The Strigoi Vampire (Niche ‘fun’ TR Build)- Half Orc 12 Wiz/7Ftr/1Brb Battlemage.

[Malky]

If they did stack your total miss chance would be 71.875% due to the multiplicative stacking nature of miss chances. (50% for displacement, 62.5% with wraith form, 71.875% for shadowfade.)

V

73.28125% actually since mobs are missing on a 1 like us, anyway if both incorporealies did stack it would probably not be WAI.

Oh wait! considering the number of things that are not WAI, the probability for them to stack is farther from zero than one might think (yes my lovely monk is waiting for his wraps to work properly)

[Valiance]

73.28125% actually since mobs are missing on a 1 like us, anyway if both incorporealies did stack it would probably not be WAI.

Oh wait! considering the number of things that are not WAI, the probability for them to stack is farther from zero than one might think (yes my lovely monk is waiting for his wraps to work properly)

71.875% of "successful attacks" would miss. If you account for misses then you'd have different calculations for any and every viable ac, blindness, ect. Easier and just as accurate to say 71.875% miss chance (caused by the effects in question).

V

[Cetus]

Well this looks like a pretty intriguing build, except I'd tweak the enhancements a bit differently-

You can easily incorporate kensai 1 into that build without really losing anything. Take the 3 ap out of the final extra action boost and drop down 2 str from the second halforc and fighter strengths- thats 4 ap per str and 3 from the boost = 11. You make the extra boost and to hit loss back from picking up kensai, but with a ****load more dmg. Also, running a mid 50's to hit it might be handy having that attack boost pre req at times.


Just my 2 cents

Cet

[ProdigalGuru]

The only things that stack are Displacement, blur, and Wraith (OR) Ninja I. Still, thats not too bad. I did the math awhile ago and assuming your attacker doesn't have True Seeing, he'll miss you about 2 out of 3 attacks.

Blur and Displacement do NOT stack.

[EinarMal]

Nick is Quick Draw just for the haste boost activation? You should try swapping in Cleave instead. It is much improved now and also does not suffer a delay after hitting haste boost, so hit boost, hit cleave and keep on swinging. At least it was working pretty well for me. As far as I could tell it was pretty quick now.

The bonus is you get full damage on a few mobs standing in front of you as well.

I did not do detailed timing but it felt like I was not attacking slower by using Cleave whenever the cool down was over and had a few mobs to swing at.

[Nick_RC]

Well this looks like a pretty intriguing build, except I'd tweak the enhancements a bit differently-

You can easily incorporate kensai 1 into that build without really losing anything. Take the 3 ap out of the final extra action boost and drop down 2 str from the second halforc and fighter strengths- thats 4 ap per str and 3 from the boost = 11. You make the extra boost and to hit loss back from picking up kensai, but with a ****load more dmg. Also, running a mid 50's to hit it might be handy having that attack boost pre req at times.


Just my 2 cents

Cet

Eh thats a much better set up when I gte a chance il do exactly what you've put down - as it wasnt a finishing life and just a stepping stone I kinda threw it togeather.

N

Nick is Quick Draw just for the haste boost activation? You should try swapping in Cleave instead. It is much improved now and also does not suffer a delay after hitting haste boost, so hit boost, hit cleave and keep on swinging. At least it was working pretty well for me. As far as I could tell it was pretty quick now.

The bonus is you get full damage on a few mobs standing in front of you as well.

I did not do detailed timing but it felt like I was not attacking slower by using Cleave whenever the cool down was over and had a few mobs to swing at.

Actually I rejigged the feat layout and dropped quickdraw for mental toughness - vampire form is a liability in to many quests had to get wraith form so I didnt get one shotted lol.

Funny you mention this I have one more sorc life to do before i Go back for my final two wizard. Working on a saveless dots/force/cleave/greatcleave AM build for my last 2 wiz lives (1 to trial it 2 to perfect) - Quite excited about it.

Basically will be 15 wiz 4 ftr 1 barb at this stage - with 3 ftr pl, 3 monk, extended chosen pali PL + 3 sorc already its the perfect platform to test it out on while getting my last 2 wiz lives.

I have semi mocked it up and after the first playthrough il post it.

N

73.28125% actually since mobs are missing on a 1 like us, anyway if both incorporealies did stack it would probably not be WAI.

Oh wait! considering the number of things that are not WAI, the probability for them to stack is farther from zero than one might think (yes my lovely monk is waiting for his wraps to work properly)

Incorp and displacement/blur do not stack and different sources of incorp do not stack.

Its the best modifier so at best you will only ever have 50% miss rate from displacement and at worst the incorp from wraith form.

This came from Mr Cow along time back (About a month after palemaster forms were released)and when it comes to testing I will believe him every day of the week. The reason I believe you see incorp in with the displacement messages is because say under 25% it counts as an 'incorp miss' while between 25-50% it counts as displacement. Im not 100% sure on that last part but is the only reason I can think of that makes sence.

[EinarMal]

Funny you mention this I have one more sorc life to do before i Go back for my final two wizard. Working on a saveless dots/force/cleave/greatcleave AM build for my last 2 wiz lives (1 to trial it 2 to perfect) - Quite excited about it.

Basically will be 15 wiz 4 ftr 1 barb at this stage - with 3 ftr pl, 3 monk, extended chosen pali PL + 3 sorc already its the perfect platform to test it out on while getting my last 2 wiz lives.

I have semi mocked it up and after the first playthrough il post it.

N

That is basically what I am doing, although I was going to stick with Pale Master as I believe they will adjust the light damage and the forms will end up being worth it, but if not you might be on the right track switching over to AM and maybe going Warforged again.

I think 18/2 is the way to go, I think you are better of with more caster levels for better no save nuking with melee compared to what you get out of going 12 wizard and more melee levels personally.

(Non TR)
Xpsycho Mal
Half Orc Wizard 18/Fighter 2

Stats:
Str 20
Dex 8
Con 16
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 6

Progression:
1-Wizard
2-Fighter
3 thru 13-Wizard
14-Fighter
15 thru 20-Wizard

Feats (7 +4WB +2FB):
1-(WB)Extend
1-Toughness
2-(FB)Power Attack
3-Cleave
6-(WB)Maximize
6-THF
9-Mental Toughness
11-(WB)Spell Focus Necromancy
12-Greater Spell Focus Necromancy
15-IC Slashing
17-(WB)Empower
18-ITHF
20-(FB)GTHF

Enhancements:
Wizard Intelligence III
Wizard Energy of the Scholar III
Wizard Pale Master I
Wizard Pale Master II
Wizard Pale Master III
Wizard Shroud of the Wraith
Wizard Shroud of the Vampire
Wizard Shroud of the Lich
Wizard Frost Manipulation VI
Wizard Glacial Spellcasting I
Wizard Deadly Ice I
Storm Manipulation V
Charged Spellcasting I
Deadly Shock I
Acid Manipulation V
Corrosive Spellcasting I
Deadly Acid I
Fighter Strength I
Fighter Toughness I
Fighter Haste Boost I
Half Orc Strength II
Half Orc Melee Damage II
Half Orc Extra Action Boost III
Half Orc Power Attack II
Half Orc Toughness II

Basically I have Melf's, Cold/Elec DOTs, Polar Ray, Ice Storm, Acid Fog etc...

For a TR version you could fit in Paladin past life, Great Cleave instead of the THF line, I am just too lazy to bother twitching....

[Nick_RC]

That is basically what I am doing, although I was going to stick with Pale Master as I believe they will adjust the light damage and the forms will end up being worth it, but if not you might be on the right track switching over to AM and maybe going Warforged again.

I think 18/2 is the way to go, I think you are better off with more caster levels for better no save nuking with melee compared to what you get out of going 12 wizard and more melee levels personally.

Aye that looks solid although couple of notes. Incoming spelling error ramble - bare with me.

