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[LordPNut]

Are there any recent builds that are current for an acrobat? Last I did acrobat was umm years ago (2010/11ish) when cap was 20, I went 17 rogue 3monk. Would it be better to go just pure rogue? Or any fighter or monk would benefit greatly? The character Im doing this for has 6 tomes across the board so race for it wouldn't matter unless just go human for that extra feat. Only page I could find on this is around time I did this, any help would be appreciated.

[Waveclaw]

Here's one from Unbongwah updated in April of this year: THF Kensei for new players.

Looks nice! But what about the ability points allocation of a 36 pt character? All extra points to str?

For a little extra survivability: if you have access to it, I'd go Aasimar instead of Human - with a few points in Wis you get a few solid self-heals, which is pretty nice for survivability.

Self heals? but doesn't fighters get no spells? Or is it from the Aasimar tree?

[C-Dog]

Looks nice! But what about the ability points allocation of a 36 pt character? All extra points to str?

Since it's a Strength build, that would probably be a good suggestion.

Tho' you only have room for 3 pts there (17 +3 pts = 18, the max). Last point could bump Dex to 14, or bump Wis by +1 (since the self-healing is Wis-based).

(Alternate options would be 2 pts into Int for more skill points (Jump?), and/or Wis.)

Self heals? but doesn't fighters get no spells? Or is it from the Aasimar tree?

Good guess, but it's a racial ability (tho' the tree augments it).

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Aasimar#Racial_Traits
o https://ddowiki.com/page/Aasimar_enhancements

[SpartanKiller13]

Looks nice! But what about the ability points allocation of a 36 pt character? All extra points to str?

Self heals? but doesn't fighters get no spells? Or is it from the Aasimar tree?

Sweet! If you don't go Aasimar, I'd max Strength to 18, Con to 17, and 2 points into one of the others (Int for Skill points, Wis for Will Saves, Cha for UMD). Just don't reduce your Dex below 13, as that's required for Precision

Aasimar has a racial ability, Healing Hands; you can get more charges via the racial tree (up to 7 w/1 regenerating every 3 minutes) but it's a super-fast extremely reliable heal that hits for (10+character level) x Wis modifier, and of course that also gets multiplied by your HealAmp. If you go Aasimar, I'd spend all your remaining build points in Wis.

At level 5, with airship buffs and some randomgen Wis item you'd be hitting a near-instant 90 HP heal, which is very nice for solo or party play alike. At level 20, with 30 Wis and 60 Healamp it's a 480 HP heal. At level 30, with 40 Wis and 145 Healamp (PotF) it's a 980 HP heal. You can get up to 7 of these lol. Very nice for sticky spots or if your healer is down (or crowd controlled, etc etc).

Are there any recent builds that are current for an acrobat? Last I did acrobat was umm years ago (2010/11ish) when cap was 20, I went 17 rogue 3monk. Would it be better to go just pure rogue? Or any fighter or monk would benefit greatly? The character Im doing this for has 6 tomes across the board so race for it wouldn't matter unless just go human for that extra feat. Only page I could find on this is around time I did this, any help would be appreciated.

Are you planning on playing for level 20, or going into epics? If you're going into epics, Thief-Acrobat's core 5 and capstone are extremely strong so I don't think I'd give those up.

As far as race, I'd be considering Human (for the feat), Half-Orc (for the THF goodies, Orcish Rage, & Brutality if Str-based or with lots of racial AP), or Halfling (Dex stuff and +Dodge Cap). Maybe Warforged if you don't worry about heals (15 MP is shiny). Or Aasimar, for the reasons laid out above lol (could also go Falconry Wis-max, but that makes me think Henshin build instead).

Here's a 2020 thread on it; it's from one of my guildies who's getting into DDO, so I'd at least skim the comments for their advice (like Power Attack is ditched promptly).

Talk out a lil more, and I'd be happy to assist ya further or post on that thread, Oldschool's pretty good about responding etc

[LordPNut]

Are you planning on playing for level 20, or going into epics? If you're going into epics, Thief-Acrobat's core 5 and capstone are extremely strong so I don't think I'd give those up.

As far as race, I'd be considering Human (for the feat), Half-Orc (for the THF goodies, Orcish Rage, & Brutality if Str-based or with lots of racial AP), or Halfling (Dex stuff and +Dodge Cap). Maybe Warforged if you don't worry about heals (15 MP is shiny). Or Aasimar, for the reasons laid out above lol (could also go Falconry Wis-max, but that makes me think Henshin build instead).

