Good Classes for 28 Point Starter?

[Zooey]

I'm looking for advice as to what classes might be best recommended as best for a person's first character, specifically as far as it being a 28 point character, versus a 32 point character. Put another way, what classes are least hurt by *not* being 32 point builds ?

[issiana]

is a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing an lesser than the same cupcake with a cherry on top? both taste the same, just one looks a little prettier yet stil lserves the same purpose.

my point is 28pt's make fine characters, there are still many ppl who use there "First" character as there main. the extra points are jus ta little extra fluff to enhance a character. is 16 more hitpoints and a +1 to fort saves really that game breaking? say even a +1 to strenght and damage - the ansewer is NO. the players skill means far more than the extra fluff.

But if you really want a character then roll a fighter, use that character to gain your 400 favor to unlock drow. drow are in effect a 32 pt race. use said drow to make a sorceror or wizard. This caster can then be your main that unlocks 32pt builds and in doing so will still be in much use once it reaches 32pt. This is of course if you like playing casters.

in closing,make what you like to play, learn to play well and just have fun with whatever you are

[tihocan]

All classes are fine with 28 pt builds.
As a starter, classes easiest to not totally screw up are probably barbarian, fighter, cleric or wizard.

[Solmage]

Barbarian THF and standard healing Cleric and standard wizard require the least amount of points to be 'good'.

[Aranticus]

checkout the builds in my template thread for fun usable 28 pt builds

[Inspire]

28Pt Proposal;

This is my first toon on Ghallanda so keep in mind Im starting from scratch, with the hopes of finding a +1Str +1Cha and +1Con tome by the time I work my way up to 16(fairly easy to buy off the Thelanis AH) and a +2Wis tome as my favor reward.

He is currently level 4 and a blast to play. A very solo friendly build based on Divine casting with melee as support and Intimidate in the mid-high 40's unbuffed when Im done with him(Plenty for trash mobs IMO).

Stats;

Str; 15Base +1Tome +6Item and/or DP =22Str
Dex; 8Base +6Item =14Dex
Con; 13Base +1Tome +2Enh +6Item =22Con
Int; 12Base
Wis; 16Base +4Lvl +2Tome(Favor) +2Enh +6Item =30Wis
Cha; 9base +1Tome +6Item =16Cha


Hps;

132Base
96Con
18Feat
18Helm
50Enhancement
30GFL
Total; 344Hps


Intimidate;

19Ranks
3Cha
13Item(Fairly easy to buy off the AH on Thelanis)
1Enhancement
2Luck(HogF or Recitation)
3Crafted(Small and Medium ingredients are fairly easy to get IMO)
Total; 41Unbuffed

3Crafted
2Item
Total(With best gear setup); 46Unbuffed

4Gh
2Bard
Total(Raid); 47/52 Intimidate.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.00
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 16 True Neutral Dwarf Male
(1 Barbarian \ 15 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 268
Spell Points: 1003 
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 4
Will: 16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             15                    16
Dexterity             8                     8
Constitution         13                    16
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom               16                    24
Charisma              9                    10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 16
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 16
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 16
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               1                     5
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         3                    20
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  3                     7
Hide                 -1                    -1
Intimidate            3                    18
Jump                  6                     7
Listen                3                     7
Move Silently        -1                    -1
Open Lock            n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     3
Spot                  3                     7
Swim                  2                     3
Tumble                1                     1
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Cleric)


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 4 (Cleric)


Level 5 (Cleric)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 16 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Intimidate I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Faith I
Enhancement: Dwarven Faith II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery III
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness IV
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III
Enhancement: Cleric Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Cleric Spell Penetration II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I

Edit; Although Im not too faimliar with the AH on Ghallanda yet, I was fairly Adept on the Thelanis AH.

[Arianrhod]

Most important trap to avoid falling into with a 28-pointer is trying to imitate one of the "do-everything" builds you sometimes see - a 28-point cleric/paladin/rogue (for example) would just be spread too thin and end up being frustrating instead of fun. Just stick to one class/concept (spellcaster - high casting stat for save DCs, meleer - high str for to-hit & damage, etc.), and make sure to have high enough base stats for whatever feats you'll be wanting (13 int for combat expertise, 17 dex (I think) for GTWF, etc.). That's where the difference between the 28-and 32-point builds becomes most noticeable; being able to qualify for all the feats you'll want and still keep whatever your most crucial stat will be maxed (or close to it - starting a stat at 18 isn't necessarily the wisest move for a 28-pointer, as those last 3 points may be better spent elsewhere).

