Fighter w/ Wizard Splash?

[Hawkeye27]

So I am thinking about making a fighter, but hate how they are basically one trick ponies. I thought I would splash 2 levels of wizard to get some spells. Specifically, I want Expeditious Retreat, Merfolk's Blessing, Detect Secret Doors, Jump, and Feather Fall. The idea is that this will help reduce the gear I have to carry by cutting out the clickies.

I have a F2P account with a few adventure packs unlocked.

Thoughts?

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Baelak 
Level 20 Lawful Good Human Male
(18 Fighter \ 2 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 270
Spell Points: 144 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 10
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    22
Dexterity            14                    14
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               12                    12
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               2                     2
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         2                     2
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  1                     1
Hide                  2                     2
Intimidate            3                    24
Jump                  6                    16
Listen                1                     1
Move Silently         2                     2
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                    -1
Spot                  1                     1
Swim                  6                    17
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Cleave
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Eschew Materials
Spell (1): Detect Secret Doors
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Lightning Reflexes
Spell (1): Feather Fall
Spell (1): Jump


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Sunder


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

[Visty]

those few spells, some easily found on clickys and other items arent worth the loss of 10% attackspeed

[Goldeneye]

Those spells are not worth it at all. If you want to use spells, go 2 rogue, max UMD, and UMD scrolls/wands.

[thwart]

and with an 8 intelligence you won't be able to cast any spells without some gear.

[Ulf]

Those spells are not worth it at all. If you want to use spells, go 2 rogue, max UMD, and UMD scrolls/wands.

Agreed. Rog will give more spell casting with UMD than 2 lvls of Wiz, plus you'll get evasion.

[Deathseeker]

Based on your post, it sounds like you are just starting to get a feel for the game (that's not a negative, we all started somewhere and asking is the best way to learn).

You'll want to be very careful multiclassing before you have an idea of the needs and strengths of characters in the end game content. While some of those things you listed are super helpful at low levels, they become very irrelevant at higher levels.

My suggestion is to either stay pure to help avoid a mistake that's tough to correct, or follow a build from the forums that is generally accepted as a solid build. Once you get the hang of things then start customizing as needed.

Again, not being negative...I made several mistakes early on and had to reroll characters. Just trying to help provide some insight so you can avoid that pain.

The other posts here are good advice...if you do insist on going down that path, 2 levels of rogue would be much much better than 2 levels of Wizard.

Welcome to the forums and good luck!

[IgorUnchained]

Roll a fighter with 3 levels of Cleric.
Give him enough Wis to cast low level spells and put the rest into Str and Con....Dwarf is a great choice for race.
3 levels of cleric will give you spells like Cure Moderate Wounds, Soundburst, and a Summons....and since you are a cleric, you can use wands and change out spells at shrines/taverns.

Clerics arent bad fighters, so taking 3 levels isnt going to hurt your fighter much.


Other than that, I would suggest looking at a good Warchanter build!

[AylinIsAwesome]

Roll a fighter with 3 levels of Cleric.
Give him enough Wis to cast low level spells and put the rest into Str and Con....Dwarf is a great choice for race.
3 levels of cleric will give you spells like Cure Moderate Wounds, Soundburst, and a Summons....and since you are a cleric, you can use wands and change out spells at shrines/taverns.

Clerics arent bad fighters, so taking 3 levels isnt going to hurt your fighter much.


Other than that, I would suggest looking at a good Warchanter build!

OP, that is some pretty bad advice.

With 2 Rogue you can cast all those Divine wands, plus Arcane wands as well. Getting CMW as a spell is nowhere worth losing the extra critial range if you're Kensei, and the 10% attack speed from the capstone.

[IgorUnchained]

OP, that is some pretty bad advice.

With 2 Rogue you can cast all those Divine wands, plus Arcane wands as well. Getting CMW as a spell is nowhere worth losing the extra critial range if you're Kensei, and the 10% attack speed from the capstone.

LOL...the OP is asking whether he should multiclass a Wiz and a Fighter and I should be telling him about level 20 and endgame content on a F2P account.
You are right....what horrible advice! I forgot how many new players take their first toons to endgame!

