Shockwave Tempest DPS (A build by request)

[sigtrent]

Build Name: Shockwave
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: Alan Nastali
Last Updated: 03/01/2012

Key Words [Ranger, Tempest, Exploiter, Melee, Ranged]

Objectives
This request was for a TR character which had been through a few past lives and was looking for an optimal version of a favorite build. The build he wanted was fairly specific, a variation on The Exploiter with fighter replacing the monk splash and more of a focus on offense rather than defenses.

He is currently playing an Elf focused on Rapiers and Bow which is 18 Ranger (Tempest 3), Fighter 1 and Rogue 1. He is well geared for Rapiers but expressed an interest in using a Kopesh to maximize DPS output on the build.

He is invested in this character and with the new rules for Times and True Reincarnation he plans on using +2 or +3 Supreme tomes before his next life. His current past lives are Fighter and Barbarian and is currently working to a Ranger past life.

The requester provided the build name and I think it fits well as the build moves fast and hits hard.

Design
Exploiter is about having the best of many aspects of the game. Ranger supplies most of the feats you need for Two Weapon Fighting and for Ranged Combat while rogue gives you trap skills and full UMD. The Exploiter uses monk to add wisdom to AC and boost saving throws as well as adding unarmed attacks as a nice blunt combat option. Fighter gives you a few more hit points and access to some more action boosts. Both add a feat to the build which is very much needed.

Tempest is a decent prestige at level 3 and is cheap on enhancement costs, but it comes with three feats required, none of which would be considered key to the build normally: dodge, mobility, Spring Attack. Of the three Spring Attacks is actually very nice to have, but few elect to take it due to dodge and mobility being of limited use. This is what makes the build feat tight. In addition to those you need the usual toughness and power attack, while Oversize Two Weapon Fighting and Improved Critical are both highly desired. That leaves you with one free feat to play with.

That brings us to the Kopesh and choice of race. The requester likes Elf, which is nice for the synergy on dex and their longsword/rapier/bow enhancements that add to damage and accuracy. Rangers are kind of light on good enhancement picks so having good race options is nice. The thing of it is, if you use your feat pick for Kopesh, you can’t support it with improved critical slashing while also keeping IC piercing for the rapiers. Both weapons benefit greatly from IC so if you go for one, you really marginalize the other.

Because of this I decided to do two builds. The first is a pretty classic version of the Elf with a focus on bows and Rapiers. Unlike the Exploiter I did not concern myself much with AC and because of the past lives I could crank up strength to 18 (where all the level ups go) and still have solid Con and Dex. Extra points went to Int for the trap skills. For my extra feat I took point blank shot as I wanted to have a fairly even split on ranged and melee and PBS is probably the nicest of the ranged feats ranger doesn’t get automatically. Enhancements nearly pick themselves as there is little to choose from that fits the melee DPS theme.

Leveling wise I took rogue at 1, then 6 levels of ranger to get the core TWF and ranged feats. Then I take fighter at 8 to get spring attack so you can take tempest. From there it is all ranger all the time.

It was the Human build I was more excited about. Here there is no incentive to go with rapiers and we have an extra feat to work with so Kopesh is our weapon of choice which I take early in the build. Withough the elven bow bonuses and with the flexibility to put racial stat bumps into strength and con, this build treats bows as a secondary weapon for special occasions. As a result I put less into dex and more into Constitution. Coupled with humans additional toughness enhancements this build clocks in with a full 50 more HP than the elf.

While the exploiter has always been able to scroll heal due to UMD I’m very fond of characters that can self heal with their own spells as it is just faster and more reliable. Human also comes with healing amplification enhancements and points to spend that the elf dumps into Rapier/Bow enhancements. This is the push you need to give a ranger strong self healing. By cranking up the ranger devotion, taking empower healing, and gearing for healing amp and devotion/potency you can throw cure serious wounds for upwards of 200HP a cast for less mana than a heal spell. The human healing amp also gets more milage out of your heal scrolls, wands and friendly healers.

Human also has an advantage in human versatility giving you a significant damage boost in addition to the haste and damage boosts from class sources as well as a beefier skill boost. All in all the up sides are much greater durability and self sufficiency in the clutch along with a superior melee damage profile while the down side is weaker bow use. Since bows in DDO are more special occasion weapons, I think its a good trade off and is the better of the two versions.

