TWF DPS Build ?

[mikal05]

Just wondering if I can get some comments on my idea for a two-weapon fighting DPS 6 Barbarian/ 6 Rogue/ 2 Ranger.

I wanted 2 levels of Ranger to get the free TWF Feat and the levels of Rogue for Sneak Attack Damage as well as being skillfully useful as well.

My main point of question is whether two-weapon fighting, with the sneak attack damage, will be able to stand up to two-handed weapon builds for DPS ?

Thank you for any comments.

[mikal05]

Also for feats I was considering:

1-Power Attack
1-Dodge (Human Bonus Feat)
3-Mobility
6-Spring Attack
9-Weapon Focus: Slash
12-Improved Critical: Slash

I decided to go for Spring Attack because I tend to bounce around in combat alot moving from target to target to take advantage of sneak attacks on enemies not curently focused on me.

Once again, any comments on how this build would compare in DPS to Two-Hand Weapon Builds would be greatly appreciated.

[sigtrent]

It would not compare favorably to a typical THF barbarian. You don't have the crit range enhancments they get at 11 and 13 for starters. All you are gettting is a single extra attack from TWF, and you are missing the double power attack, half again str bonus, and glancing blows.

The sneak attack is good, that can really help with dps on a TWF build. You really want to work in at leat improved two weapon fighting and idealy greater two weapon fighting to take full advantage of going that route.

Don't get me wrong, your idea will work but you had asked how it would measure up to a dedicated TWF and I don't think it will the way you have outlined it.

If you are only taking a portion of barbarian levels you can't really count on the rage all the time. It becomes more of a boost you can use once in a while, a bit like a divine power clickie or the like.

[Impaqt]

I'd go 7Barb, 5Rogue, 2FIghter

1-Power Attack
1-Dodge (Human Bonus Feat)
2F Two-Weapon FIghting
3-Mobility
6-Spring Attack
8F Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
9-Weapon Focus: Slash
12-Improved Critical: Slash

THen take Greater Two-Weapon FIghting at 15

You Lose a Point of Dex via Rogue ENH, But gain a Point a STR which can come in handy for EVening out your Rages....

[Shade]

You don't have the crit range enhancments they get at 11 and 13 for starters.

11 for I, 14 for II.

13 was what it was on risia, but was changed before it hit live.

[Quartzite]

If you want to stand up to THF then you need to go pure Barb. You need to go Dwarf with Dwarven Axes and feats of Power Attack, Improved Critical, TWF, ITWF, GTWF. You will do nothing but DPS, but you will be awesome DPS, especially single target where theoretically you can beat THF builds. Just IMO.

[llevenbaxx]

Was just considering making a TWF barb myself. I was going to go the route of dual weilding picks, for the x4 crit. Have a couple nicer ones laying around collecting dust. Was thinking WF also over dwarf, my Daxe collection is already stretched. Has anyone done anything along these lines to favorable results?

...or would this be a complete waste of a good barbarian and a couple tomes?

Note: have a bloodstone that would be used, if that would make a huge difference.

[Quartzite]

Was just considering making a TWF barb myself. I was going to go the route of dual weilding picks, for the x4 crit. Have a couple nicer ones laying around collecting dust. Was thinking WF also over dwarf, my Daxe collection is already stretched. Has anyone done anything along these lines to favorable results?

...or would this be a complete waste of a good barbarian and a couple tomes?

Note: have a bloodstone that would be used, if that would make a huge difference.

If you plan on DWing Heavy Picks then Stunning Blow becomes a lot more useful. Personally I'd make such a build at level 15, the extra feat makes a difference- you can get TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Power Attack, Imp Crit AND Stunning Blow. Even elemental heacy picks in sustained damage output don't quite compare to Dwarven Axes with Enhancements.

[Scaramouche]

If you plan on DWing Heavy Picks then Stunning Blow becomes a lot more useful. Personally I'd make such a build at level 15, the extra feat makes a difference- you can get TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Power Attack, Imp Crit AND Stunning Blow. Even elemental heacy picks in sustained damage output don't quite compare to Dwarven Axes with Enhancements.

Is the Stunning Blow so that you can auto-crit on a stunned enemy? And does Stunning actually stick at higher level content? Just curious, here. I hadn't planned on taking the feat, but I am a pick barbarian (albeit a non-standard halfling one). If it does work as advertised, then that'd be pretty groovy. And in regards to sustained damage output, I agree. The enhancement-buffed dwarven axe will be better. The picks are just fun for seeing huge numbers float up from time to time. Also, it's pretty hysterical to watch a halfling generating those numbers in melee.

[Quartzite]

Yeah, Stunning Blow works really well at higher levels with a Barb's high strength. The DC is str based, so you'll be landing it most of the time, even on level 14 quests at elite.

10 + {stat modifier} + {Enhancements} + {Weapon bonuses like Weighted} gives the DC that a mob will need to beat with his fort save. Given the scaling of mob saves compared to Barb str at high levels, you'll be hitting often even without Weighted or Fighter/ WF/ Dwarf Enhancements (some people like to swap in a weighted mace for the Stunning Blow, then switch it back out)!

Once the check is made you have a guaranteed 6 second stun. All hits are automatically crits, so with a Heavy Pick your damage output will scale really well. Red and purple named mobs are immune, but little else seems to be. From memory it even works on undead.

Of course, on "normal" or even "hard" level quests the majority of mobs die within a single swing sequence from a Barb anyway. But against things that take a few seconds to bring down it can really help.

[Taur]

personally i'd go 13 barb 1 fighter and dual weild heavy picks for max DPS. but that's just me

[Quartzite]

This is incorrect. Stunning blow does not work on undead of any kind.

Ahh, I must be getting it confused. Apologies.

[Sydril]

All hits are automatically crits, so with a Heavy Pick your damage output will scale really well. Red and purple named mobs are immune, but little else seems to be. From memory it even works on undead.

This is incorrect. Stunning blow does not work on undead of any kind.

[Quartzite]

personally i'd go 13 barb 1 fighter and dual weild heavy picks for max DPS. but that's just me

That means no Tireless Rage at 16.

[Mad_Bombardier]

That means no Tireless Rage at 16.

It means no Indomitable Will at 14 until the next level cap raise. Tireless Rage is 17, which he will get within the same level cap (17Barb/1Fighter). Ultimately, it only means no Mighty Rage and 1 less Rage/rest @ 20.

[Quartzite]

It means no Indomitable Will at 14 until the next level cap raise. Tireless Rage is 17, which he will get within the same level cap (17Barb/1Fighter). Ultimately, it only means no Mighty Rage and 1 less Rage/rest @ 20.

That's what I get for going off memory alone. Thanks for the correction.

I keep on getting shown up in this post It is 2 am my time, though

[sigtrent]

11 for I, 14 for II.

13 was what it was on risia, but was changed before it hit live.

Ahh thanks for clearing that up for me.