The Juggernaut - Prime of the Warforged

[Lurzifer]

Howdy.
Welcome to the edited OP of this Thread J

Do you like to play Melees?
Do you like to be as versatile as possible?
Do you like to rule every kind of content all the way from 1-25 on all difficulties?


Then this build might be right for you, I present the Juggernaut.
Over the last four months I continuously developed and improved this build.


When I first told my guildies about the build or people saw me first time on the capped character the first reaction was: W T F? Drunk?
Well no I wasn’t drunk, at least not while creating the build. It all started with me playing for a while now with Manyshot and its benefits in the two strong melee Destinies. When I learned about the changes to Tensers I was planning a character using Tensers and having Manyshot, the Juggernaut is the Result.
The Snyergy is greater than one might think, the bonus artificer feats open up new the Bow Ranged option, and the Battle Engineer combined with Deadly Weapons and Tensers is a very strong boost to both melee and ranged Combat.

First of all this build requires the race Warforged, the class Artificer, at least +3 tomes and access to 32 pt Builds. Best case of course would be a 36pt build or even a Completionist since you will be using many stats and skills.

The goal is to be as tough and versatile as possible as a melee. You gain all the benefits of a proper melee class, means Max BAB, high Strength, high Damage. And Best of all your Character actually looks like a beast as Warforged with Tensers active all the time.
While gaining this Melee Power you will also gain the ability to do Traps of any Level and play in the highest Burst DPS field of the game.

Pros/Cons of the build:
+ Best selfhealing via Reconstruct (No undead targeting, no healing curse, good buff etc, With MA Ring its 435 per Cast, with slotted Cleaver and Potion its 556 per Cast)
+ A lot of Hitpoints (I am sitting on ~1000)
+ Very good saves (With the right gear easily around 50 each – Both versions, paladin Version shines here)
+ High damage output in melee and ranged combat
+ Full trap skills
+ Evasion
+ Suited for Solo and Group Play
+ PRR up to 60 possible (Sitting on 54 at the moment)
+ Clickies last longer (Displacement, Deathward, GH etc)
+ Versatile Selfbuffs (DR Breaking, Damage bonus, Haste Armor, AC Bonus, Tensers)

- I challenge you to find one

Over the time there have been developed basically two essentially different versions of the build, the Ranger and the Paladin version.
Both Versions have a centered and an uncentered version which basically are flavor choices.
A thing all Versions have in common are the used Destinies, either Legendary Dreadnaught or Fury of the Wild, depending on playing Solo/Shortman or Group.
At the end of this post there are Youtube Videos of me showing both playstyles.

Paladin Version (Works as Second Life+, or even as First Life)

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02

DDO Character Planner Home Page

Juggernaut Paladin
Level 20 Lawful Good Warforged Male
(2 Paladin \ 2 Monk \ 16 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 354
Spell Points: 741 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 21
Reflex: 14
Will: 17

                 Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            14                    17
Constitution         17                    22
Intelligence         11                    14
Wisdom                9                    12
Charisma             12                    15

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 Dexterity 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

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

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 4 (Paladin)


Level 5 (Paladin)


Level 6 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Artificer)


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


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Mithral Body


Level 10 (Artificer)


Level 11 (Artificer)


Level 12 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Bow Strength
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Artificer)


Level 14 (Artificer)


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Rapid Shot


Level 17 (Artificer)


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot


Level 19 (Artificer)


Level 20 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost IV
Enhancement: Artificer Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack I
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Artificer Battle Engineer I
Enhancement: Way of the Clever Monkey I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness IV
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation II
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation III
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation V
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery IV
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution II
Enhancement: Warforged Construct Thinking I
Enhancement: Warforged Hardiness I
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend I
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend II
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend III
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack I
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack II
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack III

Summary:
Artificer 16 Paladin 2 Monk 2

Leveling sequence: AMMPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Starting Stats vary on Tomes used, available Starting points and endgear setup, be advised that u need a base Dexterity of 17 by level 15. That means either start with 14+3 tome or 13+4 tome.