1. 2HF line - Will only be used vs bosses as with trash you will be moving constantly - well in epics where they hit too hard to actually stand and take the beating. Non epic hell yeah stand with DoD and stand and deliver. Honestly Whilst I was playing the version in the OP with full dots up + swinging away I dont believe there is a melee in the game that could hold the agro (Well maybe possibly one of those super high hate types) - the DPS output is pretty insane ... and sustainable.
2. Spell points - I think vs alot of bosses cycling through those no save spells that the high levels bring will really deplete the sp pool fast - clickies will help but for me the deeper splash thinking was that over a longer fight just keeping up eledars + niacs + acid rain ad meleeing will bring more to the table than burning ur sp on polar rays etc. I could be wrong but thats my thought process.
3. Just a quick note on fogs - They are pretty freakin uber now for battlemages - Solid fog for evasion types -4 reflex ftw - acid fog -4 ac (to help with our somewhat shady too hit )

Honestly as they are mainly tr lives that I want to have some fun with and they will be done in the very near future I'm going to stick with warforged as the shrouds are just to volatile low to mid levels in a fast paced tr while zerging and mostly first person through the door. Dieing is my pet peeve in this game - on a wf platform I am basically sure I wont die outside of anomolies but in form if ur caught at half health or something waiting on death aura to heal u up and get pwnd by searnig light its game over. Foir leveling purposes its not ideal.There are a couple of things I dislike about going the necro route - one is you have to take both necro feats and although I know useless feats are part and parcel of prestiges it still bugs me none the less - at least with evocation focus it helps a whole raft of abilities not just the final tier free PM sla.

Anyhoo this is what I had lines up more or less. I kinda have the set up because its good for what I have going on with my characterThe barb level is for speed and an extra PA bump. Since cleave and great cleave go off ur highest too hit in ur sequence its really quite nice. If I cant get out in front of the group to herd things for AoEs and cleave + nuking patterns then its a moot point - its just inefficient unless its clustered.


Warforged 15 Wizard/4ftr/1Barb.

Feats (In no particular order not that much time)

1. Evocation
3. Gr Evocation
6. PA
9. Pali PL
12. Quicken
15. Tough
18. Shield Mastery (Uber for the block,Dot and torc - not that I do it all that much anymore but still situationally useful)
1. Icrit
2. Cleave
4. Great cleave
1. Maximise
5. Mental Tough
10. Empower
15. Extend

Stats (This Is where its more for me as opposed to a general build.)

18 str < - level ups here
18 Con
16 Int +6 item + 3 enh+ 2 tome +2 boat + 1 exc = 30

Evoc DC

10 Base
1 Wiz pl
3 sorc PL x3
2 double focus - item
2 evocation - focus
2 AM evoc foc
10 Int
= 30+ spell level DC

so say 34 for arcane blast - with solid fog -4 to to refl save + incorp bonus when ur up close and personal cleaving thats an effective 38 dc - which is handy. Throw in a waves and its up to effective 41.

As you well know any build like this comes down to playstyle. Was looking at some different action cycles depending on what im fighting.

Trash

1. Zerg + gather w/ barb sprint boost
2. Quick solid fog/acid fog if evasion/high ac mobs are in the huddle or if its a really large cluster.
3. Ice storm + Acid Rain depending on sp available and severity of the incoming mobs.
4. Posible waves of Exh.

a. Arcane Blast
b. Chain Missile
c. Cleave
d. Great Cleave
e. Acid rain again
Swing swing swing

Rince repeat

Single target is definately more interesting andI think it depends on what ur fighting and how long it will take.I have a fair idea of spell + melee cycles I will use but until I actually test in the field I wont bother posting it.

Once I have played it (2 lives time got one more sorc then its up) Il post it with any changes I want to make.

N

[Xyfiel]

Incorp and displacement/blur do not stack and different sources of incorp do not stack.

Its the best modifier so at best you will only ever have 50% miss rate from displacement and at worst the incorp from wraith form.

This came from Mr Cow along time back (About a month after palemaster forms were released)and when it comes to testing I will believe him every day of the week. The reason I believe you see incorp in with the displacement messages is because say under 25% it counts as an 'incorp miss' while between 25-50% it counts as displacement. Im not 100% sure on that last part but is the only reason I can think of that makes sence.

It should stack. I vaguely remember when the forms came out that they were not stacking because incorporeal was not listed as such behind the scenes. Researching...

Found it, everything was listed as concealment bonuses back then.
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=2811514

50% displacement concealment bonus + 25% incorp bonus should stack
Currently planning a build out that will use the new epic chimeras fang, thf feats, crafted shield, with wraith +displacement. Got it to 50+str, 646 hps, with the tower shield/incorp/displacement effects, and the PM goodies of conc opp, demonic shield, boon to undeath, natural dr, and hopefully lifeshield on the shield. Can switch to ESOS/vamp for more dps also.

