Chop-Chop the Dwarven Axedancer - (Ranger 2/Monk 10/Fighter 8)

[Caliban]

I like playing dwarves and was looking for something that capitalized on the dwarven racial enhancements and bonuses, and came up with this.


Basic concept is a dwarf who dual wields dwarven waraxes, using his Con for damage and Dex for attack, while remaining centered and in Mountain Stance.

It's probably not the most optimized build, but it has a large amount of HP, high fort and reflex saves, Evasion at lvl 4, and Improved Evasion at lvl 19.

Downsides - relatively low str and wis mean that tactical feats like Stunning Blow, Improved Sunder, and Improved Trip aren't worth taking, and his Will save isn't going to be that high. Also, until he can take the two Tier 5 enhancements that make the build work (Throw your Weight Around and One with the Blade, plus at least 1 point in Ninja Spy), his DPS will be a bit mediocre.

I've got the basic build down, but am open to refinements or suggestions, especially for gear and enhancements (other than the ones needed for the basic build).

Currently I'm using a second life character to test it out - originally an axe and shield fighter, so he has a collection of dwarven waraxes to use while leveling.

Note: When TR'ing this build, you can change the lvl 20 level to Fighter instead of Monk if you want a Fighter Past life instead of a Monk past life.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.03
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Morin Stonebreaker
Level 20 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(8 Fighter \ 10 Monk \ 2 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 438
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 17\17\22\27\27
Fortitude: 26
Reflex: 20
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             11                    14
Dexterity            17                    22
Constitution         20                    30
Intelligence          8                    11
Wisdom               10                    13
Charisma              6                     9

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    26
Bluff                -2                    -1
Concentration         9                    35
Diplomacy            -2                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -2                    -1
Heal                  0                     1
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate           -2                    -1
Jump                  4                    18
Listen                0                     1
Move Silently         3                     7
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search                3                     7
Spellcraft           -1                     0
Spot                  4                    12
Swim                  0                     2
Tumble                4                     9
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting


Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness


Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Adept of Forms
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Weapon Defense


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


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


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Master of Forms


Level 13 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness


Level 14 (Monk)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Throw Your Weight Around (Axes) (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Spiritual Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike With No Thought (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Attack Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Attack Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Improved Dodge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Improved Dodge (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Improved Dodge (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Weapon Meditation (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Weapon Meditation (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Shattering Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Shattering Strike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Critical Damage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - A Good Death (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Keen Edge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - One With The Blade (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Deadly Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 17 (Monk)


Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Grandmaster of Forms


Level 19 (Monk)


Level 20 (Monk)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Shield of Whirling Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Ki Shout (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Fists of Iron (Rank 1)

[Bumbaragum]

So... Oversized two weapon fighting doesnt have much use, Getting Adept of Forms as a monk who will level up to at least level 6 is useless since they get it for free.

Why dex instead of strenght for to hit? Why dont you start with higher str and 14 dex (plus your 3 tomes to qualify for GTW)

I have somewhat a similiar build with throw your weight around with TWF. And its only viable to use it after level 11. Up to that point I used Two Handers, I'm all in favor about min maxers (or not), but I'm unable to level an ineficient character into higher levels. Its like you're taking a sorc/wiz and using carnifex and heavy armor till you're 12.

[Caliban]

So... Oversized two weapon fighting doesnt have much use

It's useful at the lower levels when you have a low Str and a -2 instead of a -4 can actually make a difference. After that, retrain it for Deflect Arrows.

Getting Adept of Forms as a monk who will level up to at least level 6 is useless since they get it for free.

Didn't see a way to not take it and still be able to take Master of forms at lvl 12 or 15, which means I wouldn't be able to take Grandmaster at lvl 18.

Why dex instead of strength for to hit? Why dont you start with higher str and 14 dex (plus your 3 tomes to qualify for GTW)

I like having a higher Reflex save and AC, especially since the Wis isn't going to be high.