Feats:
Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Critical Slashing (Uncentered) / Improved Critical Bludgeoning (Centered), Toughness, Quicken, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Weapon Focus Ranged, Bow Strength, Overwhelming Critical, Mithral Body (Uncentered) / Zen Archery (Centered)

Last two Feats taken from the pool of:
Improved Critical Ranged, Precise Shot, Epic Toughness (If u can reach the required base con of 21 by Level 21/24), Precision, Improved Precise Shot (If u can reach the required base dex of 19)

Twists:
As LD: Primal Scream, Dance of Flowers (Centered) / Brace for impact (Uncentered), Sense Weakness
As Fury: Dance of Flowers (Centered) / Brace for impact (Uncentered), Momentum Swing, Grims Precision

Ranger Version (I recommend this Version for everyone with access to 36pt Builds or even Completionists)
This Version is not only superior but more fun as well.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02

DDO Character Planner Home Page

Juggernaut Ranger
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Warforged Male
(2 Monk \ 2 Ranger \ 16 Artificer) 
Hit Points: 350
Spell Points: 853 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 16
Will: 16

                 Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    25
Dexterity            15                    20
Constitution         17                    23
Intelligence         13                    18
Wisdom               11                    16
Charisma              6                    10

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 Dexterity 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 Dexterity used at level 15
+4 Tome of Constitution 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               2                     4
Bluff                -2                     1
Concentration         3                     7
Diplomacy            -2                     1
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                     2
Heal                  0                     4
Hide                  2                     4
Intimidate           -2                     1
Jump                  3                     6
Listen                0                     4
Move Silently         2                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                1                     6
Search                1                     6
Spot                  0                     4
Swim                  3                     4
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                    n/a

Level 1 (Artificer)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 4 (Artificer)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Artificer)


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


Level 9 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot


Level 10 (Artificer)


Level 11 (Artificer)


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


Level 13 (Artificer)


Level 14 (Artificer)


Level 15 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Mithral Body


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


Level 17 (Artificer)


Level 18 (Artificer)
Feat: (Selected) Precision


Level 19 (Artificer)


Level 20 (Artificer)
Feat: (Artificer Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost II
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost III
Enhancement: Artificer Damage Boost IV
Enhancement: Artificer Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Attack I
Enhancement: Artificer Crossbow Damage I
Enhancement: Artificer Battle Engineer I
Enhancement: Way of the Clever Monkey I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness IV
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation II
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation III
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation V
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Artificer Intelligence I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Artificer Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution II
Enhancement: Warforged Construct Thinking I
Enhancement: Warforged Hardiness I
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend I
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend II
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend III
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack I
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack II
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack III

Summary:
Artificer 16 Ranger 2 Monk 2

Leveling sequence: AMMRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Starting Stats vary on Tomes used, available Starting points and endgear setup, be advised that u need a base Dexterity of 19 by level 19. That means either start with 16+3 tome or 15+4 tome.

You also need 21 Base Con at level 24. I started with 16 and used a +4 Tome, the Stat point on level 24 was set into Constitution is I was able to use Epic Toughness as level 24 Feat.

Feats:
Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Critical Slashing (Uncentered) / Improved Critical Bludgeoning (Centered), Toughness, Quicken, Point Blank Shot, Improved Critical Ranged, Manyshot, Epic Toughness, Completionist, Overwhelming Critical, Mithral Body, precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot

You could take Precision instead of Completionist.

Twists:
As LD: Primal Scream, Dance of Flowers (Centered) / Brace for impact (Uncentered), Sense Weakness
As Fury: Dance of Flowers (Centered) / Brace for impact (Uncentered), Momentum Swing, Grims Precision

PS: This Build requires a lot of Gear to work as intended. I will only post a gear layout fitting my current Character since this varies so much depending on Class Split, Tomes used, and Playstyle.
Gearlayout for Ranger Version:
Goggles: Intrigate Field Optics 8 Int, Blindness & Fear Immunity slotted
Helm: Black Dragon helm 3 Con, Deathblock & 14 PRR slotted
Necklace: Stormreaver Necklace Disease slotted, Conc Opp 45 HP Greensteel
Trinket: Planar Focus of Prowess 3 Str
Cloak: Jeweled Cloak 7 Resistance & 7 Constitution slotted
Belt: Epic Spare Hand 7 Wisdom & 35 HP slotted
Ring: Seal of House Avithoul 2 Wisdom
Ring: Ring of Master Artificer Globe & Good Luck slotted
Boots: Threads of Falling Shadow
Gloves: Nether Grasps
Bracers: Ogre +8 of Superior Parrying (With slot if possible)
Armor: Black Dragon Docent Heavy Fortification slotted

