would be great. Or you could try your luck farming a Rod of Mythant (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Rod_of_Mythant), which can also be your Wizardry item. Otherwise, save up your plat and shop for random lootgen, I suppose...


Implosioneer - this variant invests heavily into Spell Penetration in order to boost its chances of landing Implosion on high-SR mobs (hence the name): +8 from feats, +3 from elven Arcanum, +3 from DiDi, +3 from Exalted Angel, and +3 from Piercing Spellcraft twist for +20 Spell Pen total. [Boosting Spell Pen also helps with Necro spells and Gtr Command if you use them too.] It's a little more of a specialized / flavor build, IMO, but it still has strong caster DPS. Not bothering to list all the optional feats or leveling guide this time.

Implosioneer
Cleric 20
True Neutral Morninglord


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 8 4: WIS
Dexterity 8 8 8: WIS
Constitution 12 14 12: WIS
Intelligence 16 16 16: WIS
Wisdom 18 18 20: WIS
Charisma 8 8 24: WIS
28: WIS

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Heal 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
20 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5


Feats

1 : Maximize Spell
1 Deity : Follower of: Amaunator
3 : Empower Spell
6 : Quicken Spell
6 Deity : Amaunator's Brilliance
9 : Heighten Spell
12 : Spell Focus: Evocation
15 : Spell Penetration
18 : Greater Spell Penetration
21 Epic : Epic Spell Penetration
24 Epic : Master of: Light
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Light
27 Epic : Ruin
28 Destiny: Mass Frog
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Greater Ruin
30 Legend : Scion of: Celestia


Enhancements (80 AP)

Divine Disciple (46 AP)


Emissary: Light, Sacred Defense, Sun Bolt, Sunbeam, Sunburst, Transcend: Light

Nimbus of Light III, Spellpower: Light III, Spell Critical: Light
Spell Penetration III, Spell Critical: Light
Searing Light III, Spellpower: Light III, Spell Critical: Light, Wisdom
Holy Smite III, Evocation DC, Spell Critical: Light
Flame Strike III, Light Spellpower, Divine Empowerment



Morninglord (23 AP)


Elven Accuracy

Rejuvenation of Dawn II
Arcanum III
Light of the Sun God III
Amaunator's Brilliance III, Aura of Radiance III



Radiant Servant (11 AP)


Healing Domain, Pacifism, Positive Energy Burst

Extra Turning II, Wand Mastery III, Altruism III




Destiny

Twists of Fate (22 fate points)


Empyrean Magic (Tier 3 Crusader)
Piercing Spellcraft (Tier 3 Magister)
School Specialist: Evocation (Tier 2 Magister)

[unbongwah]

PDK Vanguard: Turbine finally got around to buffing fighters in U31, so let's add a proper S&B tank at long last. :)

PDK Vanguard
Fighter 20
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight


Stats
28pt 32pt Tome Level Up
---- ---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 +2 4: STR
Dexterity 12 12 +1 8: STR
Constitution 16 16 +5 12: STR
Intelligence 12 12 +1 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 8 12 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 23
Heal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Balance 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Jump 1 1
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
16 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4


Feats

1 : Shield Mastery
1 PDK : Power Attack
1 Fighter: Cleave
2 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
3 : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Stunning Blow
6 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Fighter: Improved Shield Bash
12 : Tactical Mastery OR Improved Sunder
12 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
14 Fighter: Heavy Armor Champion
15 : Toughness
16 Fighter: Tactical Supremacy
18 : Improved Trip OR Magical Training
18 Fighter: Combat Expertise
20 Fighter: Precision
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Bulwark of Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Embodiment of Law
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Swap : Epic Toughness replaces Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Feywild OR Plane of Earth


Enhancements (80 AP)

Vanguard (41 AP)


To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion

Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
Shield Specialization, Brutality III, Stunning Shield III, Missile Shield III
Shield Specialization, Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark, Shield Riposte III
(none)
Shield to the Face, Disorienting Smash II, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength



Kensei (23 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Ascetic Training: Conditioning III
Shattering Strike I
Strike at the Heart



Stalwart Defender (13 AP)


Toughness, Stalwart Defense

Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III



Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)


Damage Boost

Improved Recovery



Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; PDK1 Improved Recovery; Van0 To the Fore!
Van1 Shield Specialization; Van1 Shield Smash I, II
Van1 Shield Smash III; Van0 Shield Combat I; Van2 Stunning Shield I, II
Van2 Stunning Shield III; Van3 Fatal Bulwark; Van3 Follow Up I
Van3 Follow Up II, III; Van2 Shield Specialization
Van0 Vicious Shield I; Van3 Shield Specialization; Van2 Missile Shield I
Van2 Missile Shield II, III; Van3 Shield Riposte I, II
Van3 Shield Riposte III; Van2 Brutality I, II, III
SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III
SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken0 Spiritual Bond
Ken1 Haste Boost I, II, III; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning I
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Van0 Shield Combat II; Van5 Shield to the Face
Van5 Armored Strength; Van5 Disorienting Smash I, II
Van5 Shield Charge I, II, III; SD2 Resilient Defense I
SD2 Resilient Defense II, III; SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I
SD3 Tenacious Defense II, III; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning II, III
Van0 Vicious Shield II; Ken3 Shattering Strike I; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Van0 Shield Champion; Ken0 Power Surge; Ken4 Strike at the Heart



Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader


Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked, Strength
Consecration III
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
No Regret, Crusade
Castigation, Celestial Champion
Strike Down


Twists of Fate (15 fate points)


Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
Momentum Swing OR Improved Combat Expertise (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)


You have a lot of flexibility with feats; I tried to find a good compromise between DPS, tactics, and survivability. Likewise with EDs: I think Div Crusader offers the best tradeoff between DPS and healing for a tank; but Dreadnought and Sentinel are viable alternatives, depending on whether you wish to boost DPS or tankability more. The +2 and +5 tomes are from Favor (http://ddowiki.com/page/Favor#Total_available); the +1s are from loot drops or bought from Auction House. I designed this to use PDK starter gear, including the longsword until you obtain a bastard sword, like Charoush (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Charoush%27s_Inferno_(Level_14)), First Blood (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:First_Blood_(Level_16)), or Retribution (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Templar%27s_Retribution). I went CG for Blessed Blades' alignment bypass; plus just to be different from paladins.

PD Kensei variant: Based on conversations in this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475847-pure-fighter-for-soloing) and elsewhere, I've been wondering about S&B ftrs who go for T5 Kensei + capstone, rather than Vanguard. Downside is you give up the extra atk speed & shield bashes from higher-lvl VG abilities; upsides are a big boost to Melee Power, +1 crit range, up to +14 dmg from feats & Weapon Master, One Cut's clickie, extra action boosts, and higher doublestrike (which basically offsets the lost atk speed). I'm pretty sure this build has higher AoE DPS and might even have higher single-target DPS, at least under certain circumstances. The only downsides so far are losing the free stun attempts on shield bashes and needing to invest feats into the Weapon Focus / Spec line if you want to Weapon Master.

I'm only going to list the parts which are different from the build above, namely the feats & Enhancements.

PDK Kensei VG
Fighter 20
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight

Feats

1 : Shield Mastery
1 PDK : Power Attack
1 Fighter: Cleave
2 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
3 : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Stunning Blow
6 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Slashing
12 : Weapon Specialization: Slashing
12 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
14 Fighter: Heavy Armor Champion OR Improved Shield Bash
15 : Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing
16 Fighter: Tactical Supremacy
18 : Toughness
18 Fighter: Combat Expertise
20 Fighter: Precision
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Bulwark of Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Heavy Armor Master OR Tactical Mastery
30 Swap : Epic Toughness replaces Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Feywild OR Plane of Earth

Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (41 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge, One Cut, Alacrity


Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Weapon Group Specialization, Ascetic Training: Conditioning II
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike III, Strength
Weapon Group Specialization, Strike at the Heart, Strength
A Good Death: Melee, Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Deadly Strike, Keen Edge



Vanguard (22 AP)


To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II


Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
Brutality III, Stunning Shield I, Missile Shield III
Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark
Shield Charge I



Stalwart Defender (14 AP)


Toughness, Stalwart Defense, Overbalance


Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III



Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)


Damage Boost


Improved Recovery



Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II
Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Ken3 Strength; Ken3 Shattering Strike I, II
Ken3 Shattering Strike III; Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning I, II
Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength
Van0 To the Fore!; Van1 Shield Specialization; Van1 Shield Smash I
Van1 Shield Smash II, III; Van0 Shield Combat I; Van2 Stunning Shield I
Van2 Brutality I, II, III; Van0 Vicious Shield I
SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III
SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken0 Power Surge
Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge
Van3 Fatal Bulwark; Van3 Follow Up I, II, III
Van2 Missile Shield I, II, III; Van0 Shield Combat II
Van4 Shield Charge I; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 Weapon Master; Ken5 A Good Death: Melee; Ken5 Deadly Strike
Ken0 One Cut; SD2 Resilient Defense I, II, III
SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
Ken0 Alacrity; SD0 Overbalance; PDK1 Improved Recovery



PD Kensei Knight: Inspired by this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475667-KotC-Kensei-of-the-Chalice), this build takes advantage of the recent buffs to Kensei to revive the ftr / pal hybrid. This is a SWF build designed to use khopeshes, but this build can play right out of the gate; use the default PDK longsword until you can farm something better, like a water khopesh (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Elemental_Khopesh_of_Water) or Bleeding Edge (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Bleeding_Edge). You will eventually need a +6 WIS item, but not until lvl 20 when you take Zeal.

PD Kensei Knight
14/6 Paladin/Fighter
Lawful Good Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

1. Fighter 6. Fighter 11. Paladin 16. Paladin
2. Fighter 7. Paladin 12. Paladin 17. Paladin
3. Fighter 8. Paladin 13. Paladin 18. Paladin
4. Fighter 9. Paladin 14. Paladin 19. Paladin
5. Fighter 10. Paladin 15. Paladin 20. Paladin


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 4: STR
Dexterity 8 8 8: STR
Constitution 14 16 12: STR
Intelligence 10 10 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 16 16 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
F F F F F F P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
UMD 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 2 2 2 2 8
Balance 2 1 1 1 1 1 7
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3


Feats

1 : Single Weapon Fighting
1 PDK : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
1 Fighter: Power Attack
2 Fighter: Cleave
3 : Weapon Focus: Slashing
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
6 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
7 Deity : Follower of: Amaunator
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
12 Deity : Amaunator's Brilliance
15 : Stunning Blow
18 : Quicken Spell
21 Epic : Empower Healing Spell
24 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea


Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (32 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Tactics I, Weapon Group Specialization
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike II, Strength
Strike at the Heart, Strength
One with the Blade, Keen Edge



Sacred Defender (24 AP)


Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense

Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III
Bulwark Aura III, Resilient Defense III
Resistance Aura III, Tenacious Defense III
Swift Defense, Strong Defense III



Knight of the Chalice (23 AP)


Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven

Extra Turning II, Extra Smite II
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III
Divine Sacrifice II, Exalted Smite I
Empowered Smite



Purple Dragon Knight (1 AP)


Damage Boost


Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II
Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Extra Action Boost I, II
Ken1 Extra Action Boost III; Ken3 Strength
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength; Ken3 Shattering Strike I
Ken3 Shattering Strike II; Ken2 Tactics I; SaD0 Holy Bastion
SaD1 Extra Lay On Hands I, II, III; SaD1 Durable Defense I
SaD0 Sacred Defense; SaD1 Durable Defense II, III; SaD2 Resilient Defense I
SaD2 Resilient Defense II; SaD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge; KoC0 Slayer of Evil; KoC1 Extra Smite I
KoC1 Extra Smite II; KoC1 Extra Turning I, II
KoC2 Divine Might I, II
KoC2 Divine Might III; KoC2 Exalted Cleave I, II, III
KoC0 Courage of Heaven; KoC0 Slayer of Evil II; KoC3 Exalted Smite I
KoC3 Divine Sacrifice I, II; KoC4 Empowered Smite
KoC0 Improved Courage of Heaven; SaD2 Resilient Defense III; SaD2 Bulwark Aura I, II
SaD2 Bulwark Aura III; SaD3 Resistance Aura I, II, III
SaD4 Swift Defense; SaD4 Strong Defense I, II, III



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack, Strength
Lay Waste
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Endless Lay On Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

[lifestaker]

What is wrong with the gear already for starter gear on simple builds around what they race starts as? Or is the goal for more class builds to fit into it.

Edit: Combo Breaker.

[unbongwah]

DEX-based TWF Assassin builds are also pretty straight-forward. Mine is very similar to slarden's halfling DEX build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/459362-Halfling-Dex-Assassin-1-0).

(EDIT 8/22/21) The biggest change is Update 50 buffed Shadar-kai's racial tree (https://ddowiki.com/page/Update_50_Release_Notes#Enhancements), in particular the chain attacks are actually useful now and address one of pure Assassin's shortcomings, namely no AoE DPS. you need to learn to use Improved Feint to take full advantage of sneak attacks vs mobs while using the chains. See Strimtom's SWF SDK Assassin thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/526279-First-life-Rogue-now-with-CHAAAAAIIIINNZZZZ).

SDK Assassin (U50)
Rogue 20
True Neutral Shadar-kai




Stats
32pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 8 4: DEX
Dexterity 20 8: DEX
Constitution 14 12: DEX
Intelligence 16 16: DEX
Wisdom 8 20: DEX
Charisma 6 24: DEX
28: DEX


Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Open Lo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Bluff 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Hide 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Move Si 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Tumble 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 23
UMD 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Concent 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Swim 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
44 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11




Feats


1 : Two Weapon Fighting
3 : Precision
6 : Improved Feint
9 : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
12 : Improved Critical: Piercing
15 : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
18 : Two Weapon Defense OR Weapon Finesse
21 Epic : Improved Sneak Attack
24 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: First Blood OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic : Epic Reflexes OR Watchful Eye
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


10 Rogue : Opportunist
13 Rogue : Crippling Strike
16 Rogue : Improved Evasion
19 Rogue : Defensive Roll OR Skill Mastery




Enhancements (Spent: 80 +0r +0u / Max: 80 +0r +0u AP)


Assassin (43 AP)

Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness, Lethality, Deadly Shadow

Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training
Execute, Killer III, Weakening Strikes, Sneak Attack Training
Assassinate, Measure the Foe III, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization, Light Armor Mastery III



Shadar-kai (23 AP)

Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt, Empowered Jaunt

Vicious Chain
Forceful Chain, Ghostly Essence III, Guile
Ghastly Chain, Displacement, Guile
Greater Spiked Chain Attack, Assassin's Mark, Gloom Stalker



Thief-Acrobat (14 AP)

Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler

Sly Flourish III, Fast Movement
Haste Boost III
Shadow Dodge III



Leveling Guide


Thief-Acrobat: Staff Control

Fast Movement




Assassin: Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness

Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training
Execute, Killer III, Weakening Strikes, Sneak Attack Training
Assassinate, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization




Shadar-kai: Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt

Vicious Chain
Forceful Chain, Ghostly Essence III, Guile
Ghastly Chain, Displacement
Greater Spiked Chain Attack, Assassin's Mark


15. SK3 Guile; Ass5 Measure the Foe I, II, III
16. SK0 Empowered Jaunt; SK4 Gloom Stalker
17. TA1 Sly Flourish I, II; TA2 Haste Boost I, II
18. Ass0 Lethality; TA2 Haste Boost III; TA1 Sly Flourish III; TA0 Stick Fighting
19. TA0 Tumbler; TA3 Shadow Dodge I, II, III
20. Ass5 Light Armor Mastery I; Ass0 Deadly Shadow; Ass5 Light Armor Mastery II, III




Destiny (24 AP)


Shadowdancer

Stealthy III, Technician I
Lithe III, Skill Mastery
Shrouding Strike I, Meld into Darkness III, Grim Precision III
Improved Invisibility I
Untouchable, Executioner's Strike I, Sealed Soul
Shadow Form, Dark Imbuement


Twists of Fate (11 fate points)

Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
Unearthly Reactions (Tier 1 Magister)


Sneak attacks (SA): 10d6 rogue levels + 8d6 Assassin + 2d6 SDK + 3d6 Improved Sneak Attack feat + 6d6 Shadowdancer + 6d6 Scion of Ethereal Plane = 35d6 SA (122.5 avg dmg per hit).

