Questions about the game in general and bards

[sinbinner]

I'm still pretty new to DDO, but have a long background in MMO's so forgive me if some of my questions seem pretty noobish. While I enjoy the game I have trouble finding info online about things alot of time. For example I can find builds that show you what your stats should be at lvl 1 and at lvl 20, but nothing on your progression between. I understand that is a lot of ground to cover and the experienced players that create these builds already know this info. I'm playing a halfling TWF weapon finesse bard thats at lvl 8 right now. I'm using a few warchanter builds I've found as guides so the characters progression as in feats and enhancements aren't an issue. Things I would like to know are how to make the character the best it can be as it lvl's from lvl to lvl. Things like what kind of AC and +to hit you should be shooting for at each lvl. As in most things more is always better, but surely there is a way to gauge characters growth to know if your falling behind or not.
Are there certain items you should strive to get as your lvling? I've seen some dex based characters that wear light armor and others that wear cloth. I understand the arcane spell failure on light armor is the reasoning for this. So if you went that route what kind of items do you need? mod. fort. items, DR items, Protect items. How do you go about getting the items you need besides selling your soul on the AH? I'm not looking for a list that says you need these exact items at these lvl's, but an idea on some of the kinds of items I should be trying to get would be helpful. Or do I just go to the AH, find some light armor that gives me the best AC possible and forget about it til I lvl and do the same thing over again?
Then we get into things like saves and resists. Is there any kind of a min. number that you should have by a certain lvl? Do you only put resist and saves gear on at certain times or is it built into your regular gear?
Now lets tackle weapons. With all the DR monsters have in this game you need a tool belt to carry all the different weapons you need. Dex based character so of course I'm using main hand rapier off hand short sword. When should I switch to main and off hand rapiers? No OTWF so what should my to hit bonus be at? Should I be carrying other weapons like sickles for slashing damage and light maces for bludgeon damage? Then you also get into weapons with effects on them. Should I try to get a certain kind of effect on all my weapons or should i just stick to the basic get the best + to hit and damage weapons and forget about effects?
From what I've learned from the game so far it seems obtaining items falls into three places....AH, static quest rewards, and plain old luck of the drop from chests. Is this right? I've found a few links that gave static quest rewards from lvl 1 to 20 and if that's all of them there doesn't seem to be much variety there. If I'm lvl 8 and needing new weapons and gear where should I be questing to try and get the stuff I need for that lvl? Seems if you do the quests that are listed as your lvl you get weapons and items that were what you needed 2 to 3 lvl's before. Is there any kind of list online that shows every item from the game and how to obtain it?
I tip my hat to all of the players that have this game figured out and are good at it. DDO is not a stupid persons game, but takes a lot of knowledge and thinking to do well. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for helpful insights that can be given.

[Valindria]

I'm still pretty new to DDO, but have a long background in MMO's so forgive me if some of my questions seem pretty noobish. While I enjoy the game I have trouble finding info online about things alot of time. For example I can find builds that show you what your stats should be at lvl 1 and at lvl 20, but nothing on your progression between. I understand that is a lot of ground to cover and the experienced players that create these builds already know this info.

Most builds put the 5 level up points into the same stat. Usually Strength or Charisma


I'm playing a halfling TWF weapon finesse bard thats at lvl 8 right now. I'm using a few warchanter builds I've found as guides so the characters progression as in feats and enhancements aren't an issue. Things I would like to know are how to make the character the best it can be as it lvl's from lvl to lvl. Things like what kind of AC and +to hit you should be shooting for at each lvl. As in most things more is always better, but surely there is a way to gauge characters growth to know if your falling behind or not.

As much as you can get. I mean really AC kind of drops off around level 10 and GH but for the most part anything you can do to improve to hit is good. I am not a fan of weapon finesse but I know some like it.


Are there certain items you should strive to get as your lvling? I've seen some dex based characters that wear light armor and others that wear cloth. I understand the arcane spell failure on light armor is the reasoning for this. So if you went that route what kind of items do you need? mod. fort. items, DR items, Protect items.

Bards get no ASF in light armor. So find the best you can for you level. 100% fort items are needed later in life. The Minos Helm from Necro 4 is what most people wear. You can collect tapestries in the orchard and turn them in for the helm (100% fort and stacking 20 hp)

How do you go about getting the items you need besides selling your soul on the AH? I'm not looking for a list that says you need these exact items at these lvl's, but an idea on some of the kinds of items I should be trying to get would be helpful. Or do I just go to the AH, find some light armor that gives me the best AC possible and forget about it til I lvl and do the same thing over again?

Haggle is your best friend. Sell junk items to Brokers (15%) or the Guild Vendor (14%). Another thing you can do if you are new is pick up all collectibles and turn them in to get the items, the sell the items. I did that a lot on my 1st toon. Other than that just keep playing. The most quests you complete, chests you open, things you collect will help. Search and sell on the AH.


