Potential Swordmage Ideas?

[MagicBlade]

Hello all, first off, let me say that while I am an old player that has just recently returned, I've never been entirely good with creating my own builds, but I've had the idea of a swordmage rattling around in my head since I first started playing DDO.. and I am referring to a true swordmage. For those who have ever played Baldur's Gate or Dungeon's and Dragons, or even read any of the Forgotten Realms books, you all know what I am meaning..

I do NOT mean a battlemage, a magi in heavy armor slinging spells, and I do NOT mean a spell buffed melee.

When I say a swordmage, I am meaning a character who is equal parts caster and melee, offensive casting that is. Wearing light or no armor, single weapon fighting, using spells as their armor and ranged offense, with a sword for close range. Technically a true swordmage's sword applies to close and mid range, while the spells are the same.

Anyways, on to the builds.. let me say that these are all flavor builds and I do not know first hand if they are capable of EE/LE content as my first attempt was a first life fail, so to speak. I am currently working on a 27 life TR project, to build up the right past lives to make such a build fully capable. Don't get me wrong, someone else can possibly manage to make a good first to third life build capable of it all, and if anyone sees anything that can be improved upon for my builds, please speak up.

Regarding the builds, the majority of these will be using Wizard or Sorcerer's Eldritch Knight.. most likely leaning more towards Wizard/Fighter combinations, due to the added feats. A Bladeforged/Warforged Sorcerer/Fighter/Paladin makes for a handy Battlemage, for anyone interested in that line of fighting - S&B Buffed melee using Tensers, tank capable with Reconstruct + Reconstruct SLA healing.



Builds:

1) 12 Wizard/6 Fighter/2 Barbarian - SWF + Orb, Half-Elf/Human
2) 12 Wizard/6 Monk/2 Fighter - SWF no Orb, Half-Elf/Human
3) 12 Wizard/5 Fighter/3 Bard - SWF no Orb, Helf-Elf/Human
4) 12 Wizard/6 Fighter/2 Monk - SWF no Orb, Half-Elf/Human
5) 12 Wizard/6 Fighter/2 Rogue - SWF + Orb, Half-Elf/Human
6) 12 Wizard/8 Fighter - SWF + Orb, Half-Elf/Human/Warforged
7) 12 Sorcerer/8 Fighter - SWF + Orb, Half-Elf/Human/Warforged
8) 12 Sorcerer/6 Fighter/2 Paladin - SWF + Orb, , Half-Elf/Human/Warforged/Bladeforged


I do not know enough about the warlock or bard classes or I might consider a warlock/bard split to be an adequate swordmage idea, once I get an idea on both classes later on I might update this thread. I will be linking each build in posts below as I go through and properly create them on the planner. (Wednesday this week)

[MagicBlade]

Throavel Final?
12/6/2 Wizard/Fighter/Barbarian
Chaotic Good Half-Elf


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt. . .34pt. . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .----. . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . .9 . . . .9 . . . 11 . . . 13. . . .+6. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . .9 . . . 13 . . . 13 . . . 13. . . .+6. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16. . . .+6. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18. . . .+6. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . F .B. B .W .F. W. F .W .F. W. F .W .F. W. W. W. W. W. W. W
. . . . . 1 .2. 3 .4 .5. 6. 7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Concent . 2 .½. ½ .2 .1. 2. 1 .2 .1. 1. 1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spellcr . 2 .½. ½ .2 .1. 2. 1 .2 .1. 1. 1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . 2 .½. ½ . . . . . . . . ½ .½ .½. ½. ½ .½ .½ .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .11½
Haggle. . . .½. ½ . . . . . . . . ½ .1 .½. 1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .½ .11½
UMD . . . 2 .½. ½ .½ .½. ½. ½ .½ .½. ½. ½ .½ .½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 11½
Balance . 2 .½. ½ .½ .½. ½. ½ .½ .½. ½. ½ .½ .½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
Jump. . . 2 .2. 2 .½ .1. ½. 1 .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Swim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .½ . . 1. . .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2½ 10
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .24 .8. 8 .7 .7. 7. 7 .8 .8. 8. 8 .9 .9. 9. 9 10 10 10 10 11


