New Player Nedds Help!!!!

[AndreLopes]

Hello everyone, hope this message finds u all with good spirit!!!!

Yesterday, i invested in this game, and ended up buying DDO coins, and invested in veteran status and 32 points build. With that being said, i would like to ask a couple questions, and to get some feedback from the comunity of this game :D

1. My first character was a rogue and i managed to get him to lvl 7 by questing, but i know i messed that char alot. So how to build a puré rogue build??? what should i go for and aim for??? i like the idea of open locks and disarm traps and be helpfull in group contente, but most of the time i end playing solo.

2. Since im mostly a solo player, and usually play melee classes, what classes and builds would u guys to recomend me????

3. Pls be gente with me since i dont have mutch knowledge of the game, in terms of terms and 2nd life, and all those things :D

I would like to thank you all for taking time to read this post, and helping me

best regards,

Andé Lopes

[Iriale]

Hello everyone, hope this message finds u all with good spirit!!!!

Yesterday, i invested in this game, and ended up buying DDO coins, and invested in veteran status and 32 points build. With that being said, i would like to ask a couple questions, and to get some feedback from the comunity of this game :D

1. My first character was a rogue and i managed to get him to lvl 7 by questing, but i know i messed that char alot. So how to build a puré rogue build??? what should i go for and aim for??? i like the idea of open locks and disarm traps and be helpfull in group contente, but most of the time i end playing solo.

2. Since im mostly a solo player, and usually play melee classes, what classes and builds would u guys to recomend me????

3. Pls be gente with me since i dont have mutch knowledge of the game, in terms of terms and 2nd life, and all those things :D

I would like to thank you all for taking time to read this post, and helping me

best regards,

Andé Lopes
I know you say you usually play melee characters, but for a new player rogue I would recommend mechanic rogue with xbow. First, because as a new player it is much easier to reach the DC of the traps if the character is int-based, and the mechanic is a rogue based on int. Second, because a ranged character helps balance a typical new player's weak gear (the less you get hit, the less you will die)

But if you prefer melee, for what did you lean? Acrobat or assasin? The advice we can give you will be different in one case than in another. Although a mechanic rogue is probably easier for a new player, everything is possible, do not worry. If you prefer to make a melee from other classes it is also feasible. The important thing is that you like the style of play of the class. You can be advised to make the best possible character within your possibilities with any class. No class is bad for a new player, although some builds are more difficult than others.

So, what do you really want to play? From there, we can advise you. First choose the concept you want to play.

[AndreLopes]

i usually tend to be a warrior in other mmo. i like the concept of having a 2H weapon and i like to pull the mobs to me and do decente amounts of dmg. i was looking to classes and barbarian/fighter sound fun i think, but again my knowledge is low

SO i would like to know more about Rogue/Barbarian/Figther.

Ty for the help

[Selvera]

I'll agree that mechanic is the easiest/best rogue for a new player, but if the OP wants melee, I suggest going theif acrobat.

TA (quaterstaff rogue) gets sweeping strikes; which is not only a great AoE attack, but also a great CC which gives you a few seconds to quickly dispose of some or all of the enemies which were attacking you; and reduces the damage you take by a significant margin. TA can also get very high dodge, some bonuses to PRR and improved defensive roll; making them not quite as paper as other rogues for defenses.

Of course, take assassin at least as far as Shiv, even on a thief acrobat. It has no weapon requirement (other then melee) and greatly increases your single target damage when soloing, for minimal investment.

For barbarian; go pure 20 barbarian and use a 2 handed weapon. Beyond that - all 3 trees have some nice goodies in them, pick a primary tree and a secondary tree and have fun, it'll be fairly strong. Barbarian self-healing after level 12 is pretty good.

For fighter their DPS with kensai is pretty good, and their defenses with stalwart defender is pretty good, they're versatile, good at any fighting style (THF, TWF, SWF, S+B, Ranged), pick one and focus on it. Their main weakness is low saves and slow/difficult self healing. Bring hirelings everywhere you go and learn how to keep them alive despite their incredibly stupid AI. It's a lot of parking them on passive and fighting without them.

