Gingerspyce's caster/healer/quasi-tank build

[Bernaise]

That's some amazingly thoughtful feedback. I had a lot of points I wanted to respond to, but haven't had time to sit down to do so. Much comes down to playstyle.

When thinking up a new character, the intention is more of what it's context of play will be and to design an effective build and less concern about min/max. The druid I want to play will fulfill the roles in order;
1: Healer; I've played an AoE healer before in other games, so know how it should work
2: Spell DPS; Bringing some DPS punch is great to have if you're not the only healing in a group
3: Durable; Tank would imply that I want to stand in the center of mobs, I'd rather not. Durable-yes, Tanking-meh

I'm not trying to solo all the content, some people want to prove they can do it all, I'm not that interested in that. The idea of switching between heal and dps as needed is very appealing, and nobody likes a dead healer so durability is important. I'm not interested in Tanking for this character, it's not her job.

Druids; Used to play PnP D&D back in 2nd Edition, so really not into the Shapechanger fluff. That being said, I will make use of the Water or Fire form which makes some sense as I'll be playing a pure caster. I wanted to focus mostly on one aspect, so wasn't planning on investing into wolf/bear.

Capstone; The only loss here is the +2 Wisdom as the rest either doesn't apply to my build or is too wonky for me to care about; Changing season perks & bonuses for Conjuration/Transmutation spells isn't much of a selling point.

In response to a few points;
Shortly after posting, I decided it was worth keeping 18 Druid/2 Cleric. Gave serious thought to splashing either Fighter or Wizard, but decided to keep the +10 PRR and Inflame Skill that comes from Cleric [2]. I like multi-classing when it makes sense to a character concept, but I don't multi just for min/max reasons. You'll not likely see me ever splash Monk.

Heavy Armor; Having taken Cleric levels, this freed up the Feat slot for Epic DR
Inflame; It's an Area of Affect Bonus, so everyone gets +4 to Attack, AC, and Damage

Spell Penetration; Used to be really important for casters. I'm coming back after time off, so thinking on this seems to have changed.

UMD; Not a skill I ever intend to use. Wish they never included it in the game as UMD (IMHO) does nothing but break down the barriers between classes making class choices less thoughtful and grouping less important. Just my opinion.

This is IMO one of the better build threads I've seen. Thumbs up community

[imblo99]

(I'm not trying to solo all the content, some people want to prove they can do it all), I'm not that interested in that. The idea of switching between heal and dps as needed is very appealing, and nobody likes a dead healer so durability is important. I'm not interested in Tanking for this character, it's not her job.

UMD; Not a skill I ever intend to use. Wish they never included it in the game as UMD (IMHO) does nothing but break down the barriers between classes making class choices less thoughtful and grouping less important. Just my opinion.

This is IMO one of the better build threads I've seen. Thumbs up community

Wow dude U sound angry about something! I play late nites and solo because there no one around not to prove anything just so I can play.

UMD is part of some builds like rogues that is why they get 1 for 1 point in umd it not breaking anything some builds its needed others its not, man U need to chill different strokes for different folks, live and let live and all that jazz.

It's great U like the build, I do too I actually built it with his help. Can't u say something nice without ripping everyone else down, I can't tell if u just hate the world or what? but U should really take something for that. Let folks live for pete sake!


Hate post just flood posts with useless fighting then the next guy has to sort thru all the BS to find the useful information. It not going to help this post if 20 more peps see your post and respond and stuff like what u said gets folks going and not in a good way. Think before U post if u want to rant start a thread and have at it just don't spoil someone elses post with rage rant. I mean I not one to say much I love a good rant but in my own post.

I probably should have nothing here to and hope that no one seen the post but this a great thread I hope it stays like that

That it dont bother to respond really I wont read it anyway I won't perpetuate the drama

Have a nice day "-)

[Zachski]

...What?

I didn't really see anything angry in that post at all.

[Vooduspyce]

...What?

I didn't really see anything angry in that post at all.

seemed like a legit response to me

[imblo99]

...What?

I didn't really see anything angry in that post at all.

Look now that I removed the rest. Most of the post was just that complementing the build but the part I left in seems head toward a bit of a rant that was the part I was commenting on anyway it was late so maybe I seen it wrong my apologies if i did.

[Bernaise]

Look now that I removed the rest. Most of the post was just that complementing the build but the part I left in seems head toward a bit of a rant that was the part I was commenting on anyway it was late so maybe I seen it wrong my apologies if i did.

