newbie suggestions

[FCofKhatovar]

I'm a lv16 fighter working on my first character build in an MMO RPG, ever. I have a lot of time to put into this, so, I want to maximize the value of the time I do put in. I'm currently using a +4 thundering greataxe of bloodletting. All my stat points have been put into strength. I have read +2str, +1dex. and +2con tomes. I've taken any 'critical' feats i could find, but I still feel that I'm not doing enough damage, yet. Any and all tips are welcomed, but please keep in mind that I'm very new to this game. Reading some of these build posts is like trying to read Swahili to me, so leyman's terms where possible, please.

[Fedora]

I'm a lv16 fighter working on my first character build in an MMO RPG, ever. I have a lot of time to put into this, so, I want to maximize the value of the time I do put in. I'm currently using a +4 thundering greataxe of bloodletting. All my stat points have been put into strength. I have read +2str, +1dex. and +2con tomes. I've taken any 'critical' feats i could find, but I still feel that I'm not doing enough damage, yet. Any and all tips are welcomed, but please keep in mind that I'm very new to this game. Reading some of these build posts is like trying to read Swahili to me, so leyman's terms where possible, please.

Have you taken the Kensai prestige enhancements? That's a fighter's key to good damage. Here is a link:

http://ddowiki.com/page/Kensei_enhancements

Also, your Great Axe does very good critical hit damage, but nothing special on normal hits. A lot of boss types are immune to criticals, so that could be a problem.

Do you have +STR gear? You should be using at least a +6STR item (belt/gloves/ring or whatever). I think at lvl 16 you could use a +8?

Do you use your burst damage enhancements, like fighter haste/damage?

That's a few basic things. Someone more experienced than me will have a few more ideas.

[Inouk]

We'll need to know more about your build. If we know your feats, stats, enhancements, and items it's easier to identify what can be improved the easiest.

[FCofKhatovar]

no, i havent done any kensai, yet. i wasnt impressed with what i saw, but with this information about the bosses being resistant to crits, i will have to rethink...

[FCofKhatovar]

We'll need to know more about your build. If we know your feats, stats, enhancements, and items it's easier to identify what can be improved the easiest.

when i can get back in, i'll write it all out for the thread. thanks.

[FCofKhatovar]

Do you have +STR gear? You should be using at least a +6STR item (belt/gloves/ring or whatever). I think at lvl 16 you could use a +8?

I haven't even seen a +6str item... I think i have a +4 on there somewhere, will check and post a full stat update soon. thanks!

[arminius]

Kensai doesn't look good on paper but it + the feats you have to take to get it add up to be a lot. Plus the clicky for +8 strength from Kensai II seems meh when you first look at it because it is just a minute long--but by the time you get to level 25 you can easily have 11-15 of them per rest. In addition, some fighter feats you would think of as crowd control, like Stunning Blow, are actually DPS too, because the stunned target takes a lot of extra damage.

You'll get there. The harder part about Kensai is mitigating incoming damage, and you can learn that over time too. But high outgoing damage is almost hard NOT to maintain on a level 20+ Kensai.

[FCofKhatovar]

i'm not fond of clickies, because i always forget about them or click the wrong things, but i suppose my skill of using them will increase with time. XD

[Fedora]

no, i havent done any kensai, yet. i wasnt impressed with what i saw, but with this information about the bosses being resistant to crits, i will have to rethink...

A quick calculation (might be off a bit) looks like with Kensai II at lvl 12 (can't get Kensai III until 18) with a 2-handed weapon you would gain:

1. Two extra action boosts per rest.
2. +2 DC to your combat feats (trip/sunder/stun).
3. +3 to hit (not including fighter attack boost II - saving those for power surges).
4. +12 damage per hit.
5. +12 to confirm critical hits
6. +8 damage extra on critical hits before multipliers. (So that's +20, or +24 with Power Surge)
7. An extra +4 to hit and damage per hit when using power surge.

And Kensai III only gets better.

EDIT: With the exception of power surge, all these bonuses are passive.

[FCofKhatovar]

http://ddocrafting.info/myddo/cannith/Mirilidien/

does that help?

[Fedora]

It would be better if you could list your feats/enhancements.

