Elf Fighter/Rogue/Wizard Flavor Build

[samthedagger]

[Note: The original message is preserved below. The tentative build is presented as follows using the format of DDOCharGen v 3.14.2.]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Shadow Spell Blade
Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 804 
BAB: 13\13\18\23
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 11
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    27
Dexterity            10                    14
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         14                    18
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              8                    10

Tomes Used
+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

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                     6
Bluff                 3                     4
Concentration         2                     3
Diplomacy             2                     3
Disable Device        6                    27
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  0                     2
Intimidate            3                    25
Jump                  8                    12
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         0                     2
Open Lock             4                     6
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                2                     4
Search                6                    29
Spot                  3                     6
Swim                  4                     8
Tumble                1                     3
Use Magic Device      3                     4

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Fighter)


Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword


Level 8 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 10 (Wizard)


Level 11 (Wizard)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Spell Focus: Necromancy


Level 13 (Wizard)


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity III
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity IV
Enhancement: Elven Arcanum I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Quickening I
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Quickening II
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Quickening III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate I
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate II
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Deadly Ice I
Enhancement: Deadly Ice II
Enhancement: Deadly Ice III
Enhancement: Deadly Ice IV
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation I
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation II
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation III
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation V
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master I
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master II
Enhancement: Shroud of the Wraith

[And following is an alternate build, which incorporates Maximize Spell and Extend Spell in exchange for Weapon Focus (Slashing) and Weapon Specialization (Slashing). The build takes a slightly different approach to leveling while still focusing on being a melee character for the most part. Instead of focusing on Fighter levels first, we take Rog1/Wiz6 before taking Ftr6. Then we finish up with Wiz12 and cap it off with Rog2. I noticed this build has the side benefit of maximum Intimidate since we are taking Fighter levels after our +2 stat tome at level 7, which is a definite plus. Combined with what will definitely be better and more efficient self-healing, this build has the potential to be superior endgame material. Enhancements remain the same.]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Shadow Spell Blade II
Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 804 
BAB: 13\13\18\23
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 11
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    27
Dexterity            10                    14
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         14                    18
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              8                    10

Tomes Used
+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

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                     6
Bluff                 3                     4
Concentration         2                     3
Diplomacy             2                     3
Disable Device        6                    27
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  0                     2
Intimidate            3                    27
Jump                  8                    12
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         0                     2
Open Lock             4                     7
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                2                     4
Search                6                    29
Spot                  3                     6
Swim                  4                     8
Tumble                1                     3
Use Magic Device      3                     4

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword


Level 4 (Wizard)


Level 5 (Wizard)


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Spell Focus: Necromancy
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 7 (Wizard)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 10 (Fighter)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity III
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity IV
Enhancement: Elven Arcanum I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Quickening I
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Quickening II
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Quickening III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate I
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate II
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Glacial Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Deadly Ice I
Enhancement: Deadly Ice II
Enhancement: Deadly Ice III
Enhancement: Deadly Ice IV
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation I
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation II
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation III
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation V
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master I
Enhancement: Wizard Pale Master II
Enhancement: Shroud of the Wraith

[The following is the original first post:]
This is a flavor build I have been thinking over for a long time now. The general concept is this: an elf ftr6/rog2/wiz12 who is self-sufficient, does decent dps, and can solo most content fairly easily.

Why elf? Flavor mostly. The idea of the elf fighter/thief/magic-user from AD&D had always been one that appealed to me. In the old days the elf was the only race as I recall which could multiclass all three. But there are some mechanical benefits. Elven Arcanum allows for a few extra SP. Arcane Fluidity lets you use a shield and light armor with no SF %. With a twilight breastplate and heavy shield you could have 0% SF with Arcane Fluidity IV. Or you could save yourself 4 APs and just pick up AF III for 0% SF with chain mail and a light shield, also allowing you to retain evasion.

Why ftr6/rog2/wiz12? The idea here is to pick up some damage mitigation from the Stalwart Defender PrE, trapfinding and evasion from the rogue, and self-healing and damage mitigatigation from the Palemaster PrE and wraith form. In addition the character can pick up excellent buffing spells from the wizard class, being able to cast haste, rage, blur, and displacement. You can also pick up some decent crowd control if you like with web and solid fog. Web isn't going to have the save DC to cut the mustard on elite or epic elite, but it will work help on soloing. Obviously this build gives up too many caster levels to be effective against monsters with SR so the only offensive spells we focus on will be those that do not have to bypass SR.