Required extra gear to start:

None, though a lot more healing potions certainly wouldn't go amiss... :cool:

Recommended extra gear to start:

+6 INT swap item for trapping. Until then, you can use Fox's Cunning potions.
Deadly & Seeker items: helm and goggles can be used as swap slots.
Deception gear (http://ddowiki.com/page/Deception): Backstabber's Gloves are the obvious choice, though it means giving up your initial doublestrike bonus. At level 17, Golden Guile is a good option, since it also adds Dusk and boosts your Bluff & Diplomacy.


SDK Mechanic: This build requires a repeater or great xbow to start; Divine Artillery (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Divine_Artillery) or Fatal Flaw (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:The_Fatal_Flaw) would be ideal, but even a HN Trapsmith (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Trapsmith%27s_Crossbow_(Level_14)) or a decent lootgen repeater would suffice. You'll also want +INT gear ASAP to boost DPS & trap skills; and Deception gear for extra ranged SAs. [EDIT: Backstabber's Gloves (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Backstabber's_Gloves) are a good choice, b/c Doublestrike does nothing for Mechanics and +2 to-hit isn't that important.] It requires a +2 DEX tome from Favor, but not until lvl 24 when you take Imp Sneak Atk. For a 28pt build, start DEX 18 INT 16 CON 14 CHA 8, I think, and drop either Concentration or Heal.

SDK Mechanic
Rogue 20
True Neutral Shadar-kai


Stats
32pt Tome Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 4: INT
Dexterity 18 +2 8: INT
Constitution 14 12: DEX
Intelligence 18 16: INT
Wisdom 8 20: INT
Charisma 6 24: INT
28: INT

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Open Lo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Bluff 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Diplo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Hide 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Move Si 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Tumble 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
UMD 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 15
Concent 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Jump 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
48 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14


Feats

1 : Point Blank Shot
3 : Rapid Shot
6 : Rapid Reload
9 : Precise Shot
10 Rogue : Improved Evasion
12 : Improved Critical: Ranged
13 Rogue : Opportunist
15 : Improved Precise Shot
16 Rogue : Crippling Strike OR Skill Mastery
18 : Precision
19 Rogue : Defensive Roll OR Skill Mastery
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Improved Sneak Attack
26 Destiny: Holy Strike OR Pierce Damage Reduction: Cold Iron
27 Epic : Combat Archery
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Embodiment of Law OR Deific Warding
30 Epic : Blinding Speed OR Epic Damage Reduction OR Insightful Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


Enhancements (80 AP)

Mechanic (44 AP)


Arbalester, Tanglefoot, Targeting Sights, Improved Detection, Expert Builder, Hip Flask

Sharpshooter, Thunderstone III
Sharpshooter, Improved Traps III, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Sharpshooter, Wracking Shot I, Ooze Flask III
Sharpshooter, Fletching III, Leg Shot
Sharpshooter, Rapid Fire III, Time Bomb III, Sniper, Mechanical Reloader



Assassin (25 AP)


Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick

Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training, Intelligence
Killer III, Sneak Attack Training



Shadar-kai (8 AP)


Shadar-kai Grit, Intelligence, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt

(none)
Guile



Thief-Acrobat (3 AP)


Staff Control

Fast Movement



Leveling Guide


TA0 Staff Control; TA1 Fast Movement; Mec0 Arbalester
Mec1 Sharpshooter; Mec1 Thunderstone I, II
Mec1 Thunderstone III; Mec0 Tanglefoot; Mec2 Sharpshooter
Mec2 Improved Traps I, II, III
Mec3 Sharpshooter; Mec3 Ooze Flask I, II, III
Mec0 Targeting Sights; Mec2 Wand and Scroll Mastery I, II, III
Mec4 Sharpshooter; Mec4 Fletching I, II
Mec4 Fletching III; Mec4 Leg Shot; Mec3 Wracking Shot I
Ass0 Knife in the Darkness; Ass1 Sneak Attack Training; Ass1 Stealthy I
Ass1 Stealthy II, III; Ass0 Dagger in the Back; Ass2 Damage Boost I
Ass2 Damage Boost II, III; Ass2 Sneak Attack Training
Mec0 Improved Detection; Mec5 Sharpshooter; Mec5 Rapid Fire I
Mec5 Rapid Fire II, III; Mec5 Sniper
Mec5 Mechanical Reloader; Mec5 Time Bomb I, II
Mec5 Time Bomb III; Ass0 Assassin's Trick; Ass2 Venomed Blades I, II
Ass2 Venomed Blades III; Ass3 Sneak Attack Training
Ass3 Intelligence; Ass4 Killer I, II, III
Mec0 Expert Builder; Ass4 Sneak Attack Training; SK0 Shadar-kai Grit
SK0 Intelligence; SK0 Shadow Phase
Mec0 Hip Flask; SK2 Guile; SK0 Shadow Jaunt



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
Damage Boost III, Constitution
Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III
(none)
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Pulverizer


Twists of Fate (14 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Pin (Tier 2 Shiradi)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)


At some point, you'll probably find that Mechanic traps are no longer effective, at which point you'll ditch them and put your APs elsewhere. So enjoy them while they're useful! :cool:

EDIT: while you can use any crossbow with this build to start, here are the named xbows I recommend for this build.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Divine_Artillery
http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:The_Fatal_Flaw
http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Light_Boltslinger

SDK Daggerdruid: This is a fairly straight-forward flavor build: DEX-based TWF druid 15 / rogue 5 using daggers (hence the less-than-spectacular name). Requires druid, obviously, and a WIS item to start to cast spells; you'll need WIS 18 by lvl 20 from whatever combo of gear, tome, shipbuff, etc. you can manage. Decent melee DPS, a little bit of caster DPS (partly for flavor, partly for Arcane Warrior stacks), plus plenty of heal & buffs from druid spells + Sacred Ground, ofc.

SDK Daggerdruid
15/5 Druid/Rogue
Neutral Good Shadar-kai


Level Order

1. Rogue 6. Druid 11. Druid 16. Druid
2. Druid 7. Druid 12. Rogue 17. Druid
3. Druid 8. Rogue 13. Druid 18. Druid
4. Druid 9. Druid 14. Druid 19. Druid
5. Druid 10. Druid 15. Rogue 20. Rogue


Stats
32pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 8 4: DEX
Dexterity 20 8: DEX
Constitution 14 12: DEX
Intelligence 16 16: DEX
Wisdom 8 20: DEX
Charisma 6 24: DEX
28: DEX

Skills
R D D D D D D R D D D R D D R D D D D R
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Spellcr 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 23
Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 23
UMD 4 7 4 3 5 23
Open Lo 4 1 2 5 6 1 19
Heal 2 2 1 1 1 7
Balance 4 4
Jump 4 4
Swim 4 4
Tumble 4 4
------------------------------------------------------------
44 7 7 7 7 7 7 11 7 7 7 11 7 7 11 7 7 7 7 11


Feats

1 : Two Weapon Fighting
3 : Precision
3 Druid : Wild Shape 1: Wolf
6 : Quicken Spell
6 Druid : Wild Shape 1: Bear
9 : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
10 Druid : Wild Shape 2: Winter Wolf
12 : Improved Critical: Piercing
14 Druid : Wild Shape 2: Dire Bear
15 : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
17 Druid : Wild Shape 3: Fire Elemental
18 : Empower Healing Spell
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Two Weapon Defense OR Hamstring
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: First Blood OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior OR Dire Charge
30 Epic : Blinding Speed OR Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Spells

Druid


Ram's Might, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Barkskin, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Sleet Storm, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Freedom of Movement, Cure Serious Wounds, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Death Ward, Greater Vigor, Stoneskin, Cure Critical Wounds, Panacea
<Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Regenerate, Mass Greater Vigor, Body of the Sun
<Any>, <Any>



Enhancements (80 AP)

Assassin (37 AP)


Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back

Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Shiv III, Sneak Attack Training
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
Execute, Killer III, Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
Measure the Foe III, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization



Thief-Acrobat (23 AP)


Staff Control, Stick Fighting

Thief Acrobatics III, Sly Flourish II, Fast Movement
Haste Boost III
Shadow Dodge III, Dexterity
No Mercy III



Nature's Warrior (13 AP)


Nature's Warrior

Extra Wild Empathy III, Shifting Rake I
Flight III, Vengeful Hunter II
Fatal Harrier III



Shadar-kai (7 AP)


Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt



Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader


Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
Consecration III, Flames of Purity II
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
No Regret, Crusade
Castigation, Celestial Champion
Strike Down


Twists of Fate (35 fate points)


Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)


I delayed the last rogue level to lvl 20 in order to squeeze out more skill pts; but the downside is you don't get tier-5 Assassin enhancements until then, so your heroic leveling will be slower / more of a PITA due to lower melee DPS. If you have a +2 INT tome to start, divide the extra skill pts between Open Lock and Heal. If you have Harper, you can ditch SDK enhancements for Know the Angles.

EDIT: due to low DCs, fire spells like Body of the Sun and firewall are just there to help build stacks of Arcane Warrior and Empyrean Magic, which in turn help melee DPS and Consecration, respectively.

[unbongwah]

EDIT: turns out I have Deep Gnomes after all, which surprises me since I know I didn't purchase them yet and I thought VIPs had to pay to unlock, same as other Iconics. Oh well, gift horses, mouths, etc. :)

So first let's try Illusion Archmage, which is clearly the intent behind DDO gnomes, with heavy investment in the Deep Gnome racial tree for good measure. This build has both the racial & PrE Phantasmal Killer SLAs, for double the killing powah. Remaining APs spread between Eldritch Knight (light armor prof, -5% ASF) and Pale Master.

Svirfneblin Illusionist
Wizard 20
True Neutral Deep Gnome


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 6 4: INT
Dexterity 8 8 8: INT
Constitution 16 18 12: INT
Intelligence 20 20 16: INT
Wisdom 10 10 20: INT
Charisma 6 6 24: INT
28: INT

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Perform 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Search 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Diplo 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Spot 2 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 8
Repair 1 1 1 3
Balance 1 1
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
28 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9


Feats

1 : Insightful Reflexes
1 Wizard : Maximize Spell
3 : Extend Spell
5 Wizard : Empower Spell
6 : Heighten Spell
9 : Enlarge Spell
10 Wizard : Spell Focus: Illusion
12 : Greater Spell Focus: Illusion
15 : Spell Penetration
15 Wizard : Quicken Spell
18 : Greater Spell Penetration
20 Wizard : Spell Focus: Conjuration OR Necromancy
21 Epic : Epic Spell Penetration
24 Epic : Master of: Knowledge
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Force
27 Epic : Ruin
28 Destiny: Hellball
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Intensify Spell OR Greater Ruin
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Enhancements (80 AP)

Archmage (41 AP)


Invisibility, Blur, Displacement, Phantasmal Killer, Shadow Walk, Master of Magic

Subtle Spellcasting I, Traditionalist Caster III, Spell Critical
Spell Critical
Arcane Bolt III, Spell Penetration III, Spell Critical, Intelligence
School Mastery: Illusion, Spell Critical
Arcane Blast III, Arcane Supremacy, School Mastery: Illusion



Deep Gnome (19 AP)


Wariness, Intelligence, Wariness II, Intelligence, Retain Scroll Essence

(none)
Color Spray III
Spellcraft III, Illusion Focus III
Phantasmal Killer III



Pale Master (13 AP)


Dark Reaping, Zombie Form, Vampire Form

Spell Critical, Negative Energy Conduit III
Spell Critical, Bone Armor III



Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (7 AP)


Eldritch Strike

Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
Light Armor Proficiency



Leveling Guide


PM0 Dark Reaping; PM1 Negative Energy Conduit I, II, III
PM1 Spell Critical; PM2 Bone Armor I, II
PM2 Bone Armor III; PM0 Zombie Form; PM2 Spell Critical
AM0 Invisibility; AM1 Subtle Spellcasting I; AM1 Traditionalist Caster I, II
AM1 Traditionalist Caster III; AM0 Blur; AM1 Spell Critical
AM2 Spell Critical; AM0 Displacement
AM3 Arcane Bolt I, II
AM3 Arcane Bolt III; AM3 Spell Critical
AM3 Intelligence; AM4 School Mastery: Illusion
AM4 Spell Critical; AM3 Spell Penetration I
AM3 Spell Penetration II; (Bank 3 AP)
PM0 Vampire Form; AM0 Phantasmal Killer; AM5 Arcane Blast I, II, III; AM5 Arcane Supremacy
AM5 School Mastery: Illusion; DPG0 Wariness
DPG0 Intelligence; DPG0 Wariness II; DPG0 Intelligence
DPG2 Color Spray I, II, III; (Bank 1 AP)
DPG0 Retain Scroll Essence; DPG3 Spellcraft I, II, III; DPG3 Illusion Focus I
DPG3 Illusion Focus II; DPG4 Phantasmal Killer I, II, III
AM0 Shadow Walk; DPG3 Illusion Focus III; EKw0 Eldritch Strike; EKw1 Improved Mage Armor I
EKw1 Improved Mage Armor II, III; AM3 Spell Penetration III
AM0 Master of Magic; EKw1 Item Defense I; EKw2 Light Armor Proficiency



Destiny (24 AP)

Shiradi Champion


Healing Spring III, Illusion of Well Being I
Prism, Fey Spring III, Fey Form III
Rainbow
Double Rainbow, Elemental Absorption I
Nerve Venom III
Audience with the Queen, Rain of Arrows


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Piercing Spellcraft (Tier 3 Magister)
School Specialist: Illusion (Tier 2 Magister)
Precise: Conjuration (Tier 2 Draconic)


Q: Hey, why'd you make a gnome vampire?
A: ...I don't understand the question. It's a vampire who is also a gnome. Why wouldn't you make one?!

