The Little Rabbit - Hobbit TWF AC evasion tank with dragonmarks

[Thrudh]

Build notes for myself:

Halfling 36-point double TR 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Monk

Prestige Enhancements

• Stalwart Defender II
• Tempest I

Past Lives:

• Ranger (+2 to element resistances, +2 bow damage)
• Paladin (5% healing amp)

Stats:

• Strength - 13 (+3 tome, +7 item, +2 enhancements, +3 level ups, +2 Ram's Might, +4 SD Stance) = 34
• Dexterity - 18 (+4 tome, +9 item, +4 enhancements +1 level ups) = 36
• Constitution -15 (+3 tome, +7 item, +1 level ups, +4 SD Stance) = 30
• Intelligence -11 (+3 tome) = 14
• Wisdom - 14 (+3 tome, +8 item, +1 enhancement) = 26
• Charisma - 9 (+3 tome, +6 item) = 18

Feats (Free):

• Bow Strength
• Rapid Shot
• Manyshot
• TWF
• ITWF

Level progression and chosen Feats:

• 1 Ranger - Least Dragonmark of Healing
• 2 Fighter - Dodge
• 3 Monk - Past Life Paladin, Mobility
• 4 Ranger
• 5 Fighter - Spring Attack
• 6 Ranger - Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
• 7 Ranger
• 8 Monk - Toughness
• 9 Ranger - Maximize --> switch to Power Attack later
• 10 Fighter
• 11 Ranger
• 12 Fighter - Greater Dragonmark of Healing, GTWF
• 13 Fighter
• 14 Fighter - Improved Critical: Pierce
• 15 Fighter - Extend
• 16 Fighter - Weapon Focus: Pierce
• 17 Fighter
• 18 Fighter - Weapon Specialization: Pierce, Combat Expertise
• 19 Fighter
• 20 Fighter - Improved Sunder

Skills:

• 1 Ranger - 4x Hide, MS, Spot, Jump - 2x UMD,Tumble
• 2 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 3 Monk - 3x Balance - 1x UMD
• 4 Ranger (+1 INT tome takes effect) - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 5 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 6 Ranger - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 7 Ranger - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 8 Monk - 4x Balance - 1x UMD
• 9 Ranger - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 10 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 11 Ranger - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 12 Fighter (+3 INT tome takes effect) - 3x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 13 Fighter - 3x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 14 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x Jump - 1x UMD
• 15 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x Jump - 1x UMD
• 16 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x Jump - 1x UMD
• 17 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x Jump - 1x UMD
• 18 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x Jump - 1x UMD
• 19 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 2x Jump - 1x UMD
• 20 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 2x Jump - 1x UMD

Gear layout at 20

• Head - Epic Chimera crown - +5 Nat armor, 30 Spell resistance, 20 extra hps, extra dragonmarks, Yellow slot, Colorless slot (+6 WIS)
• Neck - Epic Grims Bracelet - +7 STR, +3 Dodge, Green slot (GFL)
• Trinket - Epic Gem of Many Facets- Yellow Slot (Poison Immunity) -- or -- Blindness ward of Dodge +2 trinket
• Cloak - Epic Envenomed Cloak- +7 CON, Posion Guard, +5 resistance, Green slot (Good luck +2)
• Belt - Greensteel Min II- 45 hps, Protection +5, Heavy Fort
• Gloves - Epic Gloves of the Claw- +6 STR, +5 Intimidate, 30% Healing amp
• Boots - Epic Boots of Corrision- Greater Acid Resistance, Disintegration Guard, Green slot, Colorless slot
• Bracers - Epic Scorched Bracers - 8 Armor, Greater Fire Resist, Green slot (Toughness)
• Goggles - Epic Raven's Sight - True Seeing, Exc Wis +2, Epic Will Save +3
• Armor - Icy Raiments, +4 Dodge, +3 Resistance, +4 Protection
• Ring #1 - AA ring, +6 DEX, +1 Exc Dex, +2 Exc Dex
• Ring #2 - Epic ring of the Stalker- Manslayer, +6 seeker, +3 Exc Sneak Attack, Ghostly, Yellow slot (Disease Immunity), Colorless slot (+6 CHA)

• Weapon #1 - Epic Chimera's Fang - +8, 15% Incite, Superior Parrying (+4 Insight AC), Shocking Burst, Disintegration, Destruction, Shatter +10, Silver, Keen, Red Slot
• Weapon #2 - ??