[Iriale]

i usually tend to be a warrior in other mmo. i like the concept of having a 2H weapon and i like to pull the mobs to me and do decente amounts of dmg. i was looking to classes and barbarian/fighter sound fun i think, but again my knowledge is low

SO i would like to know more about Rogue/Barbarian/Figther.

Ty for the help
Certainly barbarian or fighter are good choices for what you want. The rogue is a more fragile class to be melee, but the other two are melee classes par excellence.

My advice is: do not try to make multiclass with your first characters, become characters of a single class, and learn the style of game and the strengths and weaknesses of the build. When you have more experience with the play, you can experiment with multiclass. When you do multiclass, it is much easier to destroy the build than when you become a pure character.

For a fighter or a barbarian, put str as high as you can and at least constitution 14. Although the race does not matter, races that do not penalize the constitution or str will make life easier as a new player. Of the free races, human, halforc or dwarf are very good races for melee, but others would work too.

Try to put a bit of int to the build, because it is needed for some feats, and it will help you level up more skills. The important feats are two-weapon fighting (improved / greater), power attack, improved critical. You can try stunning blow too, if you make it work it's fantastic. If you have room for cleave and great cleave, great (with fighter is easy, with barbarian do not try, in their enhancements has cleaves as special attacks). I suggest that your first feat at lv 1 is power attack. If you are human, add Two-weapon figthing or stunning blow.

The most important skills are intimidate, jump and umd. UMD can be frustrating as a new player, if you see that it surpasses you, you will catch it in your second life. You probably do not have more points left, but if you have them, balance is useful too. Normally, when you play in a group, people expect you to use resurrection scrolls to help fallen comrades, but they will understand that a new player can not reach the UMD value (it is possible to do so, with a swap to an item that benefits charisma and umd, and try at least from second life, if you see it difficult in the first)

Try to find a decent weapon and armor, a deadly object, str and con items, and an object of resistance. This is the most important equipment for a melee, especially in heroics: what allows you to do damage, and what allows you to survive. Over time you'll already see if you can add an object that will add to stunning, for example, and some refinements such as false life objects, etc. For the moment, focus on getting the basic objects. The basic offensive stats will be: str, deadly, and later, stunning bonuses. The basic defensive stats are AC (armor, natural armor or protection items), more life (more constitution, false life), resistance for saving throws. Of course, as you level up, there are more bonuses to those stats (parrying, melee power, etc), but do not get overwhelmed, that will be achieved over time. Have the bases covered and you will not go bad. From level 6-8, try to add a sheltering object, because the prr also helps your survival a lot. Potions of cure serious wounds, remove blindness, remove curse, remove disease, neutralize poison, and lesser restoration are VERY useful. It's easy to find people willing to give you a little platinum to buy your first potions, and they really are worth it. Most of these potions, if not all, can be purchased at the marketplace. The guild seller has them all (if you belong to a guild)

When playing solo, use hirelings for healing. They can be very stupid, so better leave them standing and call them to heal between fights. Scrolls and therefore UMD is useful to resurrect the hirelings too, but do not be overwhelmed.

Try those classes, you should do good damage with them and they are fun if you like melees. Many new players enjoy the barbarian, because it is simple to build and does a lot of damage, and even from certain levels has some healing while fighting. The well-built fighter also does a lot of damage, but having so many feats is a bit more complicated to build. If you have survival problems, the paladin does less damage, but has much better defenses, it's another option.

The enhancements may seem the hardest part because there is a lot to choose from, but in reality they are the easy part because they are very easy to erase and reposition, compared to other stats that would require a complete reespecialization of the character. Therefore, it is quite easy to test a configuration, and if you do not like it, delete it and try a different one. Right now I do not have a screenshot of a typical two-handed barbarian or kensai, but I'm sure someone can put one, without forgetting that with the enhancements it is possible to experiment without risk to destroy the build.

