shadar kai artificer suggestions

[kallen667]

ok my very first toon is a iconic shadar kai 5 rogue 10 artificer. im noticing she has a very hard time doing damage with her daggers and was wondering what i should do to increase her melee damage. i bought a rune arm and its pretty sweet was very happy with that. but my problem is im having trouble figuring out where to go with the class, i love the electrical spells and buffs the crafting was my main draw though, i used to smith in ultima online so i enjoy being able to craft and the 2 levels per crafting boost is awesome(havent used it yet but still think its cool)

so should i make a new one and redo my feats,skills and stats? im still level 15 and im not getting xp for most stuff anything around the level 12 range is too hard for me to solo. i like dual wielding but it would mean de-equiping my rune arm so i doubt that will work and the tempest is quite the AP hog to really get going.

i also noticed that the dragon mage(cant remember the name) epic destiny is no for artificer and that the bard goes well with the artificer. im planning to go magister/shadowdancer for my first run then get the dragon mage later or make a dragon born for that idk.

any and all suggestions will help.


side note: if i go favored soul and pick wisdom for hit/dmg if my wis is lower will i still get at least the damage boost? is it like how str just adds damage? if thats the case then i really need to re-roll this toon her damge output in melee is just not enough.

[OfElectricMen]

First, personally, I wouldn't go with a melee artificer, but I've never been able to make one work to my satisfaction. Others have, but I think they use bastard swords. I don't think you're going to get the damage you're looking for going with daggers.

Second, if you are going to go ahead and go with daggers, take a look at the Vistani enhancement tree if you have it. If not, go bang out some Ravenloft favor to pick it up. I think the full chain on Elite will get it for you (but only on the character that does it; not your account).

Third, if you want to dagger/rune arm, then you might also look into the Single Weapon Fighting feat chain. Attack speed bonuses, melee power bonuses, increased ability score damage bonus (at like the 3rd feat).

Fourth, I like Shiradi for my artificers (with Energy Burst twisted in). It's not optimal, I think, but it's what I have the most fun with. But mine are ranged. I would imagine that if you're planning on a melee artificer, then like just about any other melee character, you would want to focus on Legendary Dreadnaught, maybe with Sense Weakness twisted in.

What you're trying to play is the kind of build that's going to require some pretty serious pre-planning. Somewhere in these forums is a link to a pretty sweet character planner (I don't have the link handy).

Anyway, good luck, and remember: often fun ?* optimization.

[Tom116]

ok my very first toon is a iconic shadar kai 5 rogue 10 artificer. im noticing she has a very hard time doing damage with her daggers and was wondering what i should do to increase her melee damage. i bought a rune arm and its pretty sweet was very happy with that. but my problem is im having trouble figuring out where to go with the class, i love the electrical spells and buffs the crafting was my main draw though, i used to smith in ultima online so i enjoy being able to craft and the 2 levels per crafting boost is awesome(havent used it yet but still think its cool)

so should i make a new one and redo my feats,skills and stats? im still level 15 and im not getting xp for most stuff anything around the level 12 range is too hard for me to solo. i like dual wielding but it would mean de-equiping my rune arm so i doubt that will work and the tempest is quite the AP hog to really get going.

i also noticed that the dragon mage(cant remember the name) epic destiny is no for artificer and that the bard goes well with the artificer. im planning to go magister/shadowdancer for my first run then get the dragon mage later or make a dragon born for that idk.

any and all suggestions will help.


side note: if i go favored soul and pick wisdom for hit/dmg if my wis is lower will i still get at least the damage boost? is it like how str just adds damage? if thats the case then i really need to re-roll this toon her damge output in melee is just not enough.

Hi and welcome to DDO! :)

In order to help the best, I need to know what you're aiming for in this character. I see you've mentioned dual wielding (I believe with daggers?) as well as the electrical spells, and also the rune arm. While you can do this by changing weapons, you will probably find it easier to focus on either dual wielding or rune arm use and supplement one of those choices with the electric spells. Normally I wouldn't add this, but since you did say you weren't sure where to go with the class, typically artificers focus on using a repeating crossbow + rune arm, supplementing themselves with the spell casting. On occasion they use a melee weapon + rune arm, but unless you're a warforged you'll have a rough time since you won't be able to self-heal without a fair amount of another class like cleric or Favored Soul.

The crafting bonus is cool, but isn't super powerful and you won't miss it that much on a non-artificer while crafting. You can certainly take advantage of it, but don't feel like you need artificer in order to craft :)

Being an iconic character, you will be "locked in" to whatever build you go with until you reach level cap (30) before being able to reincarnate, if desired. I'd suggest taking whatever advice you like from here and seeing if it works with your build as is, or if you're better off restarting.