Epic Gem of Many Facets combines with Epic Gloves of the Claw and Epic Raven's Sight to give me +4 Damage, 20% Incite, +4 to hit (or I can lose all that for +2 more AC)

Greater Abishai Set gives +3 STR and +3 AC

Also end up with a Green slot, a Yellow slot, and a colorless slots. Could easily add +1 Exc STR, +1 Exc CON, Featherfall, or +1 Exc WIS

Brawn's Spirits is a possible option in the trinket slot as well.



Armor Class

• 10 Base
• 8 Epic Scorched Bracers
• 1 Dodge Feat
• 4 Icy Raiments Dodge
• 3 Dodge (Grim's Bracelet)
• 2 Dodge (Mabar Cloak or +2 crafted)
• 1 Alchemical Dodge
• 8 Wisdom (14 +3 tome +1 enhancement +8 items) = 26
• 13 Dexterity (18 +4 tome +4 enhancement +9 items +1 level up) = 36
• 1 Halfling
• 1 Monk
• 4 Insight (Shroud Crafted)
• 5 Protection
• 5 Natural
• 2 Tempest I
• 3 SD Stance
• 2 Stalwart bonus
• 1 Haste
• 5 Combat Expertise
• 2 Shield Wand
• 2 Yugo
• 5 Airship
• 1 FE (Evil Outsiders and Constructs)

= 89 self-buffed

• 4 Bard song
• 2 Recitation

= 95 raid buffs (plus a possible Paladin aura).

With Abaisha set, increase both of these by 3 AC for 92/98 accessible AC.


So if I'm main tank where AC doesn't matter

• Icy Raiments --> DT armor with 10% healing amp, 20% healing amp, and some guard or Greater Potency VII

And if I'm not main tank, I'll switch

• Epic Raven's Sight --> Tharnes Goggles (+5 sneak attack)

or

• Gloves of the Claw --> Brawling gloves for +4 sneak attack (and I'll get rid of that 20% threat - probably a good idea if someone else is tanking)

Human variant

Stats:

• Strength - 14 (+3 tome, +7 item, +2 enhancements, +2 level ups, +2 Ram's Might, +4 SD Stance) = 34
• Dexterity - 16 (+4 tome, +9 item, +3 enhancements +2 level ups) = 34
• Constitution -15 (+3 tome, +7 item, +1 level ups, +4 SD Stance) = 30
• Intelligence -11 (+3 tome) = 14
• Wisdom - 14 (+3 tome, +8 item, +1 enhancement) = 26
• Charisma - 11 (+3 tome, +6 item) = 20

Extra human feat take TWD.
Sentinal dragonmarks instead. No need to get a lot (or any) extras, so save 9-10 AP (enough to give STR +4 enhancements instead of +2)

End up with the exact same stats, trade hafling reflex luck saves for human healing amp.
Lose 1 point AC from halfling get 1 point AC from TWD.
Lose useful dragonmarks (at least 1-19), gain intimidate and a stronger epic Chimera's Fang.



Half-elf variant

Stats:

• Strength - 14 (+3 tome, +7 item, +3 enhancements, +1 level ups, +2 Ram's Might, +4 SD Stance) = 34
• Dexterity - 16 (+4 tome, +9 item, +4 enhancements, +3 level ups) = 36
• Constitution -15 (+3 tome, +7 item, +1 level ups, +4 SD Stance) = 30
• Intelligence -11 (+3 tome) = 14
• Wisdom - 14 (+3 tome, +8 item, +1 enhancement) = 26
• Charisma - 11 (+3 tome, +6 item) = 20

Crappy half-elf dragonmarks instead.

End up with the close to the same stats
Lose 1 point AC
Ton of useful enhancements and dilettante choices
Rogue (3d6 sneak), Cleric (Heal scrolls), Paladin (+5 to saves!), Monk (Healing amp) are all interesting choices.


