Electric Shock (WIP)

[Chanteur]

This is my First build ever. Would like some feedback and ideas for improvement. New to the builds, usually just pick one that is posted like the Superior Soul for FvS.

This is my tentative build for when I TR. Would like your imput. This build would prolly benefit from prestige from Wiz. This is a pure Artificer build. Its very versatile in that you can change the enhancements from Electric to whatever fits your needs.

Could not decide between Adamantine or Mithral Body, went with Adamantine for the additional DR. Upon looking at it, hp is kinda low but things like Minos and GS items should makeup for that. But again, just a WIP build and would like ideas.

This is a 36pt build, I am not lucky with +3 tomes (Have yet to see one even drop!). Doing VoD/HoX, and Reaver's til 20 completions to get some +3's this life before TR'ing into this build.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Larkta Melodieux
Level 20 True Neutral Warforged Female
(20 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 1206 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 15
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             13                    15
Dexterity            13                    15
Constitution         17                    19
Intelligence         18                    28
Wisdom                6                     8
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          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               1                     9
Bluff                -1                     1
Concentration         7                    28
Diplomacy            -1                     1
Disable Device        8                    33
Haggle               -1                     2
Heal                 -2                     0
Hide                  1                    -2
Intimidate           -1                     1
Jump                  3                     9
Listen               -2                     0
Move Silently         2                     9
Open Lock             5                    26
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                4                    10
Search                8                    33
Spot                  2                    23
Swim                  1                    -1
Tumble                2                    -1
Use Magic Device      3                    24

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Adamantine Body
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Spell (1): Enchant Armor
Spell (1): Enchant Weapons
Spell (1): Repair Light Damage
Spell (1): Static Shock
Spell (1): Conjure Bolts
Spell (1): Curative Admixture: Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I


Level 2 (Artificer)
Spell (1): Shield of Faith
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Warforged Damage Reduction I
Enhancement: Warforged Inscribed Armor I


Level 3 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Augment Summoning
Spell (2): Elemental Weapons
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Deadly Shocks I
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction I


Level 4 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Spell (2): Repair Moderate Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack I


Level 5 (Artificer)
Spell (2): Lightning Sphere
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation II
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence I


Level 6 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot
Spell (3): Repair Serious Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Battle Engineer I


Level 7 (Artificer)
Spell (3): Blast Rod
Enhancement: Deadly Shocks II
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation III
Enhancement: Warforged Inscribed Armor II


Level 8 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Precise Shot
Spell (3): Curative Admixture: Cure Serious Wounds
Enhancement: Warforged Damage Reduction II


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (4): Armor of Speed
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting III


Level 10 (Artificer)
Spell (4): Repair Critical Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack II
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage II


Level 11 (Artificer)
Spell (4): Lightning Motes
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation II
Enhancement: Warforged Inscribed Armor III


Level 12 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Damage Reduction
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Maximize Spell
Spell (5): Radiant Forcefield
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence II


Level 13 (Artificer)
Spell (2): Toughen Construct
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction II
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation III


Level 14 (Artificer)
Spell (5): Prismatic Stike
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction III
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation V


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Damage Reduction
Spell (6): Reconstruct
Enhancement: Artificer Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation VI


Level 16 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Quicken Spell
Spell (6): Deadly Weapons
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting V
Enhancement: Deadly Shocks III
Enhancement: Deadly Shocks IV
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation VII


Level 17 (Artificer)
Spell (6): Tactical Detonation


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes
Spell (6): Globe of Invulnerability
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting VI
Enhancement: Deadly Shocks V
Enhancement: Warforged Damage Reduction III


Level 19 (Artificer)
Spell (2): Reinforce Construct


Level 20 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Empower Spell
Enhancement: Arcane Empowerment
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence III

[Chanteur]

SO far playing this with a 32pt build to test it out. Don't have any tomes to spend on this guy. Have him almost lvl 5 and he is pretty tough. Liking it so far.

My lvl 2 lightning spell does about 10-15dmg non-crit which is nice.

Any ideas for improvement be great.

