Beverly Helfbilly Ranged Contender

[wax_on_wax_off]

Point 1:
Improved crit is nice. But you are way overstating its importance. It is naive to claim that it adds 10% to your DPS. High end bosses have heavy fort and are highly resistant to criticals, so you statement is just incorrect there. In easy content, you might see an 8 or 9% increase (max for a typical bow) but then its easy content and not as big of a deal. Not to mention a keen weapon effect (like one that appears on a MinII bow) would achieve the same result.

There is no keen bow that is viable DPS in end game that an archer would ever want to use. LitII, Alchemical Earth/Air, Epic Bow of Earth or Epic Thornlord are your choices.In particular, the Epic Thornlord will get significantly greater effect from Improved Critical and probably remains the highest DPS bow in the game. In addition, at cap you will be focusing more on the CC aspects that IPS brings to the table and Improved Critical has very nice synergy with shimmering arrowhead to apply the crippling effect.

Boss fortification in challenging content is now lower than what it was before. For epic lob, for instance, once the following effects are applied fortification will be 0: weaken construct (blasting chime), destruction, improved destruction (once they are fixed to stack in U13), improved sunder (even my rogue can do this in epic) and a double stack of FvS aura.

Even against 100% fort foes IC:R still adds DPS in the form of bursts (bursting and blasting on LitII for instance).

Point 2:
All other 10k star users don't also have manyshot and dont also have good blade barriers and dont also have divine punishment (not to mention spell self healing). The nice bonus that one achieves for improved crit pales in comparison to any one of these effects. Blade barriers, many shot, 10k star and divine punishment reliance wont just make this build competitive with other 10k star users with improved crit, these effects will completely blow them out of the water in damage.

All 10k star archer builds have manyshot as well. The only builds that might have 10k stars and not have manyshot are melee builds who take 10k stars for a little ranged DPS on the side. 10k star archer builds have other perks to balance out the DPS like kensei specialisation, ranger favoured enemies/rams might or earth stance III enhanced critical modifier. Not having any of these and not being able to fill a healer spot means that you will have to try very hard to compete with these builds and missing Improved Critical: Ranged is going to be a big dampener on your attempts to do so.

On 1 hand a 13 cleric / 6 monk / 1 wizard build can plausibly fill a healer spot in easy epics or as a backup healer with 3 mass cures and 2 feats to back it up. For this cleric build you can get away with gimping your DPS a little as you can bring something besides ranged DPS to the table.

On the other, a FvS build only has ranged DPS and self healing - basically something that any 10k stars build can provide. You need to optimise your ranged DPS and improved critical is a big part of that.

This without even considering the massive amount of extra damage that can be achieved against a foe who has their high fort reduced by a FVS. We are talking up to 50% or more.

This makes the argument for IC:R all the stronger (and kind of screws up your previous point).

I didnt say clerics didnt have good bonuses to offensive spells. I said they didnt give as high of a bonus as FVS. First off, you overstate (again) the effect of the CL2 bonus. This results in a +2 bonus, bringing base damage of divine punishment from 16.5 to 18.5 (an increase closer to 12%). A favored soul with AOVII PRE will get a 30% bonus to his blade barrier. +4 divine might is good for a cleric. FVS wont get the specialization you claim at level 13, but they do get a silver flame bonus of +2, and couple this to +5 action boost to damage and in my mind this beats out the cleric divine might.

Sorry for the miscommunication, I use the terms weapon proficiency/focus/specialisation as I can't be bothered to remember the intimate details of the relationship a FvS has with it's diety.

Blade Barrier is not going to see as much use end game as what you seem to think it will. Anytime that another caster w/BB is around you'll have to put your blade barriers away as in all likelyhood theirs are stronger and they don't stack. Additionally, the actual DPS of the blade barriers is kind of marginal compared to melee DPS so you have to make sure that your kiting isn't preventing melee characters in the party from connecting (or you'll be reducing party DPS).

Blade barriers are used end game plenty, against the hound, Demon queen, shroud boss killing, Reaver, any epic with masses of mobs, or places where kiting is necessary just to name a few instances. This build will have a high enough DC to effect even mobs with evasion.