If human, or half-elf, different progression on feats

Feats (Free):

• Bow Strength
• Rapid Shot
• Manyshot
• TWF
• ITWF

Level progression and chosen Feats:

• 1 Ranger - Least Dragonmark
• 2 Fighter - Dodge
• 3 Monk - Past Life Paladin, Mobility
• 4 Ranger
• 5 Fighter - Spring Attack
• 6 Ranger - Power Attack
• 7 Ranger
• 8 Monk - Toughness
• 9 Ranger - Extend
• 10 Fighter
• 11 Ranger
• 12 Fighter - Improved Critical: Pierce, GTWF
• 13 Fighter
• 14 Fighter - Combat Expertise
• 15 Fighter - Lesser Dragonmark
• 16 Fighter - Weapon Focus: Pierce
• 17 Fighter
• 18 Fighter - Weapon Specialization: Pierce, Greater Dragonmark
• 19 Fighter
• 20 Fighter - Improved Sunder

==================================================

Build notes for myself:

Original version was a high AC build - dex-based with a solid wisdom. Since AC past a certain point means less, going for an okay AC this time with near-max Dodge instead.

Giving up on robes/outfits, and instead going with light armor. Wisdom no longer a factor for AC, so I can dump it a little. Going STR-based to get Overwhelming Critical.

Halfling 36-point 4x TR 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Monk

Prestige Enhancements

• Stalwart Defender II
• Tempest I

Past Lives:

• Ranger (+2 to element resistances, +2 bow damage)
• Paladin (5% healing amp)
• Monk (+1 to damage)
• Rogue (+1 to sneak attack damage, +2 saves vs. traps)

Stats:

• Strength - 16 (+4 tome, +7 item, +2 enhancements, +6 level ups, +2 Ram's Might, +4 SD Stance, +3 Insight) = 42
• Dexterity - 17 (+4 tome, +7 item, +2 Insight, +4 enhancements) = 34
• Constitution -15 (+4 tome, +6 item, +2 insight, +4 SD Stance) = 31
• Intelligence -10 (+4 tome) = 14
• Wisdom - 8 (+4 tome, +6 item) = 18
• Charisma - 10 (+4 tome, +6 item) = 20

Feats (Free):

• Bow Strength
• Precise Shot
• Diehard
• Rapid Shot
• Manyshot
• TWF
• ITWF

Level progression and chosen Feats:

• 1 Ranger - Least Dragonmark of Healing
• 2 Fighter - Dodge
• 3 Monk - Past Life Paladin, Mobility
• 4 Ranger
• 5 Fighter - Spring Attack
• 6 Ranger - Lesser Dragonmark of Healing
• 7 Ranger
• 8 Monk - Toughness
• 9 Ranger - Past Life Rogue
• 10 Fighter
• 11 Ranger
• 12 Fighter - Greater Dragonmark of Healing, GTWF
• 13 Fighter
• 14 Fighter - Improved Critical: Pierce
• 15 Fighter - Extend
• 16 Fighter - Power Attack
• 17 Fighter
• 18 Fighter - Cleave, Great Cleave
• 19 Fighter
• 20 Fighter - Stunning Blow
• 21 Epic - Overwhelming Critical
• 24 Epic - Improved Sunder

Skills:

• 1 Ranger - 4x Hide, MS, Spot, Jump - 2x UMD,Tumble
• 2 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 3 Monk - 3x Balance - 1x UMD
• 4 Ranger - 2x MS, Spot - 1x UMD, Hide
• 5 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 6 Ranger - 2x Hide, Spot - 1x UMD, MS
• 7 Ranger - 2x MS, Spot - 1x UMD, Hide
• 8 Monk - (+2 INT tome takes effect) 4x Balance - 1x UMD
• 9 Ranger - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 10 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 11 Ranger - 2x Hide, MS, Spot - 1x UMD
• 12 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 13 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 14 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 15 Fighter - 2x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 16 Fighter - (+4 INT tome takes effect) 3x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 17 Fighter - 3x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 18 Fighter - 3x Intimidate - 1x UMD
• 19 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 2x Jump - 1x UMD
• 20 Fighter - 1x Intimidate - 2x Jump - 1x UMD

My guy is a hobbit fighter/ranger/monk... Evasion stalwart Defender with healing dragonmarks. Switch around EDs depending on quests. In Unyielding Sentinal quite a bit of the time, because I'm defensive by nature. I love the defensive build when PUGing (mass heals for the win!)

