Request a Build - Get a Build

[Soraksis]

Hello everyone I have a small problem I am sure some one can help me with. I am approaching my first TR what I wanted to do was something with a monk. My wife and I duo exclusively and we always bring healing hirelings. I have been crawling all over these forums and many others and have found very little information that will help me solve my issue, it was either out of date very far or didn't pertain to my issue.

So what I am dealing with is I want this character to be able to dish out a bit of damage but I want him to be able to survive as well. Not really a tank but tough tho, would be nice to get some kinda heal if I can but not a deal breaker if I don't get it. Want to run this unarmed and was leaning light for monk path. So far I have narrowed my choices down to 3 possible builds to go with, one is the pure monk, I have been toying with and reading and this build was the one I found the most information on so I think I have the pure monk figured out. That leaves the monk/fighter or the monk/druid, these two sound pretty cool the fighter would add a lot more feats could get good damage and build decent defense with it. The druid side I know even less about other than wolf form and dps but not a thing about survival what spells that kinda stuff.

As always my case is I have no clue what feats to go for starting stats or when to split the levels and how many levels of each. So if any of you could shed any light on this for me it would be great. Maybe just piece together a monk fighter build and a monk druid build quick for an outline of what I should be looking for it would help a ton. I am not expecting anyone to sit down for an hour and figure out a top to bottom build (unless you want to ) but maybe something just showing the level splits and feats maybe the starting stats and I can go from there. Anyways thanks again everyone.

[Munkenmo]

Maybe just piece together a monk fighter build and a monk druid build quick for an outline of what I should be looking for it would help a ton. I am not expecting anyone to sit down for an hour and figure out a top to bottom build (unless you want to ) but maybe something just showing the level splits and feats maybe the starting stats and I can go from there. Anyways thanks again everyone.

google "pastlifenmo" it's a druid / monk option.

[Catas]

Ok Ive looked through a ton of the forums trying to find a decent Cannith Challenge Iconic Farmer Build that DOES NOT use the Bladeforged Iconic.

The only base options are PDK, Shadar-Kai and Sun Elf (Morninglord).

Restricted to a L15-16 max for Cannith Challeneges ONLY. Account specs... VIP, Eveningstar, Shadowfell, No Bladeforged (and im not buying it). This will be a permanent character for me so I will be working to gear it up to make the challenges easier...

I want build a good overall character with DPS/Saves/Survivability .... Id like to stay with a Melee build mainly because I enjoy melee

My initial thoughts were either a PDK/Monk (handwraps or QStaff) using dragonmark for DDoor or a Shadar-Kai/??? ...I am leaning more towards the PDK at the moment..

Since I have never played a monk or rogue I dont really have any ideas on what/why/how on those classes...

I am sick of trying to farm the challeneges with an epic character and getting on 10% on the rewards....

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

Catas

[unbongwah]

My initial thoughts were either a PDK/Monk (handwraps or QStaff) using dragonmark for DDoor or a Shadar-Kai/??? ...I am leaning more towards the PDK at the moment..

Iconics don't get Dragonmarks, unfortunately, which means you couldn't do a PDK version of EllisDee37's Challenge farmer.

There are a few non-BF ideas in this thread. My vote would be ML cleric 1 / wiz 15: Pale Master with a side of Archmage (either Necro or Evo). You'd need to farm up some caster gear, though.

Another possibility is PDK melee bard: ftr 1 / bard 13 / <splash> 1.

[Demoralized13]

Looking to mostly make use out of wolf form, while using spells such as creeping cold, earthquake, and icestorm for damage. Planning on going wisdom based, human for the extra feat, and heal amp. Planning on going to 28 this life and staying there for a bit, so needing something remotely viable for epic content.

Mostly in need with help deciding on feats (NFx3 vs extra casting feats.) Planning on taking, maximize, empower, empower heal, SM&ISM, and IC:B.

Looking to stay as pure as possible, but will not splash monk, I tried monk splashes before, I just can't stand how badly it infects the play style of any class.

Thanks.

