The Really good FvS. (But not Ultimate since that name was taken already)

[Impaqt]

OK, I killed my first attempt at a Melee FvS. I was having fun withit, But my playstyle just couldnt get into it. I wasnt looking forward to end game. A Divine Caster without Blade Barrier is just wrong to me....

So after much tweaking of stats and Cruching all reasonable numbers I think I finally got it. Full TWF with a Solid Wisdom for good Spell DC's. Room for al the improtant Healing Spells as well. it'll cost me a bunch of Large scales to equip properly, but overall, I think I like this concept a lot more than my original.

Enjoy.



Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Male
( 2 Monk / 18 Favored Soul)
Hit Points: 450+
20 Heroic Durability
144 L18 FvS
16 L2 Monk
100 Con Bonus
22 TOughness Feat
50 Toughness Enhancements
30 Greater False Life
10 Draconic Vitality
20 Minos Legens Helm
--
412 Hit Points
45 Second Shroud Item
---
457

Spell Points: 2,375
1485 18 FvS
110 Eot
115 Chr Bonus
380 ARchmagi Item(+90% on Mana Items for l18 FvS)
285 Shroud Tier 2/3 ITem(+90% on Mana Items for l18 FvS)
----
2375 Spell Points

BAB: 14/14/19/2424
14 BAB
6 STR Bonus
5 Weapons
2 ELf Enh
1 FvS Feat
-2 TWF
---
+26 Beholder Unbufed TWF
6 BAB Bump from DP
3 Divine Favor
4 Greater Heroism
1 Haste
1 Rage
--
+41 Self Buffed
-5 Power Attack
---
+36 First Swing
6 Full Warchanter SOng
---
+42 Raid Buffed

Imaginary A/C Potential (I'm not gonna bother, To Slot intensive)
10 BASE
8 Dex Bonus
12+ Wisdom Bonus
8 Armored Bracers
5 Protection Item
5 Ranger Bark
4 Sheild CLicky
4 Bardsong
4 Shroud Weapon
3 Dodge (Ring or DT effect)
1 Armor Ritual
---
64+ Raid Buffed


Fortitude/Reflex/Will
11/11/11 FvS 14
3/3/3 Monk 2
5/8/12 Attributes
5/5/5 Resistance
1/1/1 Resist Ritual
-----
25/28/30 Base Saves
4/4/4 Greater Heroism Spell
2/2/2 Luck (Head of Good Fortune or Recitation SPell)
------
31/34/36
4/4/4 Holy Aura(It stacks)
-----
35/38/40


Abilities
(32 Point)
{22}Strength 14 +2Tome +6 Item
{26}Dexterity 16 +2 Tome +2 Elf +6 Item
{20}Constitution 12+2 Tome +6 Item
{16}Intelligence 9+1 Tome +6 Item as needed
{34/36-40}Wisdom 16 +5 Levels +2FvS +2 Tome +6 Item +3 Shroud +2 Stance(When Necessary)+2 Potion(When Necessary) +2 (+4Tome Potential)
{20}Charisma 11+2 Tome +1FvS +6Item

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+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 Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 19
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 19

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 7 13

Concentration 5 26

Jump 5 19

Tumble 4 6

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

Level 2 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Diety) Favored by the Undying Court

Level 3 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell

Level 4 (Favored Soul)

Level 5 (Favored Soul)

Level 6 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting - Swap to Spell Penn later in game

Level 7 (Favored Soul)

Level 8 (Favored Soul)

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

Level 10 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack

Level 11 (Favored Soul)

Level 12 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Acid
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell

Level 13 (Favored Soul)

Level 14 (Favored Soul)

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

Level 16 (Favored Soul)

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

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

Level 19 (Favored Soul)

Level 20 (Favored Soul)



Spell (1): Divine Favor
Spell (1): Nightshield
Spell (1): Remove Fear
Spell (1): Sheild of Faith

Spell (2): Resist Energy
Spell (2): Soundburst
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (2): Lesser Restoration

Spell (3): Prayer
Spell (3): Magic Circle Against Evil
Spell (3): Protection From Energy
Spell (3): Remove Curse

Spell (4): Divine Power
Spell (4): Recitation
Spell (4): Deathward
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement

Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Spell (5): Raise Dead
Spell (5): True Seeing
Spell (5): Greater Command