Gear layout

• Head - Epic Chimera crown - +5 Nat armor, 30 Spell resistance, 20 extra hps, extra dragonmarks, Yellow Slot (+7 CON), Colorless slot (Imperial Globe - +1 exc to all stats)
• Trinket - Planar Focus of Prowess - +8 CON, +4 to hit, +4 to damage, 15 PRR
• Neck - 45 HP Earthgrab GreenSteel
• Cloak - Epic Cloak of Night - 3% Dodge, Invisibility Guard, Deathblock, Ghostly, Nightmare Guard, 10 DR/Good
• Belt - Epic Spare Hand - 3% doublestrike, +3 UMD, +5 exc tactics, Blue Slot (+7 Resistance), Colorless Slot (+7 DEX)
• Gloves - Purple Dragon Knight Gloves - +7 STR, +2 Insight CON, 30% Healing amp
• Boots - Spiked Boots - +20 Balance, Immunity to Slippery Surfaces, Yellow Slot (30% Striding), Colorless Slot(+2 Insight DEX)
• Bracers - Bracers of the Wind - 2% dodge, Blurry, Craftable 1% dodge
• Goggles - Tharne's Goggles - True Seeing, Sneak Attack +5, Search +15, Spot +15 or Dream Visor - +4 to hit/damage, +20 Spot, Colorless Slot(+7 CHA)
• Armor - White Dragon Leathers - +8, Heavy Fort, +8 Protection, +8 Shield, Superior Cold Resistance, Blue Slot (+14 PRR)
• Ring #1 - Epic ring of the Stalker - Manslayer, +6 seeker, +3 Exc Sneak Attack, Ghostly, Yellow slot (+7 WIS), Colorless slot (+2 Insight STR)
• Ring #2 - 102 Devotion of Intimidate +15

Weapons:

• Weapon - Balizarde, Protector of the King - +8 Rapier: (2.50[1d8] 15-20/x3): Keen, Phlebotomizing (3d8), Superior Parrying, Dodge Bonus 4%, Good Luck +2,Red slot
• Weapon - +4 Dynamo Festival Icy Burst of Radiance Rapier (2[1d6]: Lightning Strike, Festival Icy Burst, Radiance
• Weapon - Various crafted Holy Burst of Greater Banes

Shield:

• Shield - Bulwark of the Storm's Fist - +7 Large Shield: Sheltering 15 (15 PRR), +3 Insight CON, Purple slot, Blue slot (+35 False Life)

Here's what the above gets me...

10% Dodge in items (19% Dodge total)
+10 STR
+11 CON
+10 DEX
+8 WIS
+8 CHA
+5 Natural Armor
+8 Protection
+8 Shield
+7 Resist
30 Spell Resist
65 hps
deathblock
Ghostly
Perm Blurry
10 DR
3% doublestrike
+8 to hit sneak attack/+13 damage
+6 seeker
30% heal amp
30% Striding
+15 Intimidate
102 devotion

I can switch to EH Dream Visors (+4 to hit/damage) when fighting critters/bosses where sneak attack is no good.

Superior Parrying and 4% Dodge is on a weapon, unfortunately... I can swap to 20% Healing Amp/Superior Parrying on bracers if I can't use that weapon (losing 3% dodge and blur from bracers as well as the 4% dodge on the weapon)... Dropping from 19% dodge to 12% dodge is painful... I think perhaps I should put Devotion 114 on my CitW rapier in the red slot, and then replace my devotion ring with a Seal of DunRobar with 4% dodge... Of course, then I lose the Intimidate!!

Would love to get +8 STR and +3 insight STR instead of the +7 and +2 I have now, but I fear it would take a total gear change...

I'm missing exceptional seeker, toughness, Greater False Life, but I have most everything else covered.



