Fenris Chained (15 Dru/3 Mnk/2 Rng)

[giftie]

Because of the interest in splashed Wolf Druids, I've decided to share my own Druid build.
TLDR: 15 Dru/3 Mnk/2 Rng for 60+ EQ DC, SWF+TWF in wolf form, potent self-healing and DM'ed Elf for Displacement

(Fenris was a huge wolf in Norse mythology, destined to trigger the apocalypse. The gods chain him deep underground, where his howls would cause the earth to shake. So I figured it was an apt name for an Earthquake-specced wolf.)

I don't know about you, but I love Bards. They have CC, support healing, and after the introduction of swashbuckling quite decent DPS as well. But enchantment spells are of rather limited use with a lot of mobs common at endgame (such as undead), whereas Earthquake works against pretty much everything that walks or crawls. And with epic Necropolis coming, I kinda gave up on Spellsingers, and looked to the Druid class.

This started out as an experiment to add some melee DPS to an EQ Druid, and so far it's proven to be a fantastic DPS machine as well. I did some experiments with 15 Dru/3 Brd/2 Rog in Elemental form, which added utility such as trapping and gained a few DCs from SS, but even swashbuckling DPS turned out to be so far behind this, that I eventually retired her. Shrike means she has almost unlimited SP if you time the spellcasting precisely, so the lower SP pool doesn't really matter.

This is an Elf, for Dragonmark of Shadow. I realize not everyone will agree with this racial choice, partly because of the loss of Human Hamp, but perhaps especially for spending 2 feats (really 3 feats if you take Human bonus into account) for 25-ish minutes of Displacement on a feat starved build - something that could be accomplished with gear instead. And sure, if you have 10 Smoke II GS items, go ahead and do Human. Personally I don't, and I think 2 feats for 30% extra avoidance/mitigation (albeit tiered) is well worth it, especially as I tend to pull aggro a lot.

The goals of this build were a reliable Earthquake DC, decent damage avoidance through Evasion and Displacement, and decent melee DPS. I wanted to accomplish those things in wolf form. The basic idea is to use the current... let's call it option - that allows for both TWF and SWF working simultaneously in animal form. With wolf form so badly messed up, I thought it fair to utilize the only wolf form bug that works in our favour. But instead of the more common deep splash with max STR and cleaves, this is a lesser splash with max WIS and barebones casting feats.

It can easily be run as a first-lifer with no tomes since it relies on fast attack speed and proc damage rather than big hits. But as always, DC casters are quite demanding in stat tomes and past lives for EE content. I had also hoped for Ninja Spy II allowing DEX-to-damage in wolf form for better synergy with Elf, but I can with some certainty conclude that DEX-to-damage doesn't work at all in wolf form. I've tested Elven Grace and Assassin II (and Flame Blade for WIS-to-damage, which should work, but doesn't) as well, none of which worked. Ninja Spy II is still very useful for shortswords as ki weapons and extra shuriken.

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

Level 28 Lawful Neutral Elf Female
(3 Monk \ 2 Ranger \ 15 Druid \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 392
Spell Points: 1095 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 19
Will: 24

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             14                    19
Dexterity            14                    21
Constitution         14                    19
Intelligence          8                    13
Wisdom               18                    34
Charisma              8                    13

Tomes Used
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+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


Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Shadow
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer

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


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


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Wolf


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


Level 7 (Druid)


Level 8 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Bear


Level 9 (Druid)


Level 10 (Druid)


Level 11 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Winter Wolf


Level 12 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Druid)


Level 14 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Dire Bear


Level 15 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Druid)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Fire Elemental


Level 17 (Druid)


Level 18 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge


Level 20 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)


Level 25 (Epic)


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


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 28 (Epic)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Elf - Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Elf - Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Greater Dragonmark of Shadow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Nature's Warrior (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Instinctive Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Instinctive Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Instinctive Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Shifting Rake (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Flight (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Flight (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Flight (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Vengeful Hunter (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Vengeful Hunter (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Vengeful Hunter (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Action Boost: Double Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Action Boost: Double Strike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Action Boost: Double Strike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Fight (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Fight (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Fight (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Improved Dodge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Improved Dodge (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Improved Dodge (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Nature's Warrior Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Four Legs Good (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Essence of the Shrike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Essence of the Shrike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Nature's Warrior Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Celerity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Celerity (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Celerity (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Natural Adept (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (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) - Acrobatic (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Bastion of Purity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Protection from Tainted Creatures (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) - Fists of Iron (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Shintao (Mnk) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Seasoned (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)

Skills not included, but full ranks in Concentration and Heal, with enough ranks in Balance for GSWF. Remainder according to taste, I personally went max Bluff (unfortunately a cross-class skill) and some Spellcraft. In hindsight, UMD should've been a gven, but not being able to fit a +6 UMD GS item I was unable to reach relevant levels.

Single Weapon Fighting at levels 1 (Monk bonus feat), 9 and 24. Last ED feat is PSWF. Feat order changed according to preference. I would only take SF: Evo as an epic feat, since it's only needed for the twists. Quicken isn't really needed until EEs, and can be postponed. Empower Healing can be replaced completely, but I like it for better off-healing. Levelling order flexible too, but I deemed it much more important to have Earthquake for the 18-20 grind than evasion.