Bearing in mind that this is a flavor build not intended to min-max, what would you do to make this an effective build for both solo play and occasional grouping? Here are some of my basics:

Str 18 (all boosts into Str)
Dex 10
Con 14
Int 14
Wis 8
Cha 8

Skills: Disable Device, Intimidate, Search (leftover points go into Concentration)

Feats: 1-Toughness, 3-Nimble Fingers, 6-Trapmaking, 9-Power Critical, 12-Power Attack, 15-Improved Critical (Slashing), 18-Improved Shield Mastery, 21-Overwhelming Critical, 24-Bulwark of Defense
Ftr1-Weapon Focus (Slashing), Ftr2-Shield Mastery, Ftr4-Weapon Specialization, Ftr6-Bastard Sword (I feel glancing blows will be a better long-term choice than scimitar or rapier)
Wiz1-Extend Spell (maybe swap this for Quicken Spell later), Wiz5-Empower Spell, Wiz10-Maximize Spell

If you don't like making traps (I do), you could drop Nimble Fingers and Trapmaking for more DPS by taking Power Attack earlier and then taking Cleave and Great Cleave.

An alternative build would be to focus more on tanking and less on casting by going Ftr12/Rog2/Wiz6. In this case you trade good self-healing through Palemaster for better tanking and Stalwart Defender II. In this case you could go several ways with the fighter feats. Dodge, Mobility, and Spring Attack could get you +7% to dodge. Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, and Hamstring/Stunning Blow for better crowd control, or Cleave, Great Cleave, and Greater Weapon Specialization for better DPS. Meanwhile Wizard levels are almost purely for buffing with Extend Spell and Quicken Spell as the Wizard feats.

So any thoughts or suggestions on this unorthodox idea?

[unbongwah]

Have a look at my Wraith Blade. There's also a link to the Arcane Knight I based it on. If you really want to make something undead-pseudo-tank-y, I think dwarf makes more sense than elf, particularly once Dwarven Defender finally comes out (fingers crossed).

BTW, Overwhelming Crit requires Cleave & GC and PM II / wraith form requires SF & GSF:Necro plus Mental Toughness, so you're missing some pretty important feats in your first proposed build. Also GWS req's ftr lvl 12, so you wouldn't be able to add it. EDIT: I may be wrong, but I think glancing blows only proc w/b.sword if you have the THF feats, so w/out them scimitars > b.swords, I think.

[dragons1ayer74]

Not really that unorthodox a solid break down with good explanations of what you want to do.

Stat assignments are good I would likely go with minimum strength required to hit the benchmark for Overwhelming Critical (so drop one or two points of STR and distribute the three or Six build points into Con, Int, Dex, Wis or Cha).

Feats are ok but need a bit of work. If you like the traping ones keep them. Bastard Sword your glancing blows will be very meh without the entire two weapon fighting line. I think on an elf scimitar works pretty good. Overwehlming critical requires Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Critical and Weapon Focus, droping bastard sword you grab cleave then you still need to find one more feat for Great Cleave...likley Power Critical (even in its improved state).

Skills are good; I might try and squeeze in UMD with a slightly higher Int.



This character will get denied from some high level groups and raids.
This character will struggle in solo elite content (epically in later game).
Not sure how viable this character will be in tough epic, my guess is not very viable at all.

This character will be extremely versatile; with the right gear their won’t be a lot of quests you could not solo with some solid tactics (and possible dropping the difficulty) . I would certainly keep extend and happily use it to buff in raids and tough high level quests in good parties, plus you will want it for personal haste, displacement, rage, aura.

The most important factor is a character like this can be a lot of fun and that is the most important thing.

[Enoach]

Spellblade types are one of the hardest to get right here in DDO - you have to mix just the right amount of stats and each class at the right time.