------------------------

Gear layout

• Head - White EH Dragon Helm - +8 DEX, 50 extra hps, Green Slot (+35 hps),Colorless slot (Imperial Globe - +1 exc to all stats)
• Trinket - Planar Focus of Prowess - +8 CON, +4 to hit, +4 to damage, 15 PRR
• Neck - +13 Intimidate of Natural Armor +6, Colorless Slot (+7 CHA) or 45 hp GS necklace with EarthGrab
• Cloak - Epic Cloak of Night - 3% Dodge, Invisibility Guard, Deathblock, Ghostly, Nightmare Guard, 10 DR/Good
• Belt - Epic Spare Hand - 3% doublestrike, +3 UMD, +5 exc tactics, Blue Slot (+7 Resistance), Colorless Slot (+7 CON)
• Gloves - Purple Dragon Knight Gloves - +7 STR, +2 Insight CON, 30% Healing amp
• Boots - Spiked Boots - +20 Balance, Immunity to Slippery Surfaces, Green Slot (30% Striding), Colorless Slot(+2 Insight DEX)
• Bracers - 20% Healing Amp of Superior Parrying (+4 insight to saves and AC) or Bracers of the Wind - 2% dodge, Blurry, Craftable 1% dodge
• Goggles - Tharne's Goggles - True Seeing, Sneak Attack +5, Search +15, Spot +15 or Dream Visor - +4 to hit/damage, +20 Spot, Colorless Slot(+2 Insight CHA)
• Armor - White Dragon Leathers - +8, Heavy Fort, +8 Protection, +8 Shield, Superior Cold Resistance, Blue Slot (+14 PRR)
• Ring #1 - Epic ring of the Stalker - Manslayer, +6 seeker, +3 Exc Sneak Attack, Ghostly, Yellow slot (+7 WIS), Colorless slot (+2 Insight STR)
• Ring #2 - Seal of Dun Ro'bar - 4% Dodge, +7 STR, +10 Stunning

Weapons:

• Weapon - Balizarde, Protector of the King - +8 Rapier: (2.50[1d8] 15-20/x3): Keen, Phlebotomizing (3d8), Superior Parrying, Dodge Bonus 4%, Good Luck +2, Red slot (114 Devotion)
• Weapon - +4 Dynamo Festival Icy Burst of Radiance Rapier (2[1d6]: Lightning Strike, Festival Icy Burst, Radiance
• Weapon - Various crafted Holy Burst of Greater Banes

Shield:

• Shield - Bulwark of the Storm's Fist - +7 Large Shield: Sheltering 15 (15 PRR), +3 Insight CON, Purple slot, Blue slot

[grodon9999]

MOAR STR!

All jokes aside I foresee some to-hit issues on some epic bosses, even with the +4 Ravens' sight. Mine is 44 STR and even with Epic Vulkorum leathers I sometimes have to turn off power attack.

[Thrudh]

Yep, STR is the real weakness here, but I can add another +4 with a Yugo pot and a store pot (I don't mind using store pots when tanking an epic boss).

I'll also be using a +8 Chimera's Fang and a +9 Greater Bane weapon, +4 from Raven's Sight, and +3 from paladin past life.

Hopefully all that will be enough... If I was capable of grinding TRs, I'd grab 3 fighter lives and 3 barbarian lives for another +3 to hit, 30 hp...

Too bad I just don't have the time for that.

Maybe I'll move the 2 level ups I threw into CON back to STR.

Edit: Oh, I also have Improved Sunder, and Destruction weapons if need be.

[grodon9999]

Maybe I'll move the 2 level ups I threw into CON back to STR.

No maybes on that

Epic Vulkorum Fighting leathers will STACK with your raven's eye stuff. Start running OOB.

I'm just speaking from experience, I just know if I don't have somebody IDing say Bloodplater, Razorarm, or the CAD (I haven't tanked the LOB above normal so I cannot comment) I have to turn off power-attack and I have more to-hit than you will.

[Thrudh]

What I like best about this build is it is very versatile

Solid (but not top-notch) DPS
Good hit points
Awesome AC
decent healing amp
Evasion
Ranged ability with manyshot
Self-healing from dragonmarks (I get six uninterruptable 450 point heals)
Decent UMD (not great)
Stealth skills
Intimidate (missing an intimidate item though.. Have to hot-swap for that)

This is the guy I almost always take first into a new quest. He survives anything.

[grodon9999]

Regarding improved Sunder . . . Your tactics will be ****, I'm not going to bother with it. That's the DPS's job.