The DC will be ~3 lower than a similar caster. Unless you have 2-3 sorcerer past lives? If you don't have empower along with maximise and CL:15 (achieved with an epic abishai set) then your blade barriers will be quite mediocre and definitely trumped by a wisdom based cleric or favoured soul or an artificer.

Another point is that cleric can access Cleric Wisdom III for another possible point of DC/more 10k stars love (depending on gear). Not sure if this is possible with enhancements though.

Now one important thing you did not mention was that a cleric could regenerate his clickies with his PRE. This is very nice, and if it was not for the fact that the FVS heavily dominates the cleric in offensive buffs I would probably reconsider.

I assumed you'd done your research.

I don't see any heavy domination in areas that actually matter.

[tinyelvis]

I don't have an epic thornlord bow. Perhaps after a year of grinding and obtaining and upgrading one, then improved critical would be an imperative. However, of the hundreds of shards and seals currently obtained by me and saved in my bags over the years, I dont even have one for this item. Do you even have this epic bow? A person who does definitely designs a build around an item like that.

Actually in this build there is access to three wisdom boosts. However, I am stressing over coming up with a way to take WisII (my third) at a cost of a mere 4 points. Where would I come up with the 6 additional points for WisIII? I am wondering if you have really looked my build over. I posted the enhancements to show how strapped for points I am there. I mentioned a number of times 3 sorcerer past lives as the reason for looking into the divine side of ranged combat.

This build was heavily influenced by your mountain of knowledge. It really only amounts to a small pile added to this mountain. I wonder if you may not be suffering too much from a personal attachment to clerics and your build and play style not to see the benefits and reasons for the choices that were made. In particular the sudden fixation on Improved crit. No mention until recently was made of this feat. I don't see any way to remain a FVS and also have this feat along with the other ranged feats. To do that I would need to add a fighter level and become a cleric.

IF I did that this is what would happen,

I would lose, the silver flame +1 attack and +2 damage. The +5 potential attack and damage boost. I would suffer 1 die and 30% damage reduction in my BB (not to mention other spells). Plus the -2 to saves against divine attacks for mobs in my aura. And I would lose Maximize if I picked up radiant servant (since I would need now empowered healing). This last point would further halve my BB and other spell attacks.

What would I gain? +4 divine might boost, and up to an 8 or 9% increase in weapon DPS due to improved crit. Plus, +2 points to my divine punishment spell if I dropped maximize and also picked up empowered healing. So even though divine punishment was cast at CL+2 damage would be heavily reduced since no maximize was used.

With the build I have my BB will be down only 2 die from max. As a FVS with the sorcerer past lives I will have essentially +5 DC bonus to any in my Aura. That is like the effect of the heighten feat plus two spell focus feats. Only a divine with Maximum wisdom and two focus feats in evocation and heighten will have a higher DC by +1.

I get it. You are heavy into your cleric builds. They are definitely cool. But this is a better approach for me. It does not mean that your builds are bad.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I don't have an epic thornlord bow. Perhaps after a year of grinding and obtaining and upgrading one, then improved critical would be an imperative. However, of the hundreds of shards and seals currently obtained by me and saved in my bags over the years, I dont even have one for this item. Do you even have this epic bow? A person who does definitely designs a build around an item like that.

Actually in this build there is access to three wisdom boosts. However, I am stressing over coming up with a way to take WisII (my third) at a cost of a mere 4 points. Where would I come up with the 6 additional points for WisIII? I am wondering if you have really looked my build over. I posted the enhancements to show how strapped for points I am there. I mentioned a number of times 3 sorcerer past lives as the reason for looking into the divine side of ranged combat.

This build was heavily influenced by your mountain of knowledge. It really only amounts to a small pile added to this mountain. I wonder if you may not be suffering too much from a personal attachment to clerics and your build and play style not to see the benefits and reasons for the choices that were made. In particular the sudden fixation on Improved crit. No mention until recently was made of this feat. I don't see any way to remain a FVS and also have this feat along with the other ranged feats. To do that I would need to add a fighter level and become a cleric.

