Vengeful Phoenix (U7 Intimi-Solar Phoenix)

[Tobril]

Just to be clear I think the first build - the dps-focused one - that I posted would be better for most content. You could easily intimitank most stuff in the game just by leaning on the healing amp/dr/hp pool. The stuff where you couldn't do so would be stuff - like Horoth - we'll likely be dps'ing instead. That said, I think that second build gets the most defense out of this build we can comfortably get while still having at least some dps. While we could drop Toughness III & IV instead of the various Smite-based abilities (the AP works out the same) I think dropping 20hp's for a defensive-based build would be a mistake given what the current end-game looks like.

If you manage to tank horoth with your version let me know, as I am still trying to figure out how to make that happen with mine.

I think it's possible, but would be pretty hectic.

[Darkrok]

If you manage to tank horoth with your version let me know, as I am still trying to figure out how to make that happen with mine.

I think it's possible, but would be pretty hectic.

I was in the group with you last night for ToD (Tajawuka's one of my toons). You should have tanked Horoth (not that the tank we had wasn't just fine...I just would have liked to see it). It would take an active healer using a variety of heals (since they'd have some on cooldown) but I think you'd be pretty easy to heal on that. I like to alternate between capstone, heal, and heal scrolls on my favored soul and with the healing I get out of the capstone and scroll I think I could keep you topped off w/o using sp's. Only time I'd need to pop a heal on you would be if the scroll and the capstone were on CD. I wouldn't be letting you drop low enough that the capstone or scroll wouldn't be a full heal. Hopefully you cap and try it out before I TR my FvS to this build as I'd love to get a crack at healing you on Horoth.

[Hrum]

These phoenix type builds look very interesting to me. I have a capped bard and cleric and am looking into a DPS type character come U7. I dont really want to make a half-orc barb like everyone else will; but my question is, just how good is the DPS on these type builds? Primarily the most offensive one?

I think being a semi-intimitank is great. I remember grouping with a phoenix build character on my cleric and thought it was great because my healing aura provided enough healing to make all the damage he took meaningless!

Basically, will these builds warrant a DPS spot in groups or are they relegated to a tanking/low DPS role?

[Tobril]

These phoenix type builds look very interesting to me. I have a capped bard and cleric and am looking into a DPS type character come U7. I dont really want to make a half-orc barb like everyone else will; but my question is, just how good is the DPS on these type builds? Primarily the most offensive one?

I think being a semi-intimitank is great. I remember grouping with a phoenix build character on my cleric and thought it was great because my healing aura provided enough healing to make all the damage he took meaningless!

Basically, will these builds warrant a DPS spot in groups or are they relegated to a tanking/low DPS role?

DPS in longsword mode is pretty weak.

You can, however, use a standard khopesh setup against bosses that can't be effected by fists of light and still do pretty decent. Even with the -4 non-proficiency of certain versions of the build you should still hit harry/horoth/sulu just fine with raid/ship buffs.

[Tobril]

I was in the group with you last night for ToD (Tajawuka's one of my toons). You should have tanked Horoth (not that the tank we had wasn't just fine...I just would have liked to see it). It would take an active healer using a variety of heals (since they'd have some on cooldown) but I think you'd be pretty easy to heal on that. I like to alternate between capstone, heal, and heal scrolls on my favored soul and with the healing I get out of the capstone and scroll I think I could keep you topped off w/o using sp's. Only time I'd need to pop a heal on you would be if the scroll and the capstone were on CD. I wouldn't be letting you drop low enough that the capstone or scroll wouldn't be a full heal. Hopefully you cap and try it out before I TR my FvS to this build as I'd love to get a crack at healing you on Horoth.

I think I've figured out a way to do horoth via a combination of special purpose hate and no-fail intim gear. (thank you coin lords)

I'll try putting the stuff together and then see if anyone is crazy enough to let me try.

[Darkrok]

I think I've figured out a way to do horoth via a combination of special purpose hate and no-fail intim gear. (thank you coin lords)

I'll try putting the stuff together and then see if anyone is crazy enough to let me try.

