General melee build request

[Wizzly_Bear]

Dear character builders,

Melees are not my forte, and especially ones with AC. I can build "melees" but not "great" or fun ones. I'm looking for a general melee build for going through TRs. I'm looking for the following...

1) soloability
2) self healing
3) Warforged
4) enough DPS to kill things at level solo
5) a build that can basically be applied to all classes, but especially non-wizard/sorcerer
6) useful AC
7) minimal weapon requirements. Generally focusing on handwraps or THF to save inventory space

Freely assume -
1) access to generic/craftable equipment (Ie no chattering ring, but yes min2)
2) I know the game
3) I don't know AC, how to obtain a useful one, and what a useful AC is for different content areas
4) access to all current content

My preliminary thought is 1 rogue (umd for scroll heals), 9 monk (improved evasion, speed, AC, handwraps), 10 (ranger/paladin/fighter etc). This obviously will not work for bard or barbarian.

Also, I cannot view the character planner breakdown via my phone, but also just looking for generics anyway.

If I've left out any important information let me know.

Thank you.

[Tobril]

Is this build “for keeps” or are you just wanting a leveling build for picking up past lives?


If it’s just for past lives a guild member of mine who is working on completionist
likes a 2/6/x thief/ranger/whatever. The thief/ranger levels are first to form a “core”
and the rest of the build is slightly tweaked to take advantage of whatever other
class he plays that life.

He uses mainly handwraps and manyshot for attacking. A little bit ‘o skills also helps
out in a lot of quests. (UMD, stealth, etc)

[Wizzly_Bear]

Just for leveling. Assume immediate TR on hitting 20th level. Also assume 36 point build.


I'm thinking (roughly)
14, 16, 14, 12, 12, 12
For stats

[Wizzly_Bear]

Bump

[slimkj]

I'd agree with the core split suggestion by Tobril. The 2rog will be useful for obvious reasons, the 6rgr will get you sprint boost for lovely zerging, wand use, situationally useful manyshot, a head start on the TWF line, longstrider for more lovely zerging, etc. If you build from that by L14 you'll have your core in place and the first tier PrE of whatever main class you're running through.

For bard I guess I'd switch it up to multiclass ranger and barb for even more zerg. For barb I'd probably be silly and go 8wiz for self heals, buffs and laughs. Anything to make the barb more interesting frankly, and once you're used to monk key mashing, remembering to play with DP clickies (or likely Pali PL in your case) as needed is a doddle.

I think for monk lives I'd go 1rgr/1rog/17 mnk for the sprint boost and UMD/locks up front. Again you'd be in a good position by 14 with the second tier PrE sorted and some lovely run speed (especially boosted).

Edit: Oops, forgot the AC requirement. I guess that means you'd need 2mnk instead of 2rog in that main split for the AC. Why are you aiming for AC? I know it can make some content easier but... I don't build for AC and don't usually have any problems a couple of stacks of RSD pots or reconstruct scrolls can't fix.

[Wizzly_Bear]

AC mostly for "ease" + learning an aspect of the game I've been too lazy to. Also, concerned about not having my quickened heal/recon that I'm so used to.

[FrozenNova]

>self healing
>solo
>warforged
>non caster
Bear in mind that if you're relying entirely on scrolls that you must maintain a competitively high concentration so you can actually use them when everything nearby has no other targets.

[slimkj]

Ah fair enough. Maybe see how you like one life without it if you loot an LR heart along the way, heh.

To be honest although the 6/2 I support is a good bet, personally I'd be tempted to go 9mnk on each life as you suggested originally as I just love monks. 3 run speed increases by monk 9 too, with a ranger level for sprint boost you'll be tearing through terrain. Ninja Spy would mean you could zip past invis-ed too.

[Wizzly_Bear]

Unless I see something obviously better I think I'll try one of each (1 rogue 9 monk; 2 rogue 6 ranger). I have 11 clicks of low level invisibility so that's not much of an issue. I rarely out.

Basically looking for an "easy-button" melee. I heard good things about the "monster" and "exploiter" builds. I've done a pure "dirty" to cap of all classes before so now I don't mind an "easy-button" build for mindless xp zerging.

[slimkj]

That's probably the best idea, see which you prefer.

Exploiter will be out as it'll only net you ranger lives. Monster uses that 6/2 split so that's cool.

Neither of them will be as easy button as a self-healing caster though ofc