This build abandons SLAs completely. It does get weak but occasionally useful ranged DPS from Shurikens. Dodge is taken for knockdown immunity (which I took rather than Fatal Harrier, since I found it hard to get a full stack running in EE). I ended up spending a lot of time in GMotF where the last core grants knockdown immunity anyway, but I like to have it regardless of ED.

EA is, as always, a strong destinty for WIS- and CHA-based casters, but it will be very hard to pass up another 24 melee power for just 3 DC after U23. GMotF lets me grind Martial PLs as well, and do something useful with all that ki (the very high attack speed generates ki very quickly). Since this is a WIS build, there's good synergy with GMotF too. Divine Crusader is usually very solid, but since Celestial Champion doesn't work with unarmed/animal form (according to wiki, but that might be bugged too) it loses a lot of its appeal. A first lifer might still be better off in EA though.

Twists are Evocation Specialist and Precise Casting: Evocation. Because of the low base reflex of Druid I had to get Unearthly Reflexes to reach 60 Reflex.

WIS breakdown based on current gear and tomes:

18 Base
07 Level-ups
06 Tome
04 Enhancements
11 Item
03 Insightful
01 Exceptional
02 Guild bonus
06 Epic Destiny
02 Ocean stance
= 60

Earthquake DC breakdown:

10 Base
08 Spell level
25 WIS
01 Feats
05 Twists
05 Item
02 Augment
01 Profane
03 Sorc PL
01 Guild bonus
= 61

In EA, I can push it to 64, with another +1 from TF one-hander swap-in (possibly +2 from TF two-hander, but that disables SWF), +1 Yugo and +1 store pot so situationally up to 67-68. Spellsinger in party, bless them, would give another +2. I haven't found such a high DC to be necessary though - around 60 is enough for most EE content.

Since I haven't finished my T3 TF shortsword, I usually end up using Elemental Fury. Given the very high attack speed but poor crit profile of wolves, that 20d4 on each hit ends up doing loads of proc damage, and I prefer it to Celestia. I also carry a Brush Hook as DR breaker and a TF casting stick, but against everything without DR and fortification, Elemental Fury comes out ahead. The lack of a red slot really hurts, though.

Just for reference, my current gear - which is far from stellar:

Goggles: EE Shadowsight | PRR 14
Head: Lootgen Deadly X, Resistance 9
Neck: Sage's Locket
Trinket: Planar Focus, Insightful WIS +3
Armor: Shadowscale Outfit | Good Luck +2
Back: EN Jeweled Cloak | Feather Falling | Insightful CON +2
Wrists: Skirmisher's Bracers
Belt: EH Belt of Seven Ideals | +250 Power | Globe of True Imperial Blood
Ring 1: Seal of House Dun'Robar, Insightful Strength +2, Vertigo +10
Ring 2: EN Consuming Darkness | Greater Evocation
Boots: EN Goatskin Boots, +8 Constitution | False Life +40
Hands: Iron Mitts | Insightful DEX +2

[unbongwah]

Very interesting! I have a pure human druid I've been getting a little bored with. Been trying to come up with build ideas to LR or TR into that was based on wolf forms but wasn't just yet another 9/9/2 max-DPS build. Food for thought!

[Avocado]

I don't like idea of the hybrid caster/melee wolf druid because it just doesn't work well. You sacrifice too much dps to get a decent EQ and if you play a fully spec melee wolf right everything is dead before EQ lands. I think it would be a nice pure melee and not a hybrid.

[AlcoArgo]

Interesting build and I may try it out. I have a question, though:

Why take the 2nd monk level so late? I would think that evasion would be extremely useful earlier.

[giftie]

I don't like idea of the hybrid caster/melee wolf druid because it just doesn't work well. You sacrifice too much dps to get a decent EQ and if you play a fully spec melee wolf right everything is dead before EQ lands. I think it would be a nice pure melee and not a hybrid.

I disagree, I think it works very well.

You shouldn't view it a hybrid melee with EQ. You should view it as a Druid analogue to Bard, but with CC that actually works against - among other things - undead. EQ actually has a quite fast cast time - you're probably thinking of the time it takes for the spell effect to kick in. In EE things doesn't just melt away (well, unless furyshotting), and damage mitigation by CC becomes very important.

Having said that, I'd be interested to know just how much DPS it's really losing. As stated, racial choice (and hence Extend) is optional, as are every casting feat but Spell Focus. So it's actually just two feats short compared to 9 Monk/9 Druid/2 Ranger. It loses maybe 20 STR, 1d10 base damage, and 2 twists. Let's call it 25% less damage than the previous split. You trade that for workable CC (and healing). I'd say that's a very fair trade-off.

Interesting build and I may try it out. I have a question, though:

Why take the 2nd monk level so late? I would think that evasion would be extremely useful earlier.

I mention this in my post - while evasion is useful, I consider EQ to be even more so. But levelling order is a matter of taste in this case..

[cypan41]

Really confused about you wasting all those feats for displacement. You can just cast FOM on yourself and the party and then cast sleet storm. The blindness effect is 50% concealment bonus just like displacement. And it costs you 0 feats no matter what race you choose.