The Tempest Ranger, by Illuminati

[stefoid]

hmm, someone said you get gtwf and some other stuff at ranger 11, so maybe just the one level of fighter at L9. but then again, you get +6AC barkskin for 12 minute as a reward for sticking with a pure ranger. hmmm... almost as nice as FAB I.

power attack? doesnt that only really kick in for double handed high str builds? I can think of only one situation where it would have been handy (so far) -- greater earth elemental in boss cave in SC. I was only scratching it. It must have 10DR or something. 5 attacks at an average of 11 damage per attack doesnt really shine against a DR10 mob with no CON. Another reason for taking elementals as favoured enemy.

anyway, with the improvement to rate of fire based on BAB, all rangers become very decent at range, just from freebie feats. however id probably consider improved critical ranged, as I tend to start each melee by dropping the baddest mob with missile fire - casters and such.

[the_ox]

Hey Illuminati, love the build, have some questions for you, about my modified version.

First Off Im drow, I like it (also makes sence with the elfs favored)

Starting Stats:
Str 15
Dex 19 +2
Con 10
Int 10
Wis 11
Cha 10

Lvl 10 Ending Stats, assuming +4 dex ring or boots (i hope)
Str 18
Dex 30
Con 13 (hopefully can someday snag a +4)
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 10

Feats:
1.) Weapon Finesse
3.) Precision (i think will make a big diff, explination below)
6.) Power Attack (also see below)
9.) Imp Crit - Piercing
12.) Imp Crit - Ranged
*15.) Focus - Piercing
*18.) Focus - Ranged

Precision and Power Attack changes, insted of Dodge + focus, or focus ranged+peircing, basically my thought is this, if your fighting a mob where it takes you +19 to hit, with a raiper 15+ crit, or ss 17+ crit, that means alot more crits if you turn on precision, and this build is all about crits until you get wounding weapons which still would benefit greatly from 4 more to hit, and for power attack, going against trash mobs, or lower level quests, great to trade a lil of that spare attack for more dmg. I like the situational system in this case a little better than +1 ac and/or +1 pierce/ranged earlier

Now my enhancements depends, if I land a great item i want 20umd for (cause i am pumping umd) then its
Elven Dex
Ranger Dex
Favored Attk or dmg havent decided
RAB

but where im stuck is, I like the idea of elemental empathy, and elven ranged attk, so I'm not sure which way to go fully with enhancements so any advice would be helpful.

With the ROF, Bow Str, SoTR and Manyshot changes coming, I really think adding the ranged power in there will help alot, also brings back a bit more of the versatilty when you can just plop on a puncturing/wounding bow, with improved precise shot, and take down a boss alot while team focus' on adds and stuff.

But all this being said I'm still fairly new to this game, this is my 3rd rerolled ranger, ever since I decided that at lvl 20 losing the 5th favored enemy and final dex enhancement might not be worth the 1 extra feat and heavy armor+tower profs by bringing in a level of fighter. So please pick this apart, let me know if there is anything im missing or anything I haven't considering, seeing as how I have not had the pleasure of high end content or raids yet.

Thanks
oxideous of mabar

[Ciaran]

Dang, why did I have to read about this build? Now I'm thinking about deleting my paladin and trying out this build.

Great build, seriously. I love the versatility and threat this build has in it. I just may have to try this out.

[Illuminati]

I am seriously thinking about PowerAttack/Precision as well. They are both great for either trashmobs (slimes, etc.) Power Attack, and Precision for High AC mobs (no agro if no damage).

Also, if they fix ranged cursespewing bows, etc. all would benefit from Precision. Too bad Ranged Power Attack doesnt exist.

My advice would be to wait to see what changes we are going to see for Mod3 (lvl 12) and change accordingly.

I love the build and thanks all for the comments. I just wish my original 3xTome Ranger was this build instead of 22, 26, 16, 8, 16, 8!

Hey Illuminati, love the build, have some questions for you, about my modified version.

