My artificer builds

[rimble]

One thing I do need help with (other then general assistance on how to make the build stronger) is how do most level up a multi-classer? This will be my first character I try to multi with and I haven't really been able to find a best practice guide for picking what class when. Any insight?

In this case, I'd go in order of getting the most useful class features...that means Engineer I, then Mechanic I, then Deepwood Sniper I. I'd still take Rogue at Level 1 for the skills, then Artificer to 6, finish off Rogue to 6, then Ranger to 6, and take Artificer 7 and Rogue 7 at level 19 and 20.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Here is my take on the 7/7/6 split. My focus is entirely on the x-bow. Depending on how intelligent the quivers are, will say if I bother with multishot or not:

http://www.ddochargen.com/home.aspx?build=3591

WF for self healing. Augment summon for pet, will switch him from tank at lower levels to roguish for upper levels for minor DPS gain it'd add. I already have a hireling attack key in my keybindings, so it works well. If mech and insightful stack, then I'll go that way, otherwise as my int is higher anyways, go insightful strike and mech for damage, means I only need just enough dex to do imp precise. I already played a repeater rogue up to 16 on live, so I have a lot of the reflexes necessary for range already. I believe with the extra range, plus the other perks added into the character by this set, it could be really fun and may make the ranged damage worth it.

One thing I do need help with (other then general assistance on how to make the build stronger) is how do most level up a multi-classer? This will be my first character I try to multi with and I haven't really been able to find a best practice guide for picking what class when. Any insight?

I don't see the benefit of being warforged in this case. Ranger gives access to cure wands and the build can have a maxed out UMD very easily for heal scrolls. When you take into account some healing amp the outcome will be that you'll be able to heal yourself better through divine means. After that, human gives a free feat, some skill points and damage boost (which is huge in U11, +25%).

I don't see the point in this build if mechI and ID don't stack. If they don't I'd prefer a DWSII/MechI build (assuming that DWSII is interesting enough, it should be out in U12).

I definitely think that the best way to level the build up is to go 1 rogue, 6 ranger, 6 artificer, 6 rogue, 1 artificer, 1 rogue. Ranger first up is the priority as it gives a huge amount of soloability to the build with manyshot, ITWF, cure wands, good BAB etc. Artificer second is possibly more a situational choice of preferring survivability to damage. Rogue second is an option too (either way I took a second rogue level in the middle for evasion and balanced skills).

Forget about using your pet at high levels. Being based off class levels it will only be effectively level 7. Not even worth thinking about.

[Stillwaters]

Forget about using your pet at high levels. Being based off class levels it will only be effectively level 7. Not even worth thinking about.

If you think of it under stealth - being able to open doors etc without me breaking stealth is worth it, if it pulls agro and dies so what - cost me no xp and i can take his stone to a shrine to repeat it, after i run out of rez pet clicky. even a lvl 1 arty pet is a viable tool just for that feature alone.
As for hitting/drawing mob aggro - i agree wax - pets are good while leveling but not viable as endgame helpeers (aside from stealth i mentioned above)

[Stillwaters]

Oh and i'm definitely keen to try out your Einstein build...

Though i'm more inclined to name him after his good mate Schrodinger (pet named Cat obviously) pet even packs into its own tiny box = Classic Punhumorous

[wax_on_wax_off]

Oh and i'm definitely keen to try out your Einstein build...

Though i'm more inclined to name him after his good mate Schrodinger (pet named Cat obviously) pet even packs into its own tiny box = Classic Punhumorous

I like it.

I have to say, I'm more keen to try the last build in the list, Typhon. Don't know why, bit suspicious of the possibility of ranged combat actually viable but only time will tell.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Oh and i'm definitely keen to try out your Einstein build...

Though i'm more inclined to name him after his good mate Schrodinger (pet named Cat obviously) pet even packs into its own tiny box = Classic Punhumorous

I love it.

I must admit that until I get some feedback that I'm more interested in playing a melee variant with an eFang.

[Mistycball]

Finally I'll go for a dex build with xbow and some int pure artificier,but I don't know if AA imbued arrows works on bolts.
If anyone test it please feedback like it works.thank dir this nice post

[wax_on_wax_off]

Finally I'll go for a dex build with xbow and some int pure artificier,but I don't know if AA imbued arrows works on bolts.
If anyone test it please feedback like it works.thank dir this nice post

AA imbues do not work with bolts.

At one point in time they did.

At another point in time force imbues did.

Now, however, I am fairly certain that they do not (from other posts about the issue, not direct experience).

I'd suggest that to only put enough dexterity on an artificer to get what you need and not a point more. For a crossbow user this means enough dexterity to qualify for improved precise shot (19-2 tome = 17 needed dex). Intelligence is much better for an artificer all around (if you are missing you can cast insightful strikes, if not you get lots of extra damage from insightful damage, intelligence gives DCs, SPs, skill points, trap bonuses and even possibly reflex saves with insightful reflexes feat).

[Mistycball]

Thanks Wax.then I forgot this pre line on my built.