Also I discovered once I took everything I wanted from Archmage and racial trees, I didn't have enough APs left for wraith form, so decided to stop at vampire form and put leftover APs into EK for lt armor prof.

But mostly because gnome vampire.

Required extra gear to start:

None.

Recommended extra gear to start:

Negative Spellpower to boost Necro spells; Madstone Skull (http://ddowiki.com/page/Madstone_Skull) is a good option, since Deep Gnomes don't start with orbs and equipping it will also enable the +10 Spellpower bonus from Traditionalist Caster.
Since DGs start with a Corrosion hammer, a Conjuration Focus item would be good for acid spells. Unfortunately, I don't see a named option for ML:15 or below; but later you can use Wizard's Ward (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Wizard%27s_Ward), Nether Orb (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Nether_Orb), or Sage's Shoes (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Sage%27s_Shoes_%28Level_19%29). [One possible variant: Conjuration Archmage for Web / Stinking Cloud / Cloudkill SLAs with Illusion as secondary school.]
If you intend to use Necro spells for DPS (rather than just self-unhealing), you'll also want Necro Spell Focus item.
The starter robe is okay, but you might want to consider acquiring an Frozen Tunic (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Frozen_Tunic) for Glaciation + Ice Lore. Actually any of the Cannith caster gear (http://ddowiki.com/page/Vaults_of_the_Artificers_loot#Clothing.2FJewelry) is worth considering, though naturally it means rearranging your other gear bonuses to make room.
...finally noticed DGs don't start with a Potency or Impulse item, either. Impulse spellpower boosts Arcane Bolt / Blast plus the Missile spells, so it's definitely worth picking up. As with the Morninglord, Rod of Mythant (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Rod_of_Mythant) is a good option if you can acquire it.

[FranOhmsford]

You forgot one!

Svirfneblin Illusionist Archmage!

[unbongwah]

Edit: Combo Breaker.
http://i.giphy.com/5U4uFSd7JDsQ.gif

[Livmo]

Bladeforged paladin is pretty much Easy Mode for DDO: high DPS, high survivability, and a fairly straight-forward build. There are only a few question marks, like which Epic Destiny to use and what to do with your extra feats.

So let's look at a BF Knight using 2H swords aiming for Legendary Dreadnought:

Snip

Recommended extra gear to start:

Deadly & Seeker items to boost DPS; goggles slot is a good spot for it.
Wizardry item for extra spellpoints; can be a swap item for ring slot.
Forgeblade (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Forgeblade) is kinda so-so DPS, IMO, so upgrading that should be an early priority too. Falchions (http://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Falchions) are usually best for 2H pallies; Whirlwind (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Whirlwind) is good too. Ideally you acquire a SOS (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Sword_of_Shadow), but...not exactly what I would call a "first-life friendly" option.


For the teens I like this falchion, http://ddowiki.com/page/Vampiric_Cleaver

Later on I upgrade to a poor man's SOS, http://i.imgur.com/kH7PR5B.jpg . I'm still looking to see if I can find some new loot-gen to replace it with. I've been stuck on the SOS for years now. Have shard but not the other 2 pieces of the 3 piece meal deal.

[EllisDee37]

Awesome thread.

[Saekee]

I wouldn't recommend to new players to start with an iconic at level 15. I think they should hit Korthos and learn the ropes, start at low levels and get to know the basics.

I think it is a nice idea like you mention for experienced players on new servers.

[unbongwah]

Posted two ML builds: one focused purely on light-based DPS, the other with heavy emphasis on Spell Pen to land Implosion et al on high-SR mobs.

To be honest, I'm on the fence about what to do with the PDK build(s). Clearly the starter gear and base class suggest it's meant for a S&B toon; but we all know ftrs are well behind pallies in both DPS and survivability (and have been for the last year and a half). OTOH, I don't just want to post another pally Vanguard build (e.g. pal 19 / ftr 1 or 18/2) on top of BF pally. Then again, should I post a pure ftr VG with the caveat "Don't play this until after the fighter pass!"? But I almost feel like it would be better to tell newbies to ditch the S&B, grab a decent 2H weapon, and play a PDK barb, since even without barb capstone it's gonna out-DPS any ftr I can come up with right now. Decisions, decisions...

Does anyone care what I post for PDKs?

[Livmo]

Posted two ML builds: one focused purely on light-based DPS, the other with heavy emphasis on Spell Pen to land Implosion et al on high-SR mobs.

To be honest, I'm on the fence about what to do with the PDK build(s). Clearly the starter gear and base class suggest it's meant for a S&B toon; but we all know ftrs are well behind pallies in both DPS and survivability (and have been for the last year and a half). OTOH, I don't just want to post another pally Vanguard build (e.g. pal 19 / ftr 1 or 18/2) on top of BF pally. Then again, should I post a pure ftr VG with the caveat "Don't play this until after the fighter pass!"? But I almost feel like it would be better to tell newbies to ditch the S&B, grab a decent 2H weapon, and play a PDK barb, since even without barb capstone it's gonna out-DPS any ftr I can come up with right now. Decisions, decisions...

Does anyone care what I post for PDKs?

I have several of each, PDK/Sorc and PDK/Bard.

The one PDK/Sorc I'm playing right now is an ice based savant. Likewise the PDK/Bard I'm running can Disco and is swash. I went with orb on the swash.

EDIT ~ I forgot to mention I'm also playing one of these, but probably not new player friendly per se since Im using a collection of rune arms, https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/467547-El-Tirador-Ensalada%E2%84%A2-%28aka-The-Salad-Shooter%29?highlight=salad+shooter

[Dopey_Power]

Posted two ML builds: one focused purely on light-based DPS, the other with heavy emphasis on Spell Pen to land Implosion et al on high-SR mobs.

To be honest, I'm on the fence about what to do with the PDK build(s). Clearly the starter gear and base class suggest it's meant for a S&B toon; but we all know ftrs are well behind pallies in both DPS and survivability (and have been for the last year and a half). OTOH, I don't just want to post another pally Vanguard build (e.g. pal 19 / ftr 1 or 18/2) on top of BF pally. Then again, should I post a pure ftr VG with the caveat "Don't play this until after the fighter pass!"? But I almost feel like it would be better to tell newbies to ditch the S&B, grab a decent 2H weapon, and play a PDK barb, since even without barb capstone it's gonna out-DPS any ftr I can come up with right now. Decisions, decisions...

Does anyone care what I post for PDKs?

Perhaps put together the best of a bad situation? A 30 fighter PDK that is designed to get to 30 for an Iconic Reincarnation?

Sure, other classes could do it way easier, but some people are purists. What is the least painful way to get to 30 on a pure PDK fighter?

<.< Totally not for selfish reasons, or anything.

[unbongwah]

I will probably just take my latest Dwarven Defender and convert it to PDK using bastard swords. I've got a couple of flavor build ideas using CKT+Know the Angles for a CHA+INT-based Vanguard, but they're not really suitable for a first-life build.

[Discpsycho]

I'm currently running a PDK Vanguard life, so I'd be interested to see where we diverge on build ideas (though I'd be happy to post it if you'd rather fix that than come up with a full build)

[Livmo]

I will probably just take my latest Dwarven Defender and convert it to PDK using bastard swords. I've got a couple of flavor build ideas using CKT+Know the Angles for a CHA+INT-based Vanguard, but they're not really suitable for a first-life build.

This sounds interesting. Are you going TWF or S&B?

Also are gonna splash some rouge or arty for any INT synergy?

I haven't tried PDK w/bastard sword yet.

[Anoregon]

I will probably just take my latest Dwarven Defender and convert it to PDK using bastard swords. I've got a couple of flavor build ideas using CKT+Know the Angles for a CHA+INT-based Vanguard, but they're not really suitable for a first-life build.

Not sure how viable it is for first life/tomeless, but I imagine a good fit for a go-to PDK build (given the current state of fighter) is Swashbuckler with 3 levels of fighter to get stalwart stance with HP/con bonuses. 15bard/3fight/2rogue seems popular. It doesn't have any serious stat requirements (just 13 dex for precision) so it should be ok.

[unbongwah]

I've posted a Deep Gnome Illusionist. I could've just gone with a conventional Pale Master, of course, but that didn't seem to play to their racial bonuses. :)

[EllisDee37]

I've posted a Deep Gnome Illusionist. I could've just gone with a conventional Pale Master, of course, but that didn't seem to play to their racial bonuses. :)Story time:

So yesterday I logged into a dummy iconic artificer to update the wiki for the arcanotech changes, did a quick update on arcane archer, then ran my data crawler so I could post a new version of the planner. The crawler output showed "Invalid wiki link: http://ddowiki.com/page/Svirfneblin_enhancements" in the errors section, meaning it failed to scrape descriptions for deep gnomes. Confused, I go to the wiki and see the page is named Deep Gnome instead of Svirfneblin. So I start adding a custom wiki link for the Svirfneblin tree when I think "Wait a minute; the wiki mirrors the game..."

So I log in to check by creating a character. I don't own Deep Gnomes but you can still see it in the iconic race selection. Oh no, it's actually named Deep Gnome in the game. Gah! So I spent the next half hour frantically updating the various places in the code where race names are hardcoded. So annoying.

Probably for the best, though. I was concerned when I first set it up as Svirfneblin that it would be confusing to new players, but assumed that that's what it was called in-game.

[Uska]

CAVEAT: I don't own Deep Gnomes (yet), so I've no way of testing my builds here. I'm just drawing on my COUNTLESS HOURS OF GAME EXPERIENCE to craft these master builds!

[Read as: making it up as I go along. :rolleyes:]

So first let's try Illusion Archmage, which is clearly the intent behind DDO gnomes, with heavy investment in the Deep Gnome racial tree for good measure. This build has both the racial & PrE Phantasmal Killer SLAs, for double the killing powah. Remaining APs spread between Eldritch Knight (light armor prof, -5% ASF) and Pale Master.

Svirfneblin Illusionist
Wizard 20
True Neutral Deep Gnome


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 6 4: INT
Dexterity 8 8 8: INT
Constitution 16 18 12: INT
Intelligence 20 20 16: INT
Wisdom 10 10 20: INT
Charisma 6 6 24: INT
28: INT

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Perform 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Search 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Diplo 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Spot 2 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 8
Repair 1 1 1 3
Balance 1 1
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
28 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9


Feats

1 : Insightful Reflexes
1 Wizard : Maximize Spell
3 : Extend Spell
5 Wizard : Empower Spell
6 : Heighten Spell
9 : Enlarge Spell
10 Wizard : Spell Focus: Illusion
12 : Greater Spell Focus: Illusion
15 : Spell Penetration
15 Wizard : Quicken Spell
18 : Greater Spell Penetration
20 Wizard : Spell Focus: Conjuration OR Necromancy
21 Epic : Epic Spell Penetration
24 Epic : Master of: Knowledge
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Force
27 Epic : Ruin
28 Destiny: Hellball
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Intensify Spell OR Greater Ruin
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Enhancements (80 AP)

Archmage (41 AP)


Invisibility, Blur, Displacement, Phantasmal Killer, Shadow Walk, Master of Magic

Subtle Spellcasting I, Traditionalist Caster III, Spell Critical
Spell Critical
Arcane Bolt III, Spell Penetration III, Spell Critical, Intelligence
School Mastery: Illusion, Spell Critical
Arcane Blast III, Arcane Supremacy, School Mastery: Illusion



Deep Gnome (19 AP)


Wariness, Intelligence, Wariness II, Intelligence, Retain Scroll Essence

(none)
Color Spray III
Spellcraft III, Illusion Focus III
Phantasmal Killer III



Pale Master (13 AP)


Dark Reaping, Zombie Form, Vampire Form

Spell Critical, Negative Energy Conduit III
Spell Critical, Bone Armor III



Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (7 AP)


Eldritch Strike

Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
Light Armor Proficiency



Leveling Guide


PM0 Dark Reaping; PM1 Negative Energy Conduit I, II, III
PM1 Spell Critical; PM2 Bone Armor I, II
PM2 Bone Armor III; PM0 Zombie Form; PM2 Spell Critical
AM0 Invisibility; AM1 Subtle Spellcasting I; AM1 Traditionalist Caster I, II
AM1 Traditionalist Caster III; AM0 Blur; AM1 Spell Critical
AM2 Spell Critical; AM0 Displacement
AM3 Arcane Bolt I, II
AM3 Arcane Bolt III; AM3 Spell Critical
AM3 Intelligence; AM4 School Mastery: Illusion
AM4 Spell Critical; AM3 Spell Penetration I
AM3 Spell Penetration II; (Bank 3 AP)
PM0 Vampire Form; AM0 Phantasmal Killer; AM5 Arcane Blast I, II, III; AM5 Arcane Supremacy
AM5 School Mastery: Illusion; DPG0 Wariness
DPG0 Intelligence; DPG0 Wariness II; DPG0 Intelligence
DPG2 Color Spray I, II, III; (Bank 1 AP)
DPG0 Retain Scroll Essence; DPG3 Spellcraft I, II, III; DPG3 Illusion Focus I
DPG3 Illusion Focus II; DPG4 Phantasmal Killer I, II, III
AM0 Shadow Walk; DPG3 Illusion Focus III; EKw0 Eldritch Strike; EKw1 Improved Mage Armor I
EKw1 Improved Mage Armor II, III; AM3 Spell Penetration III
AM0 Master of Magic; EKw1 Item Defense I; EKw2 Light Armor Proficiency



Destiny (24 AP)

Shiradi Champion


Healing Spring III, Illusion of Well Being I
Prism, Fey Spring III, Fey Form III
Rainbow
Double Rainbow, Elemental Absorption I
Nerve Venom III
Audience with the Queen, Rain of Arrows


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Piercing Spellcraft (Tier 3 Magister)
School Specialist: Illusion (Tier 2 Magister)
Precise: Conjuration (Tier 2 Draconic)


Q: Hey, why'd you make a gnome vampire?
A: ...I don't understand the question. It's a vampire who is also a gnome. Why wouldn't you make one?!

Also I discovered once I took everything I wanted from Archmage and racial trees, I didn't have enough APs left for wraith form, so decided to stop at vampire form and put leftover APs into EK for lt armor prof.

But mostly because gnome vampire.

Required extra gear to start:

None.

