[New Player] Help needed in creating a DROW RANGER/FIGHTER/ROGUE ranged hybrid?

[Sunbeamz]

Hello all,

First of all I hope this is not too much of a noob topic - I am new, yes, but please note I have spent countless hours browsing through DDO WIKI, these forums, some random REDIT discussions, etc. I am coming from 15 years in WoW, but after 2 months of playing a test toon (arcane acid arrow elf ranger based on Strimtom's guide - but I think it is pretty outdated?) I can see that DDO is entirely different story, much more complex and less new player friendly. There is so much to learn… And a character build is very easy to screw up. However I am willing to learn, take my time and invest money and years in a proper DDO character.

Now my first choice was a bow ranger. And I would really like to play a Drow, but I am afraid is not too much synergy between raw ranger and that race from what I have gathered online. So I thought about making a hybrid. But then I am afraid I will screw up something in between of leveling and choosing feats/skills/etc.

What build can you guys recommend for a Drow bow ranger? Some mix with a bard? Or a rogue? Or a fighter? Plus, it would be great if he had a tanking pet while I shot stuff. From what I have seen so far the summoned wolf or rat are usually okay for 2-3 mob packs, sometimes they get 1 shotted, especially in a place called The Temple of Elemental Evil which I have been soloing lately on my test arcane ranger level 6.

I play mainly solo and super-casually but like I said I am willing to invest some real life cash to get a proper toon and make it work on a long term basis? Thanks for your patience with this noob. ; )

[magaiti]

Ranger 20, Elf

Stats

28pt Level Up
---- --------
Strength 8 4: DEX
Dexterity 20 8: DEX
Constitution 12 12: DEX
Intelligence 8 16: DEX
Wisdom 14 20: DEX
Charisma 8 24: DEX
28: DEX

Skills: Balance, Heal, Spot, Search, Use Magic Device, 1 rank in Tumble

Feats

1 : Point Blank Shot
3 : Precision
6 : Least Dragonmark: Shadow
9 : Improved Critical: Ranged
12 : Dodge
15 : Mobility
18 : Shot on the Run
21 Epic : Combat Archery
22 Destiny: Holy Strike
24 Epic : Overwhelming Critical
25 Destiny: Doubleshot
27 Epic : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
30 Epic : Watchful Eye
30 Legend : Scion of Ethereal Plane

1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Construct
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Aberration
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Elemental
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Spells
1. Jump (4), Resist Energy (6), Ram's Might (14), Merfolk's Blessing (18)
2. Protection from Energy (8), Cure Light Wounds (10), Barkskin (16), <Any>
3. Cure Moderate Wounds (11), Neutralize Poison (12), Remove Disease (19), Wild Instincts (19)
4. Freedom of Movement (14), Cure Serious Wounds (15), <Any>, <Any>

Enhancements (Spent: 80 AP)

Elf (23 AP)
• Elven Accuracy, Elven Dexterity, Elven Accuracy II, Elven Dexterity II, Elven Accuracy III
1. Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus III, Aerenal Weapon Training
2. Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow, Aerenal Weapon Training
3. Greater Dragonmark of Shadow, Aerenal Weapon Training
4. Aerenal Weapon Training, Skill

Deepwood Stalker (42 AP)
• Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Sniper Shot, Advanced Sneak Attack, Mark of the Hunted, Horizon Shot
1. Stealthy III, Increased Empathy I
2. Survivalist, Melee/Range Power Boost III
3. Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt I, Favored Hunter III, Aimed Shot
4. Survivalist, Killer III, Merciful Shot, Leg Shot
5. Extra Favored Enemy: Vermin, Heavy Draw, Strikes Like Lightning, Head Shot, Improved Archer's Focus

Arcane Archer (15 AP)
• Arcane Archer, Morphic Arrows, Metalline Arrows
1. Conjure Arrows, Energy of the Wild III, Corrosive Arrows
2. Elemental Damage
3. Soul Magic, Elemental Damage

[spifflove]

Drow 1 rogue 1 monk 18 ranger

18 dex plus level ups
12 con
16 intel
14 wis

Key feat
Monk zen archery
Remain in wind stance.

