Help me transform from Arti to Shirarti!

[Persiflage]

Hello all,

I'm currently playing a build which was devised pre-u14, and is not in fact complete. The idea was to TR again so I didn't plan out the last couple of levels or all the enhancements properly; I was going to get another Ranger life by using a +5 heart, but as it turns out I'm desperate to jump into Epic Destinies for a while and try Shiradi Champion! Thankfully, I did remember to talk to the Fatespinner on my previous life while I still had a bunch of Ranger levels; I picked Shiradi Champion and thus should hopefully be starting there on this life

I want to use my free LR to pick up a more optimal build for a Shiradi Champion prior to spending time levelling any epic destinies - I know there have been a few issues with that - so I'm throwing myself on the mercy of the forums, hoping for input!

Here's the build I have at the moment (pretty much: I'm currently 18-holding-19 so the last two levels don't apply just yet)...

Character Generated Using: DDO Character Generator

Artificer 20
Male Warforged - True Neutral
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PAST LIVES SELECTED:
Monk (1), Ranger (2)
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LEVEL 1
Race Selected: Male Warforged
Alignment Selected: True Neutral
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 1)
Abilities Raised: STR: 9, DEX: 16, CON: 16, 
INT: 17, WIS: 9, CHA: 9
Skills Ranks Raised: Concentration +4 (4), Disable Device +4 (4), 
Haggle +4 (4), Open Lock +4 (4), Search +4 (4), Spot +4 (4), 
UMD +4 (4)
Feats Selected: Point Blank Shot
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LEVEL 2:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 2)
Skills Ranks Raised: Concentration +1 (5), Disable Device +1 (5), 
Haggle +1 (5), Open Lock +1 (5), Search +1 (5), Spot +1 (5), 
UMD +1 (5)
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LEVEL 3:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 3)
Skills Ranks Raised: Concentration +1 (6), Disable Device +1 (6), 
Haggle +1 (6), Open Lock +1 (6), Search +1 (6), Spot +1 (6), 
UMD +1 (6)
Feats Selected: Rapid Shot
Tomes Applied: STR: +1, DEX: +1, CON: +1, INT: +1, 
WIS: +1, CHA: +1
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LEVEL 4:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 4)
Abilities Raised: INT: 19
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (0.5), Concentration +1 (7), 
Disable Device +1 (7), Haggle +1 (7), Open Lock +1 (7), 
Search +1 (7), Spot +1 (7), UMD +1 (7)
Feats Selected: Augment Summoning
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LEVEL 5:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 5)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (1), Concentration +1 (8), 
Disable Device +1 (8), Haggle +1 (8), Open Lock +1 (8), 
Search +1 (8), Spot +1 (8), UMD +1 (8)
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LEVEL 6:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 6)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (1.5), Concentration +1 (9), 
Disable Device +1 (9), Haggle +1 (9), Open Lock +1 (9), 
Search +1 (9), Spot +1 (9), UMD +1 (9)
Feats Selected: Toughness
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LEVEL 7:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 7)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (2), Concentration +1 (10), 
Disable Device +1 (10), Haggle +1 (10), Open Lock +1 (10), 
Search +1 (10), Spot +1 (10), UMD +1 (10)
Tomes Applied: STR: +2, DEX: +2, CON: +2, INT: +2, 
WIS: +2, CHA: +2
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LEVEL 8:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 8)
Abilities Raised: INT: 21
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (3), Concentration +1 (11), 
Disable Device +1 (11), Haggle +1 (11), Open Lock +1 (11), 
Search +1 (11), Spot +1 (11), UMD +1 (11)
Feats Selected: Quicken Spell
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LEVEL 9:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 9)
Skills Ranks Raised: Concentration +1 (12), 
Disable Device +1 (12), Haggle +1 (12), Jump +1 (1), 
Open Lock +1 (12), Search +1 (12), Spot +1 (12), UMD +1 (12)
Feats Selected: Empower Spell
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LEVEL 10:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 10)
Skills Ranks Raised: Concentration +1 (13), 
Disable Device +1 (13), Haggle +1 (13), Jump +1 (2), 
Open Lock +1 (13), Search +1 (13), Spot +1 (13), UMD +1 (13)
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LEVEL 11:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 11)
Skills Ranks Raised: Concentration +1 (14), 
Disable Device +1 (14), Haggle +1 (14), Jump +1 (3), 
Open Lock +1 (14), Search +1 (14), Spot +1 (14), UMD +1 (14)
Tomes Applied: STR: +3, DEX: +3, CON: +3, INT: +3, 
