Help me craft an Iconic Challenge Farmer

[cdr]

How is sp management in the extraplanar challenges? (I have very little sorc experience)

With a SP item, I have no mana trouble even in the 20 min challenges as long as I don't go crazy on the maximized/expensive spells. Everything but the arcanolths gets utterly annihilated, and those just take some firewall and MM.

[EllisDee37]

With a SP item, I have no mana trouble even in the 20 min challenges as long as I don't go crazy on the maximized/expensive spells. Everything but the arcanolths gets utterly annihilated, and those just take some firewall and MM.

What do you find best for animated armors?

How is it doing 4 levels over character? (The highest overlevel you can go and still open chests.)

[nibel]

A hard requirement for me in a challenge farmer is extended Haste for kobolds.

A cove hat with 20% haste is almost the same on lava caves. On Labor Shortage you can actually buy a permahaste buff for them.

[EllisDee37]

Oddly enough Ranger shoudl get some love as well: Mass Longstrider gives the kobolds +15% movement for 1 minute per ranger level. It's better than haste for crystal cove, IMO.

[Panzermeyer]

Last nite to give this a try, I rolled up a quick 2pally/13 sorc bladeforged.

I ran Labor Shortage, Circles of Power, and Dragon's Hoard. I took the 14th level Warforged Wizzy as a hire into all these.

I found the build quite functional. I ran it as an Earth Savant with PA, Cleave, G Cleave, Maximize, Heightening, and Extend. Taking the Enhancement Reconstruct.

After I dropped a T1 Ring of the Master Artifice onto him I sat at 1400 SP. The pool ran out in Dragons Hoard in the last 5 minutes. However I found the hireling pretty effective and he was happy to heal me as well. I found the Enhancement Reconstructs very effect at 25 SP a bit cheaper than the spells and averaged 350+ heals.

I bought a few items off the AH to replace a few gear items. While certainly not the best challenge farmer, I found him very effective and passable for a no real investment challenge farmer for max materials. I will have to do a little more research for how to max him out.

I am finding this tread very informative and interesting.

[Panzermeyer]

A good possible multi class would be Shada-Kia/Arti. You've got traps covered, you've got your chain in case you get surrounded, but you lose out on the level 6 spells.

I might try this route as well, though losing out on the 6 level spells is a hit. Nothing, non-epic destiny, takes care of the scorpions in the lava caves better than BB. BB Works **** well on the Marilith as well. And not having DD to make up for it would be a pain in the butt.

[niehues]

Ok.. here is what i came up with..

in my case what i have is not an iconic but can be easily converted to one..

2monk 14 druid (yeah i got one lv just farming the challenges.. ) and i plan on get another one so i can get my lv17 Owlbear+ my dog +1 healer hire to look after stuff till i go around taking care of challenge stuff..

why would i want that? well lv17 will make me get no penalty for summon my bear..
second.. i will have some one on the base looking after spawns.. (i know u get a few extra spawns for having more ppl on it..) but Owlbear is consider a gold seal.. so it will not influence.. only the cleric hire will..

why druid? I get a extra fighter to look after stuff for free.. ( put a heavy fort armor and a paralizing collar on it.. = win)

so yeah my druid will have some specific feats (augment summoning and in my case that is not a iconic i would also grab a mark of passage (i think that is the one with the DD)

with this set up i can solo pretty much all challenges..

and i read that someone was complaing abt keep max/empower on all the time.. yeah the new druid SLAs makes me keep those feats on all the time and cost only 6sp to cast.. most of the time i get 1 shot mobs and and dont have to use the other spells that consume SP.. (but is there to use when needed)


perhaps a pure druid would be even better as the dog will be stronger.. but i only thought abt that too late :P

maybe an Arti can have the same impact and u can use the bladeforge for that..

to use druid maybe a morning lord 1/14druid..

dont know.. just something ppl did not mention on it.. (using help/summons)

it really works good for me.. as at this lv with aug summon the hirelings can hold it up really well..