Full discussion as to reasoning here:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/525507-Elf-Ranger-synergy-An-examination-of-old-and-new


Still I would like a leet builder to opinion. Also request a build get a build is best thread so others with the same query can find it.

[C-Dog]

First, welcome to the game!


I can see that DDO is entirely different story, much more complex and less new player friendly. There is so much to learn… And a character build is very easy to screw up.
You show wisdom beyond your experience, grasshopper. :cool:

Yes, all of the above - and you have no idea how many new players do not understand that! So, good start!...


However, I will say this - Drow do not have a lot of synergy with "Rangers". Yes, the stats work great for Dex Rangers, but the racial enhancements really don't*. So, if you're looking for a strong race, go Elf, but if you simply like Drow (and I do too!) and are willing to go with "less than optimal", then go Drow, np! Because "looks cool to me" is a factor many builds overlook. ;)


(* And in DDO, Enhancements are at least as important as the Stats and Feats combined!)


... after 2 months of playing a test toon (arcane acid arrow elf ranger based on Strimtom's guide - but I think it is pretty outdated?)
It's older, but not a lot has changed w/ Ranger. As written, that build is still solid; maybe not 100% META, but 98% anyway. If you're having problems with it, it's probably a "gear" issue - and new(er) players will always suffer that, unless they want to stop at every other character level and farm the named gear-of-the-week, which will then be replaced several/few levels later. :/



What build can you guys recommend for a Drow bow ranger? Some mix with a bard? Or a rogue? Or a fighter?
Ranger 20, Elf
... & Rogue??? :confused:

@ OP - Actually, the only real reason to go Rogue is to have Trapping ability, and many Rangers do that very thing! But if you're worried about DPS, no need to go anything but pure Ranger as posted above.

(This is because a "pure" build gets the class "Core" enhancements (https://ddowiki.com/page/Deepwood_Stalker_enhancements#Core_abilities) earlier, and that's a lot of power delayed by multi-classing. However, if those multi-class dips make leveling faster, that's a win - no single answer yes/no re "multi-classing", each trade off has to be weighed individually and then taken collectively for each build.)


I am willing to invest some real life cash to get a proper toon and make it work on a long term basis? Thanks for your patience with this noob. ; )
Drow 1 rogue 1 monk 18 ranger
No pressing reason to buy Monk for this build.

There are several classes and/or Enhancement Trees that you ~could~ buy - but you can earn many of them for free as you play the game (the way you earned Drow), and "non-Premium" builds can do just fine; again, 90% of the game META is still solid*. And you will have a better feel for the "baseline" build before you go buy something that someone else likes - but you may or may not.

Because "having fun" is the only common rule in this game, and at the end of the day, only you can say what is "fun" for you. :cool:


(* Just for comparison, this (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/525965-U50-Comprehensive-Guide-to-Bow-DPS?p=6452921#post6452921) is, arguably, THE strongest bow build currently. It uses a Premium Race, a Premium Class, and 4(!) Premium Enhancement trees - and more named twink gear than you can farm in 100 hours of playing. ymmv whether that's something you want to aim for, and your timeline for doing so. Fwiw, imho, not recommended for new(er) players. :cool:)


Hokay, all that said, here are some solid Ranger builds (the non-Drow can be tweaked by simply swapping those Racial AP's into a diff tree)

o Elf Bow Ranger (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/495428-Returning-Player-Help-Ranger-Rogue-Build?p=6086098&viewfull=1#post6086098)

o Diff spin on similar build (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/472671-Ranged-DPS-Ranger-that-can-deal-with-locks-and-traps?p=5793839&viewfull=1#post5793839)

o several discussions re Rangers (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/493011-Optimizing-DPS-for-Archer-Ranger-on-Herois-Levels?p=6054495&viewfull=1#post6054495)

Elfs can get "DM of Shadow", which is a SLA (Spell-like Ability) that gives Displacement, a flat 50% miss chance - which is huge in tough fights. Drow can't get that, so spend those dozen AP on Mechanic to get a boost to your new-player trapping skills, or (if pure Ranger) on getting a little more in the Ranger trees.