With the build I have my BB will be down only 2 die from max. As a FVS with the sorcerer past lives I will have essentially +5 DC bonus to any in my Aura. That is like the effect of the heighten feat plus two spell focus feats. Only a divine with Maximum wisdom and two focus feats in evocation and heighten will have a higher DC by +1.

I get it. You are heavy into your cleric builds. They are definitely cool. But this is a better approach for me. It does not mean that your builds are bad.

There's 2 points I'm contending with you at the moment.

Firstly, 12 FvS / 6 monk / 2 fighter is better than your 13 FvS split as you can fit in improved critical: ranged at the cost of the heal spell (which has limited utility lacking quicken compared to heal scrolls). This split will have up to 8% or so better DPS with minimal cost.

Secondly, that 13 cleric / 6 monk / 1 wizard is better due to greater versatility and better DPS in many situations (due to having IC:R, +2 CL on DP and FvS aura not stacking among other things).

I didn't mention IC:R previously as the build you were looking at then had no possibility to fit it in (the one with 2 ranger). Then I was suggesting more crucial feats to include (maximise iirc).

I've played exactly 2 cleric builds to high level and 1 FvS to high level. I'm not emotionally attached to either but it is simple to observe that cleric is a more versatile class for multiclass builds while FvS is a powerhouse when pure.

[tinyelvis]

There's 2 points I'm contending with you at the moment.

Firstly, 12 FvS / 6 monk / 2 fighter is better than your 13 FvS split as you can fit in improved critical: ranged at the cost of the heal spell (which has limited utility lacking quicken compared to heal scrolls). This split will have up to 8% or so better DPS with minimal cost.

Secondly, that 13 cleric / 6 monk / 1 wizard is better due to greater versatility and better DPS in many situations (due to having IC:R, +2 CL on DP and FvS aura not stacking among other things).

I didn't mention IC:R previously as the build you were looking at then had no possibility to fit it in (the one with 2 ranger). Then I was suggesting more crucial feats to include (maximise iirc).

I've played exactly 2 cleric builds to high level and 1 FvS to high level. I'm not emotionally attached to either but it is simple to observe that cleric is a more versatile class for multiclass builds while FvS is a powerhouse when pure.

Feats as 13 cleric / 6 monk / 1 wizard with ranger dilettante:
7 base: Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus: Ranged, Manyshot, Empower Healing, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot
3 monk: Toughness, Zen Archery, Stunning Fist (or dodge)
1 wizard: Maximise

case 1) Is very nice. Comes with 7th level spells (i.e. +1 BB DC). But no improved critical unless you drop one of (maximize, empower healing, or improved precise shot). Of the cleric options, I like this best.

case 2) 12 FvS / 6 monk / 2 fighter essentially trades spell healing for an extra feat. Not necessarily a bad idea. Could take Improved Crit ranged. But I think in this case empower might be a better choice since it would buff DP and BB.

case 3) My current choice
13FvS / 6 monk / 1 fighter or 1 wizard. Now that I think of it, I think I will go wizard instead of fighter for the scroll usage (namely invisibility scroll).

Some other things to consider.
a) Dropping from case 3 to 2 will not only lose 1 die on the BB, but also -1 to DP spell.
b) Going from case 3 to 1 will see in addition to a drop in ranged damage of +3, but additionally a loss of either the cleric PRE and the +2CL bonus to DP,a large across the board spell damage reduction without maximize, or the loss of IPS (though spell damage could improve with the addition of empower).

[wax_on_wax_off]

case 1) Is very nice. Comes with 7th level spells (i.e. +1 BB DC). But no improved critical unless you drop one of (maximize, empower healing, or improved precise shot). Of the cleric options, I like this best.

case 2) 12 FvS / 6 monk / 2 fighter essentially trades spell healing for an extra feat. Not necessarily a bad idea. Could take Improved Crit ranged. But I think in this case empower might be a better choice since it would buff DP and BB.

case 3) My current choice
13FvS / 6 monk / 1 fighter or 1 wizard. Now that I think of it, I think I will go wizard instead of fighter for the scroll usage (namely invisibility scroll).

