Melee or Ranged? WF or Human?

[Malison]

p.s. dex 13 almost means you will miss good amount at end game when using crossbow

Dex 13 base + 2 tome + 6 item + 1+2 exceptional (gilvenor's ring?) = 24

to-hit:
15 BAB
5 divine power
3 divine favor
7 dex
4 crafted on rune arm
4 greater heroism
5 tharne's goggles
1 enhancement
7 weapon (5 plus 2 battle engineer)
1 point-blank shot
1 haste
=53

Some AC benchmarks,

Epic trash mostly varies from 48 to 55, with some (rare) mobs like the toughest melee Windlasher Gnolls in Wiz-King being in the ~58-60 range.

Epic bosses vary; some of the most important ones are in the high 60s (Lailat 65; Turigulon 67 or 68, Malicia 68). Few builds indeed can hit these on a 2 on their first attack or while moving.

Of course, debuffs can reduce these AC figures.

Also note that your artificer's dog, who contributes near-negligible dps at endgame, can happily wield a Maladroit of Improved Destruction module and drastically drop enemy AC.

[Kyln]

Update:

I built a ranged artificer and loving it. In fact, I am enjoying it so much I am thinking of rolling a melee artificer to try the melee angle and see of fun and or different that is. Anyone have any luck on a melee build through 20?

[goodspeed]

Both are fun to play. Especially ranged. At level 6 when you get that tommy gun enhancements it's just badass.

IDK about ranged at end though. Expecially with the arti's capstone. Basically use any scroll and use it to it's full potential? With some cleric scrolls namely that one that increases hit to fighters level that is a very nice thing. Enough so that you could then take and use your int mod which should just be right up there what with 18 to start, levels, gear, and enhancments for the dmg mod.

Add even more if you threw a human or helf in there for the versatility 20% dmg to stack at the same time with that facade. I mean ****, arti's are **** near the key to most situation. The versatility can mix for just about anything. And on a second life with a slew of GS repeaters. God id be just so much fun lol.

That said I also wouldn't mind an arti having an ESOS. Oh the fun things he could do with that. Especially as a helf!!!. Sadly that dream will probably be quite a ways off for me.

[FooWonk]

Update:

I built a ranged artificer and loving it. In fact, I am enjoying it so much I am thinking of rolling a melee artificer to try the melee angle and see of fun and or different that is. Anyone have any luck on a melee build through 20?

I just capped my melee artificer. BTW, even though Fuykali was specced for melee, there was little reason to melee until level 12.