druid/ranger

[drew6815]

So, I essentially wanted to create a ranger with enough spell points to buff and self-heal, endlessly. I'm on my third life, and will be in a fully specced Shiradi when I return to 20. I'm 12/ranger, 5/druid, and 1/arti. I'll be taking two more druid levels. I hope this works, because I have no intentions of TR'ing for a LONG time. Looking for input- I've concluded I cannot get effective offensive spells with such low level of druid, so my spells will likely all be buffs and heals. Also, I believe I've confirmed that Ranger Devotion and Druid Eminence of Life stack for healing purposes. Anyone else try this?

[Khatzhas]

Ranger Devotion and Druid Eminence of life shouldn't stack, since they are effectively the same type of bonus to healing. Although since they have slightly different effects, you can probably pick both.
That they shouldn't of course does not mean that they don't stack.

You get some extra spellpoints, but I can't think of that many useful spalls that 7 levels of Druid will get you that you will not get as Ranger anyway. You get access to low-end vigor spells, but these aren't much better than normal cures.

[moriedhel]

Right now the druid spell power increases stack with other spell power increases from other classes (including hoarfrost with cold from wizard for instance) but as far as i know it's not WAI. Druid and Ranger spells overlap so much that I don't see the point but I guess if you can get Spring Resurgence that's something...

[wax_on_wax_off]

I can see:

12 ranger (tempest II)/7 Druid (fatal harrier)/1 artificer

working.

Not a bad approach and should work decently even if it's not "optimal". I definitely wouldn't be in Shiradi for this build, Fury of the Wild will be much better. With full offhand attacks and +10% attack speed over haste you're getting close to max hits/second - only way to get higher would be with 1 monk level for unarmed.

Vanilla TWF: 102.2*1.8/60=3.066 attacks/second
Tempest III: 102.2*2.05/60=3.49 attacks/second
Tempest II/Fatal Harrier: 112.6*2/60=3.75 attacks/second
Tempest II/Fatal Harrier/unarmed/lesser wind stance: 123.4*2.025/60=4.16 attacks/second
Tempest II/Fatal Harrier/unarmed/lesser wind stance/haste boost III twist/hail of blows/running with wind/6% dbs item/shadowdancer destiny: 159.6*2.175/60=5.79 attacks/second (just to provide context ...)

I'm planning 13 Druid/6 monk/1 fighter as a full time Arcane Archer as a Shiradi build when I get back to TR'ing my main on her road to completionist.

[drew6815]

Well, the not WAI is dissapointing. I tested it last night, they're definitely stacking for healing. I hope it doesn't get fixed in the next update lol. The spells overlap significantly, but I get more spell slots. And, when I get to shiradi, it increases the caster level of all spells by 5- so druid spells will be level 12, near the 15 cap for some of them. Honestly, last life everything was pretty easy when I capped out, so i figured I had some room to play. And I really don't lose much by not taking the ranger further. Of course, my summoned pet doesn't last very long.

[jsaving]

Right now the druid spell power increases stack with other spell power increases from other classes (including hoarfrost with cold from wizard for instance) but as far as i know it's not WAI. Druid and Ranger spells overlap so much that I don't see the point but I guess if you can get Spring Resurgence that's something...

The devs have said it's overly strong and not WAI, so you're taking a chance if your build depends on stacking spellpower enhancements from different classes.

As for spring resurgence -- you're veering away from DPS by taking it rather than fatal harrier, but it does represent an inexhaustible source of mana-free healing that works during combat. Those who like the old Phoenix builds would be pretty well-served by spring resurgence today, especially given how weak the monk's healing curse has become on splashed builds.

[drew6815]

Yeah I couldn't decide between the two. I was unsure if spring resurgence works on yourself...it sounded like it was only for another player. So, I misread it, then? Because with that, healing springs, and a twist of the barbarian healing, who cares about extra DPS? I'll outlive anything I'm fighting, right? IDK, may still take harrier. The only real problem i have is a shortage of action points for enhancements, which seems inevitable with significant splashing. I've never taken more than a couple levels in a second class, either for evasion or extra feats. But, with the ranger, I've always wound up wondering what to spend my last several action points on, anyway.
As far as the stacking, I'm not really dependent on it, but I'll enjoy it while I can. I think with two tiers, it's only another 20%. Which, is a lot, but with what I already get, increased spellpower from the ED, purple knight gloves, etc., I won't miss it much when they fix it.

