Second Life Melee Pale Master Build

[Teeaaa]

So I have this first life wizard, that somehow was able to do this:


Now of course, at level 21 I used the lesser reincarnation heart and went more spellcasting focused, which I'm not really finding that fun. Now, as some may notice through my previous posts, I've gotten into the TR kinda feel, this being my third planned TR. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or suggestions.

Now I haven't really gone to look at this in a while, and I've realized that the one thing that might've caused my melee-portion build (as seen in the video) was high negative energy spellpower, or similar stuff. I don't really know how to focus a build towards that more, and I'm debating whether or not to go for the PM capstone or the Elderitch Knight cap

Clemintinedm 2nd Life Build
Wizard 20
Lawful Good Halfling


Stats
. . . . . . . .32pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 13. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 16. . . .8: CON
Constitution. . 16. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 15. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . .8. . . 24: CON
. . . . . . . . . . . . 28: DEX

Skills
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Spellcr . . .1 .1 .2 .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .21
Heal. . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 11½
Tumble. . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 11½
Balance . 1. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. 10½
Hide. . . . . . . . . . .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ . 7½
Concent . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Jump. . . 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .16. 4. 4. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5


Feats

.1. . . . : Dodge
.1 Wizard : Eschew Materials
.3. . . . : Weapon Finesse
.5 Wizard : Extend Spell
.6. . . . : Mobility
.9. . . . : Spring Attack
10 Wizard : Quicken Spell
12. . . . : Combat Expertise
15. . . . : Whirlwind Attack
15 Wizard : Mental Toughness
18. . . . : Quick Draw
20 Wizard : Empower Spell
21 Epic . : Improved Critical: Slashing
24 Epic . : Maximize Spell
26 Destiny: Guardian Angel
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: First Blood
29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior
30 Epic . : Great Ability: Dexterity
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane


Spells

1. Jump, Feather Fall, Expeditious Retreat, Tumble, Protection from Evil
2. Electric Loop, Blur, False Life, Invisibility, Lesser Death Aura
3. Displacement, Haste, Rage, Dispel Magic, Heroism
4. Death Aura, Negative Energy Burst, Dimension Door, Stoneskin, Fire Shield
5. Protection from Elements, Eladar's Electric Surge, Teleport, Cyclonic Blast, Niac's Biting Cold
6. Tenser's Transformation, Greater Heroism, Shadow Walk, True Seeing, Necrotic Ray
7. Finger of Death, Symbol of Weakness, Symbol of Stunning, Waves of Exhaustion, Power Word: Blind
8. Trap the Soul, Symbol of Death, Horrid Wilting, Otto's Irresistible Dance, Incendiary Cloud
9. Summon Monster IX, Power Word: Kill, Meteor Swarm, Wail of the Banshee, Dominate Monster

Enhancements (80 AP)

Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (49 AP)

• Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Shock, Spellsword II: Flame, Spellsword III: Acid, Spellsword IV: Frost, Eldritch Blade
  1. Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness III, Item Defense III, Battlemage III
  2. Improved Shield III, Shield Training, Light Armor Proficiency, Martial Training
  3. Arcane Barrier III, Elemental Resistance I, Critical Accuracy II
  4. Shield Striking III, Medium Armor Proficiency, Critical Damage II
  5. Tenser's Transformation, Eldritch Shield, Doublestrike II, Eldritch Tempest II

Pale Master (31 AP)

• Dark Reaping, Zombie Form, Vampire Form, Wraith Form, Lich Form
  1. Deathless Vigor III, Skeletal Knight III, Negative Energy Conduit III
  2. Corpsecrafter III, Bone Armor III
  3. Eternal Servitude III, Constitution

Destiny (24 AP)

Unyielding Sentinel

1. Brace for Impact II, Constitution
2. Fanaticism, Endless Smiting II, Constitution
3. Constitution
4. Spark of Life
5. Hardened III, Strength of Vitality III
6. Resurrection

Twists of Fate (17 fate points)

1. Running with Wind (Tier 2 Flowers)
2. Unearthly Reactions (Tier 1 Magister)
3. Strength (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
4. Dexterity (Tier 1 Flowers)
5. Dexterity (Tier 1 Shadowdancer)

[Laxxis]

What type of gear are you using or proficient with? I saw the buckler...

Also why the level up in Dex?

Thanks!

[Tom116]

Do you have access to the Vistani Knife Fighter enhancement tree? The Eldritch Knight tree is very poor damage output, so another tree might be a good idea. Kensei from fighter or the Vistani tree, for example. There are some nice defensive perks you can get from EK, but I wouldn't recommend it being the main tree for any build that wants to do even moderate damage.

[unbongwah]

Do you have access to the Vistani Knife Fighter enhancement tree? The Eldritch Knight tree is very poor damage output, so another tree might be a good idea.

This. I posted a wiz 17 / monk 3 VKF / PM build here. Full melee DPS from VKF+Harper, lvl 9 spells, wraith form, +20 MP and Wind stance from monk splash - bit on the squishy side, though.

