FvS Lord of Blades Healer/Buffer/Fighter

[Pintail]

Why no raise dead? Also thinking need to do a or as I got side tracked and a lot of my spells are different it would take quite a while to switch me all around. Also does Corpse Docent stack with healing enhancement/feat line?

[Souless]

Cully,

This build is FAN-F-IN-TASTIC!!!!!

I have been playing it the last 3 days leveling up...and I gotta say it's overall survivability is bettern any toon I've played thus far!!

Buffs/Heals/Melee capability...U've hit a homerun with this build!

Assuming it doesn't get hit with the nerf-bat....

be warned---Soul has played (and enjoyed) this build.....This means the nerf bat is commin--stay tooned!!!

Mwhahahahahahahaha

The Bytcher~

[zwiebelring]

Okay, now the xpack hit live and I guess many are eager to discuss changes.

3 different spellpowers to consider, how to consolidate the most important?

Feat changes. Overwhelmign Critical does not seem to be a very cost efficient feat, what about Power Critical. Right now, I swapped a feat for Empower Healing (but kept Maximize Spell) and I am thinking about Empower Spell and Power Critical for lvl. 20+.

And personally, I'd rather die before changing to non WF race. May Half Elf be a more efficient thing, so is the Smart car. Ugly race is ugly. So, how to keep this build with the original race?

[Mellkor]

Please discuss your xpac experiences here!

I unfortunately, will not have much time for gaming until about the end of August due to work load.

I will certainly post xpack updates as soon as I can!

[PurdueDave]

Sure. The caveat is that mine is 100% solo so there's no elite gear. I've also had it on the shelf for the better part of a year. I dusted him off to explore the new stuff in dribs and drabs over the weekend.

Other than gear being screwed up by spell power it still plays well. I just stocked up on Object Desire potions, dug up an old potency ring, and played through it.

Bugs hit this character hard but it's just annoying...mainly in the healing. There's nothing that takes it from win to lose.

With PRR I expect I'll be screwing the adamantine plate back on shortly. I am very much looking forward to that.

It's as much fun now as it was the last time I played it.

[zwiebelring]

Please discuss your xpac experiences here!

I unfortunately, will not have much time for gaming until about the end of August due to work load.

I will certainly post xpack updates as soon as I can!

Current nerf to spell boosting items made me swap one Toughness to Epic Toughness and using lvl. 21 feat for Empower Healing. I will take Adamantine Body on 24 again (For fashion victims I suggest Leaf: Dark Steel kit otherwise the plate components might screw up your toon in terms of looks).

The problem with fitting in a suitable boost to BB dmg as well as Healing spells is till not solved. Bracelet of Madness just seems like another workaround (and is occupying inventory slots) but I am no fan of hotswapping items much, which anyway has increased by now. I am still stuck on Torin's Choker which is more like Torin's Joke (Bard item, duh -.-) and has to be replaced but I don't know for which item.

I dropped all Healing Amp. enhancements and instead boosted DR and Wand/Scroll Mastery. So far I am fine with self healing and healing the party.

As soon as I get a permanent solution for boosting spellpower by Potency or Devotion + Impulse I will drop Empower Healing again.

All in all the missing Heal Amp. can be replaced by the Exalted Angel's spell point increase. I had 2,943 before buffing, with ED I had 3,544 before buffing which was more than enough.

For a more optimized idea maybe you can plan with Unyielding Sentinel and twisting Unbreakable stance which gives the opportunity to splash some Ftr-levels and still having DR in form of DR 10/epic.

The splashed levels might be unlocking Overwhelming Critical and final ED could be Legendary Dreadnought. That is my idea atm., dunno if it is viable, all EDs are broken somehow so you cannot rely on anything.

[zwiebelring]

Leveled to 24 and took Adamantine Body feat (Spiral: Dark Steel kit gives nice looks as well with plating, thankfully).

Thinking about a permanent greensteel reflex boosting item and crafting a conc opp item on another slot. Those cometfall DCs are crazy. 35+ rolls and still dropping like a fat beatle.

So far using Stalker Ring Tier 3 for Ghostly and slots (CHA +6 and GFL), gs HP helmet with Smoke2. Cloak, maybe bracers, Trinket and goggles are rotating axis now. I am thinking about a Min2 cloak with heavy fort. and +5 protection for moar PRR. Running around withDR 14/adamantine, AC 40 standing and 22 PRR which is very nice, even on epic hard (won't be on elite though, that's for sure).