[Thrudh]

Epic Vulkorum Fighting leathers will STACK with your raven's eye stuff. Start running OOB

I'm just speaking from experience, I just know if I don't have somebody IDing say Bloodplater, Razorarm, or the CAD (I haven't tanked the LOB above normal so I cannot comment) I have to turn off power-attack and I have more to-hit than you will.

Lose my monk AC bonus when using those leathers, right? It's light armor, not robes?

But AC doesn't matter in epics... so I guess that would be okay...

But if I don't care about AC I'll just throw on a Manslayer ring (+3 exceptional sneak attack), and replace the Claw gloves with the Crystal Cove Brawling Gloves (+4 sneak attack), flank (+2 attack), and use halfling cunning (2 ranks = +2 sneak attack).

If I get aggro, I might start missing again though

WHat makes a good tank in eChrono? Hit points, evasion, and lots of healing amp, right? Is it possible to get a meaninful AC in eChrono?

[Thrudh]

Regarding improved Sunder . . . Your tactics will be ****, I'm not going to bother with it. That's the DPS's job.

Yeah, that's a good point... I may rethink that feat...

[grodon9999]

WHat makes a good tank in eChrono? Hit points, evasion, and lots of healing amp, right? Is it possible to get a meaninful AC in eChrono?

Player skill really, and the ability to hold aggro. I've tanked eChrono probably 100 times on my 18/1/1 human ranger, sure it's a hell of a lot easier on my fighter but it still can be done. If I know I'm going to be tanking I will take my fighter, but when I'm going into the "dark territory" of a pug I always take my ranger as who knows what'll happen.

HP: Done it with 600 (madstoned) on my ranger many, many times. Meat's 800 HP is definitely better, gives more of a margin for error.

Evasion/saves: A 40 reflex save helps a lot, buffed Meathelemt gets that BEFORE his dorf-bonuses and fire rarely hits him. I still move out of the way, if I roll a 1 the dragon breath still can kill me so it's not worth the chance. I think the Ice Dragon shards are a 45 Save to pass though, don't stay in Ice dragon, run to the hills. But really it's not needed at all if you have the smarts and can jump out of the way.

Healing amp: Always works. 30+20+10% is enough that a Scroll Mastery IV mook can scroll you through it.

Threat: You need to be able to hold aggro or you shouldn't be doing this job. The 12/6/2 Stalwart build properly equipped can hold aggro over full-****** barbs WITH claw sets and Ice Savants. A big part of this is DPS, and to-hit. If you ain't hitting the target you ain't doing damage, and you ain't generating threat.

AC: even if it worked, AC is not needed in this fight. I've heard rumors of people with Absurd builds getting 110 AC and actually seeing some missed. None of those builds can actually generate enough threat to hold aggro though against anything that's actually doing any damage. Meat with pally aura and some either buffs can break 100 AC if I have to, but my to-hit and DPS will be so fragged that I won't be able to hold aggro so it is pointless. It's also pointless that except for the skill-avoidable special attacks he's real not that dangerous, you can scroll-heal through it.

[Thrudh]

Okay then... a 20% healing amp ring for tanking eChrono and other epic raids is a must (I'll just swap out the +9 Dex ring... +6 Dex on the improved Madstone boots will have to be enough for the reflex save*).

So if I'm main tank where AC doesn't matter

• +9 Dex ring --> 20% healing amp ToD ring
• Icy Raiments --> Vulkorum Fighting Leathers for another +4 to hit (but I HATE sand epics!)

And if I'm not main tank, I'll switch

• +9 Dex ring --> Ring of the Stalker ring for +6 seeker, +3 exc sneak attack
• Gloves of the Claw --> Brawling gloves for +4 sneak attack (and I'll get rid of that 20% threat - probably a good idea if someone else is tanking)

*FYI - The Superior Parrying on the Chimera's Fang is better than Shroud Insight, because it gives +4 to AC AND +4 Insight bonus to saves

[Magictones]

Ran a similar build that took empower healing as last feat. It was on the forums quite awhile back.

Similar split and such.
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...light=survival

[Thrudh]

Ran a similar build that took empower healing as last feat. It was on the forums quite awhile back.

Unfortunately, I can't get empower healing with only 6 levels of ranger... Need 8 levels of ranger to get it.

6 levels of paladin can get Empower Healing though, and I seriously considered splashing paladin instead of ranger...

