Trying the Harper Tree

[UurlockYgmeov]

UPDATED
Bespectacled Librarian with a BIG GIANT HUGE ARSE SWORD
11/7/2 Fighter/Wizard/Rogue
Lawful Good Warforged

Level Order

1. Rogue. . . . . .6. Wizard. . . . .11. Fighter. . . . 16. Fighter
2. Fighter. . . . .7. Wizard. . . . .12. Rogue. . . . . 17. Fighter
3. Wizard . . . . .8. Fighter . . . .13. Fighter. . . . 18. Fighter
4. Wizard . . . . .9. Wizard. . . . .14. Fighter. . . . 19. Fighter
5. Wizard . . . . 10. Wizard. . . . .15. Fighter. . . . 20. Fighter

Stats
. . . . . . . .34pt . . 36pt . . Tome. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 15. . . .15. . . .+2 . . . 4: INT
Dexterity . . . 13. . . .13. . . . . . . . 8: INT
Constitution. . 17. . . .17. . . . . . . .12: INT
Intelligence. . 17. . . .17. . . . . . . .16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .6. . . . 8. . . . . . . .20: INT
Charisma. . . . .6. . . . 6. . . . . . . .24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . R .F. W .W. W .W. W .F. W .W. F .R. F .F. F .F. F .F. F .F
. . . . . 1 .2. 3 .4. 5 .6. 7 .8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Disable . 4 .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .1. 1 .5. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Search. . 4 . . 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .2. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Spot. . . 4 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. . .2. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Open Lo . 4 .1. . .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ . . 1 .3. . .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .1. 16
Repair. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .5
UMD . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Bluff . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Balance . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Jump. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Diplo . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 .5. 5 .6. 6 .6. 6 .6. 6 .6. 6 13. 7 .7. 7 .7. 7 .7. 7 .8

Feats
.1. . . . : Power Attack
.2 Fighter: Cleave
.3. . . . : Mithral Body
.3 Wizard : Quicken Spell
.6. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
.7 Wizard : Extend Spell
.8 Fighter: Great Cleave
.9. . . . : Two Handed Fighting
12. . . . : Improved Two Handed Fighting
13 Fighter: Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
15 Fighter: Power Critical
17 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
18. . . . : Empower Spell
19 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
21 Epic . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
24 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Holy Strike

Spells

1. Expeditious Retreat, Jump, Shield, <Any>, <Any>
2. Blur, Invisibility, Web, Repair Moderate Damage
3. Haste, Displacement, Repair Serious Damage
4. Dimension Door, Repair Critical Damage

Enhancements (80 AP)
Warforged (17 AP)

• Improved Fortification, Warforged Constitution, Improved Fortification II
  
  1. Inscribed Armor III
  2. Great Weapon Aptitude III
  3. Improved Power Attack III
  4. Weapon Attachment

Harper Agent (28 AP)

• Agent of Good I, Intelligence, Agent of Good II, Intelligence
  
  1. Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
  2. Versatile Adept III, Know the Angles I
  3. Highly Skilled II, Versatile Adept III, Strategic Combat, Intelligence
  4. Versatile Adept III, Intelligence

Kensei (23 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
  
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Attack Boost II
  2. Weapon Group Specialization
  3. Critical Accuracy III, Weapon Group Specialization
  4. Critical Damage III

Eldritch Knight (12 AP)

• Eldritch Strike
  
  1. Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
  2. Improved Shield III, Light Armor Proficiency
  3. Intelligence

Destiny (24 AP) - Errors
Unyielding Sentinel

1. Energy Resistance III, Brace for Impact II
2. Fanaticism
3. Healing Hands, Endless Lay On Hands III
4. Light the Dark, Purify Weapon
5. Hardened I, Strength of Vitality III
6. Resurrection

Twists of Fate (8 fate points)

1. Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
2. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
3. Technician (Tier 1 Shadowdancer)

***** Original post below *****

---

with a TR build - 9 Fighter 9 Wizard 2 Rogue - Int Con build. Warforged 2HF build. First two lives have been very impressive. Really solid DPS, survivability, and trap skills. The Harper tree is what makes this build not only possible, but shine.

