A different look on AA build

[Bilger]

Okay from all the replies there are 3 ways for this particular build to go. It is all a matter of preferance.

1. 12/8 Ranger/Bard my preferance and explained later.
2. 11/8/1 Ranger/Bard/Fighter slightly higher dps lil less group love. (haste boost/feat)
3. 11/8/1 Ranger/Bard/rogue Rogue skills lil higher dps from SA and Haste boost


I am just finishing capping a similar build but melee focused.

12/8 Ranger/Bard Tempest II/Warchanter I it got me thinking that a arcane archer version would be awesome. Seeing as this one is demolishing everything so far. Epic build it isn't, but everything else in game through elite it has destroyed.

So was thinking that the AA version would be just as devastating.

I know range is the suxer

I personally enjoy ranged and when played right can be pure devastation in right hands. Trust me have seen many a bad ranged build and player.

So here is what I came up with.

12/8 Ranger/Bard AA/Warchanter

12 ranger for multiple reasons gives all twf feats for free, 3 Favoured Enemies, evasion, more buffs (bark, resists, etc...), and all ranged feats you will want for free (multishot, improved prec shot, etc...).

Have to go 12 for Improved precise shot, +5 barkskin, and GTWF.

8 Bard is the minimum I would ever go on a bard splash. Still get +5/+6 songs, haste, displace, ETC... Will give spells later.
What better to add with ranger buffs than bard buffs the ultimate buffer.

Add those 2 together have one nice buffing machine songs that are only +1 short of a maxed spell singer and 3 less than maxed WC but seriously WC are usually multiclassed which brings average diff of +2 not major considering what else the build brings to table.

IMO +5/+6 Are decent songs and can fill in the role as bard on any but epic which this not built for. A lot will disagree with that point but my temp/warchanter has done just as good as my other 4 capped bards in raids including elite.

HP and sp haven't figured out yet but will be same or close to temp version which when get shroug gear will have 450+ hp and 850+ sp

Okay now thats out of way heres actual build.

12/8 AA/WC Elf

Strength - 14 +2 tome +6 item +2 rams +2 rage = 26 basic self buffs
Dexterity - 18 +2 tome +6 item +2 Ranger Dex +1 Elven Dex +5 LVLS +2 Except = 36
Constitution - 14 +2 Tome +6 Item +2 Rage = 24 basic self buffs
Intelligence - 10 +2 tome +6 item = 18
Wisdom - 10 +2 tome +6 item = 18
Charisma - 10 +2 tome +6 item = 18

Feats
1 - Toughness
3 - WF: Ranged
6 - Point Blank
9 - IC: Ranged
12 - Extend
15 - WF: Slashng or Pierce depends on secondary weap of choice LS or rapier
18 - Power Attack

A lot of feats are must have for PRE'S. Like PA/WF:slashing are for WC and Point Blank/WF: Ranged are for AA

Enhancements

Ranger Skill Boost I
Ranger Sprint Boost I
Arcane Archer imbue: Acid, Explosive, Force, Force Burst, Terror, and Slayer
Bard Extra Song II - Attack II - Damage II - Bravery II - Lingering II
Warchanter
Aerenal Melee Attack and Damage I
Elven Range Attack and Damage II
Racial Toughness II
Ranger Favored Attack I - Damage III - Resistance II
Elven Arcane Conjure Arrows +1-+5
Arcane Archer I
Bard Energy of Music I
Ranger Dex I
Wand and Scroll Mastery II

Spells

Bard

LVL 1 - Expedious Retreat, Focus Chant, Remove Fear, and last one choose for fun Grease, FF, Merfolk's
LVL 2 - Blur, Invis, Rage, I took Foxes Cause nothing else to hit underground runes whoes going to where a int item all the time lol
LVL 3 -Displacement, Good Hope, Haste

Ranger

LVL 1 - Ram's Might , Resists
LVL 2 - Barkskin, Protection fro Energy
LVL 3 - Neutralize poison

FE

Undead, Evil Outsiders, Giants

NO AC worth mentioning

LVLing I am Going Bard 1 for skill points and to be able to max umd and perform. Then 12 Ranger want all range skills ASAP then bard rest way out.
Will get WC at 18 but till then songs will be a lil weak and not a puggers build for sure. This one will be guildies or solo only until reaches 18 then can come out to play with everyone else lol

Skills - UMD, Perform, then all preferance from there

Items - will figure out what want when get there typed to much already lol

Now Stats and such can get higher with +3/+4 tomes and yugoloth pots I know just putting the basic self buffed stats.