[Jasparion]

I am thinking of doing another Cleric life (I have Completionist and am rounding out a few extra lives - Sorc, Cleric, Wizard most likely) and was thinking of trying something different. Morninglord Cleric with maybe 12 Cleric / 6 Fighter / 2 Paladin. I probably need at least 4 Fighter levels for the Feats. Paladin is optional for nice saves. I could just as easily go Rogue for trapping and Evasion instead of Paladin (maybe 4 levels of Rogue are required simply to get the skill points).

With Morninglord I need to start with Cleric so I lose a lot Rogue skills, but I like the idea of dual wielding Maces (2 x Phosphor is one way for me to make use of the Tome sets I have). I dont need UMD, but I still do need Search and Disable.

Am I crazy? Should I go Shadarkai with this build?

Do I dump Rogue and go 10 Cleric / 8 Fighter / 2 Monk and use 8 Fighter to be centered with Maces? If I have to go to 28 and there are no real Mace options at Epic, do I dump the entire build? Do I do an LR at 20 and change to a different weapon? Unfortunately Ive spent next to zero time at Epic so I really dont have anything in the way of decent weapons at the Epic level. I do have a Triple Pos Warhammer - do Morninglord get bonuses with Warhammers? Or just Light Hammers?

But I do have 2 Raiders boxes which I guess I could crack open (though I understand Celestia and Warpriest dont mix).

Maybe this post belongs in another thread, but if anyone has suggestions for builds, I would much appreciate it !

[unbongwah]

With Morninglord I need to start with Cleric so I lose a lot Rogue skills, but I like the idea of dual wielding Maces (2 x Phosphor is one way for me to make use of the Tome sets I have).

You might be able to adapt one of my Tempest Warpriest builds to this idea, though I've no idea what you'd use in epics once Phosphor no longer cuts it - EE Forgotten Light, I guess?

[Jasparion]

You might be able to adapt one of my Tempest Warpriest builds to this idea, though I've no idea what you'd use in epics once Phosphor no longer cuts it - EE Forgotten Light, I guess?

Phosphor looks like is is pretty good compared to even the EE version of Forgotten Light. The Red slots in Phosphor can be used for Devotion and Impulse for healing and Blade Barrier, because its already got Good covered. And I dont need UMD or to be Good alignment to use it.

I picked up a Drow Light Mace for 39k on the AH - just in case. Figured I may end up needing to Trip a lot.

Ranger instead of Fighter is interesting. Gets me a fair few feats, and I can go with Manyshot as well... but it means dropping Monk because I wont be able to be Centered with Maces unless I have 8 levels of Fighter.

Is there any synergy between Morninglord and Ranger for ranged combat, or is it wasted?

[unbongwah]

Mostly in need with help deciding on feats (NFx3 vs extra casting feats.) Planning on taking, maximize, empower, empower heal, SM&ISM, and IC:B.

Looking to stay as pure as possible, but will not splash monk, I tried monk splashes before, I just can't stand how badly it infects the play style of any class.

Unfortunately, non-drunk wolf builds are behind the DPS curve compared to drunk wolves, in part because +[W] modifiers from weapons don't carry over to animal forms (except Shillelagh), but they will for unarmed dmg (e.g., monk lvls, Dance of Flowers). Add in extra feats, Evasion, Stunning Fist on a WIS-based build, etc. and it's hard to come up with a non-monk-based wolf druid which can compete.

[Nodoze]

Thanks to those tireless souls who help fill requests in this awesome 'Request a Build - Get a Build' thread !

I have a request which should hopefully be fairly straight forward…

Essentially I am looking for the "Highest Celestia(s) Boss DPS Build(s)".

To be a little more specific, I am looking for the highest sustained Boss DPS build(s) for curent cap that utilize Celestia(s) and I usually play divines so my knowledge of melee, especially TWF, is not that great so I am requesting help.

The only requirements that I can think of off hand are as follows:

-A1): The build(s) Can't "break" the Celestia(s) such that they no longer essentially break most any DR;

-A2): The build(s) has to capable of filling an 'EE Raid/Party Self-Sufficent Boss DPS' role with decent mitigation and some self healing capability (reasonable levels).

-A3): The build can assume that it's only role is self-sufficent max DPS via Celestia(s) in Raid Boss fights and certainly doesn't need to be able solo EE or even worry about CC trash or what not to get to the Boss. Sure it will help with the trash but doesn't need to be optimized for taking out the trash...