[Sunbeamz]

Thank you all for your kind help and warm welcome.

I will stick to the acid arrow build then, since the playstyle is okay for me and I find it fun.

What bothers me, though:

1/ Lack of decent tanking pet - if I take spell to summon rat/wolf they are pretty much as useful as my 8 month old son. Also most likely have same stamina... So what I do now is I use appropriate level hireling, but would feel better if I had a perma tanking pet. Any way to achieve that? I think I have seen some druids with a pet running through Harbor. Solo play for some bosses is tough, i.e. yesterday tried to solo the fungus demon lady in ToEE and failed miserably without any real support...

2/ Do rangers at any point get good AOE attacks? Tabbing every single target is okay for 3-4 mob packs, but later on I assume, some AOE would be more efficient.

Thanks for your time again.

[magaiti]

Thank you all for your kind help and warm welcome.

I will stick to the acid arrow build then, since the playstyle is okay for me and I find it fun.

What bothers me, though:

1/ Lack of decent tanking pet - if I take spell to summon rat/wolf they are pretty much as useful as my 8 month old son. Also most likely have same stamina... So what I do now is I use appropriate level hireling, but would feel better if I had a perma tanking pet. Any way to achieve that? I think I have seen some druids with a pet running through Harbor. Solo play for some bosses is tough, i.e. yesterday tried to solo the fungus demon lady in ToEE and failed miserably without any real support...

2/ Do rangers at any point get good AOE attacks? Tabbing every single target is okay for 3-4 mob packs, but later on I assume, some AOE would be more efficient.

Thanks for your time again.

Zuggtmoy is the most overpowered/unfair boss in DDO, not recommended to take on at level.

Sadly, Rangers don't get a pet. Only Druids, Artificers and Wizards do (wizards in the form of a skeleton knight).

I suppose you could play an elf wizard, unlock Arcane Archer tree via racial enhancements, and use a skeleton knight from wizard's Pale Master, but that's an advanced build and not een that strong.

On lower difficulties you might use a melee hireling for tanking, and heal him. Or just kite mobs.
On higher difficulties, well, play in a party.

The only AoE option ranged toons get is Improved Precise Shot, which makes your arrows fly through and hit all enemies in its path. Works reasonably well with kiting or shooting at enemies herded by a tank.

[Enderoc]

The closest thing to what you are talking about seems a monstrosity and unachievable by Drow...an Elven Arcane Archer Artificer.

[Enderoc]

I am sure someone could make it work

[Enderoc]

Now I am beginning to question if Rune Arm on an artificer even with the enhancements for repeaters are a match for Arcane Archer especially heavily invested in spellcraft.
You may have come upon a decent build after all. Who knows.? .it would need to be tried. Artificer grants many of the same feats a ranger has and if you went a bit borg you could self heal. Manyshot would be accessible which would be good.
Your pet would not suffer the neglect you impose on it in multiclassing either.

[magaiti]

Actually my idea was Elven Eldritch Knight Wizard Arcane Archer. It was built by Strimtom some time ago, and didn't work without several racial AP at the time.
But now since bows damage scales from DEX by default, it's actually possible to build with a 1st life toon.

