"The Maverick Hunter" a guide to melee Artificer

[unbongwah]

SWF - 30% Attack speed bonus, 6 Melee power, and 1.5 x ability modifier damage scaling
THF - 140% strikethrough, 6 Melee power, and 1.6 x ability modifier damage scaling

The "+0.1x" damage modifier is inherent to hand-and-a-half weapons; so is the base 20% Strikethrough which will apply while SWF. ["You are also considered to be two-handed fighting while wielding a Bastard Sword or Dwarven axe in your main hand and a Shield, Orb, Rune Arm, or Nothing in your off-hand."] In both cases, the PTHF feat should work. So it boils down to +30% attack speed vs +120% Strikethrough; everything else should be the same. Better single-target DPS vs hitting 1.2 more mobs per swing.

You should be able to run a GSWF Battle Engineer in FotW and benefit from Unbridled Fury's temporary GTHF, thus reaping the benefits of both chains - for 30 seconds, anyway. That's the only workaround to SWF and THF feats being mutually exclusive, AFAIK.

[Bacab]

I took about a year long break for GOOD real life reasons.

Anyway, I am hoping to finish up a current Bard life where i go around yelling at things.

This was my favorite build as a WF melee Artificer.

I will be running this again and optimizing it, because I think I will keep using DDO points for "remember XXX race" that I earn from VIP or favor each life.

With the new strike through, I am curious if bastard sword or Dwarven axe vs Warhammer with Knight Training.

I generally put some points in Warforged Tree, and grab some Battle Engineer for the higher PRR and AC, and I got T5 Battle Engineer for DPS.

Any updates? What has been your experience with this stuff/build?

Assume I have best docents and warhammers/bastard swords and Dwarven axes from level 1-30.

Any cool Artificer or Warforged specific items I should aim for?

Thanks in advance!

Also, going to poke around on the Wizard part of the forums.

Maybe Eldritch Knight would be fun to play as a Warforged.

[Nikoru-chan]

This looks like a lot of fun and I will be giving this a shot! Do you have any alternate race suggestions? Or is Warforged really just the best?

[QuantumFX]

Do you have any alternate race suggestions?

Dwarf: Drop Adamantine Body and the Exotic Weapon Proficiency. Use Dwarven Axes with Master's Touch instead. Pick up Construct Essence (Level 8) and Improved Construct Essence (Level 12). (Yes, you will need to move some of the other feats around.)

Human: Drop Adamantine Body and pick up Construct Essence (lvl 8) and Improved Construct Essence (lvl 12). 8 AP into Human for a Human Versatility: Whatever, Human Adaptability: Intelligence, Improved Recovery and Greater Weapon Aptitude. Pop the points you save from Warforged, and the +1 INT from Harper back into Renegade Mastermaker for more max dex (dodge) bonus, INT, and Embed Component.

[Nikoru-chan]

Dwarf: Drop Adamantine Body and the Exotic Weapon Proficiency. Use Dwarven Axes with Master's Touch instead. Pick up Construct Essence (Level 8) and Improved Construct Essence (Level 12). (Yes, you will need to move some of the other feats around.)

Human: Drop Adamantine Body and pick up Construct Essence (lvl 8) and Improved Construct Essence (lvl 12). 8 AP into Human for a Human Versatility: Whatever, Human Adaptability: Intelligence, Improved Recovery and Greater Weapon Aptitude. Pop the points you save from Warforged, and the +1 INT from Harper back into Renegade Mastermaker for more max dex (dodge) bonus, INT, and Embed Component.

Neat, thanks for this! Any thoughts on Dragonborn for this build? I see they get some interesting stuff

[QuantumFX]

Neat, thanks for this! Any thoughts on Dragonborn for this build? I see they get some interesting stuff

Not really. I've been playing the dwarf version because I needed the past life feats and wanted to play with my Dwarven Axe collection for a bit. My plan for my next batch of Dragonborn lives is Paladin / Divine Crusader purely for the Trogdor references.

[Nikoru-chan]

Not really. I've been playing the dwarf version because I needed the past life feats and wanted to play with my Dwarven Axe collection for a bit. My plan for my next batch of Dragonborn lives is Paladin / Divine Crusader purely for the Trogdor references.

I love it, awesome!

[dogsoldier]

I am running a modified version of this build, and like it so much I ran it two lives in a row 1-30.

I took different feats or at different times for these levels:

8. Maximize (curative SLAs mostly) - instead of quicken (Arti Feat)
16. Quicken (reconstruct SLA mostly) - instead of Weapon Focus: Slashing (Arti Feat)
18. Insightful Reflexes - here instead of Maximize
20. Empower (curative SLAs mostly) - cannot take Two Handed Fighting (Arti Feat)
28. Perfect Two Handed Fighting (30% strikethrough + 4 additional melee power) - Rather than: Epic Destiny: Tactician for Dire Charge DC or Hellball for Burst Damage

Enhancements:
41 Points in Battle Engineer.
26 Points in Renegade Mastermaker, lots of good stuff here, 50% bonus to AC from armor, +15 MRR, +6 CON, 105 HP, immunity to magic missiles, 2 curative SLAs, Reconstruct SLA, 50 repair amp, 10 healing amp, etc.
9 Points in Harper for Int to hit and KTA
4 Points in Warforged, 1st core, 3x healers friend

Also for Rune Arms, I found these to be the most useful:
ML5: Necronimicannon - the trap the soul procs surprisingly frequently on this, mostly used it through level 12
ML14: Quarantine - hits hard, and has a nice CC feature, overcooling
ML15: Tiras Splendor - for mobs that do not take cold damage, or need silver DR bypass, or when I want stacking healing amp

For Bastard Swords, I mostly used these:
low levels - keen/vorpal icy bursted
ML10 Barovian
ML12 Cannith Crafted Good/Slashing with two 4d6 damage augments slotted
ML16 Cannith Crafted Good/Slashing/Ins Seeker with two 5d6 damage augments slotted
ML21 Epic Cutting Currency with 4x shards of mechanus 2x reverberation filigrees, 6d6 damage augment slotted
ML26 Epic Spinal Tap with 5x prowess filigrees, 7d6 damage augment slotted

[anticlimax]

I've been thinking of trying Artificer and this build seems super cool, if I go for it I'll probably respec a dorf I have mothballed at L21....

Problem is I'm hopelessly addicted to Monk run speed and Abundant Step so need to figure out if there's some adjustments I can make for more mobility?

[dogsoldier]

Problem is I'm hopelessly addicted to Monk run speed and Abundant Step so need to figure out if there's some adjustments I can make for more mobility?

There is a 10% movement speed boost in Battle Engineer T5

[anticlimax]

There is a 10% movement speed boost in Battle Engineer T5

Well that's better than nowt, thanks... I'll see if I can fit in spring attack too then, hmm.

Splashing a level of barb seems out of the question tho, looking at the BE capstone :/

[unbongwah]

Posting for my own reference. Got an old level 13 dwarven Artificer in need of an LR and Chicago Chris updated my favorite builder last week, so why not give it a go.

Kundarak Thunderfist
Artificer 20
True Neutral Dwarf




Stats
               28pt     32pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     ----     --------
Strength        11       11       +2       4: INT
Dexterity       11       11       +2       8: INT
Constitution    16       18       +2      12: INT
Intelligence    18       18       +2      16: INT
Wisdom           8        8       +2      20: INT
Charisma         6        6       +2      24: INT
                                          28: INT


Skills
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Concent   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Repair                         1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  4  2  4  2  3  23
Spellcr   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Disable   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Open Lo   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
Spot      4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
UMD       4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Heal         1     1     1     1     1     1  1  1  1     1     1     11
Balance   2     1     1     1     1     1                              7
Haggle                                                             1   1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         32  9  9  9  9  9  9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11




Feats


 1        : Insightful Reflexes
 3        : Power Attack
 4 Arti   : Single Weapon Fighting
 6        : Cleave OR Precision
 8 Arti   : Maximize Spell
 9        : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
12        : Offhand Versatility
12 Arti   : Improved Critical: Slashing
15        : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
16 Arti   : Empower Healing Spell
18        : Spell Focus: Evocation
20 Arti   : Quicken Spell
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Burst of Glacial Wrath
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic   : Ruin OR Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Hellball OR Perfect Two Handed Fighting
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Arcane Warrior
30 Epic   : Greater Ruin OR Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Air




Enhancements (79 of 80 AP)


Battle Engineer (41 AP)
Battle Engineer, Infused Weapons, Infused Armor, Infused Weapons II, Infused Armor II, Master Engineer
Hand and a Half Training, Thaumaturgical Conduits III
Hand and a Half Training, Wracking Strike I, Caustic Strike I, Extra Action Boost III, Action Boost: Power III
Hand and a Half Training, Disable Construct I, Shatter Defenses I, Intelligence
Hand and a Half Training, Haste Boost, Agility Engine III
Reconstructed Edges, Thunder-Shock: Melee, Unlock Potential, Tactical Mobility

Renegade Mastermaker (23 AP)
Renegade Defender, Alchemical Shield, Cure Serious Admixture, Constructive Conduit
Cure Light Admixture III, Easily Fixed
Kinetic Discharge III, Mighty Slam III
Battlefist, Reinforced Armor III, Shielding Construct, Intelligence
Kinetic Charge, Warding Construct

Harper Agent (8 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Know the Angles III

Dwarf (7 AP)
Dwarven Toughness, Dwarven Constitution
Axe Training
Axe Training

Leveling Guide
Hrp0 Agent of Good I; Hrp1 Strategic Combat; RM0 Renegade Defender
RM1 Cure Light Admixture I, II, III; RM1 Easily Fixed
RM0 Alchemical Shield; RM2 Kinetic Discharge I; RM2 Mighty Slam I; RM2 Kinetic Discharge II
RM2 Mighty Slam II; RM3 Battlefist; RM3 Shielding Construct; BE0 Battle Engineer
BE1 Hand and a Half Training; BE1 Thaumaturgical Conduits I, II
BE1 Thaumaturgical Conduits III; BE0 Infused Weapons; RM0 Cure Serious Admixture; BE2 Action Boost: Power I
BE2 Action Boost: Power II, III; BE0 Infused Armor; BE2 Wracking Strike I
BE2 Caustic Strike I; BE2 Hand and a Half Training
BE3 Hand and a Half Training; BE3 Shatter Defenses I; BE2 Extra Action Boost I
BE4 Agility Engine I, II, III
BE4 Hand and a Half Training; BE4 Haste Boost; BE3 Intelligence
BE3 Disable Construct I; BE0 Infused Weapons II; BE5 Reconstructed Edges
BE5 Tactical Mobility; BE5 Unlock Potential; BE5 Thunder-Shock: Melee; RM2 Kinetic Discharge III
RM2 Mighty Slam III; RM3 Reinforced Armor I, II, III
RM3 Intelligence; RM0 Constructive Conduit; RM4 Kinetic Charge
RM4 Warding Construct; Dwf0 Dwarven Toughness; Dwf1 Axe Training
Dwf0 Dwarven Constitution; Dwf2 Axe Training
BE0 Infused Armor II; Hrp1 Harper Enchantment; Hrp2 Know the Angles I
Hrp2 Know the Angles II, III; BE2 Extra Action Boost II
BE2 Extra Action Boost III; BE0 Master Engineer

Built for dwarven axes because I've got a bunch banked away and the Strikethrough bonuses from Dwarven Axe training and BE's Hand and a Half Training stack.

[Robeari]

Hello Unbongwah (and Others),

Playing my first hardcore season/server (Season 4). Decided wanted to try an artificer trapper for the first time.

Created Unbongwah's Dwarven Artificer and currently promoting to level 3.

The level 3 feat is listed as Power Attack.

However, Power Attack has base strength requirement of 13? and Cleave is level 6 feat which needs Power Attack?

I am relatively new to DDO ... so I might be missing something?

Please advise, thanks.

[Robeari]

Nevermind ... see you required +2 strength and +2 dex tomes

Thanks again, Hope all of you and your families are having a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Week-end.

[C-Dog]

I am relatively new to DDO ... so I might be missing something?

First, welcome to the game!

Not every build is "new player friendly", and not every build is doable as a "first life" - and those are 2 different things, and unrelated (even if that's a bit counter-intuitive - some vets do start new alts on occasion). When looking at a build suggestion, it's important to make that distinction. (Also whether it's a "just to 20" or "good to 30" build - some are not the latter.) It'd be nice if posters made all that clear, but... well, have you met the internet?

Some 1st life builds (especially ranged, with the Dex requirement for Feats) rely on the free +2 Tome at 1,750 Total Favor, which is fairly easy to earn before Level 15 (and I think can actually be ground out by level...7? ...or close enough).

With this build, you could take 1 point off Intelligence (for 3 build points), and bump Strength by 2 and Dex by 1, and then grab the extra Dex at Level 4 from the Level-ups. You lose 2 pts of Int, but that's not a dealbreaker.

[kmoustakas]

I'm trying a version of this now but with the following adjustments during leveling. Currently level 4 only so theorycrafting now.

I am a dwarf and I will splash paladin at some point for heavy armor, martial weapon proficiency (resulting in dwarven axe proficiency).

Levels 1-15 I will be essentially a caster. Took augment summon at level 1 (switch at 12 for construct essense), quicken at 3, maximize at 4, empower at 6. Why? Everything dies to repeater with 0 investment in feats for repeaters until the moment you hit level 6, you get turret and can switch all enhancements from harper to get blast rod SLA. I will take both construct essense and improved construct essense at 12, until then your curative admixtures suffice. Single weapon fighting is an artificer bonus feat but the 'improved' and 'greater' aren't. Splashing two levels of paladin will grant me two feats, give me dwarven axes as a favoured weapon from the dwarven tree and 20% strikethrough for only 4 points from knight of chalice. That delays improved critical for 16 but you can be using a keen weapon until then to cover for it. So single weapon fighting style at 8, the next one at 9, last one at 15, offhand versatility at 12?

The moment you hit sharn/mines of thethymar is when your arcano SLAs really drop off and you want to switch to melee/tanky version.

What I am not sure is if two levels of paladin are better or three for possible stance? Maybe as much as 5 to get all the knight of the chalice DPR goodies so artie 15/paly 5? Although more likely 16/4. With 4 levels you can get knight's training (switch to axe of adaxus for single boss fights?), with 5 the avenging cleave and ascendancy which for certain raids can make a huge difference although I feel defense stance and tier 5 in renegade can make you extremely tanky

[unbongwah]

I am a dwarf and I will splash paladin at some point for heavy armor, martial weapon proficiency (resulting in dwarven axe proficiency).

You're an Artificer: just cast Master's Touch. Problem solved.

Also your crit multiplier bonus is in the Battle Engineer capstone: "You gain a +1 Competence bonus to Critical Multiplier with Crossbows, Bastard Swords, Dwarven Axes, Light Hammers, Warhammers, and Morningstars." So (A) are you going into epic levels and (B) are you gaining anything from splashing that's worth giving up the BE capstone? If your answers are (A) yes and (B) probably not, stick with pure Artificer.

[kmoustakas]

You're an Artificer: just cast Master's Touch. Problem solved.

Also your crit multiplier bonus is in the Battle Engineer capstone: "You gain a +1 Competence bonus to Critical Multiplier with Crossbows, Bastard Swords, Dwarven Axes, Light Hammers, Warhammers, and Morningstars." So (A) are you going into epic levels and (B) are you gaining anything from splashing that's worth giving up the BE capstone? If your answers are (A) yes and (B) probably not, stick with pure Artificer.

I was looking for a lots and lots of extra tankiness. You make a good point about the damage though, that extra +1 will be huge if you want to do damage.

[shweppy]

I'm trying this build now and wondering why you picked Offhand Versatility on a melee Arti build. It looks like the 25% extra damage doesn't apply when you have a Rune Arm. Instead you get the guarantee spell critical on a vorpal hit. If you aren't casting, why would you need that? Does that apply to Rune Arm shots too?

Posting for my own reference. Got an old level 13 dwarven Artificer in need of an LR and Chicago Chris updated my favorite builder last week, so why not give it a go.

Kundarak Thunderfist
Artificer 20
True Neutral Dwarf




Stats
               28pt     32pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     ----     --------
Strength        11       11       +2       4: INT
Dexterity       11       11       +2       8: INT
Constitution    16       18       +2      12: INT
Intelligence    18       18       +2      16: INT
Wisdom           8        8       +2      20: INT
Charisma         6        6       +2      24: INT
                                          28: INT


Skills
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Concent   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Repair                         1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  4  2  4  2  3  23
Spellcr   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Disable   4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Open Lo   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
Spot      4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
UMD       4  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Heal         1     1     1     1     1     1  1  1  1     1     1     11
Balance   2     1     1     1     1     1                              7
Haggle                                                             1   1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         32  9  9  9  9  9  9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11




Feats


 1        : Insightful Reflexes
 3        : Power Attack
 4 Arti   : Single Weapon Fighting
 6        : Cleave OR Precision
 8 Arti   : Maximize Spell
 9        : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
12        : Offhand Versatility
12 Arti   : Improved Critical: Slashing
15        : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
16 Arti   : Empower Healing Spell
18        : Spell Focus: Evocation
20 Arti   : Quicken Spell
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Burst of Glacial Wrath
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic   : Ruin OR Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Hellball OR Perfect Two Handed Fighting
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Arcane Warrior
30 Epic   : Greater Ruin OR Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Air




Enhancements (79 of 80 AP)


Battle Engineer (41 AP)
Battle Engineer, Infused Weapons, Infused Armor, Infused Weapons II, Infused Armor II, Master Engineer
Hand and a Half Training, Thaumaturgical Conduits III
Hand and a Half Training, Wracking Strike I, Caustic Strike I, Extra Action Boost III, Action Boost: Power III
Hand and a Half Training, Disable Construct I, Shatter Defenses I, Intelligence
Hand and a Half Training, Haste Boost, Agility Engine III
Reconstructed Edges, Thunder-Shock: Melee, Unlock Potential, Tactical Mobility

Renegade Mastermaker (23 AP)
Renegade Defender, Alchemical Shield, Cure Serious Admixture, Constructive Conduit
Cure Light Admixture III, Easily Fixed
Kinetic Discharge III, Mighty Slam III
Battlefist, Reinforced Armor III, Shielding Construct, Intelligence
Kinetic Charge, Warding Construct

Harper Agent (8 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Know the Angles III

Dwarf (7 AP)
Dwarven Toughness, Dwarven Constitution
Axe Training
Axe Training

Leveling Guide
Hrp0 Agent of Good I; Hrp1 Strategic Combat; RM0 Renegade Defender
RM1 Cure Light Admixture I, II, III; RM1 Easily Fixed
RM0 Alchemical Shield; RM2 Kinetic Discharge I; RM2 Mighty Slam I; RM2 Kinetic Discharge II
RM2 Mighty Slam II; RM3 Battlefist; RM3 Shielding Construct; BE0 Battle Engineer
BE1 Hand and a Half Training; BE1 Thaumaturgical Conduits I, II
BE1 Thaumaturgical Conduits III; BE0 Infused Weapons; RM0 Cure Serious Admixture; BE2 Action Boost: Power I
BE2 Action Boost: Power II, III; BE0 Infused Armor; BE2 Wracking Strike I
BE2 Caustic Strike I; BE2 Hand and a Half Training
BE3 Hand and a Half Training; BE3 Shatter Defenses I; BE2 Extra Action Boost I
BE4 Agility Engine I, II, III
BE4 Hand and a Half Training; BE4 Haste Boost; BE3 Intelligence
BE3 Disable Construct I; BE0 Infused Weapons II; BE5 Reconstructed Edges
BE5 Tactical Mobility; BE5 Unlock Potential; BE5 Thunder-Shock: Melee; RM2 Kinetic Discharge III
RM2 Mighty Slam III; RM3 Reinforced Armor I, II, III
RM3 Intelligence; RM0 Constructive Conduit; RM4 Kinetic Charge
RM4 Warding Construct; Dwf0 Dwarven Toughness; Dwf1 Axe Training
Dwf0 Dwarven Constitution; Dwf2 Axe Training
BE0 Infused Armor II; Hrp1 Harper Enchantment; Hrp2 Know the Angles I
Hrp2 Know the Angles II, III; BE2 Extra Action Boost II
BE2 Extra Action Boost III; BE0 Master Engineer

Built for dwarven axes because I've got a bunch banked away and the Strikethrough bonuses from Dwarven Axe training and BE's Hand and a Half Training stack.

[unbongwah]

I'm trying this build now and wondering why you picked Offhand Versatility on a melee Arti build. It looks like the 25% extra damage doesn't apply when you have a Rune Arm. Instead you get the guarantee spell critical on a vorpal hit. If you aren't casting, why would you need that? Does that apply to Rune Arm shots too?

Where does it say you don't cast spells? It's no Arcanotechnician but it's still an INT-based pure Artificer with Blade Barrier, Tactical Detonation, etc. If Offhand Versatility gives a free caster buff every time Versatile Empowerment procs, why not use it?