Crab's Character Emporium

[crabjuice]

Greetings,

I'm back to DDO, updating my build index and looking forward to exploring all this game has to offer. My experience building characters in the DnD universe comes from NWN and from the short time I've been playing DDO. I'm posting this build index not to instruct others but to hopefully gather some information on how to improve my characters. This will avoid having to re-roll them and hold my interest as I continue to level.

This thread will mostly be used as a reference.


Currently Active:

• Spektr: 12 Bard / 6 Figher / 2 Rogue
  
  1. Drow Ninja Assassin. 13 Rogue / 6 monk / 2 fighter.
  2. TWF 15 Paladin / 3 Ranger / 2 Monk.
• Rumtop: Dwarf Ranger ~ trying to decide between Tempest and Strim's Acid Arrow
• Rugaroo: Using Togg's SWF Winter Wolf
• Junokai: 18 wiz / 2 FvS ~ Archmage Enchanter

Side Projects

• Nequit: Paladin Vanguard

Archive: *** The following builds are outdated ***

• Rumtop's previous incarnations:
  
  1. AA Virtuoso
  2. Dwarven Arcane Archer
• Virtuoso Chest Blesser ~ Human Pure Bard with the dragonmarks of finding.
• Junokai ~ Half-Elf Scim 18FvS/2Monk. Inspired by Impact and Darkstar. *Retired until I can figure out what to do with her. Reading Zennyo's FvS Research to decide how to use her free LR.
• Eternal Champion ~ THF WF FvS. Max strength. *Retired*
• THANE ~ THF WF (18Wiz/2Ftr) - Power of the storms. *Retired -Made before Prestige Enhancments*
• Arcane Archer ~ 11 Ranger / 7 fighter / 2 xx
• The Skald ~ THF Human Warchanter 15 bard / 3 barbarian / 2 fighter
• FvS Arcane Archer ~ 17 FvS / 2 monk / 1 Wiz: Made before Zen Archery and needs an update.

[Yin]

I love my crabjuice!

[Yin]

What motivated dex as primary stat?

Given 12 bard why only taking tier 3 swash?

Why not free up ap from halting to donate to swash?

[crabjuice]

Moved my Swashbuckler here to clean up the OP. This build is in progress and has not been finalized.

Latest Project: Frank
Chaotic Good Halfling
12 Bard / 6 Fighter / 2 rogue :: Kensai ~ Swashbuckler ~ Trapper

Level Order

1. Rogue . . . . . 6. Fighter. . . . 11. Bard . . . . . 16. Bard
2. Bard . . . . . .7. Fighter . . . .12. Rogue. . . . . 17. Bard
3. Bard . . . . . .8. Fighter . . . .13. Bard. . . . . .18. Bard
4. Bard . . . . . .9. Fighter . . . .14. Bard. . . . . .19. Bard
5. Fighter . . . .10. Fighter. . . . 15. Bard . . . . . 20. Bard


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt. . .34pt. . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .----. . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . .6 . . . .6 . . . .6 . . . .6. . . .+4. . . .4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 20 . . . 20 . . . 20 . . . 20. . . .+4. . . .8: DEX
Constitution. . 14 . . . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16. . . .+4. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 14 . . . 14 . . . 14 . . . 16. . . .+4. . . 16: DEX
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+4. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . 10 . . . .8. . . .+4. . . 24: DEX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: DEX

Skills
. . . . . R .B .B .B .F. F .F. F .F. F .B .R. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4 .5. 6 .7. 8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Perform . . .5 .1 .1 . . . . . . . . . .5 . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 4 .1 .1 .1 . . . . . . . . . .5 . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Disable . 4 . . 1. 1. ½ .½. 1 .2. 1 .1. . .3. . . . 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 22
Search. . 4 . . 1. 1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. . .3. . .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .22
Open Lo . 4 . . ½. ½. . . . . . . . . . . .6. . . . 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 2½ 21
Heal. . . 2 . . . . . 1 .1. 1 . . 1 . . . . . . .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 1. . .11
Balance . 4 .1 .1 .1 . . . . . . . . 1 . . . .1 .2 . . . . . . . . . .11
Bluff . . 4 .1 .1 .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 .2 . . . . . . . . . .10
Hide. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Move Si . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Spellcr . 2 .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Jump. . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 .9 .9 .9 .5. 5 .6. 6 .6. 6 10 12 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11