[Zooey]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone ! After having fits of frustration trying to level sorcerers, I rolled a dwarf cleric last night and had a lot of fun !

Aranticus: Your template page was especially good !

[feynman]

Yea, I usually recommend that a first character be a cleric:

1. No problem finding groups.
2. Groups will gladly carry you through the quest, explaining as they go.
3. People give you stuff.
4. You can get your favor up quickly to make drow and/or 32-point builds.
5. Extremely powerful class, even on a 28-point build.

[Vuedoo]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone ! After having fits of frustration trying to level sorcerers, I rolled a dwarf cleric last night and had a lot of fun !

Aranticus: Your template page was especially good !

I think Cleric was your Best choice.

groups will be seeking you out throughout the lvls. you'll never have to wait around much for a group. and a great way to learn the quests.

Sorcs are really fun though.. try a warforge sorc later on in your adventures.. there very resilliant and can self heal +300hp capable with SS = 450. check out the class specific forums for builds.

[Original]

Cleric can be expensive and tricky to play as your first toon. I suggest just being a healbot for your first cleric. There is alot you can do as a cleric... caster, back up tanker, healer. But parties are going to expect you to keep them alive and being new and not having access to uber gear maybe hard to watch health bars and do other stuff while trying to conserve mana. Just my 2 copper pieces.

[Demoyn]

I just got level 16 on the dwarven battle cleric from Aranticus' thread yesterday. It's been a blast to play.

[Draclaud]

I was going to say Dwarf Cleric, Warforged Wizard, or Human Sorcerer.

The dwarf cleric because of the reasons listed above. The WF Wizard, simply max int, and give yourself as much con as you can dump stats the other. Ditto for the Human Sorc. Those will be fairly competent at all levels and nearly negligible to the 32 point variety ones. Good luck!

[MysticRhythms]

Classes to stay away from:

Paladin, Ranger, Monk, Bard, Rogue, heavily divergent multiclass combinations, like Fighter/Sorcerer

Why?

They need so many stats to devote build points toward. Paladins need decent Strength and Charisma and want Wisdom and Constitution. Rangers need the same, swapping Dexterity for Charisma. Rogues potentially want at least four stats (dumping Wisdom and Charisma), usually five (Charisma helps UMD) and sometimes all six (Wisdom helps their atrocious Will save and the Spot skill). Monks need at least four decent stats and sometimes want Intelligence. Bards can make good use out of anything other than Wisdom.

Barbarians, Fighters, Clerics, Wizards and Sorcerers.all tend to focus on one stat for their primary abilities and then a secondary stat of some sort. You can easily get two good stats with 28 point builds and be just as suitable in your class as a 32-point version.

[Noctus]

Pure Wizards, Sorcerers and Clerics have almost no difference between a PB32 and a PB28 build.

THF-Fighters and THF-Barbarians are also okay with a PB32, althou more buildpoints would be nice, but not to a point as it making a real difference.

Monks, bards, Paladins and Rangers are clear PB32 territory. They really gain from PB32.

[gamer111]

Hi, I have been using Sigs request a build get a build, classic Dwarven paladin build as a guideline for my character, AND I really like it. Of course I have changed a few things to more suit my style of play but generally follow it for feats and enhancements, except I took the pally Rez enhancement as soon as I could as well as exalted smite. I have found it to be a very nice build, lots of fun to play, and still hanging in with the big boys for quests so far at lvl 12 and over 1400 Favor for the first time( can almost taste it ha ha ha)

[Rhymer25]

Before you give up on the arcane casting idea I suggest you try a warforged wiz. Firewall is easy to use and fun and as a WF you can heal yourself. The buffs are great and it is not as big of a money sink as a cleric. Every point i have in my cleric feels critical to the build, seems to me as more of a 32 point class.