This, the third fighter past life is a Bladeforged version of this. Used a +1LR heart and had to push the 2nd rogue level to 16, but so far it is solid as well.

Comments?









spells (plus invis/blur/displacement) - mostly buff spells.



Uurlock (Heroic fighter lives)
Level 20 Lawful Good Warforged Male
(9 Fighter / 2 Rogue / 9 Wizard)
Hit Points: 293
Spell Points: 794

BAB: 14/14/19/24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 18
Will: 11

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 14 19 19
Dexterity 13 18 18
Constitution 17 22 28
Intelligence 17 27 42
Wisdom 10 15 22
Charisma 6 11 18

+5 Supreme Tome used previous life.

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Composite Plating
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Light Fortification
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Trapfinding
Feat: (Automatic) Warforged Traits

Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Cleave
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip

Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Mithral Body
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Charm
Feat: (Automatic) Inscribe Wizard Scroll
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training

Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT

Level 5 (Wizard)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Heroic Durability

Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: Insightful Reflexes

Level 7 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Improved Mental Toughness

Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave

Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) 2H fighting

Level 10 (Wizard)

Level 11 (Wizard)

Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Selected) Improved 2H fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion

Level 13 (Wizard)

Level 14 (Fighter)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slash

Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: INT

Level 17 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting

Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected): Power Critical

Level 19 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slash

Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: INT

[Wh070aa]

Looks really good, I would Scroll protection from elements(mass scrolls have better caster level), and get Niac's Biting Cold or clowdkill, and go for kensei instead of Eldrich kingt. Also I think sleet storm removes firewall, but not 100% on it, but if that's the case, you can do ice storm/sleetstorm, or acid.
Also consider getting quicken and maximize instead of Mental Toughness. (Or extend for haste/displacement). Also not sure if Mithral Body is worth taking (was it affected by the armor pass? then maybe).

But yea maximize. Extra 150 spell power to healing, and damage spells. It's basically doble spell damage/healing. + if the spell costs more than 25 (or 15 with ench/items) points, you are actually saving spell points by not casting 2 times (and the time in witch you kill enemy faster means less healing needed).
Its still spell point drain for most spells tho.

More spell points and critical from mental toughness might look good on paper, but the 1% critical doesn't work 99 times out of 100, and you can get/save spell points in other ways (scroll use(reconstruct scrolls, you need them anyway), items that reduce the cost of stuff), and you can just cleave on,and heal up with echoes of power anyway.

[Inoukchuk]

My first thought is that for a melee character many/all of the points spent in AM are wasted. I also don't think 6 AP is a great investment on +3 to hit/dam on criticals. I'd much prefer to spend those points in Kensei or STD.

For instance, the 15 pts in AM buys you some SLAs that you can cast anyway, 1 int, +3% spell crits, 90 spell points and 15 universal SP.

If you took those same 15 pts and invested 3 more in harper and the rest in STD you could have 1 int, 10 universal SP, +1 hit/dam to evil, + 12 HP, +9 fortification, 15 prr, +3 saves, +10% hp. Net loss: +3% spell crits, 90 spell points and 5 universal SP; net gain:+1 hit/dam to evil, + 12 HP, +9 fortification, 15 prr, +3 saves, +10% hp. Seems like a good trade.

Or instead of STD you could do Kensei and get haste boost, +4 att/+3 damage, +1 reflex, +1 dodge cap. Dropping some from crit stuff from EK would let you invest even further in these other trees.

In fact, I'd be tempted to switch to S&B, go tier 5 Vanguard + capstone, tier 4 Harper, tier 3 EK, swap out power critical for shield bash. You'd end up with 60% shield bash (plus up to 20% from the shield itself), more double strike, +15% attack speed, lots of stuns, more melee power. Just a thought.