Dex its too important for my built I need it to hit. I saw too many AA at endgame and they don't hit mobs because their low to hit bonus.
If you use insightful dmg but you don't hit your spell has no sense.
This Way its what I think.
Then ill go to take another figther pl and tring on artificier when arrives u11 on live.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Thanks Wax.then I forgot this pre line on my built.

Dex its too important for my built I need it to hit. I saw too many AA at endgame and they don't hit mobs because their low to hit bonus.
If you use insightful dmg but you don't hit your spell has no sense.
This Way its what I think.
Then ill go to take another figther pl and tring on artificier when arrives u11 on live.

If you are missing then you can cast insightful strikes which lets you use your intelligence bonus instead of your dexterity bonus for your attack bonus. This way you will never miss.

[Mistycball]

Sure but too low dps. Int its a good point to max,but you get not to enough to be a good caster.
I'll go to support with some dps,artificier has a powerful support spells like Aoe remove curse the force field for tanks,recon and the Dr breakers for weapons. This is my idea for raiding at ToD ,Ecrono etcetc.
This is the reason why I don't need to max int,but dex yeah I want to fire my epic hellfire xbow like a machinegun hohoho

[wax_on_wax_off]

Sure but too low dps. Int its a good point to max,but you get not to enough to be a good caster.
I'll go to support with some dps,artificier has a powerful support spells like Aoe remove curse the force field for tanks,recon and the Dr breakers for weapons. This is my idea for raiding at ToD ,Ecrono etcetc.
This is the reason why I don't need to max int,but dex yeah I want to fire my epic hellfire xbow like a machinegun hohoho

For the very few occasions in which your AB isn't high enough that you need insightful strikes then yes, you do lose DPS but only equal to your intelligence modifier (which apparently you won't put many points in?)

However, let me put this in perspective.
With;
15 BAB
5 divine power clicky
3 divine favour clicky
9 dex (17 base +2 tome +6 item +2 ship buff +1 human)
6 epic hell fire crossbow
2 recitation buff/wand/scroll
3 ship buff's
1 haste
4 GH
5 sneak attack (tharnes goggles)
2 Battle Engineer PrE
1 Crossbow Attack
2 Windhowler Bracers
2 exceptional AB (spectrals, shintao set, kensai set or something)
2 flanking bonus
= 59 with a little bit of gear (shouldn't be a problem if you have an epic hellfire crossbow)

How much AB do you think that you need? After this you can count on some more points from friendly buffs so it will be very rare that you'll need more if you work on your AB (inspire courage, walk of the sun, aura of menace, acid fog etc). You can pick up quite a few more points from a few other sources as well (exceptional dex, epic spectrals etc).

Epic Malicia for instance has 68 AC which is one of the highest AC's in the game. With 57 AB you'll get (0.6+.6+.85+.95)/4=75% hit rate. Against even this enemy all you need is for an arcane to drop acid for or to scroll it yourself and you'll be at over 87% hit rate ((0.80+.80+.95+.95)/4). With epic spectrals you're at 95% hit rate against one of the highest AC mobs in the game.

Against everything else? If you are dexterity based you'll be doing quite a bit less damage, you'll have less skill points and lower search and disable skill, less spell points and useless DCs (particularly annoying for blade barrier).

Don't have the gear? That's fine. Use insightful strikes. None of the gear I mention is particularly exclusive though so if you play the character a bit you'll probably end up with most of it.

[Gorbadoc]

Though i'm more inclined to name him after his good mate Schrodinger (pet named Cat obviously) pet even packs into its own tiny box = Classic Punhumorous

Or Classic Posthumous, if the nuclide decayed.

[Mistycball]

Thanks very much Wax I forgot the most important thing "clikies"
Ok ill up all points into intelligence stat. I don't have tharnes because I use GS concordant opp goggles with +6 to cha and mana. But I have other items with sneak bonus.
I'll go to planning my new built.
You can show me the light

See you guy.

[Aerendil]

Any thoughts towards a pure Halfling x-bow using Artificer?

Backstabbing +5 item (eg. Tharne's goggles, or the new U11 "Tinker's" set) = +5 to hit, +8 damage
Halfling racial enhancements = +4 to hit (flanking) and +8 sneak damage.

So without aggro, that's a boost of +16 damage *PER BOLT*. On a light repeater, that's a base +48 damage per volley.
Not bad.

With Rogue PL: Sneak of Shadows, this could be +26 bonus damage per bolt (+78 damage per volley). Ouch!

And Halfling is also the only race that can self-heal via dragonmarks, which Artificer should have the spare feats for (outside of Construct Essence feat + repair spells).

[~Eladriel]

Einstein Build
(20 Artificer)

Feats (by level): Rapid Shot (1), Augment Summons (3), Precise Shot (6), Toughness (9), Quickdraw (12), Improved Precise Shot (15), Lesser Dragonmark of Making (18)
Feats (Human): Point Blank Shot (1)
Feats (Artificer): Rapid Reload (1), Maximise (4), Empower (8), Improved Critical: Ranged (12), Least Dragonmark of Making (16), Greater Dragonmark of Making (20)

Curious why you took Quick Draw. I was under the impression that it didnt effect ranged weapons other than thrown weapons. Or are you taking for use with cooldown timers?