[jskinner937]

i usually tend to be a warrior in other mmo. i like the concept of having a 2H weapon and i like to pull the mobs to me and do decente amounts of dmg. i was looking to classes and barbarian/fighter sound fun i think, but again my knowledge is low

SO i would like to know more about Rogue/Barbarian/Figther.

Ty for the help

If you want to play rogue, I agree start as a mechanic and xbow your way through heroics. Xbox are very OP and keep you at a safe distance even during solo play. The biggest issue with rogue as a first lifer is it is squishy so doing higher level content (elite and reaper) even with considerable game knowledge will be next to impossible if you want to melee. If you are not running elite+ difficulty, and still insist on playing a melee on a first lifer, an investment in the universal enhancement tree, Vistani, will be perfect for you. It has so much goodies in it, that not only slice up heroics (using daggers of course), but also keep you alive. The issue is this can only be unlocked. You get one of three ways....1.)buying one of the two upgraded Ravenloft expansion pack bundles (Collectors Edition would be the best value and best way IMHO), 2.) Farm 180 favor on any toon on your account from Keepers of the Feathers (which requires Ravenloft Expansion anyways), or 3.) Buy in DDO store for 495 points. I am not going to tell you the best way to get it, but I will tell you that you want Ravenloft as this is currently the must own expansion pack in the game due to best gear at level 10 and level 28/29. Not to mention the best race (Aasimar) is part of that pack as well.

As far as THF, it will dominate heroics if built right because of AOE attackes such as cleave, great cleave, supreme cleave, etc. But in epics THF falls short of SWF and TWF. Barbarian is definitely something to consider taking to 20 then TRing for an extra 10HP at level 1 on your next life. Another avenue would be to consider a first life paladin build. This is a very newbie friendly class with many multi class options, including a few levels of rogue if you want. Just make sure you end up with more paladin levels at 20 than anything else as the past life feat from Paladin is undoubtedly the best benefit for any melee character (+10 Healing Amp). This allows potions, scrolls, wands or any other incoming source of healing to be amplified and will allowing easier soloing and better survivability.

Other good first life options (do not really fit your style however) are warlock (can multiclass to trap) and artificer (can trap inherently). Although arty can be built for melee too but would require multiclassing with Eldrich Knight, Fighter or Barbarian to be efficient. Monk is another great melee survivable class. But all of these requires purchase of the class or VIP to access. Bard is also not a bad choice for a first lifer and can multiclass with rogue (2 levels all you need) and do a lot of what you want to do with self healing.

[archest]

Rogue is a high dex reflex ranged character unless you multi classing and adding rouge abilities.
currently doing a dwarf /fighter 10/rouge 10.
with the extra skill points you can max out UMD as well.
its tr 3rd life toon.
has very good eq and maxed lock pick and disable.
trapmaking works well as an added defensive delay to mobs.
the ac and prr mrr are high enough to limit Prr damage to 50% with almost as high magical damage limit.
I try and use non clickable enhancements as much as possible the type of attacks grow too numerous and the delay also interferes with mob defenses
the passive effects are weakened.
He uses a ranged repeater an then a battle axe or shield and battle axe .
shield adds more prr.

what im getting at the muticlassing places the lacking PRR and MRR into the toon.
Race will play a big part in that as well.
racial enhancement tree, rouge mechanic for trapping, fighter for defensive hand to hand.
UMD for spell casting with out the arcane failure of a wiz.
healing wads and scrolls / protection wands and scrolls (Buffing)

I have a pure rouge human but its not a mob fighter its a running away trapper with a repeater.

[Rusty_Can]

i usually tend to be a warrior in other mmo.

SO i would like to know more about Rogue/Barbarian/Figther.

