Dwarf Fighter Archer Build?

[Oddkaos]

I'm new to Dungeons and Dragons and I'm having a hard time with creating a character. I feel like if I mess up in character creation that my character will be gimped, stunted or just not as good as it could be if I actually knew what I was doing.

I want to play a Dwarf Archer (Fighter or Ranger it doesn't matter) that uses Repeating Crossbows but I'm having trouble finding a build for that. So I downloaded the character planner and the same feelings reoccurred, I felt as if I would mess something up horribly and end up with a gimped character.

Has anyone seen a build like the one that I described or could help me make such a build?

Thank you for reading!

[NovaNZ]

Good to see u doing the legwork hittin the forums etc.
Being gimped, stunted or not as good as you could be, are worth avoiding if at all possible.

A word of caution though from a dedicated dwarf player - dont waste your energies trying to avoid being stunted - 'YOUR A DWARF - OF COURSE YOU ARE STUNTED - 4' OR SO STUNTED!'

As for the other two objectives - you could use feat Brutal Throw with returning axe if you want dwarf with ranged capacity.

Try Rogue mechanic if you want repeating Xbow

Ranger/? mix if you want ranged/TWF generalist

Honestly the specs for the build you are seekinga are not so common - I imagine others may well encourage you to drop the the 'archer' part and focus on melee.

Good Luck anyway - and welcome to DDO.

[Therigar]

I'll reiterate the recommendation for rogue with the mechanic PrE. It will give you that repeating crossbow piece you're looking for.

I'll also recommend pure fighter or fighter/rogue using the Kensai PrE. The number of fighter feats will let you select repeaters as an exotic weapon and you can use the Kensai PrE to gain weapon mastery benefits. Fighter weapon enhancements for ranged weapons will let you gain bonuses to hit and damage.

A fighter/rogue mix will get you evasion and an extra DEX enhancement. Plus you'll have enough feats to focus not only on the repeater but to grab useful melee as a backup.

Be forewarned, though, that ranged combat is one of the weakest forms in DDO. Most players will have problems accepting a ranged focus character unless you are very good at what you are doing.

I might suggest turning it around and going dwarf THF as your primary emphasis, including the Kensai enhancements, and picking up the repeater as your secondary weapon choice. People don't seem to have issues with ranged when the character readily switches to melee when things get tough.

[wax_on_wax_off]

A build idea that was thrown around for U9 was the 13 rogue / 6 ranger / 1 x (fighter or monk probably) deepwood sniper/mechanic.

In U9 deepwood sniper got a bit of an upgrade allowing them to use sneak attack from an additional 10' away giving some synergy with a ranged rogue build.

Mechanic rogue gets free proficiencies with repeating crossbows (light at level 6, heavy at level 12) and currently doesn't have a tier 3 available. Mechanic also gives intelligence bonus to damage which gives them a higher damage potential than other builds, grouped with all the rogue sneak attack and you can do decent damage.

Ranged combat is expected to get an overhaul in update 11 the beta of which is being uploaded onto Lamania on Tuesday (apparently). At the very least you should actually shoot when it looks like you're shooting which hasn't necessarily been true all the time up to now.

A pure dwarf rogue mechanic is always a solid build though other races might have slightly better DPS.

Relatively though, Mechanics have lost out in U9 due to the huge boost that assassins received now that they are allowed to use their instant death abilities in epics.

Overall, you'll never get an amazing build if focusing on repeating crossbows or even ranged combat in general. You can manage to scrape into the "ok" area with some work, gearing and intelligent play.

[Oddkaos]

Wow! I didn't expect such fast responses.
Thank you!

I did try making a build in the character planner.
Here it is.
Tell me what you think.

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

Bob 
Level 20 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(20 Fighter) 
Hit Points: 342
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 12
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    17
Dexterity            18                    23
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             10                    10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    10
Bluff                 0                     3
Concentration         1                     5
Diplomacy             0                     3
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle                0                     0
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  4                     6
Intimidate            0                     3
Jump                  4                     7
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         4                     6
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  2                     3
Tumble                5                    18.5
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Rapid Reload
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Repeating Heavy Crossbow
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Flanking Mastery I


Level 5 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery II


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 7 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Kensei Repeating Heavy Crossbow Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Repeating Heavy Crossbow Specialization I


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy IV


Level 11 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Shot on the Run
Enhancement: Kensei Repeating Heavy Crossbow Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Mobility I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II


Level 13 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery III


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Repeating Heavy Crossbow Specialization II


Level 17 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Acrobatic
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Superior Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Repeating Heavy Crossbow Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei III


Level 19 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Fighter Mobility II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III

I think that taking that many levels in rogue would hurt me overall because of the free fighter feats i could be getting, correct me if I am wrong though.

