Alt advice needed - Rogue

[wlmartin]

OK - If there is one thing that I seem to be getting more and more bothered about is missing out on Optional Objectives.

As a Sorceror (my main) there is very little in the way of runes you can activate (most are Int/Wis based) and no hope of finding a disabling traps (since INT is a dump stat and even with a splash of rogue, without the INT skill points are not available as you level)

I am looking to sink my teeth into a build that can get involved in the quirkier sides of the game... less hack+slash and more puzzle+figuring things out.

Stealthy Repossession - one of my fav quests because it requires actual D&D style thinking, more a quest than a mission... forget that I die more in that quest than any other when not playing a rogue, but that doesnt stop it being a big fav just for the Challenge Factor!


So I have my goal (more trappy and optional stuff to play with) but am a bit limited in my options.

(good dex race) Pure Rogue = Extremely Squishy, not very soloable (oh i forgot to mention - I solo a lot more than party) but has the best-fit-in-theory for what I want

WF Wizard with Rogue splash = Self Heal, has the INT points to improve Search + Disable for my needs but WF wizard is too close to my main a WF Sorcerer and would prefer something a bit more varied

WF Rogue with Wizard splash = As the wizard above but with a splash to get self healing and with a good enough Power/Wizardry item, the lack of Wiz levels contributing to the blue bar is supplemented and since the plan would be fight>get hurt>run>hide>heal+heal+heal> - repeat it seems a good build in theory but don't know if I am wasting my time and hurting myself in the long run.

Ranged Rogue = Eh... its just a poor mans ranger that can do traps. It seems OK in theory but when I am attacking I like the idea of backstabbing up close and personal

Rogue + Cleric (unsure of split) - Self Heal but Dex, Int and Wis here... a bit too much to spread around ability scores wise.

I am a bit stuck for ideas

Have Drow/WF unlocked but that is about it

Any ideas on a build that will accomplish my want-to-play attitude but also mean that I won't get slaughtered on mid-high level quests? and ideally something soloable well?

Thanks in advance

[Bumbaragum]

What about a Bard?

Splash 2 rogue levels on a bard build and you will have some self love, displacement, trap skill with only 10-12 int go human If you want more skills etc.

Can be build to dps or CC with only 2 levels splashed. Great soloer.

[wlmartin]

What about a Bard?

Splash 2 rogue levels on a bard build and you will have some self love, displacement, trap skill with only 10-12 int go human If you want more skills etc.

Can be build to dps or CC with only 2 levels splashed. Great soloer.

Its tempting - Bards are the jack of all trades and in previous D&D itterations were actually a prestige class from rogue anyways

mmmmmmm i forgot bards heal for some reason when doing my build ideas.

Bard sounds wonderful... no idea what build to do though, soooo many options

[voodoogroves]

Well, with what you've specified I'd go with the rogue2/wizard18 split or a bard with some rogue levels (2) and possibly fighter or ranger or arti levels as well (probably 2 more)

[wlmartin]

Well, with what you've specified I'd go with the rogue2/wizard18 split or a bard with some rogue levels (2) and possibly fighter or ranger or arti levels as well (probably 2 more)

The wizard split is what I want to avoid - already have enough arcane on my main

The bard is a bit more tartty ... i am liking it, just now need to figure out how to build

How much rogue is needed?
What bard path to focus on? (I want to fight with weapons if that matters)

[Malky]

Bard 16 / fighter 2 / rogue 2 is a fairly popular build, with warchanter for prestige enhancements.

[voodoogroves]

Bard 16 / fighter 2 / rogue 2 is a fairly popular build, with warchanter for prestige enhancements.

Yep - this sounds like it.


Feats generally would be ... TxF, ITxF, GTxF, Power Attack, Weapon Focus, Quicken, Extend, Improved Crit, Maximize

This works with just about any race, TWF or THF. Take a rogue level first, use the fighter ones sparingly. I'd probably put rogue 2 around 7-10 somewhere to help optimize the cross-class skills for bard.

[wlmartin]

Bard 16 / fighter 2 / rogue 2 is a fairly popular build, with warchanter for prestige enhancements.

Sorry to be lazy but has this been popularized with a write-up? Link to the build at all?

I could do from scratch myself and probably wouldnt do the build exactly as someone else did but am not much familiar with bards so could use a guide

[voodoogroves]

Sorry to be lazy but has this been popularized with a write-up? Link to the build at all?

I could do from scratch myself and probably wouldnt do the build exactly as someone else did but am not much familiar with bards so could use a guide

Bazillion variations

Look through these: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=275472

[HGM-Chi]

You've mentioned only having WF and drow, but if you're willing to pony up for Artificer that might be a lot of fun for you too.

A WF Arti would give you your decent rune arm/heavy repeater DPS, self healing, a puppy to help you out soloing, excellent UMD, trap skills, and good utility spells for group play.

[wlmartin]

You've mentioned only having WF and drow, but if you're willing to pony up for Artificer that might be a lot of fun for you too.

