Returning player. Just need some advice

[RanokAlseen]

Where do i start.
I am a original DDO founder. I played in Beta and literally logged on the hour it went live.
Used to run on Khyber with Keepers of the arcane. Played from 2006 - 2012 then came briefly in 2016.
I still have all of my original characters including Elayne Trakand who was my first character.

I was there when the Titan finally fell. There when reaching level 10 and killing the vampire on elite was the tip of the mountain. My white scale dragon armor is still my proudest piece of armor because of what I went through to get it.

So no not a new player. But definitely new to this DDO.
Came back because I heard everything is open till aug 30th.

I have multiple L20 characters and two L18’s.
Wondering where to start here.
How do I get to the expansions?

What is the enhancements? And can I find a character builder app or helper?

About quests... trying to figure out how to play those and if the old quest finder is still relevant?

Is it better that I just start a new character and start over till I understand it a bit more?

[Nebless]

Sounds like you need to go back in with the mindset that you're a new player. And to that end it wouldn't hurt to create a new character if you've got slots available to get back in the swing of things. Make it the same class as your main to make the transition smoother.

For the expansions and any quest really the wiki is your friend. Ravenloft the lowest level expansion can be gotten to via House P, it's more or less south of the teleport portal. I mention it because after making it through the first quest that leads to the wilderness area, there's an NPC there that will give you a heroic (lvl 10) weapon and if you enter the wilderness on epic, he'll give you an epic weapon. I don't know how you're currently fixed for weapons, but for most these are great.

[RanokAlseen]

Thanks. I’ll try to start out new. Just to get my bearings back.

I see a lot of familiar things.
Not sure on the weapons. I mean top of the line 4 years ago but not sure how they apply today.
My best wep... I think .. is my +5 holy burst falchion. At the time would give HP hits due to my chars high crit ratings.
Not sure how that applies to the current game.

But truly thank you for replying.

[C-Dog]

WB!

<enjoys stories of "back in the day">

To get a feel for characters, (re-)Start Here:


o Build Repository (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/470423-Build-Repository?p=5759353&viewfull=1#post5759353)
o Kent's Custom Character Builds (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/453843-Kent-s-custom-Character-Builds?p=5504615&viewfull=1#post5504615)
o Request a Build, Get a Build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/117232-Request-a-Build-Get-a-Build?p=1287726&viewfull=1#post1287726)

You'll note that thread is not brand new. Most(!) of the builds are still quite serviceable, and "most" haven't changed (or not significantly).If you're unsure about something specific, copy/paste (or link) and ask in these forums.


Perhaps the biggest exception is Sorcerer - EK enhancement tree pass means that a 2-element sorcie is not as strong as a 1-Savant+EK (Force) split.

See:

o EK & Falconry AP breakdown https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/514654-Sorc-capstone-any-point-to-having-other-elemental-damage?p=6320307&viewfull=1#post6320307

o Tiefling Fire Sorc; & 1-savant w/ Eldritch Knight AP's (read critiques, not "everyone" agress w/ all details, but the basics are there)
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/506304-The-Best-Way-To-Level-Fire-Sorcerer-Build?p=6221078&viewfull=1#post6221078
& "critique" https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/515088-1st-life-28-point-builds?p=6325235&viewfull=1#post6325235
& summary https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/510951-First-Life-Sorcerer-level-17-Please-help-with-a-build?p=6276949&viewfull=1#post6276949

Note that doing a quest first time on Reaper (any difficulty) adds a big chunk of XP - it's FAR easier to level now, so many builds are "Reaper ready" -


o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/499845-Tempest-rangers-for-all-folks-old-and-new-R10-Viable-Tempest-ranger-build

o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/496755-Morroiel-s-Reaper-Build-Repository-Extravaganza?p=6101465&viewfull=1#post6101465

Solid non-Inquis ranged:
o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/488109-12-Artificer-6-Fighter-2-Monk-Reaper-Build?p=6079661&viewfull=1#post6079661


Also, another big change is the advent of "Universal" trees, that you have to buy/earn but can be applied to almost anything. Harper is in the above, and give Int to Hit/Damage. Falconry is the same w/ Wis. VKF is a strong addition to 2 weapon fighting. Inquisitive is the FotM, absurdly powerful crossbow build, and "the" build atm.

Usually something like a Rogue 6/Arti 6/Fighter 10, something in that direction.

