Adventures in Theorycrafting: Champions of Silvanus

[unbongwah]

So for those who missed it, Update 33 has added a bunch of new deity options for both Eberron and Forgotten Realms races. You can read about them in the Release notes; but this thread will be focusing on Silvanus, due to its level deity 6 feat:

Blessing of Silvanus: You are a devoted follower of Silvanus, and your faith has been rewarded. Toggling this on gives you Blessing of Silvanus: You gain +4 Natural Armor bonus to AC, and Mauls you wield gain +2 to their Critical Threat Range. This stacks with other sources.

(emphasis mine)

If it truly stacks with everything, then mauls become a veeery interesting 2H weapon again. For pally 14+ or MCed Kensei, mauls become 16-20/x4 weapons in Crusader or Dreadnought; drow maul is 14-20/x4, making it an excellent option for an EPL farming build.

Unfortunately, Silvanus is restricted to "all Forgotten Realms characters who are not Morninglords;" i.e., PDK, SDK, or Deep Gnome. Which effectively means it a P2P-only deity.

The most obvious build is PDK pure paladin - so obvious I'm not even gonna bother with a build. Just take your favorite THF pally build like the Sacred Knight and tweak it for PDK using mauls (Imp Crit Blunt); don't forget to take Pulverizer in LD if you use it as your primary ED.

So let's get started with our first build:

Champion of Silvanus (LD)
12/8 Favored Soul/Fighter
True Neutral Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

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


Stats
               28pt     32pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     ----     --------
Strength        16       16                4: STR
Dexterity        8        8                8: STR
Constitution    14       16               12: STR
Intelligence    10       10       +2      16: STR
Wisdom           8        8               20: STR
Charisma        16       16               24: STR
                                          28: STR

Skills
         Fi Fv Fi Fv Fi Fv Fi Fv Fi Fv Fi Fv Fi Fv Fi Fv Fv Fv Fv Fv
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Heal         3     3     3     2     2     2     2     2     2     2  23
Spellcr   2                    2     2  1  2  1  2  1  2  2  2  2  2  23
UMD       2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Balance   1     ½     ½     1     1                                    4
Tumble    1                                                            1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         12  3  3  3  3  3  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4


Feats

 1        : Cleave
 1 PDK    : Two Handed Fighting
 1 Fighter: Power Attack
 2 Deity  : Follower of: Silvanus
 3        : Stunning Blow
 3 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
 6        : Great Cleave
 6 Deity  : Child of: Silvanus
 7 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Bludgeoning
 9        : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
10 FavSoul: Energy Resistance: Electricity
11 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
12        : Quicken Spell
12 Deity  : Blessing of Silvanus
15        : Greater Two Handed Fighting
15 Fighter: Greater Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning
18        : Empower Healing Spell
18 FavSoul: Energy Resistance: Fire
20 Deity  : Beloved of: Silvanus
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Bulwark of Defense OR Tactical Combatant
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic   : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Spells

Favored Soul

<Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
<Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
<Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
Cure Critical Wounds, Death Ward, Freedom of Movement
Protection from Elements, Stalwart Pact
Heal


Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (33 AP)

Kensei Focus: Picks and Hammers, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
Weapon Group Specialization, Ascetic Training: Conditioning I
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike III
Weapon Group Specialization, Strike at the Heart, Opportunity Attack, Liquid Courage
Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Keen Edge

Stalwart Defender (24 AP)

Toughness, Stalwart Defense
Durable Defense III, Stalwart Defensive Mastery III
Resilient Defense III, Armor Expertise III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III, Strength
Swift Defense, Strong Defense III

Warpriest (22 AP)

Smite Foe, Resilience of Battle, Sanctuary
Divine Might III, Righteous Weapons
Smite Weakness, Wall of Steel III, Righteous Weapons, Inflame III
Righteous Weapons
Ameliorating Strike

Purple Dragon Knight (1 AP)

Damage Boost


Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack
Lay Waste
Anvil of Thunder
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Pulverizer

Twists of Fate (35 fate points)

Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Endless Faith (Tier 1 Exalted)

Builder isn't updated yet for U33, so I added the Silvanus feats manually.

