Drow Arti suggestions

[chickengod]

What does everyone think of this build? Its my first Artificer and I have zero experience on caster class builds.

Any constructive criticism will be appreciated.

Edit: Made some changes and completed to cap with feats

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.12.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Neutral Good Drow Male
(20 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 202
Spell Points: 1099 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 10
Will: 11

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength              8                  8                    8
Dexterity            16                 19                   19
Constitution         14                 14                   14
Intelligence         18                 22                   22
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             12                 12                   12

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               4.5               14                   15
Bluff                 1                  1                    2
Concentration         6                 25                   26
Diplomacy             1                  1                    2
Disable Device        8                 29                   30
Haggle                1                 24                   25
Heal                 -1                 -1                    0
Hide                  3                  4                    5
Intimidate            1                  1                    2
Jump                  0.5                9                   10
Listen               -1                 -1                    2
Move Silently         3                  4                    5
Open Lock             7                 27                   28
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                4                  6                    7
Search                8                 29                   32
Spot                  3                 14                   17
Swim                 -1                 -1                    0
Tumble                4                  5                    6
Use Magic Device      5                 23                   24

Level 1 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+1.5)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Jump (+1.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Augment Summoning
Feat: (Automatic) Artificer Construct Mastery
Feat: (Automatic) Artificer Knowledge: Scrolls
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Drow Spell Resistance
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Great Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Repeating Heavy Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Repeating Light Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Inscribe Artificer Scroll
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Reload
Feat: (Automatic) Revive Iron Defender
Feat: (Automatic) Shuriken Expertise
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Spell Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Trapfinding
Feat: (Automatic) Unleash Iron Defender


Level 2 (Artificer)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Artificer Knowledge: Potions
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Rune Arm Use
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 3 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Artificer Knowledge: Wands


Level 4 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Trapmaking


Level 5 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Artificer Knowledge: Arms and Armor
Feat: (Automatic) Retain Essence


Level 6 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot


Level 7 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Artificer Knowledge (ALL)


Level 8 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Precise Shot


Level 9 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 10 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Skill Mastery


Level 14 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


Level 16 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Empower Spell


Level 17 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 19 (Artificer)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+0.5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Heighten Spell

[ltlFox]

if you will want improved pierce shot it require 19 dex , so +1dex from lvl & +2tome or +3 tome
don't know why high cha - if just for umd - it's overkill

[karl_k0ch]

I have also only a limited experience in playing artificers, but I went for my Drow Arty with the following:

12 Str/17 Dex/14 Con/16 Int/8 Wis/10 Cha, all level ups in Int; requiring a +2 Tome for IPS.

True Neutral since your UMD will be good enough to wear any alignment-restricted gear, and LG characters tend to get more Evil damage.

I plan for the following feats (listed in no particular order):
Toughness
Maximize
Empower
Augment Summon
IC: Ranged
Point Blank Shot
Precise Shot
Improved Precise Shot
and three other feats I haven't decided on yet.

[AMDarkwolf]

reroll :P


But really, even though drow give dex, int, is the loss of con really worth it, and do u really need cha(with the bonuses arti get to umd)

Personally if its not a flavor choice, i'd go with WF or human. Even Helf seems like an interesting choice (Plenty of dil's they can take to make it fun and interesting to play.)

[karl_k0ch]

reroll :P


But really, even though drow give dex, int, is the loss of con really worth it, and do u really need cha(with the bonuses arti get to umd)

Personally if its not a flavor choice, i'd go with WF or human. Even Helf seems like an interesting choice (Plenty of dil's they can take to make it fun and interesting to play.)

If you have 32 points, WF is probably the best idea for an Arty, but until then, Drow actually offers a very good Stat choice which seems to be made for Arties which will want to invest in Int, and have a decent Dex as well. Even with the cost associated with getting 14 con on a Drow, going with 12/17/14/16/8/10 is hard to be matched by a different race. If you have access to a +3 tome, the less steeper Dex requirement will open up more options for sure. But even with that, the best what a Int based 32pt WF can come up with is 12/16/17/16/8/6. That's always assuming that Str isn't dumped - if you do that, the Drow will actually be able to pick up 1-2 more Int points.

[djsonar919]

reroll :P

Don't go drow. Your lack of HP is the main reason. There are other reasons but this should be a big enough reason not to be a drow.

[chickengod]

Don't go drow. Your lack of HP is the main reason. There are other reasons but this should be a big enough reason not to be a drow.

