Ranger/Fighter build...

[thwart]

I am messing around with a Tempest II, Kensei I build. I have looked over the forums and still can't decide which class to focus on first. I see answers going each way. So ... I thought maybe doing my own post others would convince me. What should I focus on first ... Ranger or Fighter?

[Janth]

I just made this... I think one advantage of ranger first is the extra skill points.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
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Janth Axeblade
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Dwarf Male
(8 Fighter \ 12 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 378
Spell Points: 115 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 15
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    27
Dexterity            16                    20
Constitution         16                    20
Intelligence          8                    10
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 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Defense


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost 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 Dwarven Waraxe Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Dwarven Waraxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Flanking Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Flanking Mastery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

[unbongwah]

The main incentive to taking ranger first is to get the TWF feats and Tempest I/II ASAP; getting your various buff spells (Ram's Might, Barkskin, etc.) doesn't hurt either.

BTW, rather than fighter 8, I would consider monk 2 (1 more feat, WIS AC boost) or rogue 2 (mostly for UMD but also a bit of sneak attack and possibly trap skills); or maybe even barbarian 2 for the run speed boost and a couple of Rage clickies.

[thwart]

Thanks for the input ... I had been thinking about going 6 ranger then 6 fighter then the rest in ranger. But I still can't decide! Thanks again for the thoughts.

[unbongwah]

Rogue (or monk) 2 / ranger 6 / fighter 12 has been a pretty popular TWF DPS build, though with the recent nerf to TWF I'm not sure Tempest I is nearly as desirable as it once was. Pre-U5, TWF builds which stopped at ranger 12 weren't too popular because Tempest II was considered weak (only provided +1 to-hit & AC); but with the most recent changes to TWF, I predict ranger 12 builds will become a lot more popular.

[Sani_Medicor]

I'm doing ranger first...primarily to get evasion. I wasn't sure about my choice, until I got evasion on my bard yesterday. I was soloing a quest and walked through every trap without ever taking any damage. lol Anyway, here's my build...
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=261059

[LordPiglet]

13 ranger has Tier IV FE enhancements. 13/7 might be a better split.

Ranger first due to the skill points.

I'm actually doing a 13/6/1 Tempest II/Kensai I/Rogue right now.