stuck trying to work out what to play

[PeterE]

Any advice for a noob with no idea what viable builds are?

I've always liked the idea of dual wielding longsword xD I like the idea of dual wielding the same weapon in both hands in general.

I like the idea of a bard with dual wield swords but they seem to need the wrong stats for what i'm wanting since bard uses I think Charisma? and dual weild is either strength or dex?

Isn't max level 30? I see all the builds on ddowiki are for level 20 and the builds on these forums alot are old or hard for a new player to follow since they don't say what to take at each level.

Was considering a Kensei Fighter but the old thread I used to look at for revisited paths hasn't been updated in like years and the builds are all for level 20 (they even ditched the thread with only half the builds done too) and idk D&D very much so I can't really make my own builds :(

[FranOhmsford]

Longswords are a weak weapon in DDO.

B@st@rd Swords, Khopeshes or Scimitars would be better options unless you're absolutely set on going with Longswords.

There's a number of ways you could go and I won't go into Builds because others are far better at that than me.
But I'd start out with deciding what it is you actually want - Fighter, Ranger, Bard, Rogue or even Paladin or Barbarian can all use Two Weapons without too much hassle with the right build, FavSoul is slightly more difficult with the lack of Feats but that can be done too.
Secondly what races do you have available? If you have the Iconic Purple Dragon Knight you can actually get Charisma to Attack and Damage with Short Swords, Longswords and B@st@rd Swords from that.
Thirdly do you mind multiclassing - For the likes of Bard multiclassing with Fighter or Ranger would be pretty much a requirement if you want to TWF. {PDK requires you start with a level of Fighter anyway}.


Max Lvl is 30 but Epic Levels 21-30 are very different from Heroic Levels and you don't earn Class levels during them - Whatever your Class split is at 20 will be the same at 30 + 10 Epic Levels.
So say you're 12 Bard / 6 Fighter / 2 Rogue at 20 - Well that's the same as you'll be at 30 only with 10 Epic Levels on top.

[PeterE]

Longswords are a weak weapon in DDO.

B@st@rd Swords, Khopeshes or Scimitars would be better options unless you're absolutely set on going with Longswords.

There's a number of ways you could go and I won't go into Builds because others are far better at that than me.
But I'd start out with deciding what it is you actually want - Fighter, Ranger, Bard, Rogue or even Paladin or Barbarian can all use Two Weapons without too much hassle with the right build, FavSoul is slightly more difficult with the lack of Feats but that can be done too.
Secondly what races do you have available? If you have the Iconic Purple Dragon Knight you can actually get Charisma to Attack and Damage with Short Swords, Longswords and B@st@rd Swords from that.
Thirdly do you mind multiclassing - For the likes of Bard multiclassing with Fighter or Ranger would be pretty much a requirement if you want to TWF. {PDK requires you start with a level of Fighter anyway}.


Max Lvl is 30 but Epic Levels 21-30 are very different from Heroic Levels and you don't earn Class levels during them - Whatever your Class split is at 20 will be the same at 30 + 10 Epic Levels.
So say you're 12 Bard / 6 Fighter / 2 Rogue at 20 - Well that's the same as you'll be at 30 only with 10 Epic Levels on top.

I wouldn't mind any of those types of swords :) as long as I can use the same weapon in both hands i'm happy :) I like symetry using same model in both hands haha

I don't mind multiclassing. Don't really like the idea of a barb or pally, never have. Any of the others I wouldn't mind.

I used to have a sub when I played before but am F2P right now and I know I have monk and druid unlocked and drow and half elf too. I have 32 point builds unlocked but can't really get tomes.

[Kriogen]

...

I used to have a sub when I played before but am F2P right now and I know I have monk and druid unlocked and drow and half elf too. I have 32 point builds unlocked but can't really get tomes.
Two weapon fighting requires DEX 17 (for feats), but melee, by default, uses STR for to-hit and damage.

Ranger:
- gets TWF feats for free and even if it doesn't have high enough DEX.
- gets basic bow feats for free, a couple of nice buffs and some nice healing
- gets pretty cool enhancements
- add Rogue and you can also do traps and lock

Use this https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/423116-Tempest-Trapmonkey-for-new-players .

Edit: if you want to use Longswords, use them. I mean, whos' gonna stop you :p

[PeterE]

Two weapon fighting requires DEX 17 (for feats), but melee, by default, uses STR for to-hit and damage.

Ranger:
- gets TWF feats for free and even if it doesn't have high enough DEX.
- gets basic bow feats for free, a couple of nice buffs and some nice healing
- gets pretty cool enhancements
- add Rogue and you can also do traps and lock

Use this https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/423116-Tempest-Trapmonkey-for-new-players .

