Helves Angel: A Burst DPS Build (12ftr/6Rgr/2Monk)

[aristarchus1000]

I'm currently prepping a character to TR into this build, but I had some questions.

Dark-Star mentioned that the khopesh vs picks (deathnips) vs unarmed are pretty similar DPS, but that appears to be from before update 9. Any thoughts on that now, particularly after Update 11 when the fortification of bosses will go up? Is there anyway you can provide your dps calculation notes?

I have lit2 khopeshes built anyway, so it will be nice for leveling from level 12+, but I'm considering swapping out the feat and going unarmed after level 18, when I can use bursting rings from ToD. Full strength bonus to both hands, no to-hit penalty, and faster unarmed attack rate with rogue dilly, and good damage against fortified mobs seems appealing. If dps was similar before, then one would think unarmed will pull ahead now.

[FengXian]

I am strongly considering this build for my 4th life (3x ranger so far), but yeah, Unarmed looks like the best option now considering new boss fort and alchemical handwraps.

However, at this point, would it be worth to undertake a monk life for the monk active PL bonus to unarmed damage?

Also, how about a pure ranged version of the build? maybe replacing the melee focused skills like PA, IC:slash/blunt, GTWF, WF: slash/blunt with extra toughesses, dragonmarks maybe? etc...


I would be more oriented towards ranged+handwraps, but I would feel the need to run a monk life before and I don't wanna XD

So I'd like to know what you guys think about pure ranged with the new PBS/rapid shot changes (kensei: longbow), could it be viable to completely forsake the melee side or would it be too reckless? Should I wait for the new single-target ranged stance before trying something like that?

[giggiddy]

I'm currently running this build right now as my 3rd lifer but have run into a problem.

I went 6 ranger with all the proper feats taken
On my 1st monk level I took toughness instead of power attack. Now at level 8 and about to use my 2nd monk level it will not let me take power attack! Did I screw the pooch on taking power attack or what? All the feats it wants me to take are worthless for this build and I am not going to take a 2nd toughness. Considering taking a fighter level at 8 and then maybe monk at 9?

[altrocks]

I am strongly considering this build for my 4th life (3x ranger so far), but yeah, Unarmed looks like the best option now considering new boss fort and alchemical handwraps.

However, at this point, would it be worth to undertake a monk life for the monk active PL bonus to unarmed damage?

Also, how about a pure ranged version of the build? maybe replacing the melee focused skills like PA, IC:slash/blunt, GTWF, WF: slash/blunt with extra toughesses, dragonmarks maybe? etc...


I would be more oriented towards ranged+handwraps, but I would feel the need to run a monk life before and I don't wanna XD

So I'd like to know what you guys think about pure ranged with the new PBS/rapid shot changes (kensei: longbow), could it be viable to completely forsake the melee side or would it be too reckless? Should I wait for the new single-target ranged stance before trying something like that?

This is meant mostly as a good melee DPS build with reliable burst DPS from Manyshot. Full ranged builds are out there and definitely worth a look, but personally, I like 20 Ranger AA for ranged combat. It's fairly versatile on its own, though not as min/maxed as this build. :-)

[aristarchus1000]

I am strongly considering this build for my 4th life (3x ranger so far), but yeah, Unarmed looks like the best option now considering new boss fort and alchemical handwraps.

However, at this point, would it be worth to undertake a monk life for the monk active PL bonus to unarmed damage?

Also, how about a pure ranged version of the build? maybe replacing the melee focused skills like PA, IC:slash/blunt, GTWF, WF: slash/blunt with extra toughesses, dragonmarks maybe? etc...


I would be more oriented towards ranged+handwraps, but I would feel the need to run a monk life before and I don't wanna XD

So I'd like to know what you guys think about pure ranged with the new PBS/rapid shot changes (kensei: longbow), could it be viable to completely forsake the melee side or would it be too reckless? Should I wait for the new single-target ranged stance before trying something like that?

The commonly held belief is that the rate of fire of bows results in a dps rate that is too low to be useful when manyshot is on cooldown. The OP has stated in the past that a fully-ranged character is not optimal, in his mind. Turbine has been asked to fix this situation for some time. Don't blame us, blame Turbine.

It might be worth looking at the calculations here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=246964, but it is worth noting that DPS for ranged combat is pretty low compared to even a mediocre melee build. While there are certainly situations where dps can be useful (especially with IPS and smart play, lining up targets).