First Off Im drow, I like it (also makes sence with the elfs favored)

Starting Stats:
Str 15
Dex 19 +2
Con 10
Int 10
Wis 11
Cha 10

Lvl 10 Ending Stats, assuming +4 dex ring or boots (i hope)
Str 18
Dex 30
Con 13 (hopefully can someday snag a +4)
Int 10
Wis 14
Cha 10

Feats:
1.) Weapon Finesse
3.) Precision (i think will make a big diff, explination below)
6.) Power Attack (also see below)
9.) Imp Crit - Piercing
12.) Imp Crit - Ranged
*15.) Focus - Piercing
*18.) Focus - Ranged

Precision and Power Attack changes, insted of Dodge + focus, or focus ranged+peircing, basically my thought is this, if your fighting a mob where it takes you +19 to hit, with a raiper 15+ crit, or ss 17+ crit, that means alot more crits if you turn on precision, and this build is all about crits until you get wounding weapons which still would benefit greatly from 4 more to hit, and for power attack, going against trash mobs, or lower level quests, great to trade a lil of that spare attack for more dmg. I like the situational system in this case a little better than +1 ac and/or +1 pierce/ranged earlier

Now my enhancements depends, if I land a great item i want 20umd for (cause i am pumping umd) then its
Elven Dex
Ranger Dex
Favored Attk or dmg havent decided
RAB

but where im stuck is, I like the idea of elemental empathy, and elven ranged attk, so I'm not sure which way to go fully with enhancements so any advice would be helpful.

With the ROF, Bow Str, SoTR and Manyshot changes coming, I really think adding the ranged power in there will help alot, also brings back a bit more of the versatilty when you can just plop on a puncturing/wounding bow, with improved precise shot, and take down a boss alot while team focus' on adds and stuff.

But all this being said I'm still fairly new to this game, this is my 3rd rerolled ranger, ever since I decided that at lvl 20 losing the 5th favored enemy and final dex enhancement might not be worth the 1 extra feat and heavy armor+tower profs by bringing in a level of fighter. So please pick this apart, let me know if there is anything im missing or anything I haven't considering, seeing as how I have not had the pleasure of high end content or raids yet.

Thanks
oxideous of mabar

[Illuminati]

Dang, why did I have to read about this build? Now I'm thinking about deleting my paladin and trying out this build.

Great build, seriously. I love the versatility and threat this build has in it. I just may have to try this out.

Thanks! I am actually looking at a pure THF Paladin myself. Honestly though, in favored quests this build owns. My only complaint about this build is the fact that rapiers are very low in hardness and at high level and chain quests you need 3 to rotate through.

Evasion>>>>>>>>>>all

I love my pure fighter but buying potions is getting fairly annoying. I even have 2x Improved Resistance items on at all times and I still get annoyed with buying potions.

Gosh, so many possibilities and not enough feats! If they do to ranged what I think they will do it will be ranged till close, sword/board, rangers speed booost away , rinse repeat.

[Illuminati]

hmm, someone said you get gtwf and some other stuff at ranger 11, so maybe just the one level of fighter at L9. but then again, you get +6AC barkskin for 12 minute as a reward for sticking with a pure ranger. hmmm... almost as nice as FAB I.

power attack? doesnt that only really kick in for double handed high str builds? I can think of only one situation where it would have been handy (so far) -- greater earth elemental in boss cave in SC. I was only scratching it. It must have 10DR or something. 5 attacks at an average of 11 damage per attack doesnt really shine against a DR10 mob with no CON. Another reason for taking elementals as favoured enemy.

anyway, with the improvement to rate of fire based on BAB, all rangers become very decent at range, just from freebie feats. however id probably consider improved critical ranged, as I tend to start each melee by dropping the baddest mob with missile fire - casters and such.

My guess would be Favored Attack IV, Favored DMG IV (+8 DMG), RAB IV, Rangers DEX IV.

I may dump Elven Dex II since Greater Heroism will be prevelant and you may net +1 attack (which is most likely fine).

I am really waiting to see what Mod3 brings.

[Illuminati]

I have been looking at your post for quite awhile, really wanting to give it a shot because it looks like fun. I just unlocked a drow with my tank build and what something more exciting to play, and have been thinking of using this build. Just have a few questions for you.
12 - Str
20 - Dex
11 - Con
10 - Int
11 - Wis
10 - Cha lowest I could go
I had two left over, so I dropped them in str. I wasn't too sure about that, or whether it should be int for more skill points (not sure of the math) or con etc.

Also with enhancements would you change what you have and maybe select the drow SR?

My biggest concern is I have one semi-decent weapon I managed to find in the couple months of playtime, a +1 Cursespewing heavy pick of shatter lvl 6 Dwarf umd 16. I would like to be able to use it by lvl 6, is this possible without maybe giving up WF or dodge? Without having to use action boost everytime I wanted to switch?

