36 pt build request

[CaptaiinCanuck]

First time post, please be gentle...
I am seeking build advice from all the DDO guru's out there. Pure Arti with ranger/barbarian past lives.

Partial to WF but due to U14 nerf I am open to Helf or others...
Mainly solo/shortman, own all content/races/classes.

Xbow/runearm ranged playstyle, traps/locks/umd ofc

36 point build with +3 supreme tome, seeking solid guidance mainly pertaining to starting stats and feat selection order.
Currently have a level 20 WF arti so I am familiar with enhancement lines (rune/repeater/etc).

Thank you in advance for any insight, I just don't want to mess this up LOL. Need to hit 8 so i can use my stone =D.

[bward76]

First time post, please be gentle...
I am seeking build advice from all the DDO guru's out there. Pure Arti with ranger/barbarian past lives.

Partial to WF but due to U14 nerf I am open to Helf or others...
Mainly solo/shortman, own all content/races/classes.

Xbow/runearm ranged playstyle, traps/locks/umd ofc

36 point build with +3 supreme tome, seeking solid guidance mainly pertaining to starting stats and feat selection order.
Currently have a level 20 WF arti so I am familiar with enhancement lines (rune/repeater/etc).

Thank you in advance for any insight, I just don't want to mess this up LOL. Need to hit 8 so i can use my stone =D.

+1 I am in same boat with my next life being Artificer and coming soon. I had always planned Robo Arty with Max Int and decent repeater damage. I don't know the extent of the WF nerfing.

[Khatzhas]

What exactly happened to Warforged that nerfed them? Is this about the system-wide changes to poison and disease resistances, or were there further changes that also hit them? (In completely technical terms, WF actually got buffed relative to the game in the update.)

Assuming that you're going for the standard feat selection of shooty feats, (Greater) Spell focus: Evocation, and Toughness (Barb past life), that leaves you four feats left.
Are you intending to take Empower and/or Maximise metamagics?

Did you want a Warforged body feat? Any other warforged feats?

If not, I would start with Point-Blank shot, Past life: Barbarian, (B)Precise shot, Spell focus: Evocation, (B)Rapid shot. In that order. That should take you to the level you can get stoned at.
Use the Artificer bonus feats at levels 12 and 16 for Imp crit: Ranged and Imp Precise shot respectively. That leaves more versatile slots for Greater Spell focus: Evocation and whatever else you were after?

[jayboss1]

this is a build i used on a 1st life
i advise that you dont use the build progression on this as things been taken at the wrong level and different from the one i actually had
nevertheless the end result is still the same..........almost

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Chaotic Neutral Drow Male
(6 Rogue \ 14 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 274
Spell Points: 867 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 18
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             10                    13
Dexterity            16                    19
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         18                    29
Wisdom                8                    11
Charisma             10                    13

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                    28
Bluff                 4                     6
Concentration         2                    29
Diplomacy             4                     6
Disable Device        8                    38
Haggle                4                    25
Heal                 -1                     1
Hide                  3                     6.5
Intimidate            0                     2
Jump                  4                    12
Listen               -1                     3
Move Silently         7                     9
Open Lock             7                    33
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                4                    12
Search                8                    42
Spot                  3                    31
Swim                  0                     4
Tumble                7                    26
Use Magic Device      4                    28

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Search I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


Level 2 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Improved Spot I
Enhancement: Artificer Energy of Creation I


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes
Enhancement: Rogue Fire Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I


Level 4 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Elven Perception I
Enhancement: Elven Perception II
Enhancement: Elven Keen Eyes I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 5 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Search II
Enhancement: Improved Spot II


Level 7 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I


Level 8 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use I
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence I


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Elven Perception III
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand Heightening I


Level 10 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Construct Essence
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack I
Enhancement: Artificer Rune Arm Overcharge I


Level 11 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Improved Concentration II
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I
Enhancement: Artificer Energy of Creation II


Level 12 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use II
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery II


Level 13 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence II


Level 14 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage II
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device III
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock III


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device II
Enhancement: Artificer Energy of Creation III


Level 16 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost II


Level 17 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence III


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Artificer Improved Rune Arm Use III
Enhancement: Improved Use Magic Device III


Level 19 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Battle Engineer I


Level 20 (Artificer)
Enhancement: Artificer Energy of Creation IV

[deahamlet]

Look over in specialist section.

Feats:
Point blank shot
Rapid shot
Precise shot
Precision
Improved precise shot
Improved crit (ranged)
Sf:evo
Greater sf:evo
Maximize
Empower
Quicken
Toughness

Consider dropping either IPS or empower for insightful reflexes (better trap survivability) or adamantine body.
36 pt two choices:
18/14/18 (DEX/con/int) with all level ups in int
Or
17/16/18 with 1 level up in DEX, 4 in int, and 2 epic level ups in int

Epic feats: combat archery, epic sf:evo

Consider: draconic, Fatesinger, shadowdancer, shiradi, magister depending on your style. Shiradi with evo twists from draconic and magister is a nice option. Shadowdancer for evasion.