Draconic Incarnation (the dragon destiny) works for Artificer if you're focused on the spellcasting side, but otherwise another destiny like Divine Crusader (heals, dps) or Legendary Dreadnaught (more dps, but no heals) would be better, yes. Shadowdancer also would work well, being Intelligence based if you take the crossbow option. Magister is nice, but not as strong for casting as Draconic Incarnation. That being said, it will get the job done if you prefer it :)

FvS Wis to damage/to hit is a cool ability, but keep in mind it's only while using your deity's preferred weapon and while having the majority of your class levels FvS (meaning 11+ by level 20).

Take everything you read with a grain of salt too, since a lot of people will so there's only 1 or 2 correct ways to build a certain class. While that may be true in the most difficult content of the game, you don't need to (and most likely won't be able to, as a 1st life character) run things on that high of a difficulty setting. Do what you want to do :)

[kanordog]

Basic melee/caster build with self-healing:

New Build
18/2 Artificer/Rogue
Shadar-kai




Level Order


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




Stats
. . . . . . . .32pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 14. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 10. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 16. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 16. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . 14. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . .6. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT


Skills
. . . . . R .A .A .A .A .A .A .A .A .A .A .A .A .R. A. A. A. A. A. A
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. . .1 .3 .3 .3 .2 .1 .23
Spellcr . 2 . . . . . 2. 2. 2. 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. . .2 .1 .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
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
UMD . . . 4 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Jump. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7. . . . . . . . .1 .12
Balance . 4 .1 .1 .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tumble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ½. . . ½
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .32 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8 .8 .8 12 .8 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9
. . . . .44 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8 .8 .8 12 .8 .9 .9 .9 .9 .9




Feats


.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.3. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
.5 Arti . : Maximize Spell
.6. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
.9. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
.9 Arti . : Empower Spell
12. . . . : Construct Essence
13 Arti . : Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Heighten Spell
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
18 Arti . : Improved Construct Essence
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Construct Exemplar
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Electricity
27 Epic . : Intensify Spell
28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos OR Embodiment of Law
30 Epic . : Master of: Artifice
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Air (better damage) OR Mechanus (better self heals)

Same build with slight changes for aoe melee damage, self-healing with potions/scrolls or cocoon:

Feats


.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.3. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
.5 Arti . : Maximize Spell
.6. . . . : Power Attack
.9. . . . : Cleave
.9 Arti . : Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
12. . . . : Great Cleave
13 Arti . : Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
18 Arti . : Empower Spell
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Heighten Spell
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Electricity
27 Epic . : Intensify Spell
28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos OR Embodiment of Law
30 Epic . : Master of: Artifice
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Air


Spells


Artificer

Inflict Light Damage, Repair Light Damage, Static Shock, Resist Energy, Shield of Faith, Conjure Bolts, Master's Touch
Repair Moderate Damage, Inflict Moderate Damage, Lightning Sphere, Elemental Weapons, Lucky Cape, Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance
Admixture: Cure Serious Wounds, Stoneskin, Lightning Bolt, Blast Rod
Inflict Critical Damage, Repair Critical Damage, Armor of Speed, Lightning Motes, Protection from Elements, Cold Iron Weapons
Tenser's Transformation, Silver Weapons, Prismatic Strike
Deadly Weapons, Reconstruct (take Blade Barrier if no self-healing)




Enhancements (80 AP)


Battle Engineer (35 AP)

Battle Engineer, Infused Weapons, Infused Armor, Infused Weapons II, Infused Armor II

Hand and a Half Training, Field Engineer III, Thaumaturgical Conduits III
Hand and a Half Training, Caustic Strike III, Action Boost: Power I
Hand and a Half Training, Intelligence
Hand and a Half Training, Haste Boost, Agility Engine III, Intelligence
Reconstructed Edges, Unlock Potential, Tactical Mobility



Arcanotechnician (28 AP)

Arcanotechnician, Palliative Admixture, Thaumaturgical Battery, Lightning Bolt

Static Shock III, Energy of Creation I, Uncaring Master, Spell Critical
Spell Critical
Lightning Sphere III, Spell Critical, Intelligence
Blast Rod III, Spell Critical, Intelligence



Harper Agent (17 AP) Get these in by level 14 so You will do attack and dmg from INT

Agent of Good I, Intelligence

Harper Enchantment, Traveler's Toughness II, Strategic Combat
Know the Angles III
Highly Skilled I, Strategic Combat, Intelligence




PS.: Having 400 levels in crafting after the update artificier levels don't mean much anymore so You can be just as good as crafting with another class.