Otherwise you're looking at Kensei / wizard builds like these:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...fferent-builds
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...e-Bladesingers!
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...r-First-Lifers

Probably some old Swashbuckler / wizard builds floating around too.

[Hjarki]

Probably some old Swashbuckler / wizard builds floating around too.

Ask an ye shall receive...

To get around chest ransack, I've been using fairly barebones Iconic builds to run Ravenloft quests. The latest version just happens to be something of that ilk. Extrapolating a bit:

Cloud of Death
14/3/3 Wizard/Bard/Fighter
Neutral Good Deep Gnome


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . .6. . . .+7. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 14. . . .+7. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 15. . . .+7. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 20. . . .+7. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . 10. . . .+7. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . 12. . . .+7. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: INT

Skills
. . . . . B .W .W .W .W .W .W .B. W. W. W. W. W. W. B .W .W .F. F .F
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Perform . 4 . . . . . . . . . .7. . . . . . . . . . 7 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Spellcr . 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 . . 2 .1 . . . . . . . . 6 .1 .1 .1. 1 .1. 23
Bluff . . 4 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. . .2 .1 . . . . . 20
Diplo . . 4 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. . .1 .2 . . . . . 20
Balance . 4 . . . .½ .½ .½ .1½ 3 . . 1. 2. 2. 1. 1. . . . . . . . . . 17
Intim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5. 5 .6. 16
Move Si . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .½ .1½ 1. . . . . . . . . . .7
Jump. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Swim. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tumble. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 .7 .7 .8 .8 .8 .8 13 .9 .9 .9 10 10 10 14 11 11 11 11 12


Feats

.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.2 Wizard : Quicken Spell
.3. . . . : Shield Mastery
.6. . . . : Precision
.6 Wizard : Extend Spell
.9. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
12. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
12 Wizard : Spell Focus: Necromancy
15. . . . : Improved Critical: Piercing
18. . . . : Heighten Spell
18 Fighter: Improved Shield Mastery
19 Fighter: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Force of Personality
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Lasting Inspiration
30 Epic . : Epic Fortitude
30 Legend : Scion of: Shadowfell


Enhancements (80+6 AP)

Pale Master (21 AP)
Dark Reaping, Zombie Form, Vampire Form, Wraith Form
Deathless Vigor III, Negative Energy Conduit III
Efficient Quicken III
Intelligence
Deep Gnome (13 AP)
Wariness, Intelligence, Wariness II, Intelligence, Retain Scroll Essence
Illusory Escape, Underdark Experience II
(none)
Nimble Reaction III
Swashbuckler (13 AP)
Confidence, Swashbuckling
On Your Toes II, Tavern Shanties III
En Pointe III
Skirmisher, Two Steps Ahead
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (11 AP)
Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Flame, Spellsword II: Frost
Toughness III, Battlemage I
Shield Training, Light Armor Proficiency
Vistani Knife Fighter (11 AP)
Knife Expertise, Knife Juggler, Knife Specialist
Mist Stalker, Rapid Attack
Bleeding Cuts, Mist Stalker
Stalwart Defender (9 AP)
Toughness, Stalwart Defense
Durable Defense III, Stalwart Defensive Mastery I
Resilient Defense III
Harper Agent (8 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Know the Angles III

Destiny (24 AP)

Divine Crusader
Bane of Undeath, Endless Turning III, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
Confront Any Foe, Consecration III
Sacred Ground, Blessed Blades
Crusade
Heavenly Presence, Celestial Champion
Strike Down
Twists of Fate (28 fate points)
Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
School Specialist: Necromancy (Tier 2 Magister)
Draconic Presence (Tier 1 Draconic)
Impregnable Mind (Tier 1 Magister)
[/quote]

I'm not entirely sure on the interaction between Sacred Ground and Undead form - my suspicion is that there is none, but it would invalidate the idea of using Divine Crusader (basically for the +1 threat range and full BAB) if it actually damaged you.

Notes:
1. There's no need for Strength or Dexterity on the build beyond 13 Dexterity for Precision (with tomes, you could completely dump Dexterity and just take Precision later). This does make Balance checks more difficult (Gust of Wind is very annoying as a short race), but +20 Balance from Wraith form helps.

2. I put in a lot of racial AP to show how far you could go up the Deep Gnome tree and still find useful stuff. The build doesn't actually need any of that. Likewise, Gnome works just about the same as Deep Gnome (I like the Deep Gnome enhancements a little better and the build really doesn't get going until the teens).

3. Feats/skills are flexible. In theory, the only skills you need are Spellcraft and 7 Balance. Likewise, it's probably easier to simply dump Charisma entirely and not take Force of Personality - I just liked having all three social feats at decent levels (and had nothing better to do with the skills/feats).

4. Offensive spellcasting is something to be done sparingly. Without (significant) metamagic feat reductions or SLAs, but with major buff requirements and SP-consuming melee attacks, your SP are already spoken for.

