Drow as FvS?

[Wilk]

Hey all

I am new in the forums and in the DDO.I play it for a week but for now I only earn TP and collect favor.I played every free class but I want try play Drow as Favored Soul because I unlock it today.I dont know that Drow as Favored Soul is a good idea.I saw Evoker build for Human,Beacon of Hope or FvS with Monk but I dont think that are good for Drow.I heard about TWF Drow Favored Soul but i didnt find any build for this.If there are any reasonable builds for Drow as Favored Soul please show me some and tell me what is better Drow than Human(28 pkt build)

[gavijal]

No. Drow don't have any advantage for FVS only disadvantage -2con, 1 feat (compared to human). So for melee fvs go warforged or for evoker go human.

[Matuse]

There are lots of options, and as a drow you'll have an advantage of being rare (not as rare as a halfling, which I've never seen). The drow capstone spell is immensely powerful. I didn't think the at-will invis would be all that great when I made my FvS, but after playing with it, it's really ungodly.

If there was a way to be human and take Vulkoor, I would. I much prefer the invis to the CLW capstone. The problem is the missing feat. Any FvS build is going to be suffering for feats.

I took drow because it was an el-cheapo way to get a 32 point build equivalent. Also I like shortswords. They work nicely on a dabbles-with-melee character since as light weapons they give much less of a penalty when dual wielding. You can also put racial enhancements into it as well as the FvS class improvements (feats and enhancements). The stat distribution that a FvS wants doesn't favor the drow spread all that much, except in the dex department. The other annoying thing is with the new AoV requirements, you are basically forced to take the uber-garbage scorpion pet enhancement, which I think of as a complete and total waste of AP...at least Unyielding Sovereignty is occasionally useful even with the super long cooldown.

You can make a completely viable drow FvS, and don't let anyone tell you different. Until I TR'd mine, I got absolutely no complaints from anyone about my character's performance in-game.

[Wilk]

Matuse thanks for your reply.I think that i will be use this build http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=199266
but I dont know which feat kick at 1 lvl : Empower Spell,Favored by the Sovereign Host or Toughness and how set abilities that character will be playable.

[taurean430]

There are lots of options, and as a drow you'll have an advantage of being rare (not as rare as a halfling, which I've never seen). The drow capstone spell is immensely powerful. I didn't think the at-will invis would be all that great when I made my FvS, but after playing with it, it's really ungodly.

If there was a way to be human and take Vulkoor, I would. I much prefer the invis to the CLW capstone. The problem is the missing feat. Any FvS build is going to be suffering for feats.

I took drow because it was an el-cheapo way to get a 32 point build equivalent. Also I like shortswords. They work nicely on a dabbles-with-melee character since as light weapons they give much less of a penalty when dual wielding. You can also put racial enhancements into it as well as the FvS class improvements (feats and enhancements). The stat distribution that a FvS wants doesn't favor the drow spread all that much, except in the dex department. The other annoying thing is with the new AoV requirements, you are basically forced to take the uber-garbage scorpion pet enhancement, which I think of as a complete and total waste of AP...at least Unyielding Sovereignty is occasionally useful even with the super long cooldown.

You can make a completely viable drow FvS, and don't let anyone tell you different. Until I TR'd mine, I got absolutely no complaints from anyone about my character's performance in-game.

I agree here.

Just wanted to mention though that one of my guildies runs a halfling fvs, that outperforms any of my builds insofar. I've considered making one on numerous occasions but don't want to copy his work. Anyway passing the crown along with heroes companion is pretty uber.

[HungarianRhapsody]

Drow look like they would be good as Favored Souls because they have a bonus to Charisma and Favored Souls need Charisma.

Except that what Favored Souls *really* need is Wisdom. They only need a total of 19 Charisma at levels 18 through 20 and that includes lots and lots of bonuses that you can add to your character from enhancements and from items that you wear. Starting with a 14 Wisdom is more than enough for any Favored Soul.