A WF Arti would give you your decent rune arm/heavy repeater DPS, self healing, a puppy to help you out soloing, excellent UMD, trap skills, and good utility spells for group play.

I know, Artificers do seem like fun (and I wouldnt mind paying for the upgrade) but I dont have any toons that are high enough to get the favor yet so its pointless at present.

Either way, they are still arcane based and I want something dynamicaly different


I want something where I can get in close (I do enough ranged attacks with a Sorcerer) and yes, probably will die a bit but have some money to twink the guy out a bit, can craft (somewhat) so that could help.

Ideally I would like a lot of skills so really need an INT based class thats not Wiz.. bit stuck

[Bart_D]

While I'm totally behind the trapper-bard plan (here's my attempt: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=311792), bards really shine in groups and i think you like to do some solo'ing?

From your description I think you might also enjoy a selfsufficient trapping/umd'ing ranger aka Exploiter: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=168687

Anyway, both should work and be very different from your sorcerer

Edit: Just opened the exploiter thread... lots of discussion there

[wlmartin]

While I'm totally behind the trapper-bard plan (here's my attempt: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=311792), bards really shine in groups and i think you like to do some solo'ing?

From your description I think you might also enjoy a selfsufficient trapping/umd'ing ranger aka Exploiter: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=168687

Anyway, both should work and be very different from your sorcerer

Edit: Just opened the exploiter thread... lots of discussion there

Does the exploiter work without Monk?
What does the Monk add to it that needs it?

[uthanak69]

Could do a Warchanter. Mine is 16/2/2 Bard/Rogue/Fighter.
Or an Exploiter. 18/1/1 Ranger/Rogue/Monk.

Guess I should read the whole thread haha

Does the exploiter work without Monk?
What does the Monk add to it that needs it?

The Monk level gives you a feat, and gives you the ability to add your Wisdom mod to your AC. Exploiters can get pretty decent AC, so it helps a lot. A Fighter level is a good choice if you don't have Monk. But after playing an exploiter, I'd prefer the Monk level.

[wlmartin]

Could do a Warchanter. Mine is 16/2/2 Bard/Rogue/Fighter.
Or an Exploiter. 18/1/1 Ranger/Rogue/Monk.

Guess I should read the whole thread haha


The Monk level gives you a feat, and gives you the ability to add your Wisdom mod to your AC. Exploiters can get pretty decent AC, so it helps a lot. A Fighter level is a good choice if you don't have Monk. But after playing an exploiter, I'd prefer the Monk level.

Ah well i don't have monk so I guess
1 lvl of Rogue = Rogue skills
1 lvl of Fighter = Wep prof (is that right?)
Rest in Ranger

I reckon he would be two weapon fighter?
Would he need Combat Finesse (Dex instead of Str for To-Hit)?
Do I need to worry about wis? - Spells will only be buffs and occasional heals so with a decent Wiz/Power item, I should be able to buff my mana up a bit and dont want to waste Wis points if I dont need to

[uthanak69]

Ah well i don't have monk so I guess
1 lvl of Rogue = Rogue skills
1 lvl of Fighter = Wep prof (is that right?)
Rest in Ranger

I reckon he would be two weapon fighter?
Would he need Combat Finesse (Dex instead of Str for To-Hit)?
Do I need to worry about wis? - Spells will only be buffs and occasional heals so with a decent Wiz/Power item, I should be able to buff my mana up a bit and dont want to waste Wis points if I dont need to

The Fighter could be used for that. Mine is human, so I used the human bonus feat for wep prof.
Would be a TWF. I use Khopeshes. But Scimitars can work too. Weapon Finesse no. You're STR will be much higher than DEX. WIS would ideally be in the mid-20's. Only need 14 (Including items and tomes) to cast all the ranger spells. But without Monk I guess it doesn't need to be so high. So aim for 14 (human base 8 + 2 tome + 6 item + 2 ship = 18), anything above 14 is just extra spell points

[Infant]

While I'm totally behind the trapper-bard plan (here's my attempt: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=311792), bards really shine in groups and i think you like to do some solo'ing?

Bards shine in groups, but Haste, Displacement, songs, trapskills and evasion on a 16/2/2 make an excellent soloist.

Feats: PA, WF are prerequisites for Warchanter. Toughness, since you are a squishy d6 class. IC:X for DPS. Extend to make Hage and Displacement last longer. Then either the THF line or the TWF line. Maximize and/or Quicken last (both are nice emergency buttons).

Infant

[EpiKagEMO]

i think wizzy rogue is something you might enjoy. Wizzy rogue is totally different than a sorc. Focus on CC instead of DPS, and there you go.

[ayondie]

How about a str based rogue? One of my fav rogue builds was a twf 13rog/6rng/1brb (ftr or monk work also).

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=2445733

DPS and trapping abilities are unreal .. cheers

[wax_on_wax_off]

Get monk, it's fun and worth it (and fits well with the concept that you have for a 13 rogue/6 monk/1 x build or 18 rogue/1 monk/1 x build like this).