No worries, I wasn't ranting and no offense taken as I can understand why you might have thought it was. A page or two back posted a detailed build I was working on that is different from the OPs. The recent post of mine was in part to detail why I didn't or wouldn't invest in certain build directions as it goes against the way that I prefer to play the game. Not looking to solo Epic Elite content, no UMD, etc..
It wasn't meant to judge the way others play, but to explain some of the choices made when designing my own build.

[Dreadmaster1993]

what about shield deflection, and tower shield feat, do they fit in?
like replacement for compl, or toughness(21hp isnt mutch)

shield deflection gives like 40% reduced dmg from elements (with is the only thing able to kill u in heroics)

tower shields for more tankyness, and wielding more different shields

[Vooduspyce]

what about shield deflection, and tower shield feat, do they fit in?
like replacement for compl, or toughness(21hp isnt mutch)

shield deflection gives like 40% reduced dmg from elements (with is the only thing able to kill u in heroics)

tower shields for more tankyness, and wielding more different shields

Druids cannot use metal shields, so the only tower shield worth using, to my knowledge, is the Madstone Aegis which already grants tower shield proficiency when equipped. I also really like the Dethek Runestone for druid, which is just a large shield.

But Generally speaking you definitely could mix this build around to include those. Note that you can't lose Toughness without also losing Epic Toughness (Toughness is a pre-req), but those 2 are an option. It's also easy to lose the Empower Healing feat if a player is not interested in doing as much party healing.

[Panzermeyer]

what about shield deflection, and tower shield feat, do they fit in?
like replacement for compl, or toughness(21hp isnt mutch)

shield deflection gives like 40% reduced dmg from elements (with is the only thing able to kill u in heroics)

tower shields for more tankyness, and wielding more different shields

I believe Toughness is just as the pre-requ for Epic Toughness.

Personally my build does not take toughness or epic toughness, I never feel worried about HP.
Shield deflection sounds interesting, particularly for the fire dragon raid.

However I would not bother with Tower Shield as the two best endgame shields, one is a large shield and the other offers tower shield as a proficiency for already having it.

Also the coming u23 changes to armor, are going to make this build an even bigger tank brute.

[Panzermeyer]

But Generally speaking you definitely could mix this build around to include those. Note that you can't lose Toughness without also losing Epic Toughness (Toughness is a pre-req), but those 2 are an option. It's also easy to lose the Empower Healing feat if a player is not interested in doing as much party healing.

Yea my version of this build does not take Empower, Toughness or Epic Toughness. I am quite happy. I sit around somewhere around 1150 HP while in Stand against the Tide and 1350 in the other US Stance.

Cannot remember off the top of my head what I all I take in it's place.

I know I have Enlarge (Being able to cast those SLA's before line of site is established and will doing other stuff, I find just too useful.) and I take Heighten. Not sure what the other 3rd I swap out is.

But I definitely play as a caster that tanks, that can heal when needed.

[apekzz]

Hey all..
Just wanna drop by and say very awesome videos. So awesome tat ive decided to TR my Sorc into this.
Currently on live im gettin as much gear as possible b4 i TR..

Here is my build.
Comments/Critics/Suggestions are all greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.20.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 True Neutral Human Male
(20 Druid \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 420
Spell Points: 1675 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 7
Will: 24

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength              8                    13
Dexterity             8                    13
Constitution         16                    22
Intelligence         10                    15
Wisdom               18                    35
Charisma             14                    19

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 2
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 2
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 2
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 2
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 2
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 2
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 6
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 6
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 6
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 6
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 6
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 10
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 10
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 10
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 10
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 10
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 10
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 14
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14
+4 Tome of Constitution used at level 14
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 14
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 14
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 14
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19
+5 Tome of Dexterity used at level 19
+5 Tome of Constitution used at level 19
+5 Tome of Intelligence used at level 19
+5 Tome of Wisdom used at level 19
+5 Tome of Charisma used at level 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance              -1                    19
Bluff                 2                    13
Concentration         7                    41
Diplomacy             2                    13
Disable Device        n/a                  n/a
Haggle                2                    13
Heal                  8                    45
Hide                 -1                    10
Intimidate            6                    39
Jump                 -1                    10
Listen                4                    21
Move Silently        -1                    10
Open Lock            n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                  n/a
Repair                0                    12
Search                0                    11
Spellcraft            4                    34
Spot                  4                    22
Swim                 -1                    10
Tumble               n/a                   11
Use Magic Device      4                    24

Level 1 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Human Bonus) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer


Level 2 (Druid)


Level 3 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell


Level 4 (Druid)


Level 5 (Druid)


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


Level 7 (Druid)


Level 8 (Druid)


Level 9 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 10 (Druid)


Level 11 (Druid)


Level 12 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Enlarge Spell


Level 13 (Druid)


Level 14 (Druid)


