Tempest Trapmonkey for new players

[Daliena]

Made it to level 9 (Actually farther than that but banking xp for now) and happened to get a Tempest's Spine group. Run went smoothly, but afterwards I remembered, hey, there was a Cloak of Invisibility on the recommended gear list. And so I traipsed off back to the Spine to try and get it, and well..

I think that assumption of farming it at level 9 was a little optimistic. That, or I'm doing it way wrong. Chugging potions I can make it up to A'tchkar's room and managed to even kill the ranger with ease, but following that the sheer -mass- of drow in there will inevitably butcher me repeatedly before I can wear them down. Perhaps I could find a way to pull less, but the ridiculous number of them, combined with some casting flame strike which is unavoidable damage just about no matter what you do pre-Evasion and others giggling in delight as they only need to roll a six, by my math, to dispel Displacement is a very rough experience to say the least.

[EllisDee37]

Made it to level 9 (Actually farther than that but banking xp for now) and happened to get a Tempest's Spine group. Run went smoothly, but afterwards I remembered, hey, there was a Cloak of Invisibility on the recommended gear list. And so I traipsed off back to the Spine to try and get it, and well..

I think that assumption of farming it at level 9 was a little optimistic. That, or I'm doing it way wrong. Chugging potions I can make it up to A'tchkar's room and managed to even kill the ranger with ease, but following that the sheer -mass- of drow in there will inevitably butcher me repeatedly before I can wear them down. Perhaps I could find a way to pull less, but the ridiculous number of them, combined with some casting flame strike which is unavoidable damage just about no matter what you do pre-Evasion and others giggling in delight as they only need to roll a six, by my math, to dispel Displacement is a very rough experience to say the least.

Are you entering the room?

It might be easier to open the door, shoot one or two mobs, then run back down the hall the way you came with only a few following you. Kill the ones who followed, lather rinse repeat.

If a lot follow, just keep running. Manyshot can also be helpful for this (run backwards) but isn't strictly required. Shooting them with your bow while running away is effective even while manyshot is on cooldown.

I wouldn't actually enter the room until most or all of the mobs are dead. If you have trouble getting them to follow you down the hall, just shoot them from the entrance with your bow. You may have to keep re-opening the door every few seconds, but no biggee.

[Daliena]

Are you entering the room?

It might be easier to open the door, shoot one or two mobs, then run back down the hall the way you came with only a few following you. Kill the ones who followed, lather rinse repeat.

If a lot follow, just keep running. Manyshot can also be helpful for this (run backwards) but isn't strictly required. Shooting them with your bow while running away is effective even while manyshot is on cooldown.

I wouldn't actually enter the room until most or all of the mobs are dead. If you have trouble getting them to follow you down the hall, just shoot them from the entrance with your bow. You may have to keep re-opening the door every few seconds, but no biggee.

A fair point. The group I was with just blasted through everything so fast I could barely get in melee-range before things were already dead.. I suppose I vastly underestimated the threat of that room and as such went right for A'tchkar's throat. Worked out fine in the short-term but a very poor choice when all her friends fell on me like a ton of bricks. I'll try the patient approach later, it's not a very pleasant slog up the mountain either.

[Daliena]

Returning to my ranger after being sick for a while, up to level 11 now. Just wanted to drop by and ask.. Any advice for bolstering that horrid will save or negating it's effects? As an elf I don't have the racial GH but I have a wizard friend who I conscripted to scroll it on me, which helps with fear (Which previously was basically if something cast it, it would land even with a Remove Fear clicky I found). Now things like Holds are really becoming an issue though.. Any recommendations for something to deal with them before that precious 14th level of ranger where the first level 4 spell is acquired? I saw the Kundarak Delving Boots from VoN but running it has proven tricksy with nobody particularly interested the times I checked, though perhaps my timing was poor.

[unbongwah]

1. Target caster.
2. Equip bow.
3. Click Manyshot.
4. PEWPEWPEW
5. Bye-bye, caster.

[Daliena]

1. Target caster.
2. Equip bow.
3. Click Manyshot.
4. PEWPEWPEW
5. Bye-bye, caster.

A fair point, though sometimes it feels a bit more complicated than that. Like when skeleton mages drop arcane fart clouds, sorry, 'Stinking Cloud', an absolutely legit spell, on me and then play with Hold Person. xD

[EllisDee37]

Returning to my ranger after being sick for a while, up to level 11 now. Just wanted to drop by and ask.. Any advice for bolstering that horrid will save or negating it's effects? As an elf I don't have the racial GH but I have a wizard friend who I conscripted to scroll it on me, which helps with fear (Which previously was basically if something cast it, it would land even with a Remove Fear clicky I found). Now things like Holds are really becoming an issue though.. Any recommendations for something to deal with them before that precious 14th level of ranger where the first level 4 spell is acquired? I saw the Kundarak Delving Boots from VoN but running it has proven tricksy with nobody particularly interested the times I checked, though perhaps my timing was poor.

