12/8 Wizard/Fighter Pale Knight Build Help

[xBunny]

Hey mates. Was planning to play a 2H fighter with wizard goodies. I think of Melee damage mostly (5 tier Kensai), and some buffs from Wizard spells/enchantment tree. I have little exp creating builds, would be happy to hear any suggestions on it.

I was thinking to take Shroud of the Vampire with Death Aura spell for self healing - will it work?
Another question - can I use multiply Eldritch Knights Spellword abilities at the same time for various elemental damage?

P.S. I am f2p.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.37.105
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(8 Fighter \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 304
Spell Points: 713 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 6
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    25
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         16                    16
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               2                    10
Concentration         4                    25
Jump                  0                     8
Repair                4                    26
Spellcraft            4                    26
Spot                  2                    10
Swim                  1                     8
Tumble                1                     1

Level 1 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 4 (Wizard)


Level 5 (Wizard)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 7 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness


Level 8 (Wizard)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Wizard)


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Wizard)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Eldritch Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Spellsword: Acid (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Mage Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Mage Armor (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Mage Armor (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Toughness (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Toughness (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Shield (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Shield (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Shield (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Light Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Martial Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Arcane Barrier (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Arcane Barrier (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Arcane Barrier (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Dark Reaping (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Shroud of the Zombie (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Shroud of the Vampire (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Skeletal Knight (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Skeletal Knight (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Skeletal Knight (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Corpsecrafter (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Corpsecrafter (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Corpsecrafter (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Eternal Servitude (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Eternal Servitude (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Eternal Servitude (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Dark Furor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Spiritual Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike With No Thought (Rank 1) 
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Critical Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Opportunity Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Liquid Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike at the Heart (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Weapon Master (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - One With The Blade (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Keen Edge (Rank 1)

[voxson5]

It would get to 20, but I am not sure you would have the best time. Builds like this have to get to certain levels to start being effective, and some never do.

[Enoach]

The spellsword toggles only one can be active at any given time.


Additionally, these do not scale with spell power (the hope is they will when they do the pass)

I am curious as to why you choose 12 Wizard and 8 Fighter. Vampire form only needs 6 levels. 8 Levels of Wizard will give you access to the Death Aura/Burst.

What Level 5 & 6 spells are you thinking about using?

If you reverse the levels that could net you 2 Fighter Focus Feats and +2 More BaB over the wizard levels.

The Kensai tree would be a good place to focus as that will give you more melee prowess then EK.

[xBunny]

It would get to 20, but I am not sure you would have the best time.

Harder than pure 20 Ftr?

[Enoach]

It would get to 20, but I am not sure you would have the best time. Builds like this have to get to certain levels to start being effective, and some never do.

I personally run an Elf AA/EK 12/8 Fighter/Wizard.

I'm very effective both as a No-SP Crowd controller or as Ranged DPS.

You are correct in that some builds need to get to certain points before they play as the vision of the builder. In this case around level 9 (Vampire Form goal) is the minimum starting point.

Many "sins" of a build can be covered with gear or with modification to playstyle until the playstyle can be achieved. Example, on my 12/8 I spend more time melee at the lower levels then ranged and as the AA tree is unlocked this moves progressively towards ranged as the majority.

[xBunny]

I am curious as to why you choose 12 Wizard and 8 Fighter. Vampire form only needs 6 levels. 8 Levels of Wizard will give you access to the Death Aura/Burst.

What Level 5 & 6 spells are you thinking about using?

If you reverse the levels that could net you 2 Fighter Focus Feats and +2 More BaB over the wizard levels.

Makes sense. I was thinking about it. I was going to use Protection from Elements from 5lvl and True Seeing Greater, Heroism and Tenser's Transformation from 6lvl and wandered if Shroud of the Wraith core ability might be better than Vampire one. Also higher caster lvl for longer spells duration and Death Aura power - 2d4 (+1 per caster level) every 2 seconds. I wonder if Heighten Spell feat can boost Death Aura and other buffs - in that case I can go more Ftr lvl without loosing positive effects from my magic. I played only Ranger and Rogue before, and purpose of this build is to get familiar with Wizard enchantments trees and get some fun also from different playstyle.