[Valiance]

It should stack. I vaguely remember when the forms came out that they were not stacking because incorporeal was not listed as such behind the scenes. Researching...

Found it, everything was listed as concealment bonuses back then.
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=2811514

50% displacement concealment bonus + 25% incorp bonus should stack
Currently planning a build out that will use the new epic chimeras fang, thf feats, crafted shield, with wraith +displacement. Got it to 50+str, 646 hps, with the tower shield/incorp/displacement effects, and the PM goodies of conc opp, demonic shield, boon to undeath, natural dr, and hopefully lifeshield on the shield. Can switch to ESOS/vamp for more dps also.

Ya the thing that doesn't stack is the abbot cloak with the concealment bonus, forget the name of it right now. The concealment from Ninja Spy I and Wraith form do stack individually with displacement. They do not stack with each other. In other words you have a 62.5% miss chance for what would be a successful attack.

I currently have a pure palemaster that has the shield mastery I and I love it.

HOWEVER, lifeshield from crafted shields/items does not work on a PM in undead form. I tested this, bug reported and posted about it in the wizards forums (well in the lame ass "spellcasters" forums with a Wizard tag).

V

[Valiance]

Aye that looks solid although couple of notes. Incoming spelling error ramble - bare with me.

1. 2HF line - Will only be used vs bosses as with trash you will be moving constantly - well in epics where they hit too hard to actually stand and take the beating. Non epic hell yeah stand with DoD and stand and deliver. Honestly Whilst I was playing the version in the OP with full dots up + swinging away I dont believe there is a melee in the game that could hold the agro (Well maybe possibly one of those super high hate types) - the DPS output is pretty insane ... and sustainable.
2. Spell points - I think vs alot of bosses cycling through those no save spells that the high levels bring will really deplete the sp pool fast - clickies will help but for me the deeper splash thinking was that over a longer fight just keeping up eledars + niacs + acid rain ad meleeing will bring more to the table than burning ur sp on polar rays etc. I could be wrong but thats my thought process.
3. Just a quick note on fogs - They are pretty freakin uber now for battlemages - Solid fog for evasion types -4 reflex ftw - acid fog -4 ac (to help with our somewhat shady too hit )

Honestly as they are mainly tr lives that I want to have some fun with and they will be done in the very near future I'm going to stick with warforged as the shrouds are just to volatile low to mid levels in a fast paced tr while zerging and mostly first person through the door. Dieing is my pet peeve in this game - on a wf platform I am basically sure I wont die outside of anomolies but in form if ur caught at half health or something waiting on death aura to heal u up and get pwnd by searnig light its game over. Foir leveling purposes its not ideal.There are a couple of things I dislike about going the necro route - one is you have to take both necro feats and although I know useless feats are part and parcel of prestiges it still bugs me none the less - at least with evocation focus it helps a whole raft of abilities not just the final tier free PM sla.

Anyhoo this is what I had lines up more or less. I kinda have the set up because its good for what I have going on with my characterThe barb level is for speed and an extra PA bump. Since cleave and great cleave go off ur highest too hit in ur sequence its really quite nice. If I cant get out in front of the group to herd things for AoEs and cleave + nuking patterns then its a moot point - its just inefficient unless its clustered.


Warforged 15 Wizard/4ftr/1Barb.

Feats (In no particular order not that much time)

1. Evocation
3. Gr Evocation
6. PA
9. Pali PL
12. Quicken
15. Tough
18. Shield Mastery (Uber for the block,Dot and torc - not that I do it all that much anymore but still situationally useful)
1. Icrit
2. Cleave
4. Great cleave
1. Maximise
5. Mental Tough
10. Empower
15. Extend

Stats (This Is where its more for me as opposed to a general build.)

18 str < - level ups here
18 Con
16 Int +6 item + 3 enh+ 2 tome +2 boat + 1 exc = 30

Evoc DC

10 Base
1 Wiz pl
3 sorc PL x3
2 double focus - item
2 evocation - focus
2 AM evoc foc
10 Int
= 30+ spell level DC

so say 34 for arcane blast - with solid fog -4 to to refl save + incorp bonus when ur up close and personal cleaving thats an effective 38 dc - which is handy. Throw in a waves and its up to effective 41.