Here's a 2020 thread on it; it's from one of my guildies who's getting into DDO, so I'd at least skim the comments for their advice (like Power Attack is ditched promptly).

Talk out a lil more, and I'd be happy to assist ya further or post on that thread, Oldschool's pretty good about responding etc

I read the thread pretty interesting, and reminding how feat starved acrobat has been. So with that I'll probably go human just to get that extra bit. Yes to epics, I usually like to cap unless Im unhappy with the build/class then I hit 20 and tr. Im still unsure between str or dex build, I say this looking at my collection of staffs I have are str for attack/damge mod (not sure if this makes a difference anymore). The toon has 2 rogue, 3 pally, 1 sorc, 1 barb and will be 2 warlock pl, and 3 epic pl 2 colors and 1 primal (all eds are maxed atm and ready for another etr). I think Ill also make an iconic just too preview what I can get. Thank you for the link!

[Discpsycho]

Im still unsure between str or dex build, I say this looking at my collection of staffs I have are str for attack/damge mod (not sure if this makes a difference anymore).

Acrobats get Dex to Hit and Damage at level 3, so it doesn't matter much except at really early levels when you're going to struggle anyway.

There are a few of other reasons to consider Str vs. Dex:
- Multiclassing more than a couple of levels. There are more classes (Paladin, Barbarian) that using Str than Dex that synergize ok with staff use.
- Feat prerequisites. GTHF requires 17 Str, which could be anywhere from 3 to 5 build points with a +6 Tome, depending on your race
- Leveling gear. Do you have a decent Sharn ring for either Str or Dex that will make a significant difference?
- DCs and endgame gear. Acrobat supports Dex a bit better, but Str can often get a bit higher because of buff availability and less loot tetris

I did an Acrobat life (1-20 only) two or three years ago, significantly before Strikethrough. I went Dex-based and had absolutely no regrets. Max DC from Sweeping Strikes made an enormous difference, and the Reflex saves increased survivability quite a bit. If you're on the fence, I'd recommend Dex for those reasons, if not the sheer novelty of a THF Dex build

Edit: Forgot to throw in anecdotal evidence

[SpartanKiller13]

I read the thread pretty interesting, and reminding how feat starved acrobat has been. So with that I'll probably go human just to get that extra bit. Yes to epics, I usually like to cap unless Im unhappy with the build/class then I hit 20 and tr. Im still unsure between str or dex build, I say this looking at my collection of staffs I have are str for attack/damge mod (not sure if this makes a difference anymore). The toon has 2 rogue, 3 pally, 1 sorc, 1 barb and will be 2 warlock pl, and 3 epic pl 2 colors and 1 primal (all eds are maxed atm and ready for another etr). I think Ill also make an iconic just too preview what I can get. Thank you for the link!

I'd go Dex-based if it's an even decision. Defensive Roll (w/T5 Acrobat improving it) alone seems worth it, and Dex-Max + Evasion means you can ignore basically all Reflex-save stuff which is pretty convenient.

Thief-Acrobat cores 1 & 3 give Dex-to-Hit and Dex-to-Damage with quarterstavs, respectively - so at worst you'll be sorta weak for levels 1-2 which is pretty negligible (especially if you bank a few daily XP stones).

Acrobats get Dex to Hit and Damage at level 3, so it doesn't matter much except at really early levels when you're going to struggle anyway.

There are a few of other reasons to consider Str vs. Dex:
- Multiclassing more than a couple of levels. There are more classes (Paladin, Barbarian) that using Str than Dex that synergize ok with staff use.
- Feat prerequisites. GTHF requires 17 Str, which could be anywhere from 3 to 5 build points with a +6 Tome, depending on your race
- Leveling gear. Do you have a decent Sharn ring for either Str or Dex that will make a significant difference?
- DCs and endgame gear. Acrobat supports Dex a bit better, but Str can often get a bit higher because of buff availability and less loot tetris

These are good points to consider as well.

[LordPNut]

Sweet thanks guys!

[unbongwah]

I am curious whether anyone is running a DEX Acrobat in Shadowdancer. Executioner's Strike should apply on Strikethrough and even a first-life Acrobat can easily exceed 200%: 150% THF feats + 20% Improved Second Strikes + 50% Followthrough = 220% ST. Hitting 300% is harder: 20% Great Weapon Aptitude (human or half-orc) + 40% Malicious&Wild Weapons Twists + 20% ??? is there gear with 20% ST yet?

