Descor TR1 Rog12/Rng6/Arti 2 DWS Assassin

[barryman5000]

Descor -- DWS / Assassin

Previous Life: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=313659

Descor is my ranged rogue build toon. The link above is his first life which was a deepwood sniper/rogue mechanic. It was a blast of a build that really did alot better after update 11 hit. Now with artificer out I have an idea for a TR for him that could make good use of the artificer class.

This is a very versatile build that will do very good dps with ranged attacks. It has the ability to use all crossbows, bows, and light weapons. It is a finesse build for melee purposes. It has twfing. It brings the pew pew.

Trap skills will be great. Sneak abilities will be great. Umd will be . . . . serviceable.

Build below:

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

Descor Hather
Level 20 True Neutral Halfling Male
(12 Rogue \ 6 Ranger \ 2 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 254
Spell Points: 282 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 21
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             12                    14
Dexterity            17                    24
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         16                    24
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma             12                    14

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                    27
Bluff                 5                    32
Concentration         2                     3
Diplomacy             1                     2
Disable Device        7                    30
Haggle                5                    25
Heal                 -1                     1
Hide                  7                    41
Intimidate            1                     2
Jump                  4                    27
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         7                    39
Open Lock             7                    30
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                     9
Search                7                    30
Spot                  3                    26
Swim                  1                     2
Tumble                4                     8
Use Magic Device      5                    25

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Artificer)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 4 (Artificer)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse


Level 10 (Rogue)


Level 11 (Rogue)


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


Level 13 (Rogue)


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot


Level 16 (Rogue)


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


Level 19 (Rogue)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity II
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: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Deepwood Sniper I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin I
Enhancement: Rogue Assassin II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Improved Hide I
Enhancement: Improved Hide II
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently I
Enhancement: Improved Move Silently II
Enhancement: Improved Spot I
Enhancement: Improved Spot II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity III
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Rogue Wand and Scroll Mastery II

Important note: You must take a +2 dex tome to get improved precise shot at level 18!

I learned a few things from Descor's last life:
1. Subtle backstabbing doesn't affect range (or didn't seem to).
2. Stealth Strike is awesome.
3. Improved precise shot is the best feat in the game.
4. To-hit is an issue with 28 dex(30 max this life) against high level mobs with a BaB of 15-16. I highly suggest crafting a destruction crossbow if possible and maybe use dp clickies.
5. Sneaking is awesome.
6. Bluff is the most underrated skill. Every non-tank could make use of it.
7. Long range sneak attack can feel like piking. Or steal aggro and then bluff the mob. Easy.

Final Stats:

Str 20
Dex 30
Con 22
Int 32
Wis 16
Cha 20

Why 2 levels of artificer?

Artificer provides +1 crossbow damage, +1 int, proficiency with all crossbows, and rune arms for extra damage of up to 2d8 per a hit. They can also put neat things on your main attacks like undead dancing or banishment. Able to conjure bolts.

Why not rogue mechanic instead of assassin?

Umd of insightful damage scrolls. Its a 6 minute buff normally which will be 7 minutes with the artificer levels. Going assassin will net me an extra sneak attack die as well as the ability to play with assassinate for fun. (DC of assassinate will be around 35 with ship buff/spyglass. 37 dc with midnight greetings).

Why crossbows?

Because they bring the pew pew. Also great crossbows will have a 30% crit chance with improved crit. Should be fun to see the big numbers.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[karl_k0ch]

I like the build. I'm too much focused on melee/ranged versatility which is why I'd probably roll it as a 11 Ran/7 Rog/2 Art, but the general flavor is tasty. (But then, it's a Halfling build, so it's inherently tasty.)

I have some comments which might not be new to you, but provide some more info to players who are interested in playing this build.

I learned a few things from Descor's last life:
1. Subtle backstabbing doesn't affect range (or didn't seem to).
...
4. To-hit is an issue with 28 dex(30 max this life) against high level mobs with a BaB of 15-16. I highly suggest crafting a destruction crossbow if possible and maybe use dp clickies.
...

1. This is no surprise, considering that the official description is:

Activate this ability to cause your melee attacks to generate 10% less hate, making enemies less likely to attack you.

4. Additionally, you can make use of to-hit bonuses which are found on items such as Tumbleweed, (Epic) Spectral Gloves, and Cannith Crafted Goggles. Unbalancing is an interesting property, but relies on being hit. I.e., if you are a member of a static group, convince your meat shield of choice to weild one of those crafted rings.

Currently, despite it's description, Improved Destruction does not grant a -8 AC to mobs, but rather a -4 which stacks with regular descruction. This is a known issue.

I wouldn't write off regular Bows as a situational weapon. Ranger 6 grants you Manyshot which will allow you some nice bursty DPS. Your Dex is high enough to provide a good to-hit to do so.

Now some more substantial remarks to the build, in particular the feat choices.

To me, it hurts to see that you are not able to pick up GTWF, and the only feat that I see as a possible drop for this is finesse. Of course, your to-hit will suffer. There are basically two options to mitigate this issue, both of which are not great.

• Use a Finesse Weapon. This makes your weapon choice quite narrow, but the llist of weapons includes Epic Midnight Greetings. If you plan to use mainly this weapon when in melee mode, it might be an option. With the Silver Weapons Scroll (note: Cold Iron Scrolls are not available at vendors), you'll be able to use the EMG as a boss beater, if holy-slotted. This is, of course, only an end-game option.
• Use Insightful Strikes Scrolls. This is only semi-viable, as it requires a lot of gear-swaps for a pair of two weapons to be enchanted by that. Also, it prevents Insightful damage for your Melee weapons.

[barryman5000]

I like the build. I'm too much focused on melee/ranged versatility which is why I'd probably roll it as a 11 Ran/7 Rog/2 Art, but the general flavor is tasty. (But then, it's a Halfling build, so it's inherently tasty.)

...snip

Currently, despite it's description, Improved Destruction does not grant a -8 AC to mobs, but rather a -4 which stacks with regular descruction. This is a known issue.

I wouldn't write off regular Bows as a situational weapon. Ranger 6 grants you Manyshot which will allow you some nice bursty DPS. Your Dex is high enough to provide a good to-hit to do so.

... snip

• Use a Finesse Weapon. This makes your weapon choice quite narrow, but the llist of weapons includes Epic Midnight Greetings. If you plan to use mainly this weapon when in melee mode, it might be an option. With the Silver Weapons Scroll (note: Cold Iron Scrolls are not available at vendors), you'll be able to use the EMG as a boss beater, if holy-slotted. This is, of course, only an end-game option.
• Use Insightful Strikes Scrolls. This is only semi-viable, as it requires a lot of gear-swaps for a pair of two weapons to be enchanted by that. Also, it prevents Insightful damage for your Melee weapons.

Great feedback. Thanks. The note about insighful strikes, does that really work? It would seem if that did we would have some crazy rogues out there. I never tried a melee on my artificiers. If that is possible then I will drop weapon finesse in a heartbeat and pick up gtwf.

You are right about manyshot. Manyshot on the last life was the best. Its about as good as a maxed out rogue haste boost, but from 30 ft away

I'll have to remember about destruction. I forgot the ac thing with it. I could save some crafting enhancements making it destruction instead of imp. destruction. I know they do stack

Also whats makes halflings so tasty? I'd assume they would be kinda stringy and tough with a gamy taste. I guess you could tenderize them . . .