The Huntress (aka Revisiting the Amazon)

[unbongwah]

Another one of my efforts to update obsolete builds for the current DDO system, the Amazon is an oldie-but-goodie: TWF barb 12 / rgr 6 / rog 2. Having recently seen 300:Rise of an Empire, Eva Green's Artemisia put me in a mood to (re)create her character's "dual-wielding + bows" usage. So, I continue the grand DDO tradition of naming a build after a superhero.

A lot's changed in the 4 1/2 years since Anthios8888 posted the Amazon, but the basic premise is still the same: TWF w/90% offhand procs, Manyshot, Evasion, UMD. One of the nice things about the Amazon is it can be adapted to any race, weapon sets, and # of build pts you like. On the plus side, the U19 Enhancement overhaul means you can drop the Dodge feat chain (no longer Tempest pre-reqs), which makes room for other feats. The main drawback is barb 12 isn't as strong as it once was, as barbs have become even more front-loaded than before.

What follows is a build outline of what ought to be included, as well as ways in which you can tweak things, followed by a couple of sample builds.

Stats: The stat pre-reqs are relatively modest compared to a lot of builds; with tomes you need DEX 17 for GTWF, STR 23 for Overwhelming Crit. You'll want good CON, both for extra HPs and longer Rage duration. Apart from that, what you do with your remaining stat pts is up to you.

Feats: at a minimum you'll want the usual melee suspects (i.e., Power Atk, Cleave, Gt Cleave, Improved Crit, GTWF, Overwhelming Crit). That leaves 2 heroic feats (3 if human) and 2 epic feats to tweak things to your liking. You might want extra ranged feats such as IC:Ranged and PBS; or tactics feats like Stunning Blow; or survivability feats like Dodge, Toughness, etc.

Enhancements: here's where you have lots of flexibility, because the only "hard" requirement is +10% offhand from Tempest (6 APs). Everything else is wide-open, depending on what you want to emphasize. The following build focused on Ravager to pick up Bully + Crit Rage, but that's just one option among many.

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

Level 28 True Neutral Human Female
(12 Barbarian \ 2 Rogue \ 6 Ranger \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 418
Spell Points: 50 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 15
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             18                    26
Dexterity            14                    17
Constitution         16                    16
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Cleave
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Barbarian)


Level 11 (Barbarian)


Level 12 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 13 (Barbarian)


Level 14 (Barbarian)


Level 15 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 16 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Barbarian)


Level 18 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow


Level 19 (Barbarian)


Level 20 (Barbarian)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Furious Rage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Pain Touch (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Demoralizing Success (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Pain Touch (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Do You Like Pain? (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Do You Like Pain? (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Do You Like Pain? (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Barbarian Power Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Barbarian Power Attack (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Barbarian Power Attack (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Hardy Rage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Hardy Rage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - I Like Pain (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - I Like Pain (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - I Like Pain (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Cruel Cut (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Cruel Cut (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Cruel Cut (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Action Boost: Damage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Action Boost: Damage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Action Boost: Damage (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Festering Wound (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Festering Wound (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Festering Wound (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - I Hit Back! (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - I Hit Back! (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - I Hit Back! (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Dismember (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Dismember (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Dismember (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Bully (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Bully (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Bully (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Critical Rage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ravager (Bar) - Critical Rage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Die Hard (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Frenzy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Extra Rage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Extra Rage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Extra Rage (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Power Rage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Power Rage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Frenzied Berserker (Bar) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Occult Slayer (Bar) - Weapon Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Occult Slayer (Bar) - Extend Rage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Occult Slayer (Bar) - Extend Rage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Occult Slayer (Bar) - Extend Rage (Rank 3)
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: Tempest (Rgr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Morphic Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Corrosive Arrows (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Sunder


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: STR
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: First Blood

[unbongwah]

Reserved

[kuro_zero]

Have you thought about swapping the ranger and barb levels? As you say, barb doesn't give you a whole lot and heavily front loaded unless going upto 18 for death frenzy (IMO). 12 ranger gives you 100% offhand and IPS and evasion allowing for some flexibility in the 3rd class at the cost of trapping.

Not sure how the AP works out but thinking along the lines of 12rgr/4barb/4fvs for divine might and amoriating strike. You would lose access to tier5 barb enhancements however and UMD. Giving up AS, you could go upto 14rgr for FoM and 5barb for imp uncanny Dodge and tier5s.

[unbongwah]

Have you thought about swapping the ranger and barb levels?

Yes, but that's a different build in need of updating.

[Teh_Troll]

That Amazon build was never actually any good.

This one . . . I need to look at your APs as just getting the basic junk you need to make a 'ranger' viable ain't gonna leave much for the barb stuff. And with barbarian rage killing your ability to self-heal . . . this concept looks like a n00b-trap.

[unbongwah]

this concept looks like a n00b-trap.

Sssssshhhhh! You'll give away my master plan!

[Grailhawk]

That Amazon build was never actually any good.

This one . . . I need to look at your APs as just getting the basic junk you need to make a 'ranger' viable ain't gonna leave much for the barb stuff. And with barbarian rage killing your ability to self-heal . . . this concept looks like a n00b-trap.

Primal Scream still counts as rage, and doesn't prevent self healing right? If Primal Scream counts as rage for crit rage from ravager that might make things slightly more interesting.

Its still probably like 10-15 AP short of what it needs.

Not the same build but I bet a 15/5 or 14/5/1 (ranger/barb) could work. IMO Ranger has better trees and better class perics then Barbarians these days especially for a Two Weapon Fighter.