Edit: if you want to use Longswords, use them. I mean, whos' gonna stop you :p

Whats the best 1h sword type? Khopesh hence why it's there in the build you linked or what?

[Stoner81]

Whats the best 1h sword type? Khopesh hence why it's there in the build you linked or what?

Khopeshes are or were (not so sure these days tbh) the king of 1 handers due to their crit range and multiplier which is far better than all other 1 handers. To be honest they probably still are but I do know that Bastard Swords are a good pick along with some others depending on the build.

As for build I would recommend going with a previous suggestion and go 18 Ranger, 2 Rogue. Take Rogue at level 1 for the max amount of skill and then take the 2nd Rogue level around level 8, in between keep Disable, Search and Open Lock maxed. Put 4 points in to Jump and ignore it after that (Rangers get the spell and it caps at 40). EllisDee's Tempest Trapmonkey is an excellent build which has already been linked for you :)

Stoner81.

[Kriogen]

Whats the best 1h sword type? Khopesh hence why it's there in the build you linked or what?
Best 1h weapons? None really. Its more about what you have, can realisticaly get. What you like is also important. Coz if you don't like, you'll not play and then whats the point.

Longsword: so-so damage profile, but theres a long list of named ones(by definition better then average) and some are not hard to get.
Scimitar: crits a lot. Some solid named ones. Elf(ranger) can use DEX for to-hit and damage.
Khopesh: like LS, but hits harder on criticals. Not many named ones, doesn't drop very often, many want it, so hard to get something nice in AH.
B-sword: like LS with better base damage. Its more interesting for Sword&Shield combat style. With Two Handed Fighting feats it will proc glancing blows like 2-handers.

Scimitar/Khopesh rank higher then Longsword. Scimitar for lots of crits, khopesh for big crits. B-sword is special case (sword&shield).

Longsword is sort of in the middle, nothing special, average. Not popular because just "average Joe" :) Named ones are not that bad tho.

Personaly I prefer scimitars. Cool style, good damage (lots of crits), a couple of nice named ones.

[UurlockYgmeov]

Play what is fun to you to play. If it turns out to not be fun for you, play something else. Just keep experimenting. Don't commit resources to non-transferable assets (tomes, btc gear, etc) until you find something you enjoy playing.

Isn't that the point, to have fun and enjoy? :)

Have fun storming the castle! We have one now!

[Baktiotha]

Any advice for a noob with no idea what viable builds are?

Depends what you mean by viable.

If you mean a build that can run legendary elite raids and dominate then that is one (very small) set of builds.

If you mean a build that can run heroic, epic and legendary quests/raids and are satisfied with heroic elite, epic elite and legendary hard that is a different (somewhat larger) set of builds.

If you mean a build that can run heroic elite, epic hard and legendary normal then that is nearly any build (but not quite).

A great deal depends on you and what it is you like to play, how you like to play, and how willing you are to adjust your play as the game progresses. Some people are not very good at ranged combat; even though ranged characters are quite good they are not "viable" for that player. The same thing applies to melee or arcane or divine characters.

The flavors of the moment, without getting into anything even remotely complex, are warlock, rogue mechanic, paladin, barbarian, bard swashbuckler. Close to those are wizard pale masters, monk/fighter centered kensai dual wielding longswords, monk/ranger arcane archers, and (mostly) halfling throwers -- although these are mostly the old flavor. There are a variety of multiclass builds that stretch the game mechanics like tree builds and a couple of others but those risk being nerfed with every major update.

For a new player without access to a lot of past life feats or a warehouse full of saved gear it is hard to fail running a standard warlock enlightened spirit. All build points in INT, CON, and CHA getting all three stats into the 15-16 point range, level ups in CON (there is a lot of talk about where to put the level ups, but for a starting character CON is better -- and it might be better for all builds). Human or PDK (with class change using +1 heart) for race. Pretty much guaranteed success.

[Rig_O_Mortis]

Build Repository (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/470423-Build-Repository)

[FranOhmsford]

For a new player without access to a lot of past life feats or a warehouse full of saved gear it is hard to fail running a standard warlock enlightened spirit. All build points in INT, CON, and CHA getting all three stats into the 15-16 point range, level ups in CON (there is a lot of talk about where to put the level ups, but for a starting character CON is better -- and it might be better for all builds). Human or PDK (with class change using +1 heart) for race. Pretty much guaranteed success.

No Con is not better for a starting character on an ES Lock - HPs are NOT A PROBLEM FOR AN ES LOCK!