Should I even bother with offensive spells? They'll be level 12 when I get to shiradi, but this is the first time i've played a casting character, beyond a ranger. Not sure how uselful any would be at epic levels.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I'm confused why you're stuck on Shiradi. Shiradi is a ranged/faster destiny of which you are neither. Head into Fury of the Wild as soon as you can.

"Outlasting" the trash is not a good strategy unless you exclusively solo. If you're grouping with others then you definitely want to be able to kill things quickly and fatal harrier will let you do that. Mind you, I'd be taking Reaving Roar instead at low levels as its cool and only swap to Fatal Harrier at level 16+ (even then you might want to have both to swap between).

[drew6815]

I guess there is something relevant that I should have made clear- I do solo most of the time. Occasionally, when we're playing on alts of the same level, I quest with my guild mates (and we're a very small guild). That's why I intend to use shradi. Fury has more dps, but half of it is for two handed fighting, and half is for rage. (or adrenaline) And a good deal of it is great if you're stacking it with what you already have from actual levels of barbarian. I definitely range a lot, just not as much as melee. Since I've started using repeaters, I range more. If you add up all the 7% chances for extra damage, your ranged attacks pretty often do good damage.

Just as important, Shiradi adds a good deal of defense, with DR and dodge boosts, and significant spell level and power boosts. I get virtually no casting assistance from fury. In shiradi, I'll be getting (with gear and enhancements) 200-300 hp per serious heal. Oh, I'm also a cleric dilettante for the use of scrolls- heal, res, feast, restoration, etc. I probably run solo 80% of the time- times are rare when I can be 100% sure I'll be able to complete a dungeon, let alone a chain.

So, i'm trying to be entirely self-sufficient. And, I got sick of dying while my cleric hireling has full spell points. lol I may twist in the barbarian Sense Weakness for extra dps. I twisted the boulder toss last time around, and it was pretty effective. Range, boulder toss, then TWF. The end goal, really, is a level 25 alt that I can take alone, anywhere, to farm for my other alts.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I guess there is something relevant that I should have made clear- I do solo most of the time. Occasionally, when we're playing on alts of the same level, I quest with my guild mates (and we're a very small guild). That's why I intend to use shradi. Fury has more dps, but half of it is for two handed fighting, and half is for rage. (or adrenaline) And a good deal of it is great if you're stacking it with what you already have from actual levels of barbarian. I definitely range a lot, just not as much as melee. Since I've started using repeaters, I range more. If you add up all the 7% chances for extra damage, your ranged attacks pretty often do good damage.

Just as important, Shiradi adds a good deal of defense, with DR and dodge boosts, and significant spell level and power boosts. I get virtually no casting assistance from fury. In shiradi, I'll be getting (with gear and enhancements) 200-300 hp per serious heal. Oh, I'm also a cleric dilettante for the use of scrolls- heal, res, feast, restoration, etc. I probably run solo 80% of the time- times are rare when I can be 100% sure I'll be able to complete a dungeon, let alone a chain.

So, i'm trying to be entirely self-sufficient. And, I got sick of dying while my cleric hireling has full spell points. lol I may twist in the barbarian Sense Weakness for extra dps. I twisted the boulder toss last time around, and it was pretty effective. Range, boulder toss, then TWF. The end goal, really, is a level 25 alt that I can take alone, anywhere, to farm for my other alts.

You get the same caster level boosts from FotW as what you get from SC, the spell power bonuses in Shiradi are pretty minimal.

With an artificer level the cleric dil is wasted, you be able to hit 37 UMD easily and much more with a bit of work.

It's really easy to heal in this game, I think you're making big sacrifices to get more healing that you shouldnt need.

When soloing if you focus on defenses like displacement, incorporeality and stoneskin and then combine it with CC like an alchemical earth weapon, trip and stunning fist/blow it becomes easy to manage most fights. Once that's all put together you just need to scroll whip a heal occasionally.

I love my archer, her build is in my sig as "PL Grabbin Mongrel". With 7 arti levels I can self buff and scroll very effectively and the archery focus lets me clean house with Manyshot/10k stars/IPS. I'd have no issue farming anyone on EH with her and she'd probably be quite capable of EE's if I was so inclined.

Another approach to soloing is something similar to my rogue. With GMoF destiny, stunning fist and stunning blow I can handle most EH spawns by strafing and so forth.

Most of the rage stuff for FotW just requires a rage pot. I have acute instincts twisted on my archer for the +2 wis and just have to drink a pot to get the bonus if there's no friendly caster. The skill and saves boosts are nice perks.