Most will saves are from enchantment spells, and enchantment save stacks with will save. So if you can fit in a cannith crafted Enchantment Save +6 item, that will help. (Level 40 arcane to attempt, or have it made unbound for you.) Also look for a Resistance +6 item. That's +12 with just those two items, which is at least a start. I typically wear a (crafted, BTA) enchantment save +6 hat until level 13 when I switch to sora kell.

Slot a fear immunity augment into a yellow. Possibly on the same item as the enchantment save +6, which would result in an ML9 item without even needing masterful. (The yellow augment is ML8 anyway, and can be purchased either for 12 astral shards at an ML8 yellow collector, for 20 epic tokens in the twelve, or for probably around 50-75 TP in the store.) This combo item can go into any accessory slot.

Layer your defense by adding in spell resistance. Anything 20+ would be helpful, and who knows, with this new lootgen you might be able to also find insightful spell resistance for extra goodness.

The final layer would be spell absorption. I made getting a PLIS a priority for my guy, but mantle of the worldshaper might do in a pinch.

[unbongwah]

Posting here in response to a request in another thread: INT-based variant using Harper. Might as well keep all the Tempest Trapmonkeys in one place, eh?

Advantages of INT-based vs STR-based:

• Stat consolidation: INT becomes your to-hit, dmg, and Reflex stat all in one. To be fair, DEX-based has the same advantage, but is limited to scimitars as best weapon option; Harper Tempest can stick with khopeshes.
• More skill pts and higher trap skills; also gain more DPS & DC bonus from Know the Angles.

Drawbacks:

• Harper requirement means this is not a F2P build anymore, obviously.
• Need to spend at least 12 APs into Harper for T3 Strategic Combat (INT to dmg). This constrains your other PrEs; I had to drop Mark of the Hunted from DWS and most APs from human.
• Need (well, ought) to spend a feat on Insightful Reflexes eventually.

Harper Tempest
18/1/1 Ranger/Fighter/Rogue
True Neutral Human


Level Order

1. Rogue           6. Ranger         11. Ranger         16. Ranger
2. Ranger          7. Ranger         12. Ranger         17. Ranger
3. Ranger          8. Ranger         13. Ranger         18. Ranger
4. Ranger          9. Fighter        14. Ranger         19. Ranger
5. Ranger         10. Ranger         15. Ranger         20. Ranger


Stats
               28pt     32pt     Level Up
               ----     ----     --------
Strength         8        8       4: INT
Dexterity       14       14       8: INT
Constitution    14       16      12: INT
Intelligence    18       18      16: INT
Wisdom           8        8      20: INT
Charisma         8        8      24: INT
                                 28: INT

Skills
         Rg Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Fi Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Concent   2  3  1  1  1  1  1  1     2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Heal      2        2     2     3        1  3  1  3  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Disable   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Open Lo   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Search    4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1     2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Spot      4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1     2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
UMD       4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Hide      4                                            3  1  3  1  3  15
Spellcr   2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Balance   4                                                            4
Jump      4                                                            4
Move Si   4                                                            4
Tumble    4                                                            4
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         52 11 11 11 11 11 11 12  8 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13


Feats

 1        : Point Blank Shot
 1 Human  : Dodge
 2 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
 3        : Precision
 6        : Mobility
 6 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
 9        : Improved Critical: Slashing
 9 Fighter: Improved Critical: Ranged
12        : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
12 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
15        : Insightful Reflexes
17 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Construct
18        : Quicken Spell
21 Epic   : Empower Healing Spell
24 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Reflexes
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Earth


Enhancements (80 AP)

Tempest (42 AP)

Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows, Whirlwind
Improved Reaction III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Improved Dodge III, Whirling Blades
Storm Dancer, Improved Mobility III, Whirling Blades
Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
Dual Perfection, Cuts: A Thousand Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III

Deepwood Stalker (25 AP)

Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Exposing Strike, Advanced Sneak Attack
Favored Defense I, Stealthy III
Survivalist, Melee/Range Power Boost III
Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III, Favored Hunter III
Survivalist, Killer II

Harper Agent (12 AP)

Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Versatile Adept II, Know the Angles III
Strategic Combat

Human (1 AP)