[Discpsycho]

is there gear with 20% ST yet?

As far as I know, not yet. I would be shocked if Feywild didn't include a filigree with Strikethrough as a set bonus

[SpartanKiller13]

I am curious whether anyone is running a DEX Acrobat in Shadowdancer. Executioner's Strike should apply on Strikethrough and even a first-life Acrobat can easily exceed 200%: 150% THF feats + 20% Improved Second Strikes + 50% Followthrough = 220% ST. Hitting 300% is harder: 20% Great Weapon Aptitude (human or half-orc) + 40% Malicious&Wild Weapons Twists + 20% ??? is there gear with 20% ST yet?

I have a buddy who has a TA build, let me ask them to see if they can test

Is the theory that you hit 3 enemies and usually oneshot one of them? Or what's the plan? Seems a little thin to build a toon on Although TA does look decent.

AFAIK there's only One Against Many's 3-piece +5% for gear ST.

[unbongwah]

Is the theory that you hit 3 enemies and usually oneshot one of them?

Basically yes.

"Executioner's Strike/Shot: Active Ability: (Cooldown: 12 seconds) Melee or ranged attack. Perform an attack with +[1/2/3][W] damage, +1 critical threat range and +1 critical damage multiplier. On hit: You have a 35% chance to kill a target instantly if the target fails a Fortitude save (DC 7 + character level + higher of Dex or Int modifier + Assassination bonuses). Even on successful save target takes an additional [50/75/100] damage from this attack."

The issue with it has always been there's only a 35% chance of the instakill effect proccing, which then requires a DC check. The Executioner relies on shuriken's high hit rate to max out the chances of it working. Melees need Strikethrough and doublestrike to max out their chances; and Acrobats get plenty of both. So hit at least 3 targets per attack with nigh-100% Doublestrike; on average you should see 2 procs of DC checks. Then you just need no-fail Assassinate DCs - how hard is that?

[SpartanKiller13]

I am curious whether anyone is running a DEX Acrobat in Shadowdancer. Executioner's Strike should apply on Strikethrough and even a first-life Acrobat can easily exceed 200%: 150% THF feats + 20% Improved Second Strikes + 50% Followthrough = 220% ST. Hitting 300% is harder: 20% Great Weapon Aptitude (human or half-orc) + 40% Malicious&Wild Weapons Twists + 20% ??? is there gear with 20% ST yet?

"Executioner's Strike/Shot: Active Ability: (Cooldown: 12 seconds) Melee or ranged attack... On hit: You have a 35% chance to kill a target instantly if the target fails a Fortitude save (DC 7 + character level + higher of Dex or Int modifier + Assassination bonuses)...

The issue with it has always been there's only a 35% chance of the instakill effect proccing, which then requires a DC check. The Executioner relies on shuriken's high hit rate to max out the chances of it working. Melees need Strikethrough and doublestrike to max out their chances; and Acrobats get plenty of both. So hit at least 3 targets per attack with nigh-100% Doublestrike; on average you should see 2 procs of DC checks. Then you just need no-fail Assassinate DCs - how hard is that?

Assuming you have no-fail DC's, 200% ST and 100% DS - you'd actually only see an average of 1.73 procs/hit (basically because sometimes your 2nd proc would hit the same enemy). Your chances of each are 0.35 + (0.65*0.35) = 0.5775 each, FWIW.

I asked my friend Oldschool to test it since he has a level 30 Thief-Acrobat, and here's his testing results:

First thing I need to say is that my Executioners strike DC is 86. So, I respecced SD for Executioners strike and ran some Sharn. LE Sharn trash mobs save against this most of the time, so its worth very little there with my DC. I went down to LH and re-tested. The Execution happens more frequently there, but trash still save against it with regularity. I'd guess 50% ish? I gathered the mobs around me and fired it off many times. I got at most two executions, maybe 5-10% of the time at best, never three. Often I would get 1 kill, but there were just as many zeros as well. Maybe its the DC, I don't know, but my Assassinate is so much more reliable and with a DC even lower than this. The ability just feels broken somehow to be honest with you, it always has. Maybe a higher DC would make it work better, but to work in LE that would take some real doing. I cannot recommend it at all, but at least I can confirm that it does work with strikethrough. Adrenaline / FotW is far, far better.

