New to the world of Roguery... and DDO really.

[Overtoof]

Hello. I was once, many moons ago, a bard. Back in the days of yore when things seemed very different (ie near launch). Then I went away, and didn;t come back. But now I've returned to a new account and decided to give a rogue a try. Things seem good and fun. But I was wondering what to do really, and whether I could make things more fun.

I fancy playing a rogue, for sure. I like them. I play with a cleric usually (Warpriest kinda thing, with some heals as needed of course) so that side of things is covered. Me, I guess I'd be the trapmonkey. But I also like to be ranged. So I figured the Mechanic tree.

I'm level 7. I have the standard points build (28), no VIP, no tomes. I'm a halfling. I do have a reincarnation thingy, so could use that if it'd be worthwhile.

I'd prefer to be useful trapwise, and absolutely be ranged.

I don't much wanna spend money on having to get extra points, or tomes. And would like some advice, in something approaching plain English if possible!

Thanks for your time, and once again, hello! Or good bye, as it may be.

[ReaperAlexEU]

Hello. I was once, many moons ago, a bard. Back in the days of yore when things seemed very different (ie near launch). Then I went away, and didn;t come back. But now I've returned to a new account and decided to give a rogue a try. Things seem good and fun. But I was wondering what to do really, and whether I could make things more fun.

I fancy playing a rogue, for sure. I like them. I play with a cleric usually (Warpriest kinda thing, with some heals as needed of course) so that side of things is covered. Me, I guess I'd be the trapmonkey. But I also like to be ranged. So I figured the Mechanic tree.

I'm level 7. I have the standard points build (28), no VIP, no tomes. I'm a halfling. I do have a reincarnation thingy, so could use that if it'd be worthwhile.

I'd prefer to be useful trapwise, and absolutely be ranged.

I don't much wanna spend money on having to get extra points, or tomes. And would like some advice, in something approaching plain English if possible!

Thanks for your time, and once again, hello! Or good bye, as it may be.

welcome back

i've had a halfling mechanic for many years now, his latest incarnation has been quite a change. i've gone INT based this time and have paired assassin with mechanic. originally it was to get the sneak attack bonuses back, but having high INT also means a great chance to insta-kill a mob with assassinate! so now i'm mixing the repeater with the blade to rip the mobs to bits.

here is a tweaked version of my build to match your current resources. in the long run you and your cleric buddy might decide to TR and when you do this build can be further optimised to get even more power out of it for end game. this version should work great in heroics and the easier epics though.

stats

str 10
dex 17 +2 level ups
con 12
int 16 + remaining level ups
wis 8
cha 10 (14 on 32 pt)

feats

1 point blank shot
3 exotic: heavy repeater (swap to rapid reload at lvl12 with the free swap from lockania)
6 precision (i swapped this with insightful reflexes as your INT will mature slower and this lets you crit undead)
9 precise shot
12 imp crit: ranged
15 imp precise shot (need 19 DEX)
18 insightful reflex
21 imp sneak attack (need 21 DEX, farm 1750 favour for the free +2 tome)
24 combat archery
26 toughness
27 blinding speed
28 doubleshot (requires 2 primal destinies maxed out, pain in the rump!)

skills

skills depend on the starting INT and what INT tomes you will use. basics are balance, bluff, disable, hide, jump, move silently, search, spot, UMD. ones you can skimp a few points on are open lock and tumble. nice to haves are concentration, diplomacy and haggle.

enhancements

mechanic up to core 4 for heavy repeaters (get this at lvl12)
wand and scroll mastery 3
2 x INT

assassin up to cap stone
all sneak attack training
venomed blades 3 (leave it off when assassinating for now, fix due next update)
shadow dagger 3
assassinate (get this at the end of lvl14)
measure the foe 3
2 X INT

acrobat core 1
faster sneaking 3

use halfling to even out your DEX

destiny

shadow dancer and shriradi. shadow dancer has more utility and shiradi has more raw DPS when you can stand still, both will add a lot to the build and which one you stay in is personal preference.

if i were to do my destiny grind over again i think i'd start at shadow but only take it to lvl3. i'd then take stealthy with me as a twist for the +6 assassinate DC and work over to shiradi again. then for my 2nd primal destiny i'd mess with fury instead of avatar because the adrenaline works with repeaters too. probably wont be as good as manyshot but i expect it would be more fun than avatar.

once done you should have enough fate points for a tier 2 twist and a tier 1 twist. for that i like stay frosty and pin, both add some great CC with no saving throw. in shadow dancer i like shadow form for the 25% miss chance, the bonus to sneaking and the ability to do back flips while in sneak mode. i also like shadow manipulation.