Wowo's FvS with a twist

[wax_on_wax_off]

So I thought I'd roll up a FvS as I'm missing having a healer in my stable. No big plans for this character, just want a competent first life healer with moderate DCs.

Without being willing to do past lives I decided not to try to compete so much on the DC field and stay away from the familiar Evoker FvS build.

This is what I've come up with:

Concept/Goals: Repeating Crossbow toting Favoured Soul
Class: 20 Favoured Soul
Alignment: Neutral

Stats and Race (32pt build): Half-Elf
Str: 16 (8 base +2 tome +6 item)
Dex: 16 (8 base +2 tome +6 item)
Con: 22 (14 base +2 tome +6 item)
Int: 16 (14 base +2 tome)
Wis: 34 (18 base +5 levels +2 tome +3 enhancements +6 item)
Cha: 22 (12 base +2 tome +2 capstone +6 item)
34/36 point build: More strength (carrying capacity), constitution (HP) or charisma (SP)
Ability increase every 4 levels: All in Wisdom

Skills: Concentration, Diplomacy, Balance, UMD, Tumble (1)

Feats (by level): Dilettante: Artificer (1), Favoured of the Sovereign Host (1), Maximise (1), Zen Archery (3), Rapid Reload (6), Heighten (9), Improved Critical: Ranged (12), Toughness (15), Quicken (18)

Might have liked to fit in some combination of Point Blank Shot, Improved Critical: Ranged, Precise Shot and Rapid Reload but there is barely even room for Zen Archery (which is at the cost of Shield Mastery and a bonus human feat - probably extend - as it is). Spell Penetration feats could be dumped in favour of them perhaps (either before or after wizard past lives).

Enhancements (FvS): Angel of Vengeance (+prereqs), 4/2/2 life enhancements, wisdom II, Wand and Scroll Mastery IV, Smiting (4/2/2), Toughness II, Damage Boost II
Enhancements (Half-Elf): Racial Toughness II (3), Improved Artificer Dilettante II (3), Versatility II (3), Adaptability: Wisdom (2), Improved Recovery I (2)

Equipment:
Head: Epic Helm of Frost
Gloves:
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak
Boots: Epic Boots of Corrosion
Trinket: Litany of the Dead
Bracers: Windhowler Bracers
Belt: Morgana's Belt
Necklace: Torc
Goggles: Concordant Opposition GS Goggles (+45 HP)
Body: Blue Dragonscale
Ring1: Epic Ring of the Stalker
Ring2: Morgana's Ring (+2 exceptional wisdom)
Weapons: Improved Cursespewing LGA (+4 AB) Heavy Repeating Crossbow of Improved Shattermantle

Summary:
Haven't really committed to it, could still scrap the idea and just go with a usual human evoker. What do you think of this idea?

[ElbionTcob]

Well! Quite the twist for sure! Really suprised me when I read the build!

Im sure you know what you would be getting yourself into so I will just leave it at, a wis based human with shield mastery and decent con would be a bit more, conventional. And perhaps practical.

Moving on, if your staying away from spell dc's I might recommend dropping the two spell pen feats in favor of several options: Shield Mastery (Which is getting killed in the next update), Quicken, or ranged combat feats. Thats all I can really see that I might change if I was going for this build.

Gear wise, I agree with everything but the gloves, any ideas what your going for? Honestley, I might drop the Wind Howler bracers in favor of an eClaw set. Its 3 more dmg per hit (not sure what the sonic dmg works out to) and its got the hamp and the fort and con and other nice things. I have a few artys in my guild with it on and they love it.

Just my 2cp. This is a crazy build but very interesting!

[AtomicMew]

I have a hard time imagining that you'd do decent DPS, especially with no rune arm and limited feats. I also imagine that being a ranged xbow user without being able to cast conjure bolts is going to be ass.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I have a hard time imagining that you'd do decent DPS, especially with no rune arm and limited feats. I also imagine that being a ranged xbow user without being able to cast conjure bolts is going to be ass.

Crossbow isn't going to be much behind what a sword and board favoured soul offers but offers different perks (much higher AB, ranged). DPS isn't necessarily the priority end game when applying on hit effects is more important. Crossbow+Divine Punishment is going to be behind an Artificer but not massively (and much easier to kite).

Well! Quite the twist for sure! Really suprised me when I read the build!

Im sure you know what you would be getting yourself into so I will just leave it at, a wis based human with shield mastery and decent con would be a bit more, conventional. And perhaps practical.

Moving on, if your staying away from spell dc's I might recommend dropping the two spell pen feats in favor of several options: Shield Mastery (Which is getting killed in the next update), Quicken, or ranged combat feats. Thats all I can really see that I might change if I was going for this build.

Gear wise, I agree with everything but the gloves, any ideas what your going for? Honestley, I might drop the Wind Howler bracers in favor of an eClaw set. Its 3 more dmg per hit (not sure what the sonic dmg works out to) and its got the hamp and the fort and con and other nice things. I have a few artys in my guild with it on and they love it.

Just my 2cp. This is a crazy build but very interesting!