Spell (6): Blade Barrier
Spell (6): Heal
Spell (6): Mass Cure Moderate Wounds

Spell (7): Mass Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (7): Destruction
Spell (7): Resurection

Spell (8): Death Pact
Spell (8): Holy AUra

Spell (9): Implosion

Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Scimitar Specialization I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Scimitar Specialization II
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortiose I
Enhancement: Disciple of Puddles
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Incredible Life II
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 Charisma I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wisdom I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wisdom II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness III
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

Schroud Items
Scimmy #1 Holy, +3 Wis, Mineral II
Scimmy #2 Holy, Acid Burst, Acid Blast Mineral II

Shroud Goggles: Blindness/Disease Immune +6 Wis, COncordant Opposition

Helm: Minos
Necklace: Mod 9 Necklace - Superior Potency VI
Cloak: +4 (+5) Resistance/Reaver Napkin
Belt: +6 Con/GFL - Swap with Superior Ardor 6 Belt for Healing CLicky
Bracers: Glacier
Gloves: STR Gloves, Second Shroud Item
RIng 1: CHR +6 (New ring? Exceptonal Power?)
Ring 2(swap): UA, Resist+4, Striding
Boots: Dex
Trinket: Bloodstone

[Xyfiel]

Nice to see you come to the same conclusion as Darkstar and I have. The dps gain from full out melee Fvs isn't worth what you lose from being able to cast well. Some notes:

1) I chose spell pen over otwf. Do you think a non bard song +35 first swing to be enough for the new content? What about having a 25 spell pen? 18+3enh+2feat+2item(if we can get one for implosion even better)

2) I was thinking more of spell pen III, changing tortoise for the all resist 2 one, and cha III(more cha when mdj) compared to damage boost, w/s mastery IV, and healing crit line.

3) You listed raise dead twice. I am picking 2 of greater command, prot from elements and spell resist. Going to skip mass cure mod for cometfall. Not certain how much I want death pact, might go mass prot or mass sr.

All and all, it is the best way to go for Fvs imo. Decent defense, decent offense, decent healing, decent casting.

[Hasteclicky]

you have raise dead listed twice in your level 5 spells slots

[jscott457]

All and all, it is the best way to go for Fvs imo. Decent defense, decent offense, decent healing, decent casting.

I agree. When you work through it, almost this exact build is what keeps coming up again and again (well without OTWF that is. no idea why that is in there).

WIS vs STR - trade off seems to support wisdom since +1 DC more critical than +1 hit/dam. The spell palate available when you have a decent DC is compelling.

monk splash - All that wisdom makes a monk splash tempting. All the needed feats for TWF make a monk splash tempting...can't pass up monk splash

Given those decisions, everything else is just nibbling at the margins.

I am levelling up a FvS like this although I wish there were other great answers for FvS. Who wants to be flavor of the month!

JS

[rimble]

That's really good. Actually, it really is pretty much what I planned if I ever try one.

[Impaqt]

I can see swapping OTWF for SpellPenn later inthe game. Makes sense.

Greater Command replaces the second raise Dead.

Thanks

[pappo]

OK, I killed my first attempt at a Melee FvS. I was having fun withit, But my playstyle just couldnt get into it. I wasnt looking forward to end game. A Divine Caster without Blade Barrier is just wrong to me....

So after much tweaking of stats and Cruching all reasonable numbers I think I finally got it. Full TWF with a Solid Wisdom for good Spell DC's. Room for al the improtant Healing Spells as well. it'll cost me a bunch of Large scales to equip properly, but overall, I think I like this concept a lot more than my original.

Enjoy.

I started a toon using your original build. What are the differences between this build and your original "Evasive Melee FvS" that you posted.

[Impaqt]

I started a toon using your original build. What are the differences between this build and your original "Evasive Melee FvS" that you posted.

The other build sacrifices Casting ability for more melee prowress.

Both are solid builds. I just decided I wanted a little better casting ability.

[WilbyZ]

I have a very similar build but started with Int 8 (used an old Level 1 +2 Int Tome) and Cha 8 (can get to Cha 20 so that's all is needed + used an old Level 1 +2 Cha tome)

Put the extra 4 points into STR to make 24 vs 22.

[pappo]

The other build sacrifices Casting ability for more melee prowress.

Both are solid builds. I just decided I wanted a little better casting ability.

My toon, with your original build, is lvl 3 now. If I focused on more Wisdom enhancements could I get blade barrier later, or is it too late with the current build?