I've healed no-amp barbarians sitting in the low-600's in health while fully raged. I'd have to heal you even more proactively than the barbs but at least my capstone and heal scrolls would always top you off.

[Valindria]

These phoenix type builds look very interesting to me. I have a capped bard and cleric and am looking into a DPS type character come U7. I dont really want to make a half-orc barb like everyone else will; but my question is, just how good is the DPS on these type builds? Primarily the most offensive one?

I think being a semi-intimitank is great. I remember grouping with a phoenix build character on my cleric and thought it was great because my healing aura provided enough healing to make all the damage he took meaningless!

Basically, will these builds warrant a DPS spot in groups or are they relegated to a tanking/low DPS role?

You'll notice the dps is bad. At least in my build (valtieri in sig) from levels ~13-17 it was rough at times. Gear and getting more paladin levels, zeal, DM III, exalted smite III, and gear has really helped out. The other thing I do is spam ki strikes like there is no tomorrow. DS, Smite, Void Strike, Earth, Lightning. It can be small amounts but every little bit helps.

These builds are a lot better for solo situations. Healing amp is wasted in areas where clerics do mass cures/heals anyway. The dps is not as good as a lot of DPS builds. It's a trade off for sure. I love my paladin but I know his dps is bad. The trade off is I can fully heal myself from a crit healing ki.

After u7 eventually my plan is to TR him into 15/3/2 paladin/monk/fighter. With intim as a class skill it will give a little more versatility.

[Dombre]

Are these builds still any good are there newer ones out? I am looking into go in a similar build thought plan here. Just wondering if these are still useable now or if they are out dated and there are better versions out there?

[Darkrok]

Are these builds still any good are there newer ones out? I am looking into go in a similar build thought plan here. Just wondering if these are still useable now or if they are out dated and there are better versions out there?

These builds are still good. They do what they do. As someone mentioned earlier in the thread they're much better for solo/short-man situations than in raids/epics. They're nearly unkillable - unfortunately they have trouble dps-ing their way out of a paper bag. They have to-hit issues. They have low damage issues. I've had fun with it (level 18 so far on a 15/3/2 build) but I'll be TR'ing eventually to a more dps-oriented build given the current state of the game. Being able to solo in Amrath on the strength of your healing amp alone is a cool trick and all but for me it doesn't make up for the fact that you can't kill anything. :P

Now I haven't gotten to play with the khopeshes as Tobril suggested earlier - I've been holding off on the khopesh/picks until level 19 when I can just summon some to play with. That might change things a bit but if I'm not happy with the dps at that point I'll take that wonderful past life-paladin and move on.

[Dombre]

Thank you Dark for your build. I know it wont be the best at end game but I am looking for a build for me and my girlfriend to run together and not really need much if anyone else. I am adjusting the build a little for more easy of use and dou for the two of us. Thank you again for the information and have a great day!

[Darkrok]

Thank you Dark for your build. I know it wont be the best at end game but I am looking for a build for me and my girlfriend to run together and not really need much if anyone else. I am adjusting the build a little for more easy of use and dou for the two of us. Thank you again for the information and have a great day!

No problem! It really shines in that type of situation. Also, it's very tight on enhancements and feats both which lends itself to variation...I know that Tobril's build wasn't nearly the same as mine (I'm actually playing Tobril's as I wanted a bit more dps than this one has) but any 12+ paladin, 3+ monk will fit the bill.

[EllisDee37]

How well does this build hold up since the expansion?

[slimkj]

I haven't got one. I have something similar, with fewer monk levels. My guess would be; this build is holding up better than my build due to the 7Mnk part. My 15/4/1 (currently at L15) just doesn't have the DPS output to take down self healing bosses on elite, sadly. I've parked him for now either waiting on Enh pass or to pike a cap off a guildie on a high DPS toon before TRing to Druid.

These guys are just about as survivable as they were before, but they struggle a little in the DPS department at mid-levels, I find. Once you get to EDs there's such a power jump no doubt their DPS improves radically.