And what do you think about self healing using Death Aura - is it sufficient for 1-20 lvl?

[xBunny]

I personally run an Elf AA/EK 12/8 Fighter/Wizard.

Sounds very fun to play. Could you please add more details, on that build. I played AA Ranger with Acid arrows - liked build allot.

[Enoach]

Makes sense. I was thinking about it. I was going to use Protection from Elements from 5lvl and True Seeing Greater, Heroism and Tenser's Transformation from 6lvl and wandered if Shroud of the Wraith core ability might be better than Vampire one. Also higher caster lvl for longer spells duration and Death Aura power - 2d4 (+1 per caster level) every 2 seconds. I wonder if Heighten Spell feat can boost Death Aura and other buffs - in that case I can go more Ftr lvl without loosing positive effects from my magic. I played only Ranger and Rogue before, and purpose of this build is to get familiar with Wizard enchantments trees and get some fun also from different playstyle.

And what do you think about self healing using Death Aura - is it sufficient for 1-20 lvl?

As a note, Protection from Elements, True Seeing, and GH while not as long for duration as memory, gain no other benefit in effectiveness if cast from Scroll.


Tenser's does make sense in that you gain full BaB of a Fighter and you are not concerned with DCs or casting speed if using primary melee options.

Wraith Form adds the incorporeal miss chance without need of gear. Your build however won't achieve that until Level 20.

Heighten's benefit is in raising the DC of a spell so they have a harder time saving. This will raise your DC's by 2. The thing you have to determine though is if 2 DCs makes a difference. If with +2 DC they are still saving then all you are doing is paying more. I personally see Death Aura more for Over-Time Healing. Its damage effect is secondary. To that end even on my pure wizard I don't Heighten this spell. Heighten also does not effect Buffs.

In a multiclass build you can look to abilities that max out at caster levels. And work more towards spells that don't require Spell Penetration. Casting spells is a secondary ability to your melee. Use it to supplement melee but in these types of builds trying to make it a primary ability will require a lot of effort and gearing.

[unbongwah]

We have a few threads for fighter / wizard melee hybrids:

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

[xBunny]

We have a few threads for fighter / wizard melee hybrids:

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

Thanks for links, very interesting reading.

[Whitering]

Thanks for links, very interesting reading.

I used Slarden's build for my 3 wiz lives. My fighter is waiting until I am done racials so I can be an elf with displacement. I quite enjoyed Slarden's build to 20, I just used Staves. I took one to epic. I think I am not in love with dodge and evasion though, I'd rather tank damage with medium/heavy armor. Being capped on MRR is as slap in the face of light/robe builds.

[xBunny]

I used Slarden's build for my 3 wiz lives. My fighter is waiting until I am done racials so I can be an elf with displacement. I quite enjoyed Slarden's build to 20, I just used Staves. I took one to epic. I think I am not in love with dodge and evasion though, I'd rather tank damage with medium/heavy armor. Being capped on MRR is as slap in the face of light/robe builds.

Thanks for reply. I went with elf also and get racial spell failure reduce chance to get heavy armor. I never played melee before much, and find out I get big amount of damage on 6-7 elite levels, looks I will have some problems with self healing. Did not get to Vampire form though.

[C-Dog]

...drop Con and Spellcraft to max Spot Disable Serach

Spellcraft does little for this build, since it will have few reliable offensive spell options, given the low DC's from loss in caster levels.

[xBunny]

Omg, light magic damage is such a pain Oneshots on elite...

[xBunny]

Spellcraft does little for this build, since it will have few reliable offensive spell options, given the low DC's from loss in caster levels.

I saw ppl maxing Spellcraft for build like this though. Even taking Maximize Spell feats. Not sure if it is effective, will check it out..)