Some other things to consider.
a) Dropping from case 3 to 2 will not only lose 1 die on the BB, but also -1 to DP spell.
b) Going from case 3 to 1 will see in addition to a drop in ranged damage of +3, but additionally a loss of either the cleric PRE and the +2CL bonus to DP,a large across the board spell damage reduction without maximize, or the loss of IPS (though spell damage could improve with the addition of empower).

Regards to a), yeah but you can cap your blade barrier damage with an epic Abishai set.

Regards to b), where is the loss of 3 ranged damage coming from? I think you mean that one of those things would have to be given up for IC:R? In the case if the cleric split I think IC:R would be the feat to give up (can't get rid of maximise as no other feat can go in the wizard slot and empower healing isn't an option, IMO).

Regards to your options 1 wizard is really nice for the 85% chance on invis scrolls (even 65% chance on fireshield) but I wouldn't choose wizard over righter for just this when fighter gives 16 more HP, haste boost and the possibility to go to 2 fighter for IC:R.

12 FvS/6 monk/2 fighter and 13 cleric/6 monk/1 wizard are both really nice splits.

[FengXian]

Wizard over Fighter gives you one extra feat doesn't it? You can take energy of the scholar I over Arcane Prodigy feat. I don't think invisi scrolls are a good reason since there's plenty of clickies, but Fire Shield ones might be.

[Dendrix]

Regards to your options 1 wizard is really nice for the 85% chance on invis scrolls (even 65% chance on fireshield) but I wouldn't choose wizard over righter for just this when fighter gives 16 more HP, haste boost and the possibility to go to 2 fighter for IC:R.

Doesn't NinjaSpy gives you invis clicky as long as you have a bit of Ki?

[wax_on_wax_off]

Wizard over Fighter gives you one extra feat doesn't it? You can take energy of the scholar I over Arcane Prodigy feat. I don't think invisi scrolls are a good reason since there's plenty of clickies, but Fire Shield ones might be.

Not for a FvS AA. Unfortunately you can't take both energy of the scholar and energy of the scion so it isn't possible to qualify for both PrEs with SP enhancements. 2 Fighter with improved critical: ranged remains the better choice for the OPs split. Empower is a nice choice but it isn't a particularly SP efficient feat and it is only a 25% increase in spell damage over what is provided by maximise. Compared to 10% for free on ranged attacks and better CC given by IC:R and it is a clear choice for me.

Another point is that you don't need an epic thornlord to get very good use out of IC:R. Silver Bow (Church and the Cult), Bow of Sinew (Harbinger of Madness) and Unwavering Ardency (Accursed Ascension) all have expanded critical profiles. I can say for my part that I will definitely make sure that I have an upgraded Unwavering Ardency before I start my archer lives as it is such a sweet weapon. The Shimmering Arrowhead is a reason in itself to pick up the feat. Scroll healing + maximised cure critical wounds is a fine substitute for the heal spell (it might also be a strategy to free up AP if you skip most of the healing enhancements).

Doesn't NinjaSpy gives you invis clicky as long as you have a bit of Ki?

Yes, but honestly I'd take stunning fist over dodge (and go light path).

[FengXian]

Right, forgot about the FvS energy line excluding wizzie's.

What I meant when I said he won't be relying much on 19-20 crit bows, is that his damage bonus (the one that gets multipled in crits) won't be high enough to make those bows a better choice than lit2. That one still benefits from IC: ranged for burst ofc, but not as much as Unwavering Ardency does.

Not sure about how good Shimmering Arrowhead is in end game, is crippling really that nice? I don't think I'd have room for it but if it's that useful with a CC setup I might want one

Also, how good would his BBs be? Good enough to solo, say, some eADQ1 fights w/o burning all the mana? Not even sure about how much mana this build will end up with, never capped a healer yet.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Right, forgot about the FvS energy line excluding wizzie's.

