Fardlock/Cardlock heroic TR build

[hrmn8r]

I have favored soul and cleric lives coming up and I'm looking for something interesting and "different" to spice things up. I won't go past 20 with these lives.

In the 2nd run I'll swap the FvS lives for Cleric, from Fardlock to Cardlock.

He will run entirely with shortswords as I have a great collection and that will allow the warpriest enhancement bonuses.

I will use Tiefling's Blade through 12, Min 2 through 14, and Razorend for the rest and all of these have keen so no need for Improved Critical. He will use Charisma for damage and should be fine with 13 strength and power attack due to enhance bonuses, divine might, and no fail tensor's scrolls when necessary.

The ES line will give a decent amount of temporary hp consistently, ameliorating strike should double strike pretty often (I also have 3 double strike past lives) - good dodge, warlock light armor bonuses, and perma (quickened)displace should make him fairly not-so-squishy. In a pinch his self healing should be serviceable.

Spiritual retribution (3d6 light damage - boosted w/sp) with a high attack speed and a ton of doublestrikes plus the 4 sec will add to the already great melee in swashbuckler with gswf and improved shield mastery. With these weapons resonant arms should be hitting for 6d6 (boosted by sp) about 30% of swings on top of the light damage. I'll have trouble slotting all the sp items I need but have a lot of great gear sitting around.

Dark Delirium will be fun.

All-in-all it should be a fun mix for flying through heroic content.

See any ways I could improve him?

Fardlock Cardlock
Level 20 True Neutral Drow Male
(3 Bard / 11 Favored Soul / 6 Warlock)
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 1503

BAB: 14/14/19/24
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 16
Will: 16

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 12 16
Dexterity 10 14
Constitution 14 18
Intelligence 12 16
Wisdom 8 12
Charisma 20 32

Tomes Used
+4 in all attributes

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Warlock
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Single Weapon Fighting

Level 2 (Bard)

Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack

Level 4 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Deity) Follower of Vulkoor

Level 5 (Favored Soul)

Level 6 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery

Level 7 (Favored Soul)

Level 8 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA

Level 9 (Warlock)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Single Weapon Fighting

Level 10 (Warlock)

Level 11 (Warlock)

Level 12 (Warlock)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery

Level 13 (Warlock)

Level 14 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Favored Soul Bonus) Energy Resistance: Fire

Level 15 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell

Level 16 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raaise: CHA

Level 17 (Favored Soul)

Level 18 (Favored Soul)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Single Weapon Fighting

Level 19 (Favored Soul)

Level 20 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: CHA

Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Eldritch Aura (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Aura of Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shape Vestments (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Body (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Resilience of Soul (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Bastion (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spirritual Bastion (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light I (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Ward (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Power of Enlightenment - Light II (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Spiritual Retribution (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Brilliance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Shining Through (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enlightened Spirit (Wlk) - Displacement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Confidence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Swashbuckling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Blow By Blow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Skirmisher (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Resonant Arms (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Resonant Arms (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Resonant Arms (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Smooth Flourishes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Smite Foe (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Resilience of Battle (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Sanctuary (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Divine Might (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Divine Might (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Divine Might (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Righteous Weapons (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Smite Weakness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Righteous Weapons (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Inflame (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Inflame (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Inflame (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Inflame: Saving Throws (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Righteous Weapons (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Ameliorating Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warpriest (Fvs) - Righteous Weapons (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Soul Eater (Wlk) - Inhuman Deadliness (Rank 1)

[Kadrios]

My main suggestion would be attempting to free up a few AP to put into Tainted Scholar (in order to get utterdark blast). Running with utterdark blast active (and assuming you are planning to play a fae pact warlock) means you only need to focus on three categories of spell power (light, sonic and positive), rather than the 4/5 required if you don't have utterdark blast and run in a different pact.

On a crit focused build I would generally suggest swapping out power attack for precision (which would also have the side effect of freeing up some points from strength to go into another stat (either Int or Con).


As you are going to be using Charisma for damage there is no reason to take divine might.

I also notice that you haven't taken either of the ES bursts, which even at low warlock levels would pack a nice amount of AoE damage in heroic content. Is there a particular reason you decided not to take them?

[unbongwah]

I will use Tiefling's Blade through 12, Min 2 through 14, and Razorend for the rest and all of these have keen so no need for Improved Critical.

I don't know if this is a bug or WAI, but if you don't have the Imp Crit feat, you don't get the extra crit range bonus from Swashbuckling, even with Keen weapons.

He will use Charisma for damage and should be fine with 13 strength and power attack due to enhance bonuses, divine might, and no fail tensor's scrolls when necessary.

You mention CHA to dmg, but then you also take Div Might - umm, why? Did you just need to burn APs in Warpriest?

The main problem I have with these sorts of builds for HTR templates is they tend to be late-bloomers; you need to be pretty high level before you have enough APs for Skirmisher+Ameliorating Strike+Shining Thru. I prefer more front-loaded HTR builds cuz I'm impatient. The other issue is that you're stuck with lt armor for Swashbuckling, but have poor Reflex saves and no Evasion. Though I guess you're counting on the temp HPs from ES to enable you to plow thru, so party on, I guess.

[hrmn8r]

I don't know if this is a bug or WAI, but if you don't have the Imp Crit feat, you don't get the extra crit range bonus from Swashbuckling, even with Keen weapons.

You mention CHA to dmg, but then you also take Div Might - umm, why? Did you just need to burn APs in Warpriest?

The main problem I have with these sorts of builds for HTR templates is they tend to be late-bloomers; you need to be pretty high level before you have enough APs for Skirmisher+Ameliorating Strike+Shining Thru. I prefer more front-loaded HTR builds cuz I'm impatient. The other issue is that you're stuck with lt armor for Swashbuckling, but have poor Reflex saves and no Evasion. Though I guess you're counting on the temp HPs from ES to enable you to plow thru, so party on, I guess.

Thanks for the input.

Are you saying that at low levels (before Improved Crit becomes available) that people aren't able to get the expanded crit range swashbuckler allows? That seems like a HUGE issue that would need to be fixed as it effectively wipes out the entire reason people play swashbucklers. Why haven't I heard more about it?


I was taking divine might to boost strength for 'to hit' purposes only as with power attack running and low strength I might need it to avoid missing on rolls in the low range. You don't think it's necessary?

I agree on it being a late bloomer but in some sense I like that - makes it fun to level up as I plow through and, assuming I can get the crit range and multiplier from Swashbuckler at lvl 3 (this has me worried) I should be able to bust through the lowest levels pretty easily.

Thoughts?

[hrmn8r]

My main suggestion would be attempting to free up a few AP to put into Tainted Scholar (in order to get utterdark blast). Running with utterdark blast active (and assuming you are planning to play a fae pact warlock) means you only need to focus on three categories of spell power (light, sonic and positive), rather than the 4/5 required if you don't have utterdark blast and run in a different pact.

On a crit focused build I would generally suggest swapping out power attack for precision (which would also have the side effect of freeing up some points from strength to go into another stat (either Int or Con).

As you are going to be using Charisma for damage there is no reason to take divine might.

I also notice that you haven't taken either of the ES bursts, which even at low warlock levels would pack a nice amount of AoE damage in heroic content. Is there a particular reason you decided not to take them?

Appreciate the time for a response.

I will be running in Fae for sonic so will plan on boosting light,sonic, and positive like you mentioned. I wondered about utterdark blast and think you're right though I'm not sure where to get the extra AP.

I was using divine might to boost my lackluster 'to hit' with power attack and a low(ish) strength - precision would help with this, but I'd still have to spend the same amount of points in Warpriest if I want to get to Am. Strike.

As far as the blasts are concerned, I just finished a 3x eTR Warlock blast build and loved it but I am hoping to be melee based with this build with a bit of a bonus and from 4 sec bursts but don't want to interrupt the attack sequence with the cleave blasts.

I did realize I will need to probably ditch the Cardlock build as being a Charisma based Cleric life doesn't seem optimal and wisdom as a damage stat isn't available. Not sure what I'll do there.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[Kadrios]

Are you saying that at low levels (before Improved Crit becomes available) that people aren't able to get the expanded crit range swashbuckler allows? That seems like a HUGE issue that would need to be fixed as it effectively wipes out the entire reason people play swashbucklers. Why haven't I heard more about it?

