Request a Build - Get a Build

[PentegarnDarras]

No Artificer builds?
Or did I miss them??

[Caprice]

No Artificer builds?
Or did I miss them??

There are probably some if you go looking back. Can you provide more detail about what sort of build you are looking for (ranged or melee) and what build points, races, tomes, etc. you have? However except for quick heroic lives, I am not sure that I would recommend Artificer all that heartily right now. The recent U25 changes to Rogue Mechanic make it much more effective at the repeater & trapping role than mainly Artificer builds, Paladin 14/Rogue 5/+1 is much better at repeater DPS, and while you can make an okay WF/BF melee build there are many other more effective class choices available (esp. Paladin).

[Gadren]

Has anyone figured out the build with the highest possible +x melee power possible?
As far as I can figure, the best is a level 28 pure barbarian/legendary dreadnought with 42 pts in frenzied Berzerker, 25 pts in Ravager, 13 pts in Harper, three weapon focus feats for +6, +6 combat style bonus, +10 greater rage, +24 epic, +30 from frenzied berserker, +45 from Ravager, +6 from Harper, +18 Legendary Dreadnought, +70 master's blitz, for a total of +215 max melee power with all boosts active (which I believe is possible, though tricky), or +85 without boosts.

Can anyone build for even more?

[Nordenfeldt]

Race: elf or HE for access to racial AA PrE

Stats: Like most monkchers, WIS should be your primary stat to max out 10K proc chances, but you also need DEX for feat pre-reqs and INT for dmg (Know the Angles + Strategic Combat). Some CON & CHA don't hurt, either, which means STR is your only dump stat. [If you don't have Harper, you can do DEX-based elf w/Grace instead; lower DPS overall but less stat-constrained too.] Ideally you TR a build which has taken a +6 DEX tome to help you hit stat pre-reqs, then you only need DEX 15 to start; otherwise adjust your base stats / leveling order based on what you do have.

OK, I'm confused. I'm building this build, and I am spending all my levelups on Wis just so I can get 10k stars up to a decent level. Except 10k stars seems to be a bit weaker than manyshot 9which I have as well) and they are both on the same timer. So... what?

Why not jettison 10k stars, save ALL those levelups for something useful, like int for hit-and-damage?

[unbongwah]

Why not jettison 10k stars, save ALL those levelups for something useful, like int for hit-and-damage?

Triggering 10K Stars puts Manyshot on cooldown for 30 secs: same duration as 10K, so effectively it doesn't matter. Triggering Manyshot will also put 10K on CD for 30 secs; if 10K is already on CD, the timer is reset to 30 secs. So there's a 10-sec delay between when MS expires and 10K can be used again. So the combat rotation is something like this:

• 0-30 secs: use 10K Stars
• 30-50 secs: use Manyshot
• 50-60 secs: 10K is still on CD
• 60-90 secs: use 10K Stars
• 90-120 secs: 10K is still on CD
• Go back to step 1

So every two minutes, you get 20 secs of Manyshot, 60 secs of 10K Stars, and 40 secs of neither. During the downtime, you can pike, melee, regen ki, rebuff, keep plinking away, or whatever.

[Gadren]

OK, I'm confused. I'm building this build, and I am spending all my levelups on Wis just so I can get 10k stars up to a decent level. Except 10k stars seems to be a bit weaker than manyshot 9which I have as well) and they are both on the same timer. So... what?

Why not jettison 10k stars, save ALL those levelups for something useful, like int for hit-and-damage?

You're confused because you're wrong. You may be thinking of how manyshot used to work years ago?

After using Manyshot, you cannot use it again for 2 minutes. Having recently played an archer ranger up to 20, I will say that means you do not have manyshot available to you for most fights. And when you don't have Manyshot available, longbows SUCK. Manyshot only puts 10k stars on a 30 sec cool down. So while you are waiting too get manyshot back, you can use 10k stars. Hence the appeal of the monkchers.

[TMTrainer]

Nothing to special here. I've been looking at a couple different builds for my third life and stumbled across Tempest for an interesting choice as a melee who isn't a Rogue or Barbarian. I'm looking at one variant... the one that looks more 'Enhancement Focused' i.e. a Dex Focused dual wielder but am open to anything that sounds better than this idea. I'm not too knowledgeable on Tempest, but it looks interesting and strong enough to give it a try. If possible, I'm interested it both doing damage and being self sufficient enough to solo at least somewhat effectively, however, I don't mind dropping, say, the ability to trap for more damage. (I've been damage starved my first too lives, I would like to actually be able to kill things SOMEWHAT in epics after going pure-Healbot and -CCcaster)

I'm not too knowledgeable on multiclassing, either, so if you decide to multiclass for a build, could you explain to me (at least briefly) exactly why you decided to do it? It's not that I doubt the build, it's more for my understanding and to learn why people multiclass certain ways.