[Inoukchuk]

Looks really good, I would Scroll protection from elements(mass scrolls have better caster level), and get Niac's Biting Cold or clowdkill, and go for kensei instead of Eldrich kingt. Also I think sleet storm removes firewall, but not 100% on it, but if that's the case, you can do ice storm/sleetstorm, or acid.
Also consider getting quicken and maximize instead of Mental Toughness. (Or extend for haste/displacement). Also not sure if Mithral Body is worth taking (was it affected by the armor pass? then maybe).

But yea maximize. Extra 150 spell power to healing, and damage spells. It's basically doble spell damage/healing. + if the spell costs more than 25 (or 15 with ench/items) points, you are actually saving spell points by not casting 2 times (and the time in witch you kill enemy faster means less healing needed).
Its still spell point drain for most spells tho.

More spell points and critical from mental toughness might look good on paper, but the 1% critical doesn't work 99 times out of 100, and you can get/save spell points in other ways (scroll use(reconstruct scrolls, you need them anyway), items that reduce the cost of stuff), and you can just cleave on,and heal up with echoes of power anyway.

He gets extend anyway from tier5 harper... unless he chooses another tree to tier5 in.

[Ra'ehd]

btw I don't know if it's intended, but the harper "Righteous weapons" t5 effect also gives you the ruby of righteousness effect on your weapon, so it has that 2% chance for good blast on hit.

[UurlockYgmeov]

Excellent comments and suggestions so far!

Last fighter life as a BF version of this is going great. Will have to look into swapping from AM to Kensei - will miss that extended displacement for a couple SP. ;p

[Oxarhamar]

Excellent comments and suggestions so far!

Last fighter life as a BF version of this is going great. Will have to look into swapping from AM to Kensei - will miss that extended displacement for a couple SP. ;p

Looks solid & fun.

I run Harper on my Arti hybrid its a blast.

[Vooduspyce]

I've had fun playing with the harper tree, but I wish it was exempt from the tier 5 rule (can't have multiple trees to tier 5)

[FuzzyDuck81]

Looks like a fun build & I've been enjoying the harper tree too, it can make many weird things possible - I'm loving my int-specced melee druid

[Oxarhamar]

I've had fun playing with the harper tree, but I wish it was exempt from the tier 5 rule (can't have multiple trees to tier 5)

Difficult choices indicate a better design than obvious ones.

[Wanesa]

Shewind is trying to be Harper FvS. It is realy wierd build, however extended and DC boosted Great Command spell is really powerfull She is not having INT Hit/Damage, but other Harper enhancements are ... at least interesting and worth to try.

[UurlockYgmeov]

it is one of the major reasons why DDO stands alone (even above the ridiculously expensive brand spanking new DDO for Dummies) - character customization - keep this going Dev's!

Didn't know that about righteous - use it but didn't know.

[Inoukchuk]

Difficult choices indicate a better design than obvious ones.

Agreed! I find myself needing 100 AP or more on every character... so they've done something right with enhancements =)

[UurlockYgmeov]

[UurlockYgmeov]

[DukePe]

btw I don't know if it's intended, but the harper "Righteous weapons" t5 effect also gives you the ruby of righteousness effect on your weapon, so it has that 2% chance for good blast on hit.

This I can confirm. It's not much damage tho - I see it tick in at around 100 points at lvl 15.

~~DukeP~~

[FuzzyDuck81]

Personally, i'd adjust those twists to go 4/2/1/1 instead & switch out critical damage for energy burst - a bit more damage on melee attacks is nice, but a kaboom that easily does 2-4k damage all at once in an AoE is really, really yummy.

