Fruidonk Revival? Bring back Bairclaw!

[blowlotsup]

Here is a link to the original Bairclaw (gotta love this guy) from Google's cached sites.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=uk

And I wondered if this is still viable? If it isn't, I still really like the idea of TWF as a Fire Elemental with Khopesh/Scimmitar, but I've been away from the game for too long and all my old build bookmarks died with the old forums. Or is wolf form a lot better now?

I only plan to take this build as a fun TR life as a duo with my partner, so it doesn't have to have serious gear requirements or anything like that. What do you think, can it be revived?

[tricnic]

Not sure if it is still viable, but I don't see any reason it wouldn't be. Here's a quick reconstruction of the build. I've left the skills up to you, though. You don't get many points, unfortunately.

Note: Without past lives to bump your DCs, you will be seeing a lot of saves on harder difficulties.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.16.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 25 Lawful Neutral Half-Orc Male
(2 Fighter \ 2 Monk \ 16 Druid \ 5 Epic) 
Hit Points: 376
Spell Points: 1045 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 11
Will: 15

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 25)
Strength             18                    27
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               14                    15
Charisma              6                     6

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 25)
Balance               2                     8
Bluff                -2                     3
Concentration         2                     8
Diplomacy            -2                     3
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -2                     3
Heal                  2                     7
Hide                  2                     8
Intimidate           -2                     3
Jump                  4                    13
Listen                2                     7
Move Silently         2                     8
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair               -1                     4
Search               -1                     4
Spot                  2                     7
Swim                  4                    13
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                    3

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 3 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 4 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Wolf


Level 5 (Druid)


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


Level 7 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Bear


Level 8 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Winter Wolf


Level 11 (Druid)


Level 12 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Dire Bear


Level 14 (Druid)


Level 15 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Fire Elemental


Level 16 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Druid)


Level 18 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 19 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature I
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature II
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature III
Enhancement: Druid Crown of Summer
Enhancement: Druid Hide of the Crocodile I
Enhancement: Druid Hide of the Crocodile II
Enhancement: Druid Season's Herald I
Enhancement: Druid Season's Herald II
Enhancement: Druid Spring's Resurgence
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter I
Enhancement: Druid Winter's Heart
Enhancement: Orcish Extra Action Boost I
Enhancement: Orcish Extra Action Boost II
Enhancement: Orcish Power Attack I
Enhancement: Orcish Strength I
Enhancement: Orcish Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Druid Energy of the Locus I
Enhancement: Druid Energy of the Locus II
Enhancement: Druid Energy of the Locus III
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost III
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun III
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life III
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life IV
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Druid Wisdom I
Enhancement: Druid Toughness I
Enhancement: Druid Toughness II
Enhancement: Druid Toughness III
Enhancement: Druid Toughness IV


Level 21 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 22 (Fighter)


Level 23 (Fighter)


Level 24 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Overwhelming Critical


Level 25 (Fighter)

[blowlotsup]

One thing I've always been slightly confused about (mainly because I have very little experience with monks, druid and handwraps) would you use TWF, Handwraps (does TWF work with unarmed?) or Wolf Form while leveling up?

[unbongwah]

One thing I've always been slightly confused about (mainly because I have very little experience with monks, druid and handwraps) would you use TWF, Handwraps (does TWF work with unarmed?) or Wolf Form while leveling up?

TWF feats affect handwraps as well as dual-wielding; however they have no effect on wolf or bear form, regardless of what you have equipped in your hands while shapeshifted.

[blowlotsup]

TWF feats affect handwraps as well as dual-wielding; however they have no effect on wolf or bear form, regardless of what you have equipped in your hands while shapeshifted.

So which is better while leveling up? I have no idea how effective wolf form is, and I know bear for is silly slow. Does it just depend on whether you have better weapons/handwraps at any given time, or does wolf form win out until a specific level, when you should switch to using weapons?

