Dead Meat (Undead Wiz/Mnk tank)

[krisz93]

U9 version here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=308813


OUTDATED


I've been messing with combinations of Pale Master and Unarmed Monk for a while, PM bonuses were screaming for a multiclass build. Tried to make DPS builds combining real fast unarmed combat and the survival of PM II. (Wounding means 1d8 negative damage with a 11 Will DC o.o) Unfortunately all of the splits failed so far, had to realise it would not stand a chance compared to cookie cutter builds.

OK so there i was with half a dozen gimps deleted, no success. They had low necromancy DCs, low spell points and weak melee damage. Actually all i had was great survivability. I did not die, but also didn't contribute that much during the quests..

Wait a sec.. Lower DPS but high survivability? Sounds like a tank to me. Efficient self buffing and acceptable self sufficiency with the stacked bonuses from Monk and PM II forms must not be so bad. Let's get down to business.


12 Levels of Wizard provide nice extended buffs, enough skill points, self healing and Pale Master with its two forms.
(Giving you epic looks)
I chose 6 levels of Monk for Ninja spy, providing Shadow Fade, Evasion, melee DPS (Shortswords) with the necessary AC.
This way i could fit in 2 levels of paladin to get enough Intimidate and to boost up saves a little with Divine Grace.



Here comes the build

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

Dead Meat
Level 20 Lawful Good Drow Male
(2 Paladin \ 6 Monk \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 270
Spell Points: 806 
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 17
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    14
Dexterity            16                    22
Constitution         14                    15
Intelligence         14                    18
Wisdom               10                    14
Charisma             10                    12

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 4
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 4
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 15

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    19
Bluff                 0                     1
Concentration         6                    29
Diplomacy             0                     1
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                0                     2
Heal                  0                     2
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate            2                    24
Jump                  6                     8
Listen                0                     4
Move Silently         3                     8
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     4
Search                2                     6
Spot                  4                    14
Swim                  2                     2
Tumble                7                    13
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Paladin)


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat
Spell (1): Feather Fall
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Mage Armor
Spell (1): Shield


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Spell (1): Nightshield
Spell (1): Burning Hands


Level 5 (Wizard)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Flaming Sphere


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Necromancy
Spell (2): Lesser Death Aura
Spell (2): Resist Energy


Level 7 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (3): Haste


Level 8 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Spell (3): Protection From Energy
Spell (3): Summon Monster III


Level 9 (Wizard)
Spell (4): Death Aura
Spell (4): Negative Energy Burst


Level 10 (Wizard)
Spell (4): Summon Monster IV
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 11 (Wizard)
Spell (5): Protection From Elements
Spell (5): Summon Monster V


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (5): Teleport
Spell (5): Waves of Fatigue


Level 13 (Wizard)
Spell (6): Tenser's Transformation
Spell (6): Create Undead


Level 14 (Wizard)
Spell (6): Summon Monster VI
Spell (6): Undead to Death


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge


Level 17 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Paladin Saves Boost I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Attack II
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Follower of Vulkoor
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Porous Soul
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Adept of Rock
Enhancement: Adept of Rain
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence III
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Shroud of the Lich
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master I
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master II
Enhancement: Shroud of the Wraith

As you can see i did not use a 32p or higher build, nor any +2/+3 tomes (which could improve the stats for sure).
I know the HP could be a bit higher but do not forget the buffs. As a Wizard you have access to Shield, Mage Armor, Protection from Elements.

DPS has nothing to brag about, but it is decent compared to other tanks. Tenser's transformation grants useful stat enhancements, +4 natural AC, +5 Fortitude save and 20 BAB, but it will most likely be replaced by Divine Power clickies because of its backdraw prohibiting casting.

Monk stances
I could use either Mountain Stance for the increased Con and DR, gaining ki would not be a problem at all.

Another possibility is Ocean stance (mostly in Wraith form), it grants 1 more AC from the Wisdom bonus, another +4 while tumbling, and +3 (+4 compared to Mountain Stance) to saves.

Pale Master Forms

Both of them grand 100% fortification, and undead traits (making you immune to pretty much everything :P) i will decide which one to use mainly depending on their effectivenes.

Lich form grants +4 to Constitution, +2 to INT, +2 to WIS (+1 AC), +2 to CHA (+1 to all saves). Attacks against you also have a 10% chance to grant +30 temporary HP. Seems like a no-brainer, click it and go.

But let's not forget about Wraith form.
While it does not provide you neither the stat bonuses, nor the temporary HP, it has 25% incorporeality. Monk's ki ability, Shadow Fade provides another 25%(****, why didn't i get that Cloak of Night). If these two stack like fortification, your enemy will have a really hard time hitting you with your extended Displacement/Blur. If all these are stacked up, the major threat would be spells, that's where evasion and Reflex saves come in, which is now increased by DEX modifier, CHA modifier and further by Ocean Stance.

