18 FvS/1 Ftr/1 Arti

[aradelothion]

For feedback; planned FVS life. Note: I do not plan to stay long in this life, BUT if I decide to take a break from the TR grind the build has to not suck At the very least, this won't be an 18 and TR build.

Goals
Respectable melee and DC-casting abilities, trap skills, soloability. Not going to main heal raids. Let's quantify "respectable melee" to mean at least ~50% the DPS of a real DPS build. I may (or may not) be stretching myself too thin, but I'm not expecting to lead the pack in kills or anything like that; I've played this guy's past lives as a battle arcane, so at least something in that ballpark is acceptable to me.

Notes
No Heighten because the only DC spell I really care about is Implosion (which means I'm not taking Mass Heal), and the other DC spells (BB, Destruction, Cometfall, etc) are at least 6th level spells. I may swap in Heighten, but honestly I don't know which feat to cut for it.

Arti over Rogue for the dog mostly, and some SP. Since I won't get Force enhancements with just 1 level of Arti, I might switch to Rogue in the end for more skills at 1, and +1d6 sneak attack.

I have to have trap skills. It's just a thing with me. I would've loved to have evasion but I don't think my saves will cut it pre-20 anyway, or even then.

I plan to LR by the time I get Quicken, replacing all points spent on Concentration and putting it in UMD. Yikes? Also, poor balance skill =/

Edits
- Considering going Human (suggested below by Stormraiser) and taking a Martial Proficiency at 1, swapping it out when I pick up the Fighter level. Take Heighten? Empower Heal?

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

Asmodeux 
Level 20 True Neutral Half-Elf Male
(1 Fighter \ 18 Favored Soul \ 1 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 324
Spell Points: 1727 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 11
Will: 23

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    20
Dexterity             8                    10
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         14                    18
Wisdom               18                    30
Charisma              8                    12

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 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
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 15
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 15
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 15

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               0                     1
Bluff                -1                     1
Concentration         6                    24
Diplomacy            -1                     1
Disable Device        6                    27
Haggle               -1                     1
Heal                  4                    10
Hide                 -1                     0
Intimidate           -1                     1
Jump                  2                     6
Listen                4                    10
Move Silently        -1                     0
Open Lock             3                     4
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                2                     4
Search                6                    27
Spot                  4                    10
Swim                  2                     5
Tumble                0                     1
Use Magic Device      3                     5

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Monk (start as Fighter Dily, switch by level 14)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by the Undying Court


Level 3 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Arcane Initiate or Empower/Empower Heal, swap with Maxmize


Level 4 (Favored Soul)


Level 5 (Favored Soul)


Level 6 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 7 (Favored Soul)


Level 8 (Favored Soul)


Level 9 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 10 (Favored Soul)


Level 11 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Acid


Level 12 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 13 (Favored Soul)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 16 (Favored Soul)


Level 17 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Electricity


Level 18 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) SF: Evo or Imp Crit: Slash


Level 19 (Favored Soul)


Level 20 (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Undying Call (Favored Soul)
Enhancement: Favored Soul Angel of Vengeance I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Angel of Vengeance II
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Half-Elf Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Half-Elf Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Smiting I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Smiting II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Smiting III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Prayer of Incredible Smiting I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Smiting IV
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Life Magic III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion III
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wisdom I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wisdom II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness II
Enhancement: Favored Soul Wand and Scroll Mastery I

Epic Feat options
GSF: Evo + Spell Penetration or ESF: Evo (if Imp Crit was taken)
GSF: Evo + Great Wisdom

Stats after relevant/planned gear before ED stat boosts since I consider ED's flexible anyway
(I haven't thought the final gear layout through yet, and some combination of +stats may not fit)
Strength: 20 + 7 item + 3 abishai + 3 insight (Embrace) + 1 exceptional + 2 profane gloves = 34; +2 -> +5 rage/scream +2 ship +2 yugo +6 psionic = 46 - 49 self buffed. I might swap Human Greater Adaptability: Strength with Constitution, making this 45-48.
Constitution: 17 + 7 item + 2 insight + 1 exceptional = 27-28 (if swapped). A bit light. Here's hoping I get a +4 tome.
Intelligence: 18 + 8 item + 3 insight + 1 exceptional + 2 yugo = 32 just for traps
Wisdom: 30 + 8 item + 3 insight (either swap armors or on trinket since I don't have a Litany) + 1 exceptional = 42 + 1 levelup at 24 = 43 + Great Wisdom if taken = 44

I'm thinking LD as main destiny, with eGA and Headman's Chop. Drow Greataxe, or ESoS if I ever get either.