I understand the lack of HP but I only plan on being ranged attacker and let the dog do the grunt work.

[djsonar919]

I understand the lack of HP but I only plan on being ranged attacker and let the dog do the grunt work.

Plan to die a lot then. Make sure you give your cleric some plat/pots for their trouble. When you get to the point of the game where mobs teleport around, phase in and out, and can't be killed with a one or two volley bursts, you will be a stone in no time. Also, relying on your dog to do the grunt work is like relying on Coyle to tank the Lord of Blades. Your dog bugs out constantly, stops attacking occassionally just to stare at the mob, and rarely will pull aggro from you when you start doing damage to mobs.

[Lifespawn]

I understand the lack of HP but I only plan on being ranged attacker and let the dog do the grunt work.

14 con is fine i have 2 capped arties that play at endgame all the time you can reach over 400 hp it's plenty.

Between displacment stoneskin tacitcal det and prismatic strike you can stop a lot of aggro porting or not.

Helf is the best dps because it gets hv and a dillie human would be second with hv and wf would be my personal third choice for the self healing but drow i would place 3rd or 4th depending on playstyle.

Drow gets easier ips and higher int for possible +1 perm damage.


Dogs can do a lot of the grunt work you just have to equip them correctly mine has tanked the end boss in eda while the tank recovered and rebuffed i don't normally put him on active in raids but i have him out just in case he has evasion 78 ac and 800 hp plenty of tank.

[ristretto93]

Don't go drow. Your lack of HP is the main reason. There are other reasons but this should be a big enough reason not to be a drow.

There is no 'lack of HP' if the build points are invested to bring the CON up to 14.

Maybe the HP aren't as good as a WF, Human, horc or Dwarf because of enhancements, but I just don't understand when people say not to play a Drow just because the starting con requires more points to raise it. In exchange it is cheaper to buy INT and DEX.

Sure, a lot of people (newbs) make the mistake of keeping the CON low when making their Drow. They tend to be squishy because of the lack of foresight and experience of the person making the character. It is very easy to put points to bump CON up.

It's like saying not to make a halfling rogue because their starting STR is 6 and rogues are a STR based class (imo should be anyway). They make perfectly awesome rogues.

Allocate the points and a drow isn't really gonna be squishy. Almost every race starts in the hole with some stat, often a stat that is helpful to the particular class (doesn't a WF sorc start with a 6 CHA?).

Now, there are PLENTY of other reasons to NOT make a Drow - lets be real about it and look at those

Seriously - drow are the cheese. I don't see how anyone can run around with one of those things. I hate Drizzt. HATE HIM. I even loved those books back in the day (you know, the late 80's early 90's). Then somehow people decided that he was the end-all-be-all of heroes, and like all good things it (he) became over-done to a nauseating degree. I guess I suffer from Dark Elf burnout going literally decades back. Get an imagination nerds!

[BDog77]

Lol, I'm not sure 2 build points in CHA counts as overkill. This looks very similar to my drow arti, except I dropped CON to 12 and added 4 to STR. I really like to be able to carry stuff. So far so good, although I just started him a few days ago....

[chickengod]

Lol, I'm not sure 2 build points in CHA counts as overkill. This looks very similar to my drow arti, except I dropped CON to 12 and added 4 to STR. I really like to be able to carry stuff. So far so good, although I just started him a few days ago....

Also, I hope I can get enough CHA to raise dead or cast Crit Cure if I have to. I am a bit new on making my own builds so I am not sure how everything is computed exactly.

I do have access to Golden Cartouche which is +3 to UMD and probably get more with Voice and Heroism.

[AMDarkwolf]

Also, I hope I can get enough CHA to raise dead or cast Crit Cure if I have to. I am a bit new on making my own builds so I am not sure how everything is computed exactly.

I do have access to Golden Cartouche which is +3 to UMD and probably get more with Voice and Heroism.

UMD is next to useless and hard to see 'value' for at lower levels, but is invaluable and can double, or triple a toon's effectivness at endgame.

Just keep it capped each level, even if you do on blind faith, at endgame you will have plenty to use any scroll.

23 ranks + 4 GH + 3 cha(Item, +6) + 3(or 5 if u got 7finger) enchant, +3 big top, + any additional cha over 10 (12 = +1, 14 = +2, so on) + any boosts + good luck(Head of good fortune, voice of the master, etc) + skill items(Greensteel adds +6) and so on. As you can see, a high UMD is NOT out of reach. For a first life no gear toon, its still (with 23 base ranks) quite easy (at 20) to no fail cast heal scrolls.