I hopu u guys can take some good out of this post..

[FlaviusMaximus]

I would definitely go with a halfling paladin defender throwing star build.

*edit

I misread it as "help me create an ironic challenge farmer"

[Panzermeyer]

So last nite I retooled my Sorc/Pally. Thought I would post it hear. I was pretty happy with it for a low investment challenge farmer.

I went Earth based for Savant for the no save spells. Added some ice spells for other types of damage. But then again I thought Earth gave minuses to fire, and that influenced my choice. Might go fire next time, but I did want Ice Storm for the slow effect, so Ice works well.

After first pass I found that I wasn't using a number of spells, particularly the repair spells, so I dropped them all. The Communion of Scribing works great, Empowered and Maximized hits for nearly 400 a pop and I only have like 250HP anyway. I got rid of web and Heighten for web, and was able to adjust my playstyle just fine.

With the Ring of Master Artifice I was sitting on 1350 SP. In Kobold Island: Kobold Chaos as long as I managed what spells I was using I ended it with plenty of SP to spare.

With Empower and Maximize I found that the Melf's SLA was often a one shot and turn and run away cause it was going to die type of spell.

In Collosal Crystals I found I could cast displace, blue, haste, run and gather up 20+ scorps throw Acid Rain, a Acid Blast SLA and start cleaving and great cleaving and take them all out quick style. Heck I had one CC run were I got 750 scorpions which is pretty **** good.

Fearsome Presence worked great, and also activated on spells as well. So I was seeing the shaken icon very very often.

I was able to run the challenges with the Wiz hire Sigil. Which was awesome cause as a WF he would be self-healing and throw me some heals as well. And he was easily the most effective hire I have had in holding the center in the Lava Caves, and would guard one of the extractors all on his own in Kobold Island.

I am still waiting to see how this build handles the Marilith, but considering she is vulnerable to acid I suspect that I will not have a huge problem.

I swapped out the default gear with a Ring of Master Artifice and Rock Boots. Bought a speed bracers from the AH, and resistance +6 necklace as well. I had an Insanity sitting on a mule toon that I handed to him.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 15 Lawful Good Bladeforged Male
(2 Paladin \ 13 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 147
Spell Points: 1004 
BAB: 8\8\13
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 5
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 15)
Strength             18                    21
Dexterity             6                     6
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom                6                     6
Charisma             14                    14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 15)
Balance              -2                    -2
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         7                    22
Diplomacy             2                     2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -2                    -2
Hide                 -2                    -2
Intimidate            2                     2
Jump                  4                     5
Listen               -2                    -2
Move Silently        -2                    -2
Open Lock            n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                    10
Search                1                     1
Spellcraft            3                    19
Spot                 -2                    -2
Swim                  n/a                   n/a
Tumble               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      2                     2

Level 1 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Repair (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by the Lord of Blades
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Sonic Blast


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Spell (1): Shield


Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (1): Nightshield


Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Blur


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (2): Invisibility


Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Knock
Spell (3): Haste


Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Spell (4): Acid Rain


Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Melf's Acid Arrow
Spell (3): Rage
Spell (4): Burning Blood


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Spell (5): Niac's Biting Cold


Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Spell (5): Cloudkill
Spell (3): Acid Blast


Level 14 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (6): Tenser's Transformation


Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (4): Ice Storm
Spell (6): Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Spell (5): Cone of Cold
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Warforged Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Warforged Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Mechanist (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Inscribed Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Fearsome Presence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Earth Savant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Earth Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Greater Earth Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Crumbling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Devouring Earth (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Devouring Earth (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Devouring Earth (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Awaken Elemental Weakness: Acid (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Power of Frost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 3)

Overall I saw that is a excellent low investment challenge farming build for ingrediants and will likely keep him around for some time. I suspect at least on kobold island a Shadar-Kai Arti/Something would work better, but there would have to be too much for gear swapping out to get it to work. So as a low/no investment build this clearly fits the bill and does a great job.

