My Sorc/Utility Build

[WaltzInBlack]

I am sure its been done b4 but I wanted to get some feedback from the pros....thx

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.90
DDO Character Planner Home Page

TrixDROW 
Level 16 Lawful Good Drow Male
(2 Paladin \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 116
Spell Points: 1006 
BAB: 9\9\14
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 18
Will: 15

                  Starting            Ending          
                 Base Stats         Base Stats        
Abilities        (Level 1)          (Level 16)        
Strength              8                  9            
Dexterity            16                 17            
Constitution         11                 12            
Intelligence         11                 12            
Wisdom                8                  9            
Charisma             20                 25            

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1

                  Starting            Ending          
                 Base Skills        Base Skills       
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 16)        
Balance               7                  7            
Bluff                 5                  7            
Concentration         1                  1            
Diplomacy             5                  7            
Disable Device        5                 11            
Haggle                5                  7            
Heal                 -1                 -1            
Hide                  4                  4            
Intimidate            5                  7            
Jump                  3                  3            
Listen                3                  3            
Move Silently         4                  4            
Open Lock             7                  7            
Perform               n/a               n/a           
Repair                1                  1            
Search                5                 14            
Spot                  0                  0            
Swim                 -1                 -1            
Tumble                4                  4            
Use Magic Device      9                 26            

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device

Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse

Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell

Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell

Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell

Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 14 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+6)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration

Level 16 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

[Oreg]

Any specific reason not to go wf? I think it would be an easier road.

[WaltzInBlack]

Plus I like max chr and I plan to use rapiers in max empowered firewalls

[Desteria]

Plus I like max chr and I plan to use rapiers in max empowered firewalls

the failure chance costs 1 yes ONE ap to get rid of....

now yes they take a cha hit...

But melleeing with a drow sorc which is by far the LEAST survivable sorc of the main 3 races, (hum, drow, WF) just seams silly, the +2 to hit you can spend a bunch of Ap's on are just not worth the HP/HP&feat gain you would get with one of the others.. and WF self cast reconstructs are VERY good.

[Sequell]

Here is a more effective build for what you are looking for. On your original there is no reason to take heighten or spell pen as feats for the simple reason you aren't a pure caster therefore in high level content your insta-death spells are almost worthless. I didn't take the time to do the enhancements but they are quite simple.

Hope you can see some benifits of going WF!

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.00
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 16 Lawful Good Warforged Male
(2 Paladin \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 134
Spell Points: 953 
BAB: 9\9\14
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 16
Will: 12

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity            15                    16
Constitution         11                    12
Intelligence         11                    12
Wisdom                6                     6
Charisma             16                    21

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               3                     3
Bluff                 3                     5
Concentration         1                     1
Diplomacy             3                     5
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                3                     5
Heal                 -2                    -2
Hide                  3                     3
Intimidate            3                     5
Jump                 -1                    -1
Listen               -2                    -2
Move Silently         3                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     1
Spot                 -2                    -2
Swim                 -1                    -1
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device


Level 2 (Paladin)


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse


Level 4 (Sorcerer)


Level 5 (Paladin)


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 7 (Sorcerer)


Level 8 (Sorcerer)


Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 10 (Sorcerer)


Level 11 (Sorcerer)


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 13 (Sorcerer)


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 16 (Sorcerer)

[WaltzInBlack]

Really apreciate you taking the time here.

but

the way I see it warforged give up all that chr (DC and spell points) for self reconstruct..... I will likely have a 45+ umd anyway and can spam heal scrolls.

what am i missing.....

[Hobgoblin]

hit points

[EKKM]

I don't mean to flame here but I don't understand the point of the build.

-Based on your skill selection you can UMD and search (a few points in disable at end game will enable you to get some traps if you buff for it)- so no locks and no traps.
-You have no STR and no SA damage - do you plan to use stat damagers and effect weapons?
-Your Dex isn't that good and you don't have full BaB without tensors/DP clickies, so you will have trouble hitting
- You have evasion but the reflex save doesn't seem that high - it will of course be useful still.
- I haven't played a high level arcane so I don't know much about how effective your spells will be but I would think due to the low caster level/spell level you will have trouble landing spells or having the spells be effective.