Goal is a kind of "super-paladin:" i.e., self-sufficient melee DPS toon which isn't too dependent on gear or outside buffs (thus suitable for a first-lifer). I'm not sure, but I think this build will out-DPS a pure paladin (more Melee Power, higher base dmg); while also gaining Ameliorating Strike and Heal spell for additional healing (plus other useful buffs, ofc). Main downside is poor Reflex saves w/out Divine Grace. Also thought about picking up Shield of Condemnation as well, but that means losing either Ameliorating Strike or T4 Stalwart D. (Swift + Strong Defense).

I'm sure Axel will be updating his battlecleric soon; so let me present this one as an alternative.

Radiant Champion of Silvanus
13/6/1 Cleric/Fighter/Barbarian
Chaotic Good Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

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


Stats
               28pt     32pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     ----     --------
Strength        16       16                4: STR
Dexterity        8        8                8: STR
Constitution    14       16               12: STR
Intelligence    10       10       +2      16: STR
Wisdom           8        8               20: STR
Charisma        16       16               24: STR
                                          28: STR

Skills
          F  C  B  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Heal         3     3     3     2     2     2     2     2     2     2  23
Spellcr                     1  2  1  2  1  2     2  2  2  2  2  2  2  23
UMD       2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Balance   2     1                             1                        4
Jump      2     1     1                                                4
Tumble    1                                                            1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         12  3  5  3  3  3  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4  4


Feats

 1        : Cleave
 1 PDK    : Two Handed Fighting
 1 Fighter: Power Attack
 2 Deity  : Follower of: Silvanus
 3        : Empower Healing Spell
 5 Fighter: Great Cleave
 6        : Maximize Spell
 9        : Improved Two Handed Fighting
 9 Fighter: Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
12        : Empower Spell
12 Deity  : Blessing of Silvanus
13 Fighter: Greater Two Handed Fighting
15        : Quicken Spell
18        : Heavy Armor Combatant OR Stunning Blow
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Intensify Spell OR Wellspring of Power
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target OR Epic Spell Power: Positive
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior OR Deific Warding OR Dire Charge
30 Epic   : Blinding Speed
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Enhancements (80 AP)

Radiant Servant (32 AP)

Healing Domain, Pacifism, Positive Energy Burst, Improved Empower Healing

Extra Turning III, Wand Mastery III, Altruism III
Improved Turning I
Intense Healing III, Unyielding Sovereignty
Endless Turning I, Incredible Healing III
Positive Energy Aura

Kensei (22 AP)

Kensei Focus: Picks and Hammers, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought

Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
Ascetic Training: Conditioning III
Shattering Strike I, Strength
Opportunity Attack

Stalwart Defender (13 AP)

Toughness, Stalwart Defense

Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III

Warpriest (8 AP)

Smite Foe

Divine Might III, Toughness I
Wall of Steel III

Ravager (4 AP)

Furious Rage

Barbarian Power Attack III

Purple Dragon Knight (1 AP)

Damage Boost


Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader

Endless Turning III, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
Consecration III, Flames of Purity I
Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
No Regret, Crusade
Castigation, Celestial Champion
Strike Down

Twists of Fate (35 fate points)

Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)

Compared to Axel's build, I trade pally lvls for ftr: right now T4 Kensei is better than T4 KotC, IMO, thanks largely to Opportunity Atk (+20 Melee Power while active); and ftr 6 gains access to Strike w/No Thought so mauls become x4. Downside is I lose lvl 8 spells like MCCW and Mass DW. Since this build is AP-constrained, I took a barb splash for +10% run speed to make up for not taking Swift Defense; it also let me take barb Power Atk from Ravager for +6 dmg, which helps offset not having more Kensei bonuses.

I went with Crusader largely for the CL bonuses. If I'm adding right, caster level for aura will be 13 cleric lvls + 3 Intense Healing + 5 Crusader lvls = 21 / 3 = 7 HPs per tick. I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm adding wrong...

[unbongwah]

Kensei: This is just a modified version of ED37's Kensei Warpriest adapted for Silvanus.