Resists are something I haven't figured out yet and prob won't till cap which will be awhile.

Playing this build takes smarts and skill. Range all ya like just know when to pull out the rapiers or LS when needed. The self buffed strength and to hit will be suffecient to hit with in all but epic and some elite mobs even with PA on. Just know when to have on and off and play smart.

Reason for posting this build was to put a different swing on a AA build and maybe give someone an idea for a fun build.

So tell me what ya think and maybe improve it a bit.

Just rolled it so will see how it does but I have confidence in it

[OldAquarian]

Might want to take a look at my take on this, it takes more Bard for full warchanter buffing, but still hits all the ranged feats you would need.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=250963

[Bilger]

Might want to take a look at my take on this, it takes more Bard for full warchanter buffing, but still hits all the ranged feats you would need.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=250963

No it isn't what I want and don't get the FE and all the other free ranger love ya get from 12 ranger and yes songs on that build give +2 more damage.

I get more self DPS with this build than would get with that and more party buffs from resists to +5 barkskin and evasion so a completly diff build.

[OldAquarian]

No it isn't what I want and don't get the FE and all the other free ranger love ya get from 12 ranger and yes songs on that build give +2 more damage.

I get more self DPS with this build than would get with that and more party buffs from resists to +5 barkskin and evasion so a completly diff build.

Won't dispute what you lose from the extra bard levels, just going to say its more than +2 damage buff

But, since you know what you want, I would recommend thinking about switching to 11 Ranger/8 Bard/1 Rogue
12 Ranger only really gains you a +1 on barkskin

1 Rogue gives you:
1d6 + 3 Sneak Attack Damage
Rogue Haste
more skill points and unlocks Open Lock and Disable

Also - you can lower your CHA and WIS to 8 and raise your STR to 16
I would put 4 LVLS in STR instead of DEX (or even all 5)

thats 6.5 SA + 3 STR = +9.5 damage + 15% haste

[Bilger]

Won't dispute what you lose from the extra bard levels, just going to say its more than +2 damage buff

But, since you know what you want, I would recommend thinking about switching to 11 Ranger/8 Bard/1 Rogue
12 Ranger only really gains you a +1 on barkskin

1 Rogue gives you:
1d6 + 3 Sneak Attack Damage
Rogue Haste
more skill points and unlocks Open Lock and Disable

Also - you can lower your CHA and WIS to 8 and raise your STR to 16
I would put 4 LVLS in STR instead of DEX (or even all 5)

thats 6.5 SA + 3 STR = +9.5 damage + 15% haste

Good ideas but not what looking for rogue is a nice edition for SA if I plan on being in there face ranging. SA radius is so low that hardly get off when ranging.

It is possible to get off consistently if want be in range of them hitting me.

Strength all lvls no thank you for some could work but I like haveing the higher to hit for elite mobs.

Losing the plus to hit from dex can lead to less hits which can lower dps especially in elite settings.

Plus the +5 Bark is more desirable than the +4 not a major thing but still there and will be more accepted than 11 ranger.

As far as rogue skills have 6 capped char with them and the stats would be spread to thin on this one for my personal preferance.

Going with 10 char and wis nets more sp Marginal as is and better umd by 1 marginal also but compared to +1 damage, it outweighs it IMO. Another small thing is higher will save minor also.

Your ideas are good and another option for this build I just prefer the other way personally and for my playstyle.

As far as what I lose from 14 bard to this I know exactly what I lose and what I gain from 12 ranger.

Feats GTWF, Improved precise shot, precise shot, Barkskin, resists, rams might, protection from energy, ITWF, multi shot etc if go with your split big losses for me.

compared to the gain of +2 damage to songs, Greater Hero(can scroll easy), LVL4 + LVL 5 (FOM and DD are only ones miss out on that a battle type bard at 14 will cary) spells couple decent buffs which get 1 from ranger lvls, umm no sp difference since gain sp from ranger if it is it is marginal. Bard buffs last a lil longer. Slightly longer songs.