-A4): The build can assume that in EE Raid/Quest Boss fights there will be a dedicated/knowledgeable Tank who will have enough hate &/or Intimidation to keep agro and that the well-fortified boss will be getting de-buffs for -50% Fortification (helping crits/sneak-attacks), +50% Light damage (boosting Celestia Melee damage), +25% Light/physical damage (also boosting Celestia melee damage), & +20 damage (regardless of source also giving Celstia more damage); This should result in at least 100% boost to Light damage from Celestia against a well Fortified boss (assuming you have some crit/sneak-attack in the build) though the boosts could be much higher (not sure how to calculate how much damage boost you get when a well fortified boss loses 50% fortification);

That’s all I can think of. I don't really care what class/splash/combos, Epic Destiny/twists, race, or alignment and would be fine with a 36 point build with up to 3 past lives as well with even a full set of +5 tomes if needed to make it work. It would be great to also have 32 point version with easy to get tomes but not necessary...

The main thing I am looking for is the class split with min stats and at least priorities (like Str>Con>Charisma dump rest with min 10 int for specific skills) though full breakdown would be nice.

Also would need feats and Enhancements breakdown.

The builder can assume whatever reasonably farmable gear (as long as it leverages Celestia(s). I can likely grab gear listings covering all basic stuff (resists,prot,healamp, etc) but please denote any special/specific gear that would be required to make the build viable/best (sundering+10, exc-combat-mastery, deception,imp-deception, etc).

My head is swimming after looking at the melee options and being mostly a divine player I feel out of my element… I would be happy to help answer questions and willing to be a sounding board to bounce ideas off of as I do know the trees and classes and mechanics fairly well...

[unbongwah]

A1): The build(s) Can't "break" the Celestia(s) such that they no longer essentially break most any DR;

Caveat: I don't know what breaks Celestia's DR, so I don't know if this works. But my first thought is ftr 12 / monk 6 / pal or FvS 2 - i.e., Yet Another Master Earth Stance Kensei w/Divine Might, with the minor twist of not needing One w/Blade, since you're already centered w/short swords. 31 APs into Kensei for Keen Edge & Power Surge, 11 APs into Ninja for Shadow Form & extra sneak atk, 11 APs into Shintao for Deft Strikes + Iron Skin, and depending on splash, either 4 APs into Warpriest or 11 APs into KotC (need to Twist in Bane of Undeath as well) for Divine Might, leaving either 23 or 16 APs free for other PrEs. For race, I'm thinking HO for +4 STR and +3 Power Atk; drow for the shortsword bonuses & Venomed Blades (unless it breaks Celestia); halfling or HE w/rog dilly for extra sneak atk; or BF for +3 Power Atk and Reconstruct SLA.

[Nodoze]

Caveat: I don't know what breaks Celestia's DR, so I don't know if this works. But my first thought is ftr 12 / monk 6 / pal or FvS 2 - i.e., Yet Another Master Earth Stance Kensei w/Divine Might, with the minor twist of not needing One w/Blade, since you're already centered w/short swords. 31 APs into Kensei for Keen Edge & Power Surge, 11 APs into Ninja for Shadow Form & extra sneak atk, 11 APs into Shintao for Deft Strikes + Iron Skin, and depending on splash, either 4 APs into Warpriest or 11 APs into KotC (need to Twist in Bane of Undeath as well) for Divine Might, leaving either 23 or 16 APs free for other PrEs. For race, I'm thinking HO for +4 STR and +3 Power Atk; drow for the shortsword bonuses & Venomed Blades (unless it breaks Celestia); halfling or HE w/rog dilly for extra sneak atk; or BF for +3 Power Atk and Reconstruct SLA.

Thanks for the fast reply and what may be the winning answer...

Sadly you may be right as, even though it is the FotM build it is pretty awesome. I am actually running that build on my BladeForged and since it is THF I hadn't thought about converting it to TWF but you are right that with a simple LR I may have already have a top melee build handy to test with... I was hoping for a more exotic or different answer rather than the one staring me in the face (actually he looks away and I can only see the back of his head)...

Regarding Celestia, I don't know if there is a full thread that list everything that breaks it...