Silvanus Kensei Warpriest
12/7/1 Fighter/Cleric/Barbarian
True Neutral Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

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


Stats
               28pt     32pt     Level Up
               ----     ----     --------
Strength        16       16       4: STR
Dexterity        8        8       8: STR
Constitution    14       16      12: STR
Intelligence    10       10      16: STR
Wisdom           8        8      20: STR
Charisma        16       16      24: STR
                                 28: STR

Skills
          F  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  F  C  F  B  F  F  F  F
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Heal         3     3     3     2     2     2     2     2  ½  1½ ½  1½ 23
UMD       2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Balance   2     ½     ½     ½  ½  ½  ½  ½  ½  ½  ½                     7
Jump      1                                         1                  2
Swim      1                                            1               2
Tumble    1                                                            1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         12  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  5  3  3  3  3


Feats

 1        : Cleave
 1 PDK    : Two Handed Fighting
 1 Fighter: Power Attack
 2 Deity  : Follower of: Silvanus
 3        : Stunning Blow
 3 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Slashing
 6        : Great Cleave
 7 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting
 9        : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
11 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
12        : Empower Healing Spell
12 Deity  : Blessing of Silvanus
15        : Quicken Spell OR Improved Sunder
15 Fighter: Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing
18        : Greater Two Handed Fighting
18 Fighter: Heavy Armor Master
20 Fighter: Tactical Mastery
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Bulwark of Defense OR Heavy Armor Combatant
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic   : Blinding Speed
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Plane of Earth


Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (34 AP)

Kensei Focus: Picks and Hammers, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge
Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
Weapon Group Specialization
Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike II, Strength
Opportunity Attack, Weapon Group Specialization, Liquid Courage, Strike at the Heart
Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Keen Edge

Warpriest (22 AP)

Smite Foe, Resilience of Battle, Sanctuary
Divine Might III, Righteous Weapons
Smite Weakness, Wall of Steel III, Inflame III, Inflame: Saving Throws I
Inflame: Energy Absorption III
Ameliorating Strike

Stalwart Defender (13 AP)

Toughness, Stalwart Defense
Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
Tenacious Defense III

Purple Dragon Knight (6 AP)

Damage Boost
Improved Recovery, Don't Count Me Out III

Ravager (4 AP)

Furious Rage
Barbarian Power Attack III

Frenzied Berserker (1 AP)

Die Hard

Leveling Guide

Ken0 Kensei Focus: Picks and Hammers; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken1 Haste Boost I
Ken1 Haste Boost II, III; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
Ken1 Extra Action Boost II, III
Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization; War0 Smite Foe; War1 Divine Might I
War1 Divine Might II, III; War1 Righteous Weapons
War0 Resilience of Battle; War2 Wall of Steel I, II, III
War2 Inflame I, II, III
War2 Smite Weakness; War3 Inflame: Energy Absorption I, II, III
War2 Inflame: Saving Throws I; Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken3 Strength
Ken3 Shattering Strike I; PDK0 Damage Boost; PDK1 Improved Recovery
Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
Ken4 Opportunity Attack; Ken4 Strike at the Heart
Ken4 Liquid Courage; Ken3 Shattering Strike II; (Bank 2 AP)
(Bank 6 AP)
Ken4 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 Weapon Master; Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Keen Edge; War0 Sanctuary; War4 Ameliorating Strike; SD0 Toughness; SD1 Item Defense I
SD1 Durable Defense I, II, III; SD0 Stalwart Defense
SD2 Resilient Defense I, II, III; SD2 Instinctive Defense I
SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III; Rav0 Furious Rage
Rav1 Barbarian Power Attack I, II, III; FB0 Die Hard
Ken0 Power Surge; PDK1 Don't Count Me Out I, II, III

Barb splash for +10% runspeed and access to tier-1 Enhancements like barb Power Atk (+6 dmg). I spent my last few APs at random - Die Hard? Don't Count Me Out? sure, whatever - so feel free to do whatever you want with them. [FYI, if you wanna be super-fast, barb Fast Movement stacks with Swift Defense if you can free at least 8 APs elsewhere to put into SD.]

