Help choosing builds for Trio

[PurpleTimb]

Posted this in the Class Discussion forum yesterday, but realized it more correctly fits here and rather than bump it there I'm reposting it here. Sorry if you're reading it twice.

I'm looking for some build advice for my static group of 3 players. We've been playing exclusively together about 3-4 times a week for around 9 months. We want to restart our characters now that we all have 32 point builds and more experience with the game. I want to plan out or party to get some good synergy and try to cover all the requirements. We're fairly casual players, so our focus will be more on quality of experience while leveling and not on how to be the best uber raid gods once we reach cap. I'm not a fan of using hirelings, as our first party got addicted to us each having our own dedicated hireling heal-bot, and it became a liability as we got to higher levels.

I was considering a wizard/rogue, a battle cleric and a melee DPSer, but we're open to any options that would make a good balanced party. One of our players is slightly less experienced than the others, so I was hoping to find a DPS build for him that is a little more basic, so he doesn't have to juggle too many clickies, cool-down timers and the like. Not necessarily a beginner build, but something that is not too complicated to play.

I understand the synergies of an all WF party, but that wouldn't be my first choice as 2 of 3 haven't purchased it and my anti-WF bias makes it hard for me to spend TPs on that.

I'm open to any suggestions on how to make our party.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[jeremyt]

the vibrant yet similarly shaded purple against grey background hurts eyes. Change it up and ill try to help some

[protokon]

18/2 wizard/rogue. cover's a strong arcane for buffs/crowd control/traps.
20 barbarian. Raw DPS for when it is necessary.
20 favored soul/20 cleric.

That would make a solid TRIO for almost any skill level group.

[PurpleTimb]

the vibrant yet similarly shaded purple against grey background hurts eyes. Change it up and ill try to help some

How about violet instead? :-)

Hmmmm... or violet without the bold.

[jeremyt]

There are trio themes that can work very well together if planned and played to a specific plan. IE 3 ranged toons all running around kiting things between eachother. Nearly unstoppable in most content and a pretty fun break from regular chase them down and beat them down play.

A wiz/rog arcane is always a good cornerstone to a static shortman group due to all the utility it brings. Warforge is easiest/best but with the advent of palemaster human or durf can also be solid choices.

The trapping could be taken up by the DPS toon as well. Exploiter builds are great all rounders, and can do their share of buffing as well. Set one up as a tempest. This does add more complexity to the guy you said you want less complexity for though. On other hand its really not clickie dependant while fighting, just hit rams might and few other basics and swing.

Third being a divine is a no-brainer unless the other two can sufficiently self heal through all the content you desire to tackle.

[Kriogen]

I answered before. But will again with some new ideas.

Just about any build combo will work as long as you 3 play as a team and not like some blob of solo primadonas like an average PUG. Good team play wins.

...IE 3 ranged toons all running around kiting things between eachother. ...

This actualy works very good. And not just 3 archers, can be 3 wizard/sorcerer for example.

By pure chance, rare, a couple of times I was in all-the-same-build group. It works as good as mixed group and even better. It was more fun as mixed group. So good and fun.

As I like blue-bar, I'd go with 3x Archmage (evoc, force) or 3x Pale Masters. One could be /rogue2 for extra utility/skills.

[Grieve]

Here's an idea. Hopefully, it's not too advanced for your group.

DPS - 20 Paladin (TWF Spec'd), Human
Caster - 18/2 Wizard/Rogue (Archmage Necro/Evoc Spec'd), Human or Warforged
Support - 18/2 Bard/Fighter (Warchanter Spec'd) or 20 Bard (Spellsinger Spec'd), Halfling or Dwarf

The Paladin will not be the most amazing DPS but should be quite self-reliant.
The Wizard should be able to cover the caster's job for damage while getting traps as well. If Warforged, should be self-sufficient as well.
The Bard will be grat to add buffs to the party and keep the Wizard as a primary damage dealer. Also, the bard should be able to UMD most scrolls so Healing will be done via scrolls & bard spells.

The Support role, the Bard, can be flexible. Warchanter brings good melee buffs and will allow the bard to participate in the combat. Spellsinger will help with SP regen for both the Paladin & Wizard if the Wizard is not Warforged. If the bard is halfling, grab Hero's Companion & possibly the Dragonmark if you feel the urge. If Dwarf, plan to spec for Greataxes and be swinging in Melee. (Spellsinger Halfling or Warchanter Dwarf are probably the more synergistic combinations.)