For Devines, being Drow and taking WarPriest Righteous weapons does and if in Epic Destiny:Exalted Angel (ED:EA) any alignment except True Nuetral breaks it because you have no choice but to take Blessed Blades giving your alignment to your weapons...

Not sure about poison but wouldn't be surprised as lots of things seem to break celestia so if Drow the build may not be able to take the racial poison and can't pick that from the ninja tree... Otherwise nothing in your recommendation stands out as likely breaking celestia. IIRC Cetus's build right he goes LD though it could also go FotW and I don't think there is anything mandatory in those Epic Destinies that you have to take that breaks Celestia...

Hopefully some other ideas will pop up. I was thinking that a sneak-attack Celestia build would have a chance of higher DPS in this scenario (with the boss getting a -50% fort from the get go) but I don't know Rogues and sneak-attacks...

[Nodoze]

Caveat: I don't know what breaks Celestia's DR, so I don't know if this works. But my first thought is ftr 12 / monk 6 / pal or FvS 2 - i.e., Yet Another Master Earth Stance Kensei w/Divine Might, with the minor twist of not needing One w/Blade, since you're already centered w/short swords. 31 APs into Kensei for Keen Edge & Power Surge, 11 APs into Ninja for Shadow Form & extra sneak atk, 11 APs into Shintao for Deft Strikes + Iron Skin, and depending on splash, either 4 APs into Warpriest or 11 APs into KotC (need to Twist in Bane of Undeath as well) for Divine Might, leaving either 23 or 16 APs free for other PrEs. For race, I'm thinking HO for +4 STR and +3 Power Atk; drow for the shortsword bonuses & Venomed Blades (unless it breaks Celestia); halfling or HE w/rog dilly for extra sneak atk; or BF for +3 Power Atk and Reconstruct SLA.

Thanks again... It seems like that challenge was not worthy of your skills...

I have a curve ball for you & a second request for this thread...

For the second build, everything in A still needs to be met but it also must meet:

-B1): At least splash Favored Soul (FvS) level 4 and spend at least 22AP in Angel of Vengeance (AoV) to get the Crown of Retribution (CoR) to be able to transfer it to a Tank; Otherwise this is also a max Celestia DPS build and doesn't really need to use FvS abilities except as denoted below; The build can take more levels of FvS if it helps sustained melee DPS but doesn't have to if that hurts sustained Melee DPS from Celestia(s); This build can assume the Tank will keep agro and use the CoR to apply/maintain +50% Light/Alignment damage debuffs as well as -50% Fortification debuffs;

-B2): Likely also spend at least 7 AP in the Warpriest tree to get Smite Weakness and be sustain maximum Vulnerable stacks while doing max DPS with Celstia(s); This character may briefly start fights with Frostbite blades to quickly max Vulnerable stacks but should then quickly switch to Celestia(s) to do max melee Light damage; Note that 7 AP is the minumum in WarPriest needed but you could expand to 22AP if you want Ameliorating Strike but the role is DPS and not party heals and you only need to be able to cocoon or whatever to be a reasonably self-sufficent DPS. There may be other options but the bottom line is you only need to be able to keep the Boss fully vulnerable (full 20 stacks) while doing max damage from Celestia(s).

-B3): To max sustained boss damage with Celestia(s) while in the Epic Destiny: Exalted Angel (ED:EA). While in ED:EA, the build must be able to cast at least 5 light spells every 30 seconds to keep max sustained Rebuke-Foe stacks on the boss. This should be able to be done via the ED:EA's built in SLA Avenging-Light (AL) which has 3sp cost with a 3sec cooldown (CD). Rebuke-Foe has a 3 second CD but looks to be mana-free so the level 4 FvS minimum splash should have enough mana both cast the AL through the fight but could carry mana pots in case the mana-pool with echos of power aren't enough. If the build could fit in an Archon and do more melee dps then alternatives that would be an option to keep the melee build from having to stop melee to pew-pew to build charges.

-B4): Be True Neutral (TN) or have a built in-way to easily and reasonably-cost-effectively self-buff a "broken Celestia" to again break all DR. Since you would know which Boss before the fights I could see a melee Artificer doing it via buffs or maybe a Barbarian respecing his Occult Slayer APs before going into the raid but otherwise I would think just staying True Neutral would be better. TN rules out Paladins and Monks but I guess not Rangers (from PnP I thought Rangers had to be Good but evidently they do not need to be Good in DDO)...