So the two-fold problems are actually getting DC's (might be opportunity cost with gear etc?) and landing the instakill on your priority target vs just a chance at it.

From his results, I'd have to agree with the FotW being a better choice. You can usually use an Adrenaline at least every 12s, which is functionally an instakill esp w/knockdown so it seems straight better - no need to gear DC's, and it lands much more consistently on priority targets (champs, reapers, etc).

For the Executioner build the principle is you get 3-5 chances to proc per target (so it's more consistent), and you get as many as you can fit in a line; with 2-3 enemies in a line you're already past the best Strikethrough can do, and often you can get even more than that in a line? Also the poster of that build said it was pretty reasonable to itemize; I don't know how that compares to melees etc.

Hope that helps @Unbongwah

[freysavatar]

Hey there! I have been away from DDO since before the release of Sharn and now coming back after the long break. Currently I am f2p and am very interested in the new (heroic) shifter race. Is there a possibility that you could throw together a 1-20 heroic build shifter that doesn't require any of the vip/paid enhancement trees, that is solo capable gishy melee/caster build? I get burned out on pure melee builds often and like to mix it up.

Would be nice to have some self heals, so I am guessing favored soul, cleric, bard, warlock (umd), or druid?

I do have access to 32 point build. I do not have access to any of the fancy enhancement trees, nor the monk or alchemist class. I am also starting over fresh on a new server to see how I can progress on my own.

[SpartanKiller13]

Hey there! I have been away from DDO since before the release of Sharn and now coming back after the long break. Currently I am f2p and am very interested in the new (heroic) shifter race. Is there a possibility that you could throw together a 1-20 heroic build shifter that doesn't require any of the vip/paid enhancement trees, that is solo capable gishy melee/caster build? I get burned out on pure melee builds often and like to mix it up.

Would be nice to have some self heals, so I am guessing favored soul, cleric, bard, warlock (umd), or druid?

I do have access to 32 point build. I do not have access to any of the fancy enhancement trees, nor the monk or alchemist class. I am also starting over fresh on a new server to see how I can progress on my own.

Welcome back!

In DDO it's easiest to focus around one stat as much as possible. The fancy enhancement trees allow you to get a casting stat to-hit & damage (Harper: Int, Falconry:Wis, and Feydark:Cha) which is why they're usually quite important to gishy builds (like a Cleric where you can use Falconry and play as a Wis-max build). To play a caster you functionally need a stat maxed, otherwise you'll at best be dealing half-damage with no option for CC effects.

Outside those enhancement trees, the F2P option available to a shifter: Bard Swashbuckler (Int or Cha to-damage) plus Wizard or Sorcerer EK (Int or Cha to-hit, respectively). Swashbuckling stuffs you into SWF anyway, but at least it comes with nice crit bonuses etc and SWF works fairly well with EK. Some sort of /x3 Bard seems fine for that? Sorc can't self-heal though.

The biggest problem is there's no good synergy with Shifter then. If you just want the RPL that's fine, but otherwise your stat bonuses are off (Wis mainly) and you can't even rage without spending 11+ AP into your racial tree. Also -2 Int sorta hurts for Wizzy mix (although it's not a deal-breaker). Also, Howl of Terror is Wis-based.

-----

TL;DR: you could go Int-based Wizard 17/Bard 3 using Pale Master for self-heals (main = EK w/some Swashbuckler) and just ignoring Shifter tree while casting Wizzy spells, or you're going to have a bunch of anti-synergy in your build. Or Bard/Sorc 3 using SB as your main tree, as a Cha-max using Bard casting.

With access to more classes it gets a lot easier. What classes do you have? You mention FvS, Warlock, and Druid which are all P2P but also say you don't have paid stuff. The above assumes you're F2P entirely.

If you have FvS, just going FvS 20 seems solid. You can then run Wis-max using Shifter stuff (FvS gives Wis-to-Hit-and-damage), War Soul for a DPS tree + Trance, and cast/melee just fine lol. Run THF and call it a day. Obviously tons of heals as a FvS, and you can use Howl of Terror SLA for funsies

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So, what do you have access to and what seems interesting?

[unbongwah]

Would be nice to have some self heals, so I am guessing favored soul, cleric, bard, warlock (umd), or druid?