[BananaHat]

I don't think the incorporeal miss chance will stack as like bonuses don't stack. Undead fortification stacks with items because they are different sources, just like WF with heavy fort gets 125% but two moderate fort items don't add to 150. The Mabar cloak is actually concealment, as it overrides blur when equipped. Concealment and incorporeal will stack multiplicatively, so displacement and wraith means a 62.5% miss chance. (50%*75% chance of being hit equals 37.5% chance of being hit)

[Alektronic]

The incorporeality from wraith wouldn't/shoudn't stack with shadow fade b/c they are like bonuses. The max miss chance you would get would be to stack wraith form with displacement. I like the tank PM idea, but why 6 monk and not 6 pally (for PrE and pally benefits)? And, SS vs unarmed should be similar dmg at monk lvl 2, with unarmed outstripping SS by monk lvl 6 right? Why did you choose to go with shortswords? For greensteel?

[Drfirewater79]

I have a 2 rouge rest wiz build that is nearly invincible because of this .... displacement = 50% miss chance .. Incorpreal which stacks adds a chance that hits go through you and dont do damage which is a different type of miss ... mixed with pale master Healing over time and the abbot harm ring and you can survive most encounters on hard without taking much if any damage at all.

the thing i dont get is why pali? go with 2 monk and you have the same benifit you would get with two rouge cept no umd. take the feat that uses int for reflex save go drow so you get highest possible int for highest possible reflex and AC doesnt matter cause your not gonna get more then 60 with wizard as your main class anyway.

2 rouge 18 wiz is much better for this ... you get more skills higher haggle and umd full pale master line including all your wizard spells including top end ... nearly the same DC as a normal wizard would get save the capstone... evasion and a reflex in the high 30s self buffed ... and invincible in most content on normal because of wrath form and death aura.

at lvl 20 toss in some epic items and your laughing your way to the bank.

[krisz93]

To BananaHat: the lv16 version of Cloak of Night also adds 10% incorporeality.

The incorporeality from wraith wouldn't/shoudn't stack with shadow fade b/c they are like bonuses. The max miss chance you would get would be to stack wraith form with displacement. I like the tank PM idea, but why 6 monk and not 6 pally (for PrE and pally benefits)? And, SS vs unarmed should be similar dmg at monk lvl 2, with unarmed outstripping SS by monk lvl 6 right? Why did you choose to go with shortswords? For greensteel?

If you two are right and the incorporeality bonuses really do not stack, i will simply use Lich form, as it is a lot more beneficial, but with Ninja Spy i still have Shadow Fade's 25% without the need for Wraith form, not to mention Greensteel Shortswords complemented by the enhancements. You're right, with 6 levels in monk, unarmed damage is 1d8, but with the drow+pal enhancement line the base damage of shortswords is 1d6+2 with +3 to hit, so they are still superior, especially with GS.

I also chose 2Pal for Intimidate, with a Mnk/Wiz i could have only put half the points into it. I was also a bit afraid about the Reflex save, Divine Grace adds the Cha mod to all saves

[Shaamis]

This is kinda close to my Enigma character: 12 Wiz/6 paly/2 monk named "Ghoste in the Shell"

Warforged

12 Wiz for Pale Master II
6 paly for Ghost Hunter
2 Monk for evasion.

dual khopesh wielder for DPS :P

Have fun with your builds I say!

Later,

[Alektronic]

/snip
with 6 levels in monk, unarmed damage is 1d8, but with the drow+pal enhancement line the base damage of shortswords is 1d6+2 with +3 to hit, so they are still superior, especially with GS.

Ah, I also didn't notice you were a finesse build. I like the synergy w/ SS alot on second glance actually. You could also do all lvl ups into dex (rather than spread across wis) for the same AC benefit and with the added attack bonus, you wouldn't be as reliant on divine power clickies.

If ur doing wis for will saves (I'm guess not for monk ki right? 16 wis buffed should be enuf...) You probably don't need to worry about it. As undead ur immune to most will-based spells, and drow SR should help out w/ the rest.

I like wraith more for the immunity to knockdown effects (still get tripped). That, however, is situational, so you could do w/out if necessary. Nice build concept +1 ^_^.

[krisz93]

Ah, I also didn't notice you were a finesse build. I like the synergy w/ SS alot on second glance actually. You could also do all lvl ups into dex (rather than spread across wis) for the same AC benefit and with the added attack bonus, you wouldn't be as reliant on divine power clickies.