This would also make a decent Mabar farmer with either a Mournlode maul or crafted undead beater, particularly if you can also add Armor Piercing somewhere.

Ravager: This build reverses the level split between ftr and barb: barb 12 / cleric 7 / ftr 1.

PDK Silvanus Ravager
12/7/1 Barbarian/Cleric/Fighter
True Neutral Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

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


Stats
               28pt     32pt     Level Up
               ----     ----     --------
Strength        16       16       4: STR
Dexterity        8        8       8: STR
Constitution    14       16      12: STR
Intelligence    10       10      16: STR
Wisdom           8        8      20: STR
Charisma        16       16      24: STR
                                 28: STR

Skills
          F  C  B  C  B  C  B  C  B  C  B  C  B  C  B  B  B  B  B  B
          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
         ------------------------------------------------------------
Heal      1  3     3     2     2     2     2     2     2     2     2  23
Spellcr   2     1½    1½ 1  1½ 1  1½ 1  1½ 1  1½ 1  1½ ½  1½ ½  1½ ½  22
UMD       2     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     11
Tumble    1                                                            1
         ------------------------------------------------------------
         12  3  5  3  5  3  5  3  5  3  5  3  5  3  5  5  5  5  5  5


Feats

 1        : Power Attack
 1 PDK    : Cleave
 1 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting
 2 Deity  : Follower of: Silvanus
 3        : Stunning Blow
 6        : Great Cleave
 9        : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
12        : Improved Two Handed Fighting
12 Deity  : Blessing of Silvanus
15        : Greater Two Handed Fighting
18        : Improved Sunder
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning OR Improved Critical: Slashing
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic   : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding
30 Epic   : Blinding Speed
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Earth


Enhancements (80 AP)

Ravager (36 AP)

Furious Rage, Pain Touch, Demoralizing Success, Pain Touch II
Do You Like Pain? III, Barbarian Power Attack III, Hardy Rage III
I Like Pain III, Cruel Cut III, Melee Power Boost III
Festering Wound III, Strength
Dismember III
Blood Strength, Critical Rage II

Warpriest (22 AP)

Smite Foe, Resilience of Battle, Sanctuary
Divine Might III, Righteous Weapons
Smite Weakness, Wall of Steel III, Righteous Weapons, Inflame III
Righteous Weapons
Ameliorating Strike

Frenzied Berserker (21 AP)

Die Hard, Frenzied Toughness, Frenzy, Frenzied Toughness II
Power Rage II
Angry Arms III, Extra Action Boost III, Sprint Boost I
Mad Munitions III, Supreme Cleave III

Purple Dragon Knight (1 AP)

Damage Boost

Leveling Guide

(Bank 4 AP)
(Bank 8 AP)
Rav0 Furious Rage; Rav1 Barbarian Power Attack I, II, III; Rav1 Do You Like Pain? I, II, III; Rav1 Hardy Rage I, II, III; FB0 Die Hard
FB1 Power Rage I, II; (Bank 1 AP)
Rav2 I Like Pain I, II, III; Rav2 Cruel Cut I, II
Rav2 Cruel Cut III; Rav2 Melee Power Boost I, II, III
Rav0 Pain Touch; Rav3 Festering Wound I, II, III
Rav3 Strength; FB0 Frenzied Toughness; FB2 Extra Action Boost I
FB2 Extra Action Boost II, III; FB2 Sprint Boost I; FB3 Supreme Cleave I
FB3 Supreme Cleave II, III; Rav4 Dismember I, II
Rav4 Dismember III; PDK0 Damage Boost; PDK1 Improved Recovery
(Bank 4 AP)
Rav0 Demoralizing Success; Rav4 I Hit Back! I; Rav5 Blood Strength; Rav5 Critical Rage I, II
Rav5 Uncanny Balance; FB0 Frenzy; War0 Smite Foe
War1 Divine Might I, II, III
War1 Righteous Weapons; War0 Resilience of Battle; War2 Smite Weakness
War2 Wall of Steel I, II, III; War0 Sanctuary
War2 Righteous Weapons; War3 Righteous Weapons
Reset Purple Dragon Knight