Then we get into things like saves and resists. Is there any kind of a min. number that you should have by a certain lvl? Do you only put resist and saves gear on at certain times or is it built into your regular gear?

No break points that I really worry about. The higher the better. Generally as a bard you wont be able to deal with resits. You'll need another caster to hit you with the spells. What I did for a long time was keep a cloak of each resist on a bar. If I saw a fire trap or pool of lava I would swap to that cloak. Other options are potions. In some cases you can get by with just equipping the item as needed. However if you are in a group others tend to pass it out as needed.


Now lets tackle weapons. With all the DR monsters have in this game you need a tool belt to carry all the different weapons you need. Dex based character so of course I'm using main hand rapier off hand short sword. When should I switch to main and off hand rapiers? No OTWF so what should my to hit bonus be at?

There is no set time to switch but when you are hitting on 2, try rapiers and see if you still are hitting on 2. I used Rapier/Short sword for a long time. Probably 16+ by the time I changed, but again it depends on how well you hit.

Should I be carrying other weapons like sickles for slashing damage and light maces for bludgeon damage? Then you also get into weapons with effects on them. Should I try to get a certain kind of effect on all my weapons or should i just stick to the basic get the best + to hit and damage weapons and forget about effects?

I only use vorpal slashing weapons. If you want to get a slashing set there is nothing wrong with that. I would say get some blunt Good weapons and Blunt everbright weapons for undead and ooze/rust monsters. My bard was able to get by with just Piercing and Blunt.

As always a metaline of pure good weapon is you best friend. If you can find it in blunt it will help with things like VoN 3.


From what I've learned from the game so far it seems obtaining items falls into three places....AH, static quest rewards, and plain old luck of the drop from chests. Is this right? I've found a few links that gave static quest rewards from lvl 1 to 20 and if that's all of them there doesn't seem to be much variety there.

You can check the brokers and see if someone sold an item that would help you out. I have found some rapiers that way. They would not be the best thing ever but they were better then what I have.

If I'm lvl 8 and needing new weapons and gear where should I be questing to try and get the stuff I need for that lvl? Seems if you do the quests that are listed as your lvl you get weapons and items that were what you needed 2 to 3 lvl's before. Is there any kind of list online that shows every item from the game and how to obtain it?

After playing for awhile you'll start to notice things that are helpful. I ended up saving a bunch of stuff for alts.


I tip my hat to all of the players that have this game figured out and are good at it. DDO is not a stupid persons game, but takes a lot of knowledge and thinking to do well. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for helpful insights that can be given.

[donfilibuster]

Thats the nice part of the game, doing the quests to get from level to level and not just pick a build and see it to its end too fast.
Turns out you need to know a wide lot of things, like what items are junk and which ones are worth selling or using.

A bard needs less gear than a rogue but still fill the slots quickly, you may still be able to go on with less than optimal gear but fortunately bards can use the haggle skill to make the most from loot and thus afford better gear and rapiers.
(for example, the perform item takes one extra slot)

For AC you may want to ditch armor and go bracers + dex, using robes or outfits instead of armor.
The black widow bracers from waterworks are the best armor bracers at lower levels and keep being useful until you can find a better one.

[sinbinner]

Thanks for the reply. Now you said sell your junk to the brokers. The brokers that are in the marketplace? I tried to sell to them, but they would only buy a couple of the items I had. Are there others I don't know about or do you take the items they won't buy and just sell those to a general vendor?

[Rusty_Can]

Several questions have been already answered.

Are there certain items you should strive to get as your lvling?

Fortification:
- Moderate: available on Minimum Level (ML) 7 items;
- Heavy: technically possible since lvl 8 (some armors and robes); strongly advisable after lvl 11; at higher level you might get declined if your character is missing Heavy Fortification; 2 popular choices: Minos Legens, Nightforge Gorget(F2P).

Abilities (i.e. STR, CON and so on):
+4 items are ML 9;
+5 items are ML 11;
+6 items are ML 13.

Note: Race Required (RR) items have lower ML.

The Definitive Static Rewards and Named Loot List thread will provide information on "named" (i.e. not common) items.

Now lets tackle weapons. With all the DR monsters have in this game you need a tool belt to carry all the different weapons you need. Should I try to get a certain kind of effect on all my weapons or should i just stick to the basic get the best + to hit and damage weapons and forget about effects?

Since you are lvl 8, in your next adventures you will likely start facing some foes which require specific weapons, such as constructs (e.g. Vault of Night) and outsiders (e.g. Threnal). This link will help: Damage Reduction (aka DR).

You might start finding several ML 10 weapons (ML 8, if RR) which have useful effects: Vorpal, Banishing, Smiting, Disruption, Paralyzing. Check brokers: these weapons are considered vendor junk from high level players, which have plenty of them, but they are very useful at your level.