[smeggy1384]

Point blank shot i would put as the first or second feat, the damage you gain from that is great. Augment summon i would put right up there beside it, possibly before it if you won't have groups for an elite streak starting right away. Level 1 pet with it is a great tank.

I'd not bother with precise shot since you are not going for the improved one, early on you can just mow the front mobs down in the first hit or two and the third bolt goes on to hit whatever is behind them. If all 3 aim for the back mob and it dies in one hit 2 bolts do nothing. Hear it has its uses in some places.. my arti has precise shot and will get improved in the next level or two.

Looks pretty darn tough though.

[Chanteur]

I take Adamantine Body at creation as required by the feat. And I do take Point Blank and Augment Summon next as soon as I am able to.

If Precise Shot is not recommended... What should I sub that for? Skill Focus: Disable? Couldn't decide what to sub it for.

[Hadrian]

1) Don't take one of the body feats. It's a complete waste of a feat, unless you plan to focus on high AC very early on and swap it out around level 8-10 when you can no longer reasonably keep up.

Stone Skin will give you your DR.

I'd take a look at some other artificer builds to get an idea of the feats you should be looking at. Drop the armor/dr/mitigation feats and enhancements. Replace them with more caster/archer feats.

I understand that you want to be self sufficient and survivable, but those feats aren't going to help you to accomplish that.

2) Consider adding a bit more dexterity. You need 19 to get improved precise shot, and it will be an important feat if you plan to use crossbows as a primary weapon. It will also help by giving you a little bit more to-hit.

I believe I started with:

Strength 8
Dexterity 18
Constitution 16
Intelligence 17
Wisdom 6
Charisma 8

3) Shock damage enhancements make sense early on, but it's more likely you'll want to enhance your blade barrier when you're high enough in level to select the spell.

[Chanteur]

Is the puppy at lvl 20 with max Plating enhancements & Intim able to hold agro good enough? I grabbed the DR stuff for when I pull agro from puppy.

If he is able to keep agro, then id go for the Shot on the Run/Mobility/Dodge Feat line so that I can move and shoot. Is that feat even worth getting? Not going for the DR feats will free up the 3x feats required for this line.

Switching to Human would allow me to get extra feats to get both Rapid Shot & Shot on the Run feat lines. Went with WF for the self-repairing ability, Immunities, and not needing air (Cant tell ya how many times i've died to this, also frees up the need for underwater action item). Saves me from taking Construct Essence feat or buying expensive pots. This will help me out when I solo. So id like to keep the WF.

If I don't go with the Shot on the Run line, I can pickup Imp Crit: Ranged, Rapid Shot, And either A Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Or Mental Toughness (for SP) feats. Which one should I take though?

The flexibility of this build allows me to pick the type of dmg I want. Was thinking electric for the Motes spell that gives an additional 1.15x dmg to further electric spells.

Dropping the WF DR/Body enhancements frees up approx 18 AP which I can use to specialize in another Elemental type of dmg... Prolly go with Fire or Force (most likely Fire... I like to blow things up, plus it helps with the later lvl spells). May even drop the Lightning all together and pair Fire up with Force to enhance Prismatic Strike & Tactical Detonation spells. Would both Fire and Force stack to enhance them at same time?

Wasn't sure on the BB cause it would drain his SP a lot. I don't rely a lot on SP Pots, though I do have my Bauble. And arching the Tactical Detonation spell sounds cool.

[smeggy1384]

At level 15 my pup can sometimes hold agro on crowds.. more often that not it can't. Best solution is just shooting one at a time and using my single target rune arms. Vs bosses i usually pull agro after a few volleys, but that first few seconds of not being whacked on helps. Stoneskin and mass protection from elements helps too.

As for the shot on the run line that's not much use, unless you intend to only go solo.. maybe then. Not having much of an issue hitting so far, though if i was could use insightful strikes and go for mobile shooting rather than feats.

[Chanteur]

Well I take rapid shot at lvl 6 so thats another feat I can use for something else...

Improved precise Shot req 19 Dex.. is that with gear or base stat + Tomes?