Wisdom is what determines whether your offensive spells will actually be successful. Wisdom determines the DC of your offensive spells (healing spells cast on your party members and buffs to yourself and your party members never have to make this check) and no race other than Humans and Half Elves can get a racial bonus to Wisdom.

[Candela90]

I wouldnt go drow.
Mostly because of capstone.

What I mean is - as SH u could get Free CLW (which hits with metamagics for 70-80, 170+ on crits with 30% heal amp item only, without it 50-60) . U san say its low. Well Heal amp tanks can be succefully healed this way all quests. And its nice to help yourself when ure low on sp.
To ass here u get nice free click (even tho with loooooong cooldown) - u can remove all dead penalties, and its a "heal? that hits for 1k if theres a need.
Or Id choose SF capstone - free saering light. With metamagics its like 200+ on non crit, 400+ on crit. So welcome free dps.

If u want to melee or offensive cast invisibility really gets u nothing, ad for invisi healing u can get click on pots. Easy to get.
Human definitely is better option. Even +1 feat gives u more than these drow points.


And the build u linked is solid one.
Its what I did for mine 1st life fvs (just went elf, cause well.... cause its pretty But going to TR human). Mine fvs is 20 currently and is good.
I just throwed out Greater Evo Focus, and picked up Shield Mastery,

[Wilk]

OK thanks all for replies,I will play as Drow FvS because i want create female character and Drow female is more hot than Human female

[Candela90]

OK thanks all for replies,I will play as Drow FvS because i want create female character and Drow female is more hot than Human female

Hah. I wont hate.
As i said... I play elf cause it looks more pretty;p. But *shrug*...

[Habreno]

If you do go Drow, please do boost your CON to 12 at worst. I'm sure you realized that this needs doing, but just a reminder.


I'd go with

STR: 10
DEX: 13 (+2 tome if you absolutely want to melee a bit, this gets you the 15 base DEX for TWF. Don't recommend it, unless you have a lot of good gear for meleeing)
CON: 12
INT: 10
WIS: 18
CHA: 11 (This is looking at a min-max perspective; this will ABSOLUTELY get you 19 CHA with +2 tome, capstone, and CHA +4 spell, when you're disjuncted. That doesn't mean you can't go higher. Just pull points from STR if you still want TWF, or DEX if you don't)


That has a lot going for it, but only if you want to melee with shortswords. You can double-dip them, racial enhancements and Soul enhancements thanks to race, and TWF is a bit easier, but only if you want to. I don't recommend it if you're building a first divine; only once you have experience doing divines would I recommend it.

[voodoogroves]

OK thanks all for replies,I will play as Drow FvS because i want create female character and Drow female is more hot than Human female

Only if you don't have 32 point builds unlocked, otherwise that 32 point human chick is hot.

I wouldn't bother with TWF personally.

[countfitz]

Well, I just want to know how you unlocked FvS but not 32 point builds... Or did you mean you unlocked Drow (and paid for FvS)?

If the latter is the case, and you have Drow BUT NOT 32 point builds, then a Drow FvS is a perfectly reasonable option, but I would go CASTER not TWF, unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

The wife is a TWF Elf FvS right now, but is really gimping herself primarily to get the past life in preparation for druids, and is an experienced player.

The -2 to Con REALLY hurts unless you have (and understand having) easy access to +6 con items, +2 con tomes, GFL items, and enough green steel to almost immediately craft a GS HP accessory. And if you don't understand any of that, it's not for you.

Now, a Drow Casting build will stay out of melee enough that the -2 Con isn't the end of the world (you could live with 12 con starting, hope for a tome at some point, and struggle to get the gear and still do okay) and the bonus to Int and Charisma especially help. That means you can start at 16 charisma, not worry about finding all the gear you need to get to 20 charisma (so you can cast all your spells), and it means you'll get 10 intelligence, so both of your skill points per level, again without wasting points. That gives you, in a 28 point build, enough leeway to get Maxed or near maxed wisdom (which is your PRIMARY casting stat!)

