Survival Build

[Yajerman01]

**NOTE** - If you are here looking for my ranger-splash version build of this, please look at post 21 for the basic stats and set-up. POST 31 GIVES That build its last gear swap.



POST #48 IS ALUECIAN U9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !11


BUILD GOALS
- Evasion
- Uninterrupted self healing/survivability
- Ability to tank Raid bosses
- Premium saves for minimal failure
- UMD capability for buffing or team assisting.

Halfling 12 Fighter (Kensai II PRe) /6 Paladin (Defender of Syberis I PRe) /2 Monk


Starting stats and targets to 20
STR 16 + 3 fighter + 5 levels + 6 item + 2 tome = 32[+8 Kensai II Power surge +2 Defender Stance = 42]
DEX 16 + 2 Halfling + 6 item +2 tome = 26
CON 13 + 1 tome + 6 item +2 exceptional bonus = 22 (Currently at 20) [+2 Defender Stance = 24 / +3 tome = 26]
INT 11 + 3 tome = 14
WIS 9 + 1 Monk + 6 item +2 exceptional bonus +2 tome = 20
CHA 9 + 1 Paladin +6 item +2 tome = 18


YOU WILL NOTE I DID NOT ADD +4 TOMES, MADSTONE, RAGE, SCOURAGE CHOKER, Titan's Grip OR ADDITIONAL EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS SO THAT YOU CAN GET A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT IS EASILY ACHIEVABLE.

Level Progression (M=Monk, F=Fighter, P=Paladin) M,F,F,F,P,F,F,P,P,F,F,M,F,F,F,F,F,P,P,P


Master feat list in order of leveling:

Least Dragon Mark, Toughness, TWF, Exotic Weapon Prof: Khopesh, Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting, Lessor Dragon Mark, Weapon Focus: Slashing, Greater Dragon Mark, ITWF, GTWF, Power Attack, Combat Expertise, Weapon Spec: Slashing, Dodge, Greater Weapon Spec: Slashing, Empower Healing.

Level sequence and important Feats

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragon mark of Healing
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Level 2 (Fighter): Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Level 3 (Fighter):
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Level 5 (Paladin) Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragon mark of Healing
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Level 8 (Paladin)
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands
Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragon mark of Healing
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity
Level 10 (Fighter) Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Level 13 (Fighter) Feat(Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Level 17 (Fighter) Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Level 18 (Fighter) Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing


YOU WILL NOTE THAT I DO NOT HAVE IMPROVE CRIT: SLASHING. Initially I had it until I aquired my Mineral II Khopeshes. After that, I found no need for this feat as my alt weapons have keen on them anyway and/or because its a vorpal.



AC at Level 20
10 base
01 size
01 Paladin Aura
01 Bulwark Enhancement
08 Dexterity bonus
04 Monk Wisdom bonus
01 Dodge
01 Alchemical AC bonus
07 Armored bracers
05 Combat Expertise
01 Monk Bonus
02 Defender of Syberis Stance
42(47 if you have a +5 protection item)

Additional Equipment Items(Hard to get unless you quest alot stuff
08 Icy Rainment [+4 Dodge +4 Protection) / (Replaces the +5 protection item)
03 Chattering Ring
04 Shroud Insight Bonus
01 Shroud +2 Exceptional Wisdom Bonus
58 Beholder AC (Additionally, I can get +1 more from Deflection bonus when I put on my +5 protection necklace, and +8 bracers should be avialable to make 60AC!!!)

Self Buffs:
01 Haste
03 Barkskin
04 Shield spell
02 (The new DDOStore +2 STAT Ability pot which lasts for 10 minutes gives +2 to all stats, i.e. Dex & Wisdom)
68 Self Buffed

Outside sources
05 Paladin PRe III Aura (I minus 1 because I have +1 Pally Aura Already)
04 Bard AC song
02 Recitation
02 Ranger Barkskin
81 AC --- Full Raid Buff

SAVES:
Base/self buff Saves + enhancements will be:
Fortitude: 21 +19 = 40
Reflex: 17 + 20 =39
Will: 15 +20 = 37

Enhancements to saves include:
+3 from Key stat items
+3 from my Paladin Charisma bonus
+2 from the Head of good fortune
+1 from the Alchemical resist bonus
+5 from the Boots of Innocence
+1 to all stats from the DDO +2 Stat pot
+1 to Will save from Exceptional Bonus on my Greensteel item
+1 to reflex from Haste
+2 Vorne's Belt (+2 Exceptional Bonus to Will and Reflex)[must have combo raid set]
+4 from Greater Heroism

THESE SAVES DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR BARD SONGS, BUT REALLY DO YOU CARE WITH SAVES LIKE THAT

Base Skills
Looking at the skills for this character there are essentially 4 main skills and a few dumps here and there. The primaries are as follows:
Intimidate/diplomacy
Jump
Balance
UMD

Depending how you want your character to turn out and what Intelligent tomes you are able to eat/read will dictate how many skill points you are able to disperse. I was fortunate to have eaten a +2 Intelligent tome from inception and ate a +3 Intelligent tome at level 16, so I get a few more skill points then most. But you must remember one thing, for this character to have any decent UMD you must put all skill points possible into UMD and try to eat a +2 Tome as early as possible (level 7).