Since I took Maximize Spell I will not drop Glacier Gloves. Spell cost discount is just too precious. Thinking of crafting a trinket with Empower Healing discount, too, if possible.

For dual inherent resistance compositions I think bracers slot + boot slot maybe?

What do you people think?

[Mellkor]

Great feedback!

I have had a greensteel reflex save item for a long time now. I cant count the number of times this has save my ass.

heh, Now I can say I told ys so! To all those who laughed at my reflex save item! I would say it is a requirement in the new content!

[morticianjohn]

I really like epic mask of comedy for the devotion spell power. Yes there is better devotion spell power items out there but it convieniently fits in the helm slot and if you forget to swap in your impulse spell power item or whatever at least you've got some potency along with the healing lore and a yellow slot it's a pretty nice slot consolidator IMHO.

I haven't played since the update but if healer's friend isn't working I don't really want to. I can put my DT armor back on for more healing amp (before update 14 I didn't bother to slot 10%/20% except situationally) but I don't like it as a permanant item.

I think that WF FvS as a whole got nerfed into oblivion. Not saying that you can't complete stuff and do fine with your character but the fact that you'll play it knowing how much worse it is relative to the other races means that we're no likely to see too many people stick it out. Just my prediction without any gameplay evidence to back it up.

[zwiebelring]

Great feedback!

I have had a greensteel reflex save item for a long time now. I cant count the number of times this has save my ass.

heh, Now I can say I told ys so! To all those who laughed at my reflex save item! I would say it is a requirement in the new content!

I have another Smoke 2 Goggles ready but now I have to fit in conc opp elsewhere^^. Funny thing, with Minos Legens I have 135% fort., without 110%. Ref. mod. is the new heal amp. for melee toons!

I say it loud and proud:
I'd rather die before building up Wanzer with another race. I put very much effort into this toon and cannot! stand! Helf! Even it is the more efficent race by now.

I will slot Devotion in my ToD ring and live with -2 STR. I can get it elsewhere and much easier than before U14 so it is the least concern. Dps was never as good as a dedicated melee class toon so I can live with it.

Well, in general I have to think about more niche items. But then, WF FvS is still remarkable. I am yet to reach Legendary Dreadnought destiny. Stuck on flower boy destiny atm. but I guess once I reach Dreadnought the dps increase will be notable.

I haven't played since the update but if healer's friend isn't working I don't really want to. I can put my DT armor back on for more healing amp (before update 14 I didn't bother to slot 10%/20% except situationally) but I don't like it as a permanant item.

The worst you didn't even experience. The whole heal amp. can bug out by going through loading screens. Very much like fortification or any other item/permanent buff effects might bug out. This is ridiculous. After entering a quest the first thing I do is using a scroll to see if heal amp. still is active.

[Nodoze]

I have another Smoke 2 Goggles ready but now I have to fit in conc opp elsewhere^^. Funny thing, with Minos Legens I have 135% fort., without 110%. Ref. mod. is the new heal amp. for melee toons!

I say it loud and proud:
I'd rather die before building up Wanzer with another race. I put very much effort into this toon and cannot! stand! Helf! Even it is the more efficent race by now.

I will slot Devotion in my ToD ring and live with -2 STR. I can get it elsewhere and much easier than before U14 so it is the least concern. Dps was never as good as a dedicated melee class toon so I can live with it.

Well, in general I have to think about more niche items. But then, WF FvS is still remarkable. I am yet to reach Legendary Dreadnought destiny. Stuck on flower boy destiny atm. but I guess once I reach Dreadnought the dps increase will be notable.

The worst you didn't even experience. The whole heal amp. can bug out by going through loading screens. Very much like fortification or any other item/permanent buff effects might bug out. This is ridiculous. After entering a quest the first thing I do is using a scroll to see if heal amp. still is active.

What are the tradeoffs of HELF vs WarForged FvSs?

Doesn't HELF lose all hate tanking ability and isn't their melee behind WF?

[zwiebelring]

Helf is superior regarding heal amp and dilly feats. Paladin Dilletante is a big improvement because the barrage of Ref. saves spammed at you in xpack is insane. That is why I think a Helf (or any other FvS build with higher save/heal amp options) is better adapted to the expansion. But so far I am doing fine and that is why I just crafted a save booster and am off for good.

I skipped tanking line completely, I felt that healing a dedicated Stalwart/tank was easier than getting the items for being a hate tank.