[voxson5]

I saw ppl maxing Spellcraft for build like this though. Even taking Maximize Spell feats. Not sure if it is effective, will check it out..)

You can supplement your weapon DPS with spells - no save dots (eldars etc), persistent AOE's (ice storm / fire wall), or your oh **** spell when in undead form (negative energy burst), and these all benefit from maximize etc, quicken is especially good with negative energy burst btw. They also don't really care if your DC's are in the toilet - the Lv 4's are just about keeping mobs in the AOE so they take damage regardless, and neg energy burst is your emergency heal - the damage is just a bonus.

Light damage is a PITA. Try to use the environment to dodge the rays, or just stay out of form and pot / hire heal through the damage. You can also craft / buy light resistance items, so check out the AH every once in a while.

Enoach is correct too, but probably worth noting his build is leveraging different benefits than yours (better DC's for his CC arrows).

Using the elf and EK ASF, you could end up being pretty tanky. I don't know if looking moving a few AP into defender & vanguard might help?

[xBunny]

After some reading I have revised my build

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 4.37.105
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(8 Fighter \ 12 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 218
Spell Points: 797 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 7
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            12                    12
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         14                    14
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               2                    11
Concentration         4                    25
Heal                  2                    10
Spellcraft            4                    21


Level 1 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Cleave


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Wizard)


Level 5 (Wizard)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 7 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness


Level 8 (Wizard)


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 10 (Fighter)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 14 (Fighter)


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Wizard)


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Improved Mental Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Wizard)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Arcane Fluidity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Arcane Fluidity (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Elf - Arcane Fluidity (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Spiritual Bond (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike With No Thought (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Critical Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Opportunity Attack (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Heavy Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Liquid Courage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strike at the Heart (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Weapon Master (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - One With The Blade (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Keen Edge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Eldritch Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Spellsword: Acid (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Spellsword: Frost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Spellsword: Flame (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Mage Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Mage Armor (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Mage Armor (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Toughness (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Shield (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Shield (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Improved Shield (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Light Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Martial Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Arcane Barrier (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Arcane Barrier (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Arcane Barrier (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Strength (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Medium Armor Proficiency (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Dark Reaping (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Shroud of the Zombie (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Shroud of the Vampire (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Deathless Vigor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Spell Critical: Negative Energy I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Negative Energy Conduit (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Negative Energy Conduit (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Negative Energy Conduit (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Bone Armor (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Bone Armor (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Pale Master (Wiz) - Bone Armor (Rank 3)

I focused on getting Negative Energy Burst and Death Aura ASAP for self healing. Also took Maximize Spell on lvl 9 to maximize Negative Energy Burst effect and maybe some offensive spells later on. Took Elf race to wear Heavy Armor on higher lvls. Currently I am on lvl 9.

Spells choice is based on this build https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5846934 , though I do not fully understand some choices, like Magic Circle Against Evil, due to my lack of experience.

[xBunny]

Light damage is a PITA. Try to use the environment to dodge the rays, or just stay out of form and pot / hire heal through the damage. You can also craft / buy light resistance items, so check out the AH every once in a while.

I got oneshots time to time when trying to dodge, my cleric rises me Trying to take down casters first. Will try to get some light resistance items.

You can supplement your weapon DPS with spells - no save dots (eldars etc), persistent AOE's (ice storm / fire wall), or your oh **** spell when in undead form (negative energy burst), and these all benefit from maximize etc, quicken is especially good with negative energy burst btw. They also don't really care if your DC's are in the toilet - the Lv 4's are just about keeping mobs in the AOE so they take damage regardless, and neg energy burst is your emergency heal - the damage is just a bonus.

Took this into account in my build revision.

I don't know if looking moving a few AP into defender & vanguard might help?

Was thinking about in, but I do lack points.

Also I wonder if wand could be useful for some range damage, to take enemies I can not reach down. Was thinking to invest 3 points into Wand and Scroll Mastery instead of Martial Training and other stuff.