Need advice on Tree build

[FAQ]

Hello dear forumites,

Before anyone claims that tree builds are not WAI, I understand that and take the risk. Even though it is my opinion that no one in their right mind would use Avatar of Nature epic moment if it weren't for what makes tree builds viable.

It is almost time for me to ETR/TR again and I would like to get a tree build under my belt before/if the devs come to nerf it.

So I come here to ask your advice on how to make a good tree build. If anyone has any links they can point me to, which class splits are the best, essential feats, etc. I would very much appreciate it. I am a total noob when it comes to trees :)

Thank you very much for your time

[Cantor]

Two main aspects: cleaves and aura.

The key to trees is of course bypassing the slow attack speed, so cleaves. There are two options for cleaves: monk with whirlwind, or barb with supreme cleave. I've played both, I prefer monk centered with shortswords for a celestia and toee set. Weapon choice doesn't matter much other than being centered since it will be Xd20 from tree form. If doing a non-centered barb build you can get much better physical defenses with heavy armor and a shield, at the cost of whirlwind and pally splash.

Primary source of spirit regen to maximize uptime of tree form is through auras. Multiple options for auras cleric, wiz, warlock. I haven't played a tree since warlock came out so can't comment from experience, but have seen posts that say only take core 3 not 4, because of the timing of spirit gen cooldown/aura procs. Cleric aura is some extra healing, but tier 5 and a lot of ap, though only 5 class levels. Lock/wiz will tie up more levels and gives displacement.

Play goes like: cast aura (unless passive), run in, go tree, cleave, cleave, ww, do something to build spirit, repeat. Trees are slow, you will be dropping form sometimes just to get around, it eats up a lot of sp, that is an issue. A good playing partner will know to bring stuff to you.

My first tree was 5cleric/3pal/12mnk a solid build with good saves and lay hands which works in form. I would now probably try a warlock split for the passive aura, displacement, and temp hp. The cleric split would often last in form until the aura ran out, then you are stuck in suboptimal melee.

Feats: PA/Clv/GClv, TWF line, IC blud, OWcrit, whirlwind line (mnk), shield line(barb). Str is not a big deal, base damage is so high that melee power is king, barb used to have an advantage here but monk has big mp now too. Crit feats are included but can be held til later due to base profile.

Not sure if the handwrap/unarmed change and exotic weapon feat comes into play for non-mnk, I doubt it since you are bypassing attack speed anyway.

not at home, don't have my notes, if I missed some feat requirements, I'll edit to add.

[FAQ]

Super cool explanation.

Tyvm for your insights. Much appreciated.

[unbongwah]

Eth did a pretty good job of running down the mechanics of tree builds here (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/465282-LF-warlock-tree-build?p=5686475&viewfull=1#post5686475). It's an old post, but AFAIK nothing has changed since then which affects tree builds.

My feeling is warlock 6 is the best basis for a tree build, since that gets you 4-sec auras (plus a few other perks) for 11 APs. [If you don't have warlock, then you're pretty much stuck with cleric or wizard, which have more drawbacks, IMO.] Then you need to decide whether you're splashing barb for Supreme Cleave or monk for the extra feats, stances, etc. Both are good options, but since you can't take both classes due to alignment incompatibility, they require different build approaches and gear: the barb tree build goes S&B for extra doublestrike from Shield Mastery (and presumably wears armor); the monk tree goes the centered route (ki weapons, robes, etc.) and uses either Wind stance for extra doublestrike or Fire stance for the crit bonus.

Your third class will almost always be fighter just for the extra feats & possibly Kensei enhancements (AFAIK, the crit bonuses don't work in tree form, unfortunately, but extra Melee Power is always good); if not using barb Rage, you can also add SD defensive stance.

[bracelet]

I am playing 1W/13C/6M on a Deep Gnome at the moment (my Bonsai tree build). It's a tough split to play to 20. I was forced to PUG and eked out maybe 100 kills over the entire 5 levels. Once you get to 20, it becomes very powerful. I have the Eldritch Knight cleave, Cleave, Great Cleave and Whirlwind. It's not enough to keep cleave constantly going. I have a 3 to 5 second downtime where I am just doing regular attacks.

My basic playstyle is to get as much stuff attacking me as possible, switch to tree, kill most, if not all of it, with cleaves, then as quickly as possible get out of tree form.

The whole build revolves around spirit. Auras are great for passive generation. Monk is great because the high attack rate ticks it up really fast (much faster than the healing aura). But if you start wandering around in tree form when you don't need to, you will waste spirit, and not be able to enter form immediately at the next fight.

Something that wasn't mentioned above: constitution and defenses are extremely important. You have to be able to absorb a ton of incoming damage because the play style calls for pulling as much stuff to you as you can. PRR, AC, dodge -anything that can mitigate that first shock of damage are critical.

In my opinion, it is a very difficult build to play. You have to have constant awareness of spirit, health, auras, etc. You have to play a game of brinkmanship as you plow into the first wave of mobs; how long can you hold out before your HP disappear altogether? It is often necessary to drop form and get the heck out so that you can heal (you can't jump or cast spells in tree form). I have timed that wrong on more than one occasion with tragic consequences. You also have to consider whether it's worth going into form for 1 or 2 mobs, when there are going to be 10 around the next corner.

The first time I played a tree, it utterly dominated kill counts. Since then, warlocks and rogue mechanics were invented. In groups with those, I am not leading the kill counts. Tree is actually very nicely balanced against those particular classes. If I were the developers, and were trying to prioritize fixing the animations and timing around tree, and running a very high risk of breaking untold other game mechanics, not to mention effectively eliminating an epic destiny from the game, I simply would not do it. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from doing so. This was once a powerful build. But its time has come and gone. It is now on par with at least two other builds, and I bet I could build a centered Kensai cleaver that is almost as strong and way the heck easier to play. I am sure there are plenty of other competitive builds as well.

Honestly the only reason I am doing it is to get a cleric past life. It is an intense and fun experience from 20 to 30, but I wouldn't even consider it as a final build -it wears me out.

[Cantor]

snip

I agree it is a tough build to play with lots to keep track of and limited mobility. I think that is why the devs have let it go. It's not really OP at this point where the line has been moved to, certainly considering how strong builds that require no skill to play are.

I did a 11clr 6mnk 3pal sunelf for a cleric pastlife and it was fun.

A player new to tree builds might get so frustrated from 20-22 that they quit and TR unless on an iconic, the learning curve is that steep.

[Kylstrem]

I would start with the Cleric build option... while you have to spend a ton of AP in the cleric tree to get the healing Aura, it is the easiest way to build up spirit. Pretty much an easy button.

Once you get good with that and understand how to manage spirit. How to manage getting in and out of tree mode and when to based on your spirit usage, then you can try the Warlock method.

You'll still be VERY AWESOME with the cleric option and likely more survivable.

BTW, don't practice on your ship's dummy, as the regen on the ship will reset your spirit and you'll be confused by it.

[FAQ]

Thanks for your answers everyone. I will probably go with the cleric route, since it seems the easiest (and real life is already hard ;) )

[FAQ]

Thanks to all your help I was finally able to hit level 20 and make a tree build!! It's f-ing awesome to be a tree.

I followed the build I could piece together from this screenshot of Tilomere's build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/117232-Request-a-Build-Get-a-Build?p=5680117&viewfull=1#post5680117). Although I don't think it is the most up to date, I'm having a blast with it. Now I really see what the advice above on brinkmanship means.

Only one small thing irks me a little: warlock aura only increases spirit if enemies are being hit. I hoped it would apply when Brilliance proc'd, but no. Oh well. Only one small weed to annoy my giant cursed tree.