[EllisDee37]

Quartermaster just confirmed that Bladeforged will indeed be purchasable in the store, as opposed to being pre-order only, so...woot!

[Caprice]

FWIW I have been trying out a variation of Arcanegrin's Bladeforged Pal 2 / FvS 5 / Sor 8 level split and I like it a lot. For feats I picked PA, Cleave, Great Cleave, Extend, Quicken (for racial SLA and DDoor), and IC:Slash. Extended Haste & Displacement are still under 2 minutes, but now last long enough to gather a lot of mobs and cleave them down handily.

Major caveat #1: For the Caves and Extraplanar Palace I drop the owlbear preorder pet at base on Aggressive and Stay and I go run rampant and DDoor back as needed. I recognize that this is a crutch but I think that it would be impossible for me to solo some of the challenges effectively without such a crutch. The owlbear has never even come close to dying, but its position drifts over time when it chases enemies and thus it stops being an effective guard, so I do have to go back to base and reset its position sometimes.

Major caveat #2: Even with that crutch I am not skilled enough to pull 400+ reagents in a solo run anywhere but the Mansion, unlike some people reporting here, so higher skill players may find this setup lacking in ways I have not.

One way this setup shines is the trivial startup time (again, as Arcanegrin pointed out). The starter gear is basically ideal and all you really need is spell reagents. Just 1 skill point per level (I went for Balance) and minimal feat requirements means leveling order does not matter. You do have to pick spells but only a few are key. My picks are:
FvS: 1 = Bless, Protection from Evil, Divine Favor, Obscuring Mist, 2 = Lesser Restoration, {optional}
Sorceror: 1 = Jump, DSD, Nightshield, {optional}, 2 = Resist Energy, Blur, Knock, 3 = Haste, Displacement, 4 = DDoor

If I were reusing this build for the Cove I would drop Knock for Gust of Wind for getting rid of the persistent AoE spam (i.e. for Jack and the named Sorceror) and scroll Knock. Per EllisDee37's monk thread, scrolled Knock is sufficient for challenges so it is only a convenience to have it on one's bar. However I found that my DSD was not quite sufficient as a level 8 Sorceror as I could find some of the Mansion doors but not others (e.g. yes to the Crib, no to the Nest), so a higher-level DSD clicky or True Seeing item may be useful for that (e.g. Cove trinket).

The SPs are not truly endless but the default amount is significant. After a few runs I added a SP swap item, but it is mostly superfluous. I need to watch SPs on The Dragon's Hoard but otherwise I have always lasted full runs without shrining or at most needed one so it has not been an issue (e.g. the Mansion, Circles of Power).

I looked at switching to the new Eldritch Knight PrE to get full BAB that way instead of via Warpriest, especially since Tensor's stat boosts stack and DP's does not, but I really didn't want the doubled CD on DDoor. I spent the 1 AP for EK's "ghetto Cleave" and felt that was well worth it, but that was the extent of my AP spent on Sorceror.

A spellcasting-focus BF is probably better with the couple of item swaps needed, but for a character who needs nothing more than reagents to be fully effective (and can easily solo a Kobold Island boss farm run or two for the plat that takes), this build is surprising effective. Thanks for the idea, Arcanegrin!

[MartinusWyllt]

Lately as I've been leveling an 18/1/1 PDK bard/FvS/fighter I've been hitting the challenges for some of the gear.

Colossal Crystal, which I'd avoided, I can solo reliably now using that build (at 16/1/1 currently).

I do use a hire as the center guard.

I do use the security crests and head for the octopus first (per EllisDee37's challenge guide) but I will try the other two if there's no circle down there.

I fascinate the mobs that spawn on the path. With spellsinger I can keep some mana up.

Ddoor, haste, all that bard-stuff, too.

Does well-enough in the other challenges, too. So not claiming it is the best challenge farming build I am saying it has proven to be the best for me as mobs that I can FaF (fascinate and forget) seems to speed things along nicely. Fascinate also works nicely on the elementals in the mansion so that non-water elementals can be locked-down for as long as you need to defeat their boss.

