The Superior Soul

[Standal]

Why did you take raise dead over Greater Command if you are soloing?

Why are you S&B? This is a dual weild build.

Divine power, Divine favor, decent weapons GC here and there..... this guy can melee a normal CO6 run just fine.

Thanks for the response. I took Raise Dead for grouping. I don't always solo. Should have taken Greater Command, you don't have to Raise Dead if you prevent the deaths.

Right now I'm S&B because I don't really have too many decent weapons + the S&B armor class right now is useful. My forays into dual wielding haven't been very successful.

I probably need to reevaluate my spell selection and pick up MCLW and maybe CMW and swap out RD for GC. When I get to level 11 which should be this evening if all goes as planned.

[Impaqt]

Thanks for the response. I took Raise Dead for grouping. I don't always solo. Should have taken Greater Command, you don't have to Raise Dead if you prevent the deaths.

Right now I'm S&B because I don't really have too many decent weapons + the S&B armor class right now is useful. My forays into dual wielding haven't been very successful.

I probably need to reevaluate my spell selection and pick up MCLW and maybe CMW and swap out RD for GC. When I get to level 11 which should be this evening if all goes as planned.

Even though this build doesnt need a ton of high end gear to be successful, it does help. I cant help but think you may be a bit underfinanced to be able to use the build to its potential right now.. I generally carry a hundred Heal scrolls(Which you can use at high success at level 10) and Raise dead scrolls as well, saving spell slots for stuff you cant scroll or is much more effective from casting instead of scrolling.

Things get easier at level 12 when you can take blade barrier.....

[Standal]

Thanks for the help. I can get plat for scrolls, since I have some higher level toons to provide it. Honestly, it just never occurred to me to get scrolls.

Got through CO6. With Greater Command, everything just fell into place. I was having issues with the mephits, mostly due to my poor spell selection and trying to act like a self-healing barb.

I've been very pleased with this build overall, thanks for posting it. I've had some issues with it, but they have all been due to me just not really understanding how to play the build. I'm really looking forward to blade barrier.

[greybucket]

I am currently leveling my lvl17 fighter to 20 just to TR into a Fvs, figure I could use the +hit. I want to use this a base template for the build I will be working on but, instead of casting I want to focus on melee and heals, raising CHA to 12 or 14, raising CON, putting lvls into STR and dumping WIS. Putting skill points into Concentration, UMD, and dividing the rest between Jump and Balance. I have lvl'd your WF Lord of Blades to 10 but really like the idea of going pure human FvS and using TWF. Would this be viable? If so, what advice do you have for a 34 point build going this route?

[Impaqt]

I am currently leveling my lvl17 fighter to 20 just to TR into a Fvs, figure I could use the +hit. I want to use this a base template for the build I will be working on but, instead of casting I want to focus on melee and heals, raising CHA to 12 or 14, raising CON, putting lvls into STR and dumping WIS. Putting skill points into Concentration, UMD, and dividing the rest between Jump and Balance. I have lvl'd your WF Lord of Blades to 10 but really like the idea of going pure human FvS and using TWF. Would this be viable? If so, what advice do you have for a 34 point build going this route?

Just so I follow you here...

You want to use this build as a template, but want More STR, Con and Chr and INT for Skills, However you only have 2 additional Build Points. You will dump Wisdom for more build points which tanks your Spell DC's and focus on melee.

I'm not really a huge fan of that direction. Let me explain.

Using Level up points on STR VS. WIS.

+2 or maybe even up to +4 to your STR Modifier in the end, is a very minor increase for a melee FvS.

However, +2 to +4 on your spell DC's can be huge.

It all depends on the content you wish to run.... Especially End Game...

Running for TR? No End game...... STR build can work fine.

Gonna spend a lot of time raiding and Epicing at cap? you did yourself a disservice imo.

[greybucket]

So with STR 15 +2 Tome +1Human +6 Item and 2 Rage my to-hit would be just fine?

[Impaqt]

So with STR 15 +2 Tome +1Human +6 Item and 2 Rage my to-hit would be just fine?

Define "Fine"

My version generally runs at a 32 STR and bursts to 38 and I find him just fine.

15 Base
3 Tome
3 Exceptional (Tod RIng)
1 LotD
6 Divine Power)
2 Rage
2 Yugo Pot
----
32
6 Titans Grip CLicky
---
38

I have some more stuff to accumulate to push me over 40 as well

[EyeRekon]

I'm excited to TR into this build and, when capped, run around dual-wielding Epic Sirocco and Epic Timeblade.