Possible change 6/2/12 Ftr/Rog/Wiz
Str 16 (all boosts into Str) <- There are more ways to boost strength than any other ability
Dex 10
Con 14
Int 16 <- You will gain More Skill points per level, plus +1 bonus to your INT based skills
Wis 8
Cha 8

A course that is recommended is to take Rogue as your first level - Maximizes your Skill Points and than take the other level of Rogue around 9th level

Feats you will need to work in for your PrEs
Stalwart Defender - One of Combat Expertise, Diehard, Dodge, Least Dragonmark of Sentinel, Shield Mastery

Pale Master - Spell Focus: Necromancy (available on Wizard Bonus List), Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy (Not Available on the Wizard Bonus List)

Wraith Form - Mental Toughness (available on Wizard Bonus List)

You will have
7 Heroic Feats
2 Epic Feats
4 Fighter Bonus Feats
3 Wizard Bonus Feats

Just to qualify for the planned PrEs you need to use four of your feats

• Shield Mastery
• Mental Toughness
• SP: Necromancy
• GSP: Necromancy

For your epic feat you will than need the following to qualify

• Cleave
• Great Cleave
• Improved Critical
• Weapon Focus in the same Specific Weapon Type
• Str 23 <- This is Base + Tome requirement

While Bastard Sword Proficiency will get you glancing blows, this is usually taken in conjunction with the THF line to increase glancing blows and Proc Rates. I would actually recommend sticking with Scimitar and Falchion getting the benefit from the Racial enhancements.

Next you need to concern yourself with your reflex save in order to make evasion work for you. If you can't make the reflex save than having evasion won't help your survival. Options like taking the feat Insightful Reflexes would allow you to get your reflex bonus from your Intelligence bonus instead of your Dexterity Bonus. Once you get the second level of Rogue you will want to limit yourself to light armor or evasion won't kick in.

On spell selection lean more towards non-saving spells and buffs. As a wizard you can learn them all, but some spells will just be much more effective.

[samthedagger]

Thanks for the notes on the feat pre-reqs. I should have looked at them a little closer. Will modify the build to account for them in a bit when I have some time.

[samthedagger]

One quick question: does the bastard sword glancing blow proc improve with the THF chain if you are also using a shield? One of the things I want to play around with in this build is shield damage mitigation. So maybe I can fit in the THF chain feats. Scimitar wouldn't be a bad way to go though.

[dragons1ayer74]

Yes it does.

[Enoach]

Bastard Sword w/Shield gains all the Glancing blow and proc benefits of the THF line.

[FranOhmsford]

Spellblade types are one of the hardest to get right here in DDO - you have to mix just the right amount of stats and each class at the right time.

Possible change 6/2/12 Ftr/Rog/Wiz
Str 16 (all boosts into Str) <- There are more ways to boost strength than any other ability
Dex 10
Con 14
Int 16 <- You will gain More Skill points per level, plus +1 bonus to your INT based skills
Wis 8
Cha 8

A course that is recommended is to take Rogue as your first level - Maximizes your Skill Points and than take the other level of Rogue around 9th level

Feats you will need to work in for your PrEs
Stalwart Defender - One of Combat Expertise, Diehard, Dodge, Least Dragonmark of Sentinel, Shield Mastery

Pale Master - Spell Focus: Necromancy (available on Wizard Bonus List), Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy (Not Available on the Wizard Bonus List)

Wraith Form - Mental Toughness (available on Wizard Bonus List)

You will have
7 Heroic Feats
2 Epic Feats
4 Fighter Bonus Feats
3 Wizard Bonus Feats

Just to qualify for the planned PrEs you need to use four of your feats

• Shield Mastery
• Mental Toughness
• SP: Necromancy
• GSP: Necromancy

For your epic feat you will than need the following to qualify

• Cleave
• Great Cleave
• Improved Critical
• Weapon Focus in the same Specific Weapon Type
• Str 23 <- This is Base + Tome requirement

While Bastard Sword Proficiency will get you glancing blows, this is usually taken in conjunction with the THF line to increase glancing blows and Proc Rates. I would actually recommend sticking with Scimitar and Falchion getting the benefit from the Racial enhancements.

Next you need to concern yourself with your reflex save in order to make evasion work for you. If you can't make the reflex save than having evasion won't help your survival. Options like taking the feat Insightful Reflexes would allow you to get your reflex bonus from your Intelligence bonus instead of your Dexterity Bonus. Once you get the second level of Rogue you will want to limit yourself to light armor or evasion won't kick in.

On spell selection lean more towards non-saving spells and buffs. As a wizard you can learn them all, but some spells will just be much more effective.

I have one question:

As this is supposedly a Flavour build with max 12 Levels in Wizard - Why Pale Master?

It just doesn't fit for me with the flavour of an Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief of D&D yesteryear.

Is there anyway to do this Build with Arch-Mage without being completely gimped?