Feats

.1. . . . : Power Attack
.1 HalfElf: Half-Elf Dilettante: Artificer
.1 Fighter: Cleave
.3. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.4 Wizard : Maximize Spell
.5 Fighter: Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
.6. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
.9. . . . : Great Cleave
.9 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing
12. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
12 Wizard : Spell Focus: Evocation
13 Fighter: Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
18 Wizard : Quicken Spell
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Master of: Fire
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Ruin
28 Destiny: Epic Mage Armor
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior
30 Epic . : Greater Ruin
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire


Spells

Wizard
Magic Missle, Jump, Expeditious Retreat, Nightshield, Tumble
Blur, Invisibility, Scorching Ray, Resist Energy, Knock
Haste, Displacement, Chain Missiles, Heroism, Magic Circle Against Evil
Wall of Fire, Stoneskin, Force Missiles, Fire Shield
Protection from Elements, Eladar's Electric Surge, Break Enchantment, Cloudkill
Greater Heroism, Acid Fog, True Seeing

Enhancements (80 AP)

Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (36 AP)
Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Flame, Spellsword II: Acid, Spellsword III: Shock
Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness III, Item Defense III, Battlemage I
Improved Shield III, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Arcane Barrier III, Elemental Resistance III, Intelligence
Intelligence
Tenser's Transformation, Eldritch Shield, Doublestrike III
Kensei (17 AP)
Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
Extra Action Boost II, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
(none)
Critical Mastery III
Harper Agent (12 AP)
Agent of Good I, Intelligence
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Know the Angles III
Strategic Combat
Frenzied Berserker (11 AP)
Die Hard
Cracking Attack III, Die Harder I
Extra Action Boost III, Sprint Boost III
Half-Elf (4 AP)
Versatile Nature, Human Intelligence, Human Damage Boost

Destiny (24 AP)

Magister
Unearthly Reactions III, Impregnable Mind III, Intelligence
Intelligence
Intelligence
Sigil of Battering III, Nullmagic Guard III
Nullmagic Strike II
Nullmagic Aura, Arcane Adept
Twists of Fate (10 fate points)
Healing Spring (Tier 1 Shiradi)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)

This build is centered around Eldritch Knight, Kensai and Frienzied Berserker for melee capability, with Spells + Magister ED for spell capability. Due to the Tenser's Toggle, the spellcasting is a little hindered, but it isn't meant to be spammed constantly, as it would be with Shiradi Champion. Twists in healing, with one offense, which is reset with up to 3 different cleaves. Ruin and Greater Ruin are situational, with Greater Ruin possibly being swapped out for something else, due to the limited SP, but can keep Ruin for a single heavy hitting spell for when it is needed.

Level 1-3, can use any weapon of choice, 3-5 would be using a longsword, and 5+ would be using a bastard sword with an orb in the offhand (7-8+ if I can acquire the Golden Orb of Death or the Mutilator of Minds for ToEE or Slavelords.)

[MagicBlade]

New Build
12/6/2 Wizard/Monk/Fighter
Lawful Neutral Half-Elf


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt. . .34pt. . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .----. . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 10 . . . 11 . . . 12 . . . 12. . . .+6. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 12 . . . 12 . . . 11 . . . 12. . . .+6. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 14 . . . 14 . . . 14 . . . 14. . . .+6. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18. . . .+6. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . 11 . . . 13 . . . 14. . . .+6. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . F .M. F .M. M .W .W .W .W .W .M. M .M. W. W. W. W. W. W. W
. . . . . 1 .2. 3 .4. 5 .6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Concent . 2 .2. 1 .1. 2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . 1 . . . .1. 2 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2 .3 .3 .23
Spellcr . 2 .½. ½ .½. ½ .2 .2 .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .½. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 21½
Heal. . . ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½. ½ .½. ½. 1. 1. 1. ½. ½. ½. 11½
UMD . . . 2 .½. ½ .½. ½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½. ½ .½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 11½
Balance . 2 . . . .2. . . . . . . . .1 .2. 2 .2. . . . . . . . . . . .11
Haggle. . ½ . . . . . . . . . .1 .1 .½ .½. 1 .1½ 1 .1 .1 .1 .½ . . . .10½
Jump. . . 3 .1. 1 .1. 1 . . . . . . . . 1 .1. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tumble. . ½ .2. . .1. 1 . . . . . . .½ . . . . . ½. . .½ .½ .½ . . . . 7
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .24 .8. 6 .9. 9 .7 .7 .8 .8 .8 10 11 11 .9 .9 10 10 10 10 11