Level 15 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery


Level 16 (Druid)


Level 17 (Druid)


Level 18 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 19 (Druid)


Level 20 (Druid)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Cold


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Heavy Armor Proficiency


Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Elusive Target
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Spell Power Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Saves Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Focused (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Don't Count Me Out (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Self-Sufficient (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Skill Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Heroism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Greater Heroism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Seasoned (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Time (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Tide (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Sunburst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Storm of Vengeance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Hierophant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Season's Greetings: Winter (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Beguile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Beguile (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Beguile (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Negotiator (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Negotiator (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Negotiator (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Improved Metamagic: Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Improved Metamagic: Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Improved Metamagic: Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Produce Flame (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Produce Flame (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Produce Flame (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Creeping Cold (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Creeping Cold (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Creeping Cold (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Spring Resurgence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Spring Resurgence (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Spring Resurgence (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Autumnal Susurrus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Autumnal Susurrus (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Autumnal Susurrus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Call Lightning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Call Lightning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Call Lightning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Crown of Summer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Word of Balance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Word of Balance (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Word of Balance (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Time and Tide (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Strength of the Solstice (Rank 1)

[Vooduspyce]

Hey all..
Just wanna drop by and say very awesome videos. So awesome tat ive decided to TR my Sorc into this.
Currently on live im gettin as much gear as possible b4 i TR..

Here is my build.
Comments/Critics/Suggestions are all greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Hi Apekzz,

I'm glad you enjoy the videos, I really appreciate hearing from ppl that watch them!

Looks like you're following the build almost to the letter, just swapping out the toughness feats for more caster-focused feats. The only suggestion I have is that there's no need to take heighten so early at L3. Take SF:Evocation at 3 instead and then take Heighten at L9, which is where you currently have SF:evo. You also will not have the need or the spell pool to use both Maximize and Empower at level 1, so you might want to do some more re-arranging so that you can take feats at L1 that you will benefit from right away. Running so many metas may be tight on a druid, be sure to be selective on which spells to have them on for.

I hope you will enjoy playing this build!

[Panzermeyer]

Hi Apekzz,

I'm glad you enjoy the videos, I really appreciate hearing from ppl that watch them!

Looks like you're following the build almost to the letter, just swapping out the toughness feats for more caster-focused feats. The only suggestion I have is that there's no need to take heighten so early at L3. Take SF:Evocation at 3 instead and then take Heighten at L9, which is where you currently have SF:evo. You also will not have the need or the spell pool to use both Maximize and Empower at level 1, so you might want to do some more re-arranging so that you can take feats at L1 that you will benefit from right away. Running so many metas may be tight on a druid, be sure to be selective on which spells to have them on for.

I hope you will enjoy playing this build!

I definitely concur. Particularly since you will be mostly melee for the first half dozen levels.

But even on my capped Druid. I have Enlarge, Empower, Maximize, Heighten, and Quicken. Quicken is the only Meta I run all the time. I have the other Metas set for always on my SLA's. Quicken is always off for my buffs. Other than that I typically only use the metas on boss fights or before shrines. It is way easy to blow through your SP pool with meta's running. And typically you should get your super big boosts to your spell pool till after 20. So watch your usage.

[Caprice]

I agree on taking SF:Evo before Heighten but I'll disagree slightly on Max & Empower. I took both early so that I could have them for the SLAs the moment they became available and that worked well for me. You can pick up the first points in the Creeping Cold SLA during level 3 and having both +spellpower feats by then basically means both SLAs 1-shot most trash and Creeping Cold will kill or reduce most bosses to a sliver of HP by the time it runs its full course. Nature's Warrior is probably better to start but it's a bit weak at low levels too so I don't feel like I lost much by skipping it.

My build is only at 9 now but even as a max caster build and rocking the SLAs I am still spending almost all of my time in Wolf form and meleeing a lot. The SLA cooldowns for Druid are 8 seconds at best, which is longer than for Sorceror SLAs (4-6 seconds) or most Wizard SLAs (4-6 with some 10-15 for AoEs) so I feel like I cannot rely on them as much on a Druid. In addition Produce Flame has such a slow missile speed that enemies can "outrun" it or block it on obstacles, further reducing its reliability. I am also a big fan of the runspeed boost in Wolf form which is nice both in and out of combat.

Once you hit level 7 you can pair the Freedom of Movement buff with Sleet Storm things get silly easy for a while. Enemies in the storm will try to run away from the effect, but they are slowed and can be knocked down, and when they leave they will happily reenter it to try to attack you again and immediately turn and run out again. Meanwhile the unresistable Blind effect on the Storm means that your (Winter) Wolf form attacks and your wolf pet get free sneak attacks so you do even more damage than usual. If you were lucky enough to get a Flask of FoM from the anniversary event you probably can start doing that at 5. I expect that I will keep doing this for a while rather than switch to more spellcasting-focused play since it is so effective and SP efficient.