Since this build is meant for survival I would place importance on skill allocation in the following order UMD, Balance, Jump and lastly Intimidate/diplomacy. Intimidate is important for grabbing aggro, but I have found that putting out good DPS keeps most mobs interested in you. To me, Intimidate can be very useful, but plays a limited roll in general groups. Conversely, it plays an excellent roll in a good group who have a particualr attack plan, but that usually exists predominatly in Raid parties; As such and as suggested, diplomacy can play an equal if not better aspect then intimidate for this build because most elites figure if your intimidate isn't high enough then you shouldn't bother and because diplomacy benefits your sneak attack attribute, it simply means more DPS for you!. Laslty, put at least 1 skill point into Tumble, because Tumble is cool! :P


UMD
KEY BUFFS and COMMENTS: With new clickies that are more reliable then ever and with some traditional clickies, you are able to ease the pain of having to "make" that UMD check for possible failure. Some of the new and traditional clickies include:
Raise dead,True Ressurection, Stoneskin, Displacement and Haste.
Key buffs not on clickies....or should I say "decent" clickies:
Shield (10th level) (UMD 38)
Recitation
Other scrolls that are handy:
Raise Dead(UMD DC 36)
Heal(UMD DC 40)
Restoration(UMD DC 32)
Resurrection(UMD DC 44)
Greater Teleport(UMD DC 44)
Spell Resistance Mass(UMD DC 44)

Now putting that into perspective, Mini-Me is not going to be sitting around, maxed out on UMD at all times. In fact, he will be riding his base UMD most of the time. What I am pointing out though is he can, sit back fully buffed and be a quasi-wanna-be-cleric in reserve, or can in the beginning of a long and hard quest, ease the cleric or casters mana by supplementing with basic buffs while upping his own AC buffs.

Based on potential UMD projections with Mini-Me, you can establish the following:
12 Base (11 +2 tome +1 Paladine Charisma enhancement; however Ron's Character Creator tabulates it to 13)
04 Greater Heroism
03 Charisma item
06 Shroud item
05 7-fingered gloves (Golden Cartouche is only +03)
02 Head of good fortune/recitation
32 (or 30 if you only can get the cartouche)



HIT POINTS AT LEVEL 20
With Toughness and using all but the last fighter toughness he will be at a base of 328
+10 from favor in Gianthold
+30 Greater False Life
+45 Shroud Item
+20 Minos Legens (Mod 9 will be changing it from 18 to a 20hp increase)
+60 from a +6 Con item
+05 from The Monk Patient Torotios enhancement
For a grand total of:
498.

TWO KEY NOTES ABOUT HPs: I did not add a +3 Con tome, nor +2 Exceptional Con Bonus to be calculated into this build, but the +3 Tome is very feasable and the exceptional CON is there on my raid bonus set item(s).


Enhancements in level order:

Level 1 (Monk)
Halfling Luck I (Will)
Level 2 (Fighter)
Fighter Attack Boost I
FIghter Haste Boost I
Extra Dragon mark Use I
Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Halfling Cunning I
Fighter Toughness I
Level 3 (Fighter)
Halfling Dexterity I
Halfling Guile I
Racial Toughness I
Level 4 (Fighter)
Fighter Strength I
Level 5 (Paladin)
Paladin Armor Class Boost I
Halfling Luck (Will) II
Paladin Focus of Good I
Paladin Devotion I
Level 6 (Fighter)
Fighter Attack Boost II
Extra Dragonmark Use II
Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Level 7 (Fighter)
Racial Toughness II
Fighter Toughness II
Level 8 (Paladin)
Halfling Dexterity II
Level 9 (Paladin)
Paladin Courage of Good I
Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Paladin Resistance of Good I
Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Level 10 (Fighter)
Extra Dragonmark Use III
Level 11 (Fighter)
Paladin Charisma I
Fighter Toughness III
Level 12 (Monk)
Way of the Patient Tortiose I
Monk Wisdom I
Level 13 (Fighter)
Fighter Strength II
Level 14 (Fighter)
Extra Dragonmark Use IV
Level 15 (Fighter)
Fighter Kensai I
Fighter Khopesh Specialization I
Level 16 (Fighter)
Kensai Khopesh Master I
Level 17 (Fighter)
Kensai Khopesh Master II
Fighter Kensai II
Level 18 (Paladin)
Paladin Devotion II
Fighter Strength III
Level 20 (Paladin)
Fighter Haste Boost II
Paladine Devine Righteousness I
Paladin Defender of Siberys I


KEY NOTE: Ultimately you set up your enhancements how you want. I found this to be my best set-up for the time.
There will be one (1) action point left over to disperse wherever you like - I think I dumped mine eventually into "Halfling Reflex save I", but you could save it and add it to your "total action points back" explained below:

Eventually if you are able to grab a +3 strength tome a +3 wisdom tome and a +3 Charisma tome - you will net back approximately 10 action points to dispurse back into this build - perhaps you can go Fighter Haste III & IV = 7 action points, then go Halfling Cunning II and Halfling Guile II which = 4 (4+7=11)

That will be the route I take when I get those action points back.

