Build Critique Please

[~Jules921]

Taking a page from Mondo's build below is a 32pt Halfling Barb/Ranger. She's up to lvl 4 - nothing permanent yet. This only includes a +2 item and does not take into account any other items or tomes. The skill points may change.

Thoughts and suggestions please.

Thanks,
Jules

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
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twiggie 
Level 14 Chaotic Good Halfling Female
(12 Barbarian \ 2 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 282
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 12
Will: 4

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 14)           (Level 14)
Strength             16                 18                   18
Dexterity            16                 16                   17
Constitution         14                 17                   19
Intelligence         10                 10                   10
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             10                 10                   10

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 2

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 14)          (Level 14)
Balance               5                 11                   11
Bluff                 0                  0                    0
Concentration         2                  6                    6
Diplomacy             0                  0                    0
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                0                  0                    0
Heal                  1                  3                    3
Hide                  7                  8                   10
Intimidate            0                  6                    6
Jump                  7                 15                   17
Listen               -1                 -1                    1
Move Silently         5                  5                    7
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                  0                    0
Search                2                  4                    4
Spot                  1                  4                    4
Swim                  3                  5                    5
Tumble                n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      2                  8.5                  8.5

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
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 (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Enhancement: Ranger Energy Resistence Boost I
Enhancement: Halfling Luck I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I

Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I

Level 3 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Rage
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower I
Enhancement: Barbarian Resist Disease I
Enhancement: Barbarian Resist Poison I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I

Level 4 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Damage Reduction
Feat: (Automatic) Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Swamp Lore I
Enhancement: Barbarian Tundra Lore I
Enhancement: Barbarian Desert Lore I

Level 5 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Trap Sense
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I

Level 6 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness II

Level 7 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I

Level 8 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II

Level 9 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction II

Level 10 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Reduction Boost I

Level 11 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Reduction Boost II
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II

Level 12 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness III

Level 13 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Greater Rage
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II

Level 14 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower II

[nbhs275]

the 2 ranger levels arent worth it. losing the 5% is a big hit to dps, especially on twf.

Also, i dont think i saw the entire twf chain, which if you dont have, is a bad idea. If your going that road, you gotta take it all the way.

The healing dragon mark i can understand, but you can't use it durring rage, same with wands. And as any barbarian will tell you your goal is to remain raged as much as possible.

Unless you REAALLY want the UMD, put those 2 points from cha into wisdom, to help sure up your save a little.

[MondoGrunday]

what nbh says about the twf is good advice. i'd take the draconic healing stuff out and take itwf and gtwf. stunning blow and toughness are both great choices. the cha points can help a bit with umd but this is a long term goal since we only get .5 . putting those in to wis is a lateral move imo, yes we will have low saves unless we're raging so 2 points into wis isn't going to make that big a difference. and you will definately want improved crit slashing or piercing. take piercing if you can get your hands on some leet rapiers, but slashing if you think you'll be using mostly dwarven axes. max out str always

[~Jules921]

What is interesting is that when I tried to take the TWF line it was already showing up as a feat. I've re-done it correctly now. I may eat a dex tome and use all the ability raises as STR.

Thanks,
Jules

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Twiggie 
Level 14 Chaotic Neutral Halfling Female
(12 Barbarian \ 2 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 236
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 13
Will: 5

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 14)           (Level 14)
Strength             16                 18                   18
Dexterity            16                 17                   17
Constitution         14                 16                   18
Intelligence         10                 10                   10
Wisdom               10                 10                   10
Charisma              8                  8                    8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 1

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 14)          (Level 14)
Balance               5                 10                   10
Bluff                -1                 -1                   -1
Concentration         3                  4                    4
Diplomacy            -1                 -1                   -1
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                 -1                   -1
Heal                  4                  6                    6
Hide                  7                  9                   11
Intimidate           -1                  4                    4
Jump                  6                 17                   19
Listen                0                  0                    2
Move Silently         6                  9                   11
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                  0                    0
Search                3                  8                    8
Spot                  3                  8                    8
Swim                  3                  4                    4
Tumble                n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a               n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Heal (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Move Silently (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
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 (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Enhancement: Halfling Luck I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I

Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Ranger Swamp Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Tundra Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Desert Lore I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I

Level 3 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Rage
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower I
Enhancement: Barbarian Resist Disease I
Enhancement: Barbarian Resist Poison I

Level 4 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Damage Reduction
Feat: (Automatic) Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Halfling Fear Resistance I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I

Level 5 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Trap Sense
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage I

Level 6 (Barbarian)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Reduction Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark II

Level 7 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower II

Level 8 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage II

Level 9 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Search (+0.5)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II

Level 10 (Barbarian)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II

Level 11 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction II
Enhancement: Halfling Luck II

Level 12 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage III

Level 13 (Barbarian)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Automatic) Greater Rage
Enhancement: Barbarian Critical Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage III

Level 14 (Barbarian)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage III

[MondoGrunday]

looks good, just one thing you should re examine is taking power crit as your lvl 9 selected feat. its not bad, but you might want to look at taking improved crit slashing or improved crit piercing (depending on what weap type you go with). i think power crit adds to damage and improved crit expands your crit range.