Feats

.1. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
.1 HalfElf: Half-Elf Dilettante: Artificer
.1 Fighter: Single Weapon Fighting
.2 Monk . : Whirling Steel Strike
.3. . . . : Dodge
.3 Fighter: Power Attack
.4 Monk . : Mobility
.5 Monk . : Path of Harmonious Balance
.6. . . . : Cleave
.6 Wizard : Maximize Spell
.9. . . . : Great Cleave
10 Wizard : Quicken Spell
12. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
13 Monk . : Lightning Reflexes
15. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
18 Wizard : Heighten Spell
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Spring Attack
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: First Blood
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior
30 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Air


Spells

Wizard
Magic Missile, Nightshield, Jump, Obscuring Mist, Disrupt Undead
Blur, Invisibility, False Life, Resist Energy, Knock
Chain Missiles, Displacement, Haste, Heroism, Magic Circle Against Evil
Force Missiles, Stoneskin, Dimension Door, Fire Shield
Protection from Elements, Teleport, Eladar's Electric Surge, Prismatic Ray
Greater Heroism, True Seeing, Greater Dispel Magic

Enhancements (80 AP)

Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (40 AP)
Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Acid, Spellsword II: Shock
Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness III, Item Defense III
Improved Shield III, Martial Training
Arcane Barrier III, Critical Accuracy III, Intelligence
Critical Damage III, Intelligence
Tenser's Transformation, Doublestrike III, Eldritch Tempest III
Harper Agent (15 AP)
Agent of Good I, Intelligence
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Magical Endurance III, Know the Angles III
Strategic Combat
Kensei (11 AP)
Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades
Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
Weapon Group Specialization, Improved Dodge III
Shintao (10 AP)
Bastion of Purity
Difficulty at the Beginning, Reed in the Wind III
Iron Skin III, Fists of Iron
Half-Elf (4 AP)
Versatile Nature, Human Intelligence, Human Damage Boost

Destiny (24 AP)

Magister
Sigil of Warding III, Unearthly Reactions III, Impregnable Mind III, Intelligence
Intelligence
(none)
Sigil of Battering III, Nullmagic Guard II
Nullmagic Strike II
Arcane Tempest, Arcane Adept
Twists of Fate (13 fate points)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
Barrier of Scales (Tier 2 Draconic)

This one is centered upon monk's evasion + dodge bonuses, with skills such as Reed in the Wind to further improve dodge. Tenser's gives max BAB, and taking the majority of the EK line once again. ED's once again Magister, although it can be swapped to Legendary Dreadnaught for heightened melee, or drop Tensers and take Shiradi for higher proc's using the Force spells (MM, Chain, Force Missiles...etc) I tried to center this one more around the dodge and doublestrike, and while Kensai usually offers a higher bonus to melee than EK, with only 2 Fighter, the line was severly limited. So the points got split up between Harper, Shintao and Half Elf.. this build would rely on the monk's healing to heal throughout the levels, with twists on epics. Can swap Barrier of Scales for one of the other healing skills.. Healing Spring for example.

[MagicBlade]

New Build
12/5/3 Wizard/Fighter/Bard
Chaotic Good Half-Elf


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt. . .34pt. . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .----. . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 12 . . . 12 . . . 12 . . . 14. . . .+6. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 10 . . . 10 . . . 12 . . . 12. . . .+6. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 14 . . . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16. . . .+6. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18. . . .+6. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . B .W .F. F .B. B .W .W .W .W .F. F .W .W .W .W .W .W .W .F
. . . . . 1 .2 .3. 4 .5. 6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Concent . 4 .1 .½. ½ .1. 1 .2 .1 .1 .1 .½. ½ .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 23
Diplo . . 4 .½ . . . .2. 2 .½ .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2. 23
UMD . . . 4 .1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 23
Spellcr . 4 .1 .½. 1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .½. ½ .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2 .½. 22
Perform . 4 . . . . . 3 .2. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1½ 1½ 1½ 1 .½. 16
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . 1 .1. . .½ .½ .½ . . 1 .1 .1½ ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½ .14
Balance . 4 .½ .½. ½ .1. 1 .½ .½ .½ .½ .½. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Jump. . . 4 . . 1 .1. 1 .1. . . . . . . 1 .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Swim. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tumble. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .40 .6 .6. 7 11 10 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8. 9 .9 .9 .9 10 10 10 10 11
. . . . .40 .6 .6. 7 11 11 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8. 9 .9 .9 .9 10 10 10 10 11