Recommended extra gear to start:

Negative Spellpower to boost Necro spells; Madstone Skull (http://ddowiki.com/page/Madstone_Skull) is a good option, since Deep Gnomes don't start with orbs and equipping it will also enable the +10 Spellpower bonus from Traditionalist Caster.
Since DGs start with a Corrosion hammer, a Conjuration Focus item would be good for acid spells. Unfortunately, I don't see a named option for ML:15 or below; but later you can use Wizard's Ward (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Wizard%27s_Ward), Nether Orb (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Nether_Orb), or Sage's Shoes (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Sage%27s_Shoes_%28Level_19%29). [One possible variant: Conjuration Archmage for Web / Stinking Cloud / Cloudkill SLAs with Illusion as secondary school.]
If you intend to use Necro spells for DPS (rather than just self-unhealing), you'll also want Necro Spell Focus item.
The starter robe is okay, but you might want to consider acquiring an Frozen Tunic (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Frozen_Tunic) for Glaciation + Ice Lore. Actually any of the Cannith caster gear (http://ddowiki.com/page/Vaults_of_the_Artificers_loot#Clothing.2FJewelry) is worth considering, though naturally it means rearranging your other gear bonuses to make room.


nice

[Anoregon]

I would also just like to chip in on this thread that now is -THE BEST TIME EVER- to start a first life Bladeforged Pally, as you can immediately snag a Sword of Shadow from the 10th anniversary token.

[unbongwah]

I would also just like to chip in on this thread that now is -THE BEST TIME EVER- to start a first life Bladeforged Pally, as you can immediately snag a Sword of Shadow from the 10th anniversary token.
Yes, I confirmed the other night that if you make a new char, you also get the free token (http://ddowiki.com/page/10th_Anniversary#Freebie); it isn't just for existing (pre-U30) chars. Nice! :D

For casters, I would probably take Litany (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Litany_of_the_Dead): +1 Profane bonus to all stats and Turn the Page can save a lot of SPs when you're in mana-dump boss-fight mode. :cool: For Vanguard...I'm not sure, maybe Levik's Defender (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Levik%27s_Defender) just for Healer's Bounty? For SDK rogue, probably Ring of Lies or Tharne's Goggles, unless you want to bank away a Balizarde: it doesn't benefit from Knife Specialization but it should benefit from Lethality, making it 15-20/x4; you'll need to take the Finesse feat though.

[Marilith Chain used to be one of the best DPS armors, back when Seeker +6 bonuses were still rare; but ever since Seeker & Deadly bonuses were added to random lootgen, it's been obsolete, unfortunately.]

I didn't post any Mechanic builds yet, but Needle is an obvious choice for them. Or maybe Toven's Hammer if you make an arty.

[Mordantos]

I didn't post any Mechanic builds
Aww :(


yet
Well, then get to it!

Love all the builds so far, and just can't wait to see what comes next...

[Saekee]

DEX-based TWF Assassin builds are also pretty straight-forward. Mine is very similar to slarden's halfling DEX build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/459362-Halfling-Dex-Assassin-1-0).

This build is for those without Harper:

SDK Assassin
Rogue 20
True Neutral Shadar-kai


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 8 4: DEX
Dexterity 20 20 8: DEX
Constitution 14 16 12: DEX
Intelligence 14 14 16: DEX
Wisdom 8 8 20: DEX
Charisma 6 6 24: DEX
28: DEX

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Open Lo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Bluff 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Hide 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Move Si 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Tumble 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 23
UMD 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Concent 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Balance 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
40 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10


Feats

1 : Two Weapon Fighting
3 : Precision
6 : Dodge
9 : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
10 Rogue : Improved Evasion
12 : Improved Critical: Piercing
13 Rogue : Defensive Roll
15 : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
16 Rogue : Opportunist
18 : Quick Draw OR Mobility
19 Rogue : Crippling Strike OR Skill Mastery
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Improved Sneak Attack
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Elusive Target OR First Blood
29 Destiny: Embodiment of Order OR Deific Warding
30 Epic : Watchful Eye
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


Enhancements (80 AP)

Assassin (42 AP)


Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness, Lethality, Deadly Shadow

Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training
Critical Mastery III, Sneak Attack Training
Execute, Killer III, Weakening Strikes, Sneak Attack Training
Assassinate, Measure the Foe III, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization, Light Armor Mastery II



Thief-Acrobat (27 AP)


Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler, Kip Up

Sly Flourish III, Fast Movement
Subtlety III, Haste Boost III
Shadow Dodge III
Improved Defensive Roll III, No Mercy III



Shadar-kai (11 AP)


Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt

(none)
Improved Dodge II, Guile
Guile



Leveling Guide


Ass0 Knife in the Darkness; Ass1 Poison Strikes: Heartseeker
Ass1 Sneak Attack Training; Ass2 Sneak Attack Training; Ass2 Venomed Blades I
Ass2 Venomed Blades II, III; Ass0 Dagger in the Back
Ass3 Sneak Attack Training; Ass3 Critical Mastery I, II, III
Ass1 Stealthy I, II, III; TA0 Staff Control
TA1 Fast Movement; Ass0 Assassin's Trick; Ass4 Killer I
Ass4 Killer II, III; Ass4 Execute
Ass4 Weakening Strikes; Ass4 Sneak Attack Training
TA1 Sly Flourish I, II; TA2 Haste Boost I, II
TA2 Haste Boost III; TA2 Subtlety I, II
TA3 Shadow Dodge I, II
TA3 Shadow Dodge III; Ass0 Nimbleness; Ass5 Knife Specialization
Ass5 Measure the Foe I, II, III; Ass5 Assassinate
Ass5 Deadly Strikes; TA2 Subtlety III; TA1 Sly Flourish III
TA0 Stick Fighting; TA0 Tumbler; Ass5 Light Armor Mastery I, II
TA0 Kip Up; TA4 Improved Defensive Roll I, II, III
SK0 Shadar-kai Grit; SK0 Dexterity; TA4 No Mercy I
Ass0 Lethality; TA4 No Mercy II, III
SK0 Shadow Phase; SK0 Shadow Jaunt; SK2 Improved Dodge I
SK2 Improved Dodge II; SK2 Guile; SK3 Guile; Ass0 Deadly Shadow



Destiny (24 AP)

Shadowdancer


Stealthy III, Technician I
Lithe III, Skill Mastery
Shrouding Strike III, Meld into Darkness I, Grim Precision III
Improved Invisibility I
Untouchable, Executioner's Strike I, Sealed Soul
Shadow Form, Dark Imbuement


Twists of Fate (14 fate points)


Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)


Skills: UMD and trap skills are the must-haves, of course. Hide is maxed largely to max out extra sneak atks from Scion of Ethereal Plane; in which case, might as well max Move Silently too. I like having Concentration on my UMD toons, even though it's a cross-class skill. Why max Tumble? Because backflips FTW! :D But you could take Diplomacy, Haggle, or Heal (more Pos Spellpower for Cocoon).

Optional feats: Dodge for the extra Dodge bonus (duh) and Epic DR for moar DR (also duh) are pretty good options for lvl 6 & 27 feats, IMO. Then it's mostly a question of whether you want more DPS or more survivability: so either Mobility (+2 Dodge & MDB) or Quick Draw (slightly reduces the delay on using action boosts for a little more burst DPS) at lvl 18; either Elusive Target (extra 5% miss chance) or First Blood for a bit more DPS at lvl 28; and either Deific Warding for extra PRR/MRR or Embodiment of Order for more DPS at lvl 29.

Enhancements: obviously Assassin is the primary one, but Acrobat has lots of useful goodies too - Fast Movement, Shadow Dodge, Haste Boost, Imp Defensive Roll, No Mercy, Kip Up (knockdown immunity). SDK Shadow Jaunt is cool: works like Abundant Step / Leap of Faith. Leftover APs went towards Imp Dodge and SDK Guile for an extra +2d6 SA. If you feel your trap skills need improvement, shift APs from SDK and/or Acrobat into Mechanic.

Sneak attacks (SA): 10d6 rogue levels + 8d6 Assassin + 2d6 SDK + 3d6 Imp Sneak Atk feat + 6d6 Shadowdancer = 29d6 SA (101.5 avg dmg per hit). I believe you can get another +22 SA from gear. I've seen posters claim endgame Hide skills of 150-ish, which means +50 SA from Scion of Ethereal Plane; but we're talking fully tricked out gear, tomes, etc. But I'd guesstimate even a first-lifer with more modest gear will hit Hide 90+, so that's still means 30-plus SA bonus. So you're talking somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 to 180 pts of SA dmg per hit by endgame and that's before you factor in 150% Melee Power scaling.

Required extra gear to start:

None, though a lot more healing potions certainly wouldn't go amiss... :cool:

Recommended extra gear to start:

+6 INT swap item for trapping. Until then, you can use Fox's Cunning potions.
Deadly & Seeker items: helm and goggles can be used as swap slots.
Deception gear (http://ddowiki.com/page/Deception): Backstabber's Gloves are the obvious choice, though it means giving up your initial doublestrike bonus. At lvl 17, Golden Guile is a good option, since it also adds Dusk and boosts your Bluff & Diplomacy.


The SDK cores are excellent for stealth play. When fully taken, they only have a 30 sec. cooldown. (that they share, unfortunately, together). Core 3 gives invisibility that does not break while acting: killing, pulling levers, opening doors!!!--unless a mob has true seeing (like a champ) the Shadow Phase is insanely useful. Normally, an epic assassin must use/twist SD's improved invisi, Magister's Fade into the Weave or shadowscale clickies (see link in my sig).

I like it so much (using it on my iconic challenge farmer SDK) that I will probably make my main's endgame assassin life an SDK.

[Xathris]

My next character will be a 5th life, so I still feel pretty new. I am going for completionist feat, so I figured the fastest way to that would be iconic characters. I this the way to go?

Here are my lives. 1st pure Pally, 2nd Pure Ranger (archer) 3rd Pure bard (swash) 4th and current pure warlock

I thought it would be best to do the most powerful builds first, while I get better and better gear. (At lvl 20, my warlock can tank EH Inevitable in Von 3, so getting there.)

Can/should I do a big chunk with iconic? If so, what should be next? I was thinking Barbarian. I have a +6 tome that works on all my stats if that matters.

Thanks!

[unbongwah]

I am going for completionist feat, so I figured the fastest way to that would be iconic characters. I this the way to go?
Remember that you cannot HTR (http://ddowiki.com/page/Heroic_True_Reincarnation) an Iconic when you reach lvl 20; you have to lvl to 30 then ITR (http://ddowiki.com/page/Iconic_True_Reincarnation), which earns you both a heroic PL feat and Iconic PL feat. Sorry to crush your dreams if you thought you could just lvl 15-20 and be done!

[unbongwah]

Now that U31 has finally buffed fighters, I've updated the PDK section with two builds: classic pure ftr S&B tank; and a SWF ftr 6 / pal 14 hybrid. I've also added a SDK pure Mechanic, because one person demanded it three months ago!

[Tricosene]

Now that U31 has finally buffed fighters, I've updated the PDK section with two builds: classic pure ftr S&B tank; and a SWF ftr 6 / pal 14 hybrid. I've also added a SDK pure Mechanic, because one person demanded it three months ago!

On the mechanic, you've slotted the alchemical trap attack enhancements. How much do you end up using them, especially after level 20? I'm TRing into a mechanic soon and have been looking at Retrodark's Rocket Launcher build, where they aren't selected, and I'm trying to figure out if I want to invest the action points in them.

[unbongwah]

Retrodark's build is endgame-focused; mine is more leveling-focused. So the short answer is: you use alchemical traps until they stop being useful; then you reset Mechanic, redistribute your APs, and probably wind up with 3 APs to put into, say, SDK for +1d6 SA since you drop Time Bomb. You still need to spend at least 30 APs into the lower tiers, so you swap those trap APs for more INT or whatever.

[Tricosene]

Ok, thank you. I'll play around and see how they work for my combat style.

[Mordantos]

I've also added a SDK pure Mechanic, because one person demanded it three months ago!and you made that person very happy!

[unbongwah]

I've updated the PDK post with a "S&B Kensei" variant which I think will have higher DPS than the 41 AP VG configuration does, despite the lower atk speed. The builder hasn't been updated yet for U31.1, so some of the Kensei enhancements are placeholders until I can swap in Opportunity Attack + Liquid Courage.

[SilentRunning]

I don't know what your thoughts are on Warlocks, Unbongwah, but have you considered making a PDK/Warlock and using charisma for damage rather than strength ?

I'm exploring this combination for myself, so I'd like to know what you think.

[FranOhmsford]

I don't know what your thoughts are on Warlocks, Unbongwah, but have you considered making a PDK/Warlock and using charisma for damage rather than strength ?

I'm exploring this combination for myself, so I'd like to know what you think.

What would be the point?

You've got to fit in the Spellpower somewhere anyway and if your weapon is melee specific then you're cutting down the number of spots available for that spellpower.

Also - Melee and Auralock aren't as synonymous as you'd think - Auralock fits a tank role using Aura and Bursts for DPS more than a Melee DPS role with just aura {You won't want the bursts as they'll stop your melee DPS}.


If I was to consider a PDK Lock I'd want to drop the Fighter level in favour of 3 Paladin and go really tanky.

[SilentRunning]

No offense, but I believe I asked Unbongwah.

[unbongwah]

I don't know what your thoughts are on Warlocks, Unbongwah, but have you considered making a PDK/Warlock and using charisma for damage rather than strength ?
I have theory-crafted various build ideas and my basic conclusion is they're all flavor builds: either you don't do enough melee DPS for it to be a significant contributor to your overall DPS and doesn't justify the feat / AP investment; or you sacrifice caster DPS for melee DPS instead, which is at best a wash and at worst a loss of overall DPS. As I mention in this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475979-Help-needed-min-maxxing-a-melee-warlock), there's also the issue of gear, as it's very hard to squeeze in all of the caster and melee DPS gear you want.

So I'm definitely doing one on one of my next lives. :p I have a character with two Celestias (one from raiders box, one from anniversary) whom I was thinking of HTRing into a TWF PDK Fiend `lock using Crusader. I haven't decided the exact configuration yet, but it would be something like 41 ES / 28 SE / 8 TS / 3 PDK (CKT). Without any crit bonuses (apart from Imp Crit), I expect my melee DPS to be subpar; the goal is using weapons to proc SE debuffs (Taint the Blood + Taint the Aura + Strickened Soul + Strickened Aura) as well as Spiritual Retribution: +3d6 light dmg per hit scaled by Spellpower, so probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 75+ dmg per hit in endgame.

[DocTom]

Greetings;

Love the BF Knight 2H weapon build! As I move up levels, I see that the build directs me to select "Tenacious OR Strong Defense III" enhancements from the SD tree; however, the in-tree description of the enhancements mentions that the effect is for when you're using medium/heavy armor (Bladeforged only gets docent?) or a shield (2H weapon build). Am I missing something? (<- Actually, I'm not being snarky! It is VERY possible that I AM missing something, but I'm too much of a noob to know!) If it was an error, can someone suggest good alternatives?

Thanks!

[unbongwah]

Adamantine Body counts as heavy armor for the purpose of Greater defensive stance bonuses.

[Stoner81]

Thanks for the SDK Mechanic build dude :)

Stoner81.

[Enderoc]

May I suggest new players reach 20 before creating an iconic alt to help gear them. Then take the main through past lives and the Iconics through epic past lives to keep two characters... One in heroics the other in epics. Iconic reincarnate every time you change spheres.