Damage Boost

Leveling Guide

Hrp0 Agent of Good I; Hrp1 Strategic Combat
Hrp1 Harper Enchantment; Hrp2 Versatile Adept I, II; Hrp2 Know the Angles I
Hrp2 Know the Angles II, III; Hrp3 Strategic Combat
Hum0 Damage Boost; Tem0 Shield of Whirling Steel; Tem1 Whirling Blades
Tem1 Improved Reaction I, II; Tem0 Tempest
Tem2 Whirling Blades; Tem2 Improved Parry I, II, III
Tem2 Improved Dodge I, II; Tem3 Storm Dancer
Tem0 Graceful Death; Tem3 Whirling Blades; Tem3 Improved Mobility I
Tem3 Improved Mobility II; Tem4 Whirling Blades; Tem4 The Growing Storm I
Tem4 The Growing Storm II, III; Tem4 Storm Tempest
Tem1 Improved Reaction III; Tem2 Improved Dodge III; Tem3 Improved Mobility III; (Bank 1 AP)
Tem5 Dual Perfection; Tem5 Dance of Death I, II, III
Tem5 Whirling Blades; Tem5 Cuts: A Thousand Cuts I, II
Tem0 Deflect Arrows; Tem5 Cuts: A Thousand Cuts III; DS0 Far Shot; DS1 Stealthy I
DS1 Stealthy II, III; DS1 Favored Defense I; DS0 Sneak Attack
DS2 Melee/Range Power Boost I, II, III
DS2 Survivalist; DS0 Exposing Strike; DS3 Survivalist
DS3 Thrill of the Hunt I, II, III; DS3 Favored Hunter I
DS3 Favored Hunter II, III; DS0 Advanced Sneak Attack
DS4 Survivalist; Tem0 Whirlwind; DS4 Killer I, II


Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
Constitution
Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III
Volcano's Edge
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz

Twists of Fate (14 fate points)

Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
Lithe (Tier 2 Shadowdancer)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

Feats: after the obvious melee DPS feats are out of the way, I chose to invest in ranged DPS (PBS, IC:Ranged, Doubleshot) then survivability boosts: Dodge+Mobility, Insightful + Epic Reflexes, Epic DR, and Quicken+Emp Heal. I went for Dire Charge even though I'm not sure I can get DCs high enough; otherwise I would've taken Embodiment of Order. I went with Scion of Plane of Earth for the +20 PRR and 2d20 acid dmg; I also maxed out Spellcraft to boost Spellpower. Of course, Arborea is a viable alternative, esp. if you don't want to have to deal with slotting acid Spellpower; or Limbo if you like a little randomness in your life.

EDIT: in order to afford to max out Imp Dodge + Mobility w/out gimping my other PrEs, I skipped Tempest Haste Boost (picking it up from LD). I also skipped Elaborate Parry + Evasive Dance, counting on Insightful + Epic Reflexes to hit no-fail territory (I hope).

Another option for heroic leveling: pick up heavy repeater prof early on, invest mostly in DWS, and PEWPEWPEW your way thru early leveling until you're ready to switch to Tempest full-time. Then you can swap repeater prof for one of your other feats.

[EllisDee37]

Posting here in response to a request in another thread: INT-based variant using Harper. Might as well keep all the Tempest Trapmonkeys in one place, eh?

Sure, the more the merrier.

Just as an FYI, post 4 includes several flavor variants: dex-based elf, strength-based dwarf, and int-based drow w/harper.

[Felicious]

I haven't played in several years and my main character is a Tempest Trapmonkey but has a level of monk instead of fighter (Drow 9 Ranger,1 Rogue, 1 Monk) . I am wondering what the difference the fighter level makes and if a series of updates has made the monk splash not work anymore. Also, I see a new Harper set of abilities that seems interesting. As far as play style, I mostly solo adventure and I prefer TWF, with some ranged when necessary. Also, I love playing a versatile class that can deal with traps and chests. For equipment I have a bunch of different rapiers and a few different bows. Since I've last played, they updated the enhancement system so I have 44 action points to spend so I'm a little confused. Thanks for anyones help.

[Daliena]

I haven't played in several years and my main character is a Tempest Trapmonkey but has a level of monk instead of fighter (Drow 9 Ranger,1 Rogue, 1 Monk) . I am wondering what the difference the fighter level makes and if a series of updates has made the monk splash not work anymore. Also, I see a new Harper set of abilities that seems interesting. As far as play style, I mostly solo adventure and I prefer TWF, with some ranged when necessary. Also, I love playing a versatile class that can deal with traps and chests. For equipment I have a bunch of different rapiers and a few different bows. Since I've last played, they updated the enhancement system so I have 44 action points to spend so I'm a little confused. Thanks for anyones help.