As you well know any build like this comes down to playstyle. Was looking at some different action cycles depending on what im fighting.

Trash

1. Zerg + gather w/ barb sprint boost
2. Quick solid fog/acid fog if evasion/high ac mobs are in the huddle or if its a really large cluster.
3. Ice storm + Acid Rain depending on sp available and severity of the incoming mobs.
4. Posible waves of Exh.

a. Arcane Blast
b. Chain Missile
c. Cleave
d. Great Cleave
e. Acid rain again
Swing swing swing

Rince repeat

Single target is definately more interesting andI think it depends on what ur fighting and how long it will take.I have a fair idea of spell + melee cycles I will use but until I actually test in the field I wont bother posting it.

Once I have played it (2 lives time got one more sorc then its up) Il post it with any changes I want to make.

N

Evocation AMs leveling are just so nuts easy. Unlimited force dmg on anything make shrines just totally optional. For instance the final boss in the Red Fens quest that floods out is worth a nice chunk of xp. With an evocation AM you're just bam bam bam bam 4k bonus xp.

I just wish they weren't exclusive of which button you hit. I mean do you cleave or do you cast chain missiles? Can't do both at once.

Should be hella awesome though.

Still I'm smitten with Pale Masters at this point. I'm so spoiled now i don't even want to hit the reconstruct button and pale masters are just running around getting healed by every hit they take lol. I haven't found light dmg to be that big of a deal but I've been leveling a pure wiz PM and staying in....wait for it......zombie form about 99% of the time. What's not to like? -2 int can be shrugged off but the dr5 only bypassed by slashing and a axeblock crafted shield have made me **** near invulnerable since level 6. Once I hit 11 and put on my DQ gloves for 10 piercing dr it was just ridiculous. Will be somewhat sad to give up the zombie DR but the ~dr3 from lich hp proc should ease the blow.

V

[EinarMal]

Warforged 15 Wizard/4ftr/1Barb.

Feats (In no particular order not that much time)

1. Evocation
3. Gr Evocation
6. PA
9. Pali PL
12. Quicken
15. Tough
18. Shield Mastery (Uber for the block,Dot and torc - not that I do it all that much anymore but still situationally useful)
1. Icrit
2. Cleave
4. Great cleave
1. Maximise
5. Mental Tough
10. Empower
15. Extend

Stats (This Is where its more for me as opposed to a general build.)

18 str < - level ups here
18 Con
16 Int +6 item + 3 enh+ 2 tome +2 boat + 1 exc = 30

Evoc DC

10 Base
1 Wiz pl
3 sorc PL x3
2 double focus - item
2 evocation - focus
2 AM evoc foc
10 Int
= 30+ spell level DC

so say 34 for arcane blast - with solid fog -4 to to refl save + incorp bonus when ur up close and personal cleaving thats an effective 38 dc - which is handy. Throw in a waves and its up to effective 41.

As you well know any build like this comes down to playstyle. Was looking at some different action cycles depending on what im fighting.

Trash

1. Zerg + gather w/ barb sprint boost
2. Quick solid fog/acid fog if evasion/high ac mobs are in the huddle or if its a really large cluster.
3. Ice storm + Acid Rain depending on sp available and severity of the incoming mobs.
4. Posible waves of Exh.

a. Arcane Blast
b. Chain Missile
c. Cleave
d. Great Cleave
e. Acid rain again
Swing swing swing

Rince repeat

Single target is definately more interesting andI think it depends on what ur fighting and how long it will take.I have a fair idea of spell + melee cycles I will use but until I actually test in the field I wont bother posting it.

Once I have played it (2 lives time got one more sorc then its up) Il post it with any changes I want to make.

N

Looks good, I think the DOT/No Save stuff is key otherwise you end up just being a relatively crappy melee self healing DPS build with some added utility. I like the 15 levels a lot better than 12 for that reason. Looks fun! I just started leveling up the build I posted above, but you will be through 4 lives before I make it to level 12 LOL. I am super casual now, and only really solo as I play for just a few minutes here and there.

One kind of cool thing with the pale master build is you can actually use Wail a little with the double focus and lich form if you try you can get a pretty decent DC, at least somewhat useful.