Big Papi - Acrobat 13/Berserker 6/Fighter 1

[cforce]

The addition of Dex bonus to Sneak Attack damage got me looking again at DPS calculations in the Acrobat space for interesting possibilities, and I think I've found one that's quite interesting. The build goals for this build would be:

1. Maximize "AoE" melee damage done by Glancing Blows
2. Stay competitive with top tier melee builds on single-target damage vs. 0-fort targets
3. Stay competitive with top tier melee builds on single-target damage vs. 100-fort targets
4. Noob-friendly: does not experience a large drop relative to other builds when using non-uber equipment

For reference, here is the benchmark that I use personally as "competitive": the build must generate 80% or more of the DPS as the maximum DPS build in the following siutation:
- Sneak Attack occurs 50% of the time
- Half of the mobs require transmuting, half do not
- 1 in 4 mobs has non-bypassable DR 20.
- 1 in 5 mobs has Elemental Resist 20 vs. the build's primary DPS weapon, where applicable
- THF builds have an average of 1.25 targets in range during combat
- Builds have access to any non-Epic equipment for max DPS in the situation

This is obviously all calculated data, and I rely on a variation of Absolute_Omniscience's spreadsheet for calculations.

I started with Big F'in Stick as a template. Big F'in Stick is a solid build, but falls short on criteria #1 and #2, above, even with the addition of the dex bonus to sneak damage. (To be fair, it only falls short on #1 due to *this* build -- it's on par with a FB 20 THF for Glancing Blow damage because of the higher rate of attack. Also, it only fails on #2 by a small margin today, and will be up to about 81% of a Barb 20 on criteria #2 after the addition of Dex damage. BFS is still an excellent template.)

I found that, overall, my AoE damage profile looked a lot better by mixing in 6 levels of Barbarian. This throws out Monk, of course -- so I landed at Acrobat 13/FB 6/Fighter 1, which I've nicknamed "Big Papi".

BIG PAPI
Warforged Acrobat 13/Frenzied Berserker 6/Fighter 1 (32-point)
STR 16 (+5 levels +6 item +2 tome +3 exc +6 Barb Rage +2 Frenzy +2 Madstone +2 Rage spell = 44)
DEX 16 (+3 enh +6 item +2 tome +3 exc +4 showtime = 34)
CON 18 (+2 enh +6 item +2 tome +4 Barb Rage +4 Madstone +2 Rage spell = 38)
INT 10
WIS 6 (+2 tome +6 item = 14)
CHA 6

Feats:
Rogue Bonus: Improved Evasion, Slippery Mind
Fighter Bonus: Cleave
Base: THFx3, PA, Imp. Crit: Bludgeoning, Toughness, SF: UMD

Enhancements:
Rogue Balance II* (3)
Rogue Tumble II* (3)
Rogue Faster Sneaking I* (1)
Rogue Haste Boost III <II required>*(6)
Rogue Dexterity III* (12)
Rogue Thief-Acrobat II (6)
Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV (10)

Barbarian Power Attack II <I required>* (3)
Barbarian Power Rage II <I required>* (3)
Barbarian Damage Boost II* (3)
Barbarian Frenzied Berserker I (4)
Barbarian CON I (2)
Barbarian Extra Rage II (3)
Barbarian Extend Rage I (1)
Barbarian Toughness II (3)

Warforged Power Attack III (6)
Warforged CON I (2)
Warforged Toughness II (3)
Warforged Great Weapon Aptitude III (6)

Skills: 7 Max rank (assuming +2 INT tome at 7), 1 4-point
Max: OL, DD, Search, Spot, UMD, Balance, Intimidate
4-point: Jump

AC isn't useless (self-buffed, non-epic):
10 base
9 armor
1 alchemical
12 dex
5 prot
6 IUD
4 shield (UMD'ed wand)
4 insight
3 dodge
3 bark
1 haste
------------
58 non-raged

Raid buffs
5 pally
2 ranger
2 cleric
4 bard
--------
72

Raged: up to -8 (Barb Rage + Spell Rage + Madstone).

