Revisiting the Halfling Acrobat for New Players

[unbongwah]

EDIT (5/1/18): At long last I've updated this build for a post-Update 38 world.

Originally posted here: a F2P halfling build.

Halfpint Acrobat (F2P)
Rogue 20
True Neutral Halfling


Stats
               28pt     32pt     Level Up
               ----     ----     --------
Strength        13       13       4: DEX
Dexterity       18       18       8: DEX
Constitution    14       16      12: DEX
Intelligence    12       12      16: DEX
Wisdom           8        8      20: DEX
Charisma         8        8      24: DEX
                                 28: DEX

Skills
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Disable   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Open Lo   3  2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2  23
Search    4  1  1  1  1  1  1  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
Bluff     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  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Move Si   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  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
Heal      2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Tumble    1                                                            1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         36  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9  9


Feats

 1        : Power Attack
 3        : Cleave
 6        : Great Cleave
 9        : Least Dragonmark: Healing
12        : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
15        : Improved Feint
18        : Precision OR Hamstring
21 Epic   : Improved Sneak Attack
24 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic   : Blinding Speed OR Watchful Eye
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

10 Rogue  : Defensive Roll
13 Rogue  : Opportunist
16 Rogue  : Improved Evasion
19 Rogue  : Crippling Strike OR Skill Mastery


Enhancements (80 AP)

Thief-Acrobat (45 AP)
Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler, Kip Up, Cartwheel Charge, Followthrough
Acrobat Staff Training, Thief Acrobatics III, Fast Movement
Acrobat Staff Training, Quick Strike III, Haste Boost III
Acrobat Staff Training, Sweeping Strikes III
Acrobat Staff Training, Improved Defensive Roll II, No Mercy III, Staff Lunge I
Acrobat Staff Training, Staff Specialization, Spinning Staff Wall, Vault

Assassin (23 AP)
Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness
Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
Execute

Halfling (12 AP)
Halfling Luck, Dexterity, Halfling Luck II
Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III
Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches
Greater Dragonmark of Healing

Leveling Guide
TA0 Staff Control; TA1 Thief Acrobatics I, II, III
TA1 Acrobat Staff Training; TA2 Quick Strike I
TA0 Stick Fighting; TA2 Haste Boost I, II, III
TA2 Quick Strike II, III
TA3 Sweeping Strikes I, II, III; Hlf0 Halfling Luck
TA0 Tumbler; TA4 Staff Lunge I; TA1 Fast Movement
TA2 Acrobat Staff Training; TA3 Acrobat Staff Training
TA4 Acrobat Staff Training; Hlf0 Dexterity
Reset Thief-Acrobat
Halfling: Halfling Luck II
Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III
Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches
Greater Dragonmark of Healing

Thief-Acrobat: Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler
Acrobat Staff Training, Thief Acrobatics III, Fast Movement
Acrobat Staff Training, Quick Strike III, Haste Boost III
Sweeping Strikes III
TA4 Improved Defensive Roll I, II; TA3 Acrobat Staff Training
TA4 Staff Lunge I; (Bank 3 AP)
TA0 Kip Up; TA5 Staff Specialization; TA5 Vault; TA5 Spinning Staff Wall
TA4 Acrobat Staff Training; TA5 Acrobat Staff Training
Ass0 Knife in the Darkness; Ass1 Stealthy I, II, III
Ass1 Sneak Attack Training; Ass2 Venomed Blades I, II
Ass2 Venomed Blades III; Ass2 Damage Boost I, II, III
Ass0 Dagger in the Back; Ass0 Assassin's Trick; Ass2 Sneak Attack Training
TA0 Cartwheel Charge; TA4 No Mercy I, II, III
Ass3 Sneak Attack Training; Ass3 Dexterity
TA0 Followthrough; Ass0 Nimbleness; Ass4 Execute

You lose some DPS without the Two Handed Fighting (THF) feat chain, although the silver lining is you can put those feat slots towards other things, in our case:

• Dragonmark feat for some emergency healing
• Improved Feint which is an AoE Bluff that renders mobs vulnerable to sneak attacks (Feint then Cleave thru mobs)
• either Precision for better DPS vs high-Fortification targets or Hamstring for slowing targets

I backloaded the Assassin Stealthy enhancements; but if you like using stealth a lot, you should take them ASAP for the +75% movement speed bonus. Otherwise being stealthy feels way too sloooow.

For Epic Destiny (ED): either Legendary Dreadnought (LD) or Shadowdancer (SD), I think. LD has better situational DPS (i.e., when Blitz is maxed out or vs helpless enemies); but SD is more consistent DPS (just got buffed with extra Melee Power) with some nice survivability bonuses like Shadow Form and energy drain immunity.

Incidentally, an elf version would look essentially the same in terms of stats, feats, etc., just - ya know - an elf instead of a halfling; and with the Shadow Dragonmark (Displacement FTW) instead of Healing.

Here we have a more idealized, DPS-focused version of said build. Consider it a long-term goal to be working towards.

Halfpint Acrobat
Rogue 20
True Neutral Halfling


Stats
               36pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     --------
Strength        12       +5       4: DEX
Dexterity       18       +2       8: DEX
Constitution    16       +2      12: DEX
Intelligence    16       +2      16: DEX
Wisdom           8       +2      20: DEX
Charisma         8       +2      24: DEX
                                 28: DEX

Skills
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
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  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
Bluff     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  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Move Si   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Tumble    4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  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
Swim      2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  21
Concent   2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Heal      1  1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1  11
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         44 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12


Feats

 1        : Improved Feint
 3        : Power Attack
 6        : Cleave
 9        : Great Cleave
12        : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
15        : Two Handed Fighting
18        : Improved Two Handed Fighting
21 Epic   : Greater Two Handed Fighting
24 Epic   : Improved Sneak Attack
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

10 Rogue  : Defensive Roll
13 Rogue  : Opportunist
16 Rogue  : Improved Evasion
19 Rogue  : Crippling Strike OR Skill Mastery


Enhancements (80 AP)

Thief-Acrobat (50 AP)
Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler, Kip Up, Cartwheel Charge, Followthrough
Acrobat Staff Training, Thief Acrobatics III, Fast Movement
Acrobat Staff Training, Quick Strike III, Haste Boost III
Acrobat Staff Training, Shadow Dodge II, Sweeping Strikes III
Acrobat Staff Training, Improved Defensive Roll III, No Mercy III, Staff Lunge I
Acrobat Staff Training, Staff Specialization, Spinning Staff Wall, Vault

Assassin (23 AP)
Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness
Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
Sneak Attack Training

Harper Agent (7 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Traveler's Toughness II
Know the Angles II

Leveling Guide
TA0 Staff Control; TA1 Thief Acrobatics I, II, III
TA1 Fast Movement; TA2 Quick Strike I
TA0 Stick Fighting; TA2 Haste Boost I, II, III
TA2 Quick Strike II, III
TA3 Sweeping Strikes I, II, III; Ass0 Knife in the Darkness
TA0 Tumbler; Ass1 Stealthy I, II, III
TA1 Acrobat Staff Training; TA2 Acrobat Staff Training
TA3 Acrobat Staff Training; TA4 Acrobat Staff Training
Ass1 Sneak Attack Training; Ass2 Sneak Attack Training
TA4 Staff Lunge I; TA4 Improved Defensive Roll I, II, III
Ass0 Dagger in the Back; Ass2 Venomed Blades I; Ass0 Assassin's Trick; (Bank 1 AP)
TA0 Kip Up; TA5 Staff Specialization; TA5 Acrobat Staff Training
TA5 Spinning Staff Wall; TA5 Vault
Ass2 Venomed Blades II, III; Ass3 Sneak Attack Training
Ass2 Damage Boost I, II, III; Hrp0 Agent of Good I
Hrp1 Harper Enchantment; Hrp1 Traveler's Toughness I, II
Hrp2 Know the Angles I, II; TA3 Shadow Dodge I
TA0 Cartwheel Charge; TA3 Shadow Dodge II; TA4 No Mercy I
TA4 No Mercy II, III; Ass3 Dexterity
TA0 Followthrough; Ass0 Nimbleness; Ass4 Sneak Attack Training


Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought
Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack
Lay Waste, Critical Damage III
(none)
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Pulverizer

Twists of Fate (35 fate points)
Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)

[unbongwah]

Reserved

[unbongwah]

Original build post archived for posterity:

Another in my ongoing (if sloooooow) efforts to update classic builds, this thread is intended to be a modern (post-U19) take on the Big F'n Stick thread - i.e., a midget with a staff. For the purposes of this discussion, I intend to focus on pure or mostly-pure rogue builds; heavily-multiclassed staff builds are saved for other threads, like my Three Ring Circus (still badly in need of an update). I'll also be focused on halflings just for the heck of it, but the lessons here can be applied to any race.

