Halfling Fighter Kensai - TWF Khopesh

[Lord_of_13]

I normally play a caster - Takhat - on Thelanis. However, having recently achieved Veteran status on the server, I thought I would roll up a second character, albeit a melee. However, since I mostly plan to have my new character advance on his own merits (starting equipment and tome excepted), I have only included a +1 DEX tome (for ITWF & GTWF) in the build. The only skill this character has is UMD and two ranks in Tumble at character creation.
As a side note, I prefer some tactical use - hence the improved Trip DC (I don't know how much being a halfling penalizes it). Any feedback about the viability of this, as well as on the build overall, would be excellent.
- I don't want to splash more than 2 levels in the build, and I'm F2P, so Monk is right out. >> Empower Healing is only available via Cleric or Bard splash
- I have 2 extra feats - you'll notice 3 Toughness feats in the selection, and the last 2 are sorta placeholders. -44 hp vs... ??? Allows for a 2-level splash (-1 feat) and 1 feat to support the splash, I suppose.

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

Adonith Faquar
Level 20 Chaotic Neutral Halfling Male
(20 Fighter) 
Hit Points: 376
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 11
Will: 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 21                   23
Dexterity            16                 17                   17
Constitution         14                 14                   14
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma              8                  8                    8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Agility
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Bravery
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Keen Ears
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Luck
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Size Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Thrown Weapon Focus
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing


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


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


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

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow
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: Fighter Weapon Alacrity
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: Kensei Khopesh 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 (Trip) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) III
Enhancement: Fighter Khopesh Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Khopesh Specialization II
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion I
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion II
Enhancement: Halfling Hero's Companion III
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) I
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Reflex) II
Enhancement: Halfling Luck (Will) I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

[Kinerd]

Without some kind of metamagic or increased healing amp, the healing dragonmarks are not super popular. I think you would be happier if you swap them for Stunning Blow, Sap, and another Toughness, and put your AP into improving Stunning Blow DC rather than trip. Power Attack is important for good DPS, I would not consider it a "placeholder".

That notwithstanding, it's a solid build, plenty viable.

[Sequell]

Are you hooked on Halfling for some reason?

No reason to go with a race that has the weakest stats for the desired class IMO unless there is a HUGE benefit (i.e. WF Sorc)

Human, Dwarf, H-Elf, and Orc are all better races for fighter than Halfling.

[Lord_of_13]

Well, I am F2P, so Helves and Horcs are right out. I looked at Dwarves, but they and Humans don't get the Dragonmark of Healing, which is the main reason for halfling. I think the stats come out the same-ish (Dwarves have +2 CON and -2 CHA compared to halflings, while humans get +2 to WIS or INT, most likely). I'll replace one of the toughnesses with Stunning Blow, but I remain unconvinced as to usefulness of Sap. As for Healing Amp, I will be getting items to help out with that.
BTW, the last two Toughnesses are placeholders, not the last two feats. :P Also, I find that the healing from the dragonmarks is quite noticable while soloing, which I plan to do for at least half of the quests until level 12. At level 12, I switch to TWF away from Sword-and-Board.
The chief benefit of halflings is improved durability (+1 AC and to all saves) and the Hero's Companion enhancement line. Between that and the dragonmarks, I ought to be a decent support character and excellent melee - I'm not skimping on any melee capability, and this will make me unique, even at higher levels.
Any suggestions for the 2-level splash? Rogue is somewhat synergestic for a human, assuming you put points in INT, but it would be for UMD and not much else. Bards, alas, have no useful level 1 buffs, and the song is too marginal at those levels. Paladin for saves wouldn't be too bad, and some more toughness enhancements, but the capstone is lost. If this were an AC build, that would be fine, but as a DPS build...

Thank you for your comments thus far; I look forward to other suggestions.

[Lord_of_13]

Bumpity. I could still use some feedback...

[rayworks]

I would swap Oversized TWF for Power Attack. I think you'll find that you hit just fine without the oversized feat.

[Lord_of_13]

I would swap Oversized TWF for Power Attack. I think you'll find that you hit just fine without the oversized feat.

OK; so shuffling Power Attack down and ditching Oversized, I can get another Toughness.

[aristarchus1000]

Bumpity. I could still use some feedback...

Nothing wrong with a pure fighter.