But I lose all my ranged power (and there are times where that is useful), a bunch of skill points, Ram's Might, favored enemies, and the Divine Favor spell isn't worth anything because I'll have the paladin past-life feat...

On the other hand, paladin gives massive threat generation, better saves, some immunities, empower healing, Divine Sacrifice, and a couple points of AC...

It's a tough choice... Ranger does more DPS though vs favored enemies, and the ranged component swung me over. Manyshot is just too tactically useful in many situations to give up.

[Magictones]

Did not realize that, and maximize wouldn't help your heals just your cures.

But I really did like running that toon and he is on a current pally life so might look to TR into this build afterwards.

[NaturalHazard]

Player skill really, and the ability to hold aggro. I've tanked eChrono probably 100 times on my 18/1/1 human ranger, sure it's a hell of a lot easier on my fighter but it still can be done. If I know I'm going to be tanking I will take my fighter, but when I'm going into the "dark territory" of a pug I always take my ranger as who knows what'll happen.

HP: Done it with 600 (madstoned) on my ranger many, many times. Meat's 800 HP is definitely better, gives more of a margin for error.

Evasion/saves: A 40 reflex save helps a lot, buffed Meathelemt gets that BEFORE his dorf-bonuses and fire rarely hits him. I still move out of the way, if I roll a 1 the dragon breath still can kill me so it's not worth the chance. I think the Ice Dragon shards are a 45 Save to pass though, don't stay in Ice dragon, run to the hills. But really it's not needed at all if you have the smarts and can jump out of the way.

Healing amp: Always works. 30+20+10% is enough that a Scroll Mastery IV mook can scroll you through it.

Threat: You need to be able to hold aggro or you shouldn't be doing this job. The 12/6/2 Stalwart build properly equipped can hold aggro over full-****** barbs WITH claw sets and Ice Savants. A big part of this is DPS, and to-hit. If you ain't hitting the target you ain't doing damage, and you ain't generating threat.

AC: even if it worked, AC is not needed in this fight. I've heard rumors of people with Absurd builds getting 110 AC and actually seeing some missed. None of those builds can actually generate enough threat to hold aggro though against anything that's actually doing any damage. Meat with pally aura and some either buffs can break 100 AC if I have to, but my to-hit and DPS will be so fragged that I won't be able to hold aggro so it is pointless. It's also pointless that except for the skill-avoidable special attacks he's real not that dangerous, you can scroll-heal through it.

Ive done it on my ranger as well, not 100 times though, and mainly because the main tank died and I was the second guy he started chasing. As for ac.......... it seems that 80% of the cads damage output is spell AOE so evasion and reflex saves are the most important defenses.

Yeah no one wanted to trust the tanking to a ranger ZOMG!!! GIMP!!! which is fine by me, I like killing the trash anyway.


So you like the 6 ranger for the manyshot free 2wf feats and tempest one? seems like a bit of a high investment for the return?


also on the to hit, take a bard, no epic raid should ever leave home without one(ok I exaggerate but the dps gain for melees is huge with a lot of builds esp 2wfs being able to keep PA on, and a decent bard should be able to play your scroll healer, with sp healing for emergencies.

[grodon9999]

So you like the 6 ranger for the manyshot free 2wf feats and tempest one? seems like a bit of a high investment for the return?

It's worth it. It holds aggro much better than an 18/2 (Stalwart III stance is bugged if you don't have a shield, it has to be) and does more damage.

It also gets you about 5 more reflex save.

Spring attack is great in epics if you move around a lot.

[LeLoric]

Regarding improved Sunder . . . Your tactics will be ****, I'm not going to bother with it. That's the DPS's job.

I disagree here you are generally the only one on the boss full time in many fights. Especially if you are using a fang which comes with a built in +10 sunder dc so it does land a fair bit. Even if yours aren't landing you are keeping the -15 debuff up often and helping others to land theirs much easier not to mention monks landing their touch of despairs and deaths and any other fort based effects.

Without imp sunder would often lose the 5 stack on many fights, eabashai when others go clear trash, velah during eggs as I am often the one to stay on her to prevent cometfalls, Elob at times, vod when trash clearing.

You have a lot of feats having one here isn't a bad thing. Pally's of course should never take it.