Level 4 Tempest, worth adding a splash?

[SeqenenreTao]

I'm leveling a tempest ranger, currently at level 4. I don't want to re-roll, so with what I have below, do you have any suggestions for a splash (or a full out multi)? I realize I've hand-cuffed myself in several ways by taking the stock tempest (is there any way to alter alignment?). Are there any deviations I should take from the Tempest template?

Level 4 Tempest, Elf, TWF

Chaotic Good (argghh, Monk would have sounded nice)

Strength: 18
Dexterity: 19
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 8
(with gear)

I play an aggressive hack'n'slash, but like to finesse the heck out of a solo quest as well. I'd like to cast some healing spells, but my Spell points bite.
Note: I have the resources to buy DDO Store gear and changes if they are available.

Any and all help is appreciated. My first roll, so I'd like to raise her right (you know with good moral fibre).

SEQ.

[ddaedelus]

Your first roll is never raised right.

Generally you shouldn't multiclass unless you were planning on doing so from the start.

I'm assuming you picked one of the preset builds when you rolled this character. Nothing wrong with that, but you might try a second character, take rogue as your first level and then ranger after that. I think that would give you the kind of play experience you're looking for. There are templates on the Ranger forums that show you what to take and when.

(I would advise against monk/ranger as your second character even though it sounds cool. That build requires loot, 32 pts, and/or tomes to work well.)

Your spell points as a ranger will always bite unless you specifically gear and take enhancements to compensate for it.

[Renvar]

I agree with the first post. Splashing Rogue is a nice way to finesse solo questing and to add some versatility to your build. It will also allow you to max your UMD ranks which will increase your solo healing with Heal scrolls. No class can really cast healing at the top levels except the FvS and Cleric classes (you have to dedicate 17-18 of your levels to them). Splashing a healing class wont do much of anything. You willl be better off with wands, UMD scrolls, and your own spell points.

You would have to give up too much DPS to do anything else. But the rogue splash can get you better self healing, search, disable traps, and open locks. Very versatile.

I agree the monk splash is also exciting for some bonus feats, wisdom bonus to AC (Although with a 10 wis, you aren't getting much there) some saves help, etc. All in all, your first toon build is not that flawed. You just want to focus on being a DPS machine. Drop all your level up points into strength and research the forums for good feat selections for your build and you will do fine with this first character.

Good luck and Enjoy!!

[Renvar]

As an edit, splashing rogue is generally best done at 1st level because you get double skill points at first level. If you splash now, you would lose this benefit. The ranger gets a lot of skill points as a class, but it would be hard to catch up UMD, disable, and search at this point.

[Cherry]

If you're going Tempest III you will need to go at least 18 levels of ranger. You could always do either a level of fighter, monk, rogue, or a combination of those. Maybe even barb for some speed and rage.

[Arlathen]

As an edit, splashing rogue is generally best done at 1st level because you get double skill points at first level. If you splash now, you would lose this benefit. The ranger gets a lot of skill points as a class, but it would be hard to catch up UMD, disable, and search at this point.

You get Quadruple skill points at first level. Maximum ranks in a class skill is 4 at 1st Level.

The rest of the advice here is absolutely sound. Don't splash unless you have planned out your build in detail to maximise the benefits of doing so.

I really recommend you roll another Alt to multiclass. Keep this guy as a lowbie or mule, no need to delete or re-roll him.

[SeqenenreTao]

...thanks for the replies so far (very helpful)...any way of avoiding those stale quests (apart from gaining enough favour to start at level 4)?

SEQ

[SeqenenreTao]

+1 Rep each for the great advice.

[Arlathen]

An interesting way to play is to do each quest once on Normal..... there's more than enough quests that the amount of XP you earn will put you at around lvl 8/9 by the time you complete all the level 5/6 quests.

This saves 'grinding' the same high XP low level quests over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over .....................

[SeqenenreTao]

Good idea to vary the difficulty level, the BtC catch prevents me from transferring that swank Pathfinder's set without doing Korthos, grrr.

SEQ

[Gnorbert]

Good idea to vary the difficulty level, the BtC catch prevents me from transferring that swank Pathfinder's set without doing Korthos, grrr.

SEQ

Now that you've done korthos once you should be able to run through it in about 90 minutes. It is worth doing for all new characters. Pathfinder or Anger set, goggles of insight, feather fall cloak, lesser false life belt, bracers with a clicky of Aid (you'd be amazed how handy that one is for healing an incapped party mate). The gear from a quick run through of Korthos sets you up for a breeze through the next couple levels.

I agree on the multi advice, take a level of rogue then go ranger, do not invest too heavily in Dexterity (ranger gets two weapon fighting feats for free). Also, don't invest in wisdom thinking that you want to boost those spell points. Starting at 10 is just fine. By the time you are able to cast spells at level 4 you will have found a +1 wisdom item to wear.

Good luck.

[SeqenenreTao]

Thanks again, I'll post my final build in the next couple days with the DDO Planner to have it picked apart a bit.

SEQ

[unbongwah]

any way of avoiding those stale quests (apart from gaining enough favour to start at level 4)?

Well, if you're willing to splurge on the DDO Store, you can buy Veteran Status and start at level 4 in the Marketplace. Depends on what you value more: your money or your free time. :-)

That said, I wouldn't consider your ranger unsalvageable or anything, I just wouldn't go for a rogue splash for the same reasons as everyone else has mentioned. I would consider ranger 12 / fighter 6 for Tempest II / Kensai I - or ranger 6 / fighter 12 for Tempest I / Kensai II - if you want to focus on dual-wield DPS and extra feats. You could splash barbarian for rage and 10% movement speed boost; lvl 2 barb gets you DR 1 (DR doesn't stack, but 1 DR is better than no DR), Uncanny Dodge, and +1 CON enhancement. Though if you've already got Dodge and Mobility, I would stick with ranger until you hit level 6: pick up Spring Attack then Tempest I before switching classes. For healing, just use cure wands; you should be drowning in them from collectible trade-ins.

IMHO YMMV etc.