First off, a brief rundown of the major choices you need to make before starting your Acrobat:

• Pure or multi-classed? The main reason to go pure on any build is to gain your PrE capstone, which for Acrobats provides "+2 Strength and Dexterity, +1 to hit and +2 damage with quarterstaves, +5% attack speed with quarterstaves, +2 critical hit damage with all weapons, +2 Balance, Jump, and Tumble, +2 Sneak Attack dice and +2 to hit when performing Sneak Attacks.After tumbling, for 6 seconds your basic attacks with two handed weapons strike two targets per swing instead of one and gain On Vorpal: Your target is knocked down." That's a pretty decent boost to DPS as well as free CC from vorpal knockdowns. MCing is usually about beefing up your character in other ways, like boosting your saves with a paladin splash (Div Grace).
• DEX or STR? Going DEX-based gets you higher AC, Reflex saves, DCs to Sweeping Strikes, and easier access to the Improved Sneak Attack (+3D6 SA) epic feat. Going STR-based gets you potentially higher DPS: the THF chain (which appear to be working with staves) and Overwhelming Crit, as well as benefiting from STR bonuses like Primal Scream, Titan's Grip, Madstone Boosts and (if you MC) Divine Might or Ram's Might.
• Picking your feats: At a minimum I would say you should have Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, and Improved Crit:Blunt weapons; you also want Imp Sneak Atk and/or Overwhelming Crit in epic levels, depending on your base stats. That leaves you with at least 3 heroic and 1 epic feat to spare, which can go into more DPS (melee and/or ranged), better survivability, or even self-healing via the halfling Dragonmarks.

So let's look at a couple of sample builds.

The Dextrous Dragon(marked)

This is intended to be a fairly versatile first-lifer suitable for newbies or permadeathers. Largely melee-focused, but the halfling DM adds a bit of self-healing (plus a cool tattoo!). Improved Feint still has an annoying delay, but it's situationally useful for mobs.

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

Level 28 True Neutral Halfling Female
(20 Rogue \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 296
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 25
Will: 9

                 Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             13                    15
Dexterity            18                    29
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         12                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 14

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Control (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Stick Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Tumbler (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sweeping Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Lunge (Rank 1)


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Defensive Roll


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Halfling - Cunning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Lesser Dragonmark of Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Break Out The Leeches (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Greater Dragonmark of Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Kip Up (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Specialization (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Vault (Rank 1)


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Feint


Level 19 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Crippling Strike


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Enhancement: Halfling - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Cartwheel Charge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Followthrough (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Trip Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Trip Focus (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Trip Focus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Knife in the Darkness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Shiv (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Shiv (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Shiv (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Venomed Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Improved Sneak Attack


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Improved Trip


Level 25 (Epic)


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


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Watchful Eye


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: First Blood

The DPS Machine

This one is focused purely on melee DPS. It's more tome-dependent than the first build, though I tried to backload them as much as possible. The +2 INT is just for extra skill pts. If you already have a +4 or +5 DEX tome, you can shift stat pts from DEX into CON or INT.

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

Level 28 True Neutral Halfling Female
(20 Rogue \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 324
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 22
Will: 8

                 Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             16                    26
Dexterity            18                    24
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 23

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Defensive Roll


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Control (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Stick Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Tumbler (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Kip Up (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sly Flourish (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sly Flourish (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sly Flourish (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sweeping Strikes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Lunge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Specialization (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Vault (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Knife in the Darkness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 19 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Crippling Strike


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Halfling - Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Cunning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Cartwheel Charge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Followthrough (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Subtlety (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Shiv (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Shiv (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Venomed Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Damage Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Damage Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Execute (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Damage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Damage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Damage (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)


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


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Improved Sneak Attack


Level 25 (Epic)


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


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


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting

[Bolo_Grubb]

sounds interesting, might have to try one of these

[SmashBang]

thanks for pointing me to these builds, looks very interesting and I think I might try the dex based dragonmark one first.

[Soulfurnace]

I've been wondering, is sweeping strike affected by +trip items? If so, I might try a dex based acrobat.

If not, well.. The horcrobat looks fun enough - and has some nice damage. (though the heals leave something to be desired)

[Miahoo]

Even as an halfling (which btw, I recommend human over halfling), I'd go str base over dex based.

[eachna_gislin]

What would you recommend in a halfling acrobat with dragonmarks, for very solid EH/easier EE raiding? Pure rogue, or willing to splash monk (have the outfits already from 1st life), or something funkier like paladin. No druid. Right now she's 13 rogue/7 monk, 3 epic.

This would be her second life. Tomes: +5 Str, +5 Dex, +4 Con, +3 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Cha.

She still has her LR+20, been considering using it for fighter before TR to get the tactics boost on 2nd life (better options than fighter welcomed). She has one epic past life, a martial Doublestrike feat.

She's an old pre-enhancement-pass BFS build, never put the time into fixing her up post-pass. She's just run in EN/EH PUG'd raids when I was burned out from healing/on timer. I'd be interested to see what could be done extending a basic BFS build with way more stat tomes than I probably should have had her eat, and a little bit of past experience.

[unbongwah]

What would you recommend in a halfling acrobat with dragonmarks, for very solid EH/easier EE raiding?