Warpriest
(none)
Inflame III
(none)
Ameliorating Strike

Purple Dragon Knight: Damage Boost

Frenzied Berserker
(none)
Angry Arms I
Reset Ravager

Frenzied Berserker: Frenzied Toughness II
(none)
Angry Arms III
Mad Munitions III

Ravager: Furious Rage, Pain Touch, Demoralizing Success, Pain Touch II
Do You Like Pain? III, Barbarian Power Attack III, Hardy Rage III
I Like Pain III, Cruel Cut III, Melee Power Boost III
Festering Wound III, Strength
Dismember III
Blood Strength, Critical Rage II



Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost II
Momentum Swing III, Imp. Power Attack
Lay Waste, Haste Boost III
Anvil of Thunder
Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
Master's Blitz, Pulverizer

Twists of Fate (30 fate points)

Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
Hail of Blows (Tier 2 Flowers)
Primal Scream (Tier 1 Fury)

The Kensei version has 16-18/x4 19-20/x6 crits while the Ravager version is 15-18/x3 19-20/x5; so the Kensei comes ahead in total crits. Pretty sure the Kensei is way ahead on tactics DCs too, depending on how many feats you take. But the Ravager gets extra free healing from Blood Strength and an extra AoE (Supreme Cleave). You can ditch Warpriest enhancements if you'd rather invest more in FB or OS.

Leveling Enhancements is confusing due to multiple resets, but the key break points:

• At lvl 15, start with 38 APs Ravager (Blood STR+Uncanny Balance+Crit Rage) / 14 APs FB (Frenzy + Supreme Cleave) / 3 APs PDK (Dmg Boost + Imp Recovery) / 4 APs WP (Div Might)
• For lvls 16-19, do what you want with your APs; you can see I invested them into OS for extra defenses and Ear Smash
• At lvl 20, respec Enhancements into final form (T5 Ravager + Ameliorating Strike + Frenzied Toughness + Dmg Boost)

[darknoobslayer]

Hey Unbongwah thinking of rolling a 12 fighter/6 fvs/2 ... in heavy armor. What would you recommend for enhancement split and class for the last 2 lvls?

[Loromir]

Hey Unbongwah thinking of rolling a 12 fighter/6 fvs/2 ... in heavy armor. What would you recommend for enhancement split and class for the last 2 lvls?

Going 14 fighter gets you Heavy Armor Champion which is +12 PRR and MRR.

I have a 14/6 Fighter FVS and it works real well. Can take some hits and dish it out too.

[unbongwah]

Hey Unbongwah thinking of rolling a 12 fighter/6 fvs/2 ... in heavy armor. What would you recommend for enhancement split and class for the last 2 lvls?

Apart from Loromir's suggestion of HAC, other options:

• FvS 8 for lvl 4 spell slot (Death Ward or FoM)
• barb splash for +10% runspeed; ftr 12 / cleric 7 / barb 1 is a good combo, IMO [EDIT: added to 2nd post]
• pal 2 for Div Grace (+8 to saves beats a poke in the eye, at any rate)
• A druid splash for Ram's Might if you don't mind the no-metal-armor restriction (i.e., use dragonplate anyway) and to pretend you're a Forest Master

[unbongwah]

Added two builds to second post: one is ftr 12 / cleric 7 / barb 1 based on ED37's Kensei Warpriest; the other is barb 12 / cleric 7 / ftr 1 (Ravager / FB / Warpriest hybrid).

[darknoobslayer]

Thank you Loromir and Unbongwah for the feedback. The 12 fighter/7 cleric/1 barb split looks pretty solid I think I might run with that. I notice you don't take a good death or deadly strike from kensei they not worth it?

[Haphazarduk]

6Barb/6FS/8Ftr means 14-20/x4 on a normal Maul and I guess 12-20/x4 on Drow?

I don't really understand what gets doubled and what doesn't with crit range (anyone enlighten me?) and the tooltip does some pretty strange things when you toggle on and off Blessing of Silvanus and come in and out of rage (at times showing 17-20 crit on a normal crit range maul with nothing but improved crit bludgeoning running).

Hap

[unbongwah]

I don't really understand what gets doubled and what doesn't with crit range (anyone enlighten me?)

Well, I haven't had a chance to test it, but the following should stack: Improved Crit Blunt, Pulverizer, Blessing of Silvanus, and one of either Crit Rage, Keen Edge, or Holy Sword. You can also get either Strike w/No Thought or Holy Sword's +1 crit multiplier to apply, but not both.

So I believe you're right and a barb 6 / ftr 6 / cleric or FvS 6 build should have: 20/x3 base -> 19-20/x3 IC:Blunt -> 17-20/x3 Blessing of Silvanus -> 15-20/x3 Crit Rage -> 14-20/x3 Pulverizer -> 14-20/x4 Strike w/No Thought (+2 crit range for drow maul).

There are others doing max-DPS Silvanus builds including centered monk 6 / ftr 8 / <divine class> 6 builds; I wanted to focus on battlepriest variants which had better buffs and/or heals than those builds do. The thread title is a riff on the Divine Champion PrC, which I always saw as warrior-priests.

[Haphazarduk]

So I believe you're right and a barb 6 / ftr 6 / cleric or FvS 6 build should have: 20/x3 base -> 19-20/x3 IC:Blunt -> 17-20/x3 Blessing of Silvanus -> 15-20/x3 Crit Rage -> 14-20/x3 Pulverizer -> 14-20/x4 Strike w/No Thought (+2 crit range for drow maul).

Well, thats the weird thing. I'm getting 20/x3 Base -> 1/9-20/x3 IC (SFSG) -> 16-20/x3 Blessing of Silvanus -> 14-20/x3 Crit Rage.

The is tooltip only so need to test on dummy. Interestingly IC:B and Crit Rage also gets to 16-20 so it looks like one is getting doubled but not the other. Then when rage drops it goes to 15-20/x3 and if I toggle off Blessing stays at 17-20/x3.

EDIT: Tested on the Dummy and can confirm with IC:B, Blessing of Silvanus and Crit Rage I'm critting on a 14. Also, when rage goes down I retain 15-20 profile with just Blessing Up. Further dropping Blessing retains 17-20 profile (with only IC:B).

Looks like Crit Rage stays up even when not raged (it's on in the weapon tooltip all the time) and one of Crit rage or Blessing is getting doubled with IC:B until the other is dropped. Odd but fun.

Hap

[Loromir]

Well, thats the weird thing. I'm getting 20/x3 Base -> 1/9-20/x3 IC (SFSG) -> 16-20/x3 Blessing of Silvanus -> 14-20/x3 Crit Rage.

The is tooltip only so need to test on dummy. Interestingly IC:B and Crit Rage also gets to 16-20 so it looks like one is getting doubled but not the other. Then when rage drops it goes to 15-20/x3 and if I toggle off Blessing stays at 17-20/x3.

EDIT: Tested on the Dummy and can confirm with IC:B, Blessing of Silvanus and Crit Rage I'm critting on a 14. Also, when rage goes down I retain 15-20 profile with just Blessing Up. Further dropping Blessing retains 17-20 profile (with only IC:B).

Looks like Crit Rage stays up even when not raged (it's on in the weapon tooltip all the time) and one of Crit rage or Blessing is getting doubled with IC:B until the other is dropped. Odd but fun.

Hap

With my 14 Fighter / 6 FVS...I'm getting 13-20 X4 with a drow maul. Improved Critical, Pulverizer, Keen Edge, Blessing of Silvanus....Can't recall if I'm missing something.

[Haphazarduk]

With my 14 Fighter / 6 FVS...I'm getting 13-20 X4 with a drow maul. Improved Critical, Pulverizer, Keen Edge, Blessing of Silvanus....Can't recall if I'm missing something.

I think it's Crit Rage that is playing up. It seems to be extending crit range 3 rather than 2 when you turn it on (perhaps only after Blessing is already on), then reverting to only 2 when you turn it off (but still giving it's bonus even when not raged).