HEALS ala DRAGONMARKS

This was the key factor for this build. Not only did I want good DPS great AC and awesome saves, but I wanted the de facto Heal! With all the dragon marks, +Paladin Devotion II, empower healing and Torin's Choker (raid Item), he currently hits, at max, 382 hitpoints in heals x5 clickies, 77-89 hitpoints in cure serious wounds x7 clickies, 30-35+ cure lights x9 clickies and 45-49 hitpoints in heals from my two Lay on Hands not to mention I have cure light wounds spell from my paladin levels which hit for 25hp x10!!!!!

THE TOTAL AMOUNT RANGES FROM 3059 - 3196 IN TOTAL HEAL/HITPOINT REGEN!!!!! That is like healing (5) 600hp barbarians!!!! whoot!

The beauty about dragon marks though is they dont use material components and there isno concentration checks for them!!!!


EQUIPMENT:

Yes this build is equipment tied, but that is not to say he needs everything, he just needs everything to be all he can be like any other character. Obviously I have chosen particular equipment over others for specific reasons and you might not agree with the set-up but it works for me and I feel the equipment used gives the most of what I want from this build.

I have three set-up modes that vary very little that are based on 2 slots and will explain each set up but for purposes of brevity (not much here) ill only explain the swap outs and just post the everyday general wear and lastly what Items I still need to obtain.

Thus far his daily wear looks like this:

Helm: Minos
Necklace: Torin's Choker (Swaps include: Silverflame Neckalce, Jargundals Collar, +5 Protection necklace)
Trinket: Bloodstone with +1 resist (Swaps include: Head of good fortune with +1 resist, Mummified bat, Pearl of Sirinis, Raise dead shards turn-ins)
Cloak: +6 wisdom greensteel with +45 Hit points
Belt: Vorne's Belt +6 Con & Greater false life (Swap includes: Planar gird)
Gloves +6 Strength Gloves (Titan's Grip)
Ring slot 1: Charisma +6 (Swaps include: all the greater elements resist when needed, +15 Intimidate and Chattering Ring)
Boots: Boots of the innocent (Swaps include: 30% striders, fire greeves, Kundarak Boots)
Ring slot 2: Tumbleweed
Wrists: Amour Bracers +7
Amour: Icy Raiment
Goggles: Blindness Ammunity (Swap includes: Fleshrenders)


Equipment Sought after:
Chattering Ring (Need this for part of my uber AC-ness)
Higher AC Armour Bracers
Gnawed Ring (+6 Strength - bonus set with Torin's Choker) (This bnous set includes +2 to will and reflex and Spell Resistance 22!!!!)
Tharne's Goggles (Who doesn't want Perma true seeing and +5 to-hit on sneak attacks???)
Shroud Charsima +6 to skills item (For Maximum UMD)

I chose the Torin's Necklace and Gnawed ring combo bonus set for two reasons. 1. It allows me to group my greater false life with con while boosting my self healing capabilities and garnering more spell points for my Paladin cure light wounds, plus the combo set grants me +2 to my will and reflex saves AND a permanent Spell resistance of 22. The other option was to go with Kensai combo set, but after looking at it, it will really only give me a +2 to hit (nothing special). My to-hit base is already 39 and I can pump it up to a 48+ I believe. So why bother?

The equipment swap outs are when I want to go into Full AC, full resist or max DPS. For AC I would swap out my Charsima ring for chattering and replace Torin's Necklace for +1 more AC; Full resist means I merely swap out bloodstone for the head of good fortune and keep my Charisma ring on and my Boots of Innocent. For max DPS I make sure im in a good healing group and swap out Torin's Neckalce for my Jargundal Collar for my 10% increaase in melee activity; basically, I turn him into a quasi-Tempest, keep my bloodstone on and click on power attack and power surge!

[Emili]

Looks very solid - as we know it is - and presented very well Al.

[Linenoise2]

I recently made a character that used this build as a template. I must admit that one of the things I was looking for was survivability and something that used Khopeshes. I know that might seem a little odd but I had a ridiclous amount of nice Khopeshes laying around and felt a sick desire to put them to good use.

A couple of comments and questions if I may.

What is the thinking behind the level progression of the classes? It seems like it might be more beneficial to take the Paladin levels earlier on. I generally strive to attain my intended prestige enchancements as soon as I can. I see in this build the Kensai line is not added until later levels. Any particular reason?

How has the shorting of CHR and WIS affected the build? My biggest concern with the build was the low CHR and WIS. You have both paladin and monk classes, not to mention UMD, all these are dependant to one degree or another on WIS and CHR. I wonder in maybe sacraficing a couple points of STR in lieu of +3 WIS & +3 CHR might have proven more beneficial. FWIW, I placed the points into STR as well, but it kept nagging me in the back of my mind.

I assume that given the low WIS that the monk splash is intended only for the bonus feats, nice saves, and evasion. You will be confined to light armor (if you wish to retain evasion). If your going light armor it is tempting to just ditch the armor altogether, but then that low WIS really taunts you.

