Arcane Kensei 2

[AylinIsAwesome]

So today I found myself without power for several hours, so I decided I'd rework this archer build now that Update 3 is here. (Original builds here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=217689 )

I took a lot of inspiration from Bunker's build, but I decided to do some things differently. (For reference, his build can switch between Ranged and Tanking modes). Instead of taking Skill Focus: Intimidate and Bullheaded I decided to take the THF line so I can attempt to get aggro when in tanking mode through hate as well. To work that in I'm going to take a level of Ranger instead of Barbarian so I get Bowstrength for free. This also nets me Favoured Enemy: Evil Outsider for +3 damage to them with an enhancement, and +1 AC as well. (Bunker's Build: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...=1#post2458048 )

Build:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.18
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Female
(18 Fighter \ 1 Ranger \ 1 Bard) 
Hit Points: 316
Spell Points: 70 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 14
Will: 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             17                 25                   28
Dexterity            17                 19                   19
Constitution         12                 14                   14
Intelligence         13                 13                   13
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma              8                  8                    8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               7                  8                    8
Bluff                -1                 -1                    2
Concentration         1                  2                    2
Diplomacy            -1                 -1                   -1
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                3                  3                    3
Heal                 -1                 -1                   -1
Hide                  3                  4                    4
Intimidate            1                 22                   22
Jump                  7                 13                   13
Listen               -1                 -1                    1
Move Silently         3                  4                    4
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               3                  3                    3
Repair                1                  1                    1
Search                1                  1                    3
Spot                 -1                 -1                    1
Swim                  3                  9                    9
Tumble                7                  8                    8
Use Magic Device      3                 22                   22

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Charm
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Fascinate
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longbow
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 2 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Manyshot


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot


Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 17 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery II
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei III
Enhancement: Fighter Longbow Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Longbow Specialization II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I

Gear (Will be updated as I get suggestions from people/realise if I messed up later):

Head: Minos (Toughness, 100% Fort)

Goggles: Radiance 2 (+45 HP, +1 DEX skills, +2 CON skills, Sunburst 2x per rest, Radiance Guard)

Cloak: Resistance +5

Necklace: Gilvaenor's Necklace (CON +6, Attack bonus +2)

Ring 1: Gilvaenor's Ring (DEX +6, Exceptional DEX +1), Chattering Ring (when tanking)

Ring 2: ToD (Exceptional STR +2 and...*)

Bracers: Levik's Bracers (STR +6, Healing Amp +20%)

Boots: FF, Anchoring, Madstone

Belt: Concordant Opposition (Wizardry 6, +1 INT skills, +5 CHA skills, +150 SP, +10 Haggle/Diplomacy)

Armor: Dragontouched (Greater False Life, Protection +5, Levik's) (Alchemical Armor Ritual for +1 Dodge bonus)

Gloves: Spectral, ???*

Trinket: Bloodstone/Shimmering Arrowhead or Head of Good Fortune

Weapons:

Ranged:

Lightning 2 Longbow (Shock, Good Burst, Shock Blast, Chain Lightning 3x per day, Lightning Strike) (Will be using House D arrows to bypass DR when appropriate) (Alchemical Force Damage ritual for +1 Force damage on hits)

Melee, non-Tanking:

Transmuting of Pure Good (Falchion probably), Mineral 2 if I go crazy.

Melee, Tanking:

Levik's Defender (DR 8 [15 blocking], Sonic Guard, 2% chance to Heal when hit, +5 Insight bonus to AC, +30% Threat) (Alchemical Shield Ritual for +1 Dodge bonus)

Transmuting of Pure Good (Scimitar or Rapier), Mineral 2 if I go completely crazy.



*: I'm not sure what should go here. Suggestions very welcome.


Two things I'm nervous about with the above gear:

1.No +15 Intimidate Item. Without one my Intimidate is only a 32, which I don't think will be enough. (Not even sure if 45 will be enough. Help please? I'm not opposed to switching gear to get it high enough for certain occasions).
2.No Deathblock Item. I know I can use the Deathward clickie from Tangleroot, but that won't protect me from Beholders. (I could always switch between having it casted on me via Clickie or Cleric/FvS and using the Silver Flame necklace for it though)


Skills:

UMD:

23 ranks
-1 CHA mod
+5 Shroud item
+3 Golden Cartouche
+1 Focusing Chant
+2 Ranger Skills Boost
+2 Eagle's Splendor
+2 Head of Good Fortune
=37 (easily self-buffed)

+2 7-Fingered Gloves
+4 Greater Heroism (casted on me or Planar Gird)
=43 (realistically buffed, as in I don't expect a Bard to stand over me and play Inspire Competence for UMD)


Intimidate:

23 ranks
-1 CHA mod
+5 Shroud item
+1 Focusing Chant
+2 Ranger Skills Boost
+15 item (I hope I can fit this in)
+2 Eagle's Splendor
+3 Kensei
+2 Head of Good Fortune
= 52 (easily self-buffed)

+4 Greater Heroism
+1 Prayer
+2 Bard song (I think this stacks)
=59


Will a total mod of 52-59 Intimidate be enough? Or do I need to take feats to boost that higher?


Also, would it be more beneficial for me to not take the THF feats, and instead take Khopesh prof, perhaps with the TWF feats? (If I did that I've have to drop a feat somewhere...Power Attack I'd think)


Rough AC calculation (I've never done a character that worries about AC before, so this is probably a bit messed up here):

Self-sustained:
10 base
+15 Armor Bonus (Dragontouched plate)
+1 DEX bonus
+9 Tower Shield (Levik's)
+5 Protection
+5 Combat Expertise
+5 Insight (Levik's set bonus)
+4 Natural (Madstone)
+6 Dodge (Armor and Shield rituals, Chattering Ring, Haste Pot)
=60

Against Evil Outsiders:
+1 Favoured Enemy AC bonus
=61

Raid-buffed:
60 self-buffed
+4 Bard song
+1 Ranger Barkskin
+2 Luck (Recitation)
+5 Paladin Aura
=72 (73 if against Evil Outsiders)


Is this enough? Or should I work Dodge into my feats somehow as well?


Any and all feedback is appreciated.

EDIT: Just realised I should probably have posted this in the Fighter forum because more people will likely see it and respond to it. Go here instead: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...17#post2751317

Sorry for the confusion.