Weapons: Cleaver Tier 3 Reconstruction slotted, Esos Good slotted, Pinion Tier 3 1d10 Acid slotted, Triple Positive Greensteel Maul

Clickies: Greensteel Displacement, Divine Favor, Deathward, GH, Grease J

The Paladin Version can basically use the same Layout the only difference is the need of a charisma item, either Goggles with Charisma or slotted into the Necklace both work fine.


Tipps and Tricks for the Juggernaut:
- Using House J Mending Potions for 25 Alchemical Reconstruct Spellpower, those are great for difficult short encounters like the Dragons in Tor.
- Slotting Reconstruction into a Red slot on the Mainweapon (DR Breaking is so 2011 and 1d10 damage… yeah if you want to) for 54 more Spellpower. 54 you ask? Its only 114! Its actually 144 Since you not only gain 24 more over the Ring of the MA but also the 30 Spell implement Bonus (At least on Tier 3 Citw Weapon 8+2 Enhancement = 30 Spell Implement Power, or even 36 on an Esos)
- Use as many clickies as possible since those are boosted by Artificer Levels, especially Displacement, Death ward, GH, Divine Favor, etc.)
- As Displacement clickies from Shroud make Quarterstaff bases, then you have a chance of retaining the Essence equal your Artificer Level + Int Modifier.

Some example of the Playstyle of this build:
Legendary Dreadnaught:Fire Arena CR 30 solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1h6klhxPwk
Fight to the Finish CR 30 solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yTPNTWtzo8
EE End of the Road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wpEhJNcoWE
EE Devil Assault solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLGy8PhWjnU
EE Detour solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-L_7kMHBY

Fury of the Wild:EE Tor Dragons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUb2bwMc5g
EE Tor Dragons 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVIPEpti6DE
EVoD 12 Juggernauts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Eo5pM7gN0
EH FoT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tY58lG4JE


Note: I removed Stunning Blow from my Setup since I found it even with a DC of 60 to be quite unreliable in current EE Endgame. For EH Stun is not needed imo. Using two Items, a Twist and a feat for something that’s not working reliable (80-95%) is not worth.

Edit 26/8/2013: Two Weapon Version arrived.

Howdy fellow Juggs


After some horrible moments in What goes up yesterday i feel like trash is the new endgame. Therefore i will change Haek tomorrow to a TWF version of the Juggernaut keeping the same level split but going for dual Nightmares instead.

Feats are as followed considering a leveling chain of AMMARRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (Free feats, Monk/Arti Feats)

1 PBS
2 PA
3 Completionist / Dodge
5 Rapid Shot/BowStr
6 Twf Cleave
8 Precise Shot
9 Great Cleave
12 ITWF / Imp Crit Ranged
15 GTWF
16 Quicken
18 Manyshot
20 Imp precise Shot
21 Overwhelming Crit
24 Bastard Sword
26 Toughness
27 Epic Toughness
28 PTWF

The enhancements look really great with dual bastard swords, fusilade is coming back.
Yes there is no imp crit slash: Nightmares and balizardes are both keen, so are mourns. Could drop epic toughness if neccessary in case of an uber new sword.

After a first glimpse on the enhancements i am looking for a point distribution of:
BaE 27 WF 17 Temp 17 Ninja 11 Deepwood 1 AA 7 = 80

Will LR into this tomorrow postponing the Phantom Lancer idea for at least another week, need to test out as much as possible before using the +20 heart or TRing.

Another very viable Option is used last couple days is the centered version switching out toughness on Monk 2 for Zen archery, mithral Body for Adept of forms and Epic Toughness for Master of Forms, going for cenetred with sireth and pinion. The enhancements are quite good there as well but nowhere near the fit of the bastard sword twf.

After LRing i might have some time this week to make a video or too, but not sure RL is very busy atm

Any questions? - Shoot.

Haek