Advice for a new gamer on a build.

[RugRodent]

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

Tempest Warchanter
Level 20 Neutral Good Human Male
(6 Ranger \ 14 Bard) 
Hit Points: 234
Spell Points: 431 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 17
Will: 10

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 21                   22
Dexterity            15                 15                   17
Constitution         14                 14                   14
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             12                 12                   15

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               6                 18                   18
Bluff                 1                  2                    2
Concentration         6                 23                   23
Diplomacy             1                  2                    2
Disable Device       n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                5                 15                   15
Heal                 -1                 -1                   -1
Hide                  2                  3                    3
Intimidate            1                  2                    2
Jump                  3                  6                    6
Listen               -1                 -1                   -1
Move Silently         2                  3                    3
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               5                 25                   28
Repair               -1                 -1                   -1
Search               -1                 14                   14
Spot                 -1                 14                   14
Swim                  3                  6                    6
Tumble                6                 16                   16
Use Magic Device      5                 25                   25

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 4 (Bard)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Perform II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II


Level 8 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II


Level 12 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Perform III


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Dexterity I


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Ranger Item Defense I


Level 16 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III


Level 20 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV

I wanted to get greater 2 weapon fighting but I couldn't understand why I wasn't allowed to. Oh... and please be gentle I am somewhat new at this

[Happosaai]

IIRC, GTWF requires a 17 base dex, meaning stat points, level bonus or tomes, not enhancements.

[RugRodent]

Thanks, I guess I should have noticed that...

[RugRodent]

Is this a viable build, or is it doomed?

[Pfamily]

Howdy, and welcome to DDO!

While I'm no pro...I'll aid where I can.

At a glance, I'm immediately concerned that your hit points will prove a difficulty. If you can find a way to get your CON up a bit and increase your HP, you'll certainly prove more survivable as a Warchanter. Might consider knocking STR down a bit and adding that to CON.

I think you and your bank account will appreciate having a higher haggle, and I'm not convinced you'll need your concentration score as high as it is. Balance, Tumble, Perform, and UMD are all great skill choices.

I'm also concerned about your saves. Doing a bit to boost these will pay you dividends in-game.

As far as viability is concerned...go play it and you tell me!

Enjoy...

[RugRodent]

How would you go about raising your saves?

[RugRodent]

What do you think of this one? I tried to raise the saves a little, and increased my constitution for more hit points. Is there a better way of getting good saves. I used a feat called luck of heroes. I also thought that maybe some of my spells could help with my saves...

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

Tempest Warchanter
Level 20 Neutral Good Human Male
(6 Ranger \ 14 Bard) 
Hit Points: 264
Spell Points: 454 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 19
Will: 11

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 17                   18
Dexterity            15                 17                   18
Constitution         14                 15                   16
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             12                 13                   16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    18
Bluff                 1                     3
Concentration         6                    17
Diplomacy             1                     3
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle                5                    26
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  2                     4
Intimidate            1                     3
Jump                  3                     4
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         2                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               5                    28
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                    10
Spot                 -1                     9
Swim                  3                     4
Tumble                6                    17
Use Magic Device      5                    26

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+2)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Constitution I


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Bard Perform II


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+3)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Luck of Heroes
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Ranger Item Defense I


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+2)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+2)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV

[Gnorbert]

I recommend loading up the ranger levels earlier to get to ITWF and tempest earlier.

You can get +2 dex tomes from the DDO store now so you'll have no problem getting to GTWF eventually. Move Power attack later in your feats and get the tempest Dodge/mobility/spring attack requirements out of the way early.

I say level progression such as

1. bard
2. ranger
3. ranger
4. bard
5. bard
6-9. ranger
10-20. bard

This means at level 12 you can pick up GTWF.


EDIT: ah, I see you're going for warchanter first.... I guess it's preference then. Good luck however you end up doing it. Should still be fun to play.

[RugRodent]

Thanks, I really appreciate all the input. I am excited to try this character out, hopefully tonight. I have another quick question. As a casual player (5-6 hrs per week) how long would it take to reach level 20? I really like to explore all parts of the new dungeons, so I may be a little slower. I almost always go solo because I hate making people mad about being slow. I am still trying to figure this game out.

[Pfamily]

I like your rebuild, should be fun.

As to your levelling question, I'll say this: if your goal is to reach lvl 20 in a specific time frame I believe you'll be headed toward disappointment. Levelling quickly and stopping to smell the flowers are diametrically opposed techniques to playing the game. I'd hate to see you get discouraged because you aren't on your levelling plan. I recommend, because you're admittedly new to the game, to look for or form groups which specifically state they will not zerg. This will not only allow you to learn the quests, but to enjoy them as well.

When you want, you can always try and level a character quickly by following any of the several paths outlined in these forums to do so. Doing so will seem like a grind though, so be prepared to stay on task and ignore the rest of the game while rushing around garnering xp.

/waxing philosophic on

Level 20 will be there when you get there...life (and enjoying this game) are about the journey, not the destination; enjoy the trip!


/waxing philosophic off

[RugRodent]

Good advice. I just got caught up on the end result and forgot about all the fun. Where is the best place to find people who do not "zerg"?

[OldAquarian]

1) You can try the LFG interface - and just put 'not zerg'
In general if you put - "questing in <area>" you will usually not get zergers
If you see a LFG that says XXX run lookoing for YYY - it will usually be a zerg
In general you should also set the level range to 1 above you and one below, somebody 3 levels above you will turn it into a zerg just by being there

2) Join a decent sized guild and post in guild what you want to do


If you have done a quest already, it's sometimes fun to do it on a harder difficulty in a zerg run to see the things you missed, and staying with the group is more important than kill count, especially if you are the one killed. If they are zerging they probly don't need your help and many groups are ok if you join this way, just be up front and say that its your first or second time in there, if they ask you to leave, then they probly need the help and they did post it as a zerg run.

[Pfamily]

Indeed, don't be shy. Start your own groups and state your goals in the notes. It's also the best way to meet players with similar goals as your own and perhaps form a static party or even a guild.

[RugRodent]

I started my build last night, and so far it's really fun to play a Bard/Ranger. I got all the way up to level 2 without dying once. I did most of the quests on solo or normal difficulty. I did not try a group yet, but I will definitely try it some time this weekend. Thanks again for all the advice! See you guys online. My character is Xork and I am playing on Orien.