So I wanted to test out the feasibility of a Eldrich Knight Arcane Archer, Even though Eldrich Knight offers little befit to a ranged player, over all heroic plays as a caster, with bow support during cooldowns and when you run out of spell points, and is fairly strong. From 10-20 I was seeing arrows doing 300-500 damage, usually 2 or 3 shotting non boss mobs. Because the build focuses more on Spellpower (like the old AA shuri builds) then RP and Doubleshot, you dont lose out in spell damage at all, and was fairly consistently seeing my Chain lightnings hitting for 700-800 and critting for 1500-1700, usually 1 shotting things. For gearing from 10-20 I mostly used Ravenloft Gear, with helm and Neck Cannith crafted.
DC's started lacking a bit at 18-20, but that was expected, since i dont have the past lives, and didnt take the DC feats or gear for evoking.
+5 Dex tome is for IPS at 24, can move points at creation, or be a 34/36 point build to lessen this burdenCode:Character name: Mornlock Classes: 18 Wizard, 10 Epic, 2 Rogue Race: Elf Alignment: Neutral Good Start Tome Final Str: 10 6 19 HP: 884 AC: 77 Dex: 14 6 26 PRR: 80 Con: 12 6 48 MRR: 10 +Healing Amp: 40 Int: 18 6 70 Dodge: 5/31 -Healing Amp: 20 Wis: 8 6 17 Fort: 217% Repair Amp: 20 Cha: 8 6 17 SR: 0 BAB: 30 DR: 0\Cold Iron 1\- Immunities: Sleep, Freedom of Movement, Death Effects Class and Feat Selection ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Level Class Feats 1 Rogue(1) Standard: Point Blank Shot 2 Wizard(1) Metamagic: Mental Toughness 3 Wizard(2) Standard: Precision 4 Wizard(3) Intelligence: +1 Level up 5 Wizard(4) 6 Wizard(5) Standard: Insightful Reflexes Metamagic: Improved Mental Toughness 7 Wizard(6) 8 Wizard(7) Intelligence: +1 Level up 9 Wizard(8) Standard: Precise Shot 10 Wizard(9) 11 Wizard(10) Metamagic: Extend Spell 12 Wizard(11) Standard: Rapid Shot Intelligence: +1 Level up 13 Wizard(12) 14 Wizard(13) 15 Wizard(14) Standard: Manyshot 16 Wizard(15) Metamagic: Eschew Materials Intelligence: +1 Level up 17 Wizard(16) 18 Wizard(17) Standard: Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons 19 Wizard(18) 20 Rogue(2) Intelligence: +1 Level up 21 Epic(1) Epic Feat: Epic Mental Toughness 22 Epic(2) 23 Epic(3) 24 Epic(4) Epic Feat: Improved Precise Shot Intelligence: +1 Level up 25 Epic(5) 26 Epic(6) Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Electric 27 Epic(7) Epic Feat: Blinding Speed 28 Epic(8) Epic Destiny Feat: Doubleshot Intelligence: +1 Level up 29 Epic(9) Epic Destiny Feat: Arcane Warrior 30 Epic(10) Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical Legendary: Scion of the Plane of Air Skills ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Skill Points 48 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 17 Skill Name 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Total Buffed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance 0.0 27.0 Bluff 0.0 17.0 Concentration 0.0 33.0 Diplomacy 0.0 17.0 Disable Device 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23.0 106.0 Haggle 0.0 22.0 Heal 0.0 17.0 Hide 0.0 22.0 Intimidate 0.0 17.0 Jump 0.0 18.0 Listen 0.0 36.0 Move Silently 0.0 22.0 Open Lock 4 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 10 23.0 45.0 Perform 0.0 17.0 Repair 0.0 83.0 Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23.0 119.0 Spell Craft 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23.0 106.0 Spot 4 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 2 16.0 47.0 Swim 0.0 18.0 Tumble 0.0 22.0 Use Magic Device 4 ½ ½ 1 1 1 1½ 1½ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23.0 40.