Thanks for the help!

I would recommend trading that wep for an elemental with puncturing (+1 frost/acid of punturing). Definately STR is not a bad choice since medium load affects AC. Some low STR mods of this build will have a tough time if they start carrying around too much.

Although I am a fan of Drow SR I can't think of anything to replace with it since they are all necessary.

[Illuminati]

Hey guygrim,

I have a few changes in mind but I an hoping to see some posts about the change to Ranged combat (being official), etc.

Precision and Power Attack look very good to me atm.

I like the dex pump over Str because with a tome, level increase, etc. you still come out ahead. Pumping Str will never make you a Str build. You can also find non penalty str items.

Waiting for mod3 release notes but knowing turbine it will be 3 weeks after the release =)

My Level 6 permadeath Ranger just died, so now I have an opportunity / open slot to make a Tempest Ranger. I plan on using Illuminati's Build as shown on Page 1 of this post. One question:

Here are the End Stats as listed by Illuminati:

14 - Str (+4 Str/-1 Dex ,Static Reward: Linen Handwraps)
30 - Dex (+3 Enhancement, +2 Enhancement, +2 Lvl’s 4/8, +3/4 item/buff, -1 Linen Handwraps)
14 - Con (+3 Item)
10 - Int
14 – Wis (+3 Item) *You are able to cast 4th level spells in DDO with an item modifier.
8 - Cha

My question: Why bother getting the linen handwraps? You can just use the TR Static Reward +3, but you would need to put +1 into Strength at either the Level 4 or Level 8. Am I missing something?

Illuminati; have you made any changes to your build listed on Page 1?

ciao!

[guygrim]

hehe yeah..

I am thinking about Precision at level 6 when you can start using stat damaging weapons. I definitely like sword and board vs. two handed fighting, simply because I like the +4 to AC.

[Jaysensen]

I swapped Dodge for Precision. I miss elite Renders only on 4s first two swings, only on 1s subsequent swings. Precision not only lowers your aggro, but increases your crit confirmation roll. Even TWF with puncturing rapiers, I require less healing than you would think.

The optimal stat killing weapons is a Seeker of Puncturing Rapier. Or Seeker of Enfeebling Rapier. Rangers dont get the crit confirmation, so its worth it. OFC, finding one is harder than purchasing one at the Wounding bow shop, so any elemental puncturing Rapier is good. Dont forget: Puncturing Rapiers (must have imp crit), wounding everything else.

I also took Undead, Elves, Aberrations as FEs. While its nice on the VON3 Beholders, I think something else, such as Giants or Outsiders would have been better than Aberrations.

[spifflove]

If neutral can i wield Retribution w/o high umd?

[techguru]

Did you change your orginal feats? I seem to remember weapon focus piercing instead of precision?

I am level 5.. if you did would it be worth re-rolling..

The Tempest Ranger, by Illuminati

This Ranger is very similar to my personal build, which owns TS on Elite (or any quest with Elves, Undead, or Giants). If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, this is how I would do it:

Class: Ranger
Race: Drow Elf
Alignment: True Nuetral

Exlanation: Elf/Ranger for the Dex enhancements as this version will wear robes. Robes? Heck yeah. They quick switch instantaneously and you get the best attributes on them. Divine Power, Greater Fire/Cold, etc. all appear on robes. True Nuetral so that you can use ANY weapon without negative level and with Rangers Action Boost, you can UMD most items within the game. I also like the fact that you can free up a slot for a resistance item (even though the deflection doesn’t stack, etc.). I will show optimally equipped below (without Uber gear). Favored Enemy bonuses are huge. +6 Damage is like +12 Strength and with Weapon Finesse your Attack Bonus is in the 40’s.
Why is this better than a pure fighter?
Evasion – No Damage on a Reflex Save
Healing – When you get in trouble, just wand yourself up
Barkskin - +5 Natural Armor Bonus that stacks with everything
Robes – If you can get your AC high enough (see below) they have the best attributes

Begin Stats:

12 - Str (2 Pts)
20 - Dex (16 Pts)
11 - Con (5 Pts)
10 - Int
11 - Wis (3 Pts)
10 - Cha

End Stats:

16 - Str (+4 Str/-1 Dex ,Static Reward: Linen Handwraps)
30 - Dex (+3 Enhancement, +2 Enhancement, +2 Lvl’s 4/8, +3/4 item/buff, -1 Linen Handwraps)
14 - Con (+3 Item)
10 - Int
14 – Wis (+3 Item) *You are able to cast 4th level spells in DDO with an item modifier.
8 - Cha

Enhancements: Rangers Action Boost, Elven Dexterity II, Rangers Dexterity III, Favored Attack III

Skills: Max UMD, Max Tumble, put points into Jump, Move Silently, Hide (1), Spot (2) and Balance.

Note: UMD at Level 10 (+5 Rank, +10 Action Boost, +3 Item, +2 Heroism) = 20. This is enough to equip anything in the game.
Tumble at Level 10 (+6 Rank, +10 Dex Bonus, +10 Spell (u cast), +5 Tumble item) = 31. Back/Side flip time. If you get a better item you can do front flips. Did you know you can Move Silently at full speed while flipping?

Feats:

Lvl 1 = Weapon Finesse, *Bow Strength, *Favored Enemy: Undead
Lvl 2 = *Rapid Shot, *Two-Weapon Fighting (TWF)
Lvl 3 = Precision (+4 to attack, base damage is halved)
Lvl 4 =
Lvl 5 =
Lvl 6 = Dodge (or Power Attack), *Many Shot, *Improved TWF, *Favored Enemy: Giants
Lvl 7 =
Lvl 8 =
Lvl 9 = Improved Critical: Piercing, *Evasion
Lvl 10 = *Favored Enemy: Elves

Attack Bonus (Level 10): Normal/Common Potential

+10 BaB
+10 Dex (Weapon Finesse)
+5 (+5 Weapon)
+4 Precision
+0/+3 (Favored Attack)
+0/+2 (Herosim)
+0/+1 (Haste)
-----------
+29, +35

Swing Progression: Normal/Common Potential
+29, +29, +34, +39
+36, +36, +41, +46

Damage (Level 10): Normal/Common Potential
Weapon of Choice: Rapier (Puncturing even better)

1d6+5
+2 Strength
+0/+6 Favored)
+0/+1 Haste
-------
13/20 per hit (no elemental damage or con damage applied)

Crit Range = 15 – 20 so you get a x2 damage roughly 1 out of 4 hits.

Armor Class:

+10 Base
+10 Dex
+7 Shield (Heavy Steel or Mithral)
+5 Barkskin
+4 WW Bracers or MageArmor potions
+3 Deflection (Static Loot)
+1/+3 Dodge * if you find the Chaosgarde bracers (buy mage armor potions)
---------
40/43 (Very Respectable)

*a +1 Dex tome and you hit 32. Cast Cats Grace to offset the -1 from Linen Handwraps and you add a +1 AB and +1 Armor Bonus.

My personal build has stats 22, 26, 16, 8, 16, 8 (w/ items only). It is great to pull the levers etc. but I believe it would have been better with a higher Dex. The ability to hot swap robes is awesome.

Scenarios:

Xorion Cypher: (Elves and Undead)
With a simple +1 Holy Mace and Rapier you will own this quest.

Tempest Spine (Elves, Evil Outsiders and Giants)
With a Puncture Rapier you will own this quest. I use a +5 Rapier on the Blackguards and they go down fast. The rest are squishy.

Gwayland’s Stand: (Elves, Minataurs, Goblinoid)
Any of the Monstrous Humanoid types are squishy.

Von 1-4: (Beholders, Mephits, Elves, Trolls)
Grab a Deathblock Robe of Light/Mod Fort and you own these guys fast. A puncture wep on all the drow, and a Flaming Rapier takes out the trolls. Whatever you wish on the Beholders, they go down fast.

Von 5: (Undead, WF, Dwarves)
The Undead here are like butter. Your damage bonus takes them out fast. Find a +1 Holy Rapier and you get 1d6+1 (+6 Favored Enemy), +2d6 (Holy). The key to WF is an Adamantium Wep or Puncture. Sure its hard to punch through their DR, but they have low Con (8-12). Usually two criticals and they go down.

Threnal: (Evil Outsiders, Giants, Various)
Puncture the Giants, and the rest are squishy. No problems here.

Enjoy. Comments welcome.

[ddjunks]

Hey guys, can you clarify the bonus for Favored Enemies at L10 ranger? Is it a +6/+6 Tohit/Damage?