Now, 28 pt. humans would do JUST AS WELL casting, but you won't be behind them, which you would be as a TWF.

Basically, TWF would require = Toughness, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Power Attack, Improved Crit, and as a FvS, you need Empower at the very least. Guess what? You don't have that many feats.

Now, as a Caster, you need = Toughness, Empower, Maximize, Heighten. That leaves you with choices! (I'd pick empower healing over the other options like mental toughness, spell pen, or extend, but all are possible choices. Most would probably say spell pen... but I don't know).

[unbongwah]

Drow aren't ideal as FvS, but there's not so bad and there are a couple of nice short swords now, like epic Smallblade. Here's an updated version of a TWF drow FvS build I did way back when.

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

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Drow Female
(2 Monk \ 18 Favored Soul) 
Hit Points: 307
Spell Points: 1644 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 18
Will: 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         10                    12
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

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by Vulkoor


Level 3 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell (swap for Empower or Empower Heal later)


Level 4 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Favored Soul)


Level 6 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 7 (Favored Soul)


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 9 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Favored Soul)


Level 11 (Favored Soul)


Level 12 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Electricity
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Favored Soul)


Level 14 (Favored Soul)


Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 16 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Cold


Level 18 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Favored Soul)


Level 20 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost IV
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage I
Enhancement: Drow Weapon Damage II
Enhancement: Vulkoor's Avatar (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Angel of Vengeance I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Angel of Vengeance II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Shortsword Specialization I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Shortsword Specialization II
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Smiting I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Smiting II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Incredible Smiting I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting IV
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wand and Scroll Mastery IV

I built it with a +2 Supreme tome, but all you really need is +1 DEX for ITWF & GTWF.

[Habreno]

Why on earth would you take all three TWF feats on a casting build?

Just take TWF, get rid of the to-hit penalties, get the 40% offhand chance, and be done with it. This puts shortswords down to -2/-2 vs -4/-8. That is the main reason for taking TWF. The to-hit penalty reduction. Damaging offhand is nice, but not enough to devote 2 additional feats toward not even doubling the benefit of one, plus your base.

ITWF is a 20% offhand chance improvement. GTWF is the same. Neither is really that great. TWF shines for reduction in to-hit penalties AS WELL AS 20% offhand chance.


On a full melee? Heck, take all three. You're going after damage, which means you have to have as much chance at that offhand as possible. But on a casting build? TWF and done, no reason to go further.


Other thing I disagree with is Power Attack. On a class with a low to-hit, not a lot for increasing to-hit, and one that won't be hitting on every swing, why make it even harder to hit for a measley 5 extra damage? Hitting more is worth well more than 5 damage.

[Wilk]

well, i just want to know how you unlocked fvs but not 32 point builds... Or did you mean you unlocked drow (and paid for fvs)?

I unlock Drow from 400 favor and buy FvS from earned TP,100 TP for 50 favor in server

Ok I created my first FvS

STR: 8
DEX: 10
CON: 12
INT: 10
WIS: 18
CHA: 16

Feats:Toughness and Favored by Vulkoor
Skills: Max Concentration and UMD
Spells:Night Shield and Cure Light Wound ( I think that maybe should take Night Shield,Divine Favor and take Cure Moderate Wound an highest lvl)

I think that this character can be playable.

[CoasterHops]

I wouldnt go drow.
Mostly because of capstone.

What I mean is - as SH u could get Free CLW (which hits with metamagics for 70-80, 170+ on crits with 30% heal amp item only, without it 50-60) . U san say its low. Well Heal amp tanks can be succefully healed this way all quests. And its nice to help yourself when ure low on sp.
To ass here u get nice free click (even tho with loooooong cooldown) - u can remove all dead penalties, and its a "heal? that hits for 1k if theres a need.
Or Id choose SF capstone - free saering light. With metamagics its like 200+ on non crit, 400+ on crit. So welcome free dps.

If u want to melee or offensive cast invisibility really gets u nothing, ad for invisi healing u can get click on pots. Easy to get.
Human definitely is better option. Even +1 feat gives u more than these drow points.