Well, if you played drow tempest before Harper, I'm guessing you went with dexterity as your primary stat? In which case I can from personal experience warmly recommend the elf variant (Dex with scimitars) in post #4 on page one as at least a basic guideline until folks with more expertise can provide a bit more in-depth advice. A few hiccups here and there with the will save before I got some buffs going to deal with it, but other than that it's served me nicely to level 18 so far.

[Felicious]

My base stats for my Drow Tempest are STR-16 DEX-16 CON-12 INT-16 WIS-12 CHA-10. It looks like I have a +2 Tome bonus and I have a extra +2 to STR and +6 to WIS by an item or other effect. Still curious how much of a difference the monk splash is from the fighter splash.

[unbongwah]

Still curious how much of a difference the monk splash is from the fighter splash.

Not much: you get a free feat either way. The old Exploiter approach of wearing pajamas is dead and you can't take Kensei Haste Boost, but otherwise it works out basically the same.

[Felicious]

Thanks for the replies. So I mostly have robes and if they don't do much, what kind of equipment should I be working to get for an 11th level Tempest at this time? I apologize, like I said, I haven't played for quite some time so I'm out of the loop.

[unbongwah]

So I mostly have robes and if they don't do much, what kind of equipment should I be working to get for an 11th level Tempest at this time? I apologize, like I said, I haven't played for quite some time so I'm out of the loop.

Well, you can consult ED37's gear recommendation here. My suggestions for ML:10-12 gear would be:

Body: giantcraft leather (farm Gianthold wilderness for relics)
Head: Minos Legens (farm Orchard wilderness for tapestries)
Back: Cloak of Invisibility (can be solo-farmed via ED37's walkthru)

I'd probably just search for random lootgen for your stat mods (STR, CON, etc.) since you should be able to find +6 gear that's ML:11. [In the interim you can use +4 stat potions or wands.] You'll also want Resistance, False Life, and Speed items.

If you want to stick with rapiers, a pair of Tyrra's Bane would be great, although farming Invaders! is...not fun. Otherwise, Fell Rapier and/or air rapier would be my choices. In a few levels, Turbulent Epees are easy to acquire and make decent universal DR-breakers.

[HorusHorace]

I too am a returning player, and my build (so far) is 13 Ranger/2 Fighter/2 Rogue for the extra feat from fighter and extra SA damage from rogue 3, because back then ranger didn't offer much beyond 15 and the build was feat-tight. I plan on using my old +20 LR item at 18 to go to 16/1/1, but I had a few questions:

1) Is Precision better than Power Attack if I don't plan on raiding/doing many EE quests? PA seems pretty marginal at higher levels but I'm not sure Precision's to hit bonus and fort reduction is much better, but I couldn't find anything on google.

2) Since I'll be LRing at 18 and will pick up Quicken Spell at that level, would it be worth it to drop Concentration and focus on Open Lock/Heal instead?

3) What feat would anyone recommend over the dragonmark? I play a stealthy build so my AP are really tight due to taking stealth enhancements in the Assassin tree. Maybe Two Weapon Defense for the 5 PRR, freeing up an epic feat later on?

Thanks again to EllisDee47 (and unbongwah!) for all the effort you guys put into your guides and for helping folks on the forum.

EDIT: Downloaded Ellis' handy dandy character builder and came up with the following:

New Build18/1/1 Ranger/Fighter/Rogue
Chaotic Good Human




Level Order


1. Rogue . . . . . 6. Ranger. . . . .11. Ranger. . . . .16. Ranger
2. Ranger . . . . .7. Ranger . . . . 12. Ranger . . . . 17. Ranger
3. Ranger . . . . .8. Ranger . . . . 13. Ranger . . . . 18. Ranger
4. Fighter . . . . 9. Ranger. . . . .14. Ranger. . . . .19. Ranger
5. Ranger . . . . 10. Ranger . . . . 15. Ranger . . . . 20. Ranger




Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 16. . . .+2. . . .4: STR
Dexterity . . . 14. . . .+2. . . .8: STR
Constitution. . 14. . . .+2. . . 12: STR
Intelligence. . 14. . . .+2. . . 16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . .+2. . . 20: STR
Charisma. . . . .8. . . . . . . .




