Black Arrow - AA/PM

[OldAquarian]

Arcane Archer + Pale Master
+1 DEX tome should be easy to find on AH - +2 INT tome is from 1750 favor
Minor sacrifices vs pure Wizard, but allows manyshot bursts to make SP stretch a bit
Listed key spells - Wall of Fire and Summons worth taking
(28 point build loses 2 CON)

Comments appreciated and welcome:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
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Black Arrow 
Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(2 Ranger \ 18 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 200
Spell Points: 1431 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 13
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    14
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         16                    26
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 20

Level 1 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Augment Summoning
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Spell (1): Summon Monster I


Level 2 (Wizard)


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Necromancy


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT


Level 5 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell
Spell (3): Summon Monster III
Spell (3): Haste


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


Level 7 (Wizard)
Spell (4): Wall of Fire


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Wizard)


Level 11 (Wizard)
Spell (5): Summon Monster V


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot


Level 13 (Wizard)
Spell (6): Summon Monster VI


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (7): Summon Monster VII


Level 16 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT


Level 17 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Empower Spell
Spell (8): Summon Monster VIII


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 19 (Wizard)
Spell (9): Summon Monster IX


Level 20 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation II
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation III
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Wizard Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar III
Enhancement: Wizard Subtle Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence III
Enhancement: Shroud of the Lich
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master I
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master II
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master III
Enhancement: Summon Blackbone Archer
Enhancement: Summon Frostmarrow Archer
Enhancement: Summon Skeleton Archer
Enhancement: Summon Blackbone Knight
Enhancement: Summon Frostmarrow Knight
Enhancement: Summon Skeletal Knight
Enhancement: Summon Blackbone Mage
Enhancement: Summon Frostmarrow Mage
Enhancement: Summon Skeletal Mage
Enhancement: Shroud of the Wraith

[Yoshikata]

I would ditch the Summon monster idea, they're not even worth having most the time at the right level and you've dipped. Augment Summon should be Extend or replaced with maximize/empower and change that feat to Spell Penetration, as it is your spells will have hard time landing because you multiclassed and even with the feats to up spell penetration you got a problem. Another problem is your lack of Wail of Banshee. There's no reason not to have it. Even with your DCs it should land decently end game. My Wiz/Rogue only had 1 higher DC then you and I could Wail of the Banshee just fine in IQ on elite aside from the actually dreaming dark creatures even those would still die often enough from it aside from Dream Reavers. Amarath is indeed a lost cause for wail but even for many pure wizards it is for necromacy unless your some crazy TR'd Necro wizard then yeeeah. You might wanna consider Ranger for your first level for the skill points too. Hope this helps you out.

[unbongwah]

OK, I presume you realize low BAB is one of this build's weaknesses and you plan to stock up on Divine Power clickies. But if not: hey, your BAB is t3h suck, go stock up on DP clickies, d00d!

Are you sure Pale Master is a better choice than Archmage? Much as I like the idea of an undead summoner / archer, in my experience most summons suck and die too quick to be of much help. Although I think I read they're getting a boost in U7, IIRC; has anyone tested them on Lamannia?

[ghettoGenius]

Are you sure Pale Master is a better choice than Archmage? Much as I like the idea of an undead summoner / archer, in my experience most summons suck and die too quick to be of much help. Although I think I read they're getting a boost in U7, IIRC; has anyone tested them on Lamannia?

Augment Summoning ... it's what's for dinner yo.

[OldAquarian]

I would ditch the Summon monster idea, they're not even worth having most the time at the right level and you've dipped. Augment Summon should be Extend or replaced with maximize/empower and change that feat to Spell Penetration, as it is your spells will have hard time landing because you multiclassed and even with the feats to up spell penetration you got a problem. Another problem is your lack of Wail of Banshee. There's no reason not to have it. Even with your DCs it should land decently end game. My Wiz/Rogue only had 1 higher DC then you and I could Wail of the Banshee just fine in IQ on elite aside from the actually dreaming dark creatures even those would still die often enough from it aside from Dream Reavers. Amarath is indeed a lost cause for wail but even for many pure wizards it is for necromacy unless your some crazy TR'd Necro wizard then yeeeah. You might wanna consider Ranger for your first level for the skill points too. Hope this helps you out.

Augment Summon seems to help PM alot - "Your summoned creatures, charmed minions, and hirelings have +4 to all ability scores, increased health, and increased fortification." - between skellies, summon monster, and charmed creatures (build assumes you take charm spells as well) - its a huge benefit - and wow, just noticed it buffs hirelings

I only listed some benchmark spells - have enough spare to afford Wail, amoung others. Thanks for pointing out how useful it is

Took Ranger levels after Wall of Fire - because skills aren't as important as having Wall of Fire as soon as possible - if you feel the loss - feel free to take ranger first - but this is a beginner friendly build and I think they will have a better time leveling in this order

[OldAquarian]

OK, I presume you realize low BAB is one of this build's weaknesses and you plan to stock up on Divine Power clickies. But if not: hey, your BAB is t3h suck, go stock up on DP clickies, d00d!

Are you sure Pale Master is a better choice than Archmage? Much as I like the idea of an undead summoner / archer, in my experience most summons suck and die too quick to be of much help. Although I think I read they're getting a boost in U7, IIRC; has anyone tested them on Lamannia?