Ty for the help

I'll propose something different, newbie-friendly yet solid:
- elf, 1 rogue/18 ranger/1 whatever;
- built-in full melee capability: rangers get the whole Two Weapon Fighting line for free;
- built-in ranged capability: rangers get for free all the main archery feats;
- built-in survivability: Evasion, self-healing via spells and wands, a bunch of useful spells (eg. elemental resistance, freedom of movement);
- solid enhancement trees;
- plenty of skill points: the rogue level will unlock Disable Device and Open Lock skills, which are rogue and artificer only; rangers get plenty of skill points (6 + INT modifier) and you will be able to keep all the relevant trapping skills maxed (Spot, Search, Disable Device, Open Lock) and then some;
- elf can access the dragonmark of shadow, which provides invisibility and displacement spell-like-abilities (SLA).
- since the class provides free TWF and archery feats, you have plenty of room to manoeuver and customize your build; some feat candidates: dragonmark of shadow (Invisibility and displacement), Extend (helps with dragonmark of shadow SLAs and buff spells), Quicken (useful to self-heal in combat), Improved Critical: <insert weapon choice>.

[MacRighteous]

Reading through your post and considering your preferences and in light of the fact that you're a new player without a lot of game knowledge or gear I would make recommendations based on your criteria:

You say you like the idea of picking locks
You say you like THF melee

You need solid DPS
You need survivability
You need to self heal (as a mostly solo player)

Since it is your first life and you are new you prolly want a straight forward build that requires little build/game knowledge and basic gear to make it work

You also would want some QoL (quality of life) abilities

Sounds to me like you need what we used to call an Evasion Paladin - Even though its considered outdated it's still a solid build that will serve new players well and meets all of the requirements outlined above

THF Human Paladin/Rogue/Fighter 15/3/2 with Dragonmark of Passage
Here are the specs from my notes - prolly needs re-worked to fit today's meta - If I had more time this morning I would give it a pass - maybe others can help you if this seem to fit.

Evasion Paladin
Lawful Good Human
(15 Paladin / 3 Rogue / 2 Fighter)

Abilities 28pt 32pt
Strength 16 18
Dexterity 12 10
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 14 14

Skills Ranks
Concentration 23
UMD 23
Heal 12
Jump 6
Open Lock 6
Balance 4
Intimidate 4
Haggle 4
Swim 3
Tumble 1

Feats
1 : Power Attack
1H: Least Dragonmark of Passage
2F: Cleave
3 : Two Handed Fighting
3P: Follower of the Sovereign Host
6 : Great Cleave
8P: Unyielding Sovereignty
9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Empower Healing Spell
15 : Quicken Spell
18 : Improved Two Handed Fighting
19F: Greater Two Handed Fighting

Human (17 AP)
Core: Human Versatility: Damage
Core: Human Adaptability: Strength
Core: Human Versatility: Saves
Core: Greater Adaptability: Constitution
Tier 1: Orien Dragonmark Focus III
Tier 1: Improved Recovery
Tier 2: Lesser Dragonmark Focus
Tier 3: Improved Recovery
Tier 4: Improved Recovery

Knight of the Chalice (39 AP)
Core: Slayer of Evil I
Core: Courage of Heaven
Core: Slayer of Evil II
Core: Improved Courage of Heaven
Tier 1: Extra Turn Undead II
Tier 1: Extra Remove Disease III
Tier 1: Extra Smite Evil II
Tier 2: Divine Might III
Tier 2: Extra Smite Evil II
Tier 3: Improved Restoration III
Tier 3: Divine Sacrifice I
Tier 3: Vigor of Life
Tier 3: Exalted Smite III
Tier 3: Strength
Tier 4: Vigor of Life
Tier 5: Vigor of Life
Tier 5: Sealed Life

Sacred Defender (15 AP)
Core: Holy Bastion
Tier 1: Extra Lay On Hands III
Tier 1: Sacred Armor Mastery III
Tier 2: Bulwark Aura III
Tier 3: Resistance Aura III
Tier 3: Constitution

Kensei (6 AP)
Core: Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades
Tier 1: Weapon Group Specialization
Tier 1: Haste Boost III

Assassin (3 AP)
Core: Knife in the Darkness
Tier 1: Sneak Attack Training

Incidentally - When I first started playing I messed up several versions of rogue/fighters, fighter/clerics and fighter/wizard/rogues
(usually they all fell apart around level 7 or 8) before Mr. Cow told me to play this paladin and I don't regret it. I could handle all
content and got to see what every locked door and chest held.


good luck

[ice584]

invested in veteran status and 32 points build

how to build a pure rogue build?

what classes and builds would u guys to recommend me?

