Newcomer help

[Kelethin]

Hello everyone, I am new to the world of DDO and I am looking for some help/advice.

So basically I have played countless MMO's and I want one that is more skilled base, which I hear DDO is, anyway I would love some advice on a charater class and whatnot.

I know I want to be a tanking class, one that can take alot of damage, and solo well when I wish to, but also one that a group would love to have. Basically I would like to know a good build to do this and whatnot and good classes, perhaps gear layouts but im sure I could figure that out later.

Anyway

Thanks! To all whom leave a comment to this!

I would like to add to this are there any good guilds looking for members I will be active as much as I can be, of course I got school ( 17 years old ), but this is my last year of highschool so I will be much more active.
Kelethin

[Goldeneye]

If you like fighters, I would suggest going pure fighter or barbarian for your first character.

Once you get the swing of the game, you can try making multi-class and more versitle
characters.

Parties are always glad to have classes, especially fighters and clerics. In addition, many long time players often help newbies with low-end gear...sharing chests in the low-medium level quests, helping you get up to speed with better equipment and weapons.

welcome to the game. Once you get into it, you'll find its the best MMO out there (at least in my experience)

[Wizzly_Bear]

If you want a front line combatant with good solo ability as a newb, I would suggest paladin or ranger rather than fighter or barbarian. They both have some decent self healing ability and can offer parties unique advantages.

[Big-Dex]

While my first thought is that everyone should roll up a cleric for their first character, so they can appreciate the most underappreciated class (but most often sought after class) in the game, I would have to agree with GoldenEye. Roll yourself up a good fighter. When MOD8 hits on Wednesday (hopefully), you will have some solid stock build choices that will serve you well. They will be well spec'd and avoid some common errors that many of us have made getting started. Once you get your initial character to 1750 favor, you will able to roll up a 32 point build (4 more starting stat points) which will be even better, so good luck to you.

May you find some good times on ARGO and good fortunes in Stormreach. DDO is the best action based MMO out there.

~ Dex

[ShadowFox1978]

Good dps, combined with good survivability and soloability.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.96
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 16 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(16 Paladin)
Hit Points: 292
Spell Points: 320
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 11
Will: 12

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Stats Modified Stats
Abilities (Level 1) (Level 16)
Strength 16 20
Dexterity 10 10
Constitution 16 18
Intelligence 8 8
Wisdom 12 12
Charisma 12 14

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 16)
Balance 1 10
Bluff 1 2
Concentration 3 4
Diplomacy 1 2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 1 2
Heal 1 1
Hide 0 0
Intimidate 1 2
Jump 3 7.5
Listen 1 1
Move Silently 0 0
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair -1 -1
Search -1 1
Spot 1 1
Swim 3 5
Tumble 1 1
Use Magic Device n/a n/a

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Paladin)


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Paladin)


Level 5 (Paladin)


Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 7 (Paladin)


Level 8 (Paladin)


Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Paladin)


Level 11 (Paladin)


Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 13 (Paladin)


Level 14 (Paladin)


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 16 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Faith I
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness I
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good III
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good III
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite II
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite III
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Redemption I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II

[Wizzly_Bear]

Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons

I would suggest against taking two "Improved Criticals" on a paladin.

Also, what benefit does a palading get from mental toughness?

Level 16 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Dwarven Faith I
Enhancement: Paladin Redemption I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion II

For a newb, and for anyone over say level 11, I would suggest losing the redemption stuff in favor of more dps.

This is my suggestion for improvement.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.96
DDO Character Planner Home Page
Level 16 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(16 Paladin) 
Hit Points: 307
Spell Points: 175 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 11
Will: 11
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             16                    20
Dexterity            11                    11
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               11                    11
Charisma             12                    14
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               2                    13.5

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack

Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave

Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave

Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell

Level 16 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Dwarven Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good IV
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good III
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice II
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite III
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Item Defense I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness III

[ShadowFox1978]

He asked for soloability. Mental toughness=more spell points for self buffs and healing(first characters rarely have plat for staches of healing supplies).

We can argue all day on enhancements, I happen to think Redemption is a nice power at the mid-levels when generally other classes UMD are to low to raise a dead cleric. It can always be respecced.

It appears we agree on basic stats and race. You took the route of higher dps. I went the route of higher soloability and more felxibility in weapon choice. I prefer both improved crits. It allows for dps from axes and good stat damage(once he begins to acquire some) on piercers.

With Mod 8, toughness 3 is going to be expensive for the benifit. 1 more point of ac for 4 ap is pretty expensive. Dropping those 2 abilities allows you to gain redemption without losing much.

[toughguyjoe]

first, forget about soloing with your first toon. well, past level 4 say.

Make a Barbarian, or Fighter, a Warforged. put in high con and strength, and take a level of wizard early on. you will not be able to use the wizards abilities, save wand usage. you can hit yourself with repair light wands, and they are very cheap. just bank up some platinum, buy a couple, get an axe, and you're golden.

as far as soloing, this game is far more playable in a group. instances are the only thing you can do to get good chunks of XP. SOloing quests isn't impossible, its just left to people who know the quests and the toons have a certain skill set.

[jddonkeykong]

send me a private message with the name of your character and ill send you some plat to get started and some healing apporpriate to your class pots/wands and maybe a couple other low level items i can dig up. If you ever see any of my characters running around and need some help with a quest ill try and lend a hand.

welcome and have fun!

[Original]

wf barbarian, max str and con, rest in dex, enough said

[kinar]

poor guy...starting so close to the release of Mod 8....

My advice would be to either make sure you level up to about 4 before wednesday or to wait until after wednesday to create your first character. Otherwise yer gonna log in on wednesday and have to start all over again in terms of learning where quests are at and what not (they are revaming the new player area on wednesday)