[Kerthyn]

So which is better while leveling up? I have no idea how effective wolf form is, and I know bear for is silly slow. Does it just depend on whether you have better weapons/handwraps at any given time, or does wolf form win out until a specific level, when you should switch to using weapons?

Well according to his original post this build is: " I am a Two-Weapon Fighter in Fire Elemental form. A lot of the time I use this spell called Body of the Sun that hurts people around me while I fight. So I am like this big fiery ball of chopping swords."

Since the build doesn't have any feats boosting double strikes, animal form is probably not the way to go.

[blowlotsup]

My point is that there is a large gap between level 1 and 15 when he gets the fire elemental form, and was wondering whether there was—at any point in that time—where wolf form would be better than weapons. I'm planning on using this (currently first life 15 Arti) as a quick trip to 20 then to TR again, and I don't have beast gear to support it just yet. So... I just figured I would ask.

[Soulfurnace]

My point is that there is a large gap between level 1 and 15 when he gets the fire elemental form, and was wondering whether there was—at any point in that time—where wolf form would be better than weapons. I'm planning on using this (currently first life 15 Arti) as a quick trip to 20 then to TR again, and I don't have beast gear to support it just yet. So... I just figured I would ask.

I'm doing a similar build (1 less fighter level, but I'm human, so same amount of feats), and just taking a glance, I think I get some feats earlier. Although, that's irrelevant..
I'll most likely be using wraps until I get to greensteel, in which case I get to bring out the lit II's. And I s'pose I'll try wolf form, at least for the first few levels where the hire does (or, at least, can do) the work anyway >:3 (only for fun, wraps are just awesome. Period.)

[blowlotsup]

I'm doing a similar build (1 less fighter level, but I'm human, so same amount of feats), and just taking a glance, I think I get some feats earlier. Although, that's irrelevant..
I'll most likely be using wraps until I get to greensteel, in which case I get to bring out the lit II's. And I s'pose I'll try wolf form, at least for the first few levels where the hire does (or, at least, can do) the work anyway >:3 (only for fun, wraps are just awesome. Period.)

Would the Monk stances come into play with this giving it the edge? I've never had any experience with either Monk or Druid before, hence the questions. I was thinking Elf with the Valenar Scimitar Enhancements, or perhaps Half-Elf with some dilly in there somewhere?

[Soulfurnace]

Would the Monk stances come into play with this giving it the edge? I've never had any experience with either Monk or Druid before, hence the questions. I was thinking Elf with the Valenar Scimitar Enhancements, or perhaps Half-Elf with some dilly in there somewhere?

Elf for scimitar damage? Or Human for Khopesh (and in general better enhancements...)?
Either way, in my experience, a monk plays itself for a long time. Drop on power attack (I don't tend to have to-hit issues), just punch things. For lower levels, wind stance is the go, at 12+ monk I go earth for dps, water for wisdom. Wait, it's irrelevant?! Well... Keep it for future reference

Helf, I'd say take rogue for 3d6 (irrc) sneak attack damage, but I'd still say human so you can look a bit like a crazy Horc! (not quite, tbh)

But yeah, when I level my fire-elemental-with-khopesh-druid-monk-thing, I'll be using wraps in wind stance until... Um. Not sure. It'll be wind stance+wraps until lit II, unless I find some very nice weapons before then. If you're curious about wraps (or I feel like typing? :3), I'll be using +1 wraps of lacerating (ML: 2) for.. a long time. Might get my hands on acid/lacerating at some point, but I don't think it matters. Monk attack speed in wind stance+lacerating is fun.

Hope it helps, or I'll need to write another text wall when a 10 word answer would suffice! Yes, you have been warned.

[blowlotsup]

Stuff.

I actually really appreciate your advice with all of this, because I've been out of touch with the game for too long. I'm enjoying getting back into things, and hearing the advice from someone else. I really need to go ahead and figure out how to make some lit II weapons, since I admit to never having a character that high level before. The last time I played this game seriously, the level cap was 12.