Barbarian Trapper

[Albernon]

I am trying to build a Barbarian Trapper.
My plan for this build is to have a character that is more effective at combat then a rogue, but less then a standard barbarian. The biggest weakness of this character is his lack of combat feats.

Start as a human rogue- skill points in disable open spot search and any eight other skills you want.

Starter Feats: Alertness and Nimble Hand
LvL 1 Stats 32 pt build

Str: 16
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 16 (as a human barbarian allows 8 skill points per level or four ranks of big four)
Will: 8
Chr: 8

Lvl 2 Rogue to add evasion

Lvl 3-20 Barbarian

Lvl 3 Feat-Toughness

Lvl 6 Feat- Skill Focus Search

Lvl 9 Feat- Skill Focus Spot

Lvl 12 Feat Skill Focus Disable

Lvl 15 Feat Power Attack

Lvl 18 Feat Cleave (To eventually be able to become frenzied Berserker)

I am looking for comments and recommendations

[DrNuegebauer]

I am looking for comments and recommendations

So it's clearly a joke right?

Otherwise it's terrible as it stands.


If you are serious:

(1) Don't take skill focus feats - you simply won't need them.
(2) Since you'll have 8 feats, simply stick with the full 2HF line, pick up stunning blow, IC, PAtt, Cleave and toughness
(3) save your 2nd rogue level until 8-10 at the earliest. You won't need it any sooner than that - and it'll help you catch up on some skills (balance?)
(4) 14 int will get you by as a starting amount - bargain on buying and eating a +2 tome at 7 to give those extra skill points.
(5) UMD is your friend. I see no reason to splash rogue for traps - take it for the UMD!
(6) Open Locks is not required - take it to 8-10 ranks absolute max.
(7) Spot is also unrequired - at most take half a rank each barbar level.

S 17
D 13
Cn 15
I 14
W 8
Ch 8

Skill points: DD x2, UMD x2, Search x2, plus 1 more rank for whatever you want really (2 more after 7).

[QuantumFX]

The biggest mistake you’re making is that you’re going overboard with the skills. Most of your trap busting skills can be handled via gear, a decent investment of skill points, buffs and a temporary skill boost (Human Versatility in your case.)

If you can, invest in a +2 INT tome (Via the Auction House or the DDO store.), drop your starting INT down to 14 and put off your 2nd level of rogue until level 8. Also, the Skill Focus feats are unnecessary.

[unbongwah]

The only skills you have to have as a trapmonkey are Search & Disable; Spot is helpful (esp. for first-timers who don't know where all the traps are), but not necessary; likewise it's good to have at least half-ranks in Open Lock. But don't neglect UMD either!

Nobody ever recommends the trap-skill-boosting feats because they're unnecessary; DPS feats are usually far more useful. You'll rely on items & buffs to boost your skills, not feats or base stats. Consult this for more info.

Here's a build which will do what you want without sacrificing nearly as much DPS as your build. 23 ranks in Search, Disable, UMD; 17 ranks in Spot; 8 ranks in Open Lock. [Taking a +2 INT tome at lvl 7 would let you bump up Spot and/or OL higher.] Could dump-stat DEX for more CON: lower AC (irrelevant) & Reflex saves for higher HPs and slightly longer Rage. Lvl 18 feat is up for debate, too.

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

Level 20 True Neutral Human Female
(18 Barbarian \ 2 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 380
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 10
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    24
Dexterity            12                    12
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         14                    14
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                     5
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         2                     3
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device        6                    25
Haggle                3                     3
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  1                     1
Intimidate            3                     3
Jump                  8                    11
Listen                3                     3
Move Silently         1                     1
Open Lock             5                     9
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     2
Search                6                    25
Spot                  3                    16
Swim                  4                     7
Tumble                5                     5
Use Magic Device      3                    22

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 2 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 3 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 5 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 6 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 7 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+7)


Level 9 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 13 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow


Level 19 (Barbarian)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Damage Reduction II
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Hardy Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage II
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage III
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Rage IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker I
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker II
Enhancement: Barbarian Frenzied Berserker III
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution II
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness II
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness III
Enhancement: Barbarian Improved Trap Sense I

[JollySwagMan]

Nothing wrong with a Rogue-splashed Barbarian. UMD and Evasion are an excellent counterpoint to the Barb's weaknesses (lack of healing ability and those pesky traps that punish a careless playstyle).

However you want to be a trapsmith as well - as others have said this is mostly gear/buff dependent. Feats like Nimble Hands or Skill Focus: Search are literally 'trap' feats, and not worth taking due to the range of buffs available to trapsmiths.

With a Human Barbarian I'd consider dumping Dex and taking Insightful Reflexes. 18 Str/14 Con/16 Int, with enough skillpoints to max Search, Disable, UMD and Spot*. Feats would be the same as those Unbongwah listed, however I'd drop the Two-Handed Fighting line - and put Improved Trip in (requires Combat Expertise).

*I mentioned Spot because if you don't already know where traps are, it's pretty useful. It's also nice being able to see enemies before you've run into them. Monk and Ranger are also melee classes you can splash Rogue levels on, and would allow you to put points into Spot as a class skill.

[unbongwah]

The THF feats have been modified to boost glancing blow dmg: 20% of base weapon dmg + 10% for each THF feat; so my build will do 50% dmg on glancing blows at lvl 12+. IMHO, that's enough extra DPS to justify the feats, but I haven't yet had a chance to see them in action.