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

[Thescalybard]

I actually just lesser res'd a ranger/monk build I'd been working on into this build. The original was made for guild RPing, but when I found this, it was easy to slightly modify the character's story to use this build instead of what I was attempting. A very nice, clean build that doesn't require a lot of epic-grade gear (though it's certainly nice when attainable).

I do have on question, how did you map out your enhancements? I've been fiddling with them for the past thirty minutes trying to figure out how you attained what's listed. (Of course, then I realized that AA doesn't actually kick until much later, but still.) She's level 7 at the moment, so I'd be curious to see what your enhancement break-down looks like.

Awesome build, thanks for sharing it.

[Dark-Star]

I’ve got a very similar build except its an Elf (before helf release) and I have the+6 ranged damage from 3xranger PL. I already had the gear so I went Kensei Rapier. My final Str/dex stats are a little more balanced than the Helves Angel. I’m going to TR one last time. I’m going to build a little closer to your Helves Angel except for I'm considering a few changes.

I’ll probably go Kensei Longbow and swap Pally PL & Extend for IC Slash & Kopesh This would give the ranged burst a little more oomph, as well as having a bigger impact to the 30 Dex-based to-hit vs the melee weapons that already have a huge bonus to hit because of the high Str. Without Kensei melee, there is no pressure to make a weapon choice. I can squeeze in IC Ranged, Slash and Pierce. I’ll be able to keep my rapiers for crit based attacks and alternately be able to use Kopesh or heavy picks depending on situation. Any thoughts?

Three comments:

Extended pali past life feat is equivelent to +6 str with melee weapons and bows, and +6 dex with regard to bow to-hit. Is dropping them really worth it?

I chose kensai for my melee weapons as that is what I use 100 out of every 120 seconds. To me it made more sense to go that way.

In regards to weapon type choice, if you had zero greensteels made, would you still go rapier? Khopeshes are nice, but cost a feat. I run almost exclusively epic content, so picks were an easy decision for me.

[Dark-Star]

I actually just lesser res'd a ranger/monk build I'd been working on into this build. The original was made for guild RPing, but when I found this, it was easy to slightly modify the character's story to use this build instead of what I was attempting. A very nice, clean build that doesn't require a lot of epic-grade gear (though it's certainly nice when attainable).

I do have on question, how did you map out your enhancements? I've been fiddling with them for the past thirty minutes trying to figure out how you attained what's listed. (Of course, then I realized that AA doesn't actually kick until much later, but still.) She's level 7 at the moment, so I'd be curious to see what your enhancement break-down looks like.

Awesome build, thanks for sharing it.

Glad you are enjoying the build.

As far as the enhancements while leveling up, I change them constantly to fit the gear I am wearing at the time, so listing them out by level would be a lot of work. What they look like at the end is what truly matters.

[xberto]

Three comments:

Extended pali past life feat is equivelent to +6 str with melee weapons and bows, and +6 dex with regard to bow to-hit. Is dropping them really worth it?

It's not worth dropping them. I'm not disputing your choice it's just I don't have Pally PL. Basically you covered me in your OP by substituting for Khoepsh and I just added the IC:slash

I chose kensai for my melee weapons as that is what I use 100 out of every 120 seconds. To me it made more sense to go that way.

I'm not sure Time is the best comparison for a melee weapon over a longbow. I'm getting 21-22 volleys in a hasted boosted manyshot with an aclairity item. Thats up to 88 stikes in 20 seconds. I'm not sure how many melee swings you'll get in a 100 sec time frame however I'm sure you'll pull ahead. My point being, the 100 to 20 second isn't really an accurate comparison. I think if you really want to have "single best burst DPS", yea only 20 secs, you need kensai longbow.

But yea Dark, it is a fine build you got there. I just wanted to share my experience with a build that is so similar. I'm on 4th TR with my archer now and if I can somehow summon the desire to do 2 more TR's, I will defiantly go pally then back to Helves Angel

[xberto]

Ah hell! I may as well do it. To do it as Dark put it together, I need the Pally past life. Anyone seen a good TWF Paladin Arcane Archer build for all the Archers that need the PL? I hate to run 4,378,500xp without my bows. I come up with this, on the fly, but maybe there is something else out there.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Male
(6 Fighter \ 8 Paladin \ 6 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 310
Spell Points: 225 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 22
Reflex: 19
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            18                    23
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             14                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


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


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II


Level 11 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows


Level 13 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Saves Boost I
Enhancement: Follower of the Silver Flame
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I


Level 14 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows


Level 16 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I


Level 17 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II


Level 19 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 20 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II

[drac317]

Three ranger lives would be extremely nice, but I'll leave that for someone with more leveling endurance than I have.

lvl 8 of life 2 atm. wouldnt be so bad if i didnt have to work all this **** OT.