[EllisDee37]

Neat! I like the concept.

[Calaquende]

So last nite I retooled my Sorc/Pally. Thought I would post it hear. I was pretty happy with it for a low investment challenge farmer.

I went Earth based for Savant for the no save spells. Added some ice spells for other types of damage. But then again I thought Earth gave minuses to fire, and that influenced my choice. Might go fire next time, but I did want Ice Storm for the slow effect, so Ice works well.

After first pass I found that I wasn't using a number of spells, particularly the repair spells, so I dropped them all. The Communion of Scribing works great, Empowered and Maximized hits for nearly 400 a pop and I only have like 250HP anyway. I got rid of web and Heighten for web, and was able to adjust my playstyle just fine.

With the Ring of Master Artifice I was sitting on 1350 SP. In Kobold Island: Kobold Chaos as long as I managed what spells I was using I ended it with plenty of SP to spare.

With Empower and Maximize I found that the Melf's SLA was often a one shot and turn and run away cause it was going to die type of spell.

In Collosal Crystals I found I could cast displace, blue, haste, run and gather up 20+ scorps throw Acid Rain, a Acid Blast SLA and start cleaving and great cleaving and take them all out quick style. Heck I had one CC run were I got 750 scorpions which is pretty **** good.

Fearsome Presence worked great, and also activated on spells as well. So I was seeing the shaken icon very very often.

I was able to run the challenges with the Wiz hire Sigil. Which was awesome cause as a WF he would be self-healing and throw me some heals as well. And he was easily the most effective hire I have had in holding the center in the Lava Caves, and would guard one of the extractors all on his own in Kobold Island.

I am still waiting to see how this build handles the Marilith, but considering she is vulnerable to acid I suspect that I will not have a huge problem.

I swapped out the default gear with a Ring of Master Artifice and Rock Boots. Bought a speed bracers from the AH, and resistance +6 necklace as well. I had an Insanity sitting on a mule toon that I handed to him.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 15 Lawful Good Bladeforged Male
(2 Paladin \ 13 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 147
Spell Points: 1004 
BAB: 8\8\13
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 5
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 15)
Strength             18                    21
Dexterity             6                     6
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom                6                     6
Charisma             14                    14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 15)
Balance              -2                    -2
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         7                    22
Diplomacy             2                     2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -2                    -2
Hide                 -2                    -2
Intimidate            2                     2
Jump                  4                     5
Listen               -2                    -2
Move Silently        -2                    -2
Open Lock            n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                    10
Search                1                     1
Spellcraft            3                    19
Spot                 -2                    -2
Swim                  n/a                   n/a
Tumble               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      2                     2

Level 1 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Repair (+2)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by the Lord of Blades
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Sonic Blast


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Spell (1): Shield


Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (1): Nightshield


Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Blur


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (2): Invisibility


Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Knock
Spell (3): Haste


Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Spell (4): Acid Rain


Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (2): Melf's Acid Arrow
Spell (3): Rage
Spell (4): Burning Blood


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Spell (5): Niac's Biting Cold


Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Spell (5): Cloudkill
Spell (3): Acid Blast


Level 14 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Spell (6): Tenser's Transformation


Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Repair (+0.5)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (4): Ice Storm
Spell (6): Otiluke's Freezing Sphere
Spell (5): Cone of Cold
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Warforged Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Warforged Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Mechanist (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Inscribed Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Fearsome Presence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Earth Savant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Earth Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Greater Earth Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Crumbling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Devouring Earth (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Devouring Earth (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Devouring Earth (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Awaken Elemental Weakness: Acid (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Power of Frost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 3)

Overall I saw that is a excellent low investment challenge farming build for ingrediants and will likely keep him around for some time. I suspect at least on kobold island a Shadar-Kai Arti/Something would work better, but there would have to be too much for gear swapping out to get it to work. So as a low/no investment build this clearly fits the bill and does a great job.