Keep in mind that this is a flavor build, adequate DPS is not guaranteed, though Shiradi ED is overperforming at the moment.

race: elf.
Stats: DEX max (and all level ups), 12 Con, rest into Int.
leveling: 1 barbarian (for fast movement), 18 wizard, 1 fighter (to take Improved Precise shot as a heroic feat, as it requires 11 BAB).
Feats:
1 point blank shot
2 (wizard: augment summoning)
3 precise shot
6 rapid shot (wizard: extend)
9 precision
11 (wizard): quicken
12 Manyshot
15 Improved Critical Ranged
16 (wizard: maximize or something)
18 Weapon Focus Ranged (or anything you want)
20 (fighter) Improved Precise Shot
21 Combat Archery
22 Epic Spell Power Acid (or whatever elemental arrows you chose to have)
24 overwhelming critical
25 Doubleshot
27 watchful eye or anything
28: Harbinger of Chaos or something
30 improved augment summoning or anything, Legendary: Scion of Earth

AP:
14 Elf to unlock Arcane Archer tree
41 AA
21 EK (4 cores)
4 Pale Master - skeleton knight

epic destinies:
35 Shiradi
3 Primal Avatar (cocoon)
14 Shadowdancer (cores, sneak dice, shadowstriker)

[C-Dog]

1/ Lack of decent tanking pet - if I take spell to summon rat/wolf they are pretty much as useful as my 8 month old son...
There are no real tanking pets/summons in the game.

A Wizard that puts a LOT of AP into their Skellie can come close.

A good Hire can come close (usually a Pali or Fighter).

A Summons can distract opponents for a brief time - just let it go run ahead and get their attention before you step into the picture. Sometimes mobs even continue to pound on it after it's dead, which is both hilarious and handy (and cheesy). So even a L1 dog can work there.


Since Ranger 18 is all you need for Heroics (Epic play is another discussion), there are several ways you can go w/ the spare 2 class slots, and Wizard 1 (for either Empowered Healing or Maximize (same)) is one solid choice. Get Shield (for Reaper runs/etc), a 1 AP Invisibility, and the cheese dog distraction (and 1 other spell tbd) and you're set.

[Sunbeamz]

Actually my idea was Elven Eldritch Knight Wizard Arcane Archer. It was built by Strimtom some time ago, and didn't work without several racial AP at the time.
But now since bows damage scales from DEX by default, it's actually possible to build with a 1st life toon.

Keep in mind that this is a flavor build, adequate DPS is not guaranteed, though Shiradi ED is overperforming at the moment.

Thanks a lot!!! This is also really intresting. Although so much to mix... I am afraid I would mess everything up.. But most important question: Would it work with a drow? Yes I am a sucker for Drizzt novels, etc.

[magaiti]

Thanks a lot!!! This is also really intresting. Although so much to mix... I am afraid I would mess everything up.. But most important question: Would it work with a drow? Yes I am a sucker for Drizzt novels, etc.

No sorry, Drow don't have access to Arcane Archer tree via racial enhancements.

[C-Dog]

But most important question: Would it work with a drow?
What Mag' said.

However, with Drow you ~could~ do some sort of Ranger/Wizard hybrid, using the AA tree from Ranger. All you'd need is Ranger 5 to get AA Tier V (altho' you get Manyshot w/ Rgr 6*).


(* And Evasion at Ranger 9, but I think the spell ability is worth more than that detour. ymmv.)

As w/ Mag's post, this would be a "flavor build", something that looks/works cool but at the end of the day is def not a top performer. However, "good enough" might easily be attainable...

Note - this assumes you do NOT want to Trap. Swapping Rogue for Barb is easy (Rog @ Lvl 1), but reduces survivability noticeably due to slower run/kiting speed.


This is only a sketch - there are LOTS of decisions/trade offs that have NOT been given due consideration! But the bones of a build are there...

Features:

1st-life, new player friendly (earn Drow w/ 400 Total Favor, pretty easy to do)
Full Arcane Archer tree, plus boosts from Deepwood Stalker & Eldritch Knight
Light Armor Arcane Caster for utility spells; combat spells later
Skeletal Knight mini-tank
Shield & +10 Jump (& Invis) @ Character Level 3; Lvl 2 utility spells @ Character Level 8, etc.
2 Feats tbd




*SKETCH* Drow Wizard AA *SKETCH*
13/6/1 Wizard/Ranger/Barbarian
True Neutral Drow


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 10. . . .4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 18. . . .8: DEX
Constitution. . 12. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 18. . . 16: DEX
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . 10. . .