[NaturalHazard]

I think i might do the pure Bladeforged Paladin ITR my bladeforged staff monk/rogue/paladin into it once I get it up to cap. Does the stunning blow feat increase your dire charge dc?

[Discpsycho]

I think i might do the pure Bladeforged Paladin ITR my bladeforged staff monk/rogue/paladin into it once I get it up to cap. Does the stunning blow feat increase your dire charge dc?

Stunning blow doesn't increase your DC (or if it does, it's not listed in the wiki), but you can always get Combat Mastery or Stunning items. As a Pally, Dire Charge won't work in uber-endgame, but it'll be fine most other places and at the very least acts as a gap-closer

[NaturalHazard]

Stunning blow doesn't increase your DC (or if it does, it's not listed in the wiki), but you can always get Combat Mastery or Stunning items. As a Pally, Dire Charge won't work in uber-endgame, but it'll be fine most other places and at the very least acts as a gap-closer

ok just was wondering why it was listed, its taken late, the str on a pally using divine might so the dc should be ok for EH at least on stun and furious charge? BF also get some tactic's as well.

[padith22]

SDK Mechanic
Rogue 20
True Neutral Shadar-kai


Stats
32pt Tome Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 4: INT
Dexterity 18 +2 8: INT
Constitution 14 12: DEX
Intelligence 18 16: INT
Wisdom 8 20: INT
Charisma 6 24: INT
28: INT

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Open Lo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Bluff 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Diplo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Hide 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Move Si 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Tumble 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
UMD 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 15
Concent 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Jump 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
48 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14


Feats

1 : Point Blank Shot
3 : Rapid Shot
6 : Rapid Reload
9 : Precise Shot
10 Rogue : Improved Evasion
12 : Improved Critical: Ranged
13 Rogue : Opportunist
15 : Improved Precise Shot
16 Rogue : Crippling Strike OR Skill Mastery
18 : Precision
19 Rogue : Defensive Roll OR Skill Mastery
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Improved Sneak Attack
26 Destiny: Holy Strike OR Pierce Damage Reduction: Cold Iron
27 Epic : Combat Archery
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Embodiment of Law OR Deific Warding
30 Epic : Blinding Speed OR Epic Damage Reduction OR Insightful Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


Enhancements (80 AP)

Mechanic (44 AP)


Arbalester, Tanglefoot, Targeting Sights, Improved Detection, Expert Builder, Hip Flask

Sharpshooter, Thunderstone III
Sharpshooter, Improved Traps III, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Sharpshooter, Wracking Shot I, Ooze Flask III
Sharpshooter, Fletching III, Leg Shot
Sharpshooter, Rapid Fire III, Time Bomb III, Sniper, Mechanical Reloader



Assassin (25 AP)


Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick

Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training, Intelligence
Killer III, Sneak Attack Training



Shadar-kai (8 AP)


Shadar-kai Grit, Intelligence, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt

(none)
Guile



Thief-Acrobat (3 AP)


Staff Control

Fast Movement



Leveling Guide


TA0 Staff Control; TA1 Fast Movement; Mec0 Arbalester
Mec1 Sharpshooter; Mec1 Thunderstone I, II
Mec1 Thunderstone III; Mec0 Tanglefoot; Mec2 Sharpshooter
Mec2 Improved Traps I, II, III
Mec3 Sharpshooter; Mec3 Ooze Flask I, II, III
Mec0 Targeting Sights; Mec2 Wand and Scroll Mastery I, II, III
Mec4 Sharpshooter; Mec4 Fletching I, II
Mec4 Fletching III; Mec4 Leg Shot; Mec3 Wracking Shot I
Ass0 Knife in the Darkness; Ass1 Sneak Attack Training; Ass1 Stealthy I
Ass1 Stealthy II, III; Ass0 Dagger in the Back; Ass2 Damage Boost I
Ass2 Damage Boost II, III; Ass2 Sneak Attack Training
Mec0 Improved Detection; Mec5 Sharpshooter; Mec5 Rapid Fire I
Mec5 Rapid Fire II, III; Mec5 Sniper
Mec5 Mechanical Reloader; Mec5 Time Bomb I, II
Mec5 Time Bomb III; Ass0 Assassin's Trick; Ass2 Venomed Blades I, II
Ass2 Venomed Blades III; Ass3 Sneak Attack Training
Ass3 Intelligence; Ass4 Killer I, II, III
Mec0 Expert Builder; Ass4 Sneak Attack Training; SK0 Shadar-kai Grit
SK0 Intelligence; SK0 Shadow Phase
Mec0 Hip Flask; SK2 Guile; SK0 Shadow Jaunt



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
Damage Boost III, Constitution
Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III
(none)
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Pulverizer


Twists of Fate (14 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Pin (Tier 2 Shiradi)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)



i played this build on a 2nd life toon and loved it, any chance i could get a hand on updating it for a completionest toon, ie any recomended spot to put the extra stats btw i have +7 str +4 dex +4 con +5 int +4 wis and +5 cha tomes if that makes a difference.

[unbongwah]

i played this build on a 2nd life toon and loved it, any chance i could get a hand on updating it for a completionest toon, ie any recomended spot to put the extra stats btw i have +7 str +4 dex +4 con +5 int +4 wis and +5 cha tomes if that makes a difference.
Well, you can start by lowering base DEX to 17 which would let you bump CON to 16. Do what you want with the leftover pts. EDIT: and put all your lvl-ups into INT, ofc.

If you want to stay pure Mechanic, I wouldn't change the feats; there's not really anything you can drop for Completionist which wouldn't be a net DPS loss, unfortunately. Except Blinding Speed if you plan to use great xbows, since it doesn't stack w/Mechanical Reloader's +30% speed bonus; although in that case I might prefer Epic DR.

[padith22]

Well, you can start by lowering base DEX to 17 which would let you bump CON to 16. Do what you want with the leftover pts.

If you want to stay pure Mechanic, I wouldn't change the feats; there's not really anything you can drop for Completionist which wouldn't be a net DPS loss, unfortunately. Except Blinding Speed if you plan to use great xbows, since it doesn't stack w/Mechanical Reloader's +30% speed bonus; although in that case I might prefer Epic DR.

Ok thanks I really appreciate the help. i have a wide verity of xbows and repeaters to choose from but will probably be mostly using greater xbows. Just one more question is it worth splashing two levels of arti for rune arm and free bolt spell vrs pure?

[unbongwah]

Just one more question is it worth splashing two levels of arti for rune arm and free bolt spell vrs pure?
Pros: free feat (Rapid Reload), runearms, Magical Training (powers Know the Angles & ED abilities, if you have any), lvl 1 spells
Cons: give up Mechanic capstone, delays IPS until lvl 18 (BAB is too low @ 15) [EDIT: unless you lvl 1-15 rog, 1-2 arty, 16-18 rog - then you can take IPS @ 15 and delay runearms until lvl 17.]

It's basically a wash either way, IMO, so do what you want. Either is gonna be plenty of DPS.

[Stoner81]

Pros: free feat (Rapid Reload), runearms, Magical Training (powers Know the Angles & ED abilities, if you have any), lvl 1 spells
Cons: give up Mechanic capstone, delays IPS until lvl 18 (BAB is too low @ 15) [EDIT: unless you lvl 1-15 rog, 1-2 arty, 16-18 rog - then you can take IPS @ 15 and delay runearms until lvl 17.]

It's basically a wash either way, IMO, so do what you want. Either is gonna be plenty of DPS.

The free feat means you can then have the Completionist feat if available to you which is very nice, I ran a 18/2 Rogue/Arti split last life and it was crazy DPS. As for bolts grab Fletching from the Mechanic tree and use Flame Bolt scrolls for an extra 1D6 per bolt Fire damage. I can 5 or 6 of them when I log in and that generally lasts me an entire play session of a few hours.

Stoner81.

[NaturalHazard]

tried the first life BF KOTC 2hf pally on some favor runs it was fun, did some at level elites some over level too, some solo, pretty strong, be a good character for new players especially if they like melee.

[unbongwah]

Added a druid 15 / rogue 5 build to the SDK section: DEX-based TWF Assassin (daggers ofc) in fire elemental form for flavor and synergies with Crusader / Arcane Warrior...but mostly flavor. :p Converting to Acrobat using staves is left as an exercise to players. :cool:

[QuantumFX]

You may want to update your Paladin builds for Purple Dragon Knight. Followers of Helm get free Bastard Sword Proficiency and Silvanus paladins actually make a maul build viable.

[Arktanis]

A great PDK build is also a Fighter Warchanter. Personally I like this one more due to my playstyle: Can use Shortswords or Longswords with a small shield to retain Evasion bonus and Light armor. Can also switch the rogue levels if you want to wear medium armor, Barbarian 1 and some rearranging nets you Ear Smash which is another CC. Only need is a +stunning item.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.31.203
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Bard)
Hit Points: 258
Spell Points: 430
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 17
Will: 15

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 8 8
Dexterity 14 18
Constitution 14 15
Intelligence 12 13
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 18 20

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1 \par
Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 0 4
Bluff 0 5
Concentration 0 2
Diplomacy 0 5
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 0 5
Heal 0 -1
Hide 0 4
Intimidate 0 5
Jump 0 -1
Listen 0 -1
Move Silently 0 4
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 1
Search 0 1
Spellcraft 0 1
Spot 0 -1
Swim 0 -1
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Human Bonus) Mobility


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical


Level 7 (Bard)


Level 8 (Bard)


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Whirlwind Attack


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Bash


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Human Versatility: Defense Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Cormyrean Knight Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Skaldic Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Weapon Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Song of Heroism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Fighting Spirit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - The Poetic Edda (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Rough and Ready (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Rough and Ready (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Rough and Ready (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Arcane Shield Chant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Arcane Shield Chant (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Arcane Shield Chant (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Iced Edges (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Iced Edges (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Iced Edges (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Ironskin Chant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Ironskin Chant (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Ironskin Chant (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Frozen Fury (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Frozen Fury (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Frozen Fury (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Reckless Chant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Reckless Chant (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Reckless Chant (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Northwind (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Northwind (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Northwind (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Expeditious Chant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Expeditious Chant (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Expeditious Chant (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Chant of Power (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Chant of Power (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Chant of Power (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Howl of the North (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Spinning Ice (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Spinning Ice (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Spinning Ice (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Spiritual Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike With No Thought (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Tactics (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: Vanguard (Ftr) - To the Fore! (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - No Weakness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Shield Smash (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Shield Smash (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Shield Smash (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Brutality (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Brutality (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Brutality (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Stunning Shield (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Stunning Shield (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Stunning Shield (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Follow Up (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Follow Up (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Vanguard (Ftr) - Follow Up (Rank 3)

[NaturalHazard]

Just a bump for meatball ran into him on khyber, and suggested he check out this thread and the forums for build ideas.

[LewsTherin10]

PDK Vanguard: Turbine finally got around to buffing fighters in U31, so let's add a proper S&B tank at long last. :)

PDK Vanguard
Fighter 20
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight


Stats
28pt 32pt Tome Level Up
---- ---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 +2 4: STR
Dexterity 12 12 +1 8: STR
Constitution 16 16 +5 12: STR
Intelligence 12 12 +1 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 8 12 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 23
Heal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Balance 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Jump 1 1
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
16 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4


Feats

1 : Shield Mastery
1 PDK : Power Attack
1 Fighter: Cleave
2 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
3 : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Stunning Blow
6 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Fighter: Improved Shield Bash
12 : Tactical Mastery OR Improved Sunder
12 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
14 Fighter: Heavy Armor Champion
15 : Toughness
16 Fighter: Tactical Supremacy
18 : Improved Trip OR Magical Training
18 Fighter: Combat Expertise
20 Fighter: Precision
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Bulwark of Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Embodiment of Law
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Swap : Epic Toughness replaces Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Feywild OR Plane of Earth


Enhancements (80 AP)

Vanguard (41 AP)


To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion

Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
Shield Specialization, Brutality III, Stunning Shield III, Missile Shield III
Shield Specialization, Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark, Shield Riposte III
(none)
Shield to the Face, Disorienting Smash II, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength



Kensei (23 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Ascetic Training: Conditioning III
Shattering Strike I
Strike at the Heart



Stalwart Defender (13 AP)


Toughness, Stalwart Defense

Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III



Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)


Damage Boost

Improved Recovery



Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; PDK1 Improved Recovery; Van0 To the Fore!
Van1 Shield Specialization; Van1 Shield Smash I, II
Van1 Shield Smash III; Van0 Shield Combat I; Van2 Stunning Shield I, II
Van2 Stunning Shield III; Van3 Fatal Bulwark; Van3 Follow Up I
Van3 Follow Up II, III; Van2 Shield Specialization
Van0 Vicious Shield I; Van3 Shield Specialization; Van2 Missile Shield I
Van2 Missile Shield II, III; Van3 Shield Riposte I, II
Van3 Shield Riposte III; Van2 Brutality I, II, III
SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III
SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken0 Spiritual Bond
Ken1 Haste Boost I, II, III; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning I
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Van0 Shield Combat II; Van5 Shield to the Face
Van5 Armored Strength; Van5 Disorienting Smash I, II
Van5 Shield Charge I, II, III; SD2 Resilient Defense I
SD2 Resilient Defense II, III; SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I
SD3 Tenacious Defense II, III; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning II, III
Van0 Vicious Shield II; Ken3 Shattering Strike I; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Van0 Shield Champion; Ken0 Power Surge; Ken4 Strike at the Heart



Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader


Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked, Strength
Consecration III
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
No Regret, Crusade
Castigation, Celestial Champion
Strike Down


Twists of Fate (15 fate points)


Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
Momentum Swing OR Improved Combat Expertise (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)


You have a lot of flexibility with feats; I tried to find a good compromise between DPS, tactics, and survivability. Likewise with EDs: I think Div Crusader offers the best tradeoff between DPS and healing for a tank; but Dreadnought and Sentinel are viable alternatives, depending on whether you wish to boost DPS or tankability more. The +2 and +5 tomes are from Favor (http://ddowiki.com/page/Favor#Total_available); the +1s are from loot drops or bought from Auction House. I designed this to use PDK starter gear, including the longsword until you obtain a bastard sword, like Charoush (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Charoush%27s_Inferno_(Level_14)), First Blood (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:First_Blood_(Level_16)), or Retribution (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Templar%27s_Retribution). I went CG for Blessed Blades' alignment bypass; plus just to be different from paladins.

PD Kensei variant: Based on conversations in this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475847-pure-fighter-for-soloing) and elsewhere, I've been wondering about S&B ftrs who go for T5 Kensei + capstone, rather than Vanguard. Downside is you give up the extra atk speed & shield bashes from higher-lvl VG abilities; upsides are a big boost to Melee Power, +1 crit range, up to +14 dmg from feats & Weapon Master, One Cut's clickie, extra action boosts, and higher doublestrike (which basically offsets the lost atk speed). I'm pretty sure this build has higher AoE DPS and might even have higher single-target DPS, at least under certain circumstances. The only downsides so far are losing the free stun attempts on shield bashes and needing to invest feats into the Weapon Focus / Spec line if you want to Weapon Master.