WIS: +3, CHA: +3
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LEVEL 12:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 12)
Abilities Raised: INT: 23
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (3.5), Concentration +1 (15), 
Disable Device +1 (15), Haggle +1 (15), Jump +1 (4), 
Open Lock +1 (15), Search +1 (15), Spot +1 (15), UMD +1 (15)
Feats Selected: Precise Shot, Improved Critical (Ranged)
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LEVEL 13:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 13)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (4), Concentration +1 (16), 
Disable Device +1 (16), Haggle +1 (16), Jump +1 (5), 
Open Lock +1 (16), Search +1 (16), Spot +1 (16), UMD +1 (16)
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LEVEL 14:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 14)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (4.5), Concentration +1 (17), 
Disable Device +1 (17), Haggle +1 (17), Open Lock +1 (17), 
Search +1 (17), Spot +1 (17), Tumble +1 (1), UMD +1 (17)
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LEVEL 15:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 15)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +0.5 (5), Concentration +1 (18), 
Disable Device +1 (18), Haggle +1 (18), Jump +1 (6), 
Open Lock +1 (18), Search +1 (18), Spot +1 (18), UMD +1 (18)
Feats Selected: Improved Precise Shot
Favor Bonus Granted: Draconic Vitality (15 Agents of Argonnessen Favor)
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LEVEL 16:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 16)
Abilities Raised: INT: 24
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (6), Concentration +1 (19), 
Disable Device +1 (19), Haggle +1 (19), Jump +1 (7), 
Open Lock +1 (19), Search +1 (19), Spot +1 (19), UMD +1 (19)
Feats Selected: Maximize Spell
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LEVEL 17:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 17)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (7), Concentration +1 (20), 
Disable Device +1 (20), Haggle +1 (20), Jump +1 (8), 
Open Lock +1 (20), Search +1 (20), Spot +1 (20), UMD +1 (20)
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LEVEL 18:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 18)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (8), Concentration +1 (21), 
Disable Device +1 (21), Haggle +1 (21), Jump +1 (9), 
Open Lock +1 (21), Search +1 (21), Spot +1 (21), UMD +1 (21)
Feats Selected: Spell Focus (Evocation)
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LEVEL 19:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 19)
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +1 (9), Concentration +1 (22), 
Disable Device +1 (22), Haggle +1 (22), Jump +1 (10), 
Open Lock +1 (22), Search +1 (22), Spot +1 (22), UMD +1 (22)
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LEVEL 20:
Class Selected: Artificer (Artificer 20)
Abilities Raised: INT: 25
Skills Ranks Raised: Balance +2 (11), Concentration +1 (23), 
Disable Device +1 (23), Haggle +1 (23), Open Lock +1 (23), 
Search +1 (23), Spot +1 (23), UMD +1 (23)
Feats Selected: Skill Focus (UMD)
Equipment Mods Changed To: AC: 7, HP: 15, STR: 7, 
DEX: 8, CON: 8, INT: 8, WIS: 8, CHA: 7, FORT: 4, REFL: 4, WILL: 4
Enhancements Selected: Improved Spot I, Artificer Damage Boost I, 
Repair Manipulation I, Artificer Intelligence I, Artificer Crossbow Damage I, 
Racial Toughness I, Improved Use Magic Device I, Force Manipulation I, 
Warforged Constitution I, Artificer Crossbow Attack I, 
Artificer Damage Boost II, Artificer Battle Engineer I, 
Force Manipulation II, Artificer Intelligence II, Artificer Crossbow Damage II, 
Force Manipulation III, Improved Use Magic Device II, 
Force Manipulation IV, Kinetic Spellcasting I, Force Manipulation V, 
Deadly Kinetics I, Artificer Intelligence III, Force Manipulation VI, 
Artificer Crossbow Attack II, Improved Use Magic Device III, 
Improved Spot II, Improved Spot III, Force Manipulation VII, 
Improved Spot IV, Racial Toughness II, Reconstructive Spellcasting I, 
Storm Manipulation I, Mighty Reconstruction I, Artificer Skill Boost I, 
Improved Use Magic Device IV, Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery I, 
Improved Haggle I, Improved Haggle II, Improved Haggle III, 
Improved Haggle IV, Warforged Healers Friend I, Artificer Energy of Creation I, 
Repair Manipulation II
Stats at End of Level 20:
HP:397 SP:625 AC:27 FORT:19 REFL:18 WILL:21 BAB:+15/+15/+20/+25
STR:19(+4) DEX:27(+8) CON:28(+9) INT:36(+13) WIS:20(+5) CHA:19(+4)
Balance:20, Bluff:5, Concentration:33, Diplomacy:5, 
Disable Device:37, Haggle:32, Heal:6, Hide:9, Intimidate:5, 
Jump:15, Listen:6, Move Silently:9, Open Lock:32, Perform: n/a, 
Repair:14, Search:37, Spot:33, Swim:5, Tumble:10, UMD:35