Skills
. . . . . R .B. W. R .R. W. R .W .R. W. W. R .W .W .W .W .W .W .W .W
. . . . . 1 .2. 3. 4 .5. 6. 7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Spellcr . 2 . . 4. . . . 3. . .2 . . 2. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .23
Search. . 4 .1. . .2. 1 . . 2 . . 2 . . . .3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Move Si . 4 .1. . .2. 1 . . 2 . . 2 . . . .3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Concent . 4 . . 2. 1 .1. 1. 1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 22
Spot. . . 4 .1. . .2. 1 . . 2 . . 2 . . . .2. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Jump. . . 3 .2. . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
UMD . . . 2 . . . .1½ ½. . .1. . .1. . .1 .½. . . . . . . . . . . . . .7½
Balance . . . . . . . 1 .1 .½. 1½ ½. 1½ 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Heal. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Swim. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Haggle. . 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Tumble. . ½ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .½
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .40 .8. 6 10 10. 6 10. 6 10. 6. 6 10. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6


Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.3. . . . : Precision
.3 Wizard : Augment Summoning
.6. . . . : Weapon Focus: Ranged
.9. . . . : Quicken Spell
11 Wizard : Extend Spell
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Ranged
15. . . . :
17 Wizard :
18. . . . : Improved Precise Shot

.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.9 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Enhancements (80 of 80 AP)

Arcane Archer (41 AP)
Pale Master (15 AP) Dark Reaping, Wraith Form Skeletal Knight III
Corpsecrafter III
Cloak of Night I, Eternal Furor III
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (13 AP) Eldritch Strike, Spellsword, Imbue the Blade Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness I
Improved Shield III, Mystic Wards I
Arcane Barrier
Deepwood Stalker (10 AP) Far Shot, Sneak Attack Favored Defense III, Stealthy III
Survivalist
Archmage (1 AP) Invisibility

Note - if you like "Ranged" builds, you want a Ranger past-life, not a Wizard PL. You'd want to swap at least 4 of those Levels to get a dominant Ranger class by 20. :cool:

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Past_Life_Feats#Dominant_class

[Ganak]

I did many past lives running a ranger/bard mix with Feydark Illusionist enhancement line and loved it (Charisma to hit/dmg). Drow is great for it due to Charisma synergies

At least to level 12 ranger (like the deepwood sniper line) and 5-8 levels of bard (I like the run speed bonus found in swashbuckler), and can mix in 1-2 levels of fighter for extra feats or rogue for traps. I recently ran this build for three tiefling scoundrel iconic past lives (have to take a level of bard) and these are great to get early on because they active past life stance is 30% run speed when you have all three, and should be an early priority. Plus when you do iconics you get heroic past lives at the same time, so for a ranged character getting the ranger past lives too is huge (+6 ranged dmg with all three).

Not an end game build but great for running reincarnation lives, and just fun. The cool thing about reincarnation runs (heroic or racial) is you can try different builds.

[Sunbeamz]

Thanks Guys for all the help. Due to Black Week deals I decided to invest some cash into a bulk amount of DDO coins (aside from getting all the expansions up to Saltmarsh) and bought the insta 7 lvl char unlock. Decided to go with:



[indent]*SKETCH* Drow Wizard AA *SKETCH*
13/6/1 Wizard/Ranger/Barbarian


After getting around, testing few easy mode quests and rolling some nice gold dice XP boosts I hit 8 and got the silver longbow in the first run. Also got some gear from the AH. Then farmed some extra ranks for the skeleton enhancements. And so far... I LOVE IT! This is what I really needed. The pet is a *decent* tank, and I am sure it will only get better. The ranged dmg is almost as good as the raw elf ranger I had (also level 8, so I can compare), especially in the Wraith form. Love the whole idea of the undead drow ranger with a pet. I also bought some lvl 8 hireling clerics for the heals. Its a good combo overall.

