What is the Munchkinator?

[stoerm]

The Munchkinator is not a build. It is a concept, or perhaps a platform to make a build on. The Munchkinator is inspired by the Forumator, but it is no just a joke. The Munchkinator is nothing new, yet it is distinctly Update 23.

With the recent changes DDO has done away with traditional limitations, and allows players to combine cross class abilities in previously unheard of ways. So what do you get when you throw together all the hot new stuff from the last updates - BF, S&B, SWF, SB, Shiradi and Harper etc? You know already.

At its core the Munchkinator takes the amazing damage mitigation and hit point pool from defensive melee enhancements and combines it with offensive power from melee, spell casting and epic destinies. How do you know if you've rolled a Munchkinator? You might have one if you've got:

- Self healing
- Huge hitpoints
- Huge PRR and MRR from heavy armour / shield
- Practically endless SP pool
- Tanking and possibly melee DPS
- Spellcasting not dependent on DCs or spell penetration
- No need to spread stats. Total minmaxing is the order of the day. Probably put everything in some combination of con, int and cha

Examples:

The Sacred Draconic Robomunch
Bladeforged 3 pally, 14 sorc, 3 something. The 3 something could be more pally or sorc levels, fvs for endless spell points, or fighter for more feats.

Points go pretty much all in con and cha. Feats probably include: shield mastery, quicken, empower, maximize, mental toughness.

You are likely to be in shiradi, shield/orb block and spam magic missile. Bladeforged and EK enhancements let you ignore ASF issues. I have a firm plan to robomunch my shiradi soon, and it turns out I'm not the only one. Nothing is new on the Internet.

The Fleshmunch Flex
You like feats? You've got feats! This is any race 3 fighter 12 wizard 5 something. Something could be more of fighter and wizard plus again 2 fvs, but could just as well be monk (you wanted feats), 2 rogue (trapping, skills and now evasion is just a gearswitch away if you're fleshy), pally for saves or even some bard for swashbuckling.

You'll start with 18 or 20 con, maybe a dash in cha but int will be your main stat. Feats are the same as for Robomunch, but between wizard and fighter bonuses you're looking at spending feats on stuff like single weapon fighting and improved shield bash or other melee feats. You'll have insightful reflexes, natch, and with the Harper tree you're looking at intelligence for attack and damage too.

As a bladeforged you can mitigate ASF with gear, BF and EK enhancements. As a fleshy you've got options such as mithril plate.

You can go orb+SWF, S&B, shield block shiradi tank, self heal in pale master and/or reconstruct if you go robot. You can switch between melee DPS, tanking and shiradi casting modes just by changing enhacements, gear and epic destiny.

Variations
Make other combinations of fighter/pally + sorc/wizard + X, eg Pally + Wizard + FvS.

Stuff to look at
Big question: can you be in stalwart stance and wraith form simultaneously? Not strictly needed, but we're trying to be munchkins here, right?
Minor question: I take it Communion of Scribing is a divine SLA, and as such not subject to ASF. Could be significant for you.

Wrapup
I don't claim to have invented anything. The stalwart defender parody, Nova builds and many other similar concepts have existed a while. This is just a bit of tongue in cheek banter, but at the same time deadly serious. I'm wondering if we've reaching the point where we can have everything while not having to sacrifice anything.

Now, where did I put those +20 hearts?

[stoerm]

As richie says below, wraith form and stalwart do stack. It is expensive in terms of APs, so it's easier to get started with reconstructing yourself.

For kicks I reincarnated my stagnant kensei to a BF and spent a +1 heart to get rid of the pally level. Here's the result:



Starting stats: Str 10, Dex 6, Con 18, Int 18, Wis 8, Cha 14. All level ups into Int.

SWF would be a better fit, but this guy had his old skool 2HF gear handy. The plan right now is to meleecast him up into epics and LR when he's ready to Shiradi. Plans change, but this one is going to be fun for sure.

[richieelias27]

Stuff to look at
Big question: can you be in stalwart stance and wraith form simultaneously? Not strictly needed, but we're trying to be munchkins here, right?

Yes, you can still do both.

This is the first thing I did as soon as update 23 went live. With both active + various other dodge/displacement/heavy armor/shield/etc., you are essentially invulnerable.

For druids, stalwart and direbear go especially well together if you like hitpoints. Not so much if you like to do damage.

[stoerm]

Yes, you can still do both.

This is the first thing I did as soon as update 23 went live. With both active + various other dodge/displacement/heavy armor/shield/etc., you are essentially invulnerable.

Right on. I just soloed my first EE ever with a stalwart wraith fleshmunch. It's regarded as the baby EE and no feat at all, but I'm a certified Bad on our server and I did this on a level 20 character not wearing any epic gear.



DDTW on EE was a breeze. Now lvl 21, still no epic gear. Mediocre build, mediocre gear, mediocre player destroys EE under level.



Build in a nutshell, partly from memory:
15 wiz, 3 ftr, 2 fvs
Max con + levelups, 16 int, 14 cha, rest in str.
1 x Colors EPL.
All shield mastery and mental toughness, max, empower, quicken, enlarge, shield deflection, insightful reflexes plus useless stuff like improved shield bash and resilience.
Twists: Legendary shield mastery, embrace the light, endless faith.

Armor: Tier 1 lvl16 Cavalry Plate
Cloak: Guardian's Cloak (lvl 19)
Head: Beacon of Tira, Heavy Fort slotted
Main hand: Green Blade
Offhand: Bijio
Wrist: Sage's Cuffs
Trinket: Vibrant Purple Ioun Stone
Goggles: ConOpp SP Greensteel
Boots: Triple Earth HP
Ring 1: Guardian's Ring
Ring 2: Cannith Crafted FF of persuasion with Master's Gift and Deathblock slotted
Necklace: Cannith Crafted +6 Int with -15% ASF slotted
Belt: Cannith Crafted +6 Con