[Dylos_Moon]

Necklace: Mod 9 Necklace - Superior Potency VI
Belt: +6 Con/GFL - Swap with Superior Ardor 6 Belt for Healing CLicky

Why would you need both Superior Potency VI and a Superior Ardor VI Clickie? Superior Ardor VI is just the clickie version of Superior Devotion VI, that is to my knowledge, it doesn't stack with Potency.

[Impaqt]

My toon, with your original build, is lvl 3 now. If I focused on more Wisdom enhancements could I get blade barrier later, or is it too late with the current build?

Blade Barrier is a Reflex save. Reflex saves across the mobs are by far the worst. Unfortunatly, the ones that DO have reflex saves often have Evasion as well. As long as you know when to use your blade barrier, it can certainly be effective with a decent wisdom.

Why would you need both Superior Potency VI and a Superior Ardor VI Clickie? Superior Ardor VI is just the clickie version of Superior Devotion VI, that is to my knowledge, it doesn't stack with Potency.

Its actuially Superior Ardor 8...

but no, I dont need an ardor Cick AND superior potency..

However, Superior Potency on a necklace AND GFL AND +6 COn on a belt is a great cmbonation regardless of the clicky.

[pappo]

Blade Barrier is a Reflex save. Reflex saves across the mobs are by far the worst. Unfortunatly, the ones that DO have reflex saves often have Evasion as well. As long as you know when to use your blade barrier, it can certainly be effective with a decent wisdom.

What I was asking was how high my Wisdom needed to be to have an effective Blade Barrier when it comes available.
My current stats at level 3 are as follows:
STR 15, DEX 17, CON 12, INT 10, WIS 11, CHA 13

[Impaqt]

What I was asking was how high my Wisdom needed to be to have an effective Blade Barrier when it comes available.
My current stats at level 3 are as follows:
STR 15, DEX 17, CON 12, INT 10, WIS 11, CHA 13

10 + 6(Level) + Wis Modifier.

SO base DC is 16. lets say you have a 20 Wisdom for +5 thats 21. Get a Spell Focus item for 22.

Avg no-evasion mob reflex save is about 15 in the end game. So your going to hit for 1/2 damage quite a bit.

Problem is the Evasive Mobs. THey have aMuch higher reflex save and take no damage.

Use the blade barrier against non evasive mobs and it will be effective, just not ideal.

[sirgog]

10 + 6(Level) + Wis Modifier.

SO base DC is 16. lets say you have a 20 Wisdom for +5 thats 21. Get a Spell Focus item for 22.

Avg no-evasion mob reflex save is about 15 in the end game. So your going to hit for 1/2 damage quite a bit.

Problem is the Evasive Mobs. THey have aMuch higher reflex save and take no damage.

Use the blade barrier against non evasive mobs and it will be effective, just not ideal.

My main Numot has a DC 23 Bladebarrier (25 Wisdom) and finds it is an excellent source of damage on everything except fire elementals (high reflex and Evasion) and high level ranger/rogue/monk NPCs (there's a bunch of Fiendish Troglodyte ones in the Vale of Twilight, plus there's the monks in Monastery of the Scropion).

It would of course do more damage if it were a DC 30+ BB, but that's the price you pay to have a build that can usefully melee raid bosses.

[EinarMal]

Pretty much an exact copy of this:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=189826

Min/Maxing Favored Soul Melee is crazy, you are much better off starting with 16ish strength and maxing wisdom. I did the same thing on my Warforged and it works great.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=196607

[pappo]

It would of course do more damage if it were a DC 30+ BB, but that's the price you pay to have a build that can usefully melee raid bosses.

How do you tell how much DC you create ?

[Pittminion]

How do you tell how much DC you create ?

10+spell level+castingstat bonus+feats+items

using these numbers
30 wis, reaver cloak, and evocation focus


so blade barrier is 10+6+10+1+1=28

[RebelWolfe]

Two questions, please.

First, why did you choose Acid and Sonic for your later resist feats? Other posts I have read recommend Fire, Electricity and Cold. Not saying you are wrong, just trying to understand all this.

Second, would you change the starting stats any if you hadn't had access to +1 tomes at level 1 and 3? I don't but, beyond that, this build is exactly what I have been looking for in a Favored Soul.

[Hafeal]

I like it; I am doing something similar. I decided to go Human though for some extra feats since I think you need them to bolster both the melee and the casting.