Soulrazor

[Vish]

Soulrazor
Aasimar scourge
18/2 ranger monk
Lawful neutral

Str 8
Dex 15 8
Con 16 10
Int 10 2
Wis 20 16 +7
Cha 8 0
+8 tomes
+2 completionist

1 ranger wf slash
3 ranger completionist
4 monk whirling steel strike
5 monk zen archery
6 ranger adept of forms
9 ranger knights training
12 ranger ic slash (swap to CE for epics)
15 ranger master of forms
18 ranger gmof

21 oc
24 quicken
26 PTWF
27 precision
28 mass frog
29 dire charge
30 astral
Imp martial arts

Ap
43 tempest
26 falconry
1 (8) scourge
10 shintao

destiny grandmaster of flowers, or divine crusader

Gear
Gear executioners helm prot8 mythic1
Neck Fleetfoot draconic
Goggles cc accuracy23 conc22 inswis7 festivewis2
Trinket cc dodge15 doublestrike17 insstun8
Body disciple def16 mythic2
Cloak of Strahd
Bracers lore fueled goodluck2 mythic3
Belt braided mythic1
Ring1 slavers con17 resist14 qwis4 reaperprr3
Ring2 pinnacle globe of true blood
Boots flightfoot cha7 reapermrr3
Gloves crumbling flaselife40 mythic1
Dual soulrazors

Notes
So I was trying to build a tempest
Wanted a dex tempest, but read the boards
Not many ranger builds there
And someone was talking falconry tempest
So then I was thinking
The gear set is copy paste from my 30 duality monk
That's what I'm familiar with
So I thought I could build a tempest monk
Was originally going to use vulkoor scimis
But that doesn't work, won't be centered
So then I thought, since I'm running a ranger monk now, longswords
So that means soulrazor. Need a blackrazor, gem and 5 schisms. Times two. Of which I have no schisms
So this is my theory build ranger monk
I know how monk plays. I didn't want to rebuild gear for a kta pure dex ranger. But I could splash 2 monk, get the stances, and go longswords.
So this is my ranger monk. Dual wielding soulrazors.
If I could ever build it, it would take me months to farm the schisms. I don't even have one. But I do have a blackrazor and gem. Would have to farm another.
I think this is a winner. Mass frog and ein, and about a 96 wisdom?
It all fits together. It uses my monk gear so I don't have to farm. Just the schisms.
I offer this up to the community, maybe someone will get inspired.

This is what I do with downtime...

[ClanBastage]

Vish,

Whirling Steel Strike requires weapon focus: slashing, so you will have to take that at Ranger 1 for the rest of the feats to work as planned....this build does not really need the dodge feat...you will be dodge capped NP without it.

I am running a nearly identical build, in low epics right now with dual Oathblades, but running in Divine Crusader, twisting in Piercing Clarity and Sense Weakness. In DC, Oathblades are 14-20, X4, 19-20, x5. Lots and lots of Crits. Having a lot of fun with the build.

[Vish]

Ya,
I knew I missed something after I looked it
I was gonna fix it, but waited to see if anybody caught it
Fixed

Ya, this looks like an elegant synergistic build
I would like to run it to cap perhaps
Need to get aasimar scourge
Almost have the points
But I'm gonna farm Sharn off my duality monk
I'll need 10 schisms and I don't have one yet
Have been running racials
When Sharn drops the raid scene on Sarlona will pick back up
So really this is a few months down the road for me
Looks like a fun build
I'm running ranger monk now for elf lives
Works out pretty nice
And it uses same gear set as my duality monk,
So I don't have to farm anything
Thx

[Hjarki]

I'm a bit baffled at why you'd take 2 Monk on this build. You don't need Deft Strikes and while the Forms are nice, they don't compensate for the Tempest capstone you can't take. Investing all those AP in becoming Wis-based also means you don't have +1 to threat range from DWS.