Typical Inquis:


o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/505941-8-Ranger-8-Rogue-4-Arti-Inquisitor-Heroic-TR-build?p=6215664&viewfull=1#post6215664

As always, see Wiki for details

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Enhancements



For a character planner, 2 choices

1) "Lite" - very intuitive, focuses on basics. Very forum-friendly read-out. No longer supported by the original designer, but good enough that others have taken up the torch and kept it current (which tells you something!). Go to last page for latest.

o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/455712-Character-Builder-Lite?p=5534437&viewfull=1#post5534437

(Comes w/ a great Cannith Crafting Planner/resource, and a "Quest Compendium" (that is about a year behind new releases)


2) "Detailed" - includes all(!) details and final totals and caps (Dodge, Dex to Armor, etc etc etc). Highly detail oriented, including final gearing etc. More of a DOS read-out look.

o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/487211-DDO-Character-Planner?p=6325543&viewfull=1#post6325543

[Enkidu]

Where do i start.
I am a original DDO founder. I played in Beta and literally logged on the hour it went live.
Used to run on Khyber with Keepers of the arcane. Played from 2006 - 2012 then came briefly in 2016.
I still have all of my original characters including Elayne Trakand who was my first character.

I was there when the Titan finally fell. There when reaching level 10 and killing the vampire on elite was the tip of the mountain. My white scale dragon armor is still my proudest piece of armor because of what I went through to get it.

So no not a new player. But definitely new to this DDO.
Came back because I heard everything is open till aug 30th.

I have multiple L20 characters and two L18’s.
Wondering where to start here.
How do I get to the expansions?

What is the enhancements? And can I find a character builder app or helper?

About quests... trying to figure out how to play those and if the old quest finder is still relevant?

Is it better that I just start a new character and start over till I understand it a bit more?

First, find a friendly guild. Guild ships have nice buffs to help you out. Second, post here what you want to play and we can help you out. The build page lists lots of serviceable builds, but it helps to understand why they made the choices they did and how to leverage them. Good builds are all about synergy and getting the most out of your choices instead of just going with random choices that look good. Most of the packs you can just walk up to, but some you need to run a quest series to reach. Ask you guildies or us here if you have any questions. And go to house J for Ravenloft...

[ccheath776]

Thanks for all of that.

[SirValentine]

How do I get to the expansions?


MotU: Eveningstar. Run quest chain starting with "Lords of Dust", located in the Harbor, near "Bringing The Light".
Shadowfail: Same, Wheloon & Storm Horns are located off of Eveningstar.
Ravenloft: Barovia. Run quest "Into the Mists", located in House Jorasco, sort of near "Tempest Spine".
Sharn: Sharn. NPC in Harbor, or guild ship can take you there.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

harn: Sharn. NPC in Harbor, or guild ship can take you there.

That MASSIVE new ship there ... The NPC looks like being from high society ...

[C-Dog]

How do I get to the expansions?
The Wiki should(!) have info explaining that for each.

https://ddowiki.com/page/Masterminds_of_Sharn (etc.)

If you find that it doesn't, or that it's not as clear as it should be to new eyes*, please post and let us know (or send me a PM) and it'll get fixed.

(* One large problem w/ being an editor is seeing information as a new user would see it, and not approaching it "knowing" what you're looking for.)

[Tyrande]

Where do i start.
I am a original DDO founder. I played in Beta and literally logged on the hour it went live.
Used to run on Khyber with Keepers of the arcane. Played from 2006 - 2012 then came briefly in 2016.
[...]

Is it better that I just start a new character and start over till I understand it a bit more?

Welcome back! It looks like you missed everything after MoTU was released.
Well, you could TR one of your level 20 characters and then start a-new.

Or if you're into Epics, take one of your level 20 characters and lesser-reincarnate them and pick the trees, and then head into one of the expansions like MoTU and start from Eveningstar.

[ccheath776]

Welcome back! It looks like you missed everything after MoTU was released.
Well, you could TR one of your level 20 characters and then start a-new.

Or if you're into Epics, take one of your level 20 characters and lesser-reincarnate them and pick the trees, and then head into one of the expansions like MoTU and start from Eveningstar.

Thanks for all of this. From everyone.

Truly been great coming back. The game seems to be intact and just a lot of dressing up done to it.
Going to Reincarnate one of my original chars and start anew. Seems the best course.

I am on the lookout for a guild.