Yes this build REQUIRES DP
11 BAB is useless for Manyshot

Yes, I think PM is a better choice - I'd probably stay pure for Archmage - and would more likely pick WF or Drow

[Elustra]

and wow, just noticed it buffs hirelings

ok now that I like

[unbongwah]

Augment Summoning

Already in the game, though maybe U7 makes it better. It does provide a nice "free" buff to summons, but it doesn't really deal with one of the glaring flaws of summons in DDO: they don't scale with caster level. My friend plays a rogue / wizard PM w/AS and finds his summons still die pretty quick, even with extra buffs.

[96th_Malice]

I tried a build of this type ...... although I only played it to mid lvl ... I seemed to loose to much of the "archer type" toon I enjoy playing so much

Although the spells were VERY cool !

/rerolled

I think if I could start the toon at about lvl 16 I would love it ....... the problem is i'd rather spend time on the pure archers and this end game pale master archer would never get played

Great idea though !!

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I tried a build of this type ...... although I only played it to mid lvl ... I seemed to loose to much of the "archer type" toon I enjoy playing so much

Although the spells were VERY cool !

/rerolled

I think if I could start the toon at about lvl 16 I would love it ....... the problem is i'd rather spend time on the pure archers and this end game pale master archer would never get played

Great idea though !!

There are so many builds I wish I could create at (near) cap.

It's just so hard to lvl up some, either because of multi-classing or feats that are needed to finally get the benefit or fun you want from the build.

A major problem from any non Rgr/Ftr ranged build....you dont get decent till right before cap...that's a long time to play/wait....

[96th_Malice]

A major problem from any non Rgr/Ftr ranged build....you dont get decent till right before cap...that's a long time to play/wait....

Agreed 100%

Time is the issue and finding time for each toon. To put this into perspective .... My first toon I rolled @ DDO launch ( Damiya ) just made lvl 20 last week.

Now I do have a toon that only a year old thats lvl 20 BUT you are correct in saying there is a long time to play/wait for your character to really develop !!

Then again I know of a SORC now whom is lvl 20 and I am pretty sure his toon is only 2-3 months old ! How the heck to peeps find time for that lol !!

[OldAquarian]

Keep in mind that aside from a 2 level detour after wall of fire .. this toon is a normal and competant wizard
And starting at level 10 has AA and Manyshot at 12,
not to Mention Pale master to keep it fun

There really isn't any defining skill or level to wait for

[mournbladereigns]

Keep in mind that aside from a 2 level detour after wall of fire .. this toon is a normal and competant wizard
And starting at level 10 has AA and Manyshot at 12,
not to Mention Pale master to keep it fun

There really isn't any defining skill or level to wait for

Fairly solid build, though I agree that Manyshot doesn't offer enough bang for the buck on this build. I have an 17wiz/rog2/1ftr Arcane ARcher build (listens for screams of GIMP!)), no PM/Archmage though (no room for SF's/Augment), For AA feats he'll have Point Blank Shot, WF:Ranged, Rapid Shot, and Improved Crit:ranged, he also has TWF, but I'll probably switch that out for Spell Pen, and take Greater Spell Pen at higher level (I like meleeing more at lower levels). Not taking manyshot, nor conjure +5/Terror or Slayer arrows. Cause they won't proc often enough without full manyshot (16+ bab), only about 9% of the time with double shot many shot. Not worthwhile compared to having a fully enhanced firewall with 18% crit chance with major lore item, etc. .

I'd agree with starting with ranger level first for better skills , it really doesn't take long to level up to 9, and you'll only have 1 level wait for FW (like a sorc). Also I'd dump manyshot and conisder dumping conjure +5/terror/slaying arrows, and max out your Fire/cold instead. I think that will give you best all around ability. Also, get a Silver bow, one of the best bows in the game +2 holy d10 base damge, 19-20/x3 (and not conisdered keen!). My wiz/rog really does some serious damage with it, and that's wihtout Imbues or Improved Crit yet. If you can grind out an Unwavering Ardency from Abbot, you'll do monster damage

# Unwavering Ardency - +3 Longbow (2d12 damage): Immunity to Fear, Cursespewing, Slowburst
and a quiver of alacrity to go with it.

I also have a PM with augment summon, and I think its definitely win, I run around with a small army of a hireling, pet and summon and do quite well.

for Meta My AA wiz has Extend, Enlarge, Empower, Maximize, Heighten, and Spell Pen.

Major Enhancements inlclude 2 levels of Max sp reduction, 1 empower, 1 heighten, I find that gives the most sp savings, important on wiz's

Also full Fire/cold amp, crit chance, and multiplier, and 1 level of spell pen enhancement

2 Racial toughness and 1 Toughness from fighter and 1 level of ranged/attack dmg

Plus he has all the trapmonkey goodies, maxed UMD for heal scrolls/Divine Power/Raise etc.


He's level 10 now (8wiz/2rog) he's pretty mean using a silver bow, and was decent at melee thanks to his ridiculously high str of 18 with 16base +2 super supreme tome, and solo's well. I might have to end up LRing him at cap to make him moar raid worthy, but he's fun to play

[sirdanile]

OK, I presume you realize low BAB is one of this build's weaknesses and you plan to stock up on Divine Power clickies. But if not: hey, your BAB is t3h suck, go stock up on DP clickies, d00d!

Are you sure Pale Master is a better choice than Archmage? Much as I like the idea of an undead summoner / archer, in my experience most summons suck and die too quick to be of much help. Although I think I read they're getting a boost in U7, IIRC; has anyone tested them on Lamannia?

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=276013

Ahem.

To the build, I don't like the hp total but it's workable, movement and self haste/displace really helps survival.

DP clickies or hope that tensers drops the casting loss.