Okay when you say "gish" my first thought is wizard: Pale Master / Eldritch Knight hybrid (e.g. Bladesingers). But half of the classes you list are divines so see my Ursine Cub thread.

[SpartanKiller13]

Okay when you say "gish" my first thought is wizard: Pale Master / Eldritch Knight hybrid

I always end up thinking Githzerai, although that's not at all what Gish means lol.

Just going Wizzy melee without Harper feels bad? I guess you can just dump weapon damage and run with spellcasting + EK spellblade, but dipping Bard 3 for base damage & Swashbuckling seems worth especially if you're going into epics. Idk though lol.

Will be able to get a more accurate build when they respond

[freysavatar]

Welcome back!

In DDO it's easiest to focus around one stat as much as possible. The fancy enhancement trees allow you to get a casting stat to-hit & damage (Harper: Int, Falconry:Wis, and Feydark:Cha) which is why they're usually quite important to gishy builds (like a Cleric where you can use Falconry and play as a Wis-max build). To play a caster you functionally need a stat maxed, otherwise you'll at best be dealing half-damage with no option for CC effects.

Outside those enhancement trees, the F2P option available to a shifter: Bard Swashbuckler (Int or Cha to-damage) plus Wizard or Sorcerer EK (Int or Cha to-hit, respectively). Swashbuckling stuffs you into SWF anyway, but at least it comes with nice crit bonuses etc and SWF works fairly well with EK. Some sort of /x3 Bard seems fine for that? Sorc can't self-heal though.

The biggest problem is there's no good synergy with Shifter then. If you just want the RPL that's fine, but otherwise your stat bonuses are off (Wis mainly) and you can't even rage without spending 11+ AP into your racial tree. Also -2 Int sorta hurts for Wizzy mix (although it's not a deal-breaker). Also, Howl of Terror is Wis-based.

-----

TL;DR: you could go Int-based Wizard 17/Bard 3 using Pale Master for self-heals (main = EK w/some Swashbuckler) and just ignoring Shifter tree while casting Wizzy spells, or you're going to have a bunch of anti-synergy in your build. Or Bard/Sorc 3 using SB as your main tree, as a Cha-max using Bard casting.

With access to more classes it gets a lot easier. What classes do you have? You mention FvS, Warlock, and Druid which are all P2P but also say you don't have paid stuff. The above assumes you're F2P entirely.

If you have FvS, just going FvS 20 seems solid. You can then run Wis-max using Shifter stuff (FvS gives Wis-to-Hit-and-damage), War Soul for a DPS tree + Trance, and cast/melee just fine lol. Run THF and call it a day. Obviously tons of heals as a FvS, and you can use Howl of Terror SLA for funsies

-----

So, what do you have access to and what seems interesting?

Hey and ty for the fast response! Yes it's been a while and I appreciate the warm welcome back.

It's been so long, I am not even sure what classes are f2p and p2p anymore. I do have access to the following classes.
-Fighter
-Barbarian
-Paladin
-Cleric
-Favored Soul
-Wizard
-Sorcerer
-Artificer
-Bard
-Ranger
-Rogue
-Warlock
-I do not have access to Druid yet, but it is my next item on the list to get.

I do not have access to any of the vip/p2p Enhancement Trees like Harper, Vistani KF, Falconer, Inquisitive, or the sort.

I am pretty limited at the moment.

EDIT: Also, as to what seems fun... I have only ever played a healer fvs (never tried a melee/caster version). I prefer pure class characters, but I am not opposed to multiclass if it helps me achieve the preferred playstyle. Druid sounds fun too, though it will be another month or two before I can afford to unlock druid.

[unbongwah]

It's been so long, I am not even sure what classes are f2p and p2p anymore.

For future reference: https://ddowiki.com/page/Classes

Looks like Alchemist, druid, and monk are the ones you're missing.

[freysavatar]

For future reference: https://ddowiki.com/page/Classes

Looks like Alchemist, druid, and monk are the ones you're missing.

Cool cool ty!
I do remember playing a druid back when I was VIP but never got far with it. It's a class I have always been interested in. When it comes to monk, i've never been able to get the hang of them. I splashed one once for a shuriken halfling build which was fun, but also not my cup of tea.

It pretty much looks like the only options for a spell/melee gishy-esque build would be favored soul, or a mc of the others. I am so out of touch with the game I don't really don't know where to start for a melee build (stats, feats,spells, skills, gear, etc). So yeh, any help would be appreciated.