[burningwind]

i only wish they make the capstone worthwhile to consider into build.. for now not much impressive

[UurlockYgmeov]

I keep on playing with the twists and find new ways to massacre the mobs for their Deity Dung! :P

[UurlockYgmeov]

Bespectacled Librarian with a BIG GIANT HUGE ARSE SWORD
11/7/2 Fighter/Wizard/Rogue
Lawful Good Warforged

Level Order

1. Rogue. . . . . .6. Wizard. . . . .11. Fighter. . . . 16. Fighter
2. Fighter. . . . .7. Wizard. . . . .12. Rogue. . . . . 17. Fighter
3. Wizard . . . . .8. Fighter . . . .13. Fighter. . . . 18. Fighter
4. Wizard . . . . .9. Wizard. . . . .14. Fighter. . . . 19. Fighter
5. Wizard . . . . 10. Wizard. . . . .15. Fighter. . . . 20. Fighter

Stats
. . . . . . . .34pt . . 36pt . . Tome. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 15. . . .15. . . .+2 . . . 4: INT
Dexterity . . . 13. . . .13. . . . . . . . 8: INT
Constitution. . 17. . . .17. . . . . . . .12: INT
Intelligence. . 17. . . .17. . . . . . . .16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .6. . . . 8. . . . . . . .20: INT
Charisma. . . . .6. . . . 6. . . . . . . .24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . R .F. W .W. W .W. W .F. W .W. F .R. F .F. F .F. F .F. F .F
. . . . . 1 .2. 3 .4. 5 .6. 7 .8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Disable . 4 .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .1. 1 .5. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Search. . 4 . . 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .2. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Spot. . . 4 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. . .2. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Open Lo . 4 .1. . .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ . . 1 .3. . .½. ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .1. 16
Repair. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .5
UMD . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Bluff . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Balance . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Jump. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Diplo . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 .5. 5 .6. 6 .6. 6 .6. 6 .6. 6 13. 7 .7. 7 .7. 7 .7. 7 .8

Feats
.1. . . . : Power Attack
.2 Fighter: Cleave
.3. . . . : Mithral Body
.3 Wizard : Quicken Spell
.6. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
.7 Wizard : Extend Spell
.8 Fighter: Great Cleave
.9. . . . : Two Handed Fighting
12. . . . : Improved Two Handed Fighting
13 Fighter: Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
15 Fighter: Power Critical
17 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
18. . . . : Empower Spell
19 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
21 Epic . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
24 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Holy Strike

Spells

1. Expeditious Retreat, Jump, Shield, <Any>, <Any>
2. Blur, Invisibility, Web, Repair Moderate Damage
3. Haste, Displacement, Repair Serious Damage
4. Dimension Door, Repair Critical Damage

Enhancements (80 AP)
Warforged (17 AP)

• Improved Fortification, Warforged Constitution, Improved Fortification II
  
  1. Inscribed Armor III
  2. Great Weapon Aptitude III
  3. Improved Power Attack III
  4. Weapon Attachment

Harper Agent (28 AP)

• Agent of Good I, Intelligence, Agent of Good II, Intelligence
  
  1. Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
  2. Versatile Adept III, Know the Angles I
  3. Highly Skilled II, Versatile Adept III, Strategic Combat, Intelligence
  4. Versatile Adept III, Intelligence

Kensei (23 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
  
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Attack Boost II
  2. Weapon Group Specialization
  3. Critical Accuracy III, Weapon Group Specialization
  4. Critical Damage III

Eldritch Knight (12 AP)

• Eldritch Strike
  
  1. Improved Mage Armor III, Item Defense I
  2. Improved Shield III, Light Armor Proficiency
  3. Intelligence

Destiny (24 AP) - Errors
Unyielding Sentinel

1. Energy Resistance III, Brace for Impact II
2. Fanaticism
3. Healing Hands, Endless Lay On Hands III
4. Light the Dark, Purify Weapon
5. Hardened I, Strength of Vitality III
6. Resurrection

Twists of Fate (8 fate points)

1. Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
2. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
3. Technician (Tier 1 Shadowdancer)