[Jay203]

I think that taking that many levels in rogue would hurt me overall because of the free fighter feats i could be getting, correct me if I am wrong though.

6 lvls of fighters nets you 3 feats and the chance at capstone
in return, you gain free repeating light crossbow feat, +2 energy resistance to all that stacks with everything, and adding your int modifier to your crossbow damage
not to mention sneak attack
and evasion

[Oddkaos]

6 lvls of fighters nets you 3 feats and the chance at capstone
in return, you gain free repeating light crossbow feat, +2 energy resistance to all that stacks with everything, and adding your int modifier to your crossbow damage
not to mention sneak attack
and evasion

Well don't I need 18 levels in Fighter in order to get Fighter Kensei III and Kensei Repeating Heavy Crossbow Mastery III and 16 levels in Fighter to get Fighter Repeating Heavy Crossbow Specialization II?

Would I just take 2 levels in Rouge and at what time would I take them?

[wax_on_wax_off]

Well don't I need 18 levels in Fighter in order to get Fighter Kensei III and Kensei Repeating Heavy Crossbow Mastery III and 16 levels in Fighter to get Fighter Repeating Heavy Crossbow Specialization II?

Would I just take 2 levels in Rouge and at what time would I take them?

You need 6 levels of rogue to get your intelligence bonus to your crossbow damage.

The fighter theme is thoroughly underwhelming; in general a kensai generates damage by having a high strength score which contributes to damage and is multiplied by the kensai attributes. Crossbows don't get strength to their damage so is limited to just the base damage plus magic enhancements, the kensai multiplications still generate a small number.

At least with 13 to 20 rogue levels you can rely on solid sneak attack damage to supplement your damage. The 6 ranger levels get you more free feats than what fighter does and gives you an important melee option to fall back on.

Dwarf 13 rogue / 6 ranger / 1 fighter is a pretty solid build.

[Oddkaos]

The 6 ranger levels get you more free feats than what fighter does and gives you an important melee option to fall back on.

I don't really need the free feats from ranger to help with my crossbow damage, do I?

I'll try making a Dwarf 13 rogue / 6 ranger / 1 fighter build though.

[NovaNZ]

Go the Dwarfs ....!

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

Level 20 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(1 Fighter \ 13 Rogue \ 6 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 318
Spell Points: 50 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 20
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    19
Dexterity            16                    24
Constitution         16                    20
Intelligence         14                    16
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              6                     8

Tomes Used
+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          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    26
Bluff                -2                    -1
Concentration         3                     5
Diplomacy             1                    21
Disable Device        6                    32
Haggle               -2                    -1
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  7                    32
Intimidate           -2                    -1
Jump                  7                    27
Listen               -1                     0
Move Silently         7                    32
Open Lock             7                    29
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     7
Search                6                    32
Spot                  3                    29
Swim                  3                     4
Tumble                4                     9
Use Magic Device      2                    22

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I
Enhancement: Improved Spot I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II
Enhancement: Improved Spot II


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I
Enhancement: Improved Hide II


Level 7 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Deepwood Sniper I


Level 8 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II


Level 10 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I


Level 11 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Fire Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II


Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I


Level 13 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II


Level 14 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense II


Level 16 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II


Level 17 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device III
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock III


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Reload
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing III
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic II


Level 19 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Crippling Strike
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing IV
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

[Oddkaos]

Ok I made this one. I don't know if it's any good.