Feats

.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.3. . . . : Precision
.5 Fighter: Shield Mastery
.6. . . . : Least Dragonmark: Healing
.6 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Piercing
.8 Fighter: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
.9. . . . : Dodge
10 Fighter: Improved Critical: Piercing
12. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
15. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
18. . . . : Weapon Specialization: Piercing
21 Epic . : Empower Healing Spell
24 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Mobility
28 Destiny: Lasting Inspiration
29 Destiny: Deific Warding
30 Epic . : Quicken Spell
30 Legend : Scion of: Limbo


Spells

Bard

1. Focusing Chant, Feather Fall, Hypnotism, Merfolk's Blessing
2. Blur, Cure Moderate Wounds, Invisibility, Rage
3. Displacement, Haste, Cure Serious Wounds, Good Hope
4. Freedom of Movement, Dimension Door, Cure Critical Wounds

Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (33 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Light Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
  
  1. Extra Action Boost II, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
  2. Weapon Group Specialization, Improved Dodge III, Ascetic Training: Agility III
  3. Weapon Group Specialization, Athletic Mastery III, Shattering Strike III
  4. Strike at the Heart
  5. A Good Death: Melee, One with the Blade, Deadly Strike

Swashbuckler (27 AP)

• Confidence, Swashbuckling, Uncanny Dodge, Panache
  
  1. On Your Toes III, Blow By Blow: Melee III, Tavern Shanties I
  2. Deflect Arrows, Fast Movement
  3. Elegant Footwork, Skirmisher, Resonant Arms III, Swift Strikes
  4. Low Blow

Halfling (12 AP)

• Halfling Luck, Dexterity
  
  1. Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III
  2. Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches
  3. Greater Dragonmark of Healing

Harper Agent (8 AP)

• Agent of Good I
  
  1. Traveler's Toughness II, Strategic Combat
  2. Know the Angles III

Destiny (24 AP)

Shadowdancer

1. Acrobatic I, Technician III, Dexterity
2. Lithe III, Skill Mastery, Dexterity
3. Cloak of Shadows, Shrouding Strike III
4. (none)
5. Shadow Manipulation, Executioner's Strike III
6. Consume

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-------------------------------------------------------------------

What motivated dex as primary stat?

Given 12 bard why only taking tier 3 swash?

Why not free up ap from halting to donate to swash?

This was supposed to be a quick edit as a placeholder until I get the build ironed out. Wasn't expecting to have to respond right away.

I borrowed heavily from Zoda's Dwarven Defender Parody and the resulting discussion. I decided, as Unbongwah suggested, to push the top end of the Kensai tree as it seemed to be a net gain in damage and definitely looks to be less situational than the top of the Swashbuckler tree. Dex was choosen as primary stat because of Swift Strike converting my dex to damage; Halflings are able to max this stat on creation.

Halfling is chosen partly for flavor but also because I will be duoing with a tank for this life. The basic idea is to support with a ton of buffs, a little healing and some damage.

***Edit to fit strategic combat I for Int to hit, and moving Heroic Companion to Harper tree saves enhancement points.

Question, is using int modifier for hit via Strategic Combat enough or do I need to figure out a way to slot the Weapon Finesse feat to use the much higher Dex?

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The build above has been giving me a little bit of trouble. Here is a quick workup for a ranged version. I know the shuriken is currently bugged with both kensai and swashbuckling.

Frankthrower
12/6/2 Bard/Fighter/Rogue
Chaotic Good Halfling


Level Order

1. Rogue . . . . . 6. Fighter. . . . 11. Bard . . . . . 16. Bard
2. Bard . . . . . .7. Fighter . . . .12. Rogue. . . . . 17. Bard
3. Bard . . . . . .8. Fighter . . . .13. Bard. . . . . .18. Bard
4. Bard . . . . . .9. Fighter . . . .14. Bard. . . . . .19. Bard
5. Fighter . . . .10. Fighter. . . . 15. Bard . . . . . 20. Bard


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt. . .34pt. . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .----. . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . .6 . . . .6 . . . .6 . . . .6. . . .+4. . . .4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 20 . . . 20 . . . 20 . . . 20. . . .+4. . . .8: DEX
Constitution. . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16. . . .+4. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 10 . . . 14 . . . 15 . . . 16. . . .+4. . . 16: DEX
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+4. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+4. . . 24: DEX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: DEX

Skills
Perform > UMD > Search > Disable > Open Lock > Spellcraft > Balance > Heal > 1 Tumble

Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.3. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Shuriken
.5 Fighter: Quick Draw
.6. . . . : Shuriken Expertise
.6 Fighter: Rapid Shot
.8 Fighter: Precise Shot
.9. . . . : Dodge
10 Fighter: Improved Critical: Thrown
12. . . . : Least Dragonmark: Healing
15. . . . : Improved Precise Shot
18. . . . : Precision
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Combat Archery
26 Destiny: Lasting Inspiration
27 Epic . : Quicken Spell
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Empower Healing Spell
30 Legend : Scion of: Feywild


Enhancements (80 AP)

Swashbuckler (40 AP)

• Confidence, Swashbuckling, Uncanny Dodge, Panache
  
  1. Blow By Blow: Range III, Tavern Shanties I
  2. Deflect Arrows, Fast Movement, Double Shot Boost III
  3. Elegant Footwork, Dashing Scoundrel, Resonant Arms III, Dexterity
  4. Battering Barrage II, Wind at my Back I, Dexterity
  5. Thread the Needle, Coup de Grace: Range

Halfling (17 AP)

• Halfling Luck, Dexterity, Halfling Luck II, Dexterity II, Halfling Luck III
  
  1. Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III
  2. Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
  3. Greater Dragonmark of Healing, Skillful Thrower
  4. Master Thrower

Kensei (14 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Martial Arts, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
  
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization
  2. Improved Dodge III

Harper Agent (9 AP)

• Agent of Good I
  
  1. Traveler's Toughness III, Awareness I
  2. Versatile Adept I, Know the Angles III

Destiny (24 AP)

Shiradi Champion

1. Healing Spring III, Dexterity
2. Prism, Pin II, Fey Form III
3. Rainbow, Otto's Whistler II, Whirling Wrists III
4. (none)
5. Nerve Venom III
6. Rain of Arrows

[adrian69]

Question, is using int modifier for hit via Strategic Combat enough or do I need to figure out a way to slot the Weapon Finesse feat to use the much higher Dex?

Unless you'll be playing a lot of Legendary Quests, primarily Slavers, Shroud, HoX, Tempest, and Elite ToEE, you're To Hit will be fine..

[crabjuice]

Unless you'll be playing a lot of Legendary Quests, primarily Slavers, Shroud, HoX, Tempest, and Elite ToEE, you're To Hit will be fine..

Thanks, I'll be using INT for to-hit for now.


Nequit has offered to TR with me on his paladin. Here is a quick pure vanguard build he is working on,

Nequit
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Human


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 16. . . .+6. . . .4: STR
Dexterity . . . 10. . . .+6. . . .8: STR
Constitution. . 16. . . .+6. . . 12: STR
Intelligence. . 12. . . .+6. . . 16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 20: STR
Charisma. . . . 16. . . .+6. . . 24: STR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: STR

Skills
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Intim . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Balance . 1. 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 .11
UMD . . . 2. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 11
Jump. . . . . . . . . . . . ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 10
Tumble. . 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .16. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6


Feats

.1. . . . : Shield Mastery
.1 Human. : Power Attack
.1 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
.3. . . . : Cleave
.6. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
.6 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
12. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
15. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
18. . . . : Improved Shield Bash
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Quicken Spell
26 Destiny: Dire Charge
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Swing Feat
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Water


Spells

1. Virtue, Bless, Protection from Evil, Lionheart
2. Angelskin, Resist Energy, Owl's Wisdom, Remove Paralysis
3. Cure Moderate Wounds, Prayer, Magic Circle Against Evil, Dispel Magic
4. Zeal, Cure Serious Wounds, Holy Sword, Break Enchantment

Enhancements (80 AP)

Vanguard (42 AP)

• To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion
  
  1. Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
  2. Shield Specialization, Stunning Shield III, Missile Shield III, Melee Power Boost III
  3. Shield Specialization, Follow Up III, Fatal Bulwark, Shield Riposte III
  4. (none)
  5. Shield to the Face, Disorienting Smash III, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength

Knight of the Chalice (18 AP)

• Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven
  
  1. Extra Turning III, Extra Smite II
  2. Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III
  3. Improved Restoration I, Divine Sacrifice I

Human (14 AP)

• Attack Boost
  
  1. Improved Recovery, Don't Count Me Out III
  2. Shield Mastery III
  3. Improved Recovery

Harper Agent (6 AP)

• Agent of Good I
  
  1. Harper Enchantment, Traveler's Toughness III