That said, if you like the healing dragonmarks, paladin splash for the saving throws and access to the maximize feat (I believe it works with healing dragonmarks) might work well.

[Lord_of_13]

Nothing wrong with a pure fighter.

That said, if you like the healing dragonmarks, paladin splash for the saving throws and access to the maximize feat (I believe it works with healing dragonmarks) might work well.

How would this affect my starting stats? IMO, there are no spare build points... drop 2 points of STR for CHA 14?

[Kinerd]

That's a pretty good trade, but really you wouldn't have to put any build points into Cha. Just grab a +6 Cha item and voilÃ*, stacking +2 to all saves. Because of the way base saves and multiclassing work, you would also net +2 Fort save with a 2 Paladin splash.

In addition to being able to pick up Maximize, you could also get a rank of Paladin Devotion to further soup up your heals. I would go with Empower Heal, though, because Maximize doesn't work on Heal.

[Lord_of_13]

One problem... you need 4 levels of paladin to get Empower Healing, and I only have space for a 2-level splash. I think a clicky/potion will work just as well, and let me get the fighter capstone.

[aristarchus1000]

One problem... you need 4 levels of paladin to get Empower Healing, and I only have space for a 2-level splash. I think a clicky/potion will work just as well, and let me get the fighter capstone.

Clickie/pot stacks with the feat and the enhancements, so it is not an either/or question.

[Lord_of_13]

I know; as I said, I play a caster. :P I'm saying clickies/pots should be good enough. I'm looking at 500-600 hp, easy, at cap. Healing about half of that with one dragonmark use (of five) is fine. :P

[aristarchus1000]

I know; as I said, I play a caster. :P I'm saying clickies/pots should be good enough. I'm looking at 500-600 hp, easy, at cap. Healing about half of that with one dragonmark use (of five) is fine. :P

If you think that is enough, then go pure. Doesn't matter really. Just a suggestion.

[spartin]

perhaps not optimal for group play, but adding one wizard would grab you a free metamagic (maxamise) to boost the halfling healing, and use of wands, most notably blur and resist. very uesfull if you are running solo mostly.

and if you did that tacking on one rogue would get you some usefull skills, such as umd, and open lock. no need for max ranks in open lock, a couple ranks, good items and tools will get most locks eventually.

edit: for those two feats you unsure about, sap is spectacular when soloing. takeing a enemy out of the fight immedatly can cut way down on your healing needed. although not so good for groups as most seem to see the sap symbol overhead as a must attack here symbol

[unbongwah]

Without some kind of metamagic or increased healing amp, the healing dragonmarks are not super popular.

They still benefit from Ardor clickies etc. As long as the OP realizes he's only getting some supplemental / emergency healing out of them, it's fine.

That said, here's a 28-pt variant on the classic Monster (rogue 2 / rgr 6 / ftr 12) I came up with which gives up Tempest I for the DMs; essentially trading a bit of DPS for better self-healing. Rgr 6 provides free feats (inc. bow feats for those occasions when Manyshot is useful), Devotion II for +20% healing, 2 FEs, lvl 1 spells (mostly for Ram's Might), rgr wands, and access to Maximize & Empower (but not Emp Heal since rgrs don't get CLW until lvl 8); rogue splash is for UMD, Evasion, and sneak atk (which combined w/Cunning & Guile III should be +6 to-hit 1d6+9 SA dmg when flanking); ftr 12 for the feats & Kensai II.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Halfling Female
(12 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 6 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 332
Spell Points: 50 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 16
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    26
Dexterity            16                    17
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 12
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead (swap for Evil Outsider later)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Healing


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 17 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Quick Draw (or Stunning Blow or extra Toughness)


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+7)
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: 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: Halfling Cunning I
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning II
Enhancement: Halfling Cunning III
Enhancement: Halfling Guile I
Enhancement: Halfling Guile II
Enhancement: Halfling Guile III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion 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

Why'd I delay rogue 2 until lvl 20? Only way to max out UMD w/base INT 8 and no +2 INT tome. Unfortunately, this means no Evasion until endgame. If you do have a +2 INT tome, you can take rogue 2 sooner. [Note I didn't spend all my skill pts; just wanted to show how to spend them to get max UMD.]

This won't have the DPS of a pure Kensai, but it gains a lot of self-sufficiency. It also only requires a +1 DEX tome by lvl 12, which hopefully any F2Per can manage.