I know exactly what am missing have 5 different capped bards. From a pure 20(cc/Heal) to 15/3/2(Bard/rogue/fighter)(full rogue skills), (2)12/6/2 splits(both have full rogue skills)(bard/rogue/fighter and bard/fighter/rogue), another 12/8 split (Ranger/bard).

Your build is great and sounds fun with good buffs but is a completely diff build than this.

[OldAquarian]

Good ideas but not what looking for rogue is a nice edition for SA if I plan on being in there face ranging. SA radius is so low that hardly get off when ranging.

Since you seem to plan on going melee, SA will always be in range there, for ranged if you can get in range - its there (and so is the +1 to attack), if not, then the +1 barkskin won't matter

Strength all lvls no thank you for some could work but I like haveing the higher to hit for elite mobs.
Losing the plus to hit from dex can lead to less hits which can lower dps especially in elite settings.

Not sure where the soft cap is here - you might be correct.

Plus the +5 Bark is more desirable than the +4 not a major thing but still there and will be more accepted than 11 ranger.

Not sure what you mean by accepted

As far as rogue skills the stats would be spread to thin on this one for my personal preferance.

Rogue splash was only for advantages listed SA, etc.- no stat changes needed

Going with 10 char and wis nets more sp Marginal as is and better umd by 1 marginal also but compared to +1 damage, it outweighs it IMO. Another small thing is higher will save minor also.

True - marginal either way

Your ideas are good and another option for this build I just prefer the other way personally and for my playstyle.

Completely agree, play what you like - just seeing if you factored all the options, and wanted to lay em out for people reading this thread.

As far as what I lose from 14 bard to this I know exactly what I lose and what I gain from 12 ranger.

If you mean, is this better than AA 6 Ranger/14 Bard, then yes it is.

Your build is great and sounds fun with good buffs but is a completely diff build than this.

Agreed, different goals

[Bilger]

Since you seem to plan on going melee, SA will always be in range there, for ranged if you can get in range - its there (and so is the +1 to attack), if not, then the +1 barkskin won't matter

Only wen it calls for it plan on being as far away from in the action as can.

Not sure where the soft cap is here - you might be correct.



Not sure what you mean by accepted

By accepted I mean people will take you quicker if have +5 bark than 4 marginal though

Rogue splash was only for advantages listed SA, etc.- no stat changes needed

Stat changes like more int so can max dd search umd perform and such

True - marginal either way


Completely agree, play what you like - just seeing if you factored all the options, and wanted to lay em out for people reading this thread.


If you mean, is this better than AA 6 Ranger/14 Bard, then yes it is.

Lost me to your point here

Agreed, different goals

Replies in green

[OldAquarian]

Just for fun, lets compare builds - self buffed
this build is R, mine is B

Strength:
R: 14 +2 tome +6 item +2 rage +2 rams = 26 => +8
B: 17 +2 tome +6 item +2 rage +5 LVLS +1 Ftr => 33 =+11.5
Dexterity:
R: 18 +2 tome +6 item +2 Except +1 Elven Dex +2 Ranger Dex +5 LVLS = 36 => +13
B: 17 +2 tome +6 item +2 Except +1 Elven Dex +1 Ranger Dex = 29 => +9.5

Courage:
R: 1 +1 imp +2/2 enh + 1/2 WC = +5/6
B: 1 +2 imp +3/3 enh + 1/2 WC = +7/8

(did not round down stat pluses because +2 tome +6 item is not max)
Will only compare stat and song, since everything else would net out

To hit ranged:
R: +13 + 5 = +18
B: +9.5 + 7 = +16.5
To hit melee:
R: +8 + 5 = +13
B: +11.5 + 7 = + 18.5
Damage:
R: +8 +6 = +14
B: +11.5 +8= +19.5

So:
R is +1.5 better to hit ranged
B is ironically +5.5 better to hit on melee
B is +5.5 better on damage

Ranged feats are identical
B has Fighter Haste +20%
But R has ITWF/GTWF, so does more melee damage

B has a better buff for other party members
R will do better against any favored enemy

All in all, it seems the 2 builds come down to a question of taste

[Propane]

LOL -

I just posted a similar build a day ago....