I have some ideas but I don't want to float them and bias your or anyone's answers... Maybe this follow-up request will be a little more challenging.

[Furyofearth]

Hello!

I haven't played in ages (ages, as in like 2 years or so) due to several problems with my personal life and I would really-really like to get back at this game. I used to have a character with 2 TRs but I was always a noob with building characters, so I used the builds from the Revisiting Paths megathread whose author apparently stopped doing stuff by now. I have access to every class/race and whatever and I'm willing to buy the iconic stuff aswell, can you recommend me a good, straightforward melee build that isn't gimped, doesn't require loads of tomes and stuff and something that I can get back into the game with? I don't have any class specifications seeing as I don't know jack about the current state of the meta, I'm entirely willing to listen to your advice except one thing: I wouldn't like a pure-ish monk, or anything that even remotely plays like one. Splashes are okay.

Thanks in advance,
Sarah

[Rawrargh]

Hello!

I haven't played in ages (ages, as in like 2 years or so) due to several problems with my personal life and I would really-really like to get back at this game. I used to have a character with 2 TRs but I was always a noob with building characters, so I used the builds from the Revisiting Paths megathread whose author apparently stopped doing stuff by now. I have access to every class/race and whatever and I'm willing to buy the iconic stuff aswell, can you recommend me a good, straightforward melee build that isn't gimped, doesn't require loads of tomes and stuff and something that I can get back into the game with? I don't have any class specifications seeing as I don't know jack about the current state of the meta, I'm entirely willing to listen to your advice except one thing: I wouldn't like a pure-ish monk, or anything that even remotely plays like one. Splashes are okay.

Thanks in advance,
Sarah

12 fighter/6 monk/2 Pala is the current flavor of the month build as it gets just about anything you would want on a melee.
Now a days you can pick master/grandmaster of forms as long as you have some monk levels, so you no longer need to stay pure to take advantage of this, combine this with earth stance providing excelent defense AND offense. The kensai tree allows you to stay centered with your kensai-focus weapon (like a great axe or a greatsword) and 2 paladin gives you saves.

[Nodoze]

Hello!

I haven't played in ages (ages, as in like 2 years or so) due to several problems with my personal life and I would really-really like to get back at this game. I used to have a character with 2 TRs but I was always a noob with building characters, so I used the builds from the Revisiting Paths megathread whose author apparently stopped doing stuff by now. I have access to every class/race and whatever and I'm willing to buy the iconic stuff aswell, can you recommend me a good, straightforward melee build that isn't gimped, doesn't require loads of tomes and stuff and something that I can get back into the game with? I don't have any class specifications seeing as I don't know jack about the current state of the meta, I'm entirely willing to listen to your advice except one thing: I wouldn't like a pure-ish monk, or anything that even remotely plays like one. Splashes are okay.

Thanks in advance,
Sarah

12 fighter/6 monk/2 Pala is the current flavor of the month build as it gets just about anything you would want on a melee.
Now a days you can pick master/grandmaster of forms as long as you have some monk levels, so you no longer need to stay pure to take advantage of this, combine this with earth stance providing excelent defense AND offense. The kensai tree allows you to stay centered with your kensai-focus weapon (like a great axe or a greatsword) and 2 paladin gives you saves.

I play that build and with the weapons it certainly doesn't feel like a monk. I have a Great-Axe version & my buddy plays a Great-Sword variant (slightly different classes/splits) and I am considering LRing into a TWF version...

The following is the best thread I have seen with the details on that build:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...er-Build-Cetus

I personally recommend the BladeForged version as the built in Reconstruct SLA and the immunities are a very nice mix. The Original Poster of the thread originally went Human but after trying the BladeForged version he said it was overall better but both are viable even at the current EE end-game.

Best of luck.

[Furyofearth]

I play that build and with the weapons it certainly doesn't feel like a monk. I have a Great-Axe version & my buddy plays a Great-Sword variant (slightly different classes/splits) and I am considering LRing into a TWF version...