Feats

.1. . . . : Power Attack
.1 HalfElf: Half-Elf Dilettante: Artificer
.2 Wizard : Spell Focus: Evocation
.3. . . . : Cleave
.3 Fighter: Single Weapon Fighting
.4 Fighter: Dodge
.6. . . . : Weapon Focus: Piercing
.9. . . . : Great Cleave
10 Wizard : Quicken Spell
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Piercing
12 Fighter: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
15. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
17 Wizard : Maximize Spell
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Wellspring of Power
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior
30 Epic . : Arcane Insight
30 Legend : Scion of: Astral Plane


Spells

Wizard
Magic Missile, Expeditious Retreat, Jump, Nightshield, Feather Fall
Blur, Melf's Acid Arrow, Invisibility, Scorching Ray, Knock
Haste, Displacement, Chain Missiles, Heroism, Magic Circle Against Evil
Wall of Fire, Dimension Door, Force Missiles, Stoneskin
Protection from Elements, Eladar's Electric Surge, Teleport, Summon Monster V
Greater Heroism, True Seeing, Greater Dispel Magic
Bard
Cure Light Wounds, Focusing Chant, Sonic Blast

Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (33 AP)
Kensei Focus: Light Blades, Spiritual Bond
Extra Action Boost II, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III, Reed in the Wind III
Weapon Group Specialization, Improved Dodge III
Critical Mastery III, Shattering Strike II
Opportunity Attack, Liquid Courage, Strike at the Heart
One with the Blade, Deadly Strike, Keen Edge
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (24 AP)
Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Acid
Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness III, Item Defense III, Battlemage III
Improved Shield III, Martial Training
Arcane Barrier III, Intelligence
Swashbuckler (14 AP)
Confidence, Swashbuckling
On Your Toes III, Blow By Blow: Melee III
En Pointe III
Dashing Scoundrel, Two Steps Ahead
Harper Agent (9 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Versatile Adept I, Know the Angles III

Destiny (24 AP)

Unyielding Sentinel
Brace for Impact II, Constitution
Constitution
Renewal III, Healing Hands, Endless Lay On Hands I
Light the Dark
Hardened III, Strength of Vitality III
Undying Vanguard
Twists of Fate (9 fate points)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Barrier of Scales (Tier 2 Draconic)
Healing Spring (Tier 1 Shiradi)

New Build
12/5/3 Wizard/Fighter/Bard
Chaotic Good Half-Elf


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt. . .34pt. . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .----. . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 12 . . . 12 . . . 12 . . . 14. . . .+6. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 10 . . . 10 . . . 12 . . . 12. . . .+6. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 14 . . . 16 . . . 16 . . . 16. . . .+6. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18 . . . 18. . . .+6. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8 . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . B .W .F. F .B. B .W .W .W .W .F. F .W .W .W .W .W .W .W .F
. . . . . 1 .2 .3. 4 .5. 6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Concent . 4 .1 .½. ½ .1. 1 .2 .1 .1 .1 .½. ½ .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 23
Diplo . . 4 .½ . . . .2. 2 .½ .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2. 23
UMD . . . 4 .1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 23
Spellcr . 4 .1 .½. 1 .1. 1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .½. ½ .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .2 .½. 22
Perform . 4 . . . . . 3 .2. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1½ 1½ 1½ 1 .½. 16
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . 1 .1. . .½ .½ .½ . . 1 .1 .1½ ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½ .14
Balance . 4 .½ .½. ½ .1. 1 .½ .½ .½ .½ .½. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Jump. . . 4 . . 1 .1. 1 .1. . . . . . . 1 .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Swim. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tumble. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .40 .6 .6. 7 11 10 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8. 9 .9 .9 .9 10 10 10 10 11
. . . . .40 .6 .6. 7 11 11 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8. 9 .9 .9 .9 10 10 10 10 11


Feats

.1. . . . : Power Attack
.1 HalfElf: Half-Elf Dilettante: Artificer
.2 Wizard : Spell Focus: Evocation
.3. . . . : Cleave
.3 Fighter: Single Weapon Fighting
.4 Fighter: Dodge
.6. . . . : Weapon Focus: Piercing
.9. . . . : Great Cleave
10 Wizard : Quicken Spell
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Piercing
12 Fighter: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
15. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
17 Wizard : Maximize Spell
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Wellspring of Power
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Elusive Target
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior
30 Epic . : Arcane Insight
30 Legend : Scion of: Astral Plane


