Suggest a Class for me

[Malignanttoe]

I've been gone for roughly a year or so (since just before Artificers came out).
Typically I've been very fond of Rogue Mechanics, but I don't know how much has changed since I left, or if some other class would be more useful to a party.

Can any one give me any suggestions and/or let me know what has changed since I've been gone?
Does ranged combat still suck?

[Ape_Man]

Does ranged combat still suck?

It doesn't suck as much as it used to.

[Loromir]

Sounds like Artificer is the way to go for you. Decent Ranged combat, and trap skills. Some casting for Buffs etc.

Based on your post, Artificer seems reasonable.

[Malignanttoe]

Sounds like Artificer is the way to go for you. Decent Ranged combat, and trap skills. Some casting for Buffs etc.

Based on your post, Artificer seems reasonable.

I'd really like to try Artificer. In other games, I love having a pet.
Are there any guides or anything for Artificer?

[Loromir]

I'd really like to try Artificer. In other games, I love having a pet.
Are there any guides or anything for Artificer?

I have an arti that I don't play much, so I'm not an expert. With that being said, I can suggest the following:

Make him a Warforged for self healing. Go for max Intel and max Con for stats. Otherwise, I can't contribute much.

[unbongwah]

Typically I've been very fond of Rogue Mechanics, but I don't know how much has changed since I left, or if some other class would be more useful to a party.

The main change is Artificers have stolen repeater Mechanics' thunder, as they have comparable trap skills, better (non-SA) ranged DPS, more feats, a variety of useful buff & DPS spells, and a metal doggie. This kinda leaves Mechanics out in the cold, as TWF Assassins have higher DPS and even Acrobats have their uses (knockdown immunity, +15% atk speed w/staves).

That said, a properly built & geared Mechanic in the hands of a skilled player is still useful, if you either don't have or don't want to play an arty.

[Malignanttoe]

Cool. Thanks for the info guys.

I don't know if I can scrounge up any cash to buy TP for Artificer right now- super tight budget- but I'll keep it in mind.
Hopefully I can get my old account back since I had bought a few things, but it's not looking good atm.

[Loromir]

Cool. Thanks for the info guys.

I don't know if I can scrounge up any cash to buy TP for Artificer right now- super tight budget- but I'll keep it in mind.
Hopefully I can get my old account back since I had bought a few things, but it's not looking good atm.

If Artificer is a problem...then the rogue mechanic with repeating crossbow might be a good option. Make sure you max out UMD so you can scroll heal.

[Malignanttoe]

Is Artificer good? I want to try it and I am considering trying to dig up the money for the points.... but I'm hesitant because I can't find any good guides on it or anything so I don't know what to expect from it...
Oy, decisions.

[GlassJaw]

I can't find any good guides on it

Really?

Search > Advanced Search > Search Titles Only > "Artificer"

That should give you plenty to read.

[Myrrae]

There's some info on builds - the Einstein build is one I'm using and have found really fun. Although I still find myself looking for finger of death or my rays after playing wiz then sorc

You can search for Einstein artificer and you should find the thread, or check the specialist forum.

[alemulet]

artificer is a great class, especially if you like solo... not much secret about build, max int, enough dex to get improved precise shot (19 dex counting tomes+lvls up), rest in con.. something like this:

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

Level 20 True Neutral Warforged Male
(20 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 222
Spell Points: 1128 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 10
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             10                    12
Dexterity            16                    19
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         18                    24
Wisdom                6                     8
Charisma              6                     8

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               3                     5
Bluff                -2                     0
Concentration         6                    27
Diplomacy            -2                     0
Disable Device        8                    31
Haggle               -2                    13
Heal                 -2                     0
Hide                  3                     5
Intimidate           -2                     0
Jump                  1                    10
Listen               -2                     0
Move Silently         5                    16
Open Lock             7                    28
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                4                     8
Search                8                    31
Spot                  2                    23
Swim                  0                     2
Tumble                4                    16
Use Magic Device      2                    23

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Artificer)


Level 3 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Precise Shot


Level 5 (Artificer)


Level 6 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 7 (Artificer)


Level 8 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Maximize Spell


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Precision


Level 10 (Artificer)


Level 11 (Artificer)


Level 12 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Artificer)


Level 14 (Artificer)


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 16 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Precise Shot


Level 17 (Artificer)


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 19 (Artificer)


Level 20 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons

not a complete planner (did it in a rush), not including enhancements (battle eng I, force/storm 7/1/1, rune arm enhancements, repeater enhancements, etc), epic stuff (feats, ability increases, epic destiny) just a picture what it could be, wf = quickned reconstruc FTW... mine artificier was something like it, but sadly the epic destinies you can chose arent good, so i dont play mine anymore (thinking to tr him eventually)... but its the best solo class atm..

obs. forgot to put ability increase in the planner, but its all in int, just lvl 16 you put dex to get improved precise shot, if you have +3 dex tome, can start with 16 dex, and all lvls in int... 28pts? open 32 pts than make an artificer

[Malignanttoe]

Cool, thanks.
Now I just need to get enough money to buy the TP needed to unlock it. XD

[goodspeed]

Well if you liked rog mechs you'll prolly like arti. But don't get suckered in by pictures. That dog sucks after lv 15. Maybe even a lil before that.

As for what race, you could go WF for better survival but eh. I personally like helf. Mix in some SA dmg. Along with human verse going at the same time as fausade.

And build for DC. Suck up as much int as possible. (Though don't kill con it's not cool) DC's represent The meat of that all powerful jacked up Blade barrier you can cast. It also affects the save of your rune arm as well. So dc comes in handy as that arm is i'd say prolly 60 or 70% of your real main dmg

Course i'm not sure on what epic feats an arti would take. When I made mine they weren't their so that could affect the stat splits maybe. For mine I made sure I had IPS which isnt hard with +3 times out now, and then pumped the levels into int. And I always have the int mod as my dmg mod. Ive yet to run into a situation where my to hit couldn't cut it using the leftover dex numbers and gear, and buffs.