Lives: Clericx1, Bardx1
Tomes: Dex +2, Int +1, Cha +2

I have all races and classes, bar Half-Orc and Bladeforged.

Thanks!

[Kazlin]

I have a lvl 14 Warforged FvS with his +20 Heart that i would love to change into this build because right now he is currently gimp in his current form. it was a old build i forgot the name of it from 2011. i just recently came back from a long break. Any help would be really apreciated.

[Annai5692]

Request a build, it says...

I'm wondering if there is a tried and true optimum for Solo play, based on 2 Rogue, 8 Fighter. That's it. Not more than 10 levels. The other 10 would then go into whatever class I currently felt like using for buffs and getting a past life in. Using harper for it is fine, as the fighter levels will need high int anyway.

Help for the lazy?

[unbongwah]

I'm wondering if there is a tried and true optimum for Solo play, based on 2 Rogue, 8 Fighter. That's it. Not more than 10 levels.

Why ftr 8? Just for Gtr Weap Focus and Keen Edge?

[Annai5692]

Why ftr 8? Just for Gtr Weap Focus and Keen Edge?

Less fighter is fine as is more rogue. I just want the last class to be the one to carry into past life. Hence 10 there would limit fighter to 8. With the added bonus of another feat if needed.

I found the survivability of the fighter nicest so far. Would probably be equal or slightly better on a paladin, but this way there should be 9 feats till level 10?

Edit: Let me put my idea down, might be easier this way.

I was thinking

Drow, Lawful Good, +5 Tome (all) used
Str 15
Dex 10
Con 12
Int 20 (Levels in int)
Wis 8
Cha 10

Rogue (Two-Handed Fighting)
Fighter (Power Attack*)
Fighter (Exotic: Bastard, Cleave*)
Fighter
Fighter (Shield Mastery*)
Fighter (Great Cleave)
Fighter (Improved Two-Handed Fighting*)
Rogue (catch up on Open Lock and UMD)
Fighter (Improved Critical: Slash)
Fighter (Improved Shield Mastery*)

* marks Fighter Bonus Feat. +2 Strength should be active from tomes by the time I get to Improved Two-Handed.

Fighting with Int (and Harper tree).

At that stage Greater Two-Handed Fighting is missing due to BAB. Can be taken at 12 or 15. From there on out, any other class would work. To provide Buffs, nothing fancy planned (Wizard, Sorcerer, Bard, Favoured Soul and Cleric come to mind first). Survivability should be good in fullplate with shield. Casting will be .. err.. rubbish, but I suppose weaving Extend in and taking armour off works. Blur/Displacement are non-hand-wavey so they should be okay anyway.

The goal is _not_ (and I better underline that) to be effective in Epic levels. The goal is painless leveling, ideally from the beginning. With hirelings (just in case I posted "solo" somewhere and this was misunderstood as dedication on my part .

[unbongwah]

My S&B builds generally come in two forms these days: Swashbucklers and pure Vanguards. The good thing about Swashbuckler is most of the crit bonuses are front-loaded in the stance itself, which you get at bard lvl 3; so it's a pretty big, early boost to DPS for not a lot of APs. The downside is you're restricted to light armor & bucklers, so you don't have the defenses of the "classic" S&B builds. Vanguards are tougher, but their DPS is backloaded in the core enhancements; so MCing a VG usually means giving up a lot of DPS.

Also is the rog splash for trap skills? Is it mandatory for your playstyle?

[Annai5692]

Also is the rog splash for trap skills? Is it mandatory for your playstyle?

Yes for trap skills - which works well with using harper int for fighting, I think. I should probably stick int-for-reflex-saves in there as well (later).

And is it mandatory... hmm. Not neccessary for enjoying it. However, I am rubbish at remembering traps and jumping. Hence rogue skills save frustration and make my life easier. 6 skill points per level will be enough for that.

You'd think of a bard3/fighter8 build instead then?

[unbongwah]

I think one of the stronger HTR templates these days is bard 3+ for Swashbuckler combined with either a rog splash for trap skills & Evasion (since Swashie restricts you to lt armor anyway) or ftr splash for extra feats, defensive stance, as well as Kensei and (if going S&B) Vanguard bonuses. Beyond that, it depends on how many levels you want in your TR class vs higher-lvl bard / rog or ftr abilities.