I'd lean towards a Zeus variant: either rog 13 / pal 4 / monk 3 (Kip Up, two rog bonus feats, Imp Sneak Atk epic feat) or rog 10 / pal 4 / monk 6 (extra monk feat, Adept of Forms, Shadow Veil, maybe Void Strike). Either way, the pal 4 splash provides Div Might, defensive stance for +25 PRR, and access to Emp Heal feat.

First stab at the 13/4/3 split:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.23.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 Lawful Good Halfling Female
(4 Paladin \ 3 Monk \ 13 Rogue \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 369
Spell Points: 59 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 22
Reflex: 24
Will: 16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             15                    27
Dexterity            16                    21
Constitution         14                    18
Intelligence          9                    12
Wisdom                8                    12
Charisma             15                    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 Wisdom used at level 14
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 14
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 18
+5 Tome of Dexterity used at level 18

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Healing
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter


Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Deity) Follower of the Sovereign Host
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow


Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Paladin)


Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 7 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 10 (Rogue)


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Defensive Roll


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Adept of Forms


Level 19 (Rogue)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist
Enhancement: Halfling - Halfling Luck (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Halfling - Jorasco Dragonmark Focus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Halfling - Cunning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Lesser Dragonmark of Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Break Out The Leeches (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Guile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Halfling - Greater Dragonmark of Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Control (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Stick Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Tumbler (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Kip Up (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Thief Acrobatics (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sly Flourish (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sly Flourish (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Sly Flourish (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Quick Strike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Improved Defensive Roll (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - No Mercy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Thief-Acrobat (Rog) - Staff Specialization (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Slayer of Evil I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Smite (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Exalted Cleave (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Exalted Cleave (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Exalted Cleave (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Vigor of Life (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Item Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Protection from Tainted Creatures (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Difficulty at the Beginning (Rank 1)
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)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Master 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: Improved Sneak Attack


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting

Not sure if Stunning Blow is worth it; but also not sure what to take instead, since at lvl 3 I can't take either a metamagic nor Adept of Forms, either of which would be preferable.

[eachna_gislin]

I'd lean towards a Zeus variant: either rog 13 / pal 4 / monk 3 (Kip Up, two rog bonus feats, Imp Sneak Atk epic feat) or rog 10 / pal 4 / monk 6 (extra monk feat, Adept of Forms, Shadow Veil, maybe Void Strike). Either way, the pal 4 splash provides Div Might, defensive stance for +25 PRR, and access to Emp Heal feat.

[/code]Not sure if Stunning Blow is worth it; but also not sure what to take instead, since at lvl 3 I can't take either a metamagic nor Adept of Forms, either of which would be preferable.

Thanks!

I noticed she never snagged a Tharne's Goggles, so she's started the farm for that. Once I get a pair she TRs.

I might actually give her Toughness. It's not a "must-have" feat anymore, but Wind Stance eats 2 Con, and keeping hit points on this girl has always been a struggle. Acrobats end up with so many clickie-type powers I doubt I'll end up using Stunning Blow. Toughness is also easy to swap out if it proves useless.

[unbongwah]

Due to popular demand* I have finally updated the original build post. The F2P version actually hasn't changed that much since the original. Rather than squeeze in the THF chain, I went for a few supplemental feats including the Dragonmark for some emergency heals.

The second build is - shall we say - more aspirational in nature. Halfling or Harper enhancements can be dropped; stats can be tweaked so you hit STR 17 based on whatever tome you do have.

*Literally no one asked me to do this.

[troublegurl]

what weapons and items would you recommend for this build?

[Scuddy]

what weapons and items would you recommend for this build?

staffs, staffs and more staffs. They tend to break quite a bit.

[unbongwah]

what weapons and items would you recommend for this build?

http://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Quarterstaffs

Since this is a newbie thread, my early heroic weapon progression for a first life would be like this:

• level 1: Moldy Quarterstaff - literally the first weapon you acquire. Also your intro to using Bluff, because without sneak attacks your DPS is terrible.
• level 2: Nicked staff and Pillar of Light - congrats on making it off Korthos! Celebrate with a staff that isn't terrible.
• level 4: Chieftain's spear - higher base damage, 18-20/x2 crit threat range, decent proc-on-hit/-crit effects; plus it drops from TBC wilderness which is easy to farm. Staff of Nat Gann is merely okay, IMO, mostly for silver bypass; but since it's a raid drop, I don't expect a first-lifer to get it early on.
• level 6: Arlyn's Staff - drops from a F2P quest, Force damage is rarely resisted, and it's the first staff with an x3 crit multiplier.
• level 7: Elemental Bloom - probably the best heroic named staff overall, though farming ToEE might be uhh challenging for a first-life rogue.
• level 8: Theurgic Stave - similar to Chieftain's spear but with two augment slots to customize it. Staff of the Seer has higher base damage, but who the heck still runs Restless Isles anymore?

Beyond that, the usual rogue gear: light armor, trapper gear, survivability, etc.