[freekay]

My toon Soaked has 2 monk PLs and has just capped with this level split/race (I actually didn't even know that this thread existed when I was planning her life). I did things a little differently because I went down the handwraps/zen archery/stunning fist/AA path. At L18 I was pulling aggro from the Shadow boss in ToD (a day prior to U11). At L20 (after U11), I ran an eChrono, gave the tank AND the dps party a 20 second head start on the last boss and I STILL managed to rip aggro

In short, I LOVE THIS BUILD! (Feel free to MyDDO Soaked of Cannith if you want to see my stats/gear)

[Dark-Star]

BTW Dark, great build...I've been moving some enhancements/feats around to suit my needs, but the overall concept is the same. Tons of fun to play

Thanks!

This build can be modified to suit your style of play. I have several friends that have experimented with more melee based versions, and had great success and fun. Some have come back to the original after trying out other ways to go. Glad you are enjoying it.

[Dark-Star]

I have selected this build as the 3rd (and final for a while) life for my main. He was life one ranger, and I had planned on the current life being monk. I can however use a Lesser Reinc. to make life 2 whatever I want.

My question is this:

With the new and improved bosses making for longer battles, is my 15 minutes of +3 to hit and damage still the best route, or should I grab another ranger PL for the persistant +2 damage to ranged? Or monk for +1 to ranged and melee?

I am thinking Pally is where its at, Healing amp won't hurt either, but you guys have alot more experience with where the games going. Is the Pally PL still good for the new endurance contests?

Edit: My other thought about another PL ranger over pally is that it frees 2 feats to use for Khopesh(i have lit2) and something else.

I like Pali past life. Hard to beat 15+ mins of +3 to hit and damage, over just +2 to ranged damage. The cool things is, we are talking about a passive past life vs. an active. You can go three ranger past lives, and still take one pali past life for the active feat.

[Dark-Star]

I'm currently prepping a character to TR into this build, but I had some questions.

Dark-Star mentioned that the khopesh vs picks (deathnips) vs unarmed are pretty similar DPS, but that appears to be from before update 9. Any thoughts on that now, particularly after Update 11 when the fortification of bosses will go up? Is there anyway you can provide your dps calculation notes?

I have lit2 khopeshes built anyway, so it will be nice for leveling from level 12+, but I'm considering swapping out the feat and going unarmed after level 18, when I can use bursting rings from ToD. Full strength bonus to both hands, no to-hit penalty, and faster unarmed attack rate with rogue dilly, and good damage against fortified mobs seems appealing. If dps was similar before, then one would think unarmed will pull ahead now.

All three are still viable, and with fort going up on bosses, they are closer now in DPS than pre-U11, with wraps gaining the most due to the ~12.5% inherent attack speed, and the unreal Alchemical wraps we can make now, assuming they work .

If you have Lit2's made already, I'd stick to whatever weapon class you have now, unless you are swimming in large scales.

[Dark-Star]

I am strongly considering this build for my 4th life (3x ranger so far), but yeah, Unarmed looks like the best option now considering new boss fort and alchemical handwraps.

However, at this point, would it be worth to undertake a monk life for the monk active PL bonus to unarmed damage?

Also, how about a pure ranged version of the build? maybe replacing the melee focused skills like PA, IC:slash/blunt, GTWF, WF: slash/blunt with extra toughesses, dragonmarks maybe? etc...


I would be more oriented towards ranged+handwraps, but I would feel the need to run a monk life before and I don't wanna XD

So I'd like to know what you guys think about pure ranged with the new PBS/rapid shot changes (kensei: longbow), could it be viable to completely forsake the melee side or would it be too reckless? Should I wait for the new single-target ranged stance before trying something like that?

Unarmed with an active monk past life is an idea to consider. Depends on what feat you feel that you can drop. Stunning blow just became very good again with the teir 1 alchemical Earth crafting.

One more note on unarmed. You will want to have bursting rings, which means finding another place for your +2 exceptional strength, and Cape of the Roc is it, now taking up your cloak slot. If you want to use the new Fabricator's Bracers, then you have to find a slot for +2 exceptional con, or have 20 less hps. Unarmed also loses the Ravager proc, substituting it for+2 damage from the encrusted set. For the new raids, at least on Epic, having fat hps is close to a must. It's easy to get carried away with max DPS, but there are times when having a lot of hps is at least as important.

To answer your question, this is not a ranged build. Pure ranged builds (until ranged combat is fiddled with) are sub-optimal DPS. This is a burst DPS melee build that uses the highest non-spell damage for 20 seconds out of every 120.

[krackythehoodedone]

I was just wondering Dark has anyone actually finished off this build yet.

I know it is a big ask in terms of Tr's and equipment grind

Maybe the new Alchy Bow will get round having to grind for E Thorn & E Mari

I can count on one finger the number of ranged builds who have that on our server atm

How far have you got

[freekay]

which means finding another place for your +2 exceptional strength

TBH Dark, at 20, your to-hit with this build/gear combo is already redOnculous and you can afford to lose 1 to hit and dmg. I'm currently working on a pair of the new Lit2 wraps, and when I get those, I'll be able to craft +2 Con on my ring, and replace my old Shocking Burst - I'll still definitely keep my Holy Burst for bypassing. Looking at having the Kyosho set, Encrusted Set, Red Helm, and Both Mroranons to switch around depending on whether I'm looking to stun or not Did I mention that I love this build? :P

[Dark-Star]

I was just wondering Dark has anyone actually finished off this build yet.