[Annai5692]

I think one of the stronger HTR templates these days is bard 3+ for Swashbuckler combined with either a rog splash for trap skills & Evasion (since Swashie restricts you to lt armor anyway) or ftr splash for extra feats, defensive stance, as well as Kensei and (if going S&B) Vanguard bonuses. Beyond that, it depends on how many levels you want in your TR class vs higher-lvl bard / rog or ftr abilities.

I don't think I've played a bard yet for more than 10 minutes

Could you spell out (for newbies) the level progression to 5 (and possibly 10 or so) for both the Bard/Rogue and Bard/Fighter options? I am usually not good at spotting synergies. If there is anything important, would you mind mentioning it expressly?

[unbongwah]

So here's a sample build which I've considered using as a TR template: bard 5 / ftr 3 / <HPL class> 12, in this case FvS.

Vulkooreer
12/5/3 Favored Soul/Bard/Fighter, Epic 1
True Neutral Drow


Level Order

1. Bard            6. Favored Soul   11. Fighter        16. Favored Soul
2. Bard            7. Favored Soul   12. Bard           17. Favored Soul
3. Bard            8. Favored Soul   13. Fighter        18. Favored Soul
4. Fighter         9. Bard           14. Favored Soul   19. Favored Soul
5. Favored Soul   10. Favored Soul   15. Favored Soul   20. Favored Soul


Stats
               28pt     30pt     32pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     ----     ----     --------
Strength        16       16       16                4: STR
Dexterity       12       12       12       +1       8: STR
Constitution    12       12       14               12: STR
Intelligence    10       12       10               16: STR
Wisdom           8        8        8               20: STR
Charisma        18       18       18               


Feats

 1        : Single Weapon Fighting
 3        : Shield Mastery
 4 Fighter: Precision
 5 Deity  : Follower of: Vulkoor
 6        : Empower Healing Spell
 7 Deity  : Child of: Vulkoor
 9        : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
10 FavSoul: Energy Resistance: Electricity
11 Fighter: Improved Critical: Piercing
12        : Improved Shield Mastery
14 Deity  : Vulkoor's Avatar
15        : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
18        : Quicken Spell
18 FavSoul: Energy Resistance: Fire
20 Deity  : Beloved of: Vulkoor
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical


Enhancements (80 AP)

Swashbuckler (35 AP)

Confidence, Swashbuckling
On Your Toes I, Blow By Blow: Melee III
Deflect Arrows, Fast Movement, Sword Dance III
Elegant Footwork, Skirmisher, Resonant Arms III
Low Blow, Battering Barrage II
Thread the Needle, Exploit Weakness, Coup de Grace: Melee

Warchanter (6 AP)

Skaldic: Constitution, Weapon Training
Poetic Edda II, Enchant Weapon

Warpriest (22 AP)

Smite Foe, Resilience of Battle, Sanctuary
Divine Might III, Righteous Weapons
Smite Weakness, Wall of Steel III, Righteous Weapons, Inflame III
Inflame: Energy Absorption II
Ameliorating Strike

Kensei (4 AP)

Kensei Focus: Light Blades
Haste Boost III

Stalwart Defender (13 AP)

Toughness, Stalwart Defense
Item Defense I, Resilient Defense III
Durable Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III

Bard 5 provides most of the melee DPS bonuses from Swashbuckler and a bit of Warchanter. Ftr 3 provides two extra feats, defensive stance, and whatever APs you can spare for Kensei and/or Vanguard. FvS is the HTR class; 22 APs in Warpriest for Ameliorating Strike, Enflame, Div Might, and Righteous Weapons (uses short swords); FvS 12 gets you Heal spell and +2 dmg from Beloved of Vulkoor. I only planned it to lvl 21 since it's an HTR-only template.

[Statham]

I'm new (again) to DDO but not new to MMO's. I've been doing a lot of research on ranger class builds but I have yet to find a viable solo build that suits my style of play (which is mainly sneaking around and engaging enemies covertly). I've started and restarted and restarted again while trying to work it out on my own but I'm getting frustrated because I don't fully understand the finer details of multi-class builds (i.e. soft caps, synergies, etc). The type of build I'm trying to make is as follows:

Ranger/Rogue hybrid (or ranger/rogue/fighter?)
28pt build (no VIP stuff, no tomes, no dragonmarks, no favor)
Human or Elf
DEX-based finesse/evasion (with regard to weapons and armor) (is this viable? or is STR still the king of all attributes?)
TWF (weapon choice depends on race and whether STR-based or DEX-based?)
will use ranged attacks for pulling but not much else
will be for solo play 95% of the time (so I need to have good solo survivability)
can deal with traps/locks in the context of solo play but not concerned with raid-level content

I looked at EllisDee37's Tempest Trapmonkey but the skill choices seem focused on end-game trap duty for raids (is this incorrect?). As a casual solo player, I'm not concerned with being a specialist in a raid setting.

