Need balanced fighter bld teaming with 18rang/1monk/1rogue

[Mojofizznut]

Hi all -
My son and I play together always, and after trying several classes, he has settled on the 18 ranger/1monk/1rogue duel wielding dps.

I was following behind him with a favored soul healer, but we are both now thinking I should be leading with a balanced tank/dps and together we can dps and clear faster/more fun.

I'm looking for a build for me (with enhancements please!) that will be able to dish out good dps with trash mobs when we are running instances together, but could easily fill in as main tank in a group for harder elite and end game fun. For dps I don't really care twf or thf.

I have a few questions:

1) Why do folks think 2 lvls of monk will help, evasion only works if you have a successful reflex save (so higher dex needed), and is worthless unless you are in light armor. At end game, lvl 20 tanks are running around in light armor? Is 'mithral plate' light armor classed? Is there some other reason folks are splashing 2 monk?

2) After two weeks of play time now and several low level rolls, after watching and reading about the ranger in action, isn't dodge/mobility and spring attack a staple for fighters? I've noticed in the game mechanics, the mobs are very wily and constantly moving, and I'm constantly moving for positioning to avoid being flanked. Brilliant ai of mobs I must say, makes the combat so much more challenging than any other mmporgs we've played, but what I'm seeing in fighter builds is these are rarely there! Why not? Spring attack for combat would seem essential for any melee -

3) Is there any good thread explaining how armor penalty and armor dex bonus works? I'm not getting how the enhancements I see in fighter and dwarf race for armor agility work - what is the game plan for progression? Do you pump dexterity when you take these because the armor penalties are reduced so you can get higher ac?

4) For skills, is balance not important to a fighter? It's only a .5 skill for fighter, thought it would be a main skill.


Thanks for help, links to a build that would suit our needs.

[Mojofizznut]

Ok I get it. After doing a build in the char builder I realize both the kensai and stalwart are not possible, you are only allowed one per class, so a balanced dps/tank build is really not possible.

Although I suppose you could choose the stalwart line, but then choose feats and other skills to increase dps -

Going to try a build, I'll post here for comments.

[Mojofizznut]

Ok here is my build attempt.
Dwarf seems best choice for twf dwarven axe for dps, con and spell defense bonuses, also starting stats stronger than human. With 12 int he gets 3 pts for skills, I just focused on intimidate, balance, jump and umd.

I couldn't figure out how to work in Fighter Str III and everything else, yes I see str ending at 25, I would try to equip to get it to even number.

Is this a gimped stalwart AND gimped dps? Or would this be fairly balanced, able to do most tasks? I've also only focused on slash, is this a mistake?

Thx for comments on bld:

Highlights; Feats:

Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Intimidate
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Luck of Heroes
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Critical
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Highlights; Enhancements (sorted by progress then lvl aquired):

1 Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
7 Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
17 Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
1 Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
5 Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
14 Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III
1 Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
4 Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
1 Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
4 Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
15 Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
2 Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
2 Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
8 Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
13 Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense III
2 Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
9 Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
3 Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
16 Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
3 Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
10 Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
5 Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
5 Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
8 Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
6 Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
12 Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender II
18 Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender III
7 Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
19 Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
11 Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization I
18 Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization II
11 Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
12 Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense II
13 Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Sunder) I
14 Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
20 Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
15 Enhancement: Fighter Armored Agility I
17 Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I
20 Enhancement: Fighter Weapon Alacrity


Highlights; Skills:
Intim 33
UMD 13.5 (ouch)
Balance 18.5
Jump 19
Tumble 1

Details:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Ajaxx 
Level 20 Neutral Good Dwarf Male
(20 Fighter) 
Hit Points: 372
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 10
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    25
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         14                    18
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom               14                    16
Charisma              6                     8

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

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               2                    18.5
Bluff                -2                    -1
Concentration         2                     4
Diplomacy            -2                    -1
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                    -1
Heal                  2                     3
Hide                  2                     3
Intimidate            2                    33
Jump                  6                    19
Listen                2                     3
Move Silently         2                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     2
Search                1                     4
Spot                  2                     3
Swim                  3                     7
Tumble                2.5                   3.5
Use Magic Device      0                    13.5

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 5 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Intimidate
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I


Level 7 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II


Level 11 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender II
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense II


Level 13 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Sunder) I


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Armored Agility I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II


Level 17 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Luck of Heroes
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Critical
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender III
Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization II


Level 19 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Weapon Alacrity