And the build u linked is solid one.
Its what I did for mine 1st life fvs (just went elf, cause well.... cause its pretty But going to TR human). Mine fvs is 20 currently and is good.
I just throwed out Greater Evo Focus, and picked up Shield Mastery,

I have a drow fvs and have the Sovereign Host enhancements and capstone. I am going to TR it but at first life with + 2 ship buffs it has about 470 hp and 2930 sp.

I am going to tr it at some stage to a half elf melee non pure fvs at some stage, should be fun. I wouldnt turn a new player away from it, but yeah there are definately better choices.

[unbongwah]

Why on earth would you take all three TWF feats on a casting build?

...because melee is fun?

[Habreno]

...because melee is fun?

ON A CASTING BUILD.


TWF on a Casting Build is mainly for the to-hit penalty reduction. That's what it does.

Are ITWF/GTWF nice? Yes. Are they dead essencial? No, if you're not playing a pure melee. That's fact.

Is this a melee build? No. Does that mean it can't take any melee feats? No. TWF is quite a solid feat even on a casting build, if the build wishes to melee. Only if the build will expressly THF/SnB when meleeing is it not useful. And THF is likely, but less spots for boosts. SnB is not that good, unless you're tanking or have, somehow, a meaningful AC (which IS a possibility) in which case the shield is for AC and the weapon is hitting.

So TWF is a solid feat. Why aren't ITWF/GTWF needed?

They don't give the benefits TWF does. They only improve your offhand hit chance 20%. TWF does that PLUS reduces your to-hit penalties. Thus, on a casting build, TWF alone is good if the builder so chooses to melee.



Yes, melee is fun. But why gimp a CASTING build for 5 MELEE feats (you have TWF, ITWF, GTWF, PA, IC: Pierce) when only two are really strong? The two here that are strong are TWF and IC: Pierce. ITWF and GTWF are both more stat intensive and weaker than TWF, and PA requires both a 13 STR (and where is that coming from when you have to take 10 CHA, 13 DEX, 12 CON and maxing WIS? It won't fit in 28 build points, unless you delve into +3 tomes) and reduces your to-hit by 5 on a build which will be to-hit starved.

If it was a MELEE build? Heck, yes. But a CASTING build? Sorry, but no.

[silvermesh]

ON A CASTING BUILD.
(snip... yadda yadda yadda))
TWF on a Casting Build is mainly for the to-hit penalty If it was a MELEE build? Heck, yes. But a CASTING build? Sorry, but no.

dude, are you talking about the build ubongwah posted? That's definitely not a casting spec build... look at his stat spread.

If you are building an all caps lock CASTING BUILD(and that is some serious capitalization), don't even take TWF. if you must spend that feat on lessening your to hit penalty, put a shield in your hand and take shield mastery. now you don't have a dual wield penalty and your feat actually got you something worthwhile.
You have no reason to TWF if you aren't building for full melee TWF, you certainly don't want to burn any build points on dex if you aren't even planning to have a melee focus.

[Habreno]

dude, are you talking about the build ubongwah posted? That's definitely not a casting spec build... look at his stat spread.

If you are building an all caps lock CASTING BUILD(and that is some serious capitalization), don't even take TWF. if you must spend that feat on lessening your to hit penalty, put a shield in your hand and take shield mastery. now you don't have a dual wield penalty and your feat actually got you something worthwhile.
You have no reason to TWF if you aren't building for full melee TWF, you certainly don't want to burn any build points on dex if you aren't even planning to have a melee focus.

TWF on a non-full melee DOES have use. If you are taking melee on a casting build, then the full line is of little use.

The build you are referring to does have a valid use for all three. I was continuing a discussion about a build I had posted, which took only TWF since any further is a waste and it is a casting build.


Just because something is a casting build means not it cannot melee at all. I know this for a fact because I have a Casting Cleric that can melee quite well despite being a casting build.


Sorry for not making the discussion clearer in the seperation.