For the further discussion you might check out
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...rvivor&page=25

[Thorin2001]

Hi all!
I could use some advice on feat-selection for Lvl 21 and 24 for this build.

Feats taken so far:
Toughness
Extend
Maximize
Quicken
Power Attack
Imp. Critical: Slashing
Emp. Healing

Any help/advice/hint appreciated!

[zeonardo]

[zwiebelring]

Hi all!
I could use some advice on feat-selection for Lvl 21 and 24 for this build.

Feats taken so far:
Toughness
Extend
Maximize
Quicken
Power Attack
Imp. Critical: Slashing
Emp. Healing

Any help/advice/hint appreciated!

I took Epic Toughness and Adamantine Body because I didn't splash to aim for Overwhelming Critical and such. Adamantine Body got boosted anyway.

- edit -
but honestly, if there were better options for me I'd taken them nstead of those 2 feats.

[Mellkor]

Just wanted to pop in and say I have played some the last few days. Nice changes overall. Give me a few weeks to sort it all out. I honestly do not see where all the folks crying nerf are coming from. This build still performs as well, if not better than before U15, all the way to epic elite.

Initial thoughts (subject to change): (I am at lev 22 and maxed one destiny)

1- Some of the new gear is nice I will have to try and figure a way to fit some of it in. I think adding some healing amp would also help a lot since we can now get healing over time abilities. Altho (so far) the gear set up as posted before U15 is still hard to beat. I will say that freezing ice guard + earth grab guard + air guard is really effective in the new content. I am also thinking it is time to dump the Torq as well as conc-op in favor of other things. It simply is not really needed anymore with all the SP's you get now (I have 3200 at lev 22 now) as well as the frequency of rest shrines. It would be easy to just swap in those items if you really needed to and find a few archers to fill you up

2- I like the Exalted Angel Destiny. It adds a lot to this build such as heal over time and boosts to self healing, healing, and light damage. It also adds your alignment to any weapon you wield in regards to bypassing DR!!! Lawful good alignment + metallic edges slotted into the red slot on your ESoS = bypass a LOT of DR out there.

3- I am still working on what would be good to twist in. (I like Brace for Impact and Unearthly Reactions at the moment).

4- On the fence as to whether or not adding in full time devotion or radiance items is really required. I have been using radiance and devotion sticks, and that seems fine when needed. It is also easy to just do a quick weapon swap whenever you cast a heal or light spell, it takes getting used to, but once you get used to it, it isnt so bad. Learning to do this allows for better full time equipment.

5- I did change my enhancements to now include the AoV II PrE and sacrificed some tier III and IV enhancements for it as well as maximizing light damage enhancements. Very nice. This still puts me at 700ish HPs (instead of 750ish), which is more than enough for this build.

6- I think the way to improve this build with the new stuff/update is to focus on adding heal over time abilities, healing amp, as well as boosts to fortification and saves (mainly reflex. I am thinking 50ish is where the sweet spot would be now).

7- In regards to to-hit. I currently have a standing to hit of 57 with PA on. (4 better than in the OP) (not counting totally unrealistic **** such as titans grip and +sneak items such as Tharnes, as well as other unreliable, hard to get, or very short duration things) I just cant believe the numbers other folks post that include things like titans grip and sneak attack bonuses, LOL. I just like to include things you can COUNT on, every time. Anyway +57 standing to hit has proven to be just as before, good enough to hit almost everything on a 2, even in epic elite. By the time I am lev 25 and geared up It should be in the low 60's, and I think that is a good number to shoot for, IMO. I can hit that number now, easily, just by turning off PA. So far I have only had to turn off PA for a few red named boss mobs. (I turn it off IF i miss on a 4 or a 5).

[zwiebelring]

The nerf was cutting clicky buffs for healing spells. Now you have to find 3 slots for radiance, impulse and devotion, at least for radiance and devotion though.

I managed to get a house sziind seal and with its potency of +68 or 72 (whatever) I am able to heal with melee combat gear. Tradeoff was the ToD set.

But, I agree with Sirgog at the moment. In current epic elite survivability got more utility than raw dps, so the ToD set sacrifice wasn't bad at all. Anyway the melee destinies and twist options (Improved Power Attack, Gird against Demons e.g.) bring enough DR breaking + dps even without using eSoS. Once I get my Red Dragonscale I replace Stalker Ring with a Tod Ring for a full set again.

