Self-Healing Halfling Mechanic For New Players

[Jiirix]

An 28 points build without VIP races or classes that is viable from level 1 to 30 and can selfheal. No tome is needed for the levels 1-23 and at level 24 a +2 DEX tome is required that can be gained for free from earning 1750 overall favor.

- The one level of cleric lets one use Wand of Cure Serious Wounds (House of Wizardry in House Jorasco or Object Desire in House Phiarlan). Those are great for cheap heals between fights. As you start with only 8 WIS (abillty points are scarce on newbie builds) you can't use them in Krothos, but once you can use a airship and a +WIS Item (habor quests onward) you can use the cleric level one spells.
- Use Magic Device is easy to boost on a Rogue and grand access to useful scrolls like "heal", "Greater Heroism", "Greater Restoration", "Raise Dead", "Invisibility" and "Teleport".
- Healing Amplification and Wand and Scroll Mastery improve the use of healing pots, wands and scrolls on yourself. "Devotion“ boosts the Dragonmarks in heroic levels and in epic levels the amount “Cocoon” and “Sacred Ground” heals.
- For the feats “Combat Archery” and “Improved Sneak Attack” a DEX of 21 is required. This build gets 19 DEX from starting points and ability raises. Items and ship buff do NOT qualify for feats and a +2 DEX tome is needed to get this feats. A free +2 tome of choice is rewarded for 1750 overall favor. (Talk to he Drow Nyx Durandimion located in The Harbor outside the Harbor Master's house.)
- About your own traps: Improved Traps is a great enhancement to take as it boosts the difficulty check of your self-made traps to the value of your disable device skill. With a disable and an insightful disable item equipped, Greater Heroism and Shipbuffs running, +5 tools and an exceptional bonus to INT skills selfmade traps can reach DCs over 100. Traps are made at the Device Workstation on a guildship, in house Cannith or Eveningstar. Trap parts scavenged from traps in dungeons are needed and Vials that you can buy from the Free Agents Vendor when you have enough favor. The best traps are magical traps that need a magical scroll too. I prefer web traps made of web scrolls (Morna Wyrmtouched in the Marketplace Bazaar and Halt Undead traps (scrolls from the Object Desire in House Phiarlan.



Dragonmarked Halfing Mechanic (Build for levels 1-20 with Dragonmarks for self-healing)
18/1/1 Rogue/Cleric/Fighter
Chaotic Good Halfling


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 18. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 14. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 16. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . .8. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .

Skills
. . . . . R. R. C .R .R .R .R .R .R .R .R .F. R. R. R. R. R. R. R. R
. . . . . 1. 2. 3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . . .1 .5. . .½ .2 .1½ 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 23
Disable . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Open Lo . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Search. . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spot. . . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . 4. 1. . . . 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. . . . 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Hide. . . 4. 1. . .1 .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Move Si . 4. 1. . . . . . . 1. 3. 3. 1. 1. . . . 1. 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Balance . 4. 1. . . . . . . . . . . .2 .2 . . . . . . .2 .2 .2 .2 .1 .18
Jump. . . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Tumble. . 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Perform . 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 11 .5 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12. 6 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13


Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.3. . . . : Least Dragonmark: Healing
.3 Deity. : Follower of: Silver Flame
.6. . . . : Rapid Reload
.9. . . . : Precise Shot (gets you Archer's Focus that has to be toggled on with a click on the hotbar icon)
11 Rogue. : Improved Evasion
12. . . . : Rapid Shot
12 Fighter: Improved Critical: Ranged
15. . . . : Precision (has to be toggled on with a click on the hotbar icon)
15 Rogue. : Slippery Mind
18. . . . : Improved Precise Shot (has to be toggled on with a click on the hotbar icon, exclusive with Archer's Focus Archers Focus is better against bosses/single targets, Improved Precise Shot let you hit more than one monster per shot, use the tab button to switch to mobs far away)
18 Rogue. : Opportunist


Spells

Cleric

1. Cure Light Wounds, Nightshield, Obscuring Mist

Enhancements (80 AP)

Mechanic (43 AP)

• Arbalester, Tanglefoot, Targeting Sights, Improved Detection, Expert Builder
  
  1. Sharpshooter, Lacerating Shots III
  2. Sharpshooter, Improved Traps III, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
  3. Sharpshooter, Intelligence
  4. Sharpshooter, Fletching III, Leg Shot, Intelligence
  5. Sharpshooter, Rapid Fire III, Time Bomb III, Sniper, Mechanical Reloader (time bomb is a powerful trap that needs not to be prepared at the workshop)