14 Con is a must of course as it is for every Class, 16 base would be nice but on a 28 or even 32 pt build you'll be dropping your Cha to get this. Putting Level Ups in Con is total OVERKILL!

Warlock's have DCs - Cha should be maxed or as close as possible!

Int will help with Skill Points and a small bit of extra Spwr but seriously 14-16 is as much as you'll ever need so long as you don't forgo gear! {You can probably get away with 12 base}.

I have a 2nd Life Cha Based Lock with Wizard Past Life who easily passes 2k HPs in US with Shining Through! Out of US I'm still looking at 1500 with Shining Through.
AND SHINING THROUGH HAS A SHORT COOLDOWN AND CAN BE KEPT UP ALMOST INDEFINITELY!
Even when Shining Through isn't enough a Warlock has more UMD than any other Character and can very easily get Heal Scroll use.
Then there's the possibility of Twisting in Cocoon!
HPs are NOT A PROBLEM FOR AN ES LOCK! {so long as you don't purposely gimp them with say 10 or lower base Con with outdated gear!}.

You do NOT need 3k+ HPs!
You may not need US - Even in other Destinies you can get 1500+ HPs on an ES Lock with just a 14 Base Con!
The cut off point for HPs at Lvl 30 is around 900-1000 for basic viability and an ES Lock with Shining Through will hit that with ease!

[Baktiotha]

Warlock's have DCs - Cha should be maxed or as close as possible!

We have already had this thread in the general discussion. Characters will easily hit the DC needs on everything except LE content with a 16 base CHA and not a single added point spent on CHA. This has already been discussed and shown to be the case.

New players do not need to focus on CHA for DCs. New players do not need to focus on INT for spell power. What new players do need is a safety net and that is HP. HP comes from CON. A 28 point character (human) can start 15 CON, 16 INT, 16 CHA and put stat increases in CON to get the most out of the first life character. That will be sufficient for all heroic elite content, all epic hard (plus some epic elite) and all legendary normal content as well.

Put a different way, 16 CHA plus stat increases gets a +3 DC at L30. A 15 CON plus stat increases gets +4 HP per level times 30 levels. For a new player 120 HP is much more useful than +3 DC.

You are wrong. Just accept it.

[KoobTheProud]

If you're going to play a Ranger then Khopeshes or Bastard Swords are an easy take. You're getting lots of TWF feats for free and so spending a feat on the weapon is not such a big deal. You only have 7 feats as a non-human or 8 as a human and they're generally very valuable, moreso than the difference between an exotic weapon or a martial one.

Elven Ranger with Scimitar is a good choice for flavor and min-maxing a heroic dual-wielder. You have the choice of Strength or Dex for +hit and damage in that scenario. Whichever you choose Con should be your second most invested stat and dump the other with maybe a couple of points put in it tops.

[FranOhmsford]

We have already had this thread in the general discussion. Characters will easily hit the DC needs on everything except LE content with a 16 base CHA and not a single added point spent on CHA. This has already been discussed and shown to be the case.

New players do not need to focus on CHA for DCs. New players do not need to focus on INT for spell power. What new players do need is a safety net and that is HP. HP comes from CON. A 28 point character (human) can start 15 CON, 16 INT, 16 CHA and put stat increases in CON to get the most out of the first life character. That will be sufficient for all heroic elite content, all epic hard (plus some epic elite) and all legendary normal content as well.

Put a different way, 16 CHA plus stat increases gets a +3 DC at L30. A 15 CON plus stat increases gets +4 HP per level times 30 levels. For a new player 120 HP is much more useful than +3 DC.

You are wrong. Just accept it.

120 hp on top of 1500 is NOTHING!

+3 DC however is EVERYTHING!

I'm not the one who's wrong here!

ES Locks don't need extra Con - If you're not going T5 ES then maybe but if you're going T5 ES NO WAY!



P.S. 2nd Life Warlock, Max Cha DROW, Past Life Wizard ACTIVE for +1 to ALL DCs, Lvl 30 and I still don't have 100% EH Disco Ball or Evards!{I doubt I have 50% as it feels more like 33% in Stormhorns!}.
So no you can't get 100% EH DCs on a 16 Base Cha no Level Ups 1st Life Warlock!

[M113k7262]

Try this build... great for soloing and parties!