Make that Arch-Mage/Kensai - Not sure about Stalwart either flavour wise.

[unbongwah]

As this is supposedly a Flavour build with max 12 Levels in Wizard - Why Pale Master?

Wraith form provides 25% incorporeality and self-heals from Death Aura et al. same as any PM build.

Is there anyway to do this Build with Arch-Mage without being completely gimped?

Possible, sure - but which Spell Masteries would you choose? In particular, what would be better than the survivability benefits from PM II / wraith form? DCs will be too low for most offensive spells, leaving buffs and the occasional no-save DPS spell; and for the latter you'd probably be better off with a sorc / Savant, I think.

[Enoach]

I have one question:

As this is supposedly a Flavour build with max 12 Levels in Wizard - Why Pale Master?

It just doesn't fit for me with the flavour of an Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief of D&D yesteryear.

Is there anyway to do this Build with Arch-Mage without being completely gimped?

Make that Arch-Mage/Kensai - Not sure about Stalwart either flavour wise.

I would assume the reason for PM is the Wraith Form - Incorporeal miss chance stacking with Blur/Displacement

I would assume the SD is chosen for the Bonus to Strength/Con and Physical Resistance

However, that does bring up a good point - Rage does not benefit SD due to the stance but the trade is equal

With AM the school choice would be important - Evocation and Illusion would bring some useful SLA, Conjuration would get access to a very cheap web (always imagine Elf ftr/wiz with web)

[Thrudh]

I used to have a 11/5 ranger/wizard that I loved when the cap was 16... Took it to 12/7/1 Ranger/Wizard/Rogue when the cap was raised.

The problem with the iconic fighter/wizard character is that DDO has made magic way too easy to acquire.

When I was 11/5, there was no easy way to get long-lasting haste, displacement, blur, jump, shield, invisibility, exp retreat.

Now all of those great little buff spells exist in clickable form... long lasting clickable form.

So there's really not much use splashing wizard for the buffs when you can go full melee, and STILL have all those buffs.

That makes me sad... I really liked my ranger/wizard.

[samthedagger]

Okay so some feat adjustments here.

Fighter Feats
1-Weapon Focus (Slashing)
2-Shield Mastery
4-Weapon Specialization (Slashing)
6-Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword)

Wizard Feats
1-Extend Spell (maybe swap for Quicken Spell later)
5-Spell Focus (Necromancy)
10-Mental Toughness

Heroic Feats
1-Toughness
3-Two-Handed Fighting
6-Improved Two-Handed Fighting
9-Power Attack
12-Improved Critical (Slashing)
15-Greater Two-Handed Fighting
18-Greater Spell Focus (Necromancy)

Epic Feats
21-Improved Shield Mastery
24-Bulwark of Defense
(order of these can be swapped to taste)

This build would allow fairly effective tanking using Palemaster PrE and Shroud of the Wraith for damage mitigation. You also have the option of swapping to Shroud of the Vampire for extra DPS if you want. Also some effective buffing/defensive spells (haste, rage, blur, displacement, stoneskin, fire shield, greater heroism) would be available as well as some decent DoT spells for helping to hold aggro and general boss soloing (probably Niac's biting cold but you have some flexibility for Eladar's electric surge if you want). You can boost your attack bonus when you need it by casting Tenser's transformation (you generally won't do this unless you need it though since it prevents spellcasting, so it would be the last in line on the buff bar; thankfully it has a short duration). In addition you have the utilitarian spells dimension door, teleport, shadow walk and invisibility. I would probably specialize in cold for ice storm and Niac's biting cold. This build also takes full advantage of the THF line of feats for maximal glancing blow effects (very helpful in soloing). You still get the staples of Power Attack and Improved Critical (slashing) for good DPS and Toughness for health. With all the damage mitigation you have though, the HP almost seems like overkill. Overall it looks like a fairly solid build in theory. I think I should be able to solo Hard difficulty on most quests and Elite on a fair number as well.

The only thing I would really like to work in somehow is use of a tower shield and better than light armor. But otherwise there won't be the possibility of using evasion. Another option is to skip the second level of rogue since Reflex isn't going to be incredibly high in the first place and go with Ftr6/Rog1/Wiz13. This gives 7th-level wizard spells, but that wouldn't help too much as most of the best 7th-level spells require a good spell penetration which is something this build simply cannot do. In all, I think it's best to just stick with the 2 rogue levels. With greater heroism and a decent Dex score it should help out in most difficulties.