This is a very interesting build. I just put one together myself. One point, however - I was short 1 AP. I'm not quite sure how you planned it out, but I wasn't able to add Mechanist.

[Panzermeyer]

This is a very interesting build. I just put one together myself. One point, however - I was short 1 AP. I'm not quite sure how you planned it out, but I wasn't able to add Mechanist.

You should be able to get the extra AP after you start running him a bit. We are tending to take our farmers up to16 as that extra level usually provides a lot with little lose in a few challenges being one level over.

However I will say, that I redid my challenge farmer switching it to a 12sorc/2pall/2monk for the extra feats and evasion. I have found this build much much better with the evasion and survivability. My lose to spells has been very minimal. In Dragons Hoard my spell points where stretched thin any way. This gave me a kick to melee point so if I run out of SP it is not much of a loss anymore.

[unbongwah]

However I will say, that I redid my challenge farmer switching it to a 12sorc/2pall/2monk for the extra feats and evasion.

This is what (one of) my BF Challenge farmers is like; although I think I went more caster-focused than your build, starting STR 13 and only taking Power Atk & IC:Slash for melee feats. Acid+force-specced Savant+EK might be an interesting option too.

[Miyamoto_Musashi]

You should be able to get the extra AP after you start running him a bit. We are tending to take our farmers up to16 as that extra level usually provides a lot with little lose in a few challenges being one level over.

However I will say, that I redid my challenge farmer switching it to a 12sorc/2pall/2monk for the extra feats and evasion. I have found this build much much better with the evasion and survivability. My lose to spells has been very minimal. In Dragons Hoard my spell points where stretched thin any way. This gave me a kick to melee point so if I run out of SP it is not much of a loss anymore.

Could you post this build? I am looking for a toon like this to farm challenges and store loot.
Thanks in advance.

[Panzermeyer]

Could you post this build? I am looking for a toon like this to farm challenges and store loot.
Thanks in advance.

This is basically the build.
For skill points I kept Con and Spell Craft Maxed. The rest of the points are to flavor. So you can likely drop Int more and pump into Dex for better reflex saves.

The main thing with the enhancements is getting Communion of Scribing for the cheap reconstruct. The rest in the racial tree is to flavor. The only other tree I would take away from the racial tree to put into is Eldrictch Knight. But the racial tree works really well with this build.

I go earth savant cause Melf's is a no-save dot, and can be maximized and empowered while Acid Blast as a SLA is great for damage. Acid rain is a great room clearer and this line really helps that. The only things that are immune to acid are the Arcanoliths (sp?) in the Extraplanar Palace.

Lvl 16 nets you Tenser's Transformation and 100% Fort from the Racial Tree.

Make sure you craft some Rock Boots and Ring of the Master Artifice for this guy. My SP pool with the ring sits at 1200 I think. Maybe 1100. But with the combat nature, the only one where I run out of spell points is the Dragons Hoarde. But by the time they are gone, all that main baddies are gone, and your Echoes of Power will ensure that you can still throw out SLA dots or have enough for Reconstruct.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 16 Lawful Good Bladeforged Male
(2 Paladin \ 2 Monk \ 12 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 172
Spell Points: 912 
BAB: 9\9\14
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 9
Will: 18

                  Starting            Ending          
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats        
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 16)        
Strength             18                 22            
Dexterity             6                  6            
Constitution         16                 16            
Intelligence         12                 12            
Wisdom                6                  6            
Charisma             14                 14            

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Deity) Favored by the Lord of Blades
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality


Level 2 (Sorcerer)
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Protection from Evil


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 4 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (1): Nightshield


Level 5 (Sorcerer)
Spell (1): Sonic Blast


Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (2): Blur


Level 7 (Sorcerer)
Spell (2): Knock


Level 8 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave
Spell (2): Invisibility
Spell (3): Haste