Also, choosing DoS over KotC. I am tempted to take KotC over DoS. The use of dual weapons makes me wonder about the effeciency of the DoS bonuses as applied to a dual wielder. Was your decision to go DoS a choice of style, is the stance to be used when in an AC turtle mode? or am I not giving DoS enough credit with dual weapons?

Anyhow, I am up to level 6 and am having a good time with the build. I suspect I will alter it a little but would appreciate any experienced insight others might have and perhaps someone can set me straight about some of my notions.

[Yajerman01]

I recently made a character that used this build as a template. I must admit that one of the things I was looking for was survivability and something that used Khopeshes. I know that might seem a little odd but I had a ridiclous amount of nice Khopeshes laying around and felt a sick desire to put them to good use.

A couple of comments and questions if I may.

What is the thinking behind the level progression of the classes? It seems like it might be more beneficial to take the Paladin levels earlier on. I generally strive to attain my intended prestige enchancements as soon as I can. I see in this build the Kensai line is not added until later levels. Any particular reason?

How has the shorting of CHR and WIS affected the build? My biggest concern with the build was the low CHR and WIS. You have both paladin and monk classes, not to mention UMD, all these are dependant to one degree or another on WIS and CHR. I wonder in maybe sacraficing a couple points of STR in lieu of +3 WIS & +3 CHR might have proven more beneficial. FWIW, I placed the points into STR as well, but it kept nagging me in the back of my mind.

I assume that given the low WIS that the monk splash is intended only for the bonus feats, nice saves, and evasion. You will be confined to light armor (if you wish to retain evasion). If your going light armor it is tempting to just ditch the armor altogether, but then that low WIS really taunts you.

Also, choosing DoS over KotC. I am tempted to take KotC over DoS. The use of dual weapons makes me wonder about the effeciency of the DoS bonuses as applied to a dual wielder. Was your decision to go DoS a choice of style, is the stance to be used when in an AC turtle mode? or am I not giving DoS enough credit with dual weapons?

Anyhow, I am up to level 6 and am having a good time with the build. I suspect I will alter it a little but would appreciate any experienced insight others might have and perhaps someone can set me straight about some of my notions.

You have made some valid points and I will try to asnwer them accordingly.

Class Progression and Paladin levels:
My choice of class progression wasn't actually a choice. The manner in which the classes were taken gave me the feat progession I needed in order to achieve my PRe classes, i.e, DOS and Kensaii II. I tried to shift the classes around but I always ended up loosing the feat progession I wanted. As for Paladin, I agree and originally wanted to get my Paladin's early on, especially moreso, because I also wanted to swap out oversized two-weapon fighting later on for Maximize, which I am unable to do now, since I took OTWF early on and Pally way later. You can try messing around on Ron's character creator to see what works out best for you and your feat progression because this build is really tight on feats.

CHA and WIS:
I do not regret my decisions with the way I laid out my stats. The CHA is really only used for UMD and upping my saves. My LOH's are meager but nice to have all the same. At endgame my Wisdom is 20 and I can hit 22 at max (and 24 if I ever get a +3/4 tome) which transitions into your next question which is, the Wisdom is fine with the gear I wear. I dont wear light armor but use the Icy Rainments. My wisdom at 20 gives me a +5 to my AC and I needed the extra feats via Monk to get this build to wear I needed to. As such, the Wisdom has never taunted me or made me regret the initial stat I chose for it. This build hits mid 60's self buffed on AC as it is.

DOS vs KOTC:

I chose DOS because yes, I used it for a small boost in AC, STR and CON; DOS is very handy for turtle mode or pvp, AND because most the the enhancements you need for this PRe I already had. KOTC moved me away from my enhancement choices and actually thinned me out making the way I wanted my build to be less then desirable. DOnt get me wrong - I wanted KOTC as well, but I had to make a decision on my enhancements

Suffice to say DOS is pretty cool and I do not feel im loosing out too much but for a little extra dps on specific monsters.

thats about it. I hope I answered your question.

[Linenoise2]

Thanks for the reply. I find it helpful to understand a build if I know where the author is coming from a little.

I have been fiddling with the build a little to see if I can squeeze out a little more from it. The more I fiddle with it the more I see what you mean about the tight fit of the feats. I tried moving a few things around but very few moves are amicable to the build as a whole. From what I presume about your builds intent there are certain aspects that are concrete.

For example, the dragonmarks, I get the impression that you wanted them as soon as was reasonably possible. Although this is my first character to use the halfling dragonmarks, I am already loving them! Following my presumption I too share the sentiment of obtaining those dragonmarks early into the build. So, I did not deviate from the original build in that regard.

the main thing that I wanted to try to improve on was the combat effeciency at the mid-levels. Being a bit of an obsessive compulsive, it was my desire to get the TWF chain as soon as it was avaliable. To further complicate the endeavor I wanted the same for weapon specialization chain. As you well know (and as do I now) there is not much room for leeway. The only way to achieve my goals were to eliminate (until a later level) one of the following feats:
1) Toughness - I couldnt part with this feat. The added HPs at the lower levels really makes this character sturdy in the early goings. Combined with the dragonmarks it adds quite a bit of survivability. Those extra 20 or so HPs are what give you the time to bust out those dragonmarks in a tight situation.