I'm only going to list the parts which are different from the build above, namely the feats & Enhancements.

PDK Kensei VG
Fighter 20
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight

Feats

1 : Shield Mastery
1 PDK : Power Attack
1 Fighter: Cleave
2 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
3 : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Stunning Blow
6 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Slashing
12 : Weapon Specialization: Slashing
12 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
14 Fighter: Heavy Armor Champion OR Improved Shield Bash
15 : Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing
16 Fighter: Tactical Supremacy
18 : Toughness
18 Fighter: Combat Expertise
20 Fighter: Precision
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Bulwark of Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Heavy Armor Master OR Tactical Mastery
30 Swap : Epic Toughness replaces Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Feywild OR Plane of Earth

Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (41 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge, One Cut, Alacrity


Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Weapon Group Specialization, Ascetic Training: Conditioning II
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike III, Strength
Weapon Group Specialization, Strike at the Heart, Strength
A Good Death: Melee, Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Deadly Strike, Keen Edge



Vanguard (22 AP)


To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II


Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
Brutality III, Stunning Shield I, Missile Shield III
Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark
Shield Charge I



Stalwart Defender (14 AP)


Toughness, Stalwart Defense, Overbalance


Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III



Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)


Damage Boost


Improved Recovery



Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II
Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Ken3 Strength; Ken3 Shattering Strike I, II
Ken3 Shattering Strike III; Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning I, II
Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength
Van0 To the Fore!; Van1 Shield Specialization; Van1 Shield Smash I
Van1 Shield Smash II, III; Van0 Shield Combat I; Van2 Stunning Shield I
Van2 Brutality I, II, III; Van0 Vicious Shield I
SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III
SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken0 Power Surge
Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge
Van3 Fatal Bulwark; Van3 Follow Up I, II, III
Van2 Missile Shield I, II, III; Van0 Shield Combat II
Van4 Shield Charge I; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 Weapon Master; Ken5 A Good Death: Melee; Ken5 Deadly Strike
Ken0 One Cut; SD2 Resilient Defense I, II, III
SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
Ken0 Alacrity; SD0 Overbalance; PDK1 Improved Recovery



PD Kensei Knight: Inspired by this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475667-KotC-Kensei-of-the-Chalice), this build takes advantage of the recent buffs to Kensei to revive the ftr / pal hybrid. This is a SWF build designed to use khopeshes, but this build can play right out of the gate; use the default PDK longsword until you can farm something better, like a water khopesh (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Elemental_Khopesh_of_Water) or Bleeding Edge (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Bleeding_Edge). You will eventually need a +6 WIS item, but not until lvl 20 when you take Zeal.

PD Kensei Knight
14/6 Paladin/Fighter
Lawful Good Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

1. Fighter 6. Fighter 11. Paladin 16. Paladin
2. Fighter 7. Paladin 12. Paladin 17. Paladin
3. Fighter 8. Paladin 13. Paladin 18. Paladin
4. Fighter 9. Paladin 14. Paladin 19. Paladin
5. Fighter 10. Paladin 15. Paladin 20. Paladin


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 4: STR
Dexterity 8 8 8: STR
Constitution 14 16 12: STR
Intelligence 10 10 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 16 16 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
F F F F F F P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
UMD 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 2 2 2 2 8
Balance 2 1 1 1 1 1 7
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3


Feats

1 : Single Weapon Fighting
1 PDK : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
1 Fighter: Power Attack
2 Fighter: Cleave
3 : Weapon Focus: Slashing
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
6 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
7 Deity : Follower of: Amaunator
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
12 Deity : Amaunator's Brilliance
15 : Stunning Blow
18 : Quicken Spell
21 Epic : Empower Healing Spell
24 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea


Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (32 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Tactics I, Weapon Group Specialization
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike II, Strength
Strike at the Heart, Strength
One with the Blade, Keen Edge



Sacred Defender (24 AP)


Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense

Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III
Bulwark Aura III, Resilient Defense III
Resistance Aura III, Tenacious Defense III
Swift Defense, Strong Defense III



Knight of the Chalice (23 AP)


Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven

Extra Turning II, Extra Smite II
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III
Divine Sacrifice II, Exalted Smite I
Empowered Smite



Purple Dragon Knight (1 AP)


Damage Boost


Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II
Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Extra Action Boost I, II
Ken1 Extra Action Boost III; Ken3 Strength
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength; Ken3 Shattering Strike I
Ken3 Shattering Strike II; Ken2 Tactics I; SaD0 Holy Bastion
SaD1 Extra Lay On Hands I, II, III; SaD1 Durable Defense I
SaD0 Sacred Defense; SaD1 Durable Defense II, III; SaD2 Resilient Defense I
SaD2 Resilient Defense II; SaD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge; KoC0 Slayer of Evil; KoC1 Extra Smite I
KoC1 Extra Smite II; KoC1 Extra Turning I, II
KoC2 Divine Might I, II
KoC2 Divine Might III; KoC2 Exalted Cleave I, II, III
KoC0 Courage of Heaven; KoC0 Slayer of Evil II; KoC3 Exalted Smite I
KoC3 Divine Sacrifice I, II; KoC4 Empowered Smite
KoC0 Improved Courage of Heaven; SaD2 Resilient Defense III; SaD2 Bulwark Aura I, II
SaD2 Bulwark Aura III; SaD3 Resistance Aura I, II, III
SaD4 Swift Defense; SaD4 Strong Defense I, II, III



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack, Strength
Lay Waste
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Endless Lay On Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)



Returning player hear with a question about the feats. Why take power attack, precision, and combat expertise when you can only have one active? Is it just situational? In what situations would yous switch?

[unbongwah]

Why take power attack, precision, and combat expertise when you can only have one active? Is it just situational? In what situations would yous switch?
Power Attack is necessary to unlock the Cleave feats; it also needs to be active to use Momentum Swing + Lay Waste in Dreadnought. Precision is for 25% Fortification bypass which is helpful for certain boss fights or against constructs, undead, etc. Combat Expertise is for the AC and PRR in epics when you need the extra defenses.

Basically having all three feats gives maximum flexibility, particularly in epics, and having the feats to spare is one of the advantages of ftr vs pally tanks.

[pappo]

Implosioneer - this variant invests heavily into Spell Penetration in order to boost its chances of landing Implosion on high-SR mobs (hence the name): +8 from feats, +3 from elven Arcanum, +3 from DiDi, +3 from Exalted Angel, and +3 from Piercing Spellcraft twist for +20 Spell Pen total. [Boosting Spell Pen also helps with Necro spells and Gtr Command if you use them too.] It's a little more of a specialized / flavor build, IMO, but it still has strong caster DPS. Not bothering to list all the optional feats or leveling guide this time.

Implosioneer
Cleric 20
True Neutral Morninglord


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 8 8 4: WIS
Dexterity 8 8 8: WIS
Constitution 12 14 12: WIS
Intelligence 16 16 16: WIS
Wisdom 18 18 20: WIS
Charisma 8 8 24: WIS
28: WIS

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Heal 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spellcr 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
20 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5


Feats

1 : Maximize Spell
1 Deity : Follower of: Amaunator
3 : Empower Spell
6 : Quicken Spell
6 Deity : Amaunator's Brilliance
9 : Heighten Spell
12 : Spell Focus: Evocation
15 : Spell Penetration
18 : Greater Spell Penetration
21 Epic : Epic Spell Penetration
24 Epic : Master of: Light
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Light
27 Epic : Ruin
28 Destiny: Mass Frog
29 Destiny: Arcane Pulse
30 Epic : Greater Ruin
30 Legend : Scion of: Celestia


Enhancements (80 AP)

Divine Disciple (46 AP)


Emissary: Light, Sacred Defense, Sun Bolt, Sunbeam, Sunburst, Transcend: Light

Nimbus of Light III, Spellpower: Light III, Spell Critical: Light
Spell Penetration III, Spell Critical: Light
Searing Light III, Spellpower: Light III, Spell Critical: Light, Wisdom
Holy Smite III, Evocation DC, Spell Critical: Light
Flame Strike III, Light Spellpower, Divine Empowerment



Morninglord (23 AP)


Elven Accuracy

Rejuvenation of Dawn II
Arcanum III
Light of the Sun God III
Amaunator's Brilliance III, Aura of Radiance III



Radiant Servant (11 AP)


Healing Domain, Pacifism, Positive Energy Burst

Extra Turning II, Wand Mastery III, Altruism III




Destiny

Twists of Fate (22 fate points)


Empyrean Magic (Tier 3 Crusader)
Piercing Spellcraft (Tier 3 Magister)
School Specialist: Evocation (Tier 2 Magister)



Can you post what the Implosioneer's spell list would look like, and what would the spell rotation be for mobs and end bosses ?

[kendo]

may just be missing it but not seeing a list of spells for the gnome wizard build.

any other major updates to your builds with the new content?

really enjoy reading all your builds and appreciate all the effort you put into the forums, thank you

[unbongwah]

may just be missing it but not seeing a list of spells for the gnome wizard build.
That is because (A) wizards can inscribe every available scroll so your leveling choices don't matter that much (usually I focus on spells which can't be bought from vendors (http://ddowiki.com/page/Scroll#Scrolls_not_available_from_vendors)), (B) because you can change spells at taverns / shrines, you will respec your available spells based on content you run (unlike sorcs, who have to pick their spells more carefully to match their Savants), and (C) I'm lazy when it comes to stuff I don't enjoy like compiling gear lists or picking best spells. :p

any other major updates to your builds with the new content?
I don't have Ravenloft yet so a big "No Comment" there. I mean I presume you wanna load up on anti-undead abilities etc. and maybe this isn't the best time to be playing an Illusionist wizard (undead are immune to PK, IIRC) and for the ML I'd probably pick Sun or Fire domain; but otherwise not really.

[pappo]

DEX-based TWF Assassin builds are also pretty straight-forward. Mine is very similar to slarden's halfling DEX build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/459362-Halfling-Dex-Assassin-1-0).


SDK Daggerdruid: This is a fairly straight-forward flavor build: DEX-based TWF druid 15 / rogue 5 using daggers (hence the less-than-spectacular name). Requires druid, obviously, and a WIS item to start to cast spells; you'll need WIS 18 by lvl 20 from whatever combo of gear, tome, shipbuff, etc. you can manage. Decent melee DPS, a little bit of caster DPS (partly for flavor, partly for Arcane Warrior stacks), plus plenty of heal & buffs from druid spells + Sacred Ground, ofc.

SDK Daggerdruid
15/5 Druid/Rogue
Neutral Good Shadar-kai


Level Order

1. Rogue 6. Druid 11. Druid 16. Druid
2. Druid 7. Druid 12. Rogue 17. Druid
3. Druid 8. Rogue 13. Druid 18. Druid
4. Druid 9. Druid 14. Druid 19. Druid
5. Druid 10. Druid 15. Rogue 20. Rogue


Stats
32pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 8 4: DEX
Dexterity 20 8: DEX
Constitution 14 12: DEX
Intelligence 16 16: DEX
Wisdom 8 20: DEX
Charisma 6 24: DEX
28: DEX

Skills
R D D D D D D R D D D R D D R D D D D R
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Spellcr 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 23
Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 23
UMD 4 7 4 3 5 23
Open Lo 4 1 2 5 6 1 19
Heal 2 2 1 1 1 7
Balance 4 4
Jump 4 4
Swim 4 4
Tumble 4 4
------------------------------------------------------------
44 7 7 7 7 7 7 11 7 7 7 11 7 7 11 7 7 7 7 11


Feats

1 : Two Weapon Fighting
3 : Precision
3 Druid : Wild Shape 1: Wolf
6 : Quicken Spell
6 Druid : Wild Shape 1: Bear
9 : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
10 Druid : Wild Shape 2: Winter Wolf
12 : Improved Critical: Piercing
14 Druid : Wild Shape 2: Dire Bear
15 : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
17 Druid : Wild Shape 3: Fire Elemental
18 : Empower Healing Spell
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Two Weapon Defense OR Hamstring
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: First Blood OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior OR Dire Charge
30 Epic : Blinding Speed OR Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Spells

Druid


Ram's Might, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Barkskin, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Sleet Storm, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Freedom of Movement, Cure Serious Wounds, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Death Ward, Greater Vigor, Stoneskin, Cure Critical Wounds, Panacea
<Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Regenerate, Mass Greater Vigor, Body of the Sun
<Any>, <Any>



Enhancements (80 AP)

Assassin (37 AP)


Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back

Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Shiv III, Sneak Attack Training
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
Execute, Killer III, Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
Measure the Foe III, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization



Thief-Acrobat (23 AP)


Staff Control, Stick Fighting

Thief Acrobatics III, Sly Flourish II, Fast Movement
Haste Boost III
Shadow Dodge III, Dexterity
No Mercy III



Nature's Warrior (13 AP)


Nature's Warrior

Extra Wild Empathy III, Shifting Rake I
Flight III, Vengeful Hunter II
Fatal Harrier III



Shadar-kai (7 AP)


Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt



Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader


Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
Consecration III, Flames of Purity II
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
No Regret, Crusade
Castigation, Celestial Champion
Strike Down


Twists of Fate (35 fate points)


Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)


I delayed the last rogue level to lvl 20 in order to squeeze out more skill pts; but the downside is you don't get tier-5 Assassin enhancements until then, so your heroic leveling will be slower / more of a PITA due to lower melee DPS. If you have a +2 INT tome to start, divide the extra skill pts between Open Lock and Heal. If you have Harper, you can ditch SDK enhancements for Know the Angles.

EDIT: due to low DCs, fire spells like Body of the Sun and firewall are just there to help build stacks of Arcane Warrior and Empyrean Magic, which in turn help melee DPS and Consecration, respectively.

Wondered if you had given any thought to a Shadar Kai that uses the Visanti Dagger enhancement tree .
Thanks for all these builds you provide us.

[unbongwah]

Wondered if you had given any thought to a Shadar Kai that uses the Visanti Dagger enhancement tree .
There's some build discussions here:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/490239-Theory-Crafting-Vistani-SWF
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/490639-Assasin-Vistani-Knife-Fighter

Also some Blood of Vol build ideas, but those require an Eberron (non-Iconic) race.

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/490650-Vistani-FvS
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/490693-Blood-of-Vol-Vistani

Disclaimer: I don't own Vistani yet, so all of my VKF builds are theory-crafted only.