As for the StD/PaM vs. Ken/Arc, I did consider it. But the problem is the build still has to work. Kensai does not have the same kind of damage mitigation that a StD does, and survivability is important for soloing. And given that you are only getting the first tier of whichever fighter PrE you choose, I feel that the StD is more worthwhile. Archmage has some interesting possibilities with either an illusion or transmutation specialist, but I do not think it would save you enough spell points to really be worthwhile. Meanwhile the PaM offers damage mitigation (Shroud of the Wraith), 100% fortification, and self-healing. In my mind it is really not a hard choice to make. And as for flavor, elves in Eberron love necromancy. If you own all the Eberron books (as I do), then you know they have a very strong tradition of necromancy so this actually fits very well.

[FranOhmsford]

I would assume the reason for PM is the Wraith Form - Incorporeal miss chance stacking with Blur/Displacement

I would assume the SD is chosen for the Bonus to Strength/Con and Physical Resistance

However, that does bring up a good point - Rage does not benefit SD due to the stance but the trade is equal

With AM the school choice would be important - Evocation and Illusion would bring some useful SLA, Conjuration would get access to a very cheap web (always imagine Elf ftr/wiz with web)

As for the StD/PaM vs. Ken/Arc, I did consider it. But the problem is the build still has to work. Kensai does not have the same kind of damage mitigation that a StD does, and survivability is important for soloing. And given that you are only getting the first tier of whichever fighter PrE you choose, I feel that the StD is more worthwhile. Archmage has some interesting possibilities with either an illusion or transmutation specialist, but I do not think it would save you enough spell points to really be worthwhile. Meanwhile the PaM offers damage mitigation (Shroud of the Wraith), 100% fortification, and self-healing. In my mind it is really not a hard choice to make. And as for flavor, elves in Eberron love necromancy. If you own all the Eberron books (as I do), then you know they have a very strong tradition of necromancy so this actually fits very well.

I was actually thinking more of Arch-Mage Sps or Evoc Magic Missiles along with Firewall/Self Buffs and Melee DPS.

[samthedagger]

To make the evoker work you really need Empower Spell and Maximize Spell. And you aren't going to be dealing a whole lot of damage that way still. Plus with evoker you give up the self-healing of PaM and the damage mitigation of Shroud of the Wraith. I just don't see it really being worth the trade. Like I said, the build still has to work.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Where do you people get these crazy ideas?!

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I used to have a 11/5 ranger/wizard that I loved when the cap was 16... Took it to 12/7/1 Ranger/Wizard/Rogue when the cap was raised.

The problem with the iconic fighter/wizard character is that DDO has made magic way too easy to acquire.

When I was 11/5, there was no easy way to get long-lasting haste, displacement, blur, jump, shield, invisibility, exp retreat.

Now all of those great little buff spells exist in clickable form... long lasting clickable form.

So there's really not much use splashing wizard for the buffs when you can go full melee, and STILL have all those buffs.

That makes me sad... I really liked my ranger/wizard.

[samthedagger]

So thinking about enhancements, here is what I think I will need:

Elven Arcane Fluidity IV (10) - I need this to wield heavy shields with no ASF. I can also wear chain mail with no ASF.
Fighter Toughness II (3) - Hit points are good.
Fighter Strength II (6) - More DPS, better to-hit.
Fighter Haste Boost II (3) - More DPS.
Fighter Armor Boost I (1)- pre-req for StD.
Rogue Skill Boost I (1) - to help with trap skills.
Improved Intimidate II (2) - pre-req for StD.
Stalwart Defender I (4) - for damage mitigation.
Wizard Intelligence II (6) - pre-req for PaM
Wizard Energy of the Scholar II (3) - pre-req for PaM
Pale Master II (6) - to get Shroud of the Wraith and self-healing
Shroud of the Wraith (1) - 25% incorporeal miss chance
48 points spent leaving 32 to play around with.

Still thinking about the Epic Destiny choices.

[unbongwah]

Elven Arcane Fluidity IV (10) - I need this to wield heavy shields with no ASF.

Not if you use Skyvault. When it comes to epic shields, several have base ASF 15%, so after slotting w/-15% ASF you have zero. Not sure what to do about armor, though.

[samthedagger]

Changed the name of the title and added a character planner build to give an idea of where I am at with this build right now. I am toying around with a veteran II build right now to see how it is working.