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=255307

If I am not mistaken - you only need 11 ranger for most of the goodies (free feats).

I was one feat short and though about taking a level of fighter at 20....

[Symar-FangofLloth]

Yeah, if you're taking the Elf AA, you only really need to get to Ranger11.
Unless you want +5 Barkskin I guess.

Hey, Bilger, I was going to try to do this as Ranger 11/ Bard 9. Haven't got past level 9 yet though .

Nice to know what your 12/8 build was, been meaning to ask you.

[Propane]

You are missing ICP or ICS - that hurts...

I wanted both ICR and ICP - therefore the fighter lv.

If you level up your classes in a different order - you will get better use of your skill points and it will a little easier to PUG.....

[Bilger]

Yeah, if you're taking the Elf AA, you only really need to get to Ranger11.
Unless you want +5 Barkskin I guess.

Hey, Bilger, I was going to try to do this as Ranger 11/ Bard 9. Haven't got past level 9 yet though .

Nice to know what your 12/8 build was, been meaning to ask you.

Actually Voor this second 12/8 that rolled first was temp 2 wc 1.

And to your comparison OldAqua these are 2 different builds overall looks like dps wise mine is just ahead with fe and melee capability.

Buffs we are 2 diff type of buffers yes both are songs but the extra ranger buffs gives a lil extra ya don't have accept fom so 2 diff builds and it is all a preferance thing.

[Bilger]

You are missing ICP or ICS - that hurts...

I wanted both ICR and ICP - therefore the fighter lv.

If you level up your classes in a different order - you will get better use of your skill points and it will a little easier to PUG.....

I don't pug lol until at cap and only shrouds then mostly guild runs so doesn't hurt 1 bit.

ICP would be nice if take fighter lvl which is and option and a good idea but It's just preferance going 12 for me. Probably for anyone else the fighter lvl be a good idea just not what I prefer.

[OldAquarian]

And to your comparison OldAqua these are 2 different builds overall looks like dps wise mine is just ahead with fe and melee capability

I think mine might eek ahead on ranged because of the 20% fighter haste boost, yours is ahead on melee, but my goal is to never melee, so thats fine by me. Melee between manyshot is supposed to be a very high overall dps strategy, so I'm sure some people will love this build (or some minor varient, swapping the last ranger level with rogue or fighter)

Actually I want to thank you, based on analyzing your build, I decided to reshuffle mine a bit so it has more "to hit" and gets Bard 8 earlier since it is much better than Bard 7.

Variety is good.

[Bilger]

I think mine might eek ahead on ranged because of the 20% fighter haste boost, yours is ahead on melee, but my goal is to never melee, so thats fine by me. Melee between manyshot is supposed to be a very high overall dps strategy, so I'm sure some people will love this build (or some minor varient, swapping the last ranger level with rogue or fighter)

Actually I want to thank you, based on analyzing your build, I decided to reshuffle mine a bit so it has more "to hit" and gets Bard 8 earlier since it is much better than Bard 7.

Variety is good.

NP fighter lvl would net slightly higher dps in this build but lose bark and with the people I run with we have alot of high ac tanks and having +5 bark is a major plus for her over the slight dps increase.

Actualy for most would suggest fighter but for me prefer the 12 ranger.

[OldAquarian]

NP fighter lvl would net slightly higher dps in this build but lose bark and with the people I run with we have alot of high ac tanks and having +5 bark is a major plus for her over the slight dps increase.

Actualy for most would suggest fighter but for me prefer the 12 ranger.

In fact, with Update 5, use the 1 fighter level to take Zen Archery, and take it early, like level 2
Then you can dump your DEX down to 8 since with Ranger you ignore DEX requirements on free feats, and pump your WIS way up (and use all 5 +LVLS for WIS as well)
Then you will have plenty of Spell Points for buffing as well as healing

[Bilger]

In fact, with Update 5, use the 1 fighter level to take Zen Archery, and take it early, like level 2
Then you can dump your DEX down to 8 since with Ranger you ignore DEX requirements on free feats, and pump your WIS way up (and use all 5 +LVLS for WIS as well)
Then you will have plenty of Spell Points for buffing as well as healing

And lose any reflex save that have for evasion and without extra feats no ty