Skills
. . . . .Rg Rn Rn Fi Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn Rn
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . 2 .1 .1 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 2. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Disable . 4 .1 .1 .½. 1. 1. 1. 1½ 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .23
Search. . 4 .1 .1 . . 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spot. . . 4 .1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Hide. . . 4 .1 .1 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Move Si . 4 .1 .1 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 4 .1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Jump. . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .10
Open Lo . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Balance . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 .9 .9 .5. 9. 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10




Feats


.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.1 Human. : Dodge
.2 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.3. . . . : Precision
.4 Fighter: Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
.6. . . . : Two Weapon Defense
.7 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Construct
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Ranged
12 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
15. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
17 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
18. . . . : Quicken Spell




Spells


Ranger

Ram's Might, Resist Energy, Jump, Camouflage
Protection from Energy, Barkskin, Cure Light Wounds
Cure Moderate Wounds, Wild Instincts
Cure Serious Wounds, Freedom of Movement



Enhancements (80 AP)


Tempest (42 AP)

Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows, Whirlwind
Improved Reaction III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Improved Dodge III, Whirling Blades, Haste Boost III
Storm Dancer, Whirling Blades
Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
Dual Perfection, Cuts: A Thousand Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III

Deepwood Stalker (27 AP)

Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Exposing Strike, Advanced Sneak Attack
Favored Defense III, Stealthy III, Increased Empathy III, Versatile Empathy II
Survivalist
Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III
Survivalist, Killer III

Assassin (6 AP)

Knife in the Darkness
Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III

Human (5 AP)

Damage Boost, Strength
Improved Recovery

I remember awhile back that Open Lock was basically a worthless skill. I guess that changed? If so I'll consider dropping some points from Hide since I'm running Camouflage as a spell. I'm also not super happy with the feats, as two weapon defense seems pretty meh.

[Daliena]

1) Is Precision better than Power Attack if I don't plan on raiding/doing many EE quests? PA seems pretty marginal at higher levels but I'm not sure Precision's to hit bonus and fort reduction is much better, but I couldn't find anything on google.

To respond to a part I am somewhat familiar with, I haven't tried PA but Precision is nice because I do believe it lets you bypass natural fortification (to some degree, 35% with Precision and Advanced Sneak Attack from DWS) on some irritating critters like undead, constructs and the like. Wiki claims sneak attack won't still apply (And I won't argue with my feeble understanding of the mechanics), but bringing some crits to the table is still helpful.

On another note, while there is a small 'helpful gear' list for the strength variant, any chance we might see such for the int/dex variants as well? Lootgen is nice nowadays, of course, but random as it is it'd be good to know if there are any more 'concrete' pieces to look for as well.

[Warsun]

Thank you EllisDee37 for all your work on this, and thanks to the other contributors to the thread as well.
I recently returned to DDO; finding quality guides like this have made getting back into the game much easier.

Cheers

[Aserwil]

First of all I have to state that I am a new f2p player (just like those the post is for them ). I played for a little while back in 2014, without understading anything about this game, so I may not understand things and therefore write stupid stuff. One more reason that will probably drive you insane is my bad English. S

Anyway, I looked at this thread and the other one posted here, and as I see it (doesn't mean much) the main difference until level 20 is the ranged options. Well, the basic ranger abilities are fine for my playing style, and I would like to know how can I maximize my dps as a melee fighter.

So here are some basic questions:
Should I take power attack as was suggested in the old post, or Precision as suggested here?
Why were the Oversized Two Weapon Fighting, Mobility and Spring Attack feats removed?
Is the Dragonmark really worths it?
I understand that the Toughness feat is no good these days. Is there another way, a better one, to get more HP?

Thank you.

[Grailhawk]

So here are some basic questions:
Should I take power attack as was suggested in the old post, or Precision as suggested here?

Precision > Power Attack IMO, but if you can fit both and are willing to swap when its appropriate (If your missing on anything other then a 1 Precision > Power Attack, if you are only missing on a 1 and mob has 0% fortification Power Attakc > Precision) that's a better option.

Why were the Oversized Two Weapon Fighting, Mobility and Spring Attack feats removed?

Back in 2010 those feat were required to take the Tempest enhancements that's not the case today.

Is the Dragonmark really worths it?

IMO its not worth it, I would rather spend the AP on better DPS enhancements and the feat can be used for other thing. But if you're just playing the TR grind DDoor can open up a few quests as for TR grind that are available if you don't have it (though theres a level 11 hireling that can be used for that ...).

I understand that the Toughness feat is no good these days. Is there another way, a better one, to get more HP?

IMO toughness is still worth it is just not so OP as it was back in the 20 cap days when every one needed it. IMO 1 or 2 toughness aren't a bad choice on a Ranger the class isn't feat starved and most the time it comes down to a choice of Toughness for more HP vs Weapon Focus for more DPS.