Primal Avatar might interest you more. I know I'm looking forward to twisting Tsunami.

[drew6815]

You're going to have to fill me in on how to hit the 37 UMD. I couldn't even find a way to hit 20 with the class levels I have.

[Mubjon]

If staying animal form why take 12 ranger? You do not get the benefits of twf while in animal form. Yes you would get evasion, but to get that many ranger levels with spells that overlap on the druid I think is a waste in my opinion.

Maybe going arcane archer would be alright? Not sure never tried it while in animal form if the arrows and manyshot works or not. But, I cannot see building a animal melee build and going 12 ranger.

[Lonnbeimnech]

If staying animal form why take 12 ranger? You do not get the benefits of twf while in animal form. Yes you would get evasion, but to get that many ranger levels with spells that overlap on the druid I think is a waste in my opinion.

Maybe going arcane archer would be alright? Not sure never tried it while in animal form if the arrows and manyshot works or not. But, I cannot see building a animal melee build and going 12 ranger.

I agree with the first part but, you cant use ranged weapons in animal form. You can use them in elemental, but that means taking at least 13 levels of druid, so no ranger pl.

[Lonnbeimnech]

You're going to have to fill me in on how to hit the 37 UMD. I couldn't even find a way to hit 20 with the class levels I have.

8 base cha with +2 tome = 0
23 ranks from arti
5 from epic levels
1 from improved umd enhancement from arti
5 from gs con opp item
4 from gh
3 from +6 cha item
3 from persuasion item or ddo store bunny hat
2 good luck item or recitation

46

[wax_on_wax_off]

If staying animal form why take 12 ranger? You do not get the benefits of twf while in animal form. Yes you would get evasion, but to get that many ranger levels with spells that overlap on the druid I think is a waste in my opinion.

Maybe going arcane archer would be alright? Not sure never tried it while in animal form if the arrows and manyshot works or not. But, I cannot see building a animal melee build and going 12 ranger.

Never mentioned animal form. Fatal Harrier is the attraction of 7 druid which gives 25% alacrity - 10% more than haste - which is very accessible while soloing. Swap between it and Reaving Roar as appropriate.

[drew6815]

8 base cha with +2 tome = 0
23 ranks from arti
5 from epic levels
1 from improved umd enhancement from arti
5 from gs con opp item
4 from gh
3 from +6 cha item
3 from persuasion item or ddo store bunny hat
2 good luck item or recitation

46

well, ok, if i'm going to be an artificer...but you said the cleric dilletante was a waste because I can get UMD 37. If the only way to get the scrolls is a completely different build, how is cleric a waste?

[drew6815]

Never mentioned animal form. Fatal Harrier is the attraction of 7 druid which gives 25% alacrity - 10% more than haste - which is very accessible while soloing. Swap between it and Reaving Roar as appropriate.

Yeah, I like fatal harrier...i don't plan to spend much time in animal form, largely because TWF is gone, then. The one cool use for animal form is to get the effects from a bow or crossbow in melee combat. Like the slaver's hand, or doublecross repeater. For my build, I really just go into animal form for fun.

The overlapping spells was part of the ppoint. One, when I was almost fulll ranger in last life, I always seemed a spell slot short. This gives me more. And I like the ranger/druid spells that overlap- now I can have most of them without swapping. And, the two classes you the same stats.

[Arlathen]

This thread gets my approval for interesting ideas

My next Theorybuild is already in progress, and is a 12 Ranger/7 Druid/1 Monk build.

I have various names for the build name picked out already, but as a tease I'm thinking of dedicating the build to Nikola Tesla....

[Lonnbeimnech]

well, ok, if i'm going to be an artificer...but you said the cleric dilletante was a waste because I can get UMD 37. If the only way to get the scrolls is a completely different build, how is cleric a waste?

With an artificer level the cleric dil is wasted, you be able to hit 37 UMD easily and much more with a bit of work.

nt

[Mubjon]

Never mentioned animal form. Fatal Harrier is the attraction of 7 druid which gives 25% alacrity - 10% more than haste - which is very accessible while soloing. Swap between it and Reaving Roar as appropriate.

Are those enhancements only usable while in animal form? I did not think they could be used while in human or elemental form?

I figured it would only work in animal form as the only point of going natures warrior in my opinion is for the extra benefits for being in form. Never tried to see if the forms work while in elemental to be honest as I have built my druid as a caster first.

Could easily respec to natures warrior though to test I suppose.