2) OTWF - I suppose at end game I could part with this, but in the mid levels I find ther extra +2 to hit improves your ability to use PA/CE.

3) Khopesh Profeciency - Well, one of my original reasons for using this build was that I had a lot of khopeshes at all levels and no characer to use them. This only amuses me more when I say that the only feat that I could concievable delay was this one. Yes, it means that all my lower level Khopeshes will not get to be used. Since I am a halfling it is not like I have any deep commitments to the Khopesh. Furthermore, I will still be able to take this profeciency when it matters most - end game. Instead of taking this at level 3, I'll take it at level 14...just in time to gather my Vale items for GS Khopeshes. If this were a TR character you could even take it at level 12, assuming you already had the GS weapons in waiting.

I also altered the level progression slightly, but to be honest I have not yet worked out all the enhancements so perhaps I will find a snag in my scheme there.
1 Monk
2-4 Ftr
5-6 Pal (I wanted paladin levls a little faster so I could make use of the wands sooner)
7 Ftr
8-9 Pal
10-11 Ftr
12 Monk
13-18 Ftr
19-20 Pal


I'll admit that I did not entirely like the notion of forgoing the use of a Khopesh until level 14, but in exchange for this I get the following feat progression.

1) Monk - Least dragonmark, Toughness (monk bonus)
2) Ftr - TWF
3) Ftr - OTWF , Wpn Focus: Slashing
6) Paladin - Lesser Dragonmark
7) Ftr - ITWF
9) Pal - Greater dragonmark
11) Ftr - Wpn Specialization: Slashing
12) Monk - GTWF , PA (monk bonus)
14) Ftr - Wpn Prof: Khopesh
15) Ftr - IC: slashing (or if you have/will have the GS go with Dodge or CE)
16) Ftr - CE (or if you took CE last level take Imp Trip or Dodge)
18) Ftr - Greater Wpn Specialization , Imp trip (or empowered healing)

I chose to put the CE into the latter feats to sort of accompany the DoS line that youll get at level 20. Personally, I like to get this around the sametime I get evasion, but sacrafices had to be made to achieve what I really wanted.

I'll offer a full build later this week when I got more time to mess with trhe enchacements, perhaps thne I will discover a fatal flaw of two in my alterations.

Lastly, just wanted to say that I do not claim that my build is better than the original just more customized to some of the things I place a priority on. I found your build to be very inspirational towards what I was looking for in a TWF survivor build.

[Yajerman01]

T
Lastly, just wanted to say that I do not claim that my build is better than the original just more customized to some of the things I place a priority on. I found your build to be very inspirational towards what I was looking for in a TWF survivor build.

Thank you for taking the time to understand the build, it was difficult as I did not want it to be a cookie-cutter build, i.e. 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Monk, like everyone else. Interestingly and in direct contradiction to that statement, I reincarnated him and took the ranger instead because I wanted to look at the dps aspect of the build. The original build has high AC and great saves but lacked in total output/dps - enough to notice from my perspective. And dont fret - if you find a flaw or a better way to distribute enhancements/feats, etc, etc, then more power to you and good luck!

Impact: I could be wrong on the total amount since I did simple calculation, i.e. 32x100/44=72.72% (44=%100 no fail). If that is bad math then its bad math; I never obtained all the items I wanted to maximize the UMD potential, so I couldn't verify with absolute certainly what the total UMD is/was. If you are correct and if someone else can concur then I will make the necessary changes.

[Impaqt]

Thank you for taking the time to understand the build, it was difficult as I did not want it to be a cookie-cutter build, i.e. 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Monk, like everyone else. Interestingly and in direct contradiction to that statement, I reincarnated him and took the ranger instead because I wanted to look at the dps aspect of the build. The original build has high AC and great saves but lacked in total output/dps - enough to notice from my perspective. And dont fret - if you find a flaw or a better way to distribute enhancements/feats, etc, etc, then more power to you and good luck!

Impact: I could be wrong on the total amount since I did simple calculation, i.e. 32x100/44=72.72% (44=%100 no fail). If that is bad math then its bad math; I never obtained all the items I wanted to maximize the UMD potential, so I couldn't verify with absolute certainly what the total UMD is/was. If you are correct and if someone else can concur then I will make the necessary changes.

I dont understand where the "100"'s are coming from. UMD is a D20 Roll.... I'm not sure its "Bad Math".. Seems more like using the wrong formula all together.

If you have a 32 UMD and you want to use a DC 44 Scroll you MUST roll a 12 or Higher on a D20. thats a 45% chance to use that scroll

[Linenoise2]

Thank you for taking the time to understand the build, it was difficult as I did not want it to be a cookie-cutter build, i.e. 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Monk, like everyone else. Interestingly and in direct contradiction to that statement, I reincarnated him and took the ranger instead because I wanted to look at the dps aspect of the build. The original build has high AC and great saves but lacked in total output/dps - enough to notice from my perspective. And dont fret - if you find a flaw or a better way to distribute enhancements/feats, etc, etc, then more power to you and good luck!