That along with adapted HF costs + fix made a melee WF FvS powerful again. If I can get a +7 CHA Sziind seal I am set.

Found some very nice Bracers as well (one with +8 STR and Sup. Parrying and one with 10% Heal. Amp. + Sup. Parr.). Still thinking about how to fit them in.

My Twists atm:
Brace for Impact (Reflex Save!!!!!)

Healing Spellpower (will keep it for maximum healing while using melee only gear most of the time)

Radiant Spellpower (in lack of better options since I am still mauling through destiny exp. grind, want to have Gird Against Demons and/or Improved Power Attack on the longterm)

I skipped FvS capstone enhancement (Shield of Blades) and once again Nightshield Spell became useful because it is boosting the saves. PRR is 31 fully buffed atm. Together with Thick Skinned of LD and inherent DR I can ignore all to most of the incoming damage till epic hard and I am able to just focus on melee + occasional healing.

Healing epic elite sucks big time though >.>.

[Mellkor]

Just a quick update:

I am now lev 24 and working on Unyielding Sentinel. I really like this destiny as well. I only just realized how easy it is to switch destinies, LOL. Unyielding Sentinel really makes this build a LOT more survivable, and darn near untouchable in turtle mode. (I am putting points mostly into defensive abilities in this destiny) I recommend this one for epic elite quests and Exalted Angel for most else for this build. I am currently planning on working my way over to Fury of the Wild to give that a try. I am thinking for this build that Unyielding Sentinel for when strong defense or survivability is most important, Exalted Angel for most other times, and Fury of the Wild when raw DPS is paramount.

Again, This is all new to me, so this may change!

I also now have a standing ship buffed and self buffed reflex save of 46. I only very rarely get knocked over on epic elite quests with that number while my guildies with reflex saves in the mid to upper 30's are on their ass a lot, LOL, so I would say it seem that 45-50 is the sweet spot now for this save. My fort save is now 43 and will is 34 or so. So far no real issues with the other saves on epic elite quests. I think when I hit 25 these improve by one, but I am not sure on that.

Thanks for the commentary Zwiebelring!

My experience with devotion/radiance/impulse is a little different. I find it easy to swap them in (as a weapon set) when needed. For AoV 2 shoulder cannon, radiance item only needs to be equipped at the time of casting it, it remains boosted even if you remove the radiance item. For DP, I only really use that on longer than 20-30 second fights, so swapping it in while casting that is not too much of an issue for me either. Healing seems fine to me in most quests without a devotion item (yeah I know this isn't the most efficient way...). I still manage to overheal a lot with my mass heal without a devotion item. The only time I really equip a devotion item full time is when I am acting as a full time healer in a raid or quest or when someone is taking fast damage. (This only really happens in epic hard raids or epic elite quests).

[Mellkor]

Equipment changes: I think this set up below plus what is already listed in the OP is the best set up for this build.

I will edit and post to OP sometime over the weekend.....

New equipment I am now using most of the time from U14/15:

Purple Dragon Helm (+2 insightful STR, +7 CON, +15 intimidate.)

Purple DRagon Gauntlets: (+2 insightful CON, +7 STR, healing amp +30%.)

Stone Heart Docent: (resist +6, protection +6, toughness, Dex +8)

Set bonus for all 3 above: +3 to hit, +3 damage with melee weapons (requires 375 purple dragon favour)

As a result of the above I had to change the following existing equipment:

1) remade GS bracers to include earthgrab guard (I equip the conc op ones now only if I NEEDto fill up). I feel there is no real need for conc op/torq anymore. I did this because I like to run earthgrab guard + freezing ice guard + air guard most of the time, a very potent combo.

2) removed +2 excep str and con from TOD rings and added 20% healing amp and devotion 78 instead. +2 excep str and con are now on the new equipment, nice little upgrade here.

3) moved fear immunity and good luck to the dragon belt.

4) moved greater false life to the epic firestorm greaves. I wear these most of the time (swapping these out when needed only costs 30 HP's, which is not such a big deal with all the HP's this build has now)

All of this gives me better saves, better to hit, better damage, and more efficient healing to both myself and allies. Over all nice changes together with the divine destinies this is still a build that performs better than most in epic elite quests!

[Eth]

Exalted Angel and Unyielding Senitnel are quite OK.
But wait until you get Legendary Dreadnaught ;-)
My bet is you won't ever switch back from that (when twists are finished).

I have a similar build (HElf though) and tried all EDs. LD is clearly my favorite for a melee FvS.