Newbie-friendly 28-pt dwarf rogue 2 / fighter 18 Stalwart Defender

[unbongwah]

With U5's changes to glancing blows w/dwarven axes, I thought I'd try to come up with a dwarf intimitank for new players. The goals were: good DPS, good AC, high HPs, high blocking DR, high Intimidate, UMD, and Evasion, all on a 28-pt build without tomes. The following is what I came up with:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Dwarf Male
(18 Fighter \ 2 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 374
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 11
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            14                    14
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         14                    14
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              6                     6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    24
Bluff                -2                    -2
Concentration         3                     4
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device        6                     6
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  2                     2
Intimidate            2                    34
Jump                  7                    14
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         2                     2
Open Lock             6                     6
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     2
Search                6                     8
Spot                  3                     3
Swim                  3                     7
Tumble                6                     6
Use Magic Device      2                    24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Intimidate


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 10 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender II
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III


Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 17 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender III
Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization II
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III

In combat, you switch between greataxes (+ PA) for DPS and dwarven axe & tower shield (+ CE) for tanking / turtling. Max ranks in Intimidate & UMD; 18 ranks of Balance because a prone tank is an useless tank. At low levels you wear heavy armor or mithril full plate (Adamantine Full Plate of Stability would be really swell), then switch to light armor after you take rogue 2 & Evasion. When you take rogue 2 is largely up to you; I just thought the mid-way point (i.e., pre-Gianthold) was a good idea.

At lvl 7, you have the feats to choose between Stalwart Defender or Kensai. You might find it more useful to be a greataxe Kensai at that point, then switch to SD later thru an enh reset. If you're positive you want to be SD only, you could bump back Weap Focus & Spec and bump up, say, PA & CE.

I'm not sure if this build will hit super-high AC: partly because of so-so DEX and no Dodge; partly because I didn't squeeze in more Armor Mastery enhs. But it should have "good enough" AC at low-to-mid levels and super-high blocking DR throughout its career.

If you're willing to plan around a tome, you could start with INT 12 and take a +1 or +2 to get CE; take the lost skill points out of Balance. For a slightly more defensive version, start with base stats 15 / 14 / 18 / 12 / 8 / 6 (needs +1 INT tome); drop Fighter STR III to pick up 2 more Armor Masteries or Tower Shield Mastery III. You end up with 2 pts less STR but 2 pts more CON and a pt or two more AC.

Comments, suggestions, ridicule? Thanks!

[unbongwah]

After a bit more research into tanks, I've revised this build a fair bit. It does require a few +1 tomes over its career, but I've spread them out so that obtaining them is hopefully not too onerous for newbies. I've dropped Shield Mastery, as I've read they're not worth it. I've also invested some effort in bumping up Intim & Will saves, at the expense of -2 STR. Rather than rogue 2 for Evasion, I went with a barb splash for +10% run speed, single use of Rage (for boss fights or whatever), and a couple enhs. This will also ease the need for high DEX for max AC since you'll be wearing heavy armor rather than light; the downside obviously being that this build loses Evasion.

DEX 12 is for AC, Reflex, and to obtain Dodge after +1 DEX tome. CHA 12 is for UMD, Intim, and FoP after +1 CHA tome. INT 12 is for skill pts & CE after +1 INT tome.

Early in its career, this build is an Intimi-Kensai: uses greataxes for DPS, dwarven axe & tower shield for tanking, Intim & hate to draw aggro. Later on, it can switch to Stalwart Defender, once the AC requirements start going way up. I put CE in at lvl 12, but it can be taken any time after taking a +1 INT tome.

Here she is in Kensai mode:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Dwarf Female
(18 Fighter \ 1 Barbarian \ 1 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 380
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 9
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    22
Dexterity            12                    13
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         12                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             12                    13

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 8
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    10
Bluff                 1                     4
Concentration         3                     7
Diplomacy             1                     4
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                5                     5
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  1                     1
Intimidate            5                    35
Jump                  6                    10
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         1                     1
Open Lock             5                     5
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                5                     7
Spot                  3                     3
Swim                  2                     6
Tumble                5                     5
Use Magic Device      5                    24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 3 (Barbarian)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


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


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality


Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing 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: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will


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: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater 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 Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Intimidate


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: Slashing 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: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Willpower I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery II
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe 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 Greataxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Greataxe Specialization II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate III
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I

And here she is in Stalwart Defender mode (enhs only):

Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender II
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender III
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Greataxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Greataxe Specialization II
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate III
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate IV
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

The above represents a best-case-AC scenario. If I've done my math right, the max DEX bonus (MDB) as a SD for this config will be 9 w/mithral tower shields & full plate; but odds are it'll be very tough to hit DEX 28 with this build. So you would take just enough Armor & Tower Shield Mastery enhs to get your MDB for whatever your final DEX ends up being; the rest go into DPS or HP enhs.

I'm not trying to make this build epic-worthy, because...well, who's heard of a 28-pt epic-worthy build in the first place? Just trying to come up with a viable DPS Intimitank with good AC for neophytes to use. Feedback and recommendations are welcome. Thanks!

[unbongwah]

Here's a slightly revised version which dump-stats CHA & drops FoP for higher STR & CON. Intim & Will saves take a bit of a hit (I took SF UMD instead of FoP so it remains unchanged); but you end up with +2 STR and +2 CON at lvl 20 and you need 1 less tome to pull it off.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Dwarf Female
(18 Fighter \ 1 Barbarian \ 1 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 400
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 9
Will: 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            12                    13
Constitution         18                    20
Intelligence         12                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              6                     6

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 3 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge


Level 17 (Fighter)


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


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing 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: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery II
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe 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 Greataxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Greataxe Specialization II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate III
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III