PvP Specced Arcane Archer

[therobb]

I hesitate to post this since I'm sure that eloquent comments such as, "PvP sucks," and "Don't waste time with PvP" will follow, however I do find PvP in DDO enjoyable from time to time.

Is DDO PvP extremely out of balance? Yes. Absurdly immature? Usually. Stupid waste of time? Check. Fun anyway? Sometimes.

So I ask anyone reading to please withold comments about PvP and its place in DDO, or comments about how gimped this character will be for PvE content.

I've been looking for a way to have some fun with a capped character that I never play (the ranger linked in my sig). I'm not interested in TR'ing, since this character will never be my main. I'm toying with the idea of LR'ing him to a PvP specced Arcane Archer.

This character will not be used to run quests or raids, but will instead be a way for me to play around in PvP from time to time when I'm bored or on timer for raids, etc.

Again- no TR will be happening, only LR is on the table. I'm looking for input on optimizing the build for purely PvP.

With disclaimers finally out of the way...

My thinking is that with Arcane Archer slayer arrows, the right favored enemies and a little bit of gear, this pugnacious dwarf should lay down the hurt in the brawl area.

Specific questions for those who may know...
1. Does FE Lawful Outsider actually work on capped monks? Would it make more sense to select FE - halfling?
2. Will 30 Dex give enough to-hit bonus to consistently hit the AC builds when kiting in the brawl area?
3. Having never played an Arcane Archer, what else should I change to optimize for PvP?

Thanks in advance

Build Goals:
1. Have fun in PvP (If you view this as impossible, remember that fun is in the eye of the gamer.)
2. Be capable of consistently defeating the toughest PvP builds & players in one-on-one battles

Requirements:
1. Enough HP to be immune to Power Word spells
2. Enough damage output to kill arcanes before they can target and cast greater dispel
3. Speed to kite barbarians & monks and avoid getting tripped or stunned

Base / ending Stats before gear (with current +2 supreme ability tome):
str: 17 / 22
dex: 17 / 24
con: 16 / 20
int: 8 / 10
wis: 8 / 10
cha: 6 / 8

Feats:
All the essential Arcane Archer feats plus empower healing & maximize to max out self-healing on CSW spells (invaluable in PvP)

• Weapon Focus, Ranged
• Point Blank Shot
• Mental Toughness
• Toughness
• Improved Critical- ranged
• Empower Healing
• Maximize

Favored Enemies & reasons for selecting each:

• Construct - for those pesky warforged arcanes
• Dwarf - for the barbarians and battle-clerics
• Elf - for the high AC dex builds
• Human - covers most paladins & FvS
• Lawful Outsider - for the capped monks

Skills:
Max Jump, Concentration, Balance, UMD, Tumble

Enhancements:

• Ranger Sprint Boost III - for maximum speed on demand
• Favored Damage IV
• Favored Attack II
• Favored Resistance I
• Favored Defense I
• Ranger Devotion III
• Ranger Energy of the Wild II
• Ranger DEX III
• Ranger Capstone
• Dwarf Constitution II
• Racial Toughness IV
• Dwarf Spell Defense II
• AA Imbues & slayer arrows

Preferred Bows:
Wounding of Puncturing- general purpose against anything except divine casters
Weakening of Enfeebling- quickest way to disable most arcanes
Greater banes as needed

Damage Output:
With the plan outlined below, base damage should work out something like:
Base longbow d8: 4
30 strength (22 + 6 item + 2 ram's): +10
Conjured arrows: +5
Favored damage: +10
Favored enhancements: +4

+33 per arrow before force ritual, force crit, lightning strike, etc.

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

Level 20 Chaotic Good Dwarf Male
(20 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 342
Spell Points: 400 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 19
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             17                    22
Dexterity            17                    24
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: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 4 (Ranger)


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


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 10 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Dwarf


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Ranger)


Level 14 (Ranger)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elf


Level 16 (Ranger)


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Lawful Outsider
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost III
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Master of Archery
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness IV
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 Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

[grodon9999]

Take useful FEs, you'll be fine. The 500 point arrow is so absurdly over-powered in PvP you'll be able to still have fun.