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

Bob 2 
Level 19 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(1 Fighter \ 13 Rogue \ 5 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 167
Spell Points: 55 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 19
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 19)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity            18                    24
Constitution         10                    12
Intelligence         16                    16
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma              6                     6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 19)
Balance               8                    24
Bluff                 2                    11
Concentration         0                     1
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device        7                    29
Haggle               -2                    -2
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  8                    25
Intimidate           -2                    -2
Jump                  3                    17
Listen                4                    18
Move Silently         8                    25
Open Lock             8                    33
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                     7
Search                7                    27
Spot                  4                    22
Swim                 -1                    -1
Tumble                8                    20
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


Level 2 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Electric Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I


Level 4 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II


Level 5 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense II


Level 6 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I


Level 7 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity II


Level 8 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device III
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock III


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Reload
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking II


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Defensive Roll
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III


Level 11 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III


Level 12 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic II


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device IV
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock IV
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity III


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking III


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV


Level 16 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking IV


Level 17 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Shot on the Run
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense III


Level 19 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Human
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense IV

EDIT: Wow.. i just spent an hour making that one and I see that Novan already posted one for me. lol
Still, tell me what you think of mine and if you think I should go with Novan's or if I should use the one I made.
I don't know if I'll have access to tomes though.

[NovaNZ]

Given in all sincerity ...

HP - way too low.
STR - too low
dont need listen
Only need minimal tumble
UMD is good to have on this build

Oddkaos - there are many, many better builders (edit - 'than me') here on forums - I encourage you to try posting in forums for ideas/improvements under Specialists - that tends to capture players who have ++++ XP running this type of build.

Dont take the first build or two - build your knowledge base here on Forums and harness the ++++ XP of wonderful, helpful players that will enhance your play skill and ultimate enjoyment of this great game.

Re tombs - I purchase my set on DDO store. Not everone's idea of wise (or necessary) spending.

NB - my character example is 32 point build.

[Oddkaos]

Given in all sincerity ...

HP - way too low.
STR - too low
dont need listen
Only need minimal tumble
UMD is good to have on this build

Oddkaos - there are many, many better builders here on forums - I encourage you to try posting in forums for ideas/improvements under Specialists - that tends to capture players who have ++++ XP running this type of build.

Dont take the first build or two - build your knowledge base here on Forums and harness the ++++ XP of wonderful, helpful players that will enhance your play skill and ultimate enjoyment of this great game.

Re tombs - I purchase my set on DDO store. Not everone's idea of wise (or necessary) spending.

NB - my character example is 32 point build.

Ok I'll try looking there using the build that you gave me. Thank you for all of your help and thanks to others who have posted in this thread!

[wax_on_wax_off]

Generally speaking Nova's build seems pretty solid while there is some glaring flaws in yours that Nova has pointed out.

The reason Nova put a reasonable strength score is to be able to swap between ranged and melee which is absolutely vital to not being a complete dead weight on your party at those times that ranged isn't appropriate.

It looks like Nova is pretty spot on with feats:
7 base: toughness, point blank shot, weapon focus: ranged, precise shot, improved precise shot, improved critical: ranged, rapid reload
Ranger bonus feats: Rapid Shot, Strength Shot, TWF, Diehard, ITWF, Manyshot
2 ranger favoured enemies: undead, giant (swap one of these for Evil Outsider at level ~10)
2 rogue bonus feats: improved evasion, crippling strike (or opportunist)
1 fighter bonus: greater two weapon fighting

But I see a few missing I would have thought might have been fitted in:
Power attack, improved critical: slashing.

I'd say these 2 feats are close to being critical to not making the build a dud. Fitting them in is tricky though, you can lose 1 rogue level and take an extra fighter level; this loses you crippling strike but you gain +1 strength enhancement and an extra feat (power attack). Perhaps craft minII axes to cover the lack of improved critical.

Skills wise,
I wouldn't worry about diplomacy, just learn to manage your aggro.
I wouldn't worry about putting more than ~4-5 ranks in jump, at level 18 you can get a belt which gives +30.
Listen isn't a bad skill if you have extra skill points to see invisible enemies.

Still, it's fair to say that diplomacy can stay on account of there not being anything better to get, perhaps the same for jump.

As far as feat order goes, I'd leave toughness until later (put it off until you start to miss the extra HPs) as each feat will represent a considerable boost to your DPS.

You won't be able to cast spells without a boost to your wisdom. Look for a clicky that gives owls wisdom or get potions to start until you can find a +3 wisdom item.

Good luck,
Wowo