Well...if you've got 32-point build, enjoy two-handed fighting (THF) melee style, and want a pure rogue build...this is probably something like what I would start with.

Some notes on why I chose certain things, for your awareness:
- Precision over Power Attack because IMO you would do better with the attack boost and fort bypass than extra flat damage, but others will probably disagree
- the THF feats require 17 base STR, Epic Toughness requires 21 base CON
- starting stats and level-up abilities chosen this way for efficiency and to meet requirements.
- Since STR and DEX are going to be relatively similar it should also allow you to utilize either STR or DEX based on gear you start finding as you level. In the end, you'll want to focus on DEX because it also boosts things like your reflex save and skills.
- Recommending the THF feats over Cleave/Great Cleave so that you can focus more on positioning, gameplay, and using your Rogue abilities instead of timing your cleaves.
- I included a single +2 CON tome in the build. If you can make it to 1750 total favor by level 27 you can get that tome for free. That *shouldn't* be too difficult to achieve if you're running all quests on Normal then Hard. If you can run with groups now and again for Elite that should help a lot.
- There's a lot of good stuff in Theif Acrobat so I spent a lot there, but enhancements are easy to respec and you'll get a feel for what you like as you're leveling. So maybe start with some things I've laid out, but try others and see what works for you. If you do that, by the time you get to higher levels you'll have fleshed out a good setup for your style of play.

Assuming you'll also buy Epic Destinies sometime down the road once you hit Epics...
I would choose Grandmaster of Flowers to start (which may sound strange, but stay with me here) and level up a few other destinies in this order as you're making your way to level 30:
Grandmaster of Flowers > Unyielding Sentinel > Legendary Dreadnought > Shiradi Champion.

This way, you should be able to pick up the Destiny feats and twists I've laid out with only needing those 4 destinies (to cap), plus Shadowdancer to tier 1.
You might have to farm destiny XP a little as you level (so that you meet the pre-requisites for Destiny feats)...but doing it this way should minimize that a great deal. Plus, usually for me early Epics aren't terribly hard so you can be in GMoF for that, then mid Epics you will be in Sentinel and Dreadnought which should give you some more power. Then once you've made it to Shiradi you should have some gear and twists to help make it through that without too much problem.

Welcome to DDO and happy hunting. :)

Newbie_20-Rog
Rogue 20
Neutral Good Human


Stats
. . . . . . . .32pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 16. . . . . . . . 4: STR
Dexterity . . . 15. . . . . . . . 8: CON
Constitution. . 16. . . .+2. . . 12: CON
Intelligence. . 12. . . . . . . .16: CON
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . . . . . .20: DEX
Charisma. . . . .8. . . . . . . .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
Jump. . . 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
UMD . . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Hide. . . 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 22
Tumble. . 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 Handed Fighting
.1 Human. : Dodge
.3. . . . : Precision
.6. . . . : Mobility
.9. . . . : Improved Two Handed Fighting
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
15. . . . : Greater Two Handed Fighting
18. . . . : Spring Attack
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Toughness
26 Destiny: Holy Strike
27 Epic . : Epic Toughness
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
29 Destiny: Elusive Target
30 Epic . : Blinding Speed
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

10 Rogue. : Improved Evasion
13 Rogue. : Slippery Mind
16 Rogue. : Defensive Roll
19 Rogue. : Opportunist


Enhancements (80 AP)

Thief-Acrobat (63 AP) Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler, Kip Up, Cartwheel Charge, Followthrough Acrobat Staff Training, Thief Acrobatics III, Fast Movement
Acrobat Staff Training, Trip Focus III, Subtlety II, Quick Strike III, Haste Boost III
Acrobat Staff Training, Improved Glancing Blows III, Shadow Dodge III, Sweeping Strikes III, Dexterity
Acrobat Staff Training, Improved Defensive Roll III, Staff Lunge III, Dexterity
Acrobat Staff Training, Staff Specialization, Spinning Staff Wall, Vault
Assassin (17 AP) Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick Shiv III, Sneak Attack Training
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training
Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity

Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
Constitution
Constitution
Lightning Mace, Constitution
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Pulverizer
Twists of Fate (12 fate points) Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)
Technician (Tier 1 Shadowdancer)
Perfect Balance (Tier 1 Flowers)

[Iriale]

Well, he has not said he wants to play rogue now, but he has played a rogue up to level 7 and now he wants to try another build, and he was thinking of THF barbarian or fighter (that in addition to the style of game that he likes fit more than the rogue)

He has already tried rogue, why do not you give him barbarian or fighter builds? And in my opinion, better not be multiclass. For a new player, multiclass builds can be a trap.

[Coffey]

Try to put a bit of int to the build, because it is needed for some feats, and it will help you level up more skills. The important feats are two-weapon fighting (improved / greater), power attack, improved critical. You can try stunning blow too, if you make it work it's fantastic. If you have room for cleave and great cleave, great (with fighter is easy, with barbarian do not try, in their enhancements has cleaves as special attacks). I suggest that your first feat at lv 1 is power attack. If you are human, add Two-weapon figthing or stunning blow.

The most important skills are intimidate, jump and umd. UMD can be frustrating as a new player, if you see that it surpasses you, you will catch it in your second life. You probably do not have more points left, but if you have them, balance is useful too. Normally, when you play in a group, people expect you to use resurrection scrolls to help fallen comrades, but they will understand that a new player can not reach the UMD value (it is possible to do so, with a swap to an item that benefits charisma and umd, and try at least from second life, if you see it difficult in the first)

The enhancements may seem the hardest part because there is a lot to choose from, but in reality they are the easy part because they are very easy to erase and reposition, compared to other stats that would require a complete reespecialization of the character. Therefore, it is quite easy to test a configuration, and if you do not like it, delete it and try a different one. Right now I do not have a screenshot of a typical two-handed barbarian or kensai, but I'm sure someone can put one, without forgetting that with the enhancements it is possible to experiment without risk to destroy the build.

Some very good advice here. Get your feats in order as a template first and the enhancement AP is flexible.

This is an example of feats for a Human (extra feat for human race at level 1) THF Fighter that has worked well for me as a Tactical build. Nothing special but effective:

Feats:
1. Power Attack, Two Handed Fighting, Cleave
2. Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
3. Stunning Blow
4. Great Cleave
6. Improved Two Handed Fighting, Tactical Training
8. Improved Critical Slashing Weapons
9. Tactical Combatant
10. Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
12. Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons, Tactical Master
14. Greater Two Handed Fighting
15. Heavy Armor Champion
16. Tactical Supremacy
18. Heavy Armor Master, Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
20. Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons

The Tactical Fighter Feats will allow you to use Stunning Blow and Trip a lot more effectively.
Also adding enhancements for extra tactical DCs in the Kensai tree and strength (which icreases tactical DCs) adds from both Stalwart Defender and Kensai trees (10 Strength including +6 from Greater Stalwart Defense).

Also with a 32 pt build starting with the following Abilities:
Strength 18 + all level ups
Dexterity 8
Constitution 16
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 8
Charisma 12 (This ability stat helps increase skills UMD and Intimidate)

[C-Dog]

Welcome to the game!

In my sig (below) is a link re "The Basics of DDO" - that. (And if you're not VIP, the "Adventure Packs" info too.)

Beyond that, make and test classes. Some people swear that "X Class/Build" is THE build for new players, others hate and loathe such builds and advise 180 degrees the opposite. Some people love Warlock, or Pale Masters, or Sorcies, or Barbs, others find them BORiiiing! And etc. No one can advise you on what you will find "fun" except yourself, and you'll have to be the test pilot for those flights.

GL!

[Rawcats]

Use a hireling as a rez shrine. Park him somewhere safe, and only call him when ya need a heal/rez.