Doublestrike 6%
Improved Paralyzing
Improved Slowburst

Epic Telekinetic
Sirocco
Air Guard
Smoke Screen


Fun flavor for being more than a healbot during Epics in non-autocrit situations. Melee support.

[Corpsman]

First and foremost - thanks for all of your builds and advice, Impaqt. I've benefited from a lot of your advice, and from the discussions about your builds.

I would like to follow the "Superior Soul" path, and have access to 32-point builds, but I don't have (or can't count on) all of the tomes built in.

Is the Superior Soul build adjustable for a "no tomes" path, or should I just use a different starting point? I realize that without the tomes I have to give things up, but I'd like to keep the spellcasting ability (BB and Destruction) and be able to be effective as a healer. (I've already modeled a "no tomes" version based on your Evoker, and I like it a lot.)

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the "no tome" route.

[Impaqt]

First and foremost - thanks for all of your builds and advice, Impaqt. I've benefited from a lot of your advice, and from the discussions about your builds.

I would like to follow the "Superior Soul" path, and have access to 32-point builds, but I don't have (or can't count on) all of the tomes built in.

Is the Superior Soul build adjustable for a "no tomes" path, or should I just use a different starting point? I realize that without the tomes I have to give things up, but I'd like to keep the spellcasting ability (BB and Destruction) and be able to be effective as a healer. (I've already modeled a "no tomes" version based on your Evoker, and I like it a lot.)

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the "no tome" route.

The only Tome thats absolutely necessary is the +2 Dex TOme. If you cant get ahold of one of those, you could probably drop STR to 14 and raise Dex to16 and just use a +1 Dex tome to Qualify for the Improved TWF Feat.

+1 TOmes are pretty cheap on the AH if you dont have one.

[Corpsman]

Thank you! I'll plan the build based on slightly dropping strength, and I can always catch up if a +2 strength tome drops.
I'm looking forward to playing this build. Thanks for making the game a bit more approachable for "the rest of us" - we really appreciate it.

[EyeRekon]

The issue with WSS is more about what real benefit you get from being centered and only having 2 levels of monk...so you get +2 wis from water stance (at least, that's what I assume people would be using), and the occasional low power stance attack for some piddly 1d6 element damage.

The two big reasons to splash monk are evasion and the 2 feats...well, WSS eats the two feats, so you're just getting meager stance benefits and evasion. Worth it? Doesn't seem like it to me.

I didn't catch any response to this comment. The other benefit of remaining centered is the Wisdom bonus to AC which could be quite substantial at lower-level. Impaqt's monk splash sample took Monk 2 @ Level 13 where I guess it doesn't matter anymore. The basic wind stance provides +Dex and melee speed which does fit the intent of the build.

I suppose the tradeoff really does boil down to evasion + some melee alacrity v.s. more SPs, spells, and capstone. Given that the Superior Soul build is intended for some melee, chances are good that you'll be the target of or within the splash zone of evadable spells.

[Impaqt]

I didn't catch any response to this comment. The other benefit of remaining centered is the Wisdom bonus to AC which could be quite substantial at lower-level.

no no no no no.

Wisdom bonus to AC does not rely on the "Monk" being centered. You get that regardless of what weapons you wield as long as you are not using a shild or Armor and are not Med/Heavily Encumbered.

Impaqt's monk splash sample took Monk 2 @ Level 13 where I guess it doesn't matter anymore. The basic wind stance provides +Dex and melee speed which does fit the intent of the build.

I suppose the tradeoff really does boil down to evasion + some melee alacrity v.s. more SPs, spells, and capstone. Given that the Superior Soul build is intended for some melee, chances are good that you'll be the target of or within the splash zone of evadable spells.

Ive seen no dev confirmation that the speed boost is suposed to be anything other than a small "Haste" boost (It should not stack with haste anymore). so all you really should get is a 2.5% doublestrike in wind stance really. Not a strong benefit.

[EyeRekon]

Ive seen no dev confirmation that the speed boost is suposed to be anything other than a small "Haste" boost (It should not stack with haste anymore). so all you really should get is a 2.5% doublestrike in wind stance really.

Anymore? Why would that be? The great TWF nerf? I understand that my reference, DDO Wiki, can be quite outdated.