[unbongwah]

First off, monk 10 gets you nothing, AFAICT; whereas rgr 3 would let you add another +10% offhand from Tempest for 100% total w/Deft Strikes. That's a no-brainer on a build like this, IMHO.

Second, while DEX-to-dmg is a clever idea, to-hit ain't worth what it used to be; and finding a way to squeeze in Overwhelming Crit would be swell, even / esp. on a CON-based build.

Third, skip Adept of Forms (free w/monk lvl 6), OTWF, Mobility, Toughness, and TWD; in their place I would add Cleave, GC, PBS, Manyshot, and Zen Archery.

I was thinking something like this:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.03
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 Lawful Neutral Dwarf Female
(8 Fighter \ 9 Monk \ 3 Ranger \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 563
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 17\17\22\27\27
Fortitude: 25
Reflex: 14
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             16                    25
Dexterity            14                    17
Constitution         20                    30
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom               10                    13
Charisma              6                     8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               2                    21
Bluff                -2                     7
Concentration         9                    41
Diplomacy            -2                     7
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -2                     7
Heal                  4                    25
Hide                  2                    11
Intimidate           -2                     7
Jump                  7                    21
Listen                0                     9
Move Silently         2                    11
Open Lock             n/a                  n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair               -1                     8
Search               -1                    10
Spellcraft           -1                     8
Spot                  4                    13
Swim                  3                    15
Tumble                n/a                  14
Use Magic Device      0                    18

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Heal (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Precision


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Heal (+6)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Heal (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Zen Archery


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Master of Forms


Level 19 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Dwarven Runes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Axe Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Dwarf - Throw Your Weight Around (Axes) (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Spiritual Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike With No Thought (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Reed in the Wind (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Weapon Meditation (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Shattering Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Axes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Keen Edge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - One With The Blade (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Deadly Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Protection from Tainted Creatures (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Hand (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Deft Strikes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Iron Skin (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Shield of Whirling Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Tempest (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Whirling Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Shadow Veil (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Fists of Iron (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Grandmaster of Forms


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Elusive Target

Reflex saves & Dodge bonus are a bit lower, but the upsides are better melee DPS (both single-target & AoE) and ranged burst DPS thanks to Manyshot+Bow STR. APs are really tight, but I squeezed in the must-haves, namely the Kensei pre-reqs, 100% offhand (Deft Strikes + Tempest), TYWA, and Shadow Form. I used the few remaining APs for +10% heal amp +20 Pos Spellpower from Shintao core, +1d6 SA +10 Pos Spellpower from DWS, and Iron Skin (+5 PRR).

Skills: I was able to max out Concentration & UMD, with 16 ranks of Heal (boosts Pos spellpower).

EDIT: for weapons I would use greataxes (Carnifex FTW!) until you hit lvl 12, at which point you can switch to dwarven axes.

[Caliban]

Well, that build requires a +5 str tome that I don't have and doesn't get Grandmaster of forms, so only +3 con from mountain stance instead of +4.

The character I'm using for this has +3 tomes on all stats but that's it. The 3rd level of ranger is a good idea, unless I want past life fighter when I TR again, in which case I need lvl 20 to be fighter 9.

Don't really see the point of the ranged feats, to be honest. And losing 6 points off Reflex saves is more than "a bit lower", in my opinion. Evasion doesn't do you much good if you can't reliably make the saves. But you do make several good points that I'll try incorporating when I TR him again.

Edit - just realized that your build has Grandmaster at lvl 21. I plan on Heroic TR'ing this character a few times, so wasn't really looking at anything past lvl 20.

[elg582]

9/8/3 is definitely the better split.

Throw your weight around is terrible; you need 23 STR for overwhelming critical and TYWA costs a ton of AP that you need elsewhere. Maybe on a melee healer, but not a pure melee.

I wouldn't take the ranged feats on this build, either, so take master of forms at 15 and GM at 18. If you want ranged, go Elf, high DEX and 8/6/6.

Personally, I prefer the hammer and pick option; there just aren't any really good axes in the game, but one good pick and several quite nice hammers.