IMO the main reason to use Flame Blade at low levels, even while in an animal form, is that you can use your WIS modifier for attacks and damage rather than STR. That's a swing from +0 (-1 base, but Ram's Might raises it) to +4, which I find to be worthwhile. Even if you are using Mastercrafted items you won't be able to equal that until level 4.

[Vooduspyce]

Based on some feedback, as well as a project I've been wanting to do, I made a series of videos to demonstrate the first-life viability of this build. The series is designed as a guide for the build and for people that are newer to druids.

For the project I made a new toon "Scaryspyce" and leveled her to 20, soloing everything on elite, including some of the most difficult heroic content. All videos are on my Youtube channel. In each video I go over what the gear set, spells, enhancements and feats look like for each level. It was a fun challenge!

Level 3: Solo elite Misery's Peak
Level 6: Solo elite Proof is in the poison
Level 8: How to solo Circles of Power Cannith Challenge
Level 9: Solo elite Gwylan's Stand
Level 11: Solo elite Von 3
Level 12: Solo elite Tempest's Spine with the wolf tanking Sorjek like a champ!
Level 13: Solo elite Offering of Blood
Level 14: Solo elite Framework
Level 14: Solo elite Against the Demon Queen
Level 14: Solo elite DQ raid
Level 16: How to solo elite Inferno of the Damned
Level 16: How to solo elite Madstone Crater
Level 16: Solo elite Reaver's Fate (the wolf survives!)
Level 17: How to solo elite Litany of the Dead
Level 18: How to solo elite Coalescence Chamber
Level 18: Solo elite Running with the Devils
Level 19: Solo elite Sins of Attrition
Level 19: How to solo the end fight in New Invasion
Level 19: Solo elite Murder by Night
Level 23: Solo epic elite Offering of Blood

[imblo99]

Well I got my little guy to 5 today let see if it get a bit better just wondering at level 5 what spells would be best and she just got her crono gear set and is the bear better than the wolfs form?

[Vooduspyce]

Well I got my little guy to 5 today let see if it get a bit better just wondering at level 5 what spells would be best and she just got her crono gear set and is the bear better than the wolfs form?

Definitely call lightning. After than it's your call. Generally you're using animal forms for meleeing so go wolf. You'll eventually get all forms anyway. You can check out my solo elite proof is in the poison video to see how it plays and what the gear set can look like around that level.

[mistalley]

Hi, gingerspyce, I am a fan of your recent video series "first life druid solo". Its really nice that you explain everything so clear, especially with gear selection.

So, I am wondering if you can post the gear layout for every level here ?or every 4 levels )?It's easier to search here than in video. Thank you

[Vooduspyce]

Hi, gingerspyce, I am a fan of your recent video series "first life druid solo". Its really nice that you explain everything so clear, especially with gear selection.

So, I am wondering if you can post the gear layout for every level here ?or every 4 levels )?It's easier to search here than in video. Thank you

Thanks Mistalley I'm glad you like the vids! The gearing that I go over in each video is largely a suggestion or an example of what you can use at each level. I may embark on a project to itemize the gear in each video, but for now you'll be glad to know that I go over gear at the beginning of each video so it's easy to find and you don't have to search for it

[pappo]

Thanks Mistalley I'm glad you like the vids! The gearing that I go over in each video is largely a suggestion or an example of what you can use at each level. I may embark on a project to itemize the gear in each video, but for now you'll be glad to know that I go over gear at the beginning of each video so it's easy to find and you don't have to search for it

I also want to thank you for the video's. I can see now that my gear is way to random for the build. I only have the lvl 8 Frozen Tunic, no Invulnerability Shield.

I leveled so fast with this build I didn't stop to take time to make the gear. I have an Arti with crafting levels in the 60's so there is no excuse for me not making good gear.

A few questions...
1. How high of a level do you craft the Frozen Tunic, Cloak of Flames, and Bracers of Air ?
2. Would it make sense to make a set for each stage since I plan to TR my Gingerspyce build to another pure Druid ?
3. In your Gwylan's video. In the beginning when you got a big group of bad guys together, what that Solid Fog and Sleet Storm you cast, or Ice Storm ?
4. How often do you fight in Winter Wolf form ?
5. When I TR my Druid, I would like to try a Druid using more animal form melee. Can I cast all the Druid SLA's, (Flame, Creeping and Lightning) while in wolf form.

I have lots more questions but will hold them for another time.

Thanks very much for this build... +1