Hey OP...I know you wanted spells, but now you are going to have to buy them (and not have them all go off) and wait until you can get your UMD up to use them. Im sure you know where the Golden Cartouche is and have the expansion pack to grind for it. Buying wands and spells when you are new to the game and F2P seems like a small thing to people who would have you build your toon like you will be level 20 next week. You can take a level of Cleric at creation and be healing yourself and wearing heavy armor from day one. Or your fighter can buy all of his magic and store it in his pack....wear light armor for evasion....and be bothered to open traps because other new players see you have rogue levels.

[Hawkeye27]

Thanks for all the great insight!

I keep seeing the term Kensai everywhere with fighters. I do not really understand what it means. Help?

[IgorUnchained]

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=164684
Here is info on Kensai.

[Deathseeker]

Hawk, Kensai is one of the Prestige Enhancement lines fighters can take at level 6, 12 and 18. It is damage oriented. The level 6 one gives you some attack and crit bonuses to a single type of weapon of your choice. The level 12 one gives you the same again, plus a nice strength boost that lasts 20 seconds each time you use it.

The main issue here is the level 18 one. It gives you a plus +1 to your critical range. So if you are using a rapier, instead of criticals on a 15 to 20, it will be on a 14 to 20. Thats a very nice advantage. You also get a few various bonuses at each level of Kensai (+1 to combat DC's, +1 to saves against magical effects, etc).

The big key though is the Capstone all fighters get at level 20. It's a 10% bonus to attack speed. That is a VERY big deal for a combat oriented character. By multiclassing, you give that up. Of course there are tons of builds that make that sacrifice very worthwhile. But being able to self cast feather fall, merfolk's, or expeditious retreat aren't worth it as you can get that on gear permenantly as you progress.

Going 2 levels of Rogue allow you to get all 3 levels of Kensai, but you give up the capstone. But you gain evasion (which is very helpful at end game), UMD (gives you some healing ability and other benefits like equipping race restricted items), and 1d6 of sneak attack. Those are very arguably worth sacrificing the ability to get the capstone.

Taking a 3rd level of multiclass will restrict your ability to get the 3rd level of Kensai. That's a big deal, so unless you are getting a ton of benefit from the 3rd level of your multiclass (and I can't think of one that's worth it) you should avoid it. Generally people multiclass so that they can go to level 6, 12 or 18 in one or more classes to get prestige enhancements.

Of course Kensai isnt the only fighter PRE, but the above is just to give you a feel for the things you need to consider.

While one can argue a F2P new character may not make it to lvl 20, I'd suggest you should always build with your end goals in mind. Nothing is more of a bummer than when you play a character and then realize down the road you made a mistake that you will always regret. DDO now has the ability to resurrect and respec, so it isnt quite as brutal as it used to be, but it's still a bummer.

Hope this helped some. Do what's fun and enjoy, but some forward thinking can avoid some pain down the road.

Have fun!

[IgorUnchained]

Yes Hawk....build with your end goals in mind. Build your toon as if you will know what you will like before you play it and as if you will have gear you havent seen yet.
I dont know if you are on Argo, but if you are and you take the toon you make to level 20, let me know and Ill send you a million gold and give you a pat on the back.

The truth is that if you dont plan ahead as much as possible, YOU WILL make mistakes.
If Turbine decides to nerf Kensai a few months from now, YOU WILL have to retool anyway.
Look around at the Vets who are spending money to rework their toons with the newest doodads in the Turbine store. You dont think that they spent money and a ton of time to perfect their builds? Mistakes are made on all builds, but no mistake is bigger than rolling a toon that you dont click with.

What you are looking for in a build comes down to multiclassing. As you can see, most people dont like multiclassing (especially if it isnt well thought out). I will freely admit that the build I told you about wouldnt be good at all at level 20, but you have 19 levels to go before you are level 20. The ability to heal yourself and others, to cast a variety of low level spells, to fight almost as well as a pure fighter, and to use wands and scrolls if you want to....these are things that will keep you alive and having fun through the early and mid levels. Chances are, when you hit Drow or 1750 Favor, you will roll another toon with your improved knowledge and your 32 point build anyway. GETTING TO THAT POINT without being discouraged by builds that pay off at endgame levels can be the key to a new player even getting that far. It was for me.