I am not a power gamer or anything so I wont be offended if I am wrong about the effectiveness of this build and would appreciate someone who has played a build like this correcting me if so.

A build with similar objectives was posted in the wizzie forums a while back that may interest you:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=163937

Also good tips in here:
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...ing+dragonmark

[Impaqt]

Your trap skills are woefully innadequet. I would definatly go 2 Monk since you already tookpaly so your locked into Lawful allignments anyway.

And WF.

WF 12 Sorc/2Monk/2paly Is a Nice combo for a battle mage

[Jay203]

sorc + pally = not a mix for utility build
reason: way too little points per lvl to spend
the best you can do is probably high UMD + open lock, you won't be able to do traps with full efficiency

[Sequell]

Really apreciate you taking the time here.

but

the way I see it warforged give up all that chr (DC and spell points) for self reconstruct..... I will likely have a 45+ umd anyway and can spam heal scrolls.

what am i missing.....

Actually your DC's aren't going to be high evough anyway which was my reasoning for going WF.

As far as giving up "All those SP" the difference is only 50sp at cap for 4 Cha difference.

It is much better IMO to be able to self heal than to rely on scrolls all the time. You don't have to take reconstruct as a spell. A nice Maximized / Empowered Repair Serious will hit for around 110 with a superior potency item.

I am a big fan of WF personally and I agree with Impact that you should switch out the Rogue levels for Monk.

If you are really wanting a Utility go Wiz / Rogue / Something else IMO

Just some of my thoughts.

[WaltzInBlack]

First, thanks all for the critiques, it is great to have all this pushback, makes me really think this through.

-Based on your skill selection you can UMD and search (a few points in disable at end game will enable you to get some traps if you buff for it)- so no locks and no traps.

Knock spell for locks and I believe I will have high enough DD for all but high end leet traps and of course top notch UMD.

-You have no STR and no SA damage - do you plan to use stat damagers and effect weapons?

Yes, dps = paralyzer in fw - cloud kill plus wop for trash.

-Your Dex isn't that good and you don't have full BaB without tensors/DP clickies, so you will have trouble hitting

You may be on to something here, at least the firewalls have a good BAB ;o)......

- You have evasion but the reflex save doesn't seem that high - it will of course be useful still.

paly levels will make reflex uber enough for evasion to be VERY effective.


- I haven't played a high level arcane so I don't know much about how effective your spells will be but I would think due to the low caster level/spell level you will have trouble landing spells or having the spells be effective.

Spell pen will be a problem with this build granted but my DC should be solid with max CHR


Your trap skills are woefully innadequet.

I play rogues inside and out and respectfully think you are wrong here. 11 skill points +gh + luck +6 int +15 dd gogs +5 tools etc... and I will hit all but Cabal/high end leet. I actually think it is a flaw in the game dynamics that a build like this can be trap competent, but thats another isue.....

I would definatly go 2 Monk since you already tookpaly so your locked into Lawful allignments anyway.

You are not wrong BUT I am building a UMD monkey here


Actually your DC's aren't going to be high evough anyway which was my reasoning for going WF.


Max CHR? Me thinks I will be pretty tough to save against....


It is much better IMO to be able to self heal than to rely on scrolls all the time. You don't have to take reconstruct as a spell. A nice Maximized / Empowered Repair Serious will hit for around 110 with a superior potency item.

I cannot argue with this, but spamming heal scrolls is still solid self healing.


Again though folks, thanks for the comments, certainly has me thinking

Waltz

[Impaqt]

First, thanks all for the critiques, it is great to have all this pushback, makes me really think this through.

-Based on your skill selection you can UMD and search (a few points in disable at end game will enable you to get some traps if you buff for it)- so no locks and no traps.

Knock spell for locks and I believe I will have high enough DD for all but high end leet traps and of course top notch UMD.

