Drow Rog/Wiz: Feedback/enhancements

[Yuniq]

While I played DDO during its initial beta and for a few months thereafter, I'm now returning thanks to F2P. I have Drow unlocked on Khyber, and since I tend to play high-Charisma and high-Intelligence builds, I'm rerolling a few of the characters I initially created as drow.

One of my favorites was a rogue/wizard build, which I notice is much more popular than when I started. My goal with this build is to have as rock-solid an ability to handle traps, locks, and secrets as possible, while still maximizing my spell-slinging output. Solo capability is not strictly necessary.

A few notes: The build includes high ranks in Spot, because frankly, I don't know where the traps are. I know Warforged turn this kind of build into several flavors of awesome sauce, but I'm just not interested in using that race for this character. UMD lags early on, but at level 9 I catch it up. I fall behind on Open Lock for most of the build, but I have reasonable Dexterity and Knock will eventually be an option.

Also, note that I'm munching on Intelligence tomes at pretty much every opportunity; I have no real ability to acquire tomes presently (hence why I'm not eating a +2 tome at level 1), but I'm willing to buy them in the F2P Store at the levels they become available.

I'd like feedback on the trouble points for this build, and in particular, which enhancements will ensure I'm not faltering on my ability to handle anything trapped or locked that comes my way, while allowing me to make the most of my spell potential.

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

Level 16 True Neutral Drow Female
(2 Rogue \ 14 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 104
Spell Points: 1034 
BAB: 8\8\13
Fortitude: 5
Reflex: 15
Will: 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity            16                    16
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence         20                    27
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             10                    10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               7                     7
Bluff                 0                     0
Concentration         3                    20
Diplomacy             0                     0
Disable Device        9                    27
Haggle                4                     4
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  3                     3
Intimidate            0                     0
Jump                  3                     3
Listen                3                     5
Move Silently         3                     3
Open Lock             7                    15
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                7                    10
Search                9                    29
Spot                  3                    20
Swim                  3                     3
Tumble                7                     7
Use Magic Device      4                    19

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Repair (+2)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes


Level 2 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell


Level 3 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 4 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 5 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 6 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Mental Toughness
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell


Level 7 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 8 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 9 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+8)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration


Level 10 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 11 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Penetration
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 13 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell


Level 16 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

[Noctus]

Feats and general stats are fine.

The DEX 16 is unnecessary. Those invested buildponts net you zero relevant gain.


You willl be better of if you lower DEX to 10
* and raise STR (for carrying capacity) and CON (for HP and the better Fort Save) by 2 each.

or

*and raise CHA by 6 for effectively another stacking SF:UMD, if you like to use scrolls left and right.

[Yuniq]

The DEX 16 is unnecessary. Those invested buildponts net you zero relevant gain.

I assume the thinking here is both that late-game enemies will hit my AC without really trying, and that spells like Blur and Displacement will be my primary form of defense?

[Noctus]

I assume the thinking here is both that late-game enemies will hit my AC without really trying, and that spells like Blur and Displacement will be my primary form of defense?

Exactly.

And not only in late-game, it starts in mid-game (6-7) that an arcane casters AC isnt able to keep up, even if you try really hard, unless you totally bend your build to the point of breaking. Then it lasts untill you reach the Gianhold and then you have non-working AC and a crippled caster.


The defence of a arcane is Blur/Displacement and Stoneskin as well as Jump and Haste, generally keeping your body aout of harms way. Manually jump and evade the monsters while drawing them back to the melees so that they can get aggro back.

[Deaths_ward]

Exactly.

And not only in late-game, it starts in mid-game (6-7) that an arcane casters AC isnt able to keep up, even if you try really hard, unless you totally bend your build to the point of breaking. Then it lasts untill you reach the Gianhold and then you have non-working AC and a crippled caster.


The defence of a arcane is Blur/Displacement and Stoneskin as well as Jump and Haste, generally keeping your body aout of harms way. Manually jump and evade the monsters while drawing them back to the melees so that they can get aggro back.

QFT. My Build so far is Level 7 Wiz, level 2 Rog, I did way better dropping DEX to 10 and upping the Con. HP are going to be a vital thing because your armor class is exactly Toilet Paper. Blur and a Stone Skin wand will be your best friends for a while (you can buy Stone Skin wands at the 12 vendor by the way), and if you pull your stuff together and just plop all of your non-essential skill points (Search, Disable, UMD) into Open Lock then your should be fine for lock picking, because you'll be up skill points.

I personally know the traps in most quests so I ditched spot, and have been spending all my points from wizard levels to buff up Search, Disable, UMD, and when the bonuses from Level Points and Tomes stacked up Open Lock.

[Yuniq]

With these suggestions in mind, here's what I have so far, including a first take at enhancement choices. I've swapped out Heighten Spell (which I'll take via wizard bonus feat at Lv17), and added Empower Spell early on, resorting the others. This is assuming it's not a bad idea to have Empower and Maximize on the same build.

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

Level 16 True Neutral Drow Female
(2 Rogue \ 14 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 120
Spell Points: 1190 
BAB: 8\8\13
Fortitude: 6
Reflex: 17
Will: 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             10                    10
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         20                    30
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             10                    10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               4                     4
Bluff                 0                     0
Concentration         4                    21
Diplomacy             0                     0
Disable Device        9                    30
Haggle                4                     4
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate            0                     0
Jump                  4                     4
Listen                3                     5
Move Silently         0                     0
Open Lock             4                    12
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                7                    12
Search                9                    32
Spot                  3                    21
Swim                  4                     4
Tumble                4                     4
Use Magic Device      4                    19

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Repair (+2)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes


Level 2 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Empower Spell


Level 3 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 5 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 6 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 7 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 8 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 9 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+8)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Mental Toughness


Level 10 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 11 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration


Level 13 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Penetration


Level 16 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Empowering I
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Maximizing I
Enhancement: Rogue Disable Device I
Enhancement: Rogue Search I
Enhancement: Rogue Spot I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements III
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Force I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Force II
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements III
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Force I
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation II
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation III
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Wizard Force Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Force Manipulation II
Enhancement: Wizard Force Manipulation III
Enhancement: Wizard Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar III
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar IV
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence III