First life Harper builds

[Anoregon]

Good morning! I recently bought the Harper tree when it was 25% off, and I am thinking about making a new character to use it. I don't have anything specific in mind, it can be ranged or melee, but it's going to be a first life, and due to the current nature of the game anything that is good at soloing is a plus. I have all classes/races (including iconic) except for half-elf. I see a lot of builds these days sort of assume completionist or at least a bunch of past lifes, but that's not really an option for me, so any ideas on a solid first life tune will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[UurlockYgmeov]

Good morning! I recently bought the Harper tree when it was 25% off, and I am thinking about making a new character to use it. I don't have anything specific in mind, it can be ranged or melee, but it's going to be a first life, and due to the current nature of the game anything that is good at soloing is a plus. I have all classes/races (including iconic) except for half-elf. I see a lot of builds these days sort of assume completionist or at least a bunch of past lifes, but that's not really an option for me, so any ideas on a solid first life tune will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

So - just a wee bit more guidance would be nice.

Harper tree is fun to work with and personally have used it on half a dozen or so builds... most current one is the Ozymoronic Barbarian, Shadow-Kai 18 Barbarian 2 Rogue - INT based 2WF evasion trapping self heals UMD DPS build. (See signature for jump to build)

Can you help narrow down what you are looking for?

_____somehow posted to wrong thread..... *scratches head, then looks around for kobold*
well if you want trap skills and want to be effective - take a look at the ozymoronic barbarian. INT based (uses Harper tree to get TH/Dam with INT) - evasion - TWF or THF. It is designed for Shadow-Kai - but any race really will do.

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/457561-18-barb-2-rogue-please-critique
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/457067-Ozymoronic-Barbarian

[Makkuroi]

To make full use of harper, I like an int-based caster hybrid. 18 wiz/2 rogue staffy caster is pretty nice, 18 wiz/2 fighter or 18 wiz/1 fighter/1 arti (heavy armor+shield) is also possible.

Then there is Arti which also benefits from kta and the ranged power/spellpower bonuses.

Of course, there are other builds, but I think int-based casters with trapping and melee capability are best. At least trappers make full use of the extra skillpoints.

Edit: one more idea: int-based shiradi caster (fvs12 wiz6 x2) with insightful reflexes and energy burst twisted. Or draconic melee anything.

[UurlockYgmeov]

Have also done an Int Based Fighter - (11 fighter 7 wizard 2 rogue) using the Eldritch Knight with displacement as a SLA - was fun running around with greatswords -- and Terror ruled the day.

[Anoregon]

Have also done an Int Based Fighter - (11 fighter 7 wizard 2 rogue) using the Eldritch Knight with displacement as a SLA - was fun running around with greatswords -- and Terror ruled the day.

That sounds pretty fun. I like the idea of the Eldritch Knight tree, but never really got around to trying anything with it.

The the build you mentioned in the first post sounds cool too (barb/rogue shadow-kai), I'll give that a look.

[Anoregon]

I just realized that the Ozymoronic build requires some tomes to be able to get both power attack and the TWF fighting line, so sadly that may not work on a first life.

[Saekee]

The build in my sig (Twilight Blade) uses the tier 5 harper and combines it with elven racials to expand them (displacement). You get a great evasion toon with high dodge, incorporeality and displacement, and no need for tomes. The qualifying feats all require a high DEX that you will have anyway as your primary stat and where all your level-ups are going. It is an advanced build from the perspective of player skill but it makes up for it fine if you do not have it.

I recommend some perma-blur item for it (like the level 4 bracers of wind) and other standard melee and rogue boosters, all easily acquired. Nothing to grind for since the Tier 5 harper gives improved deception.

The build got a nice buff from U25 also. I am level 16 and either finesse/stealth content or have fun zerging heroic elite quests in PUGS.

[UurlockYgmeov]

I just realized that the Ozymoronic build requires some tomes to be able to get both power attack and the TWF fighting line, so sadly that may not work on a first life.

can always just use THF or adjust when you take feats.

Yes the Int based Fighter/Wiz/Rog was a blast. I will see if I can post it this week.

[UurlockYgmeov]

looking around for the actual build - didn't find it yet so will have to recreate. (All good) but at the end of every life I take screenshots, here are some from that life: (don't know why I took LG - maybe it was to thumb Uurlock's nose at the rogue trainer? :P)


***** edit: found the original posting - link in signature. Will input into CBL - and repost.

[UurlockYgmeov]

After 2 lives like that one - ran a BF version - and put emphasis on Kensie tree.

[Anoregon]

You've given me a lot to work with, I really appreciate it!

[UurlockYgmeov]

You've given me a lot to work with, I really appreciate it!

OK - so I was able to get it to work with 11 Fighter 7 Wizard 2 Rogue... Should be a BEAST... Does seems to require a +2 Strength Tome - but that shouldn't be too much a stretch.

Skills really tight - but ... and feats/enhancements/destiny/twists could use some tweaking.

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)

[unbongwah]

can always just use THF or adjust when you take feats.

SWF is actually more stat-/first-life-friendly than THF or TWF, since it has no stat pre-reqs; then you just need STR 13 for Power Atk and the rest of your stat pts can go to INT & CON. I've been kicking around ideas for barb 15 / bard 3 / rog or ftr 2 builds for a while; my plan was to go STR-based, but it's not hard to adapt to INT-based w/Harper.

[Jetrule]

A Sun elf Cleric-1/arti-1/ Rogue-13 Mechanic is some thing I have built a couple of times since last update, just messing around and looking to get it decent. The Idea is to use the morning lord race buffs sla for deathward and spell resistance and 2 per rest full heals rejuvenation of dawn. The cleric is good for spell points for know the angles, and heavy armor. The arti for equipping a rune arm.

It is certainly a superior trapping build with the high int and race bonuses. The damage with a heavy repeater is good. The ranged power is very high and trapper rogue right now out shoots artificer. dc on special traps in the tree is also good but more effective cc is required. I would run it through low level free agent quests right away for favor then run (drawing a blank on quest name but you acquire it in sovereign host temple and you head to the duergar mines to reclaim a holy sword.) To farm out a ton of magical trap parts. Then make some web and glitter traps for reliable high dc. crowd control.

The downside is low hit points and not much gear to use that comes with the character.

[unbongwah]

Cleric-1/arti-1/ Rogue-13 . . . The arti for equipping a rune arm.

You need 2 arty lvls to equip a RA, which would mean giving up Expert Builder.

[Jetrule]

Ah good point. Yeah I didn't grab a rune arm to equip for the test.. just assumed it if i wanted to bind a corruption of nature. Probably best to go 1 cleric 19 rogue then. thanks