Heh that is funny because my main is a 12/6/2 ftr/rgr/rogue prototype. Pure DPS but, imo, made of glass. I went with this type of build to look at the survivability aspects. I suspect after this build I will try to make a hybrid of the two, but that is further down the road. Anyhow, the only problem I have encountered with this build has been at the lower levels, some people not accepting me into groups because they think I have a "goofy build". All I know is at level 8 I have only died once and I play a fairly agressive melee.

[Impaqt]

Based on potential UMD projections with Mini-Me, you can establish the following:
12 Base (11 +2 tome +1 Paladine Charisma enhancement; however Ron's Character Creator tabulates it to 13)
04 Greater Heroism
03 Charisma item
06 Shroud item
05 7-fingered gloves (Golden Cartouche is only +03)
02 Head of good fortune/recitation
[/FONT]32 (or 30 if you only can get the cartouche)

THATS AN %73/68 CHANCE FOR ANY SCROLL WITH A DC/UMD OF 44

Interesting build... Looks nice, but I dont understand your Percentages here...


if someone has a 32 UMD, they have only a 45% change to activate a DC44 Scroll.

30 would bring it down to a 35% chance of success....

[MystDragon]

When scanning the forums looking at the way different builders designed their builds I came across your halfling here. I hadn't played a halfling yet and I had to do a double take.

I, myself, like interesting, unique builds based around a theme and something about your build just intrigued the heck out of me.

So - I rolled him up and leveled him up to level 8 so far just to see how this build worked for me.

This little Ginsu halfling is a blast to play. I love him. What started as an experiment for me just to see, in a practical test, how your build functioned turned out to be a character I just absolutely love.

I've had a little problem, at times, getting into a group in some standard low level quests, like harbor/low marketplace quests - but that's about it and is fading very fast as he levels. Then again, he also seems to be attracting more veteran players who may be familiar with the build, who are experienced enough to realize how the character is built, or who are just open-minded.

I also had very limited experience using dragonmarks or the combat-based skills (diplomacy/intimidation/bluff) so the character design afforded me a chance to learn and practice different types of skills.

All in all I have enjoyed this build so much that I plan on taking him up through the mid and high levels to see how he works throughout. This character is my "I just want to have a blast" character. I have also received comments from veteran players telling me that the build is very interesting and about how effective the character is. I refer them to your thread and tell them where I got the build.

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the build and that is the most important element to me. Anything that increases the pleasure of the gaming experience is worth it to me.

Thank you for posting this and thank you to all of the builders out there who spend valuable time creating and posting these builds for the rest of us to try.

Definitely a plus to rep.

[Yajerman01]

When scanning the forums looking at the way different builders designed their builds I came across your halfling here. I hadn't played a halfling yet and I had to do a double take.

I, myself, like interesting, unique builds based around a theme and something about your build just intrigued the heck out of me.

So - I rolled him up and leveled him up to level 8 so far just to see how this build worked for me.

This little Ginsu halfling is a blast to play. I love him. What started as an experiment for me just to see, in a practical test, how your build functioned turned out to be a character I just absolutely love.

I've had a little problem, at times, getting into a group in some standard low level quests, like harbor/low marketplace quests - but that's about it and is fading very fast as he levels. Then again, he also seems to be attracting more veteran players who may be familiar with the build, who are experienced enough to realize how the character is built, or who are just open-minded.

I also had very limited experience using dragonmarks or the combat-based skills (diplomacy/intimidation/bluff) so the character design afforded me a chance to learn and practice different types of skills.

All in all I have enjoyed this build so much that I plan on taking him up through the mid and high levels to see how he works throughout. This character is my "I just want to have a blast" character. I have also received comments from veteran players telling me that the build is very interesting and about how effective the character is. I refer them to your thread and tell them where I got the build.

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the build and that is the most important element to me. Anything that increases the pleasure of the gaming experience is worth it to me.

Thank you for posting this and thank you to all of the builders out there who spend valuable time creating and posting these builds for the rest of us to try.

Definitely a plus to rep.

Wait to level 9 when you get your final dragonmark! whoot!

Thank you for the props, much Appreciated. If you go all the way to level 20 with this character you will note two things. 1. With the gear set-up that I mention hes like an easy button and 2. You will note that he appears to have hit a plateau around level 16. But when his Kensai enhancements and feats start to shine (LEVEL 18-20), you will note how much of the all around baddy he becomes.

In looking at Ron's Character creator and in hindsight, there was some class progressions I would like to have changed up, particularly, getting more paladin levels early on. I checked out Ron's character creator again, and see that I "could" have done this without effecting the feat progression. The importance to obtaining Paladin earlier on is for later down the road, swapping out OTWF for another metamagic feat. You could either go Maximize to make your heals all the more outrageous, or have garnered quicken (pvp pet peeve). No matter - hes tough love in the beginning and around level 12 you will start to notice the difference in survivability.

I also made another variation of this build since you like complex multiclass builds. I try not to cookie cut builds, but this one unfortunately fell into this category except for one thing, its a halfling again. Alot of people look at the "Monster" build but my version is a hella alot of fun because of, once again, the dragon marks.