[thatotherdude]

why is icritierce still in this build? bossbeaters are going to be mintus while everything else should be autocrit. freeing up that feat lets you drop extend and plali (its really +1 to hit and +2 to damage in a group where a divine hands out the mass combat buffs), grab 2 levels of barb with a pl and hit +8str rages for "moar dps". rages with your modifed con would be (18+6*15)*1.25+18+6*15=4minutes, with 2 or 3 rages depending on fb set or not.

issues? besides losing evasion (yawn) and solid blunt dps (less yawn but str is better imo).

[Dark-Star]

Very good questions.

While one cold use Min2's, I do not. I use Lightning Strike 2 heavy picks for most everything, and for hard/elite devils some loot-genned +5 Holy Silver/CI of X effect picks.

Paladin past life feat is Divine Favor, which cannot be cast by a cleric or favored soul onto you. It is a self-cast only spell that provides +3 to-hit and +3 to damage as it tops out.

As to the barbarian past life feat, while nice in its current incarnation, the devs have stated that it is not working as intended and likely will be fixed. This build won't base it's class splashes around something that will more than likely be changed shortly.

Even if one did splash the barb and gambled that the PLF will not be changed, you are trading 15+ mins of +3/+3, for 8-12 minutes of +4/+4. Being raged also does not let one click multiple pairs of Madstone boots, situationally losing you +1/+1. You also give up Icritierce, forcing the use of Min2's inferior DPS, or having less DPS on LS2s due to no improved crit as all monsters are not auto-crit 100% of the time. Lastly while I agree evasion is not make or break, if it's a choice of having it or not having it, I'll take it.

[Nick_RC]

Very good questions.

Paladin past life feat is Divine Favor, which cannot be cast by a cleric or favored soul onto you. It is a self-cast only spell that provides +3 to-hit and +3 to damage as it tops out.

I think hes referring to prayer giving +1 luck hit and dmg making DF only +2/+2 with a pali/divine around. Im hazy but does recitation give +2 to hit luck that gives the +1/+2 he is talking about?

[sephiroth1084]

I think hes referring to prayer giving +1 luck hit and dmg making DF only +2/+2 with a pali/divine around. Im hazy but does recitation give +2 to hit luck that gives the +1/+2 he is talking about?

Yup.

Prayer + Recitation = +2 attack, +1 damage, which means DF is +1 attack, +2 damage when getting buffed vs. the bonuses of the barbarian PL feat that applies irrespective of party make-up or buffs.

Personally, I'd still probably go with the paladin PL since it isn't dependent upon a different class breakdown and because even with 3 clerics in a group, I find that I often go long stretches without Recitation and Prayer, even when I'm the main raid tank with AC.

[Nick_RC]

Yup.

Prayer + Recitation = +2 attack, +1 damage, which means DF is +1 attack, +2 damage when getting buffed vs. the bonuses of the barbarian PL feat that applies irrespective of party make-up or buffs.

Personally, I'd still probably go with the paladin PL since it isn't dependent upon a different class breakdown and because even with 3 clerics in a group, I find that I often go long stretches without Recitation and Prayer, even when I'm the main raid tank with AC.

Agreed I woudlnt pass it up either. I try to keep my dps from the bard and myself only - divines often have other things to worry about if you even have one. Recently I prefer running with a spellsing in place of a healer for alot of non raids.

N

[xberto]

[B][U] 62 Str: 18 +5 level ups +3 tome +6 item +3 ftr +1 racial +8 Power Surge +2 rage spell +2 Madstone +2 Ram's Might +2 Yugo pot +2 ship +3 exceptional +3 Abashi's= 62

I've been ogling this build for quite some time but I can never get these Strength number to add up to 62. Is there something missing?

[Dark-Star]

Thanks for the catch, 2 too many, will adjust.

[direwolf33]

I'm curious, what is the point of the arcane archer before you get to the slayer arrows?

[sephiroth1084]

I'm curious, what is the point of the arcane archer before you get to the slayer arrows?

Still better ranged DPS and unlimited free arrows.

[Estandar]

It looks like a tight build, I have a paladin that I might want to tr into this.

Would anyone want to give some examples of an equipment loadout that might be acceptable replacements for all that epic chronoscope gear?

As an alt of mine hes not exactly the most geared toon. =-( and I dont have access to any way of getting epic gear.