Spells

Wizard
Magic Missile, Expeditious Retreat, Jump, Nightshield, Feather Fall
Blur, Melf's Acid Arrow, Invisibility, Scorching Ray, Knock
Haste, Displacement, Chain Missiles, Heroism, Magic Circle Against Evil
Wall of Fire, Dimension Door, Force Missiles, Stoneskin
Protection from Elements, Eladar's Electric Surge, Teleport, Summon Monster V
Greater Heroism, True Seeing, Greater Dispel Magic
Bard
Cure Light Wounds, Focusing Chant, Sonic Blast

Enhancements (80 AP)

Kensei (33 AP)
Kensei Focus: Light Blades, Spiritual Bond
Extra Action Boost II, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III, Reed in the Wind III
Weapon Group Specialization, Improved Dodge III
Critical Mastery III, Shattering Strike II
Opportunity Attack, Liquid Courage, Strike at the Heart
One with the Blade, Deadly Strike, Keen Edge
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (24 AP)
Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Acid
Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness III, Item Defense III, Battlemage III
Improved Shield III, Martial Training
Arcane Barrier III, Intelligence
Swashbuckler (14 AP)
Confidence, Swashbuckling
On Your Toes III, Blow By Blow: Melee III
En Pointe III
Dashing Scoundrel, Two Steps Ahead
Harper Agent (9 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Versatile Adept I, Know the Angles III

Destiny (24 AP)

Grandmaster of Flowers
Lily Petal, Perfect Balance III, Dance of Flowers III
Running with Wind III, Serenity III, Hail of Blows
Orchid Blossom
Piercing Clarity II
Drifting Lotus, Dancing with Flames III
Scattering of Petals, Everything is Nothing
Twists of Fate (6 fate points)
Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
Fast Healing (Tier 1 Fury)
Healing Spring (Tier 1 Shiradi)

This build focuses on SWF + no orb, to benefit from Doublestrike with the Swashbuckler enhancements, dodge bonus and using UMD for scroll healing with Arti Dilletante, and a +5 UMD tome, will eventually have +3 Arti PL to improve upon the Int and UMD skills. ED lies in Unyielding Sentinel for healing + health boosts, and twists either into further healing/defense, or offense with LD twists. Magister for improved casting benefits, or Grandmaster of Flowers.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

A variety of ways to do this... but...

Any non-pure caster gets gimped in save DCs, spell pen, and damage dice as well.

Most of the approaches I have taken for this was to use my spells only for buffs.

But the ones I have had the most success with from a caster point of view, has simply been pure casters that melee most of the time.

IMO Pale Master and Harper are both good.

My Drow Pale Master is durable with Death Aura on.

And the Elf Harper life I did was fun.

I am partial to stealthy Wizards as well.

I also enjoy Rgr/Wiz combos, or 1/2 Elf Rgr with Wiz Dillie feat.

Pure Warlock with Aura on was also fun to use melee weps with.

[Mr_Helmet]

Just play a bard.

[Saekee]

The EK tree, unfortunately, was bad on the day they released it. The damage from the spellswords does not scale with spellpower or melee power, so they are really weak. They even drain your sp :P

The two best things about wizard levels are the 1) spells and 2) using the Pale master tree. PM forms cost valuable AP though; for example, wraith form is a drop of 21 AP that could be better used elsewhere. Note too that you really want to go INT, so you need 11 AP in Harper too for strategic combat. So things get tight.

Monk now offers quite a bit due to Henshin Melee power and the expanded threat of Ninja tier 5. It is not great but not bad. Kensei would be more DPS though. I think the 6 fighter or even 8 fighter might be the best boost for BAB qualifications, extra feats etc. as well as a strong tree to use (Kensei). You will not get evasion so maybe 2 monk or even 2 rogue for traps--great synergy with Int.

Wraith form gets you excellent defenses with Incorp and CON drain on crits, so a fun flavor build would take advantage of this.

[Enoach]

I like your basic concepts.

Now there are lots of spells available that do damage and don't need to worry about DC/Spell Pen. Force spells are what I think of when I think of a Swordmage for example.

Using the EK tree in my opinion is great way to use the caster levels.