Now 4 more questions if you dont mind:

1/ What if I get bored with the bow? Can I use shard to swap ranged weapon feat to two weapon fighting feats and go with dual rapiers/shortswords and switch AA to TEMPEST so the melee weapons actually do some dmg without strenght?

I assume this might be a good alternative since the Eldritch Knight enhancement abilities require melee weapons.

2/ I *might have* not planned picking up wizard spells well... What I took mainly are surv spells - SHIELD + MAGE ARMOR + SONIC BLAST + JUMP. (lvl 1) and INVISIBILITY and FALSE LIFE for lvl 2. The sonic blast, though, does very little damage, though, compared to the bow damage with corrosive arrows. Is this normal? Any tips for best offensive spells?

3/ I cannot get raw ranger spells to work due to too little wisdom. Should I buy a tome (and which) from DDO store to boost it? What tome should be best on lvl 8? (DDO coin value doesnt matter)

4/ I read that I can heal the skeleton pet but with which spells exactly?

Thank you for all the help.

[magaiti]

2/ I *might have* not planned picking up wizard spells well... What I took mainly are surv spells - SHIELD + MAGE ARMOR + SONIC BLAST + JUMP. (lvl 1) and INVISIBILITY and FALSE LIFE for lvl 2. The sonic blast, though, does very little damage, though, compared to the bow damage with corrosive arrows. Is this normal? Any tips for best offensive spells?

3/ I cannot get raw ranger spells to work due to too little wisdom. Should I buy a tome (and which) from DDO store to boost it? What tome should be best on lvl 8? (DDO coin value doesnt matter)

4/ I read that I can heal the skeleton pet but with which spells exactly?

Thank you for all the help.

Shield , Jump and Invis are great choices.
Sonic blast is great for blowing up clusters of breakables, that's about it.
mage armor and false life spells are not worth using.

try out Blur, Web, Fireball/Acid Blast, Displacement, Haste

Wisdom from items will do just fine.

Skellie can be healed by any spell that can target it and deal negative energy damage. Death Aura, Negative Energy Burst.

[C-Dog]

Decided to go with... And so far... I LOVE IT! This is what I really needed.
Glad you're liking it! Not every player is looking for teh Uber build; if you can find something you like and it works "just fine", that's what's important.


Note that the big question mark is the tbd-Feats - you can go with a little(!) more Ranged power, casting boosts, saves, - lots of possibilities, but late-build isn't as critical.

Also, obviously, "+7 1/2 ranks in UMD" is a waste somewhere. Steal a point from somewhere else for UMD +8, or put that last point somewhere more useful ("more" than "not at all" :rolleyes:).



The pet is a *decent* tank, and I am sure it will only get better.
As mentioned earlier, don't expect it to ever be a force. Vet characters who have every Past Life, Enhancement and Feat that could buff a pet still don't find it as strong as one might hope.

As you pro'ly see already, it's best when parked at the quest entry, and used as a lever puller or as an expendable short-term distraction.


Now 4 more questions if you dont mind:
100%, that's why we're here! (apparently... :rolleyes::D )


1/ What if I get bored with the bow? Can I use shard to swap ranged weapon feat to two weapon fighting feats and go with dual rapiers/shortswords and switch AA to TEMPEST so the melee weapons actually do some dmg without strenght?
Technically, yes, but in practice it would be very expensive for a 1st-life build (with no rich uncles), as you would have to change (at least) 4 Ranged Feats to Melee.


I assume this might be a good alternative since the Eldritch Knight enhancement abilities require melee weapons.
Not all of them, and you're ignoring most active ones. You're taking the EK Cores for Ghost Touch and a reduction in Arcane Spell Failure while wearing armor, and the +Spell Power doesn't hurt. (I'm not 100% sure if the elemental bonus to weapons from from Spellsword (EK Core 3) helps your bow, but it has to be turned on to get Ghost Touch - drop all 4 on your hotbar and run Acid (except when a target has a vulnerability to one of the other 3).)