I like the idea of a DEX-based rogue/ranger but, honestly, I don't know how to go about optimizing it or if it's even viable.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and expertise.

[unbongwah]

28pt build (no VIP stuff, no tomes, no dragonmarks, no favor)

FYI, Dragonmarks are open to everybody now. You used to have to run the Hall of the Mark quest once per server on any char to unlock them, but even that modest pre-req got dropped.

DEX-based finesse/evasion (with regard to weapons and armor) (is this viable? or is STR still the king of all attributes?)

In most cases, STR-based is still the best DPS choice. If you have Harper unlocked, INT-based is a viable alternative, thanks to Know the Angles + Strategic Combat. If you were making an Assassin, DEX-based is actually better than INT-based if you're playing one of the DEX races, now that Assassinate DC is based on INT or DEX.

will use ranged attacks for pulling but not much else

Manyshot+Improved Precise Shot is still one of the most potent tools in a rgr's arsenal, so why not make full use of it?

I looked at EllisDee37's Tempest Trapmonkey but the skill choices seem focused on end-game trap duty for raids (is this incorrect?).

What you do with your skill pts on a TT is up to you; if you'd rather invest in, say, Hide & Move Silently instead of Open Lock, that's your call.

I still have a soft spot for DEX builds, even though I realize in most situations going STR-based (or even INT-based w/Harper) is better. Likewise I have a soft spot for rangers, even though I know their DPS has fallen behind and the PrEs badly need a revamp. So here's one example of a DEX-based elf rgr 15 / ftr 4 / rog 1 build I did for someone; it's fairly easy to downgrade to 28-pt F2P by lowering INT and dropping Harper.

[Failedlegend]

Manyshot+Improved Precise Shot is still one of the most potent tools in a rgr's arsenal, so why not make full use of it?

Probably because he likes being TWF and doesn't want the hassle of hotswapping between bows and his weapons every time manyshot hits cooldown which shouldn't be possible anyways (namely rangers should have to choose their combat style and switching to a melee weapon should put Manyshot on a HUGE cooldown)

In most cases, STR-based is still the best DPS choice.

This is not exactly true, YES Str overall is still the highest obtainable stat and yes you can use Divine might (if you pick up relevant classes) but other stats have other effects so whilst strength deals the most damage going Dex or Int based allows a much higher reflex, dex allowing for a decent AC and Int gives more skill points and makes for some fun abilities if you go Shadowdancer (aka Rogue ED)

Personally I just go with what suits the character best because I actually care about roleplaying but regardless Str is not ALWAYS the best option.



As for his request a couple questions bud, to help me get an idea of what your looking for.

- Rogue & Ranger, why did you choose them?...is their specific abilities your after or do you just like them thematically?
- Do mind having a third class?
- If no, any classes you don't want or don't have access to.
- Do you plan on raiding at all?
- What difficulty do you prefer to play on?

[Statham]

@unbongwah
Thank you for the insightful advice. I guess I figured an effective DEX build would be easier to achieve for my first character on a F2P account. Most of the builds I've read recommend spreading the points around to achieve minimums for this spell or that skill or whatever and when it's tricky, they just say 'throw a tome at it and you'll meet the requirements'. Such things are not available to a first time player.

Besides, when designing a build for a stealth character, DEX just seems like the correct focus. However, game mechanics don't always agree with logic.

I will carefully study the build you linked. Thank you.

Here's a big question... when it really comes down to surviving in the game, is it just foolish to be DEX based? Does DEX-based DPS cap out and leave you floundering at higher levels? After all, all the style and roleplaying in the world won't help you if you simply cannot produce the numbers needed to survive.

@Failedlegend
I chose ranger because of the free TWF feats and because the class lends itself very well to a stealthy playstyle. I chose rogue because I want trap/lock capabilities and sneak attack (one of my favorite openers to any fight).

I don't mind having a third class provided, of course, it improves the build.

I only have access to the basic F2P classes.

I don't plan on raiding. At least, not on my first character. I work full-time and otherwise have a full schedule so my recreational time is limited.

Do you mean dungeon/quest difficulty? (i.e. normal, hard, elite?) Considering I have not played beyond Korthos yet, I'm not sure I can properly answer this. I have soloed all three difficulties of the starter quests in Korthos but I would be shocked if the difficulties scaled the same beyond the starter area. (The starter areas are ridiculously easy.) If I had to guess, I'd say I would probably play on hard with confidence and attempt elite along the way.