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Available Points 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enhancements: 80 APs and 1 Racial APs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elf - Points spent: 14 1 Core (1) Accuracy I 2 Tier1 (1) Keen Senses 3 Tier1 (1) Keen Senses 4 Tier1 (1) Keen Senses 5 Core (2) Dexterity I 6 Tier2 (2) Arcanum 7 Tier2 (2) Arcanum 8 Tier3 (4) Arcane Archer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arcane Archer (Elf) - Points spent: 32 1 Core (1) rcane Archer (Elf) 2 Tier1 (2) Conjure Arrows 3 Tier1 (1) True strike 4 Tier1 (1) Energy of the Wild 5 Tier1 (1) Energy of the Wild 6 Tier1 (2) Elemental Arrows I: Shock Arrows 7 Tier1 (1) Awareness 8 Tier1 (1) Awareness 9 Tier1 (1) Awareness 10 Core (1) Morphic Arrows 11 Core (1) Metalline Arrows 12 Tier2 (2) Elemental Arrows II: Elemental Damage 13 Tier2 (2) Force Arrows 14 Tier2 (2) Force Arrows 15 Tier2 (2) Force Arrows 16 Tier2 (1) Inferno Shot 17 Tier2 (1) Inferno Shot 18 Tier2 (1) Inferno Shot 19 Tier3 (1) Soul Magic 20 Tier3 (2) Elemental Arrows III: Elemental Damage 21 Core (1) Aligned Arrows 22 Tier4 (2) Elemental Arrows IV: Elemental Damage 23 Tier5 (2) Improved Elemental Arrows: Elemental Damage ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Points spent: 23 1 Core (1) Eldritch Strike 2 Tier1 (1) Improved Mage Armor 3 Tier1 (1) Improved Mage Armor 4 Tier1 (1) Improved Mage Armor 5 Tier1 (1) Toughness 6 Core (1) Spellsword 7 Tier1 (1) Toughness 8 Tier2 (1) Improved Shield 9 Tier2 (1) Improved Shield 10 Tier2 (1) Improved Shield 11 Tier2 (1) Action Boost Spellpower 12 Tier2 (1) Action Boost Spellpower 13 Tier2 (1) Action Boost Spellpower 14 Core (1) Imbue the Blade 15 Tier3 (2) Synergetic Magic 16 Tier3 (2) Ability I: +1 Intelligence 17 Tier3 (2) Eldritch Accuracy 18 Tier4 (2) Knight's Transformation 19 Core (1) Subtle Force I ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harper Agent - Points spent: 12 1 Core (1) Agent of Good I 2 Tier1 (1) Traveller's Toughness 3 Tier1 (1) Traveller's Toughness 4 Tier1 (2) Harper Enchantment 5 Tier2 (1) Know the Angles 6 Tier2 (1) Know the Angles 7 Tier2 (1) Know the Angles 8 Core (2) Harper Training I: +1 Intelligence 9 Tier3 (2) Strategic Combat II ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spell Power Base Critical Chance Critical Multiplier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Acid 578 13% 0 Alignment 563 13% 0 Cold 780 42% 0 Earth 563 13% 0 Electric 911 42% 0 Fire 578 13% 0 Force 563 13% 0 Light 578 13% 0 Negative 489 13% 0 Physical 563 13% 0 Positive 563 42% 0 Repair 540 13% 0 Rust 540 13% 0 Sonic 489 13% 0 Untyped 563 13% 0 Water 563 13% 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Equipped Gear Set : Standard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Armor Legendary Barovian Nobles' Regalia +15 Enhancement Bonus Exceptional Universal Spell Lore +10% Exceptional Universal Spell Power +20 Fortification +202% Shield +19 Beacon of Magic Set (Legendary) Belt Legendary Thrummingspark Cord Enhanced Magnetism +202 Enhanced Glaciation +202 Lightning Lore +29% Ice Lore +29% Beacon of Magic Set (Legendary) Boots Legendary Flightfoot Greaves Freedom of Movement Speed XV Natural Armor Bonus +19 Reflex Save +16 Adherent of the Mists Set (Legendary) Bracers Legendary Greensteel Bracers Equipment Tier 1: +22 Intelligence Skills, +151 Spell Points Equipment Tier 2: +11 Intelligence Skills, +151 Spell Points Equipment Tier 3: +6 Intelligence Skills, +75 Spell Points Cloak Legendary Phase Cloak Intelligence +19 Evocation Focus VIII Quality Intelligence +4 Wizardry +412 Adherent of the Mists Set (Legendary) Gloves Legendary Blurfingered Gloves Feat - Quick Draw Lesser Displacement Efficient Metamagic - Maximize II Mystic Diversion +31% Beacon of Magic Set (Legendary) Goggles Legendary Garstone's Lenses Insightful Rune Arm Focus +4 Greater Auto-Repair Magnetism +202 Devotion +202 Adherent of the Mists Set (Legendary) Helmet Legendary Pansophic Circlet Potency Insightful Potency Quality Potency Magical Efficiency 10% Necklace Legendary Ward-Inscribed Pendant Quality Curse Resistance +3 Deadly +16 Constitution +19 Natural Armor Bonus +19 Crypt Raider Set (Legendary) Ring1 Legendary Deathwarden Deathblock Healing Lore +29% Efficient Metamagic - Empower Healing II Exceptional Devotion Adherent of the Mists Set (Legendary) Ring2 Legendary Ring of Nightfall Insightful Intelligence +9 Insightful Deadly +9 Reflex Save +16 Physical Sheltering +50 Adherent of the Mists Set (Legendary) Trinket Legendary Symbol of the Slave Lords True Seeing Insightful Constitution +8 Lesser Displacement Green: +2 Festive Intelligence Blue: Globe of True Imperial Blood Weapon1 Chaosbow Damage and Type 5[1d8+3] + 15 Pierce, Chaos, Magic Critical Threat Range 20 x3 +15 Enhancement Bonus Chaotic 9 Improved Destruction Elasticity Ranged Alacrity 25% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+6 Int tome helps alot with early game Skillpoints, but with just 18 int, you should be able to max Spellcraft, Search, Disable and some UMD.
If you dont have the 1 Racial Point, you can either drop EK dice back to d6 or lose out on Int to Damage. Int to damage is 30 damage*Ranged power(42base-277full blitz+focus+RPboost)= 42-113 and 6d6 vs 6d8 is 27*spellpower(911-971KT+SPboost) minus 21*spellpower or 60-64 damage which may also be ignored or reduced due to enemy type. However the tome will be on the ddo store soon, so it'll be accessible for anyone soon(tm)
If anyone sees anything I may have missed (that can be added without racial points, of course), feel free to let me know.
Also, this build was done after lessering to correct mistakes I made in Leveing, so as such, the feat order may be out of wack, due to only caring about getting feats, and not when i get them.
Results 1 to 5 of 5
-
01-10-2019, 07:57 PM #1Community Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Posts
- 46
Eldrich Knight Arcane Archer, 18 Wizard 2 Rogue, Only 1 Racial Point Required.
Last edited by IdontKare; 01-10-2019 at 08:59 PM.
Originally Posted by FlimsyFirewood
-
01-19-2019, 12:50 AM #2Community Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2009
- Posts
- 702
The 2 rogue is really hurting your elemental damage. You miss so much more damage with it. I do see you took =T5 in AA, I think 20 wiz is better
You lose:
D12 vs D10 (6.5 vs 5.5 damage per die)
+1 d12
+2 int
+2 con
+10 SP
Another option would be 6 ranger 12 wizard 2xLast edited by Stormraiser; 01-19-2019 at 12:55 AM.