What I meant when I said he won't be relying much on 19-20 crit bows, is that his damage bonus (the one that gets multipled in crits) won't be high enough to make those bows a better choice than lit2. That one still benefits from IC: ranged for burst ofc, but not as much as Unwavering Ardency does.

Not sure about how good Shimmering Arrowhead is in end game, is crippling really that nice? I don't think I'd have room for it but if it's that useful with a CC setup I might want one

Also, how good would his BBs be? Good enough to solo, say, some eADQ1 fights w/o burning all the mana? Not even sure about how much mana this build will end up with, never capped a healer yet.

Great questions here and I don't know many of the answers.

About 2095 SP with max gear for the level 12 build, 2200 for 13th (including cunning trinket, GS SP, Archmagi and 40 wisdom). Seems enough in general though short terms buffs without extend or high CL will be costly and Divine Punishment will take huge chunks of SP and is a big portion of single target DPS.

In general I'd say you're right about LitII being better though there are enough other modifiers to damage on this build (divine favour, FvS specialisation) to make it worthwhile to keep IC:R if possible (which it is, imo). Even with LitII IC:R is going to give +8% or more DPS against 0% fort and considering the FvS Aura it should definitely be included in this build.

[FengXian]

Roughly 2k SP sounds like enough. 3x PL sorc kinda helps here, did you also count large guild slot 160?

I agree IC: ranged is still useful, in fact I think this build should try to get as much DPS as possible. Despite this I still think IPS should be dropped.

I haven't really tried any heavy CC setup on my AA in epics. Maybe with alchemical earth, frozen tunic and shimmering arrowhead (and maybe imbue fear arrows? has anyone even tried that lately, maybe PK DC is actually good now, and fear itself might be useful; I'll try) you can really have some good CC. So IPS might be more needed than I think now.

However if you could free up 2 feats, wouldn't it help much more? Since you already have a good (I suppose) source of AoE damage, wouldn't it be better to focus on actual DPS output, and more BB damage, through IC: ranged and empower? Also would make you able to save 4 stat points from dex.

I know it was a different build, but I could live w/o IPS on paladin 12 ranger 6 monk 2 (although I did miss IPS on occasion, my dps was much higher than I expected. I actually missed not having any AoE damage, but in this case that is covered).

Plus mass CC doesn't have much synergy with BB, while you could still CC those single targets that won't run through it.

I'm not sure either, I guess the choice is between IPS or maxing the FvS offensive power (+IC ranged). I look forward to see what will come out of this build, and if it will have a chance of beating an Arti seeing all those similarities.

[tinyelvis]

I would give 16 hps up for invis scrolls and probably haste boost. I use them constantly, from level 1 thru capped. They are a must for doing things like running super quick korthos island quest to epic 23 mansion challenges for loot. However, with the way I am building this monstrosity now, I will have pretty high UMD.

I must admit, even with my capped WF sorc, I scroll heal probably 85% of the time. 100% scroll heal is not so bad. Maybe I should give in to your relentless hammering of IC and pick up the two fighter levels. But like was suggested, I think if anything should go, then it should be IPS. I could take IC and Empower. Get a big buff to everything at the cost of hitting multiples. DP would improve, BB would improve, and ranged single target would improve by 9% or more with a better crit bow at all fortitude levels. My main goal was to build a really solid ranged toon. Plus I could use the dex points elsewhere...... Probably charisma or strength.

Gonna try out Ninja spy I and see how it works. Will probably drop it, freeing up like 10 enhancment points. Grab another wisdom and damage boost.

So thats what I am thinking now. **** Can IPS and fighter. Pick up wizard. 13FvS, 6monk, 1wiz. BTW, BBs will be easy high 30s DC. They will be solid even against epic evasion types.

[FengXian]

Since wizard doesn't actually give you the extra feat over fighter, it could be a good choice to actually go fighter. 16 hp are a lot, haste boost I is roughly 7.5% extra damage. If you hit it during manyshot, toghether with damage boost IV from human verastility, it becomes a pretty huge bonus to DPS.

Now I fail to see wizard benefits, aside fire shield scrolls (65%?). You can get fire shield cold procs from frozen tunic. There are also clickies...cloak of ice, bluefire necklace. Pretty rare but obtainable if you want fire shied badly.