For those who don't like to read builds in that format, here are the salient points...

******

Starting stats: Str 9, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 17, Wis 9, Cha 9
All level-ups in Int
+3 Tome to all stats
Geared/buffed stats (at the moment): Str 19, Dex 27, Con 28, Int 36, Wis 20, Cha 19 (will probably go to 20)

Feats:
1: Point Blank Shot
3: Rapid Shot
4: Augment Summoning [bonus]
6: Toughness
8: Quicken Spell [bonus]
9: Empower Spell
12: Precise Shot, Improved Critical (ranged) [bonus]
15: Improved Precise Shot
16: Maximize Spell
18: Spell Focus (Evocation)
20: !Skill Focus (UMD)!

Enhancements:

Artificer Battle Engineer I
Artificer Crossbow Attack I - II
Artificer Crossbow Damage I - II
Artificer Damage Boost I/II
Artificer Energy of Creation I
Artificer Intelligence I
Artificer Intelligence II
Artificer Intelligence III
Artificer Skill Boost I
Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Deadly Kinetics I
Force Manipulation I - VII
Improved Haggle I - IV
Improved Spot I - IV
Improved Use Magic Device I - IV
Kinetic Spellcasting I
Mighty Reconstruction I
Racial Toughness I - II
Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Repair Manipulation I - III
Storm Manipulation I
Warforged Constitution I
Warforged Healers Friend I

Gear:

Head - Teraza's Perfect Sight (Sora Kell set, +6 Wis, True Seeing)
Neck - Health +6 Necklace of Moderate Fortification (crafted w/medium slot for +15hp, will upgrade to Heavy Fort.)
Trinket - Voice / Tier III Epic Spyglass / Blood Stone / Pale Lavender Ioun Stone / Greater Bold Trinket
Cloak - Dexterous +6 Cloak of Resistance +4 (crafted, medium slot currently free)
Belt - Feather Falling Belt of Greater False Life (crafted)
Boots - Striding 30%
Gloves - Maenya's Fists (Sora Kell set, Str +5, Intimidate +10, could upgrade if there was any point)
Ring 1 - Katra's Wit (Sora Kell set, Cha +5, Diplo +10, could upgrade to Cha +6, Diplo +13 if worthwhile)
Ring 2 - Impulse of Major Kinetic Lore (crafted w/medium slot for +60sp)
Bracers - Wind Howler Bracers (+2 hit / +1 damage, 20d6 sonic on crit)
Docent - Beholder Plate Docent with slotted property: Arcane Lore
Goggles - Clever +6 (crafted w/medium slot for +3 spot, can add attack bonus)

Plus Elite Spider Cult Mask for +1 profane on all skills. I also have the Greater Nimble and Greater Stalwart Trinkets available, as well as the Shard of Xoriat: if possible, I don't really want anything else competing for the trinket slot.