Just a couple comments on your items (and I realize it may only be what you had equipped at the time vs. what you equip in quests):

1. You don't really need the +6 CHA cloak. I'd replace it with maybe a resistance cloak or protection cloak.
2. Your Haggle ring only should be worn when in town dealing with vendors. Swap it with a more useful (combat) ring while questing.

As mentioned, perhaps you aren't normally wearing that equipment, but just wanted to toss that out there.

Strength, Con, and hit points look good though.

If you can find one cheap in the AH, I might suggest getting a Dusk Heart for your trinket. I thnk that will stack with your tough ring to add another 20hp and give you a 10% blur defence.

[unbongwah]

no, i havent done any kensai, yet. i wasnt impressed with what i saw, but with this information about the bosses being resistant to crits, i will have to rethink...

The ftr PrEs are good enough that you definitely ought to take one of them. You're just wasting your potential without either.

[FCofKhatovar]

Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Greater two handed fighting, greater weapon focus: slash, Greater weapon spec: slash heroic durability(not sure if i picked this one or if it came std?), improved crit:slash, improved thf, power attack, power crit, toughness, thf, weapon foc:slash, weapon spec: slash

Enhancements: Fighter crit acc 1-4, ftr weapon mast: greataxe 1-2, flank bonus 1, human adapt:str 1, human adapt: con1, human imp recov 1-3, rac tough 1-3, jump 1, ftr str 1-3, ftr tough 1-4

[FCofKhatovar]

and i definitely dont use the haggle ring in combat, i have a Proof against disease+6 moderate fort ring and Ring of Balance i switch in and out as necessary

[FCofKhatovar]

oh, and i have the matching boots for the anger set to give me a +2 to hit...

[Fedora]

Might be doing my math wrong, but I think you have all the pre-req feats for Kensai. So if you wanted to try it I think you could drop a few enhancements to get enough AP for Kensai I & II lus the Kensai Weapon I & II:

Drop Fighter Critical Accuracy 4 (4AP)
Drop Flank Bonus (2AP)
Drop Fighter STR III (6AP)

Take Fighter Attack Boost I & II (3 AP)
Kensai I & II (6AP)
Kensai Weapon I & II (2AP)

Double check, but I think that would do it. Did I miss anything?

Please note, there is nothing wrong with your build and I'm not saying you need to redo it, just offering my advice based on your OP.

[FCofKhatovar]

i need attack boost II for that, too, but its almost right

[FCofKhatovar]

i need to read better, you mentioned that!! thanks! i'll let you know how it works when i reset my enhancements later.

[Fedora]

i need attack boost II for that, too, but its almost right

Included in my list.

Take Fighter Attack Boost I & II (3 AP)

EDIT: Ahh you beat me! lol

[unbongwah]

Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Greater two handed fighting, greater weapon focus: slash, Greater weapon spec: slash heroic durability(not sure if i picked this one or if it came std?), improved crit:slash, improved thf, power attack, power crit, toughness, thf, weapon foc:slash, weapon spec: slash

The good news is you already have all of the Kensei pre-reqs, so it's pretty easy to reset your enhs like so:

Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Greataxe Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Greataxe Specialization II
Enhancement: Human 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: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost III
Enhancement: Kensei Greataxe Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei III


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Fighter Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Weapon Alacrity

As far as your remaining feats go: you need SWF:Slash at lvl 18 to take Kensei III. That leaves two heroic feats to spare; I like tactics feats (e.g., Stunning Blow & Imp Sunder), but you could also take, say, Quick Draw (reduces delay on action boosts, thus boosting your burst DPS a bit). Overwhelming Critical should be your first epic feat; the final one is up to you.

As far as gear, upgrade to Heavy Fort ASAP. If you have Necro IV, Minos Legens is still an oldie-but-goodie (Heavy Fort+Toughness helm); if you're F2P, you can get the heavy fort necklace from Relic of a Sovereign Past (lvl 12 House K F2P quest). EDIT: you should've abandoned that Korthos gear, like, 10+ levels ago. Also if you have access to Cannith Challenges, I'd farm a ML:16 greataxe of fire.

EDIT: I'm afraid you're gonna have to learn to love clickies; Power Surge+Haste Boost IV+Dmg Boost IV (Versatility) will put out a lot of burst DPS.