-
01-25-2019, 01:02 PM #3Community Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Posts
- 46
Originally Posted by Stormraiser
I simply don't have the ap to make that happen, id need to move the 18 ap out of AA to get the core 4 and 5 in EK, or, drop harper and lose KTA and Int to Dam for 12 ap and 6 AP from AA. Originally Posted by Stormraiser
In the First case I lose 4d8 to upgrade 6d8 to 6d12 or ~18 base AA damage to increase my base EK damage by ~ 12, so not a good trade.
The Second case is even worse id be losing 45 Base damage, 1d8 AA, 1 Int, a +1 to my weapon and 10 hp.
With that being said, Id definitely take the 4th core if i had the all the racial AP from PLs, still 4 ap shy of the 5th, so it might be possilbe to drop 2d8 from AA for the upgrade.(but probably not)
I think the biggest problem most people miss is, AA is 9d8 while EK maxes at 6d12 or 40.5 average vs 39 average, which means maxing out on AA is better the maxing on EK, if only slightly.
6 Ranger would save me 14 AP, but would drop EK dice down to 4d8/10/12, which is a loss of 9/11/13 base elemental damage vs 18 wiz(assuming i could get the ap to increase to 10/12 of course). Originally Posted by Stormraiser
What I would get out of ranger would have to come from dws, which would be 2/3d6 SA damage and Sniper shot. which unfortunately, is still less damage
6d6 SA (assuming i swap to DPS set from RL for 3 more SA) x 1.875 (1.5Ranged power 125) is 39.375
2d8/10/12 EK x10.11(spellpower 911.) is 90.99/111.21/131.43 damage.Last edited by IdontKare; 01-25-2019 at 01:19 PM.
Originally Posted by FlimsyFirewood
-
12-11-2021, 02:11 PM #4Community Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2006
- Posts
- 761
Now that the Bow revamp is done…
I’d like to see an updated version of this build focusing primarily on Horizon-Walker. Maybe with the right past lives this could turn out to be fairly powerful with a diverse set of abilities. (Ranged DPS, Trapper, viable spell DC’s and social skills)
Ideal build would be…
-Horizon T5, no capstone. (35 to 36 AP)
-Arcane Archer to Tier 3 or 4, gaining Elemental Arrows, Metalline Arrows and Force Arrows. Keep in mind that Force Arrows can burst on critical and is largely unresisted by most mobs. (12 to 14 AP, plus 15 racial AP to unlock)
-EK to Core 4 or 5, focusing on defensive abilities and the weapon imbues. Knights-Transformation and Forces-Point would be great to boost spell power but entirely optional. (20 to 25 AP)
Obviously taking Harper Agent would be nice to have, if it were not for to lack of AP to provide Intel to Hit / DMG (12 AP). Thus taking Dex to Hit / DMG maybe the most efficient route until EK’s intel-to-hit kicks in. Alternatively, dropping Horizon, while taking Arcane-Archers capstone should allow for Harper but AA’s capstone is somewhat lack luster IMO. (Missing critical threat-range in tree)
Side Note: I’ve tried something similar to this build (without the Racial lives) by going 2-Rogue, 6-Ranger, 12-Wizard. It was a blast to play and was very adept in Epic R10’s. Granted, it’s wasn’t for solo’ing nor did it have strong spell DC’s due to the 6-Ranger levels. Despite that, the weapon imbues, high spell-power and great survivability is an awesome combination!
-SmokeLast edited by Smokewolf; 01-11-2022 at 05:55 PM.
-
01-11-2022, 06:53 PM #5Community Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2006
- Posts
- 761
My attempts at at Bow-Wizard
Thus far I have two variants of the Bow-Wizard.
1st Variant:
2-Rogue, 6-Ranger, 12 Wizard. Max out Dexterity, while Intelligence and Constitution are secondary stats. This concept is primarily for the non-elf races and thus it’s spell-casting ability is limited to mostly self-buffs. (12 Wizard levels = poor DC’s) Especially considering that the Primary stat for the bow ability is Dexterity, not Intelligence.