[Impaqt]

Anymore? Why would that be? The great TWF nerf? I understand that my reference, DDO Wiki, can be quite outdated.

ddowiki reads the same as the compendium

Way of Air
Disciple of Breezes: The wind is untouchable, and you have taken your first steps on the path to understanding what it is to be a leaf on the wind.
Lesser Wind Stance: The Wind Stance focuses on movement, granting increased Dexterity (+2) and melee and thrown attack speed (7.5% Enhancement bonus) and +2.5% insight bonus to double strike chance at the cost of reducing your Constitution (-2) while the stance is active. This (Insight) bonus stacks with enhancement bonuses such as Haste spells.
Storm Strike I: You strike an opponent, backed with the power of lightning. Your attack will deal 1d6 additional lightning damage.

"Enhancement" bonus is the same as Haste.

2.5% insight to Doublestrike.. Not attack speed.

I've seen people say the Insight speed boost is still in there though. But documentation says it should not be.

[Bforgiven]

Wow, this has easily become my favorite character to play. I apologize for not posting earlier, but even with not much in the way of named loot and such, this has been an incredible character to play. In many ways, it has been a better solo character than a group character until recently (getting more healing).

So, I just made it to 14. I have spent a fair amount of pp on this character. The most expensive sword I have bought was a doozy, but it seems so worth it. It is a 50% potency VI longsword for level 14! Sweet!

So, essentially, I did manage to solo almost every quest up to level 10. There is a whole lot of EXP out there as I have had to bank every level so far.

Impaqt, thank you again for posting this as it has led to a whole lot of fun! I have plans to build a SP GS item as soon as I am able. I'll admit that I am a bit nervous about healing in the Shroud. With my cleric, I have excellent healing amplification and every healing spell at my fingertips. I'm looking forward to giving it a go though.

Oh, one more item to note, I get WAY more blind invites with this character than my cleric ever had. Is this normal?

One more item, I may try your 18/2 FVS/Monk build as well this has been so much fun!

If anyone is on Thelanis and has any questions, please look me up as Bregolaas.

[Bforgiven]

Impaqt, I do have a question on the level 15 feat. Would you still choose Improved Crit: Slashing? Wasn't sure that was really worth it on a 2x crit weapon. I'm thinking that at 18 I would take Empower, although Spell Pen is also mighty tempting.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Many thanks! Enjoy questing!

[Impaqt]

Impaqt, I do have a question on the level 15 feat. Would you still choose Improved Crit: Slashing? Wasn't sure that was really worth it on a 2x crit weapon. I'm thinking that at 18 I would take Empower, although Spell Pen is also mighty tempting.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Many thanks! Enjoy questing!

It may be an x2 multiplier, but you are still doubling the number of crits you can get. Its a significant DPS boost.

I didnt take any spell penn on mine because its not a Max DC Build. I use BB as my primary offensive casting spell which has no SR.

[selutha]

Hi, thanks for your build Impaqt I am going to tr my cleric into one of 2 builds and I still have problem knowing what to expect end game I was hoping you or anyone could give me some help with this:

I am going to tr into this build or "The soul Survivor" here is what I think I can expect please correct me where I am wrong:

The soul surivior will have:

+ more hp
+ more melee dps
+ more DR
+ tank
- lower healing amp

this build
+ much better healing amp
+ extra feat
+ twf (better melee debuff?)
- less dr

I just cant judge how much though for expamle:

How much more dps does a wf thf do compaired to twf?
How much does DR 15 vs DR 10 count end game?
How much more HP? 60?

[Impaqt]

Hi, thanks for your build Impaqt I am going to tr my cleric into one of 2 builds and I still have problem knowing what to expect end game I was hoping you or anyone could give me some help with this:

I am going to tr into this build or "The soul Survivor" here is what I think I can expect please correct me where I am wrong:

The soul surivior will have:

+ more hp
+ more melee dps
+ more DR
+ tank
- lower healing amp

this build
+ much better healing amp
+ extra feat
+ twf (better melee debuff?)
- less dr

I just cant judge how much though for expamle:

How much more dps does a wf thf do compaired to twf?
How much does DR 15 vs DR 10 count end game?
How much more HP? 60?

Soul SUrvivor is a Melee Focused FvS. You give up pretty much any resemblance to an offensive casting character. Your DC's will be useless. You will rely on Melee and self healing to get you through everything.

Superior soul has solid offensive casting and decent melee ability. the 2 builds play completely differently.

DR? I havent seen where 5 points of DR is going to make that big of a difference....

60 hit points dont go that far when your heals are hitting yourself for less.

If y ou want to focus on Melee, the Soul Survivor is a great build. If youwant more balance, Superior is... well.. Superior....