[~Jules921]

So the thinking is that I want to hit more mobs, not just hit them for more damage? Can you tell I'm really kind of new to the tank way of thinking? Only just switched my Ftg to twf from sword/board and she's lvl 11

Again thanks for the input.
Jules

[Bombalo]

for the higher levels you will notice you dont have a problem hitting most things as long as your str is max and your raging (which will be most of the time anyway at high levels). Your goal is to do more damage and for that go with improved crit instead of power crit (besides power crit is very similar to a bloodstone).

[Olaff]

looks good, just one thing you should re examine is taking power crit as your lvl 9 selected feat. its not bad, but you might want to look at taking improved crit slashing or improved crit piercing (depending on what weap type you go with). i think power crit adds to damage and improved crit expands your crit range.

Improved Crit doubles the crit range of the selected weapon type (eg, Falchions normally crit on 18-20, with IC: Slash it's 15-20).

Power Crit adds +4 to your roll to CONFIRM a critical hit(dunno if it also adds damage, I don't think it does, but I could be mistaken).

[MondoGrunday]

Power Crit adds +4 to your roll to CONFIRM a critical hit(dunno if it also adds damage, I don't think it does, but I could be mistaken).

you're right Olaff, now that you mention it, i do recall power crit adding to confirm a crit.

[nbhs275]

power crit, as of now is pretty useless on any real tank build.

[Pfamily]

I like to see folks post their builds, gives me some cool ideas sometimes...thx Jules!

Not sure if taking the 2 levels of Ranger is worth it, don't you sacrifice getting the Barb Crit Rage II? Anyone know if a Barb w/ a good 2H weapon and Crit Rage II will out-DPS a TWF at the same level?

Kind of a situational question, I know...

[nbhs275]

I like to see folks post their builds, gives me some cool ideas sometimes...thx Jules!

Not sure if taking the 2 levels of Ranger is worth it, don't you sacrifice getting the Barb Crit Rage II? Anyone know if a Barb w/ a good 2H weapon and Crit Rage II will out-DPS a TWF at the same level?

Kind of a situational question, I know...

i have a barb 14 twf and he outkills most 2hander barbs 2-1

First, its great for save or die weapons.

Smiting: smiting rapier is 13-20, SS is 15-20 and at about +75% speed
Banishing: Same crit range, also not really available on slashing(other then raid loot) so most 2handers are at a disadvantage
disrupting: much faster

Also, their is the fact that with dps weapons your critting often and for a lot.

One set I use is +1 holy bursts rapier of pure good
crits with those are 62-102, 13-20

also got a set of +2 anarchic burst picks of pure good, which crit for 1d6+15str+2 wp+5 pa +6 seeker 134-178.

The best part, this is with only 40 str, not the 50 str bloodrage and madstone combination. Add bard songs and the picks crit for over 200 .

[~Jules921]

Thanks for the input guys. I know that taking 2 lvls of ranger and going with dragonmark is a bit odd for a tank. I do a bit of solo'ing and these options make me a little less of a mana hog - like I can wand whip myself a bit after a fight. Playing her at lvl 2 on a ww run - me and another ranger were the only healers we had

A generic tank question that I have. Was running Von 3 with my twf fighter and I kept getting commanded and held - what will give me better defense against those types of spells?

Jules

[nbhs275]

defenses againsts holds and such is

a. getting a restistance item
b. get a wisdom item
c. stay barbarian 14. they get a +4 bonus against enchantment spells at 14
d be fast

As far as self healing, its just a matter of smart play and knowing what you can do.

Like today, i soloed fleshmakers up till the elemental room on my barb 14. Just gotta take out casters fast, and keep moving and away from the slow flesh golems. also, if you keep moving on them, they hit you far less.

[~Jules921]

defenses againsts holds and such is

a. getting a restistance item
b. get a wisdom item
c. stay barbarian 14. they get a +4 bonus against enchantment spells at 14
d be fast

As far as self healing, its just a matter of smart play and knowing what you can do.

Like today, i soloed fleshmakers up till the elemental room on my barb 14. Just gotta take out casters fast, and keep moving and away from the slow flesh golems. also, if you keep moving on them, they hit you far less.

When you say resistance item do you mean specifically spell resistance or generic resistance (like the +1 resistance rings cloaks etc)?

Thanks again,
Jules

[nbhs275]

When you say resistance item do you mean specifically spell resistance or generic resistance (like the +1 resistance rings cloaks etc)?

Thanks again,
Jules

Resistance, as in +4 cloak or an eye or something like that.

Spell resistance items are only really worthwhile when not in a party and 20+.