The Rogue levels, provide both trapping skills and “basic” evasion. While it’s six Ranger levels allows Arcane Archer to be relatively easy to setup, without the 14 AP Race tax associated with Elvin based AA. Per the usual, the standard ranged Feats should be taken that are not already provided by the Ranger levels…
-Pointblank shot.
-Accuracy.
-Improved Critical (Ranged)
-Improved Precise Shot.
The three bonus Wizard feats should be used on…
-Extend.
-Quicken.
-The last for what ever suits your needs.
The magic that makes it all work together comes from the Enhancements. Here’s a quick run-down…
-Arcane Archer (AA): Provides Morphic and Metalline arrows with Acid and Force Imbues. Keep in mind that Force Arrows do burst damage on critical hits and most always do damage, regardless of a mobs immunities. Beyond this no other AA abilities should be taken as all we are wanting here is the ability to break a targets DR. (Approx 17 AP) I mostly keep Metalline and Force active for the majority of fights, while swapping to Morphic for skeletal Undead.
-Eldritch Knight: Provides both multiple defensive abilities, Ghost-Touch, Quick-Draw and weapon elemental imbues. (up to core three should be taken) Mage Armor and Improved Shield are absolute must haves. (Approx 12 AP) Arcane Barrier would be nice to take if AP were avalible.
-Horizon Walker: Is your Bread and Butter for breaking fortification. With its critical / threat range bonus, No-Missed-Step, Misty-Step, Power-Shot and Improved Archers Focus. Only up to Core 4 should be taken, with the following abilities to be avoided: Opening-Shot and Take-The-Opening (doesn’t scale well and often not worth using as mobs just die to fast), Corner / Banish the Quarry (Same as Opening Shot), Walkers Guidance (Bloody Useless), Scatter-Shot (Sounds nice but in game it’s hot garbage). Estimated AP 35.
-Pale Master (Optional): Provides defensive abilities, spell power and a Skelly for situations where having a disposable lever puller is required. Take Lich / Wraith form, Negative Energy Conduit (3), Skelly (1) for 6 AP total. Note: Death Aura Regen is viable to keep you "topped off" in R10, but won't prevent you from being one shot.
-Harper: It’s a waste of AP for intel to damage so don’t bother.
-Deepwood Stalker: Getting Called-Shot costs 11 AP and between the first and the 10th AP there’s not much of real value other than three Sneak Attack dice. Thus I'm of the option that Called-Shot is not worth the 11 AP all on its own. Furthermore the bluff effects duration is much less than 4 seconds described, which makes it far less useful in higher Reaper settings. I’ve even seen trash-mobs “instantly” do a 360, pretty much negating the bluff effect altogether. However if you have the AP to spare, go for it as that +2 threat / multi can be devastating.
Enhancement List
Game play strategyCode:Enhancements: 80 APs, Racial 4, Universal 1 (Racials not needed) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elf - Points spent: 4 1 Core ·(1) Accuracy I 2 Tier1 (2) Weapon Training I: Aerenal Weapon Training 3 Tier1 (1) Keen Senses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Horizon Walker - Points spent: 35 1 Core ·(1) Mark Target 2 Tier1 (1) Eye for Accuracy 3 Tier1 (1) Eye for Accuracy 4 Tier1 (1) Eye for Accuracy 5 Tier1 (1) Planar Dodge 6 Core ·(1) Improved Marking 7 Tier1 (1) Planar Dodge 8 Tier1 (1) Planar Dodge 9 Tier2 (1) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider 10 Tier2 (1) Walker Training I 11 Core ·(1) Greater Marking 12 Tier2 (1) Protection from Evil and Good 13 Tier3 (1) No Step Missed 14 Tier3 (1) No Step Missed 15 Tier3 (1) No Step Missed 16 Tier3 (2) Two Places At Once 17 Tier3 (1) Hunter's Focus 18 Tier3 (1) Tenacious Hunter 19 Tier3 (1) Tenacious Hunter 20 Tier3 (1) Tenacious Hunter 21 Tier3 (2) Ability I: Dexterity 22 Core ·(1) Dauntless Marking 23 Tier4 (1) Walker Training II 24 Tier4 (2) Ability II: Dexterity 25 Tier2 (1) Skilled Navigator 26 Tier2 (1) Skilled Navigator 27 Tier2 (1) Skilled Navigator 28 Tier5 (1) Feywild Attunement 29 Tier5 (1) Misty Step 30 Tier5 (1) Powershot 31 Tier5 (2) Improved Archer's Focus ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arcane Archer - Points spent: 17 1 Core ·(1) rcane Archer 2 Tier1 (2) Elemental Arrows I: Corrosive Arrows 3 Tier1 (1) Awareness 4 Tier1 (1) Awareness 5 Core ·(1) Morphic Arrows 6 Tier2 (2) Elemental Arrows II: Elemental Damage 7 Tier2 (2) Force Arrows 8 Tier2 (2) Force Arrows 9 Tier2 (2) Force Arrows 10 Core ·(1) Metalline Arrows 11 Tier3 (2) Elemental Arrows III: Elemental Damage ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eldritch Knight (Wiz) - Points spent: 12 1 Core ·(1) Eldritch Strike 2 Tier1 (1) Improved Mage Armor 3 Tier1 (1) Improved Mage Armor 4 Tier1 (1) Improved Mage Armor 5 Tier1 (1) Toughness 6 Core ·(1) Spellsword 7 Tier2 (1) Improved Shield 8 Tier2 (1) Improved Shield 9 Tier2 (1) Improved Shield 10 Tier2 (1) Mystic Wards 11 Core ·(1) Imbue the Blade 12 Tier3 (1) Critical Mastery ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deepwood Stalker - Points spent: 11 1 Core ·(1) Far Shot 2 Tier1 (1) Stealthy 3 Tier1 (1) Stealthy 4 Tier1 (1) Stealthy 5 Tier1 (1) Favored Defense 6 Core ·(1) Sneak Attack 7 Tier2 (1) Faster Sneaking 8 Tier2 (1) Faster Sneaking 9 Tier2 (1) Faster Sneaking 10 Tier1 (1) Favored Defense 11 Core ·(1) Called Shot: Sniper Shot ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pale Master - Points spent: 6 1 Core ·(1) Dark Reaping 2 Tier1 (1) Negative Energy Conduit 3 Tier1 (1) Negative Energy Conduit 4 Tier1 (1) Negative Energy Conduit 5 Tier1 (1) Skeletal Knight 6 Core ·(1) Pale Shroud: Pale Master: Shroud of the Wraith / Lich ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Play / Gear up as you would a pure Ranger but with better self buffs, healing and CC.
-As much as possible increase your Spell-Power, specifically Force and Acid. (It very easy to have over 500-600 spell power by 30th)
-Keep your Archers-Focus stacks up between targets by tumbling every so often. I know this sounds stupid but it’s possible to keep your stacks at or near 25 (+250 Ranged Power).
-Use the dual imbues to your advantage by tweaking them as needed to maximize your damage.
-Between multi-shot bursts cast Chain-Lightning and Phantasmal / Finger (if you can get your DC’s up) or whatever best fits the situation.
-Misty-Step is awesome! Use it to to keep mobs at a distance or to speed along with your parties advance.
By level 30 with Legendary gear, critical hits approx 30-70k, a threat range of 17-20 is pretty easy to pull off. Best yet, you’ll be able to break most all DR and Fortification thus ensuring your damage will remain consistent from one target to the next.
2nd Variant:
2-Rogue, 18 Wizard for elvish races only, with Intelligence as the driving stat.
*will finish this write up later*Last edited by Smokewolf; 01-18-2022 at 02:56 PM.
Reply With Quote