Invisi scrolls are easily replaced by clickies too. I got no ML invisi clickie, 3 activations 3 mins each. Not sure how rare such items are but shouldn't be too hard to get. As you get to higher levels, they become more and more common.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Since wizard doesn't actually give you the extra feat over fighter, it could be a good choice to actually go fighter. 16 hp are a lot, haste boost I is roughly 7.5% extra damage. If you hit it during manyshot, toghether with damage boost IV from human verastility, it becomes a pretty huge bonus to DPS.

Now I fail to see wizard benefits, aside fire shield scrolls (65%?). You can get fire shield cold procs from frozen tunic. There are also clickies...cloak of ice, bluefire necklace. Pretty rare but obtainable if you want fire shied badly.

Invisi scrolls are easily replaced by clickies too. I got no ML invisi clickie, 3 activations 3 mins each. Not sure how rare such items are but shouldn't be too hard to get. As you get to higher levels, they become more and more common.

I agree with this. I prefer to have UMD/invis scrolls on all my characters (and in fact all of them do) but I have a nice 5/day invis clicky ring that is fine for my paladin (could presumably do invis scrolls except for ASF but only once or twice have I actually ran out). Nyoko's Necklace is an easily accessible item that gives some higher CL invis clickies too.

Since the conversation came up I've repeated the same point; IPS isn't needed for leveling but in epics it is absolutely essential for creating a worthwhile character. I've played a divine arcane archer without IPS and I was pretty useless in epics as even manyshot wasn't fantastic compared to an eSoS wielding barbarian, assassinating rogue or wailing pale master; at least I could passably heal. This build will obviously have better damage but it is only an increase in matters of percentages.

On the other hand, IPS can bring epic CC to the table with Frozen Tunic, Earth/Water Alchemical Bow and a Shimmering Arrowhead.

Overall, I'd suggest not to build to be the best at DPS; other builds will certainly out-DPS you and doubly so unless you have all the epic gear ready to go when you hit level 20. Instead plan for a bit more versatility as versatility is options and options win quests; IPS fits the bill here quite nicely (it's also what I like about the cleric split).

[tinyelvis]

I thank you guys for your extremely valuable information. I am reading a number of things now that I find amusing and some that make me scratch my head. I know most people dont play like I do, so I will just leave it at that.

IF you are interested, I will let you know how things go. If only the silly mod would come out.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I thank you guys for your extremely valuable information. I am reading a number of things now that I find amusing and some that make me scratch my head. I know most people dont play like I do, so I will just leave it at that.

IF you are interested, I will let you know how things go. If only the silly mod would come out.

Very interested of course, theory crafting can only go so far.

[FengXian]

I didn't realise already had a similar build tested in epics, wax. If w/o IPS it's not good enough, I guess IPS has to stay

Yep I'm interested too, I'll probably have to do a similar life for the cleric PL at some point so some feedback can be helpful.

[tinyelvis]

You can only push a build on paper so far. Practical experience with it makes a world of difference. Here is some feedback on this build.

At the last minute I decided to go helf ranger. This locked me into two ranger levels. But enabled me to pick up the rogue dilitant. Both decisions turned out to be incredibly good. I changed the build presented in the first thread to represent this.

I equipped the toon with good crafted items. Notably ranged alacrity at level 1 as well as an acid bursting bow with sneak attack bonus. In addition I alway maintained a +4 or more bonus to important stats thru wands and potions. Finally, I dressed him at level 4 in the frozen tunic. I have leveled him to 10 with the following result.

This toon is simply amazing, high saves, fast, versatile build. I lead the kill count in most any pug but typically solo quests. I would have to say if ever there was an easy button in DDO it is a well built ranged toon. The ability to put out good ranged damage forever essentially is priceless. There have been times in pugs (like proof is in the poison at level) that I ended up carrying the party in my pocket for 20 minutes while I steadily fought my way to a shrine.