[wax_on_wax_off]

I thought I sent this before but maybe it got lost in the ether?

Curious why you took Quick Draw. I was under the impression that it didnt effect ranged weapons other than thrown weapons. Or are you taking for use with cooldown timers?

Quickdraw is for Versatility: Damage, Damage Boost, swapping between crossbows and swapping between wands/scrolls.

Any thoughts towards a pure Halfling x-bow using Artificer?

Backstabbing +5 item (eg. Tharne's goggles, or the new U11 "Tinker's" set) = +5 to hit, +8 damage
Halfling racial enhancements = +4 to hit (flanking) and +8 sneak damage.

So without aggro, that's a boost of +16 damage *PER BOLT*. On a light repeater, that's a base +48 damage per volley.
Not bad.

With Rogue PL: Sneak of Shadows, this could be +26 bonus damage per bolt (+78 damage per volley). Ouch!

And Halfling is also the only race that can self-heal via dragonmarks, which Artificer should have the spare feats for (outside of Construct Essence feat + repair spells).

Halfling is a solid choice for an Artificer, no doubt about it. Last trick will be to fit in some THF'ing feats (and the required strength) to use an Epic Chimaera's Fang if you're going to take all the healing dragonmarks.

But you know, I'm just crazy like that.

[gordgray]

Id like to Build one that is able to kill at long range, use magic, do the rogue thing any Ideas?

[wax_on_wax_off]

Id like to Build one that is able to kill at long range, use magic, do the rogue thing any Ideas?

That would be the Einstein Build. It is quite flexible, if you don't want to be human (for crafting) then half-elf (better ranged DPS) or warforged (better survivability) are fine choices with a back end feat reshuffle. Halfling is a fine choice too if you don't have other races unlocked.

[Ziindarax]

Einstein Build
(20 Artificer)

Concept/Goals: Ultimate tinkerer; maximising crafting potential while maintaining viability in groups. I chose the name Einstein because even though Einstein's strength wasn't in practical applications in all the films that I've seen about him he still manages to complete the quest.

Alignment: Neutral

Stats and Race (32pt build):
Human
Str: 19 (8 base +2 tome +6 item +1 LotD +2 rage)
Dex: 26 (16 base +1 level +2 tome* +6 item +1 LotD)
Con: 26 (14 base +1 greater adaptability +2 tome +6 item +1 LotD +2 rage)
Int: 38 (18 base +2 tome +4 levels +3 enhancements +7 item +3 exceptional +1 LotD)
Wis: 17 (8 base +2 tome +6 item +1 LotD)
Cha: 17 (8 base +2 tome +6 item +1 LotD)
Ability increase every 4 levels: 4 in Intelligence, 1 in dexterity for IPS
*this is the only required tome to make the build work.

Skills : Keep Concentration, Search, Disable Device, Haggle, Spot, Open Lock, Balance, Move Silently and UMD maxed at all levels. Tumble (1), Jump (~5), Left overs in Hide?. Bluff and Intimidate are options too for use with clanky (depending on how skills work on pets).

Feats (by level): Rapid Shot (1), Augment Summons (3), Precise Shot (6), Toughness (9), Quickdraw (12), Improved Precise Shot (15), Lesser Dragonmark of Making (18)
Feats (Human): Point Blank Shot (1)
Feats (Artificer): Rapid Reload (1), Maximise (4), Empower (8), Improved Critical: Ranged (12), Least Dragonmark of Making (16), Greater Dragonmark of Making (20)

Missed Feats: Construct Essence, Quicken

Enhancements (Artificer): Battle Engineer I (and prereqs, assuming no other PrE is offered).
Enhancements (Human): Adaptability: Intelligence, Greater Adaptability: Constitution if it gives +20 HP. Versatility for damage boost. Healing Amp I. Extra dragonmark I or II (if it's useful enough when combined with construct essense or for healing WF tanks).

Equipment: Repeating crossbow, Great crossbow, Rune arm.

Details:
HP: 20 base +6*20 artificer +7*20 constitution +30 GFL +45 GS HP +10 draconic +20 rage +20 ship buff +40 Yugo HP +20 minos +22 toughness +20 toughness enhancements = 507
UMD: 23 ranks +3 charisma +5 GS Conc-opp SP item +4 GH +2 GL +3 Golden Cartouche +3 epic spyglass +7 Artificer +5 skill/versatility boost = 55 (125% level 9 scrolls)
Inherent Crafting level = 10 (Dragonmark of Making*3) +10 (Artificer levels) = 20 (maximum possible).

Variant:
1. A half-elf with rogue dilettante or warforged is a better character for questing but is otherwise basically identical besides having more AP and being able to take missed feats. Overall, I don't think missing 10 crafting levels is worth it.
2. A 36 or 34 point build can more easily start with 17 dexterity to maximise intelligence. Otherwise the cost to HP is too high.
3. For epic soloing being able to cast quickened reconstructs is desirable if not mandatory. If this is the intention then consider dropping Quickdraw and Augment Summons for Construct Essence and Quicken Spell (half-elf or warforged would possibly be a better choice in this case).


More to come ...

Noob-moment, what does LotD mean?