THF Fighter Build Suggestions/Critiques

[Kinerd]

Why exactly is AC a waste?

You need an enormous feat, enhancement, and gear investment to make it even slightly useful. All of these investments will hamper your DPS. Without Kensei, PA, or Haste Boosts, and with so many gear slots occupied, I would expect you to do about 60% DPS even in THF mode. How much worse in S&B mode, plus DPS characters are probably going to be wearing the Vulkoor Set that you can't, giving them a threat increase.

If it's what you want, go for it. It's just important to know what you're getting yourself into.

[stupid123]

If your going thf(twf being more dps until u can make esos which can take years) max str then rest into con...

[Untfell]

Been a bit busy to reply, but here is what I have rolled:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.09.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Neutral Good Human Male
(18 Fighter \ 2 Barbarian) 
Hit Points: 426
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 6
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             17                    28
Dexterity             8                    10
Constitution         18                    22
Intelligence         11                    13
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              8                    10

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          
                 Base Skills        Base Skills       
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)        
Balance               1                 11            
Bluff                -1                  0            
Concentration         4                  6            
Diplomacy            -1                  0            
Disable Device        n/a               n/a           
Haggle               -1                  0            
Heal                 -1                  7            
Hide                 -1                  0            
Intimidate            3                 23            
Jump                  7                 19            
Listen               -1                  0            
Move Silently        -1                  0            
Open Lock            n/a                n/a           
Perform              n/a                n/a           
Repair                0                  1            
Search                0                  1            
Spot                 -1                  0            
Swim                  3                 10            
Tumble                1                  2            
Use Magic Device      1                 11            

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Human Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 2 (Barbarian)


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Passage
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Passage


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Passage
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 13 (Fighter)


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


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Trip
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Kensei Greatsword Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Greatsword Mastery II
Enhancement: Kensei Greatsword Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) II
Enhancement: Fighter Greatsword Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Greatsword Specialization II
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

Level 14 now and has been doing great imho. It is not max DPS, but it holds it own in everything i have run so far. I put a lot of it down to the Sword of Shadows, but I cannot deny that i am really enjoying my build.

Will saves hurt a bit, but I am not overly concerned at this point.

I gave a lot of though to the sword and board, took on a lot of the advice, but really just decided that I probably wouldn't;t enjoy the play-style that S&B lends itself to.

Thanks for the help gang. Any comments on my current build would be appreciated.


Quick question: Is it worth putting actions points into improved trip and/or Stunning BLow?

My initial, anecdotal, impressions are that both enhancements are sorely needed to get your DC's high enough. I get saved against a lot as is and I would hate to think how crappy these skills would get without the enhancements.

Thanks again.

-Day

EDIT; I fully expect that people might poo poo on the dragonmarks, but they ROCK. My fighter now makes all my other other toons feel like turtles around stormreach. luv em luv em luv em.

[Untfell]

I have notice that the Least Dragonmark of Passage does not appear to be giving me my +2 Bonus to Balance as it should be. It is also not reflected in the DDO Character Planner.

At level 14 my character sheet shows Balance 8.5, which is max skill points at every level. Casting a LDM does not modify this.

Is this a known issue, or am I just missing something?

Least Dragonmark of Passage Balance skill +2, Spell: Expeditious Retreat
http://ddowiki.com/page/Dragonmarks

[Celastelin]

Just wanted to reply to say that I'm with you on those dragonmarks. I've got a level 10 fighter and I'm loving the thought of teleport! Anyways I find myself wondering about the 2 Barb levels. You get the rage clicky, a minor boost to speed and I think 2 DR, but I wonder if it is worth a feat loss or mostly worth the loss of the fighter capstone. That's my 2 cents.

[Untfell]

Just wanted to reply to say that I'm with you on those dragonmarks. I've got a level 10 fighter and I'm loving the thought of teleport! Anyways I find myself wondering about the 2 Barb levels. You get the rage clicky, a minor boost to speed and I think 2 DR, but I wonder if it is worth a feat loss or mostly worth the loss of the fighter capstone. That's my 2 cents.

You also get some nifty enhancemnts.

But yeah, I wont go into it, suffice to say it was *supposed* to be pure fighter. When I TR I will go back pure (prolly frenzied berserker for next life). Definitely want my capstone.

[Untfell]

Just more on that Barb Splash:

What you get is:

Feats:
Rage
Fast Movement
Damage Reduction (1/-)
Uncanny Dodge (1/day)

Enhancements:
Extend Rage I
Extra Rage I
Power Attack I
Barbarian Constitution I

For the loss off:
Fighter Weapon Alacrity (which would be my choice had I not muffed up the build )

It's not a total gimp, just not optimal once I reach lvl 20. Until 20 though, the barb splash is superior imho.

[Kinerd]

I have notice that the Least Dragonmark of Passage does not appear to be giving me my +2 Bonus to Balance as it should be. It is also not reflected in the DDO Character Planner.

At level 14 my character sheet shows Balance 8.5, which is max skill points at every level. Casting a LDM does not modify this.

Is this a known issue, or am I just missing something?

Least Dragonmark of Passage Balance skill +2, Spell: Expeditious Retreat
http://ddowiki.com/page/Dragonmarks

The +2 should be passive. If you started with 8 Dex and had Linen Handwraps or something on, that would give you -2 from Dex bonus +2 from dragonmark = 0 on your 8.5. It also might not show up on your character sheet, you could go get knocked down to see what number you're actually using on your check.

Also, Barbarian Rage turns off the +1 critical threat range from Kensei III, so once you cap you will probably be better off not raging.

[Untfell]

The +2 should be passive. If you started with 8 Dex and had Linen Handwraps or something on, that would give you -2 from Dex bonus +2 from dragonmark = 0 on your 8.5. It also might not show up on your character sheet, you could go get knocked down to see what number you're actually using on your check.

Also, Barbarian Rage turns off the +1 critical threat range from Kensei III, so once you cap you will probably be better off not raging.

10 Dex, so no problem there. Went to house P and buffed with Cat's Grace to 14 Dex, which took my Balance to 10.5. Will take your advice and probably run out to GH to those annoying red tripping cats to check some rolls. Thanks for the suggestion.

Also, that really sucks about the rage and Kensai threat range. Do you have a link for that?

[Untfell]

10 Dex, so no problem there. Went to house P and buffed with Cat's Grace to 14 Dex, which took my Balance to 10.5. Will take your advice and probably run out to GH to those annoying red tripping cats to check some rolls. Thanks for the suggestion.

After heading out to GH I realize that there doesn't seem to be any roll for balance in the combat log. You get a save vs knockdown (which is STR based), but that's all the info you get. Guess I'll just have to take turbine's word for it *worries*.

[Kinerd]

10 Dex, so no problem there. Went to house P and buffed with Cat's Grace to 14 Dex, which took my Balance to 10.5. Will take your advice and probably run out to GH to those annoying red tripping cats to check some rolls. Thanks for the suggestion.

Also, that really sucks about the rage and Kensai threat range. Do you have a link for that?

This is where I first heard about it, but apparently it's been around for a Long Time.

Bummer about the balance check. Can't think of any straightforward way to test it if it won't show you numbers.

[Untfell]

This is where I first heard about it, but apparently it's been around for a Long Time.

Bummer about the balance check. Can't think of any straightforward way to test it if it won't show you numbers.

Fortunately I plan on TRing this guy pretty soon after 20 into a pure class, so i wont have to live with the problem for that long. I wonder if lodging some bug reports will get the devs to shed some light on the issue.

Thanks a bunch for the link btw.