Will you be able to hit everything? No, don't expect to hit Shield-blocking tanks on a 2. It is fun though to proc a lighting-strike on them . . .

[khaldan]

If you're just going to do pvp, but are still willing to craft greensteel, a triple unholy bow is just absurd against paladins/anyone else who decided that being ___ good was a good idea.

I'd also suggest switching to TN if at all possible.

[Vynnt]

Something to think about.

You aren't fighting huge amounts of HP, just waiting for a Slaying arrow or Lightning Strike to go off. I would imagine you not needing as much Str. Dex is important so you can save versus reflex spells and increased to hit.

[Jacaroma]

The 5 helpful tips from The Best

1) Mantle of the Worldshaper
2) Triple Negative Longbow
3) Max Sprint Boost
4) 450 HP (You'll probally need 2 toughness feats with +6con/+2tome/GFL item/+45 from GS/+10 from GH)
5)Be able to have coordination to kite Greataxe swingers

[96th_Malice]

Got 13 arcane archers !!

All are fun and a great time in PvP !

[sirgog]

Consider a Disintegration bow (whatever/Evil Burst/whatever).

Solid damage against neutral characters, great damage against good-aligned characters, and a nearly-instakill proc that can't be mitigated by the Ring of the Djinni or Protection from Elements.

I also agree -high Dex is a must.

[h4x0r1f1c]

Arcane Archers don't PvP they ambush with Manyshot and Slayer Arrows then run out right away.

[toughguyjoe]

Arcane Archers don't PvP they PWN me and run away. I'm crying about it right now.

/Tissue

[Cetus]

/Tissue

lol

[Thaminor]

Sprint boosts are a must, as you can outdistance anyone with striders and pendant all stacking. Though I agree that coordination is the most important, you need to be able to stay out of melee range via jumping and shooting and make sure you always move laterally in respect to casters/other archers, otherwise a line shaped spell can one shot you. Mantle can't always be relied on this, though, as I think the spell absorption can be siphoned off by magic missile (hits mantle before shield spell).

[rjedi]

i didnt read much but it will be good if you name your toon dispelpwner

[nanobot1994]

/Tissue

You win, purely for letting me see his real post before the edit .

Also, I'm seriously hoping this isn't on Cannith, and as an extra bonus, on Sar.

I'm sure it'll be great fun, just remember in pvp, you don't win if you kill the other guy 500 times but he hasn't started swearing/rage-quitted yet .

[Merlocke]

/Tissue

rofl

[heyytoi]

snip...

il be waiting for you.

[jcTharin]

Please make this guy on Sarlona. I want to see a showdown between you and h4x0r1f1c, the most famous PvPer in DDO. An epic battle of arcane might.

It will probably be the most epic three seconds ever.

[AltheaSteelrain]

Please make this guy on Sarlona. I want to see a showdown between you and h4x0r1f1c, the most famous PvPer in DDO. An epic battle of arcane might.

It will probably be the most epic three seconds ever.

Please send my regards to the winner from Thelanis

[96th_Malice]

Arcane Archers don't PvP they ambush with Manyshot and Slayer Arrows then run out right away.

Not mine ...... this is what I like to do after ambushing

I jump around pointing and laughing while the target does the walk of shame back up the ladder and rez !!



j/k .. I dont ambush and I DONT leave the floor after a fight ( unless I am dead lol )

Just remember ..... if you get mad at me ..... I WIN !!

For the record ... all of the arcane archers that I pvp with on Khyber get their kills AND stay down on the kill floor. Manyshot or not we still have a pretty decent chance of dropping most toons. There are exceptions obviousley

Most of us AA types will just sprint boost BACKWARDS faster than any mellee can run forwards .... and well you sorc / caster types have some awesome spells BUT if you are arguing that slayer arrows are in fact unfair ..... Lets talk about sorcs FTS shall we ?

[Quarterling]

Arcane Archers don't PvP they ambush with Manyshot and Slayer Arrows then run out right away.

Warforged Casters don't PvP they camp at bottom and spam maximized/empowered/heightened/quickened spells and also power word stun then reconstruct to full hit points.

[Seamonkeysix]

All you need for an AA PvP toon is a greater construct bane bow, slayer arrow, and manyshot. Just ask our resident WF caster!