The following is the best thread I have seen with the details on that build:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...er-Build-Cetus

I personally recommend the BladeForged version as the built in Reconstruct SLA and the immunities are a very nice mix. The Original Poster of the thread originally went Human but after trying the BladeForged version he said it was overall better but both are viable even at the current EE end-game.

Best of luck.

Hi!

Thanks, I checked the thread out. Later in the topic you mention that you made a build for a friend of yours which is slightly inferior with 6 cleric levels but has no ranged component at all. Would you please elaborate on that and the differences between the human to the bladeforged build? I too would like the build not to feature any range in it whatsoever.

[Nodoze]

Hi!

Thanks, I checked the thread out. Later in the topic you mention that you made a build for a friend of yours which is slightly inferior with 6 cleric levels but has no ranged component at all. Would you please elaborate on that and the differences between the human to the bladeforged build? I too would like the build not to feature any range in it whatsoever.

At the top of the thread is the Human version and the OP (Cetus) has said the BladeForged version he is running is superior but hasn't actually posted his fully final BladeForged version because he hasn't finished fully tweaking it out.

That being said, somewhere in the latter part of the thread is a fully fleshed out BladeForged version that I took and ran with and it is very solid. It has full melee with great mitigation (25% incorp/high dodge/good armor & prr in earth stance, etc) and with the Reconstruct SLA can heal itself up to full every 6 seconds as long as it has mana. The 12F/6M/2P is awesome and creatively squeaks in some awesome capabilities including a great ranged option when needed... The downsides for new players, from my perspective, are as follows:
-The mana pool is the one downside in that at level 24 I only have something like 300 mana. To not burn though mana pots I think it would be ideal to farm a Green Steel mana item as well as things like the Mysterious Bauble (and anything else that restores mana points X/day);
- You cannot use Divine might until you grind out a Twist in the Epic Destiny:Unyielding Sentinel (ED:US); Likely you will start and want to fill out ED:Ledgendary Dreadnaught (ED:LD) and/or Fury of the Wild (ED:FotW) and you will have to go through ED: Greater Monk of Flowers (ED:GMoF) to get to ED:US... That is a long time with no Divine Might (I am still in GMoF myself right now and still don't have it);

My buddy doesn't have Monk so I did mostly the same build but did 12F/6C/2P for him with mostly the same feats but instead of the ranged ones I took everything that could make a GreatSword better even things not required by the Kensei enhancements (Greater Focus or Greater Specilization which ever one wasn't required) and I took all the Diety Feats for GreatSwords to at least get him to Bladesworn Tranformation... With any other Feats I think I got him heavy Armor (Adamantine) and maybe dumped one into Toughness becaus e I didn't see anything else off hand and was in a hurry... Enhancements-wise in the War-priest tree I took him all the way up the Righteous Weapons tree to get him Wrathful weapons and aside from Righteous/Wrathful I just got whatever looked decent in that tree to get him to the top. Since I was already that high up in the WarPriest tree I also got him Ameliorating Strike (AS) to help get to the top tier and am surprised how much it helps even with no heal amp gear nor heal skill or devotion item. We both Reconstruct less frequently when he remembers to use it. If you plan to group a lot Fleshies or PuGs you may want to increase your healing output and amp what you get from healing as both healers and other players will appreciate that. We typically Duo with each other so we went the other way but that was a conscious decision. Our other party member is a fleshy FvS who doesn't complain about the lack of amp (its my kid).

That being said, if my buddy had Favored Soul (FvS) unlocked I would have taken that over Cleric instead. If he had Monk I would not have gotten that for him because he does not like to wait nor grind and doesn't like complexity/stances/etc so I would have gone 12f/6FvS/2P for him.

All in all, compared to me, he has Divine Might now + Righteous/Wrathful Weapons and his THF weapon hits are greater than mine (with the similar class weapons) but I have a ranged option and his deity would strike him dead if he uses anything but a Greatsword (roleplay theme) so he has no ranged option. He has a much bigger mana pool than I and his would be even higher if he was a FvS... I have ninja fade and decent AC/PRR when in Ocean Stance but I usually am currently playing in Air Stance with GMoF's Running with the Wind as I love the run speed bonus (and we aren't playing EE right now so don't need Ocean). I think, aside from ranged, he is better than me currently for the EH content we usually run but soon when I can move to ED:US and twist turns to get Divine Might I should hopefully equal or surpass him. It will remain to be seen if his build will be EE worthy but frankly I don't know that he cares or whether he will play EE. With Heavy Armor PRR, Paladin Divine Grace Saves, & a larger mana pool for Reconstructs I suspect he should be OK if decides he wants to go there one day (plus he could always do some reincarnates to make changes for EE if needed)...