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

Level 8 True Neutral Human Male
(1 Rogue \ 7 Ranger)
Hit Points: 108
Spell Points: 97
BAB: 7\7\12
Fortitude: 7
Reflex: 9
Will: 4

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 8)
Strength 14 14
Dexterity 14 14
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 15 16
Wisdom 14 14
Charisma 8 8

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 8)
Balance 2 5
Bluff 0 -1
Concentration 0 2
Diplomacy 0 -1
Disable Device n/a 16
Haggle 0 -1
Heal 4 6
Hide 4 18
Intimidate 0 -1
Jump 4 10
Listen 4 11
Move Silently 4 18
Open Lock n/a 15
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 6
Search 4 18
Spellcraft 0 3
Spot 4 17
Swim 4 6
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Heal (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Reptillian


Level 2 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+5)
Skill: Open Lock (+5)
Skill: Search (+1)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Animal
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Awareness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Awareness (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Awareness (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Stealthy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Stealthy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Stealthy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Shield of Whirling Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Item Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Item Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Item Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Knife in the Darkness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Stealthy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Stealthy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Stealthy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Arbalester (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Mechanics (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Mechanics (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Mechanics (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Awareness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Awareness (Rank 2)


Level 8 (Ranger)

[Baktiotha]

2nd Life Warlock, Max Cha DROW, Past Life Wizard ACTIVE for +1 to ALL DCs, Lvl 30 and I still don't have 100% EH Disco Ball or Evards!{I doubt I have 50% as it feels more like 33% in Stormhorns!}.

I can see your problems already. If you choose to play a gimp version of a build that makes all the difference in the world. I'd suggest OP not make that mistake. In fact, I'd suggest no player make that mistake.

I don't know why people insist on playing suboptimal characters and then carry on about how people need to do a certain thing to be successful.

I play a warlock as my main character and believe me there is zero reason to push CHA or to rely on DC casting. It is possibly the worst choice except in the hands of the most experienced player.

CON based sitting behind a shield in the middle of a pack of monsters spamming zero spell point blasts and auras while the eldritch aura ticks off is going to be so much more effective that it doesn't even start to compare. Not a single DC spell in any of it. Evard's is the only DC spell that a warlock needs and, frankly, it hardly gets used.

EH anything is a cakewalk so if you're having any difficulty that is a comment on your build and not a comment on the character class or how to succeed with it. In fact, it is probably a good example of what NOT to do if you are having issues.

With a heavy investment in gear, tomes, enhancements and destiny choices anyone can get to the DC needed for EH quests. The issue is that many people will not make the investment and for new players the investment seems highly improbable. That leaves a different option, which is to ignore DC casting altogether. For most new players that is the better choice (not that they cannot get to the DC but that it is so hard that it is impractical).

So, if you are not going to hit the DCs you are better off playing a different build and style. That means DO NOT invest in CHA. For a new player who doesn't have epic destinies the idea that you can twist Cocoon is another pie-in-the-sky-bye-and-bye dream. The simple fact is that the extra HP from high CON makes living to get to epic levels so much easier.

Your ideas are wrong, your build concept is wrong, and you are wrong about how to build a warlock for a new player. The simple fact that you fail on a second life character shows that your build approach is not valid.

[Enderoc]

For a new player maybe an Elf cleric of the Undying Court that puts all level ups in dex and using scimitars. TWF, ITWF, GTWF,Improved Critical Slashing, Power Attack, Empower Healing, Toughness. Take them as they become available as listed in order of importance. (for a new player without tomes)

You can get dex to damage from elf and bonuses to hit and damage in both elf and war priest enhancement trees.

Most clerics avoid war priest, but Elves have a better weapon option in choosing the Undying Court pantheon.

Just make sure to start with 14 strength 16 dex and at minimum 12 wisdom. Just keep in mind to search for items that will boost your wisdom beyond 19 by the time you can cast 9th level spells.

(TWF is the Two Weapon Fighting Chain- Improved and Greater)

Make sure to click on people you see and send tells to them and be proactive in asking questions. In creation of your character do not neglect Charisma or constitution entirely. Also do not top load a single stat. You don't have enough starting points to be the best at anything yet, but starting as a cleric will make your first journey more survivable.

[PsychoBlonde]

If you mean a build that can run legendary elite raids and dominate then that is one (very small) set of builds.

Although not nearly as small as most people think, considering the hilarious stunts I've seen people pull off in some raids. "Dominating" is a lot more about knowing how to play and squeeze the advantages out than it is about anything else. Mediocre players copying "great builds" still don't touch really good players who spend the whole raid grumping about how "gimpy" they are.

Going for MAX DPS is actually another variety of newbie trap in this game.

My suggestion would be to choose either Paladin or Ranger--both are very solid and (relatively speaking) easy to play without too much preparation. They are gentle and forgiving classes. So is warlock. Most of the other classes have levels where they suddenly and dramatically shift from being solid to making you sweat for it--some then shift back. But the transition is not so fun.