Allignment is negotiable on this build but I like Neutral any time I have full UMD available and alignment isn’t dictated by class. Neutral Good is my second pick. TN is harder to level until you hit 20 UMD because you can’t use pure good/law/chaos weapons. But in the long run you get access to superior stability items and are immune to evil proc damage which is fairly common and painful. There are also some items you can use that otherwise are prohibited if you have a good alignment.

You can certainly do these builds without triple TR, but you will need to drop strength down to 16. 28pt builds will be pushing things a bit but it’s still possible with further stat reductions. Ranger makes ability score requirements moot for the TWF and Ranged feats so ability scores are very forgiving.

Play
In group play you should be aggressive but watch your agro. This build can get in quick and deliver strong damage but it lacks the massive hit points of a defender class melee or a full fighter/barbarian type. Your AC potential is decent, but on elite difficulties it is easily outclassed by your foes. Even on the human version the healing abilities don’t really kick in full force until late in the builds life.

On the plus side, spring attack lets you move around without loosing accuracy so in large groups you can circle to avoid too many foes swinging in on you at once. That should go a lot way to mitigating damage as you cut the group down. Also good use of the ranged abilities can soften up a foe on the way in for a quick finish with the blades.

It isn’t that the build is easy to kill, far from it, but its not a tank in the formal sense so it can only stand and take hits to the face for a relatively short time. If you play the human version and work up the healing amplification, you can mitigate that somewhat.

Gear
Gear is not my strong suit as a builder. My philosophy is get the best gear you can find currently and use that. This is a DPS skirmisher meaning in a group you will play a DPS roll and will want to gear up for maximum damage and hit points. When solo or in small groups you will want to gear a bit more for self sufficiency and defenses. Try not to amplify your agro when in groups as you could steal agro from weaker hate tanks that are not well geared.

The human version should seek out healing amplification items and craft those they can’t find. Each healing amp item should offer a different percentage bonus if you want them to stack. They tend to come in increments of 10-30. Greensteel and Dragontouched armor are two common sources but there are a number of others.

The tomes on these builds are entirely optional although skills are compromised some without the Int tomes. Feat requirements just aren’t an issue.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(1 Fighter \ 1 Rogue \ 18 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 352
Spell Points: 250 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 18
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    27
Dexterity            14                    19
Constitution         16                    20
Intelligence         12                    15
Wisdom                8                    11
Charisma              8                    11

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+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
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    15
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         7                     27
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        4                    24
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  5                     8
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  8                    12
Listen               -1                     0
Move Silently         6                     9
Open Lock             6                    17
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                4                    24
Spot                  3                    23
Swim                  4                     8
Tumble                3                     6
Use Magic Device      3                    23

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+3)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Human Versatility II


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Human Versatility III


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV


Level 17 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Aberration
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion IV


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest III

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(1 Fighter \ 1 Rogue \ 18 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 302
Spell Points: 230 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 20
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    26
Dexterity            16                    24
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         12                    15
Wisdom                8                    11
Charisma              8                    11

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+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
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    17
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         2                     3
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        5                    25
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  6                    11
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  8                    13
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         7                    11
Open Lock             7                    18
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                1                     2
Search                5                    27
Spot                  3                    25
Swim                  4                     8
Tumble                4                     8
Use Magic Device      3                    23

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+3)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage II


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack II


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 14 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest II


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III


Level 17 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Aberration
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest III

[unbongwah]

Outta curiosity, why delay IC Pierce on the elf until lvl 15?

[ThePrincipal]

since drow can soon be tempest as a racial pre, wouldnt you be better off going fighter 18/1/1 and taking BOTH kensei III and tempest III?

[Olath_Senger]

since drow can soon be tempest as a racial pre, wouldnt you be better off going fighter 18/1/1 and taking BOTH kensei III and tempest III?

The point of this build was for the Ranger past life.

[sigtrent]

Outta curiosity, why delay IC Pierce on the elf until lvl 15?

It's just a question of feat priority and IC comes in behind PA and OTWF. I can see swapping it with OTWF but I really hate missing which can still be a concern at those levels.

Still swapping those around is mostly a matter of taste.

[sigtrent]

since drow can soon be tempest as a racial pre, wouldnt you be better off going fighter 18/1/1 and taking BOTH kensei III and tempest III?

I haven't followed the up and coming changes too much. Sounds great, though a pretty different build since it would loose the ranged aspects. Still, that will be a hell of a combo of prestige enhancements!