If ur doing wis for will saves (I'm guess not for monk ki right? 16 wis buffed should be enuf...) You probably don't need to worry about it. As undead ur immune to most will-based spells, and drow SR should help out w/ the rest.

I like wraith more for the immunity to knockdown effects (still get tripped). That, however, is situational, so you could do w/out if necessary. Nice build concept +1 ^_^.

I added the stats this way so i could round them up with +1 tomes, which are obviously a lot cheaper than +2 ones
I considered your advice and you are right, i think i'll put the first two into DEX for the extra attack and Ref save.
(forgot about the enchantment immunity )

[DrNuegebauer]

This is kinda close to my Enigma character: 12 Wiz/6 paly/2 monk named "Ghoste in the Shell"

Warforged

12 Wiz for Pale Master II
6 paly for Ghost Hunter
2 Monk for evasion.

dual khopesh wielder for DPS :P

Have fun with your builds I say!

Later,

Yours works because you can effectively heal yourself with quickened reconstruct!

[krisz93]

Yours works because you can effectively heal yourself with quickened reconstruct!

Don't think so, as you can not use Repair or Positive Energy spells while in a PM form, but switching out triggers a 5 minute cooldown and toggling it drains 100sp by itself so it is not really worth it..

[sigtrent]

Wraith + Displacement + Ninja thing works really well.

We have a tank in guild much like this and he is near indestructible. The tricky part is that in some cases the undead healing just isn't strong enough to handle big damage spike spells and the like and few healers are set up to throw harm.

My PM uses wratith a lot at higher levels when I expect or need to pull agro (like solo play) As a defensive form its much better than the litch HP procs. In TOD I can just stand around letting all the Orrothons swing at me. Whatever damage they do get through is quickly healed by my aura. Its really a great defensive option. If you can also manage high AC (I only have 12 :P ) then not much will lay hands on you.

[krisz93]

I'll try to, also could you guys give some advice on higher level/named items that could be useful?

[krisz93]

I'll try to, also could you guys give some advice on higher level/named items that could be useful? I'm not so familiar with tanking in DDO

[Cryohazard]

I'll try to, also could you guys give some advice on higher level/named items that could be useful?

I have a PM Deathbot (Wiz12/Monk6/Ftr2) and I love it to undeath. It's insanely durable and outputs a lot of damage as well. The big problem at the moment (Sigtrent mentioned this above) is that it can't "unheal" itself fast enough when taking the major beatings dished out by raid bosses like Harry and Sulo. I usually have to stay out of the PM shrouds and let the clerics keep me functioning...unless one of the clerics is kind enough to load Harm and can manage to sneak it in between heal spells.

Here's some items that should help the problem:

Circle of Hatred (Harm 5/day) the ring from the Abbot raid. The death aura is good steady unhealing, and negative energy burst is a good emergency unheal, but Harm is the ideal unheal spell for a PM, and if you can get it in a clickie, you're much better off

Also if the Mabar event ever comes back, get yourself a Level 20 Robe/Docent of Shadow. Boon of undeath casts inflict light wounds (1d8+caster level) on you every time you're hit. Its almost like DR in a way.

[krisz93]

Yeah I saw those robes, too bad I can't get them any more..
BTW do you know if the two bonuses to incorporeality stack?

[Cryohazard]

Yeah I saw those robes, too bad I can't get them any more..
BTW do you know if the two bonuses to incorporeality stack?

Unfortunately, I found out how fun PM builds were after the Mabar event was long gone. I can't say for certain, but they probably don't stack. They're the same bonus type (incorp) which usually means it won't stack. I haven't tried both on my deathbot, so I'll have to look into it.

[krisz93]

If they really don't, I'll just stick to Lich form w/ shadow fade so no worries

[doubledge]

let's see what you do per hit.

Holy burst ring.

shocking burst handwraps icied.

:edit red dragonscale armor

lich


1d6holy 1d6fire 1d6 shock 1d6cold 1d6 negative per hit

(crit mixed in with above)

3d6 holy 3d6 fire 3d6cold 3d6elec 1d6 negative per crit.

[Entelech]

I've got a 2 Rogue / 6 Fighter / 12 Wizard PM intimitank Half Elf I'm re-leveling up after his TR. He was Human the first time around.

65+ Intimidate self-buffed
Full UMD
530-ish HP before Greensteel and ToD

I have the Mabar robe, and during his first life, when tanking Lailat on Normal or Hard, her attempts to beat him down would actually rapidly heal him.

Most of these builds are crazy self-reliant and highly-efficient soloists.

[Cryohazard]

Most of these builds are crazy self-reliant and highly-efficient soloists.

...and yet, many level 20 pure Monks and Fighters still mistakenly think the build is gimped...
...and yet, there's been several times where these builds have been the last toon standing...