Have fun with your build and learn the game.....THEN become a master. The cart before the horse can work if you MAKE it, but your proposed build didnt seem like something someone who wanted a chore would pick.

[MrWizard]

dont do it.
Everyone wants to start a fighter mixed with a caster. The ultimate cool.
Unfortunately the game is not like that and it gimps you badly.

as stated, just go with UMD on your pure fighter and you will get all you need as far as scroll and wand usage eventually.

these caster/fighter types are fun to play for a few levels but the caster levels are completely useless at 8th level and above...or at the least gimp the heck out of your toon making it pretty much a let down for the party.

don't do it.

[CountHenri]

With the Ftr/Wiz combo it isn't just endgame where you sacrifice stuff : you give up heavy armour (pretty much any armour really) if you want to be able to reliably cast which is a big minus in early game where AC is still easy to get to useful levels.

Also since spell duration is based on caster level the spells wont last long at all even with extend feat (in fact some clickies will last longer & featherfall boots, which is a permanent effect, are easy to get). Also as someone pointed out you Int is too low as you need 11 to cast level one spells.

There are some excellent Ftr/Wiz builds out there but most of them are Warforged which isnt a F2P option (saw one such build tank Sulu in a raid the other day).

Fighters, due to massive amount of feats, aren't quite the one trick ponys you imagine. Once you've got Stunning blow and improved trip you can do impressive crowd control while still laying out a-grade hurt on your enemies.

If you want a combat/spell type class Bard with Warchanter prestige is good & there are excellent multi-classing options to go with it (check the Bard forum). Keep in mind that there are always trade-offs in multiclassing and it is very easy to mess up a character doing it (for example if you add 2 levels of Rogue and want to be able to do traps you must take the Rogue level first to get the skillpoints).

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Go Wiz5 or 6. For Haste and Displacement (maybe Rage if 6)

Take a 13 Int, and then you can qualify for Combat Expertise. But you can also use Int items to cast your spells, so it's not necessary.

Go either TWF or THF (it's what everyone recommends anyway) and use the Shield spell. Take Extend spell as your Wiz feat.

Buy Stoneskin wands in the Twelve, Teleport scrolls. And DD scrolls of you can find them.

There are other minor benefits. Biggest draw backs are lower BaB and HP. And loss of a few Ftr feats. BaB could be boosted back to full with Divine Power clickies if needed.
Edit: forgot about Kensei II. That loss is a big one.

Displacement and Stoneskin are great in high end content IMO.

A WF has potential to gain more from splashing Wiz btw.

Edit2: now that we have Lesser and Greater Reincarnation +1/+3 it is possible to change your mind later and get rid of the Wiz levels if you wish. Wil take a few reincarnates to get perfectly back to Ftr and you need to have takedn Ftr at lvl 1, as you cannot change your lvl 1 choice. Just a thought.

[Tovenar]

It seems he wants to build a fighter who can cast, and one he has fun with.

I'm fairly new to the game but I would probably go with the rogue2/Fighter# because that makes the most sense to me. Sure you loose out on Heavy Armor, but unless you are planning on building a heavy AC toon, the AC needed to stop the majority of hits climbs far to Rapidly anyway.

With those rogue levels you'll literally be able to cast every spell in the game that is available on a wand or a scroll (I think that's all of them?) Which is pretty cool IMO!

As for the price of wands and scrolls, here are some tips to make easy gold that someone taught me in game (Sorry if you already know this)

In House K and D there are Armor and Weapon Pawn Shops that will buy stuff off at you at a Premium price (Much better then selling it to the general vendor) In the Market Place there are also Pawn shops that will buy your lower level weapons, armor, boots, gloves, belts, etc at a premuim price. Take the time between quests to run around and do this. GREAT cash! And then you can afford all your wands and scrolls. Oh! The pawn shops are denoted by Light Blue circles I believe!

If you are going into Quests with a group of people, don't feel bad to ask for a few donations if you plans to bring in some heal or rez scrolls/wands. As long as you use them on the group, they wont mind!

That's my 2 cents. I have a Fighter 12 right now...and he is tons of fun, and it's my first Toon to, started playing like 2 months ago ! Enjoy the game!