Knock spell falls short on many important locks. But If all youever plan to run is normal, youmay be OK.

-You have no STR and no SA damage - do you plan to use stat damagers and effect weapons?

Yes, dps = paralyzer in fw - cloud kill plus wop for trash.

Ya still gotta HIT with a paraluyzer and then they have to fail their save. THis simply wont be an effective tactic end game. Same for the Wop. You gotta HIT and Get through DR for Wounding. and you dont have IC:Pierce for Puncturing

-Your Dex isn't that good and you don't have full BaB without tensors/DP clickies, so you will have trouble hitting

You may be on to something here, at least the firewalls have a good BAB ;o)......

How those firewalls do agaisne Demons and Devils?

- You have evasion but the reflex save doesn't seem that high - it will of course be useful still.

paly levels will make reflex uber enough for evasion to be VERY effective.

What exactly doyou consider Uber? For me its around a 45.

- I haven't played a high level arcane so I don't know much about how effective your spells will be but I would think due to the low caster level/spell level you will have trouble landing spells or having the spells be effective.

Spell pen will be a problem with this build granted but my DC should be solid with max CHR

Spell Pen. WIth 4 Splash levels your signifiacntly down for pure casters.

Your trap skills are woefully innadequet.

I play rogues inside and out and respectfully think you are wrong here. 11 skill points +gh + luck +6 int +15 dd gogs +5 tools etc... and I will hit all but Cabal/high end leet. I actually think it is a flaw in the game dynamics that a build like this can be trap competent, but thats another isue.....

Respectfully, I helped write the book on rogues.... I've spend countless hours experimenting with Trap and lock DC's. With a Low INT, low skill point investment, and no Enhancments, you will be able to do traps that everyone runs through anyway. So what exactly is the point? Do you think you'll be able to get the traps in Von 5? How Bout Monastary? VoD on anything other than normal?

I would definatly go 2 Monk since you already took
paly so your locked into Lawful allignments anyway.

You are not wrong BUT I am building a UMD monkey here

Why? What scrolls do you find important to be able to use? Even without the rogue levels wyou should easily be able to hit the UMD required for race restricted items and weapons.

Actually your DC's aren't going to be high evough anyway which was my reasoning for going WF.


Max CHR? Me thinks I will be pretty tough to save against....

This is where the build falls apart imo. You may have a ok DC, but your lacking Spell Penn, and Heighten. Builds liek this shoudl Concentrate on No Save spells and sacrifice a bit of CHR. One of the prime reasons WF are so well suited for the battlemage concept.

It is much better IMO to be able to self heal than to rely on scrolls all the time. You don't have to take reconstruct as a spell. A nice Maximized / Empowered Repair Serious will hit for around 110 with a superior potency item.

I cannot argue with this, but spamming heal scrolls is still solid self healing.

Not when your failing concentration checks. Low Con and zero investment in COncentration means your going to fail most, If n ot all, of your scrolls in combat anyway.

Again though folks, thanks for the comments, certainly has me thinking

Waltz

Think hard. THis build Screams for WF and the abandonment of trap skills.

[Desteria]

drows advantages are for PURE caster sorcs IE they are fragile so STAND teh FRAG BACK!!!! They Get max Cha, (arguable tied with humans thast a whole nother thred).

Your build Will Never have MAX DC's anyway because your losign 4 levels ATM thats -2 DC form highten, to most of your spells, eventuly it will only cost you level 9 but still -1 Also with 4 less sorc levels you LOSE a lot of spell slots this means your selection will be tighter with the manitory nukes for red/purple nameds, and the buffs needed to kepe your drow or WF but alive in melle your goign to be VERY limited on the DC spells you can take any way, so loseign 1-2 more DC and going WF for a tone of GREAT immunities, and amazing self healing just makes sense.

Oh ya and with 4 less levels you will have serious Spell pen problems realyl 4 is a LOT you will notice and and the save DC spells are the ones that have spell pen mostly soooooo if you cant break the SR it does not matter what your save DC is....