Saves are pretty good:
4/8/4 Rogue
5/2/2 Barb
2/0/0 Fighter
14/12/2 stats
------------
25/22/8 unmodified
5/5/5 item
4/4/4 GH
2/2/2 luck
0/6/0 IUD
0/0/3 rages
-------------
36/39/22(+Slippery Mind)

Hit Points:
20 base
78 rogue
72 barb
10 fighter
280 CON
30 GFL
20 Minos
23 Toughness
40 Toughness enh
45 shroud
10 Draconic
-------------
628

Glancing Blow Damage: The ideal equipment loadout includes Ravager and Tempest sets, to add to the Glancing Blow damage. Despite that fact that a Barb 20 gets an additional 4d6 vicious damage, the significantly faster attack rate of the QStaff Acrobat should end up netting about 20% more glancing blow damage than a Frenzied Berserker 20 with the Tempest and Ravager sets.

It's also worth noting that it's not really necessary to Rage for good AoE damage, only to Frenzy. The full Rage stack adds 10 STR, or about 7 points of base damage, but only about 2 to glancing blows, at the expense of -8 AC. Frenzy, on the other hand, adds 2d6 without an AC penalty. For gathering aggro and dealing lots of Glancing Blow damage, it's probably best to Frenzy-only, and save the full Rage stack as a 'single target' tactic. Obviously, Raging will increase overall damage output, but this build actually has some tactical advantages to sometimes working in a non-raged mode against many targets when trying to be an 'aggro magnet'.

Overall DPS:
In addition to excelling at rate of Glancing Blow damage, this build leverages the same synergy that The Dominator does for excellent overall damage profile: Sneak Attack helps stay competitive with higher-crit-range builds against 0-fort targets, but damage-by-faster-attack-speed causes damage output to hold up better than crit-range-dependent builds vs. 100-fort targets. Using the same assumptions stated above as a comparison point, this build seems to generate about 90% of the DPS of a FB 20 vs. 0-fort targets, and seems to *lead* DPS generation vs. 100-fort targets because of the fast attack rate coupled with partial raging and Frenzy.

LITTLE PAPI

Since I've got a level 15 Halfling Rogue who has been collecting dust for the past 2 years, it's very likely I won't implement the build above personally, but instead will respec my existing rogue into a Halfling variant of the above. The Halfling version doesn't deal quite as much base damage as the Warforged version with Warforged Power Attack, but adds in more Sneak Attack damage in the form of higher Dex and the Halfling enhancement line.

Little Papi
Halfling Acrobat 13/Frenzied Berserker 6/Fighter 1 (32-point)
STR 14 (+5 levels +6 item +2 tome +3 exc +6 Barb Rage +2 Frenzy +2 Madstone +2 Rage spell = 42)
DEX 18 (+3 enh +6 item +2 tome +3 exc +4 showtime = 36)
CON 16 (+6 item +2 tome +4 Barb Rage +4 Madstone +2 Rage spell = 34)
INT 10
WIS 8 (+2 tome +6 item = 16)
CHA 8

Feats: same

Enhancements:
Rogue Balance II* (3)
Rogue Tumble II* (3)
Rogue Faster Sneaking I* (1)
Rogue Haste Boost IV <II required>*(6)
Rogue Dexterity III* (12)
Rogue Thief-Acrobat II (6)
Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV (10)

Barbarian Power Attack II <I required>* (3)
Barbarian Power Rage II <I required>* (3)
Barbarian Damage Boost II* (3)
Barbarian Frenzied Berserker I (4)
Barbarian Extra Rage II (3)
Barbarian Extend Rage I (1)
Barbarian Toughness II (3)
<note I dropped Barbarian CON I to spend points on Guile/Cunning instead>

Halfling Toughness II (3)
Halfling Guile/Cunning III (12)

Skills: same

AC (self-buffed, non-epic):
+1 dex
-1 armor
+4 Icy rainments
+1 halfling
-----------
63 non-raged

Raid buffs
5 pally
2 ranger
2 cleric
4 bard
--------
76

Saves:
4/8/4 Rogue
5/2/2 Barb
2/0/0 Fighter
12/13/3 stats
------------
23/23/9 unmodified
5/5/5 item
4/4/4 GH
2/2/2 luck
0/6/0 IUD
0/0/3 rages
1/1/1 halfling
-------------
35/41/24(+Slippery Mind)

Hit Points:
20 base
78 rogue
72 barb
10 fighter
240 CON
23 Toughness
40 Toughness enh
30 GFL
20 Minos
45 shroud
10 Draconic
-------------
588

I believe Big Papi is the better build, as it has slightly better damage output. But Little Papi makes up some of that in sneak attack, and has slightly better reflex and will saves. And, I have already 28-point Halfling Rogue waiting for a Greater Reincarnation!