[banjo174]

I'm a bit baffled at why you'd take 2 Monk on this build. You don't need Deft Strikes and while the Forms are nice, they don't compensate for the Tempest capstone you can't take. Investing all those AP in becoming Wis-based also means you don't have +1 to threat range from DWS.

Same, i don't understand why you took 2 monk either, I mean... If you want the stances, you only need 1 monk level for that, then you could take 1 of something else, but even then... It wouldn't offset not having the capstone, unless of course you are taking the 1 monk for more survivability based off of water stance.

I also would advise that you NEVER EVER max a stat, unless you are playing a DC caster, or thrower build. Simply because the ROI isn't worth it. You are spending 6 action points for the last 2 in a stat, where as you could have spent those 6 stat points into intelligence for example, more skill points is always handy, or even 6 points into dexterity, more reflex save, more survivability... Even 6 extra strength would be more beneficial than those last 2 wisdom, as this would prohibit you from becoming uncentered due to being overweight from having lots of loot, or being hit by enfeeblement. Never max a stat, unless you are playing a DC caster, or a thrower build.

Further more... Completionist is honestly a super terrible feat for anything that isn't a DC caster or thrower. As you are literally wasting a feat slot for +2 to all stats. That feat slot could be a weapon focus, it could be going towards spring attack, as that requires dodge and mobility, it could be going towards anything more beneficial honestly...

Why did you take zen archery? https://ddowiki.com/page/Martial_arts_feats You could be using this feat to go towards spring attack... Hell... Iron will would be better than zen archery. As I am assuming that you will be using longswords..

[Vish]

Same, i don't understand why you took 2 monk either, I mean... If you want the stances, you only need 1 monk level for that, then you could take 1 of something else, but even then... It wouldn't offset not having the capstone, unless of course you are taking the 1 monk for more survivability based off of water stance.

I also would advise that you NEVER EVER max a stat, unless you are playing a DC caster, or thrower build. Simply because the ROI isn't worth it. You are spending 6 action points for the last 2 in a stat, where as you could have spent those 6 stat points into intelligence for example, more skill points is always handy, or even 6 points into dexterity, more reflex save, more survivability... Even 6 extra strength would be more beneficial than those last 2 wisdom, as this would prohibit you from becoming uncentered due to being overweight from having lots of loot, or being hit by enfeeblement. Never max a stat, unless you are playing a DC caster, or a thrower build.

Further more... Completionist is honestly a super terrible feat for anything that isn't a DC caster or thrower. As you are literally wasting a feat slot for +2 to all stats. That feat slot could be a weapon focus, it could be going towards spring attack, as that requires dodge and mobility, it could be going towards anything more beneficial honestly...

Why did you take zen archery? https://ddowiki.com/page/Martial_arts_feats You could be using this feat to go towards spring attack... Hell... Iron will would be better than zen archery. As I am assuming that you will be using longswords..

This is not a dex ranger in light armor with a scimi and flow
This is a ranger monk build with dual longswords, soulrazor
That's 9w each hand. 25% dps increase

Like I said I've run a duality monk
I've not run a dex ranger, it didn't build too good
And I don't have the gear for a dex ranger, yet
And like I said, this is a theory build
I usually build something then test it
I don't have the gear to test a dex ranger
Hell, I don't have the soulrazors either
But it's an aspiration build

And banjo,
I can't really believe your advise
Of course you max your primary stat
I said I think I can get a 96 wisdom on this build
Why would you not want to max your to hit, damage, AC and DCs?
Seems like you don't know what you're talking about
Do you even build?
I haven't seen you posting any
And I'm completionist
Put it on all my builds
It buffs wis, dex, con on this build. As well as other three
Who needs spring attack? You play end game?
Moving modifier is negligible, even if your twitching
And I stand and dps, not a twitcher, so it's not my style
And it's still a ranger,
So to stay centered with longbows on a monk you need zen archery
It's a utility feat

So there's no way I'd take your advice
Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about
There's art,
And there's art critiques
One creates the masterpiece
The other tears it down
Like I said, I've never seen any of your builds
I build based on my experience
Some things look good on paper,
But don't play well
This is a theory,
But my gut tells me it will perform

