Tempest Dreadnought

[Grailhawk]

This is by no means an original build I'm sure others have built this and know how to do it I take no real ownership of it It is just placed here in order to link the next time I feel like answering a question about Tempest Ranger builds.

Ranger 20
True Neutral Human

Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 18. . . .+6. . . .4: STR
Dexterity . . . 14. . . .+6. . . .8: STR
Constitution. . 15. . . .+6. . . 12: STR
Intelligence. . 14. . . .+6. . . 16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 20: STR
Charisma. . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: STR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: STR

Skills
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Balance . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
Heal. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Hide. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Jump. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Move Si . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Search. . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spellcr . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
Spot. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Swim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . 1
Tumble. . . . . . . . . . . ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 11
UMD . . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .36. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11


Feat

.1. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
.1 Human. : Dodge
.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.3. . . . : Precision
.5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
.6. . . . : Toughness OR Two Weapon Defense OR Mobility OR Power Attack
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Ranged
15. . . . : Maximize Spell
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Aberration
18. . . . : Quicken Spell
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Epic Toughness
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Toughness OR Epic Skill Focus: Hide OR Elusive Target OR Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
30 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

Note: at level 28 when you get the second destiny feat you can swap in Epic Toughness; while leveling just take toughness as your level 24 feat.

Spells

1. Ram's Might, Jump, Resist Energy, Pass Without Trace
2. Barkskin, Mass Camouflage, Protection from Energy, Snare
3. Cure Moderate Wounds, Wild Instincts, Neutralize Poison, Remove Disease
4. Freedom of Movement, Cure Serious Wounds, Mass Longstrider, Animal Growth

Enhancements (80 AP)

Tempest (43 AP)

• Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows, Whirlwind, Dervish
  
  1. Improved Reaction III, Whirling Blades
  2. Improved Parry III, Improved Dodge III, Whirling Blades, Sprint Boost III
  3. Storm Dancer, Whirling Blades
  4. Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
  5. Dual Perfection, Cuts: A Thousand Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III

Deepwood Stalker (26 AP)

• Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Exposing Strike, Advanced Sneak Attack
  
  1. Stealthy III, Increased Empathy III, Versatile Empathy I
  2. Survivalist
  3. Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III, Favored Hunter III
  4. Survivalist, Killer III

Harper Agent (8 AP)

• Agent of Good I
  
  1. Harper Enchantment, Traveler's Toughness II
  2. Know the Angles III

Human (3 AP)

• Damage Boost
  
  1. Improved Recovery

Note: You can give up Survivalist III, Storm Dancer, and Storm Tempest (Sprint Boots could also be given up to free up points if needed) to pick up Elaborate Parry and Evasive Dance if you feel you need Improved Evasion.

Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

1. Legendary Tactics I, Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
2. Constitution
3. Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III, Strength
4. Strength
5. Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
6. Master's Blitz

Twists of Fate (31 fate points)

1. Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
2. Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
3. Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)
4. Unearthly Reactions (Tier 1 Magister)
5. Primal Scream (Tier 1 Fury)

Key Gear

• Draconic Reinvigoration Thunder-Forged Khopesh (Dwarvencraft Devotion, Dragon's Edge, Draconic Reinvigoration, Red Slot: Good)
• Epic Litany of the Dead
• Epic Gloves of the Claw
• Epic Bracers of the Claw

I'm not going to tell you how to gear; gear just really depends on what you have and what you don't have what I will tell you is that these 4 pieces of gear have unique effects that can not be made up in some other slot. (you could down grade your weapon to a CitW weapon to use Planer focus to get +4 Artifact Damage but its not worth it at 28 once you can use much better weapons)

[blerkington]

Hi,

Looks good, but I have a few questions.

What sort of DPS does this build deliver?

Is it ever worth using manyshot against a single target, or are you better off meleeing the whole time?

Which twists do you usually run?

Thanks.

[Grailhawk]

Hi,

Looks good, but I have a few questions.

What sort of DPS does this build deliver?

Is it ever worth using manyshot against a single target, or are you better off meleeing the whole time?

Which twists do you usually run?

Thanks.

I haven't run the numbers but it does more DPS then I think any Ranger should, Manyshot is worth using but you don't need too. Point Blank Shot and Combat Archery are worth taking IMO if you want to do the hybrid thing but if that's what you want I think Fury is a better destiny (better as in more fun for that build might be less DPS but its will be more fun IMO).

Twists

• Sense Weakness
• Balanced Attacks/Lithe
• Unearthly Reactions
• Brace for Impact

[blerkington]

I haven't run the numbers but it does more DPS then I think any Ranger should, Manyshot is worth using but you don't need too. Point Blank Shot and Combat Archery are worth taking IMO if you want to do the hybrid thing but if that's what you want I think Fury is a better destiny (better as in more fun for that build might be less DPS but its will be more fun IMO).

Twists

• Sense Weakness
• Balanced Attacks/Lithe
• Unearthly Reactions
• Brace for Impact

Hi,

Thanks for that. This is the first time in ages I've been even tempted to play a pure ranger, and it's good to see how other people are doing it.

Some of the better players I know on Khyber have reported feeling a little too squishy on tempest ranger builds when they play very aggressively, even with top of the line gear and many past lives. I'm not seeing as many paladin tempests as I expected.

Take care.

[RS-Makk]

Grailhawk - you still running the build?

What adjustments did you make (or recommend to make) when going to level 30?

[Grailhawk]

Grailhawk - you still running the build?

What adjustments did you make (or recommend to make) when going to level 30?

Harbinger of Chaos
Epic Reflexes
Scion of Arborea but might try Scion of the Ethereal Plane

For fifth twist I would look at Lithe, Rejuvenation Cocoon, Primal Scream, Impregnable Mind, Dragonhide, Draconic Presence, and Draconic Perception. Most likly ill take Primal Scream

[RS-Makk]

Have you considered fitting in Dire Charge? With the right gear, you should be able get your DC in the low 90's. (I've been playing around with various build ideas and I'm considering trying Dire Charge and getting my stuns up).

If I may ask, why are you considering Scion of Ethereal Plane (my understanding was the extra sneak damage works well on Dex based builds with the high Hide skill, but not as much on Str based build)?

Lastly, how's the build working out for you? (and how dealing with not being too squishy for current endgame).

[serthcore]

I haven't run the numbers but it does more DPS then I think any Ranger should, Manyshot is worth using but you don't need too. Point Blank Shot and Combat Archery are worth taking IMO if you want to do the hybrid thing but if that's what you want I think Fury is a better destiny (better as in more fun for that build might be less DPS but its will be more fun IMO).

Twists

• Sense Weakness
• Balanced Attacks/Lithe
• Unearthly Reactions
• Brace for Impact

You should consider Symmetric strikes instead of sense weakness.
The extra 5% damage is way better than the hp procs on mobs that are not (or can't be) put on helpless.
And when a mob is helpless its going to be dead soon anyway.

[Grailhawk]

You should consider Symmetric strikes instead of sense weakness.
The extra 5% damage is way better than the hp procs on mobs that are not (or can't be) put on helpless.
And when a mob is helpless its going to be dead soon anyway.

I've tried it I do not believe it works as described.

[Grailhawk]

Updated OP with final choices on new feat.

Have you considered fitting in Dire Charge? With the right gear, you should be able get your DC in the low 90's. (I've been playing around with various build ideas and I'm considering trying Dire Charge and getting my stuns up).

If I may ask, why are you considering Scion of Ethereal Plane (my understanding was the extra sneak damage works well on Dex based builds with the high Hide skill, but not as much on Str based build)?

Lastly, how's the build working out for you? (and how dealing with not being too squishy for current endgame).

Sorry missed your questions last time i looked at this thread.

I haven't tried or considered Dire Charge I don't really want to add a new clicky to this build but if you want to go for it I've seen it used to good measure.

I can get my hide skill to 100 with out a GS item that's +33 sneak attack damage that's enough to push it over +20 melee power.

I have +27 prr form past lives I don't really feel squishy in anything I do, if i didn't have that much PRR from Past Lives I would be looking at Scion of the Plane of Earth, and Deific Warding.

[Vulgari_]

Given that you have Power Attack as a potential feat, I was wondering why you didn't choose Improved Power Attack, the tier 2 Legendary Dreadnought skill.
Is the skill bugged, as in it doesn't work or do you believe it doesn't give enough DPS?
I read on the wiki that there is a display issue on the display for the weapon, meaning that the extra 0.5 W dmg doesn't show, but that it does show in the inventory drop down for weapons. But otherwise, I haven't seen anything to say that the skill definitely works or doesn't.

[Grailhawk]

Given that you have Power Attack as a potential feat, I was wondering why you didn't choose Improved Power Attack, the tier 2 Legendary Dreadnought skill.
Is the skill bugged, as in it doesn't work or do you believe it doesn't give enough DPS?
I read on the wiki that there is a display issue on the display for the weapon, meaning that the extra 0.5 W dmg doesn't show, but that it does show in the inventory drop down for weapons. But otherwise, I haven't seen anything to say that the skill definitely works or doesn't.

Because it's an alternate feat I don't actually take if I did I would take improved PA to go with it.

IMO Precision is better than PA in any non trivial content.

[Hobgoblin]

how viable is this build still 3 years later?


and would u take the knights training with everything else being equal (ie you dont have kopeshes built up from a previous life)

[Grailhawk]

how viable is this build still 3 years later?


and would u take the knights training with everything else being equal (ie you dont have kopeshes built up from a previous life)

Aasimar is a better race especially if you can have ~7 RAP from PL, 29 ED Feat should be Dire Charge, Knights Training is > Kopeshe (weapon versatility), IC: Ranged should be a Piercing, and I like IC: Bludgening over Epic Toughness. I use the Elaborate Parry and Evasive Dance version more now but can swap depending on content.

Dire Charge is the only major change really if you just did that swap you would be fine and in the meta.

[unbongwah]

Knights Training is > Kopeshe (weapon versatility)

You have enough feats to spare to take both plus two Improved Crit feats (Slash / Blunt) if you're really trying to max out your weapon versatility.

[Grailhawk]

You have enough feats to spare to take both plus two Improved Crit feats (Slash / Blunt) if you're really trying to max out your weapon versatility.

On Human yes on Aasimar you have to choose between EWP OR Dodge.

[Hobgoblin]

human so -1 feat

Feats

.1. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh - keep
.1 Human. : Dodge - moves to 3
.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.3. . . . : Precision
.5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
.6. . . . : Toughness OR Two Weapon Defense OR Mobility OR Power Attack - knights training
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Ranged - blunt moves to 15
15. . . . : Maximize Spell - 24?
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Aberration
18. . . . : Quicken Spell
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Epic Toughness - goes away
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Toughness OR Epic Skill Focus: Hide OR Elusive Target OR Doubleshot - dire charge
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
30 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


my take

[Hobgoblin]

taking another stab at this


Feats

1. . . . : Dodge
.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.3. . . . : Precision
.5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
.6. . . . : knights training
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: blunt
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
12. . . . : Improved Critical: slash
15. . . . : quicken
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Aberration
18. . . . : mobility
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : intensify
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: dire charge
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
30 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

[Grailhawk]

taking another stab at this


Feats

1. . . . : Dodge
.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.3. . . . : Precision
.5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
.6. . . . : knights training
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: blunt
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
12. . . . : Improved Critical: maximize
15. . . . : quicken
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Aberration
18. . . . : mobility
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : intensify
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: dire charge
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
30 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

Empower Healing will get the same effect as Intensify but cheaper sp cost.

Dire Charge has to be LV 29

Your level 12 choice is confusing

[pSINNa]

I was just a little bit excited when I saw this post (thanks for resurrecting it).

My first and favourite character was a khopesh Tempest Ranger way back when, and I've never lost the urge to go back to that playstyle.


That same character will finish his first Completionist with 3 ranger past lives in about 2 months time, and I was thinking of Ranger for his final incarnation (I probably won't bother with racial past lives, though maybe just a few would be nice, just not the whole show.)


He has 3 cleansed GS wearable items, sets of lit2 and min2 and triple pos khopesh's, and a lit2 bow (yes, I used to Shroud a lot ).


Of course, the new gear will supersede all of that once he's up in the 20-30 range and I start loading up his Epic past lives till he can twist in everything needed for optimum.


So where I'm heading with this is, optimum build for that pure Ranger final life, and is it going to be good enough to group in end game.


A current breakdown (maybe of the "fun" version - not absolute max dps, but able to be effective with the more fun ranged parts of the class as well) would be how I would roll I suppose (and taking advantage of those ranger PL's for extra bow damage).



Thoughts? (I'd be willing to swap weapons for end-game, the old khopesh isn't what it used to be pre-nerf, and eventually you just have to let go of all that GS you crafted, the end game loot now is better...... *sad face*)

Coit out~