Positive Points
1. The rogue dilettante is priceless. The sneak attack procs most first strikes at range. However, it really shines in group play with at least 80% or more of the shots landing as sneak attacks. I shred targets. Only uber built melee can keep up.
2. The ranger levels turned out to be highly useful. I have great jump and balance; Max UMD and Concentration; and a good spot stat.
3. The 10k and manyshot are highly useful (especially the 10k). There are times I land as many as three arrows at a time (I may have landed 4). Bosses melt to this fire, especially if they are aggroed on another party member and I back stab. At 8th level in water stance, my running wisdom was 32.
4. Ninja Spy one was very disappointing at first. I was going to drop it. However, it turned out to be invaluable. I am weakest against regenerating foes with high hitpoints since I really need to manyshot or 10k them. With ninja spy, I can refresh my ki in about 20 seconds, so can always be ready to fight them.
5. I almost never shrine.

Negative Points
1. I am lacking in resistance to magic missile. I do carry a shield wand, but it is not very effective. I also have brooches and such for emergencies.
2. Bosses with high hitpoints who regenerate.
3. No good AOE attack.

My play style is typically elite solo (2 levels above base quest level), however, I do pug from time to time. I am hyper aggressive. I typically charge foes (especially casters) to point blank range then circle and fire. Anyone unlucky enough to get encased in ice gets special attention. In group play, I constantly switch targets focusing on foes that others are fighting. We clear rooms in seconds. Only the melee's higher rate of attacks stops me from blowing the kill count out of the water. Typically even then I gain 30% or more kills. Recently, I gained FvS levels and started mixing command in. This is very effective.

Key to success is the fact that I have all of the best equipment at level. Crafting is a wonderous thing. My main attack bow is now a +4/+6 sneak attack with acid burst. I mix in fire arrows. With my strength bonus, and sneak attacks I do good steady damage and with my speed I can back peddle faster than any mob chasing me. Its odd, but I experience now most quest backwards. I can kite a boss with 15 mobs endlessly and eventually kill everything (this in my opinion is amazing). If the developers do buff ranged further one day, I will be a DDO GOD.

I am now moving to mobs with higher hit points vs my damage output. But I am into the FvS levels now, so hope to augment attacks with spell use. I look forward to BB and Improved Precise shot. I can't imagine running this toon at higher levels without improved precise shot. I just cant imagine it, and wish I had it now.

[ShadowFlash]

To qualify for AA with the wizard level you take energy of the scholar but to get AoV you need energy of the ... favoured soul.

Basically, you can't take the SP enhancement for both classes and that enhancement is required to qualify for each respective PrE. It's totally bogus but that's the way it is, until Divine Avenger is brought out it basically disqualifies Favoured Soul/Wizard Arcane Archer builds.

12 FvS is a horrible cut off point for this build, you have to choose out of blade barrier, heal or mass cure moderate, not very fun. On either build feats are a pain, I'm not sure if I'd prefer IPS or Maximise/empower or maximise and IPS (but no improved critical or empower). My general idea was that with an epic abishai (and, to a lesser extent, chaosrobe) set on the cleric variant you could get CL:17 on blade barrier and divine punishment on a 1 wizard variant (13/6/1). Tough call on whether to include IPS or not though.

Just to nit-pick, Blade Barrier CL=15 (which is good, since that's max dice anyway), and DP is in fact CL=17 with the Greater Abashi Set.

As a point of reference (see boring DP math link in my Signature) CL17 DP will net you approximately 230ish DPS realistically geared for it...

ShadowFlash

[wax_on_wax_off]

Just to nit-pick, Blade Barrier CL=15 (which is good, since that's max dice anyway), and DP is in fact CL=17 with the Greater Abashi Set.

As a point of reference (see boring DP math link in my Signature) CL17 DP will net you approximately 230ish DPS realistically geared for it...

ShadowFlash

CL's:
12 FvS /6 monk /2 fighter: 16 on BB/16 on DP (from epic Abishai and chaosrobe)
13 cleric /6 monk /1 wizard: 17 on BB/19 on DP (as above but radiant servant II as well)

I think this is right?

What's the difference in DP DPS here?