[djsonar919]

UMD is next to useless and hard to see 'value' for at lower levels...

I totally disagree. You don't know how many times I have used that healing wand from Catacombs to pick up an incapped melee when they tried to tank a named Ogre in Water Works.

[AMDarkwolf]

I totally disagree. You don't know how many times I have used that healing wand from Catacombs to pick up an incapped melee when they tried to tank a named Ogre in Water Works.

U can reliable use that wand without a single build point in UMD u know :P my monk does with base 8 cha

[chickengod]

So I made some changes on the build but I am not sure on feats (except for qualifying for IPS) and the distribution of skills.

Thoughts?

[unbongwah]

Drow aren't ideal, but their gimpiness is a bit...overstated, IMHO.

Here's my drow arty build, intended for someone with modest resources (e.g., unlocked drow with Favor, bought Arty, can afford a +2 DEX tome). The enhs & feat order probably need some tweaking, but you get the gist of it, I think:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Drow Female
(20 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 232
Spell Points: 1157 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 11
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity            17                    20
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         18                    26
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             10                    10

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Artificer)


Level 3 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Construct Essence


Level 4 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Point Blank Shot


Level 5 (Artificer)


Level 6 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Augment Summoning
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack I
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use I
Enhancement: Artificer Battle Engineer I
Enhancement: Artificer Rune Arm Overcharge I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 7 (Artificer)


Level 8 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Rapid Shot


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 10 (Artificer)


Level 11 (Artificer)


Level 12 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage II
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use II
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device I
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device II
Enhancement: Charged Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Combustive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation I
Enhancement: Force Manipulation I
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence II
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence III
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery II


Level 13 (Artificer)


Level 14 (Artificer)


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


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


Level 17 (Artificer)


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 19 (Artificer)


Level 20 (Artificer)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Spell Focus: Evocation (or Heighten Spell)
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use III
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use IV
Enhancement: Artificer Rune Arm Overcharge II
Enhancement: Arcane Empowerment
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device III
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device IV
Enhancement: Deadly Shocks I
Enhancement: Deadly Flame I
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics I
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction I
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation II
Enhancement: Storm Manipulation III
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation II
Enhancement: Flame Manipulation III
Enhancement: Force Manipulation II
Enhancement: Force Manipulation III
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery IV

Note: once your UMD is high enough to use Cure wands and/or Heal scrolls reliably, you may want to swap Construct Essence for something else. Likewise you might want to drop Augment Summoning when your metal pooch becomes useless. Also, one option would be to take SF Evocation earlier so you can take GSF Evo by lvl 18 (since it can't be taken as an arty bonus feat).

[Jaid314]

oh good grief. drow is not going to kill you because of low HP. not investing in con will be a problem, but drow? seriously? it's a difference of like 20 points vs most human artis (if you think you've got the AP for a second human versatility and a third racial toughness, it's probably because you're missing a lot of other really amazing stuff from your build), and only 40 less than most WF.

some drow are squishy. this does not mean that all drow are squishy. a well-built drow will have hit points pretty close to what similar characters of other races will have, and will easily be able to get enough HP to handle most raids. would it be nice if your drow character had *more* HP? sure. it would be nice if your WF barbarian tank had more HP too. that doesn't mean your WF barbarian tank character is dying constantly due to lack of HP, it just means that more HP is never a bad thing (and for those who are going to talk about high HP no-amp WF barbarians that are a major pain to heal from low HP up to their max, that's a problem of heal amp and either being fixated on getting them to their absolute max when not needed, or letting them get to lower HP than you really should have in the event that they actually need their HP at max. they're still better than the same character with fewer hit points, and will survive in situations where the same character with fewer hit points would die)

[karl_k0ch]

oh good grief. drow is not going to kill you because of low HP. not investing in con will be a problem, but drow? seriously? it's a difference of like 20 points vs most human artis (if you think you've got the AP for a second human versatility and a third racial toughness, it's probably because you're missing a lot of other really amazing stuff from your build), and only 40 less than most WF.

This. Even with 14 starting con, and a hit die of d6, you can get 400+ HP at cap.

[unbongwah]

Haven't you heard? "If it isn't minmaxed, IT'S $#!&!"