[Silverwulf2]

Hey guys, can you clarify the bonus for Favored Enemies at L10 ranger? Is it a +6/+6 Tohit/Damage?

It's +0/+6 or +3/+9 if you take the enhancmenets for each.

[Silverwulf2]

Hmm...definitely an interesting build. First time I've read through it. My only question is don't you think similar results (or better) could be achieved by going primarily as a Fighter? For example:

L8 Fighter/L2 Rogue
Drow Elf
Lawful Good

Starting stats:

15 STR
20 DEX
10 CON
10 INT
8 WIS
10 CHA

Ending Stats:

22 STR
28 DEX (32 DEX potential at L12 depending on Enhancements)
13 CON
10 INT
8/11 WIS
10 CHA

Feat selection would be (taking the 2 Rogue Levels at 1 & 9):

1 (R) - WF: Piercing
2 (F) - Weapon Finesse
3 (F) - Dodge
3 (F) - Precision
5 (F) - Mobility
6 (F) - Spring Attack
7 (F) - WS: Piercing
9 (R) - GWF: Piercing
10 (F) - Imp Crit: Piercing

Enhancements would be: Fighter STR III, FAB III, Crit Accuracy IV, Elf DEX II

Although you wouldn't have the +3 to attack against Favored Enemies, you'd actually be better off IMO because you'd have +2 vs. all mobs in the game instead via Greater Wepon Focus.

You wouldn't have the +9 to damage vs. Favored Enemies, but you'd have an extra +2 dmg from Weapon Specialization and an extra +3 from higher STR...so, you'd have a +5 to +6 dmg to all mobs in the game instead of +9 to a select group.

You'd still have Evasion as would the Ranger, except that you'd also have an extra 1d6 sneak attack dmg.

You'd have Spring Attack and the abilityto attack while moving with no penalty, where as the Ranger would suffer a -4 penalty.

You'd have one less attack until L11 (if planning ahead) and one point less of BAB, but you'd also have a boost when needed of +7 to attack or a boost of +5 to AC. Those would go up to a +10 boost at L12 and +7 AC boost.

You'd have an extra +7 to confirm your criticals with Puncturing weps for high AC mobs.

Using pots, you'd have an AC potential in the low 40's and the ability to use higher AC armor vs. higher DEX armor, allowing you to keep a higher AC in times when you're prone, held, etc.

Not that this is a "better" build, just a variation on a theme to think about...

[Falconner]

I have two capped rangers and the second is very similar to yours Illuminati. Great fun. I would just add to the mix one other enhancement idea. I wear armor and didn't go the UMD route so I don't use RAB. Instead I use Favored Defense for a +4 bonus to AC. My standing AC w/bow is 30.

When melee starts: +5 hvy steel shield for +7
Barkskin for +5
and: against FE's (Undead, Giants, and Evil outsiders) another +4

for 46 AC against FE's.

Add in the pally and it gets crazy. Just a thought.

[Cik]

Im not D&D proficient but want this build with a halfling.

1. Since im capped at distributing 28 points, I cant input Illuminati's original ability points of:
12 - Str
20 - Dex
11 - Con
10 - Int
11 - Wis
10 - Cha

2. Secondly, the skills...seems like a lot to take and I understand them but is it ok if i eliminate jump? because i really dont know specifically how many points i should put into each and by the time i get to balance after maxing the others mentioned, I have 2 points in balance and nothing to spare for jump.

3. about feats....so favored enemy Giants instead of undead or stick with the template starting out? And still take weapon finesse?

Thanks for the input.

Thanks

[Jaysensen]

My only question is don't you think similar results (or better) could be achieved by going primarily as a Fighter?

Illuminati posted a similar build on the Fighter forums called the Punctanator or something like that. There are several of those (or similar) running around on my server. Some are halfling, some are drow.

[Illuminati]

Did you change your orginal feats? I seem to remember weapon focus piercing instead of precision?

I am level 5.. if you did would it be worth re-rolling..

No worries, a feat respec option is on the way with mod 3. Just swap out WF pierce for precision when you get a chance.

[Illuminati]

Illuminati posted a similar build on the Fighter forums called the Punctanator or something like that. There are several of those (or similar) running around on my server. Some are halfling, some are drow.

I have a friend who ran it to 10 and without the healing capability and Evasion, the Tempest Ranger is superior. Sure, the FAB attack bonus is nice, but healing, barkskin, evasion is much nicer =)