Hap

[Haphazarduk]

Don't have time to do a full write-up now but here's where I'm going...

PDK 8Ftr/7Clr/5Barb

Gives 14-20/x4 Crit before decent wepaons (maybe 12-20/x4 with Drow Maul), Blood Strength, 4th lvl Cleric Spells and Kensei wpn enhancments. Fun.

Enhancements
Ravager 36 (Blood Strength, Crit Rage)
Kensei 22 (Wpn Grp Spc, SwnT)
War Priest 8 (DM & Wall of Steel)
PDK 1 (Damage Boost)
StD 13 (Strong Defense/Tenacious Defense)

Feats
You know, the usual ones

Just running around Gianthold with the basics of this build at 15th is pretty hilarious.

Hap

[unbongwah]

Kensei 22 (Wpn Grp Spc, SwnT)

If you only afford one tier-4 Kensei enhancement, it should definitely be Opportunity Atk for +20 MP, IMO.

Ravager 36 (Blood Strength, Crit Rage)
StD 13 (Strong Defense/Tenacious Defense)

Can't use Rage with defensive stance.

EDIT: my approach to 6/6/8 split would be 36 Ravager / 22 Kensei / 14 FB (Supreme Cleave + Frenzy) / 4 WP / 1 PDK with 3 APs to tweak things. Would be a good template for banging out a few PDK ITRs if you need it; you can adjust which class has 8 lvls depending on what HPL you need.

[Haphazarduk]

If you only afford one tier-4 Kensei enhancement, it should definitely be Opportunity Atk for +20 MP, IMO.

Can't use Rage with defensive stance.

EDIT: my approach to 6/6/8 split would be 36 Ravager / 22 Kensei / 14 FB (Supreme Cleave + Frenzy) / 4 WP / 1 PDK with 3 APs to tweak things. Would be a good template for banging out a few PDK ITRs if you need it; you can adjust which class has 8 lvls depending on what HPL you need.

****, yes I always forget that. Yes FB probably make sense. I really dislike OA. I find it distracts me far too much from tactical positioning and so I forget to use it only getting it about half the time.

I think I may use this for my PDK ITRs like you say.

Hap

[Haphazarduk]

Can't use Rage with defensive stance.

Weirdly it looks like you can (of sorts). When rage drops you retain most of the crit range profile (2 out of 3) so you can rage, dismiss it then turn on Strong defense. You don't get your rage enhancements obviously but you do get the stance enhancements and the normal crit rage profile. Not that I recommend doing this

Hap

[Sam-u-r-eye]

along these lines, been thinkin of:
11 cleric (Heal, Maul Crit)
6 fighter (Kensai)
3 barbarian (Supreme cleave, Ear Smash, Sprint Boost)

[Eryhn]

in terms of non-optimized dps / flavor fun builds, would like to add

12fvs/6fighter/2pally PDK

33 kensei tier5
21 stalwart 10% runspeed 20% HP stance
21 AoV Archon, spell crits, just reward ->SP regen, Empyrean Twist charged, @29 Arcane Warrior
4 Warpriest Divine Might
1 human dmg boost

currently leveling up, @ 18, will post some feedback how this does once i hit 20 and get to test the archon and how much of a waste those 21 AP actually are compared to what i lose in PRR, AC, STR stance ...

[unbongwah]

11 cleric (Heal, Maul Crit)
6 fighter (Kensai)
3 barbarian (Supreme cleave, Ear Smash, Sprint Boost)

If you don't need Heal, cleric 9 / ftr 8 / barb 3 is also an option (less healing, moar DPS): 33 Kensei / 13 SD / 13 FB / 8 OS / 4 WP / 1 PDK with 8 APs left over for whatever. Basically the extra cleric lvls are for CCW and buffs (FoM, DW, Prot. from Elements, etc.).

[adrian69]

I've been thinking about something with Silvanus or the warhammer one.

What's the census on mauls for 12-20 GS, 20-24 Drow, 24-30 TF/LGS? And best in slot loot gen before 12?

What's the better GS Maul, MinII?