But here is a thought on a possible breakdown

Uses Purple Dragon Knight Sorcerer/Paladin/Fighter 13/5/2
This gets you two fighter feats, and allows you to use Charisma for some save bonuses, attack and damage (with swords) and even gives you some tactical DCs. Could also open up one of the Sorcerer Trees giving you elemental powers and access to SLAs that cost less Spell Points. Sorcerer can also leverage the EK Tree.

Or

Uses Purple Dragon Knight Sorcerer/Bard/Fighter 13/5/2
Bard getting you access to the Swashbuckler tree for some SWF bonuses especially for Orb using. This could couple well with Air Savant at epic levels with the Use of Reign as you will have some songs to spend on this twistable extra lightning damage.

---
As a note, what I like about your build concept is that they are well lined up for use of the Arcane Warrior Feat where dps spell casting will make your melee stronger and melee will make your dps casting stronger.

---------------------
Keep in mind that the EK tree will likely get a pass when Wizard/Sorcerer Pass occurs. While its elemental stances do not by themselves get Spell Power/Melee Power scaling. The Cleave does. My hope is that they do add Spell power to scale to the damage of the elemental stances when this pass occurs. I'm hopeful (but won't hold my breath) that this is a possible path since they did this with the AA Elemental Imbues.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Just play a bard.

or that...lol

I meant to mention Bards too.

[CThruTheEgo]

a character who is equal parts caster and melee, offensive casting that is.

Here are two threads which have covered these types of builds. My own The Arcane Warrior offering four different builds and unbongwah's March of the Bladesingers. I'm glad to see someone else taking up this concept as well. I love hybrid builds and this one has been a blast.

I am currently playing the half elf int based version listed in my thread. My goal was similar to yours - a build capable of both melee and offensive casting - but I wasn't too concerned about armor type or fighting style. I had a Sword of Shadow and all the ingredients to make it epic on that character so I wanted to go with THF for that reason only, but I mention throughout the thread that SWF with an orb in the offhand is probably more ideal if for no other reason than having an extra gear slot available. Gearing any hybrid build can be a nightmare.

unbongwah's thread is specifically focused on elf builds.

I do not know first hand if they are capable of EE/LE content as my first attempt was a first life fail, so to speak. I am currently working on a 27 life TR project, to build up the right past lives to make such a build fully capable.

I can say from playing my own build that it is definitely EE capable. I only have maybe four heroic past lives and three or four epic past lives, so it doesn't requiring maxing out. Eldritch knight offers some great low hanging survivability. I would not, however, take it into LE content. Because it is a jack of all trades kind of build, it is behind builds which specialize.

Regarding the builds, the majority of these will be using Wizard or Sorcerer's Eldritch Knight.

I can't recommend going deep into eldritch knight. The tree is really rather lackluster, but it does offer some nice low hanging defensive perks. Arcane barrier has saved me on a number of occasions. Personally, I wouldn't invest beyond that. Hopefully the tree will get a revamp someday because it could definitely use an upgrade for today's game.

most likely leaning more towards Wizard/Fighter combinations

In the current game, the biggest boost to melee dps comes from increasing crit range and multiplier. For that, kensai is ideal with its level six core and keen edge in tier five. Melee dps is quite good with these.

[C-Dog]

Bard/Fighter has been praised as a solid SWF TR template for (almost?) any class. So tweaking that away from TR and toward long-term play shouldn't be hard.

Here are some links that might help:

o Bard 5 /Ftr 3 https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5634052
o Bard 5 / Ftr 3 / X 12 https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5891810
o Melee builds for Arcanes https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ane-Past-Lives

[dunklezhan]

Wiz 12 (PM for Wraith, otherwise EK) / fighter 8 worked well for me, but I only tried THF, not SWF. This provided adequate melee single target and AOE damage & hate gen, self healing, buffs, debuffs, and the occasional bit of direct spell damage - though rarely. On my particular build I went light armour rather than heavy to maximise dodge- the entire build was based around avoidance, not mitigation, and PRR/MRR were not in their current form. If I did it again I'd probably try to squeeze in the ASF from the EK tree and go heavy just for the PRR - I never got the dodge so high that I could say for sure (especially with the new AC system) that it was or was not better than more raw AC and PRR.

It was not a good DPS build, and it was not a main tank build. But it was very survivable and looked awesome as a floating half orc wraith with tensers and a dirty great axe. It made it to 30, but I was only playing EH. I'd recommend it as a fun way to get a wiz past life on a previously melee-only character, if nothing else.