All the same stats pretty much apply as the original pallyversion build, same gear, mostly the same enhancements except now you pick-up Favored Enemy (FE). You give up a little AC (-1/3) and some saves (-1/3 across) but gain more DPS. The 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Monk has been very good to me thus far. Hes currently level 13 and I already own Gianthold on Normal and Hard and get lots of compliments about the build already, and yes I own alot of higher levels in PVP. (1 note though, hes the reincarnated version of the OP build so i get extra stats, so i dumped the two extra stat bonuses into Wisdom.

Ranger Splash Version
Reincarnate Stats/None Reincarnate Stats:
16/16
16/16
13/13
12/11
11/10
08/08

The class progression level is as follows: M/R/R/F/F/R/R/F/F/R/R/M/F/F/F/F/F/F/F/F


Happy hunting!

[Linenoise2]

As I mentioned earlier, I would post my version of this build. It is essentially the same exact build with a few minor variations. I'll address the changes at the end of the post. I also have not included the enchacements because I have not had a lot of extra time. Most of my limited game time has been used for raiding, so I have not been able to play this character past her current level 8. I expect this to pick up after the holidays. That being said, my enhancements will be almost exact to the original build. The only appreciable variation being a higher priority on getting Kensai.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.14
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Halfling Male
(12 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Monk) 
Hit Points: 278
Spell Points: 25 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 14
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    21
Dexterity            16                    17
Constitution         13                    14
Intelligence         11                    13
Wisdom                9                    10
Charisma              9                    10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 4
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 4
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 4
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 4
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 4
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    25
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         1                     2
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                 -1                     2
Hide                  3                     5
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  7                    17
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         3                     5
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                0                     1
Spot                  2                     3
Swim                  3                     5
Tumble                4                     4
Use Magic Device      1                    11.5

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness

Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting

Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons

Level 4 (Fighter)

Level 5 (Paladin)

Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

Level 7 (Fighter)

Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting

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

Level 10 (Paladin)

Level 11 (Fighter)

Level 12 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack

Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 14 (Fighter)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting

Level 16 (Fighter)

Level 17 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell

Level 19 (Paladin)
Level 20 (Paladin)

The first thing one might notice is I took +1 tomes at level 4. That's because I started Vet Level 4, otherwise I'd have taken them at level 1 and enjoyed thge extra skill points.

The more I played with the level progression the more I came back to the original builds progression. Feats are tight and while I think there is still room for improvment it was good enough for me (I am no perfectionist!).

I followed a few key rules when making out the levels.

1) I wanted the dragonmarks as early as possible so no deviation was taken with regards to the original build's concept.

2) I wanted to make the character effecient in melee as it pertains to his/her level. Or in other words, I wanted my TWF chain, weapon specialization, and kensai prestige enhancements obtained as soon as they were avaliable. With the exception of ITWF at level 8 (instead of level 7) I think I achieved this goal.

3) Paladin Immunities attained by the time I venture into The Sands. I figured by the time I started adventuring in The Sands, I would need disease and fear immunities, prior to that I can deal with it like the rest of the mortals out there.

4) Evasion by the time I venture into GH. You could take Monk sooner but I, as a general playing policy, try to keep all my toons out of GH until atleast 12th level. If you are willing to do just the tiniest amount of XP grinding this is not a problem at all and ideally, I like to try to wait until level 13 to go into GH but that does not always work out.

In my last post I commented that I would wait until later levels to take the Khopesh profeciency. Ater thinking it over, I found it was far more effecient to take Khopesh at the early levels and forgo OTWF until the later levels. First off, this allows you more play room with your feat. I do not have OTWF slated until level 15 and I have a suspicion that by then I may not even need it, freeing up a feat for some other use (like stunning blow or trip, or dodge, etc).

Instead I took weapon focus at 3rd level. This mitigates the -2 to hit I get from not having OTWF and when I sword and board it (which I do a lot of at the lower levels) I am actually +1 to hit better than had I take the OTWF instead of WF:Slash. Furthermore, taking Weapon Focus at 3rd level allows me to take Weapon Specialization at 6th level (4th level fighter). Which, in turn, allows me to take Kensai prestige enchancements at ~8th level.

I have been pretty happy with this decision; running Delera's on hard at level 6 using S&B I was very hard to hit. I had an AC ~32 unbuffed so when I did get hit I had plenty of time to pop off a dragon mark and go back to work on the mobs. With the exception of an all Wizzie group, it was the easiest runs I've had in Delera's.

My only complaint is that I would like to have taken more Paladin levels earlier. I might still try to find a way to make that work, but it is hard to do without giving up a little something (usually a feat or two). I would like to have those paladin spells earlier that 18th level. So it is possible that I might swap places of the last 3 fighter and paladin levels.

Anyway, just want to say again that this is a fun build. It may not have the DPS power of my FB Barb or my glasscannon Monster-prototype. But it has a very sturdy feel to it and I think it'll really shine by the time I venture into GH.

[Yajerman01]

Anyway, just want to say again that this is a fun build. It may not have the DPS power of my FB Barb or my glasscannon Monster-prototype. But it has a very sturdy feel to it and I think it'll really shine by the time I venture into GH.