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I have played both and like both and think his is at least slightly better right now unless we hit an obstacle that requires ranged... His is real fun when he does all his action boosts and pops Bladesworn Transformation.

Hope that helps. Let us know if you need more info.

[Furyofearth]

At the top of the thread is the Human version and the OP (Cetus) has said the BladeForged version he is running is superior but hasn't actually posted his fully final BladeForged version because he hasn't finished fully tweaking it out.

That being said, somewhere in the latter part of the thread is a fully fleshed out BladeForged version that I took and ran with and it is very solid. It has full melee with great mitigation (25% incorp/high dodge/good armor & prr in earth stance, etc) and with the Reconstruct SLA can heal itself up to full every 6 seconds as long as it has mana. The 12F/6M/2P is awesome and creatively squeaks in some awesome capabilities including a great ranged option when needed... The downsides for new players, from my perspective, are as follows:
-The mana pool is the one downside in that at level 24 I only have something like 300 mana. To not burn though mana pots I think it would be ideal to farm a Green Steel mana item as well as things like the Mysterious Bauble (and anything else that restores mana points X/day);
- You cannot use Divine might until you grind out a Twist in the Epic Destiny:Unyielding Sentinel (ED:US); Likely you will start and want to fill out ED:Ledgendary Dreadnaught (ED:LD) and/or Fury of the Wild (ED:FotW) and you will have to go through ED: Greater Monk of Flowers (ED:GMoF) to get to ED:US... That is a long time with no Divine Might (I am still in GMoF myself right now and still don't have it);

My buddy doesn't have Monk so I did mostly the same build but did 12F/6C/2P for him with mostly the same feats but instead of the ranged ones I took everything that could make a GreatSword better even things not required by the Kensei enhancements (Greater Focus or Greater Specilization which ever one wasn't required) and I took all the Diety Feats for GreatSwords to at least get him to Bladesworn Tranformation... With any other Feats I think I got him heavy Armor (Adamantine) and maybe dumped one into Toughness becaus e I didn't see anything else off hand and was in a hurry... Enhancements-wise in the War-priest tree I took him all the way up the Righteous Weapons tree to get him Wrathful weapons and aside from Righteous/Wrathful I just got whatever looked decent in that tree to get him to the top. Since I was already that high up in the WarPriest tree I also got him Ameliorating Strike (AS) to help get to the top tier and am surprised how much it helps even with no heal amp gear nor heal skill or devotion item. We both Reconstruct less frequently when he remembers to use it. If you plan to group a lot Fleshies or PuGs you may want to increase your healing output and amp what you get from healing as both healers and other players will appreciate that. We typically Duo with each other so we went the other way but that was a conscious decision. Our other party member is a fleshy FvS who doesn't complain about the lack of amp (its my kid).

That being said, if my buddy had Favored Soul (FvS) unlocked I would have taken that over Cleric instead. If he had Monk I would not have gotten that for him because he does not like to wait nor grind and doesn't like complexity/stances/etc so I would have gone 12f/6FvS/2P for him.

All in all, compared to me, he has Divine Might now + Righteous/Wrathful Weapons and his THF weapon hits are greater than mine (with the similar class weapons) but I have a ranged option and his deity would strike him dead if he uses anything but a Greatsword (roleplay theme) so he has no ranged option. He has a much bigger mana pool than I and his would be even higher if he was a FvS... I have ninja fade and decent AC/PRR when in Ocean Stance but I usually am currently playing in Air Stance with GMoF's Running with the Wind as I love the run speed bonus (and we aren't playing EE right now so don't need Ocean). I think, aside from ranged, he is better than me currently for the EH content we usually run but soon when I can move to ED:US and twist turns to get Divine Might I should hopefully equal or surpass him. It will remain to be seen if his build will be EE worthy but frankly I don't know that he cares or whether he will play EE. With Heavy Armor PRR, Paladin Divine Grace Saves, & a larger mana pool for Reconstructs I suspect he should be OK if decides he wants to go there one day (plus he could always do some reincarnates to make changes for EE if needed)...