But it would give me an idea of what to farm out so I can wear it as I hit the appropriate level.

[Dark-Star]

Sure:

Armor: Dragon Touched (anything you like here, guards are good)
Goggles: Tharnes/Goggles of Intuition, shroud Teir 2 hit point item (air/air or earth/earth)
Bracers: Wind Howler or normal Claw
Gloves: Charged Guantlets or normal Claw
Helm: Minos Legens
Belt: any of the belts from Amrath with GFL and +6 con
Ring 1: +6 strength
Ring 2: +6 dex
Cloak: +4 resist, Mabar event cloak, Mantle of the World Shaper
Trinket: Voice of the Master
Neck: Anger's Gift (from Korthos, the +2 to-hit still stacks)
Boots: Anger's Gift

Bow: Silver Bow and greater banes

Picks: Maiming Rocksplitters, Holy burst of X, Elemental Burst of Pure Good, greater banes, Shroud teir 2 holy of shocking burst

All of this should be easily obtainable from farming a few quests or hitting the Auction House, then you can swap out your gear as you upgrade.

Even in basic gear I think you will find the build to be very powerful; the epic items just takes it one step above, and the template in the original post gives you something to shoot for.

[Estandar]

Thats a brilliant list, and easily achievable. Many thanks for the information and of course the quick reply.

[Thescalybard]

Sure:

Armor: Dragon Touched (anything you like here, guards are good)
Goggles: Tharnes/Goggles of Intuition, shroud Teir 2 hit point item (air/air or earth/earth)
Bracers: Wind Howler or normal Claw
Gloves: Charged Guantlets or normal Claw
Helm: Minos Legens
Belt: any of the belts from Amrath with GFL and +6 con
Ring 1: +6 strength
Ring 2: +6 dex
Cloak: +4 resist, Mabar event cloak, Mantle of the World Shaper
Trinket: Voice of the Master
Neck: Anger's Gift (from Korthos, the +2 to-hit still stacks)
Boots: Anger's Gift

Bow: Silver Bow and greater banes

Picks: Maiming Rocksplitters, Holy burst of X, Elemental Burst of Pure Good, greater banes, Shroud teir 2 holy of shocking burst

All of this should be easily obtainable from farming a few quests or hitting the Auction House, then you can swap out your gear as you upgrade.

Even in basic gear I think you will find the build to be very powerful; the epic items just takes it one step above, and the template in the original post gives you something to shoot for.

I was actually about to ask about gear, but apparently someone already beat me to it. Still, I have a few I'm hoping you could answer. My build has about to hit level 12, and I've been looking at disruption/banishing weapons, since a lot of the quests I'm running are heavy in undead or devils/beholders (Caverns of Korromar, most House J quests on elite, etc.). However, right now I have a +5 cold iron rapier of pure goodness and a +4 icy burst short sword in off-hand (oh, and +4 thundering bow of pure good). Most the disruption/banishing weapons I'm finding are only in the +1/+2 range. Would it be worth investing in these type weapons, or better to keep what I have now?

Also, and this is probably a stupid question, I blame it on the sleep meds still fogging my brain, but when people talk about green-steels and the Shroud, I'm guessing it's not the Shroud quest in House P where you have to stop the Drow and protect the Venerated?

Main reasons I ask is because my guild is small, it's usually only me and my friend running quests with hirelings, and even when we reach 20, I don't foresee a lot if any epics in the gaming future, so I'm just trying to get the best gear I can, keeping in mind that unless I get really luck and find a PuG doing a raid, probably won't be doing raids at all. (My friend has suggested doing Chronoscope on casual, but I'm not sure two-manning that, even on casual, at level 12, would be a good idea.

Anyways, any suggestions regarding the banishing/disrupting weapons would be greatly appreciated... and maybe pointin' me in the right direct for green-steel stuff.

Oh, and before I forget, the build has been a helluva lot of fun to play. My buddy runs a rogue, and with a couple hirelings, we do pretty well over all, depending on the quest. Thanks again for posting it!

[Dark-Star]

At level 12, disruption weapons are going to be pretty good. Once you hit about 16 or so, not so much anymore, or if you are running quests more on elite.

Banishers work all the way up to epic, most of the time.

So yes, both are good to have, as are vorpals, smiters and paralyzers.

Greensteel items are made from the ingredients you get from running quests in the Vale. Thoese create a base item of your choice that you can upgrade using ingredients you get from the Shroud raid, also in the Vale.

Get a few more levels and gear and experience and I am sure you'll do fine raiding.

Glad you like the build and thanks for the questions.