[CThruTheEgo]

Take a look at this build: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=386775

I posted it just last night. 36 pt WF with max int, super survivability, and a casting/ranged focus. And I built it with a stone of experience in mind, as that is exactly what I will be doing as well. If you wanted to go for less survivability but more crossbow dps you can drop starting con to 14, increase starting dex to 18 and swap epic toughness for combat archery. This would lower base HP by 100 but gain +1[W] on any crossbow that you used.

And WF didn't really get nerfed. Every race could have poison/disease immunity before the changes by carrying the appropriate item and swapping to it when needed. So WF suffer the same fate as all other races due to the changes. Poison/disease immunity was not the WF's greatest asset and not the reason to choose WF, imo. So very little has changed about them tbh.

[CaptaiinCanuck]

Take a look at this build: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=386775

I posted it just last night. 36 pt WF with max int, super survivability, and a casting/ranged focus. And I built it with a stone of experience in mind, as that is exactly what I will be doing as well. If you wanted to go for less survivability but more crossbow dps you can drop starting con to 14, increase starting dex to 18 and swap epic toughness for combat archery. This would lower base HP by 100 but gain +1[W] on any crossbow that you use

Thank you, this is basically what I was looking for. Will keep an eye on your build thread for updates/changes/member insight!

[CThruTheEgo]

Thank you, this is basically what I was looking for. Will keep an eye on your build thread for updates/changes/member insight!

Glad it works for ya. I will point out that I took some feats (empower, IPS, insightful reflexes) at regular feat levels so that I could swap them out easily if I decided they weren't doing much for me. So the feat order may not be perfect, but because of using the stone of experience you'll be twenty again before you know it and feat order won't matter. But tbh I think I'll want to keep them all anyway.

[bward76]

Glad it works for ya. I will point out that I took some feats (empower, IPS, insightful reflexes) at regular feat levels so that I could swap them out easily if I decided they weren't doing much for me. So the feat order may not be perfect, but because of using the stone of experience you'll be twenty again before you know it and feat order won't matter. But tbh I think I'll want to keep them all anyway.

Thanks, I will be basing my life#7 off this build.

[ShadowFlash]

I worked up this 34-point build about a week ago. I paid a lot of attention to feat/leveling order, which is why I'm listing it. Complete discussion on feat order and starting stats are here....
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=386239

Modified for 36-point.

Race: Warforged
Pure Artificer
Starting Stats (36-point)
STR 8
DEX 16
CON 18
INT 18
WIS 6
CHA 6
Level up's in INT except for +1 DEX@ lvl 12 and +1 DEX@ lvl 20
You will be -1 DC from maximum this way, but it allows the endgame choice of DC vs. HP easily depending on style/gear/ED, without sacrificing combat archery.

Feats:
1: Point Blank Shot
3: Insightful Reflexes
4: Maximize
6: Toughness (or PL:Berserker's Fury)
8: Precise Shot
9: Precision
12: Spell Focus: Evocation
Improved Critical: Ranged (earliest possible)
15: Improved Precise Shot (earliest possible)
16: Quicken
18: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
20: Rapid Shot
21: Combat Archery
24: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation (or Epic Toughness)

If you plan on taking epic toughness, do not take PL:barb, as it will not qualify you for the feat. Combat Archery (and it's +1 DEX level-up) can be swapped to level 24 if desired also.

I have maximize at level 4 mainly because I originally was working with a PL:wizzy active at 3 instead of insightful reflexes (which should only be a 3-5 improvement at endgame), but I think it's still a decent spot for it. Be VERY careful moving around feat order, as the artificer bonus feat list can make things difficult. This is the reason for pushing rapid shot all the way back to level 20.

ShadowFlash

[CThruTheEgo]

Feats:
1: Point Blank Shot
3: Insightful Reflexes
4: Maximize
6: Toughness (or PL:Berserker's Fury)
8: Precise Shot
9: Precision
12: Spell Focus: Evocation
Improved Critical: Ranged (earliest possible)
15: Improved Precise Shot (earliest possible)
16: Quicken
18: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
20: Rapid Shot
21: Combat Archery
24: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation (or Epic Toughness)

Insightful reflexes is definitely not needed as early as level 3. The difference between dex and int is not great enough until much later in the leveling process to make this feat even worth taking. In the early levels your crossbow is you primary source of dps which is why it is more important to take feats to boost this (i.e. point blank shot, rapid shot, and precise shot). I would definitely not leave rapid shot until level 20. It is not until very late in leveling that your spell dps really takes off. Here is what I would recommend for feat order:

Feats:
1: Point Blank Shot
3: Rapid Shot
4: Precise Shot
6: Toughness (or PL:Berserker's Fury)
8: Maximize
9: Precision
12: Spell Focus: Evocation
Improved Critical: Ranged (earliest possible)
15: Insightful Reflexes
16: Improved Precise Shot
18: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
20: Quicken
21: Combat Archery
24: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation (or Epic Toughness)

This makes you much more lethal with a crossbow when it counts the most, early on. Insightful reflexes will be taken when it will actually add a somewhat meaningful amount to your reflex. It's not a big deal to put off IPS until 16, even if you are not using a stone of experience, but even less so if you are. This does put quicken off until 20 which some may not be comfortable with, but at these levels you shouldn't be failing too many concentration checks, especially with a concentration item which is easy enough to fit in. Through crafting concentration can be slotted anywhere so it shouldn't be too hard to have on.

[ShadowFlash]

...snip...

As I said, originally the insightful reflex spot held an active wizzy PL, and I just did a quick adaptation to a 36-point build without it. I think however, that it is still useful while leveling, as INT will most definately be higher most of way until final gearing. By the time an Xbow arty is optimally geared/twisted, the difference in reflex save should be only 5ish at most, making it more valuable for the journey, not the destination...just my prefernce...meh, dosen't matter much either way, as I don't even see it as essential on an arty chasing combat archery anyhow.

Quicken until 20 however, is the precise reason I sacrificed rapid shot until the end. Quickened BB's and Recons at level were essential to me. I've been told that the increase in DPS from rapid shot, while definately worthwhile, is not as relevant as one would think to obtain early. It still is a point of contention in my mind as well.

ShadowFlash

Edit: Yes, the stone does put a bit of a different spin on leveling that I didn't reall spend time considering.

[bward76]

Quicken until 20 however, is the precise reason I sacrificed rapid shot until the end. Quickened BB's and Recons at level were essential to me. I've been told that the increase in DPS from rapid shot, while definately worthwhile, is not as relevant as one would think to obtain early. It still is a point of contention in my mind as well.

Its been a while since I played a cleric, but hasn't BB casting speed been improved dramatically several months ago? you still feel you need to speed up the casting? Is this for full bore running through quests or does it have a tactical advantage to kiting or something?

thanks for you input so far.

[ShadowFlash]

Its been a while since I played a cleric, but hasn't BB casting speed been improved dramatically several months ago? you still feel you need to speed up the casting? Is this for full bore running through quests or does it have a tactical advantage to kiting or something?

thanks for you input so far.

well, recon is point #1 for sure, but I mentioned BB for the same reason. For me, I wait until the last possible moment if possible to cast BB...dungeon alert..harried...etc...so any chance of failing a concentration check in those do-or-die scenarios (that I purposely create for maximum effectiveness) bugs me a lot. For this same reason, I think a no-fail recon is extremely important as an Oh #### button as well. A lot of WF sorcerers still take quicken for this sole reason as well...nothing to do with casting times (and they'll typically have even higher conc). Again, just my personal preference

ShadowFlash

[CThruTheEgo]

As I said, originally the insightful reflex spot held an active wizzy PL, and I just did a quick adaptation to a 36-point build without it. I think however, that it is still useful while leveling, as INT will most definately be higher most of way until final gearing. By the time an Xbow arty is optimally geared/twisted, the difference in reflex save should be only 5ish at most, making it more valuable for the journey, not the destination...just my prefernce...meh, dosen't matter much either way, as I don't even see it as essential on an arty chasing combat archery anyhow.

Just to put some numbers to the discussion: assuming same gear and tomes throughout the leveling process and a starting 16 dex, 18 int, the only difference between dex and int will be level up points and artificer int enhancements. So assuming all level ups are taken in int and all int enhancements are taken as soon as they are available, then insightful reflexes will add the following level specific bonuses:

Level 1: 1
Level 4: 2
Level 8: 3
Level 12: 4
Level 20: 5

And if you put 2 level up points into dex for combat archery, then these numbers go down by 1. So the benefit definitely gets better as the levels go higher. IMO 12 is the earliest this feat should even be considered.

You mention a fully geared/twisted arti with an at most benefit of 5ish from insightful reflexes. The build I linked in my post above focuses on int for casting DC's and ends up with an unbuffed int of 48 and dex of 26 giving an insightful reflexes benefit of 11. That's a pretty significant difference imo. I don't go for combat archery but that would only lower it by 1 and still make insightful reflexes worthwhile. A full breakdown can be found in the link provided.