Does anyone know if I do force/Fire enhancements, since Prismatic strike does both would they stack together and enhance it twice?

[Morgueman]

Well I take rapid shot at lvl 6 so thats another feat I can use for something else...

Improved precise Shot req 19 Dex.. is that with gear or base stat + Tomes?

Does anyone know if I do force/Fire enhancements, since Prismatic strike does both would they stack together and enhance it twice?

19 dex and 11 bab for Imp PS. Thats with base stats and tomes not from any other source.

[Chanteur]

With your input I did some tweaking... THis is what I came up with... Calling it "Elemental Shock" Since it can be any 2x types of elementals...

This build focuses on prismatic Strike Spell as its focus. But is versatile.

Again, is a WIP so any ideas be great.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Larkta Melodieux
Level 20 True Neutral Warforged Female
(20 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 1206 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 19
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             12                    14
Dexterity            16                    19
Constitution         16                    19
Intelligence         18                    29
Wisdom                6                     8
Charisma              6                     8

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
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               3                    16
Bluff                -2                     0
Concentration         7                    28
Diplomacy            -2                     0
Disable Device        8                    33
Haggle               -2                     1
Heal                 -2                     0
Hide                  3                     5
Intimidate           -2                     0
Jump                  3                    14
Listen               -2                     0
Move Silently         4                    16
Open Lock             7                    28
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                4                    10
Search                8                    33
Spot                  2                    23
Swim                  1                     9
Tumble                4                     6
Use Magic Device      2                    23

Notable Equipment
Minos Legens
Supreme Tyrant Green Steel Weave Cloak  of Mineral
Supreme Tyrant Green Steel Goggles of Lightning
Voice of the Master
Mysterious Bauble
Litany of the Dead
Epic Diabolist's Docent
Supreme Tyrant +5 Green Steel Great Crossbow of Lightning

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Augment Summoning
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Spell (1): Enchant Armor
Spell (1): Enchant Weapons
Spell (1): Repair Light Damage
Spell (1): Conjure Bolts
Spell (1): Curative Admixture: Cure Light Wounds
Spell (1): Inflict Light Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I


Level 2 (Artificer)
Spell (1): Shield of Faith
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Force Manipulation I


Level 3 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Spell (2): Elemental Weapons
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Deadly Flame I
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction I
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation II


Level 4 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Rapid Shot
Spell (2): Toughen Construct
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack I


Level 5 (Artificer)
Spell (2): Fire Trap
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics I
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence I


Level 6 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (3): Repair Serious Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Battle Engineer I


Level 7 (Artificer)
Spell (3): Flame Turret
Enhancement: Deadly Flame II
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation III
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Force Manipulation II


Level 8 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Precise Shot
Spell (3): Insightful Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence II


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation
Spell (4): Armor of Speed
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting III


Level 10 (Artificer)
Spell (4): Repair Critical Damage
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack II
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage II


Level 11 (Artificer)
Spell (4): Inflict Critical Damage
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation V
Enhancement: Force Manipulation III
Enhancement: Force Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation II


Level 12 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Maximize Spell
Spell (5): Prismatic Stike
Enhancement: Deadly Flame III
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Force Manipulation V
Enhancement: Force Manipulation VI


Level 13 (Artificer)
Spell (5): Radiant Forcefield
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction II
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation III


Level 14 (Artificer)
Spell (4): Lesser Globe of Invulnerability
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting V
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Deadly Flame IV
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction III


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Spell (6): Reconstruct
Enhancement: Artificer Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Deadly Flame V


Level 16 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Quicken Spell
Spell (6): Deadly Weapons


Level 17 (Artificer)
Spell (6): Tactical Detonation
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence III


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Spell (6): Globe of Invulnerability
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting VI
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Deadly Flame VI
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Force Manipulation VII


Level 19 (Artificer)
Spell (2): Reinforce Construct
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting V
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting VI
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation IV


Level 20 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Empower Spell
Spell (6): Deconstruct
Enhancement: Arcane Empowerment
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction IV