Something like
12 AP Human: 20% Healing Amp (this is the outch), Damage Boost
23 AP Tempest: +4 Hit/Damage +100% Offhand proc, Haste boost
11 AP Stalker: +50 Devotion, Sniper Shot, 3d6 Sneak Attack*
34 AP Ravager: +2 Crit Threat Range, +3 Power Attack, +6 Damage (Core I)**


*Release notes say Stealthy has had its cost lowered to 1 AP per tier.

**With 100% off hand attack fast enough that with only 5% miss chance you will still miss more then once every six seconds.

[unbongwah]

Primal Scream still counts as rage, and doesn't prevent self healing right? If Primal Scream counts as rage for crit rage from ravager that might make things slightly more interesting.

Primal Scream is a bit...odd. It's apparently coded like a rage effect, b/c defensive stance blocks it; on my Dwarven Defender, I have to switch off stance, fire off PS, then switch back to stance. But it's a morale bonus, similar to Rage spell, and it doesn't appear to block my Rejuv Cocoon. So...is it an SLA, or is a "true" Rage effect?

In short, I have no idea if it will cause Crit Rage from Ravager to proc. Though I kinda doubt it. What about Madstone Boots, though?

12 AP Human: 20% Healing Amp (this is the outch), Damage Boost
23 AP Tempest: +4 Hit/Damage +100% Offhand proc, Haste boost
11 AP Stalker: +50 Devotion, Sniper Shot, 3d6 Sneak Attack*
34 AP Ravager: +2 Crit Threat Range, +3 Power Attack, +6 Damage (Core I)**

5 APs in human is enough for Dmg Boost, +1 STR, and +10% amp. I would shift some APs from human and maybe Tempest into FB (extra Rage, maybe Power Rage) and OS (Extend Rage, maybe Uncanny Dodger and Ear Smash / Knockout).

[Grailhawk]

Primal Scream is a bit...odd. It's apparently coded like a rage effect, b/c defensive stance blocks it; on my Dwarven Defender, I have to switch off stance, fire off PS, then switch back to stance. But it's a morale bonus, similar to Rage spell, and it doesn't appear to block my Rejuv Cocoon. So...is it an SLA, or is a "true" Rage effect?

In short, I have no idea if it will cause Crit Rage from Ravager to proc. Though I kinda doubt it. What about Madstone Boots, though?

5 APs in human is enough for Dmg Boost, +1 STR, and +10% amp. I would shift some APs from human and maybe Tempest into FB (extra Rage, maybe Power Rage) and OS (Extend Rage, maybe Uncanny Dodger and Ear Smash / Knockout).

I don't think I would even bother with using Barbarian rage. If Primal Scream doesn't work to trigger the Barbarian Enhancements then I don't think there's any point in mixing Ranger and Barbarian.

I also think dropping human healing amp bellow 20% is suicidal and almost think the build cant work since you cant get to the 30%. But you and I are looking at things differently I want to build a Ranger with Crit Rage. You want a Barbarian with TWF and Manyshot.

[Arlathen]

... I want to build a Ranger with Crit Rage....

Then you should build a Ranger XX / Fighter 8 character with Keen Edge and working Self-healing instead

[Grailhawk]

Then you should build a Ranger XX / Fighter 8 character with Keen Edge and working Self-healing instead

Not worth it 3 fighter levels to many, or 3 ranger levers to little.

[pappo]

Do the recent changes to Barb enhancements that give self-healing improve this build?
Specifically, Blood Strength.

[Eth]

Do the recent changes to Barb enhancements that give self-healing improve this build?
Specifically, Blood Strength.

Keep in mind Blood Strength's base amount of HP healed is based on 0.5 x Barb level - so 6 HP base for this build, which will be somewhere around 36 HP a tick after MP and heal amp.
With 12 Barb levels blood strength still kind of works I guess, but it's already getting in borderline useful territory.
But then it's only 2 AP anyway.

[unbongwah]

I've not yet decided how to redo the Huntress for the latest barb improvements. With the Armor Up changes, I'm tempted to ditch rog and switch to a cleric / FvS splash for Div Might. Then it's a toss-up between barb 12 / rgr 6 / FvS 2 or 12 / 4 / 4 split (lose two feats, gain Ameliorating Strike for more free heals).

I would also consider swapping T5 Ravager for T5 OS for One Spirit, since its healing isn't scaled by barb lvls; trading Crit Rage for Bond of Destruction would be a DPS hit, though, I think.

The Amazon has always been a build which sacrificed the melee DPS of pure barb for Manyshot plus the added utility of the rog splash. I'm just not sure if that's still worthwhile...if only there was a way to have Dance of Death and Crit Rage!

[DrWily]

I've not yet decided how to redo the Huntress for the latest barb improvements. With the Armor Up changes, I'm tempted to ditch rog and switch to a cleric / FvS splash for Div Might. Then it's a toss-up between barb 12 / rgr 6 / FvS 2 or 12 / 4 / 4 split (lose two feats, gain Ameliorating Strike for more free heals).

I would also consider swapping T5 Ravager for T5 OS for One Spirit, since its healing isn't scaled by barb lvls; trading Crit Rage for Bond of Destruction would be a DPS hit, though, I think.

The Amazon has always been a build which sacrificed the melee DPS of pure barb for Manyshot plus the added utility of the rog splash. I'm just not sure if that's still worthwhile...if only there was a way to have Dance of Death and Crit Rage!

I've did my OS barb this life, it's pretty good until you go down, at which point you have to build your bond back up. If you have other heals you can make up for it until you get your weapon bond back up, at this point I only really consider One Spirit an emergency heal when HP drops too far down. Seeker's Strike costs too much bond for a single attack that mostly only helps during heroics. All other T5 enhancements are fine though.