Yep Yep - did check rons character creator and you could take more paladin levels earlier on, like i said in hindsight, but i think foregoing the OTWF is a great move and frees up a feat later - that extra feat can go anyway from maximize to make your heals outrageous to quicken for faster heals, to obtaining the last slash to hit feat (forgot name) or improved trip. its nice to have that extra feat while still punching 380 on heals.

I agree hes not goingto be out DPSing the big guys, but that is not what hes designed for,

My mineral II khopeshes were critting around 170 each, suffice to say, your not a slouch and probably more on the lower end of high DPS. Again, thats without madstone, scourage, rage pots, psyonic gloves, etc, etc, which is a nice damage comfort zone.

im glad your finsding ways to tweak him, Im hoping you are able to free up the action points via tomes so you can obtain fighter haste 4, because i think then he will be barking around mid to upper mid 350 on dps.

[jeremyt]

Firstly I know this isnt an optimum setup, but I like THF, so bear with me

Im looking at setting this class spread to a WF THF setup. Have a love for skills, so the dropping of dex for int wis and cha seems like a good move for durability at the expense of DPS of course. Your thoughts? I was thinking starting with 15 10 16 12 12 12 and then dumping all onto str.

I started the char last night but made some skill mistakes early (thank god early right?) *concentration being not useful ..so i plan on keeping UMD and balance maxed, a few on jump. so jump Q: any idea what jump ill need to take to get str bonus to max it? id imagine pretty low. Im a fan of repair and heal as well, worth the effort? I was planning on skipping intim all together and just using WF hate enhancements. but this is working up to be a very enhancement starved char! so maybe just hit and kill DPS in groups with support healing and not worry about the hate/intim aspect for my particular role? My main goal is for survivability solo and in very small groups, but I dont want to be shunned from raids as well.

[Axelza]

Hi all sorry if im being a noob , but there is no least dragon mark of healing when you start off makeing your char.

Ive been scanning for an answer to this but I cant seend to find it , its the 1st feat

[Yajerman01]

Hi all sorry if im being a noob , but there is no least dragon mark of healing when you start off makeing your char.

Ive been scanning for an answer to this but I cant seend to find it , its the 1st feat

Ahhh yes, the allusive first feat. You need to go to the marketplace and take the test offered up by Lockania. Walk Inside And Speak To Her Again.

She Will Give You A Series Of Questions.

Some Of The Questions And Answers Of This Quest:

Q. Which Now-lost Mark Appeared With The Mark Of Shadow?
A. Mark Of Death

Q. Which House Is The Greatest Military Power?
A. House Deneith

Q. What House Created The Lightning Vail And Warforged?
A. House Cannith

Q. Who Operates The Courier's Guild And Lightning Rail?
A. House Orien

Q. What Two Guilds Are Operated B House Deneith?
A. Defenders And Blademarks

Q. Which Race Wears The Mark Of Healing?
A. Halflings

Q. What Is House Phiarlan's Secret Business?
A. Espionage

Q. What Power Does The Mark Of Passage Grant?
A. Teleport

Q. House Kundarak Is Responsible For What Service?
A. Banking

Q: Where Did House Jorasco Finally Settle?
A: Karnath

Q: What Spell-like Ability Does The Greater Mark Of Passage Grant
A: Teleport

Q: When Did The Mark Of Warding Appear, And Amongst Whom?
A: 2500 Years Ago, Dwarves

Q: Which Skill Does The Mark Of Making Give?
A: Repairing

Once you have completed this task you need to speak with, "Fred", who is located in House Jorasco, just past the teleporter under the garden.

Fred will let you change your feat once for free. Change whatever feat you initially took in lieu of the dragonmark.

hope that helps.

[Axelza]

Thanks for your swift and detailed reply =)

just one more question though , what alignment would you reccomend?

[Yajerman01]

Thanks for your swift and detailed reply =)

just one more question though , what alignment would you reccomend?

Welll since monk is introduced your going to have two options, lawful good or lawful neutral.

I went lawful good for all the good aligned weapons as I progressed through the levels, but in hindsight lawful neutral is not a bad choice either as you can use the Litany (raid item) without having a negative effect; in fact there are several items that have "taint of evil" which adversley effect you being lawful good while they dont effect lawful neutral. Int he end you decide, but If I was TRing my character again, this time i think I would go Lawful Neutral.

[Axelza]

Hey thanks for your reply so far , im level 3 and loving it ! , one more question if you wouldnt mind , Im a bit confused about when I equip the kosi's its telling me im not centerd , and i attack veryyy slow

[Yajerman01]

Hey thanks for your reply so far , im level 3 and loving it ! , one more question if you wouldnt mind , Im a bit confused about when I equip the kosi's its telling me im not centerd , and i attack veryyy slow

Equip them as soon as you are able to.

Yes, you will never been centered unless your using handwraps a stave or kama(s). But your character is not designed around being centered. While being uncentered you loose the ability to use monk stances and you loose 1 ac (inherent Monk AC). However you still retain your monk wisdom ac bonus and keep your evasion.

All characters hit sluggish at low levels.