Eventually I'll test it and write it up
Prob also along with a dex ranger in light
But I have to farm a lot of raids to do that,
So like I said its down the road

Other thing,
Ppl who don't post their toon name, or server, or guild
Kinda suspect when taking advise
Lurkers everywhere
And I don't believe em, or trust em

[banjo174]

This is not a dex ranger in light armor with a scimi and flow
This is a ranger monk build with dual longswords, soulrazor
That's 9w each hand. 25% dps increase

Like I said I've run a duality monk
I've not run a dex ranger, it didn't build too good
And I don't have the gear for a dex ranger, yet
And like I said, this is a theory build
I usually build something then test it
I don't have the gear to test a dex ranger
Hell, I don't have the soulrazors either
But it's an aspiration build

And banjo,
I can't really believe your advise
Of course you max your primary stat
I said I think I can get a 96 wisdom on this build
Why would you not want to max your to hit, damage, AC and DCs?
Seems like you don't know what you're talking about
Do you even build?
I haven't seen you posting any
And I'm completionist
Put it on all my builds
It buffs wis, dex, con on this build. As well as other three
Who needs spring attack? You play end game?
Moving modifier is negligible, even if your twitching
And I stand and dps, not a twitcher, so it's not my style
And it's still a ranger,
So to stay centered with longbows on a monk you need zen archery
It's a utility feat

So there's no way I'd take your advice
Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about
There's art,
And there's art critiques
One creates the masterpiece
The other tears it down
Like I said, I've never seen any of your builds
I build based on my experience
Some things look good on paper,
But don't play well
This is a theory,
But my gut tells me it will perform

Eventually I'll test it and write it up
Prob also along with a dex ranger in light
But I have to farm a lot of raids to do that,
So like I said its down the road

Other thing,
Ppl who don't post their toon name, or server, or guild
Kinda suspect when taking advise
Lurkers everywhere
And I don't believe em, or trust em

Lol, if you're not going to believe me just because you don't see a server name or toon name, and you don't see any of my builds thats fine. Good luck failing at building properly. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, I was just hopping by to give some advice. Thanks for proving to me that people aren't worth helping


If you're not a twitcher, and you don't know that dex also improves AC, then you're a waste of my time. Also, if you are trying to use both melee and ranged, you're a waste of my time. If you think dexterity is the only stat for a ranger you're a waste of my time.

[Vish]

Lol, if you're not going to believe me just because you don't see a server name or toon name, and you don't see any of my builds thats fine. Good luck failing at building properly. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, I was just hopping by to give some advice. Thanks for proving to me that people aren't worth helping


If you're not a twitcher, and you don't know that dex also improves AC, then you're a waste of my time. Also, if you are trying to use both melee and ranged, you're a waste of my time. If you think dexterity is the only stat for a ranger you're a waste of my time.

Like I said, your advice is worthless
Troll somewhere else

[Hjarki]

This is not a dex ranger in light armor with a scimi and flow
This is a ranger monk build with dual longswords, soulrazor
That's 9w each hand. 25% dps increase

I'm not sure where you're getting +25% dps. As I noted above, you're not getting the benefit of the critical profile and you're losing the (massive) benefits of the capstone. I'm fairly sure that ditching the two Monk levels and just going pure Ranger with this build would yield a generally stronger character.

Or consider the build I briefly mentioned when Knight's Training was coming out:

14/5/1 Cleric/Ranger/Monk
Lawful Neutral Aasimar


Level Order

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


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

Feats

.1. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
.3. . . . : Precision
.3 Monk . : Whirling Steel Strike
.6. . . . : Knight's Training
.9. . . . : Adept of Forms
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
18. . . . : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Master of Forms
24 Epic . : Grandmaster of Forms
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
28 Destiny: Mass Frog
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Spell Focus: Evocation
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

.1 Aasimar: Bond of the Fallen

.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
.9 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead

.6 Cleric : War Domain

.4 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
12 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty


Enhancements (80+2 AP)

Tempest (37 AP)
Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest
Improved Reaction I, Improved Defense III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Whirling Blades, Haste Boost III
Critical Mastery III, Whirling Blades, Dexterity
The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades, Dexterity
Dual Perfection, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III
Falconry (25 AP)
Falcon, Wisdom, Well Rounded
Rugged I, Hunter's Knowledge, Out in Nature III
Killer Instinct I, Watch the Center III, Diving Strike I
Killer Instinct II, Strike for the Eyes: Strike I, Conditioning
Deadly Instinct III, Coordinated Strike, Expose Weakness
Aasimar (16 AP)
Stronger Bonds, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds II, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds III
Fight the Wicked, Improved Recovery
(none)
Blessings III, Improved Recovery
Divine Form
Shintao (4 AP)
Bastion of Purity
Deft Strikes III

Destiny (24 AP)

Shadowdancer
Stealthy III, Acrobatic II, Dexterity
Dexterity
Shrouding Strike I, Meld into Darkness III, Grim Precision III
Improved Invisibility I, Pierce the Gloom
Untouchable, Sealed Soul
Shadow Form
Twists of Fate (27 fate points)
Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
School Specialist: Evocation (Tier 2 Magister)
Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
Dance of Flowers (Tier 1 Flowers)
Legendary Tactics (Tier 1 Dreadnought)

Here, you get +1/+1 to critical profile from Holy Sword, 100% off-hand attacks w/100% off-hand stat, your twin Soulrazors, Vulnerability on hit, and all the Falconry goodness. It's got everything you're looking for from your 18/2 split, plays basically the same as your 18/2 and then it can cast level 7 Divine Spells on top of it. I'd argue it's better than the 18/2 approach for pretty much every purpose except getting a Ranger Heroic Past Life.

[Kaboom2112]

Just go pure.

[Vish]

I'm not sure where you're getting +25% dps. As I noted above, you're not getting the benefit of the critical profile and you're losing the (massive) benefits of the capstone. I'm fairly sure that ditching the two Monk levels and just going pure Ranger with this build would yield a generally stronger character.

Or consider the build I briefly mentioned when Knight's Training was coming out:

14/5/1 Cleric/Ranger/Monk
Lawful Neutral Aasimar


Level Order

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


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

Feats

.1. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
.3. . . . : Precision
.3 Monk . : Whirling Steel Strike
.6. . . . : Knight's Training
.9. . . . : Adept of Forms
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
18. . . . : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Master of Forms
24 Epic . : Grandmaster of Forms
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
28 Destiny: Mass Frog
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Spell Focus: Evocation
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

.1 Aasimar: Bond of the Fallen

.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
.9 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead

.6 Cleric : War Domain

.4 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
12 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty


Enhancements (80+2 AP)

Tempest (37 AP)
Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest
Improved Reaction I, Improved Defense III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Whirling Blades, Haste Boost III
Critical Mastery III, Whirling Blades, Dexterity
The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades, Dexterity
Dual Perfection, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III
Falconry (25 AP)
Falcon, Wisdom, Well Rounded
Rugged I, Hunter's Knowledge, Out in Nature III
Killer Instinct I, Watch the Center III, Diving Strike I
Killer Instinct II, Strike for the Eyes: Strike I, Conditioning
Deadly Instinct III, Coordinated Strike, Expose Weakness
Aasimar (16 AP)
Stronger Bonds, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds II, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds III
Fight the Wicked, Improved Recovery
(none)
Blessings III, Improved Recovery
Divine Form
Shintao (4 AP)
Bastion of Purity
Deft Strikes III

Destiny (24 AP)

Shadowdancer
Stealthy III, Acrobatic II, Dexterity
Dexterity
Shrouding Strike I, Meld into Darkness III, Grim Precision III
Improved Invisibility I, Pierce the Gloom
Untouchable, Sealed Soul
Shadow Form
Twists of Fate (27 fate points)
Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
School Specialist: Evocation (Tier 2 Magister)
Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
Dance of Flowers (Tier 1 Flowers)
Legendary Tactics (Tier 1 Dreadnought)

