elf rng 9 / fgt 8 / pal 3: viable build for semi-casual play?

[kaipan]

Hi all, this is my first ddo character (well I made some other just to try the initial combinations, but this one is the first one I'm really playing).

The only ddo I play is either solo or with my irl friends (we made a small guild), so I have no plans to max out things or try to be "desiderable" to some raid party of unknown people.

Still, I would like to know if using this progression (or the same one but with longswords instead of scimitars) is going to allow me to play most/all quests/raids or if we will be hopelessly crushed by the game.

I decided to go ranger 9 / fighter 8 / paladin 3 because I wanted to make a TWF with some flavour touches like low-lvl spells and paladin saves + immunities. Lvl 8 in fighter gives me kensai + the weapon spec enhancement. Ranger 9 gives me evasion and tempest.

Any comments or critics? I entered the tomes at lvl 20 because I have no clue of when they become available...

Thanks

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
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Punky 
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(8 Fighter \ 3 Paladin \ 9 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 304
Spell Points: 100 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 22
Reflex: 21
Will: 12

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    22
Dexterity            16                    24
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         14                    16
Wisdom               10                    12
Charisma             14                    16

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 20
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 20
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 20

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    18
Bluff                 2                     4
Concentration         5                    21
Diplomacy             2                     4
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                     3
Heal                  4                    21
Hide                  3                     9
Intimidate            2                    21
Jump                  6                    23
Listen                0                     3
Move Silently         3                     7
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     3
Search                6                    26
Spot                  4                     7
Swim                  6                    11
Tumble                5                    14
Use Magic Device      n/a                   4

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Heal (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I


Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+3)
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil
Enhancement: Follower of the Undying Court


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Intimidate (+3)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Search (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Shadow
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 7 (Paladin)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Defense
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I


Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Enhancement: Kensei Scimitar Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Search (+5)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Diehard
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Search (+5)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Enhancement: Ranger Swamp Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Tundra Lore I
Enhancement: Ranger Desert Lore I


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Manyshot
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery II


Level 17 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Scimitar Specialization I


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+7)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Wild Empathy
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Heal (+5)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II

[kaipan]

p.s. should I ditch the dragonmarks (taken for displacement) and go improv crit + powerattack?

Or what else to drop to take those?

[Balkas]

You *generally* want your triple multi-class characters to be of the 12/6/2 variety.

12 Ranger would qualify you for a free GTWF feat and the 2nd tier of tempest, which in my eyes is a greater benefit than what 2 extra fighter and 1 extra paladin level give you.

Power Attack and Improved Critical are feats that I always take on any melee character.

Are you VIP?

[kaipan]

You *generally* want your triple multi-class characters to be of the 12/6/2 variety.

12 Ranger would qualify you for a free GTWF feat and the 2nd tier of tempest, which in my eyes is a greater benefit than what 2 extra fighter and 1 extra paladin level give you.

Power Attack and Improved Critical are feats that I always take on any melee character.

Are you VIP?

Thx for the reply! No, I'm not vip atm but I bought the 15k points deal thing and then the champion bundle or whatever it is called.

I saw that indeed most multiclass builds are 12/6/2: my doubts boil down to "is this build THAT worse than 12/6/2 that I won't be able to take on the end game stuff?"

btw, yes you're right I'll have somehow to take improv crit and pow atk

I'm also curious if the disease/fear immunity is somewhat helpful at higher levels or if it is a minor trinket that won't really ever matter...

[unbongwah]

Multiclassed builds usually use 6 / 12 / 18 as break points because that's where the PrE ranks land. There are some non-standard variants, but usually with specific goals in mind: e.g., sigtrent's Seablade needs monk 3 for light-monk path / Fists of Light, which rules out any third-tier PrE; so he goes paladin 15 and then ftr 2 for 2 extra feats.

Your build, OTOH, is all over the map. You stop at rgr 9 (for Evasion, I presume), which means you miss out on the free feats at rgr 11 and the DPS boost from rgr 12 / Tempest II (+10% offhand proc chance). You go ftr 8 which gets you Kensai I & Weap Spec I enh, but miss out on ftr 12 / Kensai II, which is the big boost to your burst DPS (Power Surge + max Haste Boost FTW!). Meanwhile paladin 3 gets you Divine Grace (nice but not necessary) and fear & disease immunity (also nice but available on items too). Likewise your stats, skills, feats, etc. are kind of a mess, IMHO.

Here's a build I put together which a friend of mine is using (with a few tweaks). The idea is a TWF elf (first with scimitars, later with khopeshes) with Shadow DMs so she can self-Displace to improve her survivability. Monk splash provides 2 feats, Evasion, and WIS AC bonus (though it's not necessarily AC-focused). [If you don't have monk unlocked, can substitute rogue instead; lose 2 feats but gain UMD to help make up for it.] Paladin 6 provides Divine Grace for high saves, immunities, KotC / HotD I, and some boosts to burst DPS (Smite Evil, Divine Might I, etc.). Fighter 12 provides the feats & DPS, of course.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(12 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 2 Monk) 
Hit Points: 328
Spell Points: 45 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 23
Reflex: 18
Will: 18

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    26
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         12                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             14                    18

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 17
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 20

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Shadow
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Paladin)


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 5 (Paladin)


Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 8 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Paladin)


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use III
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use IV
Enhancement: Kensei Khopesh Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Khopesh Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Khopesh Specialization I
Enhancement: Way of the Faithful Hound I
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I

[kaipan]

Thank you for your help and input! Even if probably I'd rather go rng 12 / ftg 6 / pal 2 so that I don't have to reroll!

[ColdNapalm]

You don't need dex that high. Your ranger will give you all the TWF feats your really need even if you don't meet the req. wis 8 mean no ranger spells until you get wis +3 item...but that shouldn't be too much of an issue...but considering that int really isn't doing much for your character (unless you have more then 2 skills you absolutely MUST keep maxed)...you may wanna move that to wisdom. It doesn't look too bad tho. If I was heading a PUG, I'd take you.

[unbongwah]

Even if probably I'd rather go rng 12 / ftg 6 / pal 2 so that I don't have to reroll!

Regardless of your final level split, you may want to consider rerolling anyway. Your STR & CON are too low while your INT, WIS, and arguably DEX are higher than necessary; some of your skills are questionable (e.g., Heal is useless, UMD should be maxed out if you bother with it at all); some of your feats are a waste (e.g., TWD, OTWF, GTWF is free from rgr 11 so no need to take it) while PA & Imp Crit are must-haves on any melee and the Shadow DMs (if you bother with them at all) should be taken ASAP; your lvling order is suboptimal (namely you backload your rgr lvls so you delay the TWF feats by quite a bit); all your lvl-up pts should go into STR.

I'm still half-awake and this is hastily slapped together, but:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(2 Fighter \ 6 Paladin \ 12 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 298
Spell Points: 160 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 22
Reflex: 18
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             14                    16

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Shadow


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow


Level 7 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Ranger)


Level 14 (Ranger)


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Paladin)


Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 19 (Paladin)


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use III
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use IV
Enhancement: Undying Call
Enhancement: Follower of the Undying Court
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I