As always, looking for constructive feedback befor eI pull the trigger and build/respec into one of these.

[Thanimal]

The Red Sox suck.

That's what you meant by "constructive feedback," right?

Really fascinating build. Gotta be the most "interesting" use of Frenzy that I've seen so far. If the DPS is as good as your numbers show, this build might just be amazing. I know BFS has been very well received (and rightly so), and this build has some non-trivial advantages (and disadvantages) compared to it.

[Battlehawke]

I have already capped a toon out with this build, but used a dwarf. He was first build to Dual Wield D Axes and kicked but, then reincarnated him to use two handed axes when my friend who had been away from the game for a while decided to come back and needed all of his D Axes Back. This toon was incredibly fast, does a ton of DPS, has great rogue skills, UMD and Intimidate and Bluff. I just started using a Q Staffs with him and fell in love with them very quickly. I'm currently trying to finish off my "survivor" (2 Palli, 6 Ftr Defender, 12 Acrobat) to TR him into the Hurtlocker Build. Anyways you will find the build extremely exciting and with the resists of the WF and with them fixing WF "glancing Blows" in U5, you will love the toon.

Have Fun
Battlehawe

[Nethion]

Nice build. Just a quick question.. What was your class progression?

[Failedlegend]

Wouldn't a Half-Orc with:

Str 18 (+2 Enh +5 levels +6 item +2 tome +3 exc +6 Barb Rage +2 Frenzy +2 Madstone +2 Rage spell = 48)
Dex 16 (+3 enh +6 item +2 tome +3 exc +4 showtime = 34)
Con 14 (+2 enh +6 item +2 tome +4 Barb Rage +4 Madstone +2 Rage spell = 34)
Int 12 (+2 Tome = 14)
Wis 8 (+2 tome +6 item = 16)
Cha 6

....Work better with their various enhancements to 2-Handed Weapons and Barbarians or am I missing something (aside from the immunities of course)

More Skillpoints
More Damage
Less HP (Shouldn't affect a barb too much)
Shorter rage
Less AC (Pointless on a Barb anyway)


Also I'm curious about and few things:

A) Can you use both rage and frenzy simultaneously?

B) Why focus on Intimidate on a build that gets a large amount of SA why not Diplo or something else entirely (not trying to be insulting...just curious)

C) What's the formula for Rage length I think it has something to do with your Con Mod, Barb lvl and enhancements but I'm not sure.

D) What's your level/feat progression.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.0 BETA
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Half-Orc Male
(1 Fighter \ 6 Barbarian \ 13 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 282
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 14
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    27
Dexterity            16                    21
Constitution         14                    18
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom                8                     10
Charisma              6                     8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7


Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 2 (Barbarian)


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow


Level 4 (Rogue)


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)


Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 10 (Barbarian)


Level 11 (Barbarian)


Level 12 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 13 (Barbarian)


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 16 (Rogue)


Level 17 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 19 (Rogue)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus)Oppurtunist
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker I
Enhancement: Orcish Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Orcish Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack I
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack II
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack III
Enhancement: Orcish Power Rage I
Enhancement: Orcish Strength I
Enhancement: Orcish Strength II
Enhancement: Orcish Great Weapon Aptitude I
Enhancement: Orcish Great Weapon Aptitude II
Enhancement: Orcish Great Weapon Aptitude III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I
Enhancement: Rogue Thief-Acrobat I
Enhancement: Rogue Thief-Acrobat II
Enhancement: Improved Balance I
Enhancement: Improved Balance II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

[Consumer]

Edit - I see the 6 month necro FailedLegend

[Failedlegend]

Edit - I see the 6 month necro FailedLegend

Meh i search Barb acrobat...didnt check post date