Since yours is a Finesse build, I recommend looking also for weapons of (Greater) Bane; some combinations are better than others: e.g. Holy mace of Greater Undead Bane would work wonderfully against skeletons.

Now you said sell your junk to the brokers.

Armors, robes and shields: "Second Gauntlet Goods" in House Kundarak;
weapons: "Fare Trades" in House Deneith.

[sinbinner]

Great info guys thanks so much for the replies. Here's a few things that maybe you guys can shed some light on.

base AC 10 + 7 dex bonus + 2 natural armor bonus item + 4 black widow bracers + 2 cloak of protection = 26 AC
Maybe I'm thinking too big, but figured I would want my AC closer to 30.

I'm wearing:
gloves = +3 strength item
boots = +3 dexterity item
helmet = +2 charisma with +3 concentration item
ring1 = +5 perform item
ring2 = disease immunity ring of lesser false life
belt = moderate fortification item
trinket = +50 max spell points item
chest = outfit of spear block (what would be good to replace this with besides the robe of invulnerability - out of my price range on the AH right now)
goggles = still using +1 attack from korthos quest since I can't find anything worth putting in there yet

Constitution I know is where I'm hurting with a base of 12. I've only been able to find +1 con items and the ones on the AH are just too expensive for me right now. I did get the +3 con belt from tangleroot, but then I have to drop my mod fort and I've only found mod fort on belts so far. I will be adding +2 to all stats later on, but with college about to start money is too precious and I would rather get more game experience before I start going all out on a character.

Just found an outfit of acid guard of mod fort and outfit of lightning guard of invulnerability on the AH in my price range. Should I drop my mod fort belt for the +3 constitution belt I have and buy the outfit with mod fort or leave my setup as is and get the outfit of invulnerability? Also where are the pawn shops? In my limited travels I haven't seen any that I know of.

[AussieEngineer]

Hey mate,

Just a quick response about the desire for higher AC.

I wouldn't worry too much about it to be honest. Higher AC is always a benefit, but perhaps instead rely upon blur and/or displacement to reduce incoming damage. Just make sure you have enough SP to keep yourself displaced for the fights when it matters, and that will do much more for you than trying to raise your AC higher on your build.

[Rav'n]

Out of Rep so... Virtual +1 to Val for breaking down the "wall"

Sin, the got most covered so I won't go into all of it. I will say this... play your Bard long enough... AH prices wont matter after a while (Keep you Haggle Maxed and when you step into Giant Hold, you'll soon start bringing in the coin.

Skills to MAX for a First time bard...
Concentration
Haggle
Perform
UMD

[sinbinner]

Thank you and yes that is sound advice. I just picked up displacement late last evening so I had forgotten about it when I started typing all this up. Which brings up what should I be doing when I jump into a fight. Of course I already have inspire courage, heroism/good hope, and blur buffs up before a fight starts. As soon as i jump into a fight should i be casting rage, displacement, haste, and focusing chant on myself? I don't have extent spell feat yet either and unless I decide to splash a level or two of fighter my build won't have room for it. Since this is going to be my first real character I wanted to stay pure if I could and learn the game before I get things more complicated. Also is there ever a point where bards get a mass blur spell or do we continually have to waste sp doing single target casts?

[sinbinner]

Armors, robes and shields: "Second Gauntlet Goods" in House Kundarak;
weapons: "Fare Trades" in House Deneith.

I checked these out and OMG TY is all I can say. Had no idea these existed. Makes me sick to my stomach when I think about how much coin I've thrown away. Now what about jewelery and clothing items, those go to the brokers in the market place or is there some where else for those too?

[Rusty_Can]

Also is there ever a point where bards get a mass blur spell or do we continually have to waste sp doing single target casts?

Currently, there is no mass version of Blur spell.

I checked these out and OMG TY is all I can say. Had no idea these existed.

You welcome^^. Anyway, there are other brokers, but those I mentioned are probably the most used. At higher level, brokers in Amrath are usually busy as well.

Now what about jewelery and clothing items, those go to the brokers in the market place or is there some where else for those too?

Tbh, I usually sell jewelry and clothing items in taverns and seldom bother to bring those to brokers; anyway, yes, I think it's them.

[Valindria]

It pretty much been mentioned:

Low level Weapon, Armor, and all jewelry/accessory Brokers are in the Market Place

Mid to High level Weapon Brokers are in House D
Mid to High level Armor Brokers are in House K


There are also brokers in Amarath, Reaver's Refuge, and Inspired Quarter. These would be when you are a higher level. To a lesser extent there is a broker in the resort in Ataraxia. I am not sure if it has the same buy rate as others though.


More information here:
http://ddowiki.com/page/Broker

[donfilibuster]

Now if you have a high haggle you may want to go to the spa in ataraxia instead, since the broker there will take all kinds of junk.
This works like a charm if you have the shared bank to gather the junk of all your toons.
(or join a guild, the guild vendor also pays high rates).