Here, you get +1/+1 to critical profile from Holy Sword, 100% off-hand attacks w/100% off-hand stat, your twin Soulrazors, Vulnerability on hit, and all the Falconry goodness. It's got everything you're looking for from your 18/2 split, plays basically the same as your 18/2 and then it can cast level 7 Divine Spells on top of it. I'd argue it's better than the 18/2 approach for pretty much every purpose except getting a Ranger Heroic Past Life.

Reply
Ok first things
Yes, bad ass cleric build
But what's a battlecleric without quicken?
I'd swap the sf evoc for quicken. Done deal
What you're getting out of this is a heal and a resurrection. Decent enough.
But you have to run in shadowdancer for evasion. So your losing +6 wisdom. Melee power is a wash. Also bonus ddoor.
Also missing completionist. So your short +8 wisdom. That's 4 to hit damage and dc. Well get back to that. Also bab will be 15 vs 19 on 18/2 ranger monk so there's +4 to hit.
But it gets the +1 threat. So could run in say dc, and pick up the +6 wis, gain another +1 threat, but lose evasion. Could then go heavy armor and use the insightful 9 armor. Ya it's a trade off, I'd really rather have evasion. Also lose dodge, and I'd rather have dodge. So seems stuck to sd.

Ok, as to damage.
Background is I'm running elf lives. And since I'm heart of wisdom, I'm trying mostly wisdom builds. But I've been running 17/2/1 ranger monk rogue for racial in heroic. I wanted to test longswords, and go knights training. And I wanted to use whirling steel for monk. So I went falconry. The monk adds early evasion, and AC bonus. It's working great in heroics.
Now. I was thinking. I need to do some scourge lives, already ran aasimar, and I wanted to do a longsword build. So if I went pure, I would have to build for strength, since can't use dex to hit damage, since longswords aren't light weapons. Didn't want a str build, could go khopesh instead and use calamity and flow. Yes that's prob optimal ranger build, but that's not what I was looking for. So I wanted monk splash, and go wisdom. Since it maxes AC and healing hands. And I haven't done scourge yet. So yes, a scourge and ranger past live out of it. Also, I wanted to use gear I already have. I know with gearset posted, I could achieve 200 AC, 200 prr and high dodge. So I was looking for what fit what I got.
Ok so damage. If you go str longswords, say 100 str, you have 7w. On soulrazor. But if you go monk splash, you get dance of flowers and improved martial arts for +2w. So 2 over 7 is 25% increase. Since you'd be centered with longswords. That's the short of it. Dual 9w for the loss of 20 capstone. Which is +4 dex, just 2 AC and reflex, and 25% off hand doublestrike. 25% on 7w going str is about +2w so it's a wash.
But I wanted wisdom, scourge, and gear I have. So I consider it a good trade off. Yes I would lose the +1 threat, but I was thinking that, and maybe I could run dc and pick it up there. Still get the +6 wisdom, and pick up sacred ground too. But trade off is clicky for mp doublestrike, and losing ein from gmof. So lotta trade offs for building this.
Also, I realized improved slash doesn't stack with keen, so could swap to combat expertise for epics. Since dual oath blades and dual soulrazors.
So, I didn't want a cleric build or run aasimar. I wanted a scourge build with monk and longsword. The cleric is good, might test it one of these days, after I get soulrazors, but like I said, it's feat short. Missing quicken, have to run in sd for evasion, and missing completionist and CE. The ranger build has room for feats. Everything fits. And the trade of of 8 wisdom and 4 bab for 1 threat is prob not as good a deal, but I can make up some running dc. So lot of trade offs in these approaches.
But I also looked it over again last night, and would prob change my ap too. I admit running aasimar would be best max, since I could put into 16 for 10% hp. But again, looking for a scourge build. And not a str build, and not a dex build. Running in robes with high AC and dodge, basically a monk with longswords. But tier5 in tempest. Since monk trees don't support dual swords, and I'm not going 8 fighter.
Hope this explains my rational. I could also drop points out of falconry say go 26, put the points into Shintao pick up the 20 prr and a ki strike. May not need the deft strike. I original thought fifth core, so 32, but that's not need and is going too far.
So thanks for feedback, I've improved this build by couple ways.
Oh ya last thing. Running ethereal versus astral. I guess you want that for sneak damage. But I don't build for tanks having aggro, I'm usually a front fighter. So Astra plus 18 ranger core grants 13% doublestrike and 4 mdb. Dps and defense. Fits my style. If i ran raids or tanks I'd consider rogue assassin. Those have serious dps. But I'm not a flank fighter. Got to level this thing, and I don't run in a static.
Ok these changes will consolidate the build. Improved it and got a better perspective on its max dps and defense.
One of these days I'll build it and run it.