Halfling (13 AP)

• Halfling Luck
  
  1. Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III, Cunning I
  2. Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches, Halfling Guile
  3. Greater Dragonmark of Healing, Halfling Guile

Assassin (11 AP)

• Knife in the Darkness
  
  1. Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy II
  2. Venomed Blades III, Damage Boost III (has to be toggles on with the click on the hotbar icon)

Kensei (10 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Archery
  
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Haste Boost III (don't forget to activate one of your 16 action boosts before attacking the next group of monsters)

Thief-Acrobat (3 AP)

• Staff Control
  
  1. Fast Movement

Halfling Mechanic for new Players with epic levels
18/1/1 Rogue/Cleric/Fighter
Chaotic Good Halfling


- The Dragonmark feat gets switched for empower healing. Healing with Divine Crusader and Cocoon instead Dragonmarks
- For the feats “Combat Archery” and “Improved Sneak Attack” a DEX of 21 is required. This build gets 19 DEX from starting points and ability raises. Items and ship buff do NOT qualify for feats and a +2 DEX tome is needed to get this feats. A free +2 tome of choice is rewarded for 1750 overall favor. (Talk to he Drow Nyx Durandimion located in The Harbor outside the Harbor Master's house.)

Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . .8. . . . . . . . 4: INT
Dexterity . . . 18. . . .+2. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 14. . . . . . . .12: DEX
Intelligence. . 16. . . . . . . .16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . . . . . .20: INT
Charisma. . . . .8. . . . . . . .24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: INT

Skills
. . . . . R. R. C .R .R .R .R .R .R .R .R .F. R. R. R. R. R. R. R. R
. . . . . 1. 2. 3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . . .1 .5. . .½ .2 .1½ 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 23
Disable . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Open Lo . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Search. . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spot. . . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . 4. 1. . . . 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. . . . 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Hide. . . 4. 1. . .1 .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Move Si . 4. 1. . . . . . . 1. 3. 3. 1. 1. . . . 1. 3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 4. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Balance . 4. 1. . . . . . . . . . . .2 .2 . . . . . . .2 .2 .2 .2 .1 .18
Jump. . . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Tumble. . 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Perform . 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 11 .5 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12. 6 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13


Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.3. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
.3 Deity. : Follower of: Silver Flame
.6. . . . : Rapid Reload
.9. . . . : Precise Shot
11 Rogue. : Improved Evasion
12. . . . : Rapid Shot
12 Fighter: Improved Critical: Ranged
15. . . . : Precision
15 Rogue. : Slippery Mind
18. . . . : Improved Precise Shot
18 Rogue. : Opportunist
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Improved Sneak Attack (you need a +2 DEX tome before you can choose Improved Sneak Attack and Combat Archery)
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Positive
27 Epic . : Combat Archery
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
30 Epic . : Blinding Speed (+7 % ranged combat speed over the best speed items per 3/2016, may change) or Watchful Eye
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


Spells

Cleric

1. Cure Light Wounds, Nightshield, Obscuring Mist

Enhancements (80 AP)

Mechanic (43 AP)

• Arbalester, Tanglefoot, Targeting Sights, Improved Detection, Expert Builder
  
  1. Sharpshooter, Lacerating Shots III
  2. Sharpshooter, Improved Traps III, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
  3. Sharpshooter, Intelligence
  4. Sharpshooter, Fletching III, Leg Shot, Intelligence
  5. Sharpshooter, Rapid Fire III, Time Bomb III, Sniper, Mechanical Reloader

Assassin (24 AP)

• Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick
  
  1. Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy II
  2. Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
  3. Critical Mastery I, Sneak Attack Training, Intelligence
  4. Killer II, Sneak Attack Training

Kensei (10 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Archery
  
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Haste Boost III

Thief-Acrobat (3 AP)

• Staff Control
  
  1. Fast Movement

Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader

1. Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
2. Consecration III, Flames of Purity III
3. Sacred Ground, Blessed Blades
4. No Regret, Crusade
5. Castigation, Heavenly Presence, Celestial Champion

Twists of Fate (18 fate points)

1. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer) (Grim Precision with the Precision feat toggled on, the Oportunist feat and some armor piercing on makes nearly all mobs in DDO vulnarable to sneak attack damage and critical hits)
2. Pin (Tier 2 Shiradi)
3. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal) (set empower heal to "always on" with a rightclick on the icon on the hotbar)
4. Stay Frosty (Tier 1 Shiradi)

[unbongwah]

I would build with the presumption that any new player can earn a +2 DEX tome from Favor by epic levels and thus you should try to find a way to squeeze in Imp Sneak Atk + Combat Archery. Also according to Eth, Haste spell once again provides same Ranged Alacrity bonus as Blinding Speed, so you no longer need the feat if you can find a ready source of Haste (scroll, pots, friendly caster, etc.). Considering how feat-constrained you are in epic levels, that's a good thing, IMO. If you're planning on Div Crusader, consider one of the Good alignments + Blessed Blades for DR-breaking purposes. Finally I would definitely add Pin to your Twist options.

Possible splashes to consider:

• Ftr for extra feat(s) and Extra Action Boost
• Barb for +10% run speed which stacks with Acro Fast Movement
• Cleric to unlock Heal skill (more Pos Spellpower) and access to metamagics (namely Emp Heal)

[Thrudh]

Halfling dragonmarks are very nice in heroic content.

They are just not worth the AP in epic content, especially if Divine Crusader is your Epic Destiny (ED) of choice. of course, it takes a while to get Divine Crusader maxed out and enough fate points to twist in Consecration and Sacred Ground when you are in other EDs, so you may stick with halfling dragonmarks for a while.

But once you get your EDs mostly done, you will probably want to get rid of that feat, and reallocate all the AP you put into halfling into the much better class enhancements instead.

But again, this is a build for new players, and halfling healing dragonmarks are indeed very useful at first. Just like the elven displacement dragonmark is extremely useful until you can get your hands on some displacement clickables.

[Jiirix]

Thanks for the feedback, I will add both points. Guess I will make a 1-20 and a 20-30 version.

[Jiirix]

Updated the builds with your input. Dragonmarks get switched for more DPS at epic levels now. I say this is one of the easiest FTP builds to play form level one to legendary contend at a first life.

[Twidger]

I was thinking that this could be adapted almost directly to a Warforged build. (Taking Wizard at 3 instead of Cleric). Would Mithral Body be worth it with its DEX bonus cap on this build?

[Saekee]

I would build with the presumption that any new player can earn a +2 DEX tome from Favor by epic levels and thus you should try to find a way to squeeze in Imp Sneak Atk + Combat Archery. Also according to Eth, Haste spell once again provides same Ranged Alacrity bonus as Blinding Speed, so you no longer need the feat if you can find a ready source of Haste (scroll, pots, friendly caster, etc.). Considering how feat-constrained you are in epic levels, that's a good thing, IMO. If you're planning on Div Crusader, consider one of the Good alignments + Blessed Blades for DR-breaking purposes. Finally I would definitely add Pin to your Twist options.

Possible splashes to consider:

• Ftr for extra feat(s) and Extra Action Boost
• Barb for +10% run speed which stacks with Acro Fast Movement
• Cleric to unlock Heal skill (more Pos Spellpower) and access to metamagics (namely Emp Heal)

for new players, another option instead of cleric is 1 wizard. This lets you take maximize as a bonus feat and it can be used on the dragonmarks (the CLW will hit for about 20 hp+, at least that is what I am finding right now sans ship buffs). Magical training for cocoon so blue bar (sp boosted by INT although cleric gets the feat free also), some utility spells while leveling (and always useful later, like shield for blocking magic missiles) and archmage invisi for 1AP for so many usesful situations.

[unbongwah]

for new players, another option instead of cleric is 1 wizard. This lets you take maximize as a bonus feat and it can be used on the dragonmarks (the CLW will hit for about 20 hp+, at least that is what I am finding right now sans ship buffs). Magical training for cocoon so blue bar (sp boosted by INT although cleric gets the feat free also), some utility spells while leveling (and always useful later, like shield for blocking magic missiles) and archmage invisi for 1AP for so many usesful situations.

The downside to this approach (vs cleric) is you don't unlock Heal as a class skill (so 11 vs 23 ranks or +12 Pos Spellpower) and once you reach the point to swap the DM feat, you can't replace it with Emp Heal to boost Rejuv Cocoon.