[kendo]

[QUOTE=unbongwah;6052204]That is because (A) wizards can inscribe every available scroll so your leveling choices don't matter that much (usually I focus on spells which can't be bought from vendors (http://ddowiki.com/page/Scroll#Scrolls_not_available_from_vendors)), (B) because you can change spells at taverns / shrines, you will respec your available spells based on content you run (unlike sorcs, who have to pick their spells more carefully to match their Savants), and (C) I'm lazy when it comes to stuff I don't enjoy like compiling gear lists or picking best spells. :p


thank you for replying, sorry I wasn't very clear with my question. in your posts about the DG illusionist, you mention different items to look for to boost negative damage, impulse damage, acid damage and cold damage. was trying to see what you thought the best fit was for secondary damage but maybe it's a little bit of everything and just swap out spells and equipment

[unbongwah]

was trying to see what you thought the best fit was for secondary damage but maybe it's a little bit of everything and just swap out spells and equipment
Yes, one of the primary advantages of wizards vs sorcs is being able to swap out their spell lists at will. Acid is a good all-around pick and DG starts out with Corrosion gear, but it's not optimal for all situations; hence why I suggest looking for other Spellpower items. I don't bother with specific gear lists, though, because it's a PITA to keep them up-to-date with every update and I have way too many build threads to maintain. :o

If you need to know what spells / elements are best for which quests, well, that's what the wiki is for. ;)

[PrinceMyshkin]

Eldritch Knight (non-lousy DPS edition) - this is an update on a build I've been using off & on for the last couple of years. Basically, it trades the extra melee DPS from the last two KotC cores for extra survivability from Eldritch Knight PrE plus two bonus wizard feats. In particular, I like Arcane Barrier: both a handy defensive buff and a visual reminder you forgot to Reconstruct yourself. ;)
...
Bladeforged (18 AP)


Improved Fortification


Mechanist III
Communion of Scribing III
Improved Power Attack I
Communion of Handling, Weapon Attachment, Power of the Forge





I don't know if they've changed the Enhancements tree or what but the BF4 tier requires 15 AP spent which I don't see--only 11 AP spent up to that point. In fact, I had to spend an extra point to get Communion of Scribing. I created this toon a long time ago but have been using him for favor farming. He's now starting to level and I've not been very successful in modifying builds. Since this is a "newbie" thread, would you mind taking a look at this? Thanks!

Edit: Looking at the leveling guide, my guess is that Mechanist used to cost 2 AP each. So, how would you suggest modifying it?

[unbongwah]

Edit: Looking at the leveling guide, my guess is that Mechanist used to cost 2 AP each. So, how would you suggest modifying it?
Probably +1 CON from the core. I think they also reduced the cost of Imp Power Atk to 1 AP per tier so you should be able to afford to max it out now for +6 dmg total.

[Dulcimerist]

I recently bought Shadowfell, and a friend on Cannith has me trying to start up characters there to quest with him. Creating an iconic level 15 character might help me to farm up BtA items for my poorly-geared, new level 7 character. Which of the Shadowfell iconics is my best choice for an easy-to-play solo character that doesn't need to invest in a lot of new gear? The Bladeforged Paladin probably best fits that description, due to survivability and self-heals. Purple Dragon looks slightly more interesting to me, though. How would the PD Kensei Knight build compare to the BF Pally for survivability and solo play? I do like bards, and have heard that PD bards can be decent; but am unsure what route to go with a PD bard.

I know I'd have a ton more fun with a ranged character, but would have a tough time farming up a repeater right off the bat for the SDK Mechanic. :(

Thanks for posting these builds! I've enjoyed several of your other builds from the past! :)

[kendo]

I recently bought Shadowfell, and a friend on Cannith has me trying to start up characters there to quest with him. Creating an iconic level 15 character might help me to farm up BtA items for my poorly-geared, new level 7 character. Which of the Shadowfell iconics is my best choice for an easy-to-play solo character that doesn't need to invest in a lot of new gear? The Bladeforged Paladin probably best fits that description, due to survivability and self-heals. Purple Dragon looks slightly more interesting to me, though. How would the PD Kensei Knight build compare to the BF Pally for survivability and solo play? I do like bards, and have heard that PD bards can be decent; but am unsure what route to go with a PD bard.

I know I'd have a ton more fun with a ranged character, but would have a tough time farming up a repeater right off the bat for the SDK Mechanic. :(

Thanks for posting these builds! I've enjoyed several of your other builds from the past! :)

I am playing the BF Paladin build and have some decent equipment but definitely not top of the line in most slots. he easily soloed heroic hard to elite and is on his second pass through levels 20 - 30 after an Epic reincarnation and handles epic hard to elite pretty easily as well. if you have, or get, the new Ravenloft pack, just go in there at level 15 and pick out your weapon of choice. can go in on normal for a quick run as you are too high to affect any bravery bonus and if you do it first thing, it wouldn't matter any way. that level 10 weapon works very well. for my BF, I used the falchion from there until level 20+, when I could pull out some stored weapons that were finally better.

next up in my plans for iconic reincarnations is the SDK mechanic build, lucky enough to have a divine artillery sitting in the bank (just pulled it this past week) and can't wait to use it

[unbongwah]

Which of the Shadowfell iconics is my best choice for an easy-to-play solo character that doesn't need to invest in a lot of new gear?
Personally I would go either BF or ML, depending on whether you prefer melee or caster. Air, Earth, Fire, or Sun domain would all work well; remember that Air and Earth let you use Light spellpower for your lightning / acid spells, so you don't even need new Spellpower gear. [EDIT: though in the case of Air / Earth, I think your crit chance is still based on Magnetism / Corrosion Lore, so you'll probably want to add that to your gear.] Good domain is also fine if you like spamming Blade Barrier, but remember ML doesn't start with Impulse gear, so you'll want that ASAP.

How would the PD Kensei Knight build compare to the BF Pally for survivability and solo play?
Kensei Knight tries to straddle the DPS / survivability divide between pure ftr and pure pally. I.e., better survivability than pure ftr, better DPS (I hope) than pure pally. The downside is at lvl 15 you're only ftr 6 / pal 9, so you don't have Zeal yet and for healing you only have LoHs + CLW. Also you'll want to upgrade from longsword to khopesh ASAP, presuming you stick with SWF. But if you think that's good enough, it should be fine.

I didn't bother posting a build, but PDK ftr 1 / pal 14 S&B would probably work fine too: tier-5 Vanguard + lvl 12 core (+10% atk speed), Holy Sword, etc. Use the starter longsword until you acquire a decent b.sword. EDIT: also you'll need WIS item or a bunch of Owl's WIS potions to start.

I do like bards, and have heard that PD bards can be decent; but am unsure what route to go with a PD bard.
IMO the forte of PDK bard (vs other races) is the DC bonus from Cormyrian Knight Training (CKT) which applies to Warchanter freeze abilities (Frozen Fury + Spinning Ice). See the Icebreaker (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/446859-The-Icebreaker-A-Freezing-Warchanter-Bard). But the downside is you need to swap the PDK starter sword / shield / armor for Swashbuckler-compatible gear; or you go the less-conventional (and lower DPS) Kensei / Warchanter approach (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/446859-The-Icebreaker-A-Freezing-Warchanter-Bard?p=5896013&viewfull=1#post5896013), but that still requires bard-compatible gear.

I know I'd have a ton more fun with a ranged character, but would have a tough time farming up a repeater right off the bat for the SDK Mechanic. :(
Well, for future reference, here are the named xbows I would recommend to start:

http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Divine_Artillery
http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:The_Fatal_Flaw
http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Light_Boltslinger

[Dulcimerist]

Thanks! I'll go with the BF Pally, since I'm used to melee. My level 7 is a human THF pally, so I hope the two don't compete with each other for weapons. ;)

I've never played a real caster before, and am learning the ropes with an aura/burst warlock on my main server. Is the ML a good build for those who have never played a DPS caster before?

I'm positive I'll eventually roll up the SDK Mech! :) Does The Fatal Flaw get a damage bonus from the superfluous and grammatically incorrect apostrophe in its flavor text?

*Edit*
I didn't get the pre-order bonus items, since I did not pre-order Shadowfell Conspiracy. Therefore, I can't do the BF Pally. :(

[Dulcimerist]

I created the ML, the first of the two listed. What spells do you recommend for someone going Air Domain? Also, which spells and SLAs are the "bread and butter" of the build, deserving hotbar priority for easy spamming? Any cool strategy tips? Thanks!

[unbongwah]

What spells do you recommend for someone going Air Domain? Also, which spells and SLAs are the "bread and butter" of the build, deserving hotbar priority for easy spamming?
Apart from your domain and DiDi SLAs, things worth slotting IMO:

CC: Sound Burst, Greater Command, Cometfall
single-target: Energy Drain, Destruction, Divine Punishment, Searing Light, Nimbus of Light - for the last two, I use the regular spells un-meta'd to complement the (fully meta'd) SLAs, to finish off weakened enemies
AoEs: Implosion, Firestorm (situational, targeting is wonky and it has a slow cast time), Blade Barrier (need Impulse gear ASAP), also the regular spell versions of Holy Smite and Flame Strike (kinda like Firestorm, it's really slow, so it's situational - basically when you're sure mobs won't move outta harm's way)

Plus any buffs, curatives, etc. you need like Death Ward and Restoration, ofc.

Any cool strategy tips?
Don't get killed, that's really embarrassing for a healer. :p Especially if it's because you forgot Death Pact (http://ddowiki.com/page/Death_Pact). ;)

[Garthog77]

PDK Vanguard: Turbine finally got around to buffing fighters in U31, so let's add a proper S&B tank at long last. :)

PDK Vanguard
Fighter 20
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight


Stats
28pt 32pt Tome Level Up
---- ---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 +2 4: STR
Dexterity 12 12 +1 8: STR
Constitution 16 16 +5 12: STR
Intelligence 12 12 +1 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 8 12 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 23
Heal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Balance 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Jump 1 1
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
16 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4


Feats

1 : Shield Mastery
1 PDK : Power Attack
1 Fighter: Cleave
2 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
3 : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Stunning Blow
6 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Fighter: Improved Shield Bash
12 : Tactical Mastery OR Improved Sunder
12 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
14 Fighter: Heavy Armor Champion
15 : Toughness
16 Fighter: Tactical Supremacy
18 : Improved Trip OR Magical Training
18 Fighter: Combat Expertise
20 Fighter: Precision
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Bulwark of Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Embodiment of Law
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Swap : Epic Toughness replaces Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Feywild OR Plane of Earth


Enhancements (80 AP)

Vanguard (41 AP)


To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion

Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
Shield Specialization, Brutality III, Stunning Shield III, Missile Shield III
Shield Specialization, Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark, Shield Riposte III
(none)
Shield to the Face, Disorienting Smash II, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength



Kensei (23 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Ascetic Training: Conditioning III
Shattering Strike I
Strike at the Heart



Stalwart Defender (13 AP)


Toughness, Stalwart Defense

Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III



Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)


Damage Boost

Improved Recovery



Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; PDK1 Improved Recovery; Van0 To the Fore!
Van1 Shield Specialization; Van1 Shield Smash I, II
Van1 Shield Smash III; Van0 Shield Combat I; Van2 Stunning Shield I, II
Van2 Stunning Shield III; Van3 Fatal Bulwark; Van3 Follow Up I
Van3 Follow Up II, III; Van2 Shield Specialization
Van0 Vicious Shield I; Van3 Shield Specialization; Van2 Missile Shield I
Van2 Missile Shield II, III; Van3 Shield Riposte I, II
Van3 Shield Riposte III; Van2 Brutality I, II, III
SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III
SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken0 Spiritual Bond
Ken1 Haste Boost I, II, III; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning I
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Van0 Shield Combat II; Van5 Shield to the Face
Van5 Armored Strength; Van5 Disorienting Smash I, II
Van5 Shield Charge I, II, III; SD2 Resilient Defense I
SD2 Resilient Defense II, III; SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I
SD3 Tenacious Defense II, III; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning II, III
Van0 Vicious Shield II; Ken3 Shattering Strike I; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Van0 Shield Champion; Ken0 Power Surge; Ken4 Strike at the Heart



Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader


Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked, Strength
Consecration III
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
No Regret, Crusade
Castigation, Celestial Champion
Strike Down


Twists of Fate (15 fate points)


Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
Momentum Swing OR Improved Combat Expertise (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)


You have a lot of flexibility with feats; I tried to find a good compromise between DPS, tactics, and survivability. Likewise with EDs: I think Div Crusader offers the best tradeoff between DPS and healing for a tank; but Dreadnought and Sentinel are viable alternatives, depending on whether you wish to boost DPS or tankability more. The +2 and +5 tomes are from Favor (http://ddowiki.com/page/Favor#Total_available); the +1s are from loot drops or bought from Auction House. I designed this to use PDK starter gear, including the longsword until you obtain a bastard sword, like Charoush (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Charoush%27s_Inferno_(Level_14)), First Blood (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:First_Blood_(Level_16)), or Retribution (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Templar%27s_Retribution). I went CG for Blessed Blades' alignment bypass; plus just to be different from paladins.

PD Kensei variant: Based on conversations in this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475847-pure-fighter-for-soloing) and elsewhere, I've been wondering about S&B ftrs who go for T5 Kensei + capstone, rather than Vanguard. Downside is you give up the extra atk speed & shield bashes from higher-lvl VG abilities; upsides are a big boost to Melee Power, +1 crit range, up to +14 dmg from feats & Weapon Master, One Cut's clickie, extra action boosts, and higher doublestrike (which basically offsets the lost atk speed). I'm pretty sure this build has higher AoE DPS and might even have higher single-target DPS, at least under certain circumstances. The only downsides so far are losing the free stun attempts on shield bashes and needing to invest feats into the Weapon Focus / Spec line if you want to Weapon Master.

I'm only going to list the parts which are different from the build above, namely the feats & Enhancements.

PDK Kensei VG
Fighter 20
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight

Feats

1 : Shield Mastery
1 PDK : Power Attack
1 Fighter: Cleave
2 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
3 : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Stunning Blow
6 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
8 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Slashing
12 : Weapon Specialization: Slashing
12 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
14 Fighter: Heavy Armor Champion OR Improved Shield Bash
15 : Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing
16 Fighter: Tactical Supremacy
18 : Toughness
18 Fighter: Combat Expertise
20 Fighter: Precision
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Bulwark of Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Heavy Armor Master OR Tactical Mastery
30 Swap : Epic Toughness replaces Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Feywild OR Plane of Earth

Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (41 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge, One Cut, Alacrity


Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Weapon Group Specialization, Ascetic Training: Conditioning II
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike III, Strength
Weapon Group Specialization, Strike at the Heart, Strength
A Good Death: Melee, Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Deadly Strike, Keen Edge



Vanguard (22 AP)


To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II


Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
Brutality III, Stunning Shield I, Missile Shield III
Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark
Shield Charge I



Stalwart Defender (14 AP)


Toughness, Stalwart Defense, Overbalance


Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III



Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)


Damage Boost


Improved Recovery



Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II
Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Ken3 Strength; Ken3 Shattering Strike I, II
Ken3 Shattering Strike III; Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken2 Ascetic Training: Conditioning I, II
Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength
Van0 To the Fore!; Van1 Shield Specialization; Van1 Shield Smash I
Van1 Shield Smash II, III; Van0 Shield Combat I; Van2 Stunning Shield I
Van2 Brutality I, II, III; Van0 Vicious Shield I
SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III
SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken0 Power Surge
Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge
Van3 Fatal Bulwark; Van3 Follow Up I, II, III
Van2 Missile Shield I, II, III; Van0 Shield Combat II
Van4 Shield Charge I; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 Weapon Master; Ken5 A Good Death: Melee; Ken5 Deadly Strike
Ken0 One Cut; SD2 Resilient Defense I, II, III
SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
Ken0 Alacrity; SD0 Overbalance; PDK1 Improved Recovery



PD Kensei Knight: Inspired by this thread (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/475667-KotC-Kensei-of-the-Chalice), this build takes advantage of the recent buffs to Kensei to revive the ftr / pal hybrid. This is a SWF build designed to use khopeshes, but this build can play right out of the gate; use the default PDK longsword until you can farm something better, like a water khopesh (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Elemental_Khopesh_of_Water) or Bleeding Edge (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Bleeding_Edge). You will eventually need a +6 WIS item, but not until lvl 20 when you take Zeal.