Comments/suggestions welcomed and encouraged, please keep it civil and constructive tho

[unbongwah]

Arti over Rogue for the dog mostly, and some SP. Since I won't get Force enhancements with just 1 level of Arti, I might switch to Rogue in the end for more skills at 1, and +1d6 sneak attack.

Actually, I can confirm arty 1 does grant access to Force I enh, as that's what I did on my cleric (currently cleric 14 / arty 1).

[danzig138]

I'd go with Rogue over Artificer. The pet isn't going to be terribly useful with only one level of Arty.

[aradelothion]

Actually, I can confirm arty 1 does grant access to Force I enh, as that's what I did on my cleric (currently cleric 14 / arty 1).

Ooooh shiny thanks for the tip

I'd go with Rogue over Artificer. The pet isn't going to be terribly useful with only one level of Arty.

Pet wise, all I'm asking it to do is pull some levers, stand on pressure plates, and play with my cat

[Stormraiser]

I'd suggest human over half elf. +1 feat + 2 stat points over half elf benefits.

[aradelothion]

Finally capped, made some changes along the way. I have to say, as far as expectations go, the build met it to a T. Not the best or fastest split to level, as expected. Doubtless /2 Fighter or /2 Monk would make for a more powerful build if for nothing more than having that 1 extra feat, but I felt being able to get traps was key to the identity of the character. Also went HElf with Fighter Dily vs Human, since I wanted access to a wide variety of melee weapons while leveling, and the tactics + str enhancements helped plenty. Might switch to Monk Dily for more heal amp.

Some notes:

- While leveling, I had decent DC's and Spell Penetration thanks to the Wiz and Sorc PL's, though I did have to take some enhancements and wear a +2 item to punch through the caster Troglodytes' SR in elite Coal Chamber @17. Even with 23 spell pen I still kept seeing far too many blue shields for my liking. Nothing saved against the unheightened BB that I noticed, not even spiders, which was a great surprise.

- Heroic level melee DPS is meh throughout heroic levels until 12 when I got my greensteels, but it was by no means top tier even then. Soloing elite IQ + DD was a pain in the neck, good thing I could scroll Enervation and cast curse+doom then Destruct. A bit resource intensive, but it works.

- I kept Search maxed until I was sure I could hit at least 50 buffed but without boosts. Got Disable to 20 ranks. I stopped putting points in UMD when I could cast a GH scroll no fail, which was around 16 or so. Put the rest into Concentration. I really wish I could fit Balance in somehow. Never had a problem with traps.

- When I got to 20 and unlocked my ED's, I twisted in Wild Weapons, Primal Scream and Endless Faith, and went LD, and this is where I think I'll be staying most of the time. DPS is fantastic with the cleave + lay waste chain, and that's pre-Blitz even. Currently leveling Exalted Angel though, with Momentum Swing + 5 Evo DC twisted in for Implosion goodness.

- I can see why the Marilith Chain was the top DPS armor for a long time. The DR came in handy as well. And I really like the look, if not the color scheme.

- Iron Cloak of the Dragon is a great great cloak for melee casters; I wish I could fit the ml24 version somewhere, but that would probably mean dropping the Abishai set bonus and I'd have to look for another blue slot to put Heavy Fort in.

New feat list (as of 21), in no order (but I took Great Cleave at 21):
Power Attack, Imp Crit: Slash, PL: Wiz, Toughness, SF: Evo, Cleave, Great Cleave, Maximize.

If I can get my hands on a Hide of the Goristro with +3 Insightful Str and +10 Stunning, I'll probably take Stunning Blow as my level 24 feat.

For reference: Asmodeux