[adrian69]

I'm not sure where you're getting +25% dps. As I noted above, you're not getting the benefit of the critical profile and you're losing the (massive) benefits of the capstone. I'm fairly sure that ditching the two Monk levels and just going pure Ranger with this build would yield a generally stronger character.

Or consider the build I briefly mentioned when Knight's Training was coming out:

14/5/1 Cleric/Ranger/Monk
Lawful Neutral Aasimar


Level Order

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


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

Feats

.1. . . . : Weapon Focus: Slashing
.3. . . . : Precision
.3 Monk . : Whirling Steel Strike
.6. . . . : Knight's Training
.9. . . . : Adept of Forms
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
18. . . . : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Master of Forms
24 Epic . : Grandmaster of Forms
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
28 Destiny: Mass Frog
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Spell Focus: Evocation
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

.1 Aasimar: Bond of the Fallen

.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
.9 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead

.6 Cleric : War Domain

.4 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
12 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty


Enhancements (80+2 AP)

Tempest (37 AP)
Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest
Improved Reaction I, Improved Defense III, Whirling Blades
Improved Parry III, Whirling Blades, Haste Boost III
Critical Mastery III, Whirling Blades, Dexterity
The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades, Dexterity
Dual Perfection, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III
Falconry (25 AP)
Falcon, Wisdom, Well Rounded
Rugged I, Hunter's Knowledge, Out in Nature III
Killer Instinct I, Watch the Center III, Diving Strike I
Killer Instinct II, Strike for the Eyes: Strike I, Conditioning
Deadly Instinct III, Coordinated Strike, Expose Weakness
Aasimar (16 AP)
Stronger Bonds, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds II, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds III
Fight the Wicked, Improved Recovery
(none)
Blessings III, Improved Recovery
Divine Form
Shintao (4 AP)
Bastion of Purity
Deft Strikes III

Destiny (24 AP)

Shadowdancer
Stealthy III, Acrobatic II, Dexterity
Dexterity
Shrouding Strike I, Meld into Darkness III, Grim Precision III
Improved Invisibility I, Pierce the Gloom
Untouchable, Sealed Soul
Shadow Form
Twists of Fate (27 fate points)
Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
School Specialist: Evocation (Tier 2 Magister)
Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
Dance of Flowers (Tier 1 Flowers)
Legendary Tactics (Tier 1 Dreadnought)

Here, you get +1/+1 to critical profile from Holy Sword, 100% off-hand attacks w/100% off-hand stat, your twin Soulrazors, Vulnerability on hit, and all the Falconry goodness. It's got everything you're looking for from your 18/2 split, plays basically the same as your 18/2 and then it can cast level 7 Divine Spells on top of it. I'd argue it's better than the 18/2 approach for pretty much every purpose except getting a Ranger Heroic Past Life.

Why SF: Evocation?

[Emerge2012]

The build would be viable. Not a fan of Soulrazor or 2 monk levels though as pure ranger is definitely better and Soulrazor is only good if you're getting a bunch of kills, which coincidentally, a few other weapons are significantly better at - especially on a ranger platform.