I think you give this build too much credit for being more different than what it actually is. Compared to the human build you describe this build is 2 feats behind (shield mastery and extend), same DCs (both max wisdom) and probably same HP (I'd put strength up to 12 or 14 on a human build).

Even though the build is max DC for a first life build (before SF feats) it still only gets moderate DCs in the end game competing with arcanes and FvS with multiple wizard and sorcerer PL's.

Feats wise I'm considering dropping Empower (as its getting nerfed in U14 I think) and SP/GSP for PBS, RR and IC:R but not sure yet. Empower is the most questionable one when it comes to healing certain raids with only 1 metamagic (but with the nerf/buff it might be doable).

I do notice an error missing Quicken which is needed. I'll have to think more on the feat lineup.

[ShadowFlash]

You know what you're doing, and as such I usually refrain from posting in your build threads (while appreciating your input in mine), but I'm a sucker for the unconventional. Honestly, I can see where you're going with this. I think you made a mistake saying you're not chasing DC, as with your listed xbow and max WIS, a better term would be you are circumventing the DC race.

That being said, the lack of feats is the real issue in pulling it off. No bolt generation will suck, but who cares for someone like you with massive twinking/support capabilities. Really, the only way I see is something you don't want to do....and that is a 2 monk splash. Up to you if the trade-off in spell pen is worth it or not (not to mention the usual sacrifices). I just don't see it as worth it without at least 2 more feats.

"IF" splashing 2 monk, you may consider ditching rapid reload, and going with PBS instead...qualifying for Precise Shot. That, and Quicken would be your 2 extra feats. De-Buffing is apparently your main xbow goal, and the ability to specifically target mobs via PS seems valuable enough to warrant consideration.

I just don't see xbow DPS being a main factor here, so playing to your de-buffing strength seems like the thing to do. I think you'll still find the build lacking, but "fun" always takes top priority in my book

ShadowFlash

[wax_on_wax_off]

You know what you're doing, and as such I usually refrain from posting in your build threads (while appreciating your input in mine), but I'm a sucker for the unconventional. Honestly, I can see where you're going with this. I think you made a mistake saying you're not chasing DC, as with your listed xbow and max WIS, a better term would be you are circumventing the DC race.

That being said, the lack of feats is the real issue in pulling it off. No bolt generation will suck, but who cares for someone like you with massive twinking/support capabilities. Really, the only way I see is something you don't want to do....and that is a 2 monk splash. Up to you if the trade-off in spell pen is worth it or not (not to mention the usual sacrifices). I just don't see it as worth it without at least 2 more feats.

"IF" splashing 2 monk, you may consider ditching rapid reload, and going with PBS instead...qualifying for Precise Shot. That, and Quicken would be your 2 extra feats. De-Buffing is apparently your main xbow goal, and the ability to specifically target mobs via PS seems valuable enough to warrant consideration.

I just don't see xbow DPS being a main factor here, so playing to your de-buffing strength seems like the thing to do. I think you'll still find the build lacking, but "fun" always takes top priority in my book

ShadowFlash

Half-elf has same DC as human, last time I checked

Feats are an interesting point, on one hand there are a crapload of possible ranged feats to get and I can't fit almost any of them but on the other hand I'm not sure that they make all that big of a difference (except for improved precise shot which this build can't qualify for).

If I was going to splash the concept it would go to 17 cleric/2 artificer/1 monk with improved precise shot. Rune Arm use gets the priority over evasion and human gets the extra feat (and skip zen archery). This would be a significantly different build though.

[ShadowFlash]

Half-elf has same DC as human, last time I checked

Feats are an interesting point, on one hand there are a crapload of possible ranged feats to get and I can't fit almost any of them but on the other hand I'm not sure that they make all that big of a difference (except for improved precise shot which this build can't qualify for).

If I was going to splash the concept it would go to 17 cleric/2 artificer/1 monk with improved precise shot. Rune Arm use gets the priority over evasion and human gets the extra feat (and skip zen archery). This would be a significantly different build though.

LOL...you misunderstood...I meant race, as in nascar,kentucky derby, etc never mentioned human took me a bit to fugure out how ya got that, but I get it now.

I was suggesting Half-Elf (arti-dil) 18Fvs/2Monk. Evasion is nice and all, but the main point was the 2 extra feats. I knew you wouldn't want to do it, but it is an option.

[OliviaCrowley]

I had a somewhat similar idea in terms of repeater usage, though not in the same ballpark in terms of class. Was thinking of a H-Elf Bard with Arti Dil and Repeater. I was able to fit PBS/PS/IPS, but I'm not sure how the DCs would be. Would boost scroll/wand effectiveness a fair bit in addition to the bard enhancements for it. Goal was spellsinger with decent CC & debuffing through repeater with IPS. Has one feat left, thinking of Heighten for the bit of DC gain on Dancing Sphere since Imp. Shattermantle + Spell Pen gear and 1 enhancement would help make up on that front.

I really like the concept you have here though, shame feats are so tight. IPS for debuffing a bunch of mobs at once would be great but just isn't feasible.