Main weapon is a Lightning II heavy repeater, with the Silver Slinger as backup for boss and mini-boss undead. My main rune-arms at the moment are Animus, Hand of the Tombs and Chill of Winter; I don't yet have Lucid Dreams, Toven's Hammer or Glorious Obscenity.

******

Primary focus will be soloing/duoing with the occasional raid. I want to max my ranged DPS and get the most effective Blade Barriers I can squeeze out. I'd like to be able to contribute meaningfully to Epic Elite quests at some point, although that's not urgent and I know there'll be a lot of work to do.

******

Things I already know I need to do:

1) Max Diplomacy for Audience with the Queen - I'll sacrifice whatever I need to from Jump and Balance to achieve that.

2) Change the feat order - I didn't mean to end up with Skill Focus (UMD) at 20th level, it's just that the build was never originally intended to get to L20 as a pure Artificer so I've accidentally shut myself out of useful feats.

3) Finish spending my enhancement points - the list above leaves me with about 14 free, which I don't have a clue how to spend for the greatest effect.

******

Things I need help with:

1) The gear to be striving for in pretty much all slots, with the smallest amount of swapping I can manage. U15 is set to fix the Sora Kell set for a base spellpower increase of 40 along with the +2 untyped to-hit and damage, but I *could* try to farm enough blue scales to get a Blue Dragonscale docent for 52 potency and an upgrade to Greater Arcane Lore from my current Arcane Lore. Not looking forward to the Tor-grinding though... alternative recommendations welcome!

2) Which feats to take in my new build: I haven't included Precision (because I'm not having trouble hitting even in Elite quests with an adjusted level 4 above mine), nor Insightful Reflexes (because I'm not failing many reflex saves anyway and I don't have Evasion), nor Greater Spell Focus (because I screwed up the feat order).

3) Whether to change my enhancements entirely, keep what I've got and pick up some other stuff, or I-don't-know-what. I haven't historically bothered with the rune-arm enhancements at all because as a mostly-soloer I can't usually afford the sacrifice to mobility required to fire the thing; it's just a spare trinket slot, perhaps a useful weapon property and a few extra points of damage on my bolts most of the time

4) Where on earth I'm going to find a spare slot for Evocation Focus items... Yes, I could maybe slot something on a rune arm, but ML becomes a problem then and it's a long, long way to cap (if I even get there on this life!)

******

Any and all feedback and input greatly appreciated

Thanks!

[Persiflage]

Anyone? Pretty please? Some feat suggestions would be handy at the very least; I'm going to be at L20 very soon and needing to do the LR before I go further!

[Machination]

If it were me, I would wait until you unlock Shiradi and play with it a bit. Your build does not look bad, everything you point out is pretty minor, and you can't even use Audience with the Queen until you max out the line. Might as well have a shot like it is.

After you max out the line, and play with it a little, you can then decide what you want to do.

That's how I would do it. Especially since your build is not bad.

Bluescale armor question I would not bother, but that's just me. Greater arcane lore is nice, but you already have arcane lore and you can do a lot with your docent slot. Go ahead and just plan on farming out greenscale docent and start on that.

[Persiflage]

Thanks for the input, it's very much appreciated. Point taken about trying out the destiny first, absolutely, but I've seen too many people on the forums (and one person in my guild, who was pretty upset) suffer from "losing all my ED stuff" bugs when reincarnating and I don't want to be a statistic!

If I thought the reincarnation mechanism was working properly with epic destinies, I'd be a lot more sanguine about just trying things out first


EDIT: I can do a lot with my docent slot? Oo, what? Thing is, the arcane lore is on my docent slot and I've no idea how else to slot it... :/