I know it is a big ask in terms of Tr's and equipment grind

Maybe the new Alchy Bow will get round having to grind for E Thorn & E Mari

I can count on one finger the number of ranged builds who have that on our server atm

How far have you got

To really complete it takes a lot of work in both gear and past lives. Aygo on Khyber has done a ton of it, as have other Revenents. Not sure if they have the epic Thornlord or not.

Personally my version, Duality of Man, has been fortunate in gear: Red Scale armor and helm, epic Claw set, epic Thornlord, etc. Too bad his MYDDO won't update. I have a long way to go in my goals for the new alchemical weapons, and may switch some gear around to try out the new Fabricator's Bracers and increase hps some. As far as past lives, unfortunately I am a working bloke and TRs come slower for me.

[altrocks]

To really complete it takes a lot of work in both gear and past lives. Aygo on Khyber has done a ton of it, as have other Revenents. Not sure if they have the epic Thornlord or not.

Personally my version, Duality of Man, has been fortunate in gear: Red Scale armor and helm, epic Claw set, epic Thornlord, etc. Too bad his MYDDO won't update. I have a long way to go in my goals for the new alchemical weapons, and may switch some gear around to try out the new Fabricator's Bracers and increase hps some. As far as past lives, unfortunately I am a working bloke and TRs come slower for me.

The bracers don't seem to be proccing for my AA in ranged combat, and only rarely in melee. I think they may be broken, so you might want to wait to see if they're fixed before trying to fit them in. Just an FYI.

[Alkindus]

I've been planning on Tring my twf into one of these to try out its viability in LoB since ranged is pretty helpful with pillars and whatnot. My only issue is fitting in khopesh prof. Yes, I know a lot say it's not needed but even fully geared his to hit isn't where I want him to be given the LoB's ac. So, since he's pretty much designed for that raid primarily, and more appropriate people can take care of the trash. I am thinking about dropping improved precise shot for khopesh prof, and dropping dex from 17 to 15 and picking up more str/con.
Does this seem viable? I don't really care about trash as I said. Am I missing something here that would make this a poor decision?

[grodon9999]

I've been planning on Tring my twf into one of these to try out its viability in LoB since ranged is pretty helpful with pillars and whatnot. My only issue is fitting in khopesh prof. Yes, I know a lot say it's not needed but even fully geared his to hit isn't where I want him to be given the LoB's ac. So, since he's pretty much designed for that raid primarily, and more appropriate people can take care of the trash. I am thinking about dropping improved precise shot for khopesh prof, and dropping dex from 17 to 15 and picking up more str/con.
Does this seem viable? I don't really care about trash as I said. Am I missing something here that would make this a poor decision?

Improved Precise Shot is so good that I couldn't ponder NOT having it on an AA.

[Alkindus]

Improved Precise Shot is so good that I couldn't ponder NOT having it on an AA.

But why, the only benefit would be for trash, right? I'm not sold either way, I'm just trying to gather information to make a good decision. I Can live without khopesh prof. since I do have some fighter pls + the active pala pl. But, if improved precise shot had no gains in the scenario I described then I'd be better served w/ khopesh.

[Dark-Star]

Quote:
Originally Posted by grodon9999
Improved Precise Shot is so good that I couldn't ponder NOT having it on an AA.

But why, the only benefit would be for trash, right? I'm not sold either way, I'm just trying to gather information to make a good decision. I Can live without khopesh prof. since I do have some fighter pls + the active pala pl. But, if improved precise shot had no gains in the scenario I described then I'd be better served w/ khopesh.

I agree completely. I used to be a IPS doubter, but no longer. It makes this build incredibly powerful on Many Shots. There are a ton of creative ways to use it in the new raids.

I'd drop Qucik Draw or Stunning Blow before I'd drop IPS. You don't need ewp: khop though, just have someone use improved destruction, or start off with your Epic Shatterbow as you close the distance.

[grodon9999]

But why, the only benefit would be for trash, right? I'm not sold either way, I'm just trying to gather information to make a good decision. I Can live without khopesh prof. since I do have some fighter pls + the active pala pl. But, if improved precise shot had no gains in the scenario I described then I'd be better served w/ khopesh.

Even on my Tempest rangers the burst damage of IPS is absurdly good, I built them lightning bows just to take advantage of this.

[Alkindus]

Cool, thanks guys, I appreciate the incite