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 11 (Sorcerer)
Spell (2): Gust of Wind
Spell (3): Rage
Spell (4): Acid Rain


Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Spell (5): Niac's Biting Cold


Level 13 (Sorcerer)
Spell (3): Acid Blast
Spell (4): Burning Blood
Spell (5): Cloudkill


Level 14 (Paladin)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Warforged Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Warforged Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Mechanist (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Mechanist (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Mechanist (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Construct Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Communion of Scribing (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Great Weapon Aptitude (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Great Weapon Aptitude (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Great Weapon Aptitude (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Weapon Attachment (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Earth Savant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Earth Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Greater Earth Affinity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Spray (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Erosion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid III (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Arrow (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Spell Critical: Acid IV (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Acid Blast (Rank 3)


Level 16 (Sorcerer)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (6): Tenser's Transformation
Enhancement: Bladeforged - Improved Fortification (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Earth Savant (Sor) - Crumbling (Rank 1)

[Caprice]

I used a build very similar to Panzermeyer's here for one of my challenge farmers. It works great, but the Rock Boots are a hugely important addition in my experience. Without them, the Acid SLAs were barely worth using in several challenges (mainly in the Extraplanar Palace, but also the demonic Kobold Island) because in addition to the acid-immune Arcanoloths there are a lot of highly acid-resistant monsters. With the boots the SLA Blast was quite effective against almost everything, although the Melf's still was a waste on many monsters. However note that I was typically running the challenges at 2-4 levels above me so that may have flavored my impression.

Also note that Echoes is not enough to power the Racial Reconstruct SLA without EDs. Base Echoes ticks up when you have less than 12 SP, in increments of 4, which gives a situational max of 15. The Reconstruct SLA costs 25 at best. However in my experience it does not matter. Once I had the Rock Boots and Artificer Ring I never ran out of SP.

If you want to use your BF challenge farmer in Crystal Cove when it comes around, then I would recommend swapping out either a level 2 spell for Gust of Wind or a level 5 spell for Cyclonic Blast. These spells remove persistent AoEs, which are relatively commonly used by enemies in the Cove challenge (e.g. Wall of Fire, Otto's Dancing Sphere). If one of those AoEs is dropped on the torch line it will block progress by the kobolds until the duration runs out (~30 seconds I believe), and a single enemy may well cast more than one. Note that Gust of Wind and Cyclonic Blast remove friendly persistent AoEs including your own too, so do not drop an Acid Rain and then hit the wind spell or you are just throwing away SP. For my similar build I picked Cyclonic Blast as I wasn't willing to sacrifice any of the level 2 slots. Supposedly you can scroll Knock for the only place it is needed in challenges but I prefer not having to manage the scrolls, and using one breaks the Weapon Attachment buff which is a waste.

On the other hand a Fire Savant is much more effective in the Cove challenge due to the extreme damage Wall of Fire does to undead, so you may want to roll a quick new BF Fire Savant for that instead.

[Panzermeyer]

I used a build very similar to Panzermeyer's here for one of my challenge farmers. It works great, but the Rock Boots are a hugely important addition in my experience. Without them, the Acid SLAs were barely worth using in several challenges (mainly in the Extraplanar Palace, but also the demonic Kobold Island) because in addition to the acid-immune Arcanoloths there are a lot of highly acid-resistant monsters. With the boots the SLA Blast was quite effective against almost everything, although the Melf's still was a waste on many monsters. However note that I was typically running the challenges at 2-4 levels above me so that may have flavored my impression.

The Rock Boots and Ring of the Master Artifice I think are an absolute must for this build. I typically just use Melf's to first at a target as I approaching it. At what 6 sp, it's a nice little addition to damage.

On the other hand a Fire Savant is much more effective in the Cove challenge due to the extreme damage Wall of Fire does to undead, so you may want to roll a quick new BF Fire Savant for that instead.

For the cove actually I have a 7th level first savant. Those low level coves things die super super easy. And you get just one or two levels on it and you can fit in fire wall and/or DD.