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I have played both and like both and think his is at least slightly better right now unless we hit an obstacle that requires ranged... His is real fun when he does all his action boosts and pops Bladesworn Transformation.

Hope that helps. Let us know if you need more info.

Thank you, it's very helpful and in-depth, I appreciate it.
I'll probably try rolling with yours though, the only thing I wonder is do you actually use ranged to boost your melee burst with manyshot and other ranged cds even point blank? I'm not familiar with the concept of using ranged weaponry but some versatility might not hurt after all, and if the monk's endgame is just that much better who am I to say no to that.
****, I wish I could play. I only have a mac I can actually play it on but the client keeps crashing on the welcome to eberron loading screen after logging into an existing character or while I'm trying to create a new one. The help forum with the mac client seems awfully dead so I guess I'll give the turbine support a shot tomorrows.

[Nodoze]

Thank you, it's very helpful and in-depth, I appreciate it.
I'll probably try rolling with yours though, the only thing I wonder is do you actually use ranged to boost your melee burst with manyshot and other ranged cds even point blank? I'm not familiar with the concept of using ranged weaponry but some versatility might not hurt after all, and if the monk's endgame is just that much better who am I to say no to that.
****, I wish I could play. I only have a mac I can actually play it on but the client keeps crashing on the welcome to eberron loading screen after logging into an existing character or while I'm trying to create a new one. The help forum with the mac client seems awfully dead so I guess I'll give the turbine support a shot tomorrows.

Happy to help. Regarding Ranged, I honestly have yet to come across a scenario where I really needed it (yet) as with a high strength and jump we have both been able to duo to 25 fine and get all the mobs we need with THF weapons... We have been advancing on a continuous HH & now EH streak and I just haven't needed it. I did use it to kill steal a mob my buddy was running/jumping to but that wasn't needed as it only took a few seconds of jumping/running and he was almost there... When I remember to use many-shot it does seem effective but we are both old PnP Paladin Council buddies from the old days when Paladins (and even Paladin multi-classes) were not allowed to use ranged weapons or they would loose their Paladin-hood... From that role play perspective, & habit, and frankly because it is fun, we pretty much just swing big THF weapons watching each other's back. Regarding melee, at this point his build is more effective than mine at melee (and even if it stays ahead and that is OK)...

Since you are coming back from a break and have multiple TRs under your belt (even if they were a few years ago) and hopefully still have some plat/or old gear and know your fortitude/threshold for grinding I think you your decision is sound.

If you were new to the game and not sure if you were willing to grind out fatepoints/twists and multiple EDs and what not nor sure if EE was something you wanted to pursue, I would strongly recommend the 12F/6FvS/2P instead (or 12F/6C/2P if you didn't have FvS) as it totally rocks right out of the chute (and can always be LR+ or TRed to whatever)... I have been playing since 2006 (with some big breaks in there) and have been playing pretty much weekly since 2009 and though I don't mind grinding nor some delayed gratification while waiting for the build to fully bloom (though I don't really chase EE unless a friend really needs help with something). That being said I very much do not like the small mana pool (<300 at level 24 without Green-Steel mana item) but I have few hobbies and don't mind having to (and can afford to) stock mana-pots until I can grind out GS and grid bauble/etc. When I get a little jealous of his better performance through at least level 24 I remember that I also get to play that build so I get the best of both worlds...

Anyway, I suspect you already got most of that from my previous post... I mainly typed this post up for others that come to this thread, especially new folk, as I didn't want to give the impression that I recommend that build in all cases and that I think your choice was the better one in all cases...

Lastly, again welcome back and GL in the AM with the support team. Sorry I can't help you with that...

EDIT: Speaking of reincarnations and Cleric splash's that reminds me to recommend you subcribe to that thread if you go with that build... It has already evolved to favor BF over Human and now that they are fully kitted out at cap they are debating/leaning toward going with Cleric for the higher damage... I don't follow that close because mine is only 25 but I think they are leaning toward 12F/6M/2C for more damage over the current 12F/6M/2P incarnation...