2/ I *might have* not planned picking up wizard spells well... What I took mainly are surv spells - SHIELD + MAGE ARMOR + SONIC BLAST + JUMP. (lvl 1) and INVISIBILITY and FALSE LIFE for lvl 2. The sonic blast, though, does very little damage, though, compared to the bow damage with corrosive arrows. Is this normal? Any tips for best offensive spells?
Yes - NONE AT LOW LEVELS!

There are no lowbie offensive spells that will do more damage than your bow, so don't bother wasting time tickling them. Most all lowbie Spell Damage is Caster-Level-based (and you're losing a LOT of caster levels), and sim w/ the DC, so your targets are going to be saving on (almost?) anything except a natural "1" for half- or no-damage. Nty.:(

For now, grab Utility spells - Shield, Jump and Invis are great choices, as will be the various Elemental protections/resists. Prot from Evil should be tossed in there too (immune from Command/etc.).

Your best "offensive" spells will need to be spells with (partial) effects, or (possibly?*) that you can either run a target through repeatedly, or (better!) simply do NOT rely on the target failing their Saving Throw - there are a few out there, take a look at this list:

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Sorcerer_/_Wizard_spells

(* possibly(?!) Web or Wall of Fire? See if there's any noticeable effect - if not, take them off your hotbar and wait for something more reliable.)



3/ I cannot get raw ranger spells to work due to too little wisdom. Should I buy a tome (and which) from DDO store to boost it? What tome should be best on lvl 8? (DDO coin value doesnt matter)
You could, but all you really need is a +Wis item in your gear. Unless you're going to use the Cure Light/Medium Wounds spells in combat (and they won't help if you're in Wraith-form!), you can swap that item in once out of combat - just remember to swap it back out!

If(!) you're going to get a Tome, get either a +5 Universal (all 6 stats!), which will cover you to Level 20, or a +8 (which will cover you to Level 30). But know that you'll get a free +2 Tome every life @ 1,750 Favor, which you'll have by accident by Level 15, and if you want once you get to Epics you can chase* 5,000 Favor for a free +5 tome. (And, no, they don't stack. :cool: )

(* It's a long haul on a 1st-life build - doable, but tough. Maybe your 2nd life?)


4/ I read that I can heal the skeleton pet but with which spells exactly?
As mentioned above, most anything w/ Negative Energy - see above spell list.

[Sunbeamz]

Hey guys. Me again.

Running 13th lvl now, the skeletal tank is getting rly good, mixed with a cleric hireling i can do elite quests 2-3lvls higher with no biggie. Love the spells. Lesser death aura, heroism, haste, all the armor buffs, etc do the job.

One extra question- what if for some purely rp reasons i would like to switch from bows to shurikens (im drow if u remember)?

Also what wizard feats on 15 and 17? Since they were left empty in the amazing guide.


Thanks and all the best in the holiday season ;)

[Enderoc]

Still wrapping my head around An Arcane Archer Artificer with all the spellpower and racial perks for bow plus bonus ranged feats lol
Bonus in being a non evasive build you could go heavy Armor.
Horizon Walker and Harper might be better... would have to try both

[Enderoc]

So taking advantage of vet status 3...just made an Arcane Artificer.
Let me say 3d6 from Greater Elemental Weapons (that you could not use a scroll for)goes nice with the Elemental imbues and Morphic Arrows.
Pretty Sure if I tier 5ed AA Then spent the rest in Horizon Walker...
Your trapper ranger with tank pet would definitely work
You made a monster...
You still have great crossbow and repeater proficiencies so you could still rune arm it..
But the damage will be slighted by the Elemental imbues and the multiple enhancements for bow in 3 trees.
With no tomes.. I was 1-2 shotting things in ravenloft slayer..1st life straight out the airship
With better than starter gear and tomes, a couple past lives...this would most certainly be a good build.
If you just got done with 3 lives ranger and have lots of ranger goodies it's a great way to keep old equipment current.
Rangers don't get AOE healing either...so it's kind of an upgrade. More so since you get offensive spells AOE at that.
I took augment summoning as well to make the defender a bit meaner.( hirelings too)