If you like this combination and would like to discuss some more specifics, just let me know.

[Ilklr]

The Paladin will not be the most amazing DPS

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Sorry, where were we? I'm guessing a twf paladin might be beyond what they're looking for. They are tome dependent, clicky-based, and just all around a bit complex. But you definitely get your money's worth in pure awesome.

[PurpleTimb]

Here's an idea. Hopefully, it's not too advanced for your group.

DPS - 20 Paladin (TWF Spec'd), Human
Caster - 18/2 Wizard/Rogue (Archmage Necro/Evoc Spec'd), Human or Warforged
Support - 18/2 Bard/Fighter (Warchanter Spec'd) or 20 Bard (Spellsinger Spec'd), Halfling or Dwarf

The Paladin will not be the most amazing DPS but should be quite self-reliant.
The Wizard should be able to cover the caster's job for damage while getting traps as well. If Warforged, should be self-sufficient as well.
The Bard will be grat to add buffs to the party and keep the Wizard as a primary damage dealer. Also, the bard should be able to UMD most scrolls so Healing will be done via scrolls & bard spells.

The Support role, the Bard, can be flexible. Warchanter brings good melee buffs and will allow the bard to participate in the combat. Spellsinger will help with SP regen for both the Paladin & Wizard if the Wizard is not Warforged. If the bard is halfling, grab Hero's Companion & possibly the Dragonmark if you feel the urge. If Dwarf, plan to spec for Greataxes and be swinging in Melee. (Spellsinger Halfling or Warchanter Dwarf are probably the more synergistic combinations.)

If you like this combination and would like to discuss some more specifics, just let me know.

I like your ideas. I had written off bard as I thought they would be a bit too squishy for the DPS role and not able to be the only party healer. But I could see pulling that off here, as both other characters would have self-healing. Hmmmm... interesting thought. I was thinking of a dwarven 18/2 battle cleric for this role, but a dwarven warchanter would be an interesting option.

[unfiguroutable]

[color=violet]Posted this in the Class Discussion forum yesterday, but realized it more correctly fits here and rather than bump it there I'm reposting it here. Sorry if you're reading it twice.

I'm looking for some build advice for my static group of 3 players. We've been playing exclusively together about 3-4 times a week for around 9 months. We want to restart our characters now that we all have 32 point builds and more experience with the game. I want to plan out or party to get some good synergy and try to cover all the requirements. We're fairly casual players, so our focus will be more on quality of experience while leveling and not on how to be the best uber raid gods once we reach cap. I'm not a fan of using hirelings, as our first party got addicted to us each having our own dedicated hireling heal-bot, and it became a liability as we got to higher levels.

I was considering a wizard/rogue, a battle cleric and a melee DPSer, but we're open to any options that would make a good balanced party. One of our players is slightly less experienced than the others, so I was hoping to find a DPS build for him that is a little more basic, so he doesn't have to juggle too many clickies, cool-down timers and the like. Not necessarily a beginner build, but something that is not too complicated to play.

I understand the synergies of an all WF party, but that wouldn't be my first choice as 2 of 3 haven't purchased it and my anti-WF bias makes it hard for me to spend TPs on that.

I'm open to any suggestions on how to make our party.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[unfiguroutable]

Pally bard and a wf wizz. they all heal themselfs. max buffs all the time! slash rouge for traps and boxes on the bard

[wax_on_wax_off]

I'd suggest a few things:
1. A pure or splashed wizard will definitely be in the lineup due to the versatility.
2. A cleric should be in the lineup (radiant servant is so good at the moment, empower healing + maximise to make undead go splat, quicken and extend in time for blade barrier)
3. Stealth is cool for a short-man group, try to work some move silently in for everyone (invisibility spell covers hide usually).

My idea:
1. 18 wizard / 2 rogue WF Archmage (GSF: enchantment, SF: necro at least).
2. Half-elf 17 cleric / 2 monk / 1 fighter (w/ rogue dilettante). Intimidate can lock down trash for everyone else to beat on. AC + high wisdom means excellent survivability. Something similar to a Valiance 2.0 build. Human can be substituted here.
3. Helves Angel. Excellent persistent melee DPS and ranged burst DPS.

Notes:
1. Move Silently + invisibility and you can stealth many quests.
2. Invisibility and you can stealth most quests.
3. Survivability and self sufficiency are awesome which all of these builds can have.
4. Trap skills aren't strictly necessarily, imo.
5. Everyone there has evasion which is cool.