PD Kensei Knight
14/6 Paladin/Fighter
Lawful Good Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

1. Fighter 6. Fighter 11. Paladin 16. Paladin
2. Fighter 7. Paladin 12. Paladin 17. Paladin
3. Fighter 8. Paladin 13. Paladin 18. Paladin
4. Fighter 9. Paladin 14. Paladin 19. Paladin
5. Fighter 10. Paladin 15. Paladin 20. Paladin


Stats
28pt 32pt Level Up
---- ---- --------
Strength 16 16 4: STR
Dexterity 8 8 8: STR
Constitution 14 16 12: STR
Intelligence 10 10 16: STR
Wisdom 8 8 20: STR
Charisma 16 16 24: STR
28: STR

Skills
F F F F F F P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Intim 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
UMD 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Heal 2 2 2 2 8
Balance 2 1 1 1 1 1 7
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3


Feats

1 : Single Weapon Fighting
1 PDK : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
1 Fighter: Power Attack
2 Fighter: Cleave
3 : Weapon Focus: Slashing
4 Fighter: Great Cleave
6 : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
6 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
7 Deity : Follower of: Amaunator
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
12 Deity : Amaunator's Brilliance
15 : Stunning Blow
18 : Quicken Spell
21 Epic : Empower Healing Spell
24 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea


Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (32 AP)


Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
Tactics I, Weapon Group Specialization
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike II, Strength
Strike at the Heart, Strength
One with the Blade, Keen Edge



Sacred Defender (24 AP)


Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense

Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III
Bulwark Aura III, Resilient Defense III
Resistance Aura III, Tenacious Defense III
Swift Defense, Strong Defense III



Knight of the Chalice (23 AP)


Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven

Extra Turning II, Extra Smite II
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III
Divine Sacrifice II, Exalted Smite I
Empowered Smite



Purple Dragon Knight (1 AP)


Damage Boost


Leveling Guide


PDK0 Damage Boost; Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Exotic Weapon Mastery; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II
Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken1 Extra Action Boost I, II
Ken1 Extra Action Boost III; Ken3 Strength
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength; Ken3 Shattering Strike I
Ken3 Shattering Strike II; Ken2 Tactics I; SaD0 Holy Bastion
SaD1 Extra Lay On Hands I, II, III; SaD1 Durable Defense I
SaD0 Sacred Defense; SaD1 Durable Defense II, III; SaD2 Resilient Defense I
SaD2 Resilient Defense II; SaD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge; KoC0 Slayer of Evil; KoC1 Extra Smite I
KoC1 Extra Smite II; KoC1 Extra Turning I, II
KoC2 Divine Might I, II
KoC2 Divine Might III; KoC2 Exalted Cleave I, II, III
KoC0 Courage of Heaven; KoC0 Slayer of Evil II; KoC3 Exalted Smite I
KoC3 Divine Sacrifice I, II; KoC4 Empowered Smite
KoC0 Improved Courage of Heaven; SaD2 Resilient Defense III; SaD2 Bulwark Aura I, II
SaD2 Bulwark Aura III; SaD3 Resistance Aura I, II, III
SaD4 Swift Defense; SaD4 Strong Defense I, II, III



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought


Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack, Strength
Lay Waste
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz


Twists of Fate (18 fate points)


Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Endless Lay On Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)




I am confused. I am looking for a PDK fighter build, since I finished my triple epic past lives, and wanting to start on iconics. What I am confused about in these builds is why do you take THF feats and shield feats? You cant do both at the same time can you? Or is it so you have the option to do one or the other depending on group and quest?

[btolson]

I am confused. I am looking for a PDK fighter build, since I finished my triple epic past lives, and wanting to start on iconics. What I am confused about in these builds is why do you take THF feats and shield feats? You cant do both at the same time can you? Or is it so you have the option to do one or the other depending on group and quest?

If you wield either a Dwarven Axe or Bastard Sword in one hand, and a non-weapon in the other (e.g. shield/orb/rune arm) then you will get glancing blows just like a Greataxe or Greatsword would.

Thus the THF line buffs your glancing blows to 50% base damage, and the Shield Mastery feats grant you some PRR and Doublestrike, all of which you can take advantage of simultaneously.

[Garthog77]

Awesome, did not know that, have never used either of those weapons. Thanks!

[flute136]

For the teens I like this falchion, http://ddowiki.com/page/Vampiric_Cleaver

Later on I upgrade to a poor man's SOS, http://i.imgur.com/kH7PR5B.jpg . I'm still looking to see if I can find some new loot-gen to replace it with. I've been stuck on the SOS for years now. Have shard but not the other 2 pieces of the 3 piece meal deal.

Man, i need just shard, got everything else.

Snipedyou of Khyber

[Visty]

i plan on TRing into the Daggerdruid Shadarkai build. does that build still work despite the changed enhancements? (would need to replace twf with natural fighting though)

[crazzyclown24777]

Greetings;

Love the BF Knight 2H weapon build! As I move up levels, I see that the build directs me to select "Tenacious OR Strong Defense III" enhancements from the SD tree; however, the in-tree description of the enhancements mentions that the effect is for when you're using medium/heavy armor (Bladeforged only gets docent?) or a shield (2H weapon build). Am I missing something? (<- Actually, I'm not being snarky! It is VERY possible that I AM missing something, but I'm too much of a noob to know!) If it was an error, can someone suggest good alternatives?

Thanks!

there is a feat to get heavy armor docent

[Gywiden]

@ubongwah Will you be doing an Iconic Tiefling in this thread at some point?

[unbongwah]

@ubongwah Will you be doing an Iconic Tiefling in this thread at some point?
I posted a sample build to the Lamannia forum I could link. I don't think the builder has been updated yet and I am waiting on that.

Which reminds me that I should update Scourge ranger to take the Knights Training feat.

[relmon]

I think I'm missing something. In the first Bladeforged build, you only have 4 points spend in the Tier 0 and Tier 1 racial Enhancements. How do you qualify for all of the higher Enhancements?

[unbongwah]

Mechanist used to be 2 APs per rank. Now it's only 1 AP so that frees 3 APs you can put in the cores or whatever.

[unbongwah]

Update 50 (https://ddowiki.com/page/Update_50_Release_Notes) buffed the Shadarkai racial tree. In particular, the Spiked Chain attacks are actually useful now; plus there's a racial Displacement SLA and most Enhancements had their costs reduced. So I've updated my SDK Assassin build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783405&viewfull=1#post5783405), inspired in part by Strimtom's SWF SDK Assassin (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/526279-First-life-Rogue-now-with-CHAAAAAIIIINNZZZZ).

[unbongwah]

Designed to take advantage of Knight's Training + racial weapon bonuses to Heavy Maces (https://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Heavy_Maces) and Morningstars (https://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Morningstars).

Scourge Tempest
Ranger 20
Lawful Good Aasimar Scourge




Stats
32pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 17 4: STR
Dexterity 13 8: STR
Constitution 14 12: STR
Intelligence 10 16: STR
Wisdom 16 20: STR
Charisma 8 24: STR
28: STR


Skills
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
------------------------------------------------------------
Concent 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Heal 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23
Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
Tumble 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------
24 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6




Feats


1 : Precision
1 Scourge: Bond of the Scourge
3 : Dodge
6 : Knight's Training
9 : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
12 : Mobility
15 : Spring Attack
18 : Quicken Spell
21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic : Stunning Blow OR Two Weapon Defense
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: First Blood OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic : Empower Healing Spell OR Two Weapon Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Construct
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Elemental
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Magical Beast




Enhancements (Spent: 80 +0r +0u / Max: 80 +0r +0u AP)


Tempest (42 AP)

Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows, Whirlwind, Dervish

Improved Reaction I, Improved Defense III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Improved Dodge I, Whirling Blades, Haste Boost III
Storm Dancer, Whirling Blades
Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
Dual Perfection, Cuts: A Thousand Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III



Deepwood Stalker (21 AP)

Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Exposing Strike, Advanced Sneak Attack

Stealthy III, Tendon Cut I
Survivalist, Melee/Range Power Boost III
Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III, Favored Hunter III



Aasimar Scourge (17 AP)

Stronger Bonds, Strength, Stronger Bonds II, Strength, Stronger Bonds III

Scourge Weapons, Improved Recovery
Improved Scourge Weapons, Divine Purpose
Greater Scourge Weapons, Improved Recovery
Destroyer of the Dead



Leveling Guide


Tempest: Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows

Improved Reaction I, Improved Defense III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Improved Dodge I, Whirling Blades, Haste Boost III
Storm Dancer, Whirling Blades
Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
Dual Perfection, Cuts: A Thousand Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III




Aasimar Scourge: Stronger Bonds, Strength, Stronger Bonds II, Strength

Scourge Weapons, Improved Recovery
Improved Scourge Weapons, Divine Purpose
Greater Scourge Weapons, Improved Recovery




Deepwood Stalker: Far Shot

Tendon Cut I


15. DS1 Stealthy I, II, III; DS0 Sneak Attack
16. Scg0 Stronger Bonds III; Scg4 Destroyer of the Dead; DS2 Melee/Range Power Boost I
17. DS2 Melee/Range Power Boost II, III; DS2 Survivalist
18. Tem0 Whirlwind; DS0 Exposing Strike; DS3 Survivalist
19. DS3 Thrill of the Hunt I, II, III; DS3 Favored Hunter I
20. Tem0 Dervish; DS3 Favored Hunter II, III; DS0 Advanced Sneak Attack




Destiny (24 AP)


Primal Avatar

Ephemeral Evolution III, Rejuvenation Cocoon III
Seeking Balance III, Favored Enemy: Aberration
Balanced Attacks III
Symetric Strikes, Stormrage, Summon Dryad Elder
Spirit Boon: Physical
Nature's Fury: Crit Multiplier


Twists of Fate (14 fate points)

Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Lithe (Tier 2 Shadowdancer)
Attack Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)

[Gnominal_Aphasia]

Hey Unbongwah, in your updated Shadar-Kai build, you mention that we need to learn how to use Improved Feint effectively. I have read the DDO Wiki description and have understood that if I use an action immediately after using Improved Feint that the bluff effect [roll] doesn't proc. I am currently playing as a melee rogue and am never sure how long to wait until pressing my next attack option after Improved Feint... 1 second? 2 seconds? I often forget and spam buttons and then realise [too late!] that the bluff effect doesn't trigger.

Thanks.

[unbongwah]

I am currently playing as a melee rogue and am never sure how long to wait until pressing my next attack option after Improved Feint... 1 second? 2 seconds?
You wait for the Bluffed icon to show up over your targets' heads, then use the SDK chain attacks.

[dredre9987]

Is dex so much better for the SDK over int?

[unbongwah]

Is dex so much better for the SDK over int?
These builds are intended for players with nothing unlocked besides the Iconics themselves and Harper Agent is a P2P tree.

[dredre9987]

These builds are intended for players with nothing unlocked besides the Iconics themselves and Harper Agent is a P2P tree.


Awesome thanks, would you recommend int if harper is unlocked?


Edit: hmmm I guess you would want to have racial AP if doing that as well. okay not new player friendly then lol Thanks much

[unbongwah]

Awesome thanks, would you recommend int if harper is unlocked?
On pure rogue, the baseline AP split for the chain build is 41 Assassin (capstone) / 17 SDK (Greater Chain Attack) / 3 Acrobat (Fast Movement), leaving at least 19 APs left over. You can see I spread them between those three trees, but possible uses in the P2P Universal trees:

Horizon Walker - 14 APs for DEX Battle Trance (No Step Missed) and Greater Marking (3rd core).
Harper Agent - 6-8 APs for Know the Angles, 12 APs for Strategic Combat II if you plan to go INT-based. But don't forget Improved Sneak Attack requires base DEX 21 so you can't just dump-stat DEX.
Vistani Knife Fighter - the obvious tree for a dagger build, ideally you spend at least 23 APs for Double Dagger + Celerity, but that's not possible without extra APs or dumping some from SDK or Acrobat. But 11 APs is enough for Haste Boost and Quick Reflexes (+5% doublestrike).
Falconry - 12 APs gets you +15 heal amp, Sprint Boost, and +5% quality HPs (Conditioning).

[dredre9987]

Maybe I am missing something but ML builds missing Domain feat?

Edit: Nvm saw the post date lol

[scott75209]

The goal of this thread is to provide first-life Iconic builds which can take full advantage of the starter gear and hit the ground running. These builds are aimed at new players or those starting over on a new server and thus have little if any twink gear, tomes, etc. to start. I'll also try to keep them F2P friendly (i.e., no P2P multiclassing), at least at first.



Aasimar Scourge (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=6457351&viewfull=1#post6457351)
Bladeforged (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783396&viewfull=1#post5783396)
Deep Gnome (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783448&viewfull=1#post5783448)
Purple Dragon Knight (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783401&viewfull=1#post5783401)
Shadar-kai (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783405&viewfull=1#post5783405)
Sun Elf / Morninglord (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472000-Iconic-Builds-for-New-Players?p=5783398&viewfull=1#post5783398)


Does the Bladeforge build work with the current DDO release?

[C-Dog]

Does the Bladeforge build work with the current DDO release?
"Work"? "current release"? Not sure what you're asking.

There have been changes to Paladin since early '16, certainly, so there are improvements and tweaks to the build that could be made. But the build as-is would still get you to 30, if not 100% as easily as an updated version.

(Also, there are 2 diff BF builds - which are you referring to? EK has changed also.)

[unbongwah]

Does the Bladeforge build work with the current DDO release?
I haven't updated any of these builds in years, so they don't reflect changes to DDO such as the Epic Destiny revamp (https://ddowiki.com/page/Update_51_Release_Notes#Epic_Destinies:_Overall_Ch anges) last year and the level cap increase to 32 this year. But the basics are still the same: 2H DPS using greatswords to take advantage of Favored Weapon bonuses. Do you need advice on how to update the specifics?

If you have Feydark Illusionist (https://ddowiki.com/page/Feydark_Illusionist_enhancements), you can also go CHA-based. Here's an example using Dragonborn (https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/522061-First-Life-Friendly-THF-Charisma-Paladin).