With the changes to the improved Critical feat (and keen weapon properties) a swashbuckler with Improved Critical now doubles the bonus to crit range provided by the swashbuckling stance, whereas is the swashbuckler just has a keen weapon it will get the listed increase.

I was taking divine might to boost strength for 'to hit' purposes only as with power attack running and low strength I might need it to avoid missing on rolls in the low range. You don't think it's necessary?

To be honest, you probably won't have too much issue hitting in heroics with your strength as is (especially if you swap out power attack for precision). I currently run a warlock/arti/bard swashbuckler with base strength 8 and a +3 tome, and I don't recall having any major trouble hitting things in heroic content (granted its an iconic life, so I haven't run all heroic content at-level. With your current stat spread if you can find an alright strength item, or an accuracy item you should be fine.

Appreciate the time for a response.

I will be running in Fae for sonic so will plan on boosting light,sonic, and positive like you mentioned. I wondered about utterdark blast and think you're right though I'm not sure where to get the extra AP.

You'd need 7 AP which I admit is somewhat tricky to find. I've just run a quick version of this build through the planner, and if you were to drop displacement, Inhuman understanding, a level of resonant arms, and the 4th tier of righteous weapons you'd have the 7AP needed (my suggestion for t1 tainted scholar would be 3 ranks of feigned health, and then 1 AP into something else - perhaps sp?) for utterdark blast without significantly cutting into your build aims. This would this would unfortunately mean you'd have to rely on the blur spell and whatever displacement clickies you may have for concealment in combat. The other option would be to drop another tier of resonant arms (down to 2d6 sonic on crit) in order to keep the displacement SLA.

As far as the blasts are concerned, I just finished a 3x eTR Warlock blast build and loved it but I am hoping to be melee based with this build with a bit of a bonus and from 4 sec bursts but don't want to interrupt the attack sequence with the cleave blasts.

That's fair, I tend to use them at the moment to begin a combat (along with evards), and if I get surrounded, relying on aura and melee the rest of the time.

I did realize I will need to probably ditch the Cardlock build as being a Charisma based Cleric life doesn't seem optimal and wisdom as a damage stat isn't available. Not sure what I'll do there.

In general, if you're planning to melee your way through both lives, it shouldn't hurt you too badly. as long as you have a decent enough wis items to cast your highest level spells it shouldn't be an issue, since you're not going to have any space to really spec for DC casting, so would mostly be casting cures, buffs or perhaps direct damage light spells with your SP. SP might be a lit bit low, but that is fixable with items.

[unbongwah]

Why haven't I heard more about it?

Ummm, you weren't reading the right threads?

[hrmn8r]

Ummm, you weren't reading the right threads?

I see, so, let's assume I'm using Razorend at lvl 16 - http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Razorend The threat range is 15-20 so with swashbuckling I should expect 14-20. With Improved Crit I should expect the swashbuckler bonuse to double making this 13-20 or are you (and these threads - it's unclear to me) saying with a keen item, with or without IC I would still expect 14-20? Or will I get the standard 15-20 with or without swashbuckling. Hope that's not the case - makes the grind for this and my Min II seem like somewhat of a waste.

Thanks for your patience.

[Kadrios]

I seem to recall from my time at that level (using razorend), that it will display 15-20 when you look at the weapon, but will threaten a crit on a 13-20 (if you look at the die/combat log)

[hrmn8r]

I seem to recall from my time at that level (using razorend), that it will display 15-20 when you look at the weapon, but will threaten a crit on a 13-20 (if you look at the die/combat log)

Is this with or without IC?

[Kadrios]

With IC:Pierce

[EllisDee37]

Named items with improved crit range and keen were modified by hand by the devs to end up unchanged. It's lootgen and crafted that got the shaft. Meaning your Tiefling Assassin's Blade and Razorend are the same as they ever were, but your Min2 got nerfed.

I fought the good fight on this issue, bringing it up multiple times in the developer threads and then posting the thread unbongwah linked as a last ditch effort. They simply never responded.