5. If you're of a mind to use Thrown Weapons from time to time, scavenging up 2 AP for +1 Int from Harper Cores and then switching 2 AP from Two Steps Ahead to Strategic Combat II is a reasonable choice. You lose Int-to-damage on Shield Bash but since Shield Bash is Str-to-hit no matter how you slice it, it's not a terrible practical technique. Probably the best way to find those 2 AP is to reduce the saves bonus from Stalwart Defender. Even without any ranged feats, you've still got a monster crit range and solid base Doubleshot.

6. Remember to learn Lesser Death Aura/Death Aura from the trainer - otherwise you'll have to find them out in the wild.

7. There are a host of decent daggers at every level. At the top end, you'd probably use Epic Assassin's Kiss or Suffering. For Buckler, you'd probably just go with the Kobold Admiral's Tiller for Guardbreaking. That being said, it's not entirely unreasonable to craft a more caster-centric buckler.

8. I actually like the Bard variant better than the Monk variant. While you lose Evasion, Monk provides relatively little for an Int-based build while subtracting from your potential defenses. You also end up with more criticals (and more Con drain) via the Bard route. While stat draining isn't what it used to be, it's still useful for reducing Fort saves and speeding up the battle - opening a battle with the near auto-crit of two En Pointe attacks is very nice.

9. Without Vistani Knife Fighter, the build still works - just not as well. There really isn't a replacement for it that nets you as much with as few AP spent. In theory, you could make an Aasimar Scourge variant to use Light Maces. However, there aren't many Light Mace options, you lose the benefit of the Scourge stance and most of your options for climbing the tree are sub-standard (the tree is great if you use positive healing; not so much if you don't). It's also a pretty good bet that you're more likely to have VKF than Aasimar Scourge anyway.

A 'bare bones' variant would be:

12/5/3 Wizard/Bard/Fighter
Neutral Good Drow


Level Order

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


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 13. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 12. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 20. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . 13. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . . B .W .F. W. B .W .F. W. B .W .W .F. W. W. B .W .W .W .W .B
. . . . . 1 .2 .3. 4. 5 .6 .7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Perform . 4 . . . . . 4 . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . .5. 23
Spellcr . 4 .1 . . 2. . .2 . . 2. . .2 .1 . . 2. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1. 23
UMD . . . 4 . . . . . 4 . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . .5. 23
Bluff . . 4 .1 . . 1. . .2½. . . .3. 1½ 1 . . 2. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 . . 22
Diplo . . 4 .1 . . 1½ . . . . .3 .1. 1½ 2 . . 1. 2. . .1½ 1½ 1 .1 . . 22
Intim . . . . . 6 . . . . . 4 . . . . . . .5. . . . . . . 1½ 2 .2 .½. 21
Jump. . . 4 . . 1 . . . . . 3 . . . . . . .3. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Balance . 4 . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Move Si . 4 .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .½ . . . .½ . . . . . . . . 1 . 7
Swim. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tumble. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .44 .7 .7. 7 11. 7. 7 .8 12 .8 .8 .8. 8. 8 12. 9. 9. 9. 9 13


Feats

.1. . . . : Insightful Reflexes
.2 Wizard : Quicken Spell
.3. . . . : Precision
.3 Fighter: Single Weapon Fighting
.6. . . . : Force of Personality
.7 Fighter: Shield Mastery
.9. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
10 Wizard : Extend Spell
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Piercing
15. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
17 Wizard : Spell Focus: Necromancy
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Heighten Spell
26 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Lasting Inspiration
30 Epic . : Epic Fortitude
30 Legend : Scion of: Shadowfell


Enhancements (80 AP)

Swashbuckler (35 AP)
Confidence, Swashbuckling
On Your Toes I, Insults: Scathing Words I, Tavern Shanties III
En Pointe III, Double Strike Boost III
Skirmisher, Resonant Arms III, Two Steps Ahead, Charisma
Low Blow, Charisma
Thread the Needle, Exploit Weakness, Coup de Grace: Melee
Pale Master (21 AP)
Dark Reaping, Zombie Form, Vampire Form, Wraith Form
Deathless Vigor III, Negative Energy Conduit III
Efficient Quicken III
Intelligence
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (10 AP)
Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Frost
Toughness III, Battlemage I
Shield Training, Light Armor Proficiency
Harper Agent (8 AP)
Agent of Good I
Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
Know the Angles III
Stalwart Defender (6 AP)
Toughness, Stalwart Defense
Durable Defense III, Stalwart Defensive Mastery I

This gets you to a similar place with tomes, iconics, etc. However, the leveling process is likely to be painful.

[Whitering]

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...r-First-Lifers

Slarden posted that build. I can verify that it works, but kind of ramps up and you don't hit full stride until quite late in the leveling process but it will EE just fine. Due to healing nerfs in Reaper it's fine to about Reaper 2ish.

Oh god, did not look at the date on the OP. Ah well, I did Slardens build recentlyish post Reaper and was able to Reaper 2 quests with no light based casting mobs in them.