[ClanBastage]

I was running a similar build when I saw the OP...looks as follows:

I am 3x completionist, racial completionist so APs are tight but not as tight if not racial. I can drop the Completionist feat but honestly all my feats are covered....I took Quicken at 30 because I did not really know what else to take...

18/2 Ranger/Monk, with the intent to get max standing dodge and doublestrike, and usable DCs for Dire Charge and Mass Frog. At cap, with my gear-set I am 48% standing dodge and 75% standing doublestrike, 114 Dire Charge DC, clickyable to 135, and decent Mass Frog DC, especially with the creation of "Froggles". I did not take Zen Archery, as I personally do not swapping to bow, therefore Manyshot exists nowhere on my button bar. I really enjoy this build...very solid DPS with dual longswords (used Oathblades to cap, then swapped to dual Night Mother's...I do not have Fellblades, and I am sure it would take forever to farm Soulrazors.

I run in Divine Crusader as I like the flavor of that Destiny over GMoF, twisting Sense Weakness, Piercing Clarity, A Dance of Flowers, Legendary Tactics and Extra Action Boost. Don't miss Cocoon as I have 7 LoHs and Quickened ranger heals as built. More Haste Boosts and Dire Charge DC = better for my tastes. Crits are 16-20 x4, 19-20 x5.

Bottom line: The monk levels get you 2 more feats that play into the other feats and gets me some more dodge cap, which was my reason... not "necessary" but I like the idea of having a monk level or two to justify me running around in my ninja costume

Yes Vish, 96 Wisdom is gettable...I am sitting at 96 right now without the aid of Yugo pots or any other pots...just ship buffs and gear. If I pop Yugo or other pots I can go higher...if I dumped filligres into my sword I could go higher...maybe Legendary Green Steel off hand?? I don't know...never made one..

One more edit Vish: Improved Martial Arts requires 12+ monk levels.

Happy Hunting!

[Hjarki]

But you have to run in shadowdancer for evasion. So your losing +6 wisdom. Melee power is a wash. Also bonus ddoor.
Also missing completionist. So your short +8 wisdom. That's 4 to hit damage and dc. Well get back to that. Also bab will be 15 vs 19 on 18/2 ranger monk so there's +4 to hit.
But it gets the +1 threat. So could run in say dc, and pick up the +6 wis, gain another +1 threat, but lose evasion. Could then go heavy armor and use the insightful 9 armor. Ya it's a trade off, I'd really rather have evasion. Also lose dodge, and I'd rather have dodge. So seems stuck to sd.

- War Domain grants +4 hit/damage
- War Domain grants +7 tactics
- Divine Favor grants +3 hit/damage
- Follower of the Sovereign Host grants +1 hit
- Divine Power grants full BAB
- Turn Undead grants +7 Melee Power for 20 sec.
- Shadowdancer cores grant +6d6 Sneak Attack
- Shadowdancer capstone grants 5% physical damage vulnerability
- Shadowdancer capstone removes Sneak Attack immunity
- Pierce the Gloom ends up being ~20% extra damage against endgame bosses, 25% uptime. While it can be twisted, it is exceedingly unlikely you'd twist a T4 like this.
- Improved Invisibility and Meld into Darkness are both exceptional defensive cooldowns.
- Sealed Soul (immunity to Energy Drain) is a tremendous benefit. Admittedly, not for the Cleric build (since it can already cast Death Ward), but certainly for the Ranger/Monk build you propose.

Note that the above is on top of the +10% damage from better threat range. Being 'stuck to' Shadowdancer isn't a significant restriction because Shadowdancer is far superior to GMoF for either build. There's almost nothing in GMoF beyond the cores and +wisdom that's not easily twisted or not all that important. If you're playing Scourge rather than Aasimar, Shadowdancer becomes dramatically superior due to 25% Incorporeality. If you're absolutely married to GMoF, then you no longer have the Wisdom disparity you're talking about (remember, you can simply swap in Completionist for something like Spell