Solo build help

[johnrbimmer]

Hey all,
I know the game is meant to be played in groups and I certainly spent most of my time playing with others. To mix things up I wanted to figure out a character that could solo most (not all....) of the quests in the game and allow me to explore on my own.

I figure that the character will have to be strong in the following areas:
Melee,
Self Healing, and
Picking locks.

Everything is else (i.e. Spell casting, disarming traps, massive DPS, etc...) is relatively secondary but still important.

My question to the community is what combination of classes and levels do you think allows one to achieve decent solo play?

I was thinking of a Human or Dwarf 8 fighter / 3 Paladin / 3 rogue concentrating on relatively balanced stats at the start (16 str, 12 dex, 14/16 con (depending on race), 15 int, 8 wis, 10/12 cha (depending on race), with appropriate +1 tomes (i.e. dex to 13 for dodge, int to 16 for additional skill points etc..). Skills would focus on open locks, UMD, when fighter or paly and a OL/UMD/Jump/Search etc when doing the rogue levels.

I am sure this type of character has been done numerous times by many people but I am beginning to wonder if a Fighter 8 / Rogue 4 / Ranger 2 might be better in terms of skills? The ability to use wands for healing comes from Ranager levels but I am obviously trading off fear immunity, divine grace and 2 ac points from the paly aura (with enhancements) which seems like a big trade off.

Any help from the rest of the community would be appreciated!

[Dariun]

I have a drow rogue/pal/fighter that is a pretty strong solo build (not a "batman" build though).

I think starting stats were:

STR 12
CON 10
DEX 17
WIS 10
INT 14
CHA 16

feats: toughness, weapon finesse, whatever you like (I took weapon focus: pierce, skill focus: umd, and repeating light crossbow cause I had a few nice ones)

High CHA was for paladin save bonus and UMD. 2 points could go from CHA to CON instead.

Low str/low con is the weakness of the build. Effective ranged attacks and UMD is a strength.

I've only taken him to lvl 7 (2 pal, 2 fighter, 3 rogue), but he can pretty much do it all. I have mithril full plate and mithril chain shirt (for evading). He was primarily meant to be a better version of my pure human rogue (and he is -- started with higher dex/cha and has all the drow/pal/fighter bonuses...).

[Girevik]

There is a lot to be said for the simplicity of a:

Dwarven Rogue-1/Ranger-the-rest build.

You should be able to spot/search-out/and disable any traps you run into, you should be able to keep yourself buffed up with almost maxed appropriate resistances, and you should be able to Wand heal between fights.

There are obviously a lot of ways to build for solo, but one of the problems with multi-classing too evenly is the loss of the "good" resists. Without someone else there to heal your damage, it is probably a good idea to avoid taking it in the first place.

[Dariun]

but one of the problems with multi-classing too evenly is the loss of the "good" resists.

True, but I have been finding a bunch of higher level resist and protection wands (which are incredibly useful).

Oh, yeah, and being fairly rich really helps a solo character. Being to buy all the wands, scrolls, and potions you need (as well as good stuff off the AH) is practically essential.

[johnrbimmer]

I like the combination of rog 1 / ranger x but I think it might be lacking in the AC department without the benefit of MFP or something. I know that means giving up evasion (I do have +5 MBP to use if I want to take advantage of evasion).

I figured resists would come from house buffs / items/ or scrolls.. but I do take the point on resists as important.

As for disable device for traps - I figured most of those are simply fixed by curing after trying to run through them (maybe without armour to benefit from evasion...). I can only think of one trap in the whole game (VON 4) that would require me to disable before progressing through the quest. I am sure there are couple of others, but I understand that some quests just can't be fully solo'd...

I was thinking that a combination of good AC (from Paly aura, Combat expertise at later levels, MFP and dex bonus etc..), HP, and saves is the way to go.

Thanks for the advice so far!

[VonBek]

Are you looking to keep this character for solo only? Or mix in grouping when you hit a tough spot?

[Lifespawn]

ftr8 pally 3 rogue3 is a great split for a soloist make it a halfling and take the 3 dragonmarks and u have fear immunity,disease immunity,locks and traps evasion,good saves, fighter bonus feats good hp's, 2 lay on hands and the dragonmarks for 6 heals 8 cure serious and 9 cure lights i think talk about a solobuild.