I was thinking a Mechanic similar to this one, with maybe an Arti 1/Fighter 1 splash would work for heroic leveling, using ranged to avoid a lot of damage (main is AA Ranger), and using repair wands/scrolls.

Rog 18 / arty 2 is the usual split for Runearms, unless you really need that extra ftr feat. Plenty of builds with that split: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...epeater-Builds

[Twidger]

Rog 18 / arty 2 is the usual split for Runearms, unless you really need that extra ftr feat. Plenty of builds with that split: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...epeater-Builds

Thanks. I don't really like using Runearms, TBH. I'll read the links and stop sidetracking this thread.

[Jiirix]

Thanks. I don't really like using Runearms, TBH. I'll read the links and stop sidetracking this thread.

No biggy But just for the record: A warforged mechanic is the opposite of a selfhealing halfling mechanic.

[unbongwah]

I don't really like using Runearms, TBH.

In the case of rog 18 / arty 2 builds, I wouldn't bother using charged shots; the RA is just for the free imbues (which helps offset the DPS loss from splashing) and any passive perks which the RA provides. E.g., Tira's Splendor is good for fleshy builds thanks to heal amp + Deathblock; the free silver DR bypass is nice too.

[Biggusz]

I have some questions concerning the build:

Enhancements (80 AP)
Halfling (13 AP)

• Halfling Luck
  
  1. Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III, Cunning I
  2. Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches, Halfling Guile
  3. Greater Dragonmark of Healing, Halfling Guile

Halfling Luck, Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III, Cunning I, Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches, and Guile cost only 9 points. What do I take for a 10th point so I can get Greater Dragonmark of Healing and another point in Guile?

Kensei (10 AP)

Where is the Kensei tree? I'm 12 rogue / 1 cleric / 1 fighter. I have scrolled the Enhancements UI as far to the right as possible and don't see it.

• Thief-Acrobat (3 AP)
  
  1. Staff Control
  2. Fast Movement

Is Fast Movement still worth taking? Does it stack with other bonuses like Speed VI on gear?

[unbongwah]

Halfling Luck, Jorasco Dragonmark Focus III, Cunning I, Lesser Dragonmark of Healing, Break out the Leeches, and Guile cost only 9 points. What do I take for a 10th point so I can get Greater Dragonmark of Healing and another point in Guile?

At the time BotL cost 2 APs; it's since been reduced to 1. Spend the extra AP on whatever you like, it's just filler.

Where is the Kensei tree? I'm 12 rogue / 1 cleric / 1 fighter. I have scrolled the Enhancements UI as far to the right as possible and don't see it.

The Enhancement window can display a max of six class trees (plus racial).

Click on the caret to the right of the trees' names in order to remove or switch to a different tree. Usually what I do is remove all the trees I know I won't use, then list them in order of how many APs I plan to spend. Because I'm a little OCD about organizing stuff like that.

Is Fast Movement still worth taking? Does it stack with other bonuses like Speed VI on gear?

Yes and yes.

[C-Dog]

Just wanted to say this is a GREAT build, esp for F2P accounts. No special gear necessary (besides a vorpal x-bow, if at all possible), can live on decent droploot and the occasional AH purchase.

I threw one on a F2P alt-opener account, and it became one of my favorite alts, leveled to 10 in less than 2 weeks without even trying. Hard to ignore it to concentrate on my main (but I have, and always will have, alt-itis, so...).

Thx J!
o7

[Teaffwin]

I haven't played in 3 years but have access to the 32 point build so how would you suggest spending the rest of the points? Thanks for the detailed info on the build and any advise on how to proceed.

[C-Dog]

Common wisdom would pro'ly say throw everything extra into Con. +4 pts = 16 Con, win.

However, some players would probably benefit more from a better starting Strength. Halflings are already saddled w/ a 3/4 carrying capacity penalty, so even w/ a nice Str item they're going to be Encumbered very quickly. Time to throw yet another suit of droiploot armour over the side. Starting 12 Str would help that immensely.

Or waffle and split the diff - Starting Str 10, Con 15 - unless you've got every last bit of gear planned out every step of the way, it's a coin toss whether or not that extra +1 will help at any given level.

[Jiirix]

I haven't played in 3 years but have access to the 32 point build so how would you suggest spending the rest of the points? Thanks for the detailed info on the build and any advise on how to proceed.

Better late then never....: I would go for CON 16 on this build. That should be the best bang for the bug and with a +5 tome it even qualifies for greater Toughness. Or if you don't need the extra healing from dragonmarks you could go human and benefit from the extra feat.

[C-Dog]

First, thank you for wery fun build! Im wondering one thing, weapon IS GXbow? Why in kensai i choose archery?

Kensei (10 AP)

• Kensei Focus: Archery
  
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Haste Boost III

In Kensai, great crossbows are an "exotic" weapon. Without "Exotic Weapon Mastery", "Kensai: crossbows" only works for light and heavy crossbows - not great crossbows, not repeaters.

o http://ddowiki.com/page/Kensei_enhan...Core_abilities

So, the idea is that you get ~something~ w/ Kensai:Archery if you pick up a bow at any time in your toon's life, instead of getting nothing.

[xBunny]

Thanks for the build.
I'm kinda niewbe, so my question might be stupid, but is this build using Repeating crossbow? And if no, than why - isn't it more DPS?
Can Rapid reload be taken earlier? On lvl 3 for example? Rapid shot at level 6? And Dragonmark at level 9?
Go 17Rog/1Cl/1Ftr and 1Brb for 10% speed?
Is Drow playable for this build?

[C-Dog]

A bit of a necro, but this thread was linked recently, and imo a valid question should not be left hanging, much less several of them...

(And there are no stupid questions - but those are the easiest ones to answer)

is this build using Repeating crossbow? And if no, then why - isn't it more DPS?

No, Great Crossbow.

And, actually, a GXB is (slightly) more dps. Enhancements aside, the advantage to a repeater is that they spam any special effects like vorpal, tendon slice, feeding, etc. They also spread out the damage they deal more smoothly, while GXB's deliver it in large chunks. However, GXB has that wonderful knock-down effect. So they both have their attractions, and are fairly well balanced.

But one significant reason not to go Repeater is... no spare Feats. What would you cut out? Several important feats are already coming very late - how many get pushed back/delayed even more?

Another is that many of the Mechanic enhancements favor Great Crossbow over Repeaters, giving greater benefits to the former, so GXB, even if it starts ~roughly~ equivalent, grows faster than a repeater does w/ the Mechanic tree.

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Mechanic_enhancements

(Mechanics get Light Repeater proficiency w/ Core 6, and Heavy w/ Core 12 - so at Level 7 you could compare, or pick and choose. The feats are all the same.)

Can Rapid reload be taken earlier? On lvl 3 for example? Rapid shot at level 6? And Dragonmark at level 9?

Sure - as long as there are no requisites preventing it, the order is largely personal preference. If you want to emphasize early DPS over survivability (self-healing), do it.

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Feats#Range..._passive_feats

Go 17Rog/1Cl/1Ftr and 1Brb for 10% speed?

Well, 2 problems. One, you're losing the Mech Level 18 Core enhancement, which is strong.

o https://ddowiki.com/page/Mechanic_en...Core_abilities

But perhaps more importantly - you can't have more than 3 classes.

However, generally speaking (i.e. aside from not being able to do it), if you're not going on to Epic play, you wouldn't miss something that comes at Level 20 for long - you're only level 20 long enough to grab 20 Tokens of the Twelve to reincarnate asap.

Now, what you ~could~ do, is grab Fighter 3 (for another Feat and Stalwart Defense for 6-9 AP). And even Fighter 6 for yet another 2 feats and Strike w/ no thought (and get it earlier than Level 20!) - and then you'd have more than enough Feats for Heavy Repeater proficiency, and more. But you'd have to dump AP (from assassin?), and you'd lose 1-2 Rogue Special Abilities, and that's starting to become a very diff build.

Is Drow playable for this build?

Sure - you gain Int, which is your combat stat (and another skill - maybe full ranks in Jump?), and +2 Cha = +1 to UMD, which never hurts, but (obviously) lose the DM, and Con - which makes for a squishier build overall.

Also, when you get up into Improved Precise Shot (not until Lvl 18 w/ this build), the shot uses actual 3-dimensional line of sight from your character's weapon - so shorter characters have an occasional advantage in shooting more mobs, while taller ones occasionally shoot "over" a few would-be targets.

The 13 AP from the Halfling tree could go toward filling out Assassin. You could also throw 4 into Warpriest for a ranged Smite (+2[W]) & +15 HP. (Or into Fighter trees if you choose to take more levels there, as mentioned above.)