[Blind_Skwerl]

My pick for ultimate functionality for soloing would be a warforged 12 wizard/2 rogue. Self-healing & buffing, crowd control, traping and picking, and good dps. It can do it all. If you are talking about melee focused, well I am trying to go through that myself.

[VonBek]

ftr8 pally 3 rogue3 is a great split for a soloist

Do you have this planned out? Sounds neat; I'm curious to see more.

[johnrbimmer]

Hey all - the concept of 8 fig / 3 paly / 3 rog is what I am building out. I have chosen to go with a dwarf (my preferred race since launch). I know the -2 cha hurts a little to the eventual benefit of divine grace but the extra abilities of a dwarf, plus the toughness enhancements that stack with the fighter toughness enhancement helps with HP's.

Vonbek - I was thinking this character would be played almost execlusively as a solo character but I will have to group for some quests.

My starting stats were as follows:
Str 16
Dex 12
Con 16
Int 15
Wis 8
Cha 10

I used +1 tomes in dex, int and cha and will use others as they become available. I figured I needed good melee ability (so high str) with good dex (items, enhancement and the +1 tome will give me 20 dex at the end) to make use of MFP plus FAM 1 and DAM 1 (+5 dex bonus to ac).

I think my UMD under this build will top out somewhere around 30-32 (with GH, SF:UMD, etc...) so I can use some scrolls to provide buffs etc...

I am sure he will be ok at soloing but certainly not uber.

Thanks for all the advice and good luck to all!

[underlordone]

I built my ranger to solo and it has not let me down at all

here is end to lazy to see what all starting **** is

20 str +4 item
32 dex +6
16 con +4
20 int +5
20 wis +5

I am hum so I do get 2 race points used in str and wise

enhancemnts
sprint boost 2
imp hum recovery 2
fav dam 1
hide 3
move 3
dev 4
wild 2
dex 3
int 1
wand 1

feats
shoot on run
crit ranged
mental toughness
extend spell

fe up to u

ranger 11 wiz 3

selfs buffs well still can handle him self heals with glove from reaver crit 118 50 norm. The wiz spells do work np on elite as long as u have enchamet item on.

[nbhs275]

Hey all - the concept of 8 fig / 3 paly / 3 rog is what I am building out. I have chosen to go with a dwarf (my preferred race since launch). I know the -2 cha hurts a little to the eventual benefit of divine grace but the extra abilities of a dwarf, plus the toughness enhancements that stack with the fighter toughness enhancement helps with HP's.

Vonbek - I was thinking this character would be played almost execlusively as a solo character but I will have to group for some quests.

My starting stats were as follows:
Str 16
Dex 12
Con 16
Int 15
Wis 8
Cha 10

I used +1 tomes in dex, int and cha and will use others as they become available. I figured I needed good melee ability (so high str) with good dex (items, enhancement and the +1 tome will give me 20 dex at the end) to make use of MFP plus FAM 1 and DAM 1 (+5 dex bonus to ac).

I think my UMD under this build will top out somewhere around 30-32 (with GH, SF:UMD, etc...) so I can use some scrolls to provide buffs etc...

I am sure he will be ok at soloing but certainly not uber.

Thanks for all the advice and good luck to all!

Your intel is way to high. You could of started with a 11 or 13 and still had plenty(i would only go with the 13 if you wanted combat expertise)

You dex will be too low in endgame to have both the best AC and evasion, which is a potent mix(12 base+6 item+1 enhancment+1 tome=20, 22 should be your aiming point for a delving suit.

Open lock isnt important to a solo character, because no quest you'll be able to solo require you to pick locks to complete the main quest.

I would suggest for a good solo a lvl 11 ranger/3 pally. If you use the stat i've posted(some seperate thread) your ac can be in the 50s even when your TWF, saves in the high 20's, great DPS, full power resists and enough UMD to res very reliably(i think it was a 32 or 34)

[johnrbimmer]

Your intel is way to high. You could of started with a 11 or 13 and still had plenty(i would only go with the 13 if you wanted combat expertise)

You dex will be too low in endgame to have both the best AC and evasion, which is a potent mix(12 base+6 item+1 enhancment+1 tome=20, 22 should be your aiming point for a delving suit.

Open lock isnt important to a solo character, because no quest you'll be able to solo require you to pick locks to complete the main quest.

I would suggest for a good solo a lvl 11 ranger/3 pally. If you use the stat i've posted(some seperate thread) your ac can be in the 50s even when your TWF, saves in the high 20's, great DPS, full power resists and enough UMD to res very reliably(i think it was a 32 or 34)

Thanks for the input. I wanted the high int for enough skill points to keep OL and UMD maxed plus enough for a few others skills when I took rogue levels. I get your point on it being high though. At 14 (after a +1 tome) I would have enough to keep those skills up. I wanted OL because I hate not getting locked chests or to other parts of a quest that require opening locks. Good point that no quest requires you to open a locked door to complete though.

I am planning to get my dex to 20 to take advantage of MFP and FAM 1 and DAM 1 plus combat expertise later. I know I will miss evasion due to the medium armour of MFP.

I will have a look at your build as well.

Thanks.

[Lifespawn]

heres what i came up with 3 +1 tomes used no +6 items added in this will get you through norm and hard no problem elite you'll need +11 or higher rogueish gear but easily attainable.

And remember this build would take extra dragonmarks planner just didn't have it .6 heals 8cure serious and 9 cure lights i think may be more but not less plus 2 80 point or so lay on hands.Also i forgot about pally till the end i'd put pally in at lvl 8 for the third and final pally and then take improved crit at 9 with the fighter bonus feat and weapon spec at 11

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.65
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 14 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(8 Fighter \ 3 Paladin \ 3 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 207
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 13\13\18\23
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 19
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             14                    20
Dexterity            14                    18
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom               10                    11
Charisma             14                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 14
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 14
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               6                     8
Bluff                 2                     3
Concentration         2                     2
Diplomacy             6                     7
Disable Device        5                    16
Haggle                6                     7
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  2                     6
Intimidate            2                     3
Jump                  6                    12
Listen                0                     2
Move Silently         2                     6
Open Lock             6                     9
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                5                    17
Spot                  4                     4
Swim                  2                     5
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      6                    23

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Agility
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Bravery
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Keen Ears
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Luck
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Size Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Trapfinding
Feat: (Automatic) Trip

Level 2 (Paladin)
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands

Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency

Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack

Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion (Rogue)

Level 7 (Fighter)

Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing

Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 11 (Fighter)

Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device

Level 13 (Paladin)
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity

Level 14 (Rogue)
Feat: (Automatic) Trap Sense
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Acid Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II
Enhancement: Halfling Luck I
Enhancement: Halfling Luck II
Enhancement: Halfling Luck III
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Rogue Disable Device I
Enhancement: Rogue Open Lock I
Enhancement: Rogue Search I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

[nbhs275]

another decent solo build is WF wizzy 13/fighter 1. Lots of different ways to play it but it has near maxed casting, decent melee, decent saves and defenses.

[skraus1]

You might want to look at the zhaffy Bard/Rogue/Fighter or Barb build here. It is a surprising powerful and survivable build that covers all the areas you are referring to well.

[tihocan]

From my limited experience and impression, I'd say casters are much easier to solo at high level. Mainly because they can handle a large number of monsters at the same time.

[Blind_Skwerl]

I too think casters are easier to solo with. I used to love soloing with my evasion tank. Trying to recapture that experience. I am trying a WF warchanter bard. Super squishy to start, but getting better.

[LOUDRampart]

My solo character is a Drow F4/Ro4/P6 that I'm building to be F6/Ro6/P8. Wearing +5 Mithril BP helps alot . Also got CE or PA depending on the situation. Can spot, search, disable, and with enough tries, pick lock.

The reason I'm going up in pali is mainly so I can cast resists on myself. The reason for Rogue 6 is so I can max spot, search, disable, umd and nearly max pick lock at level 20. Fighter levels are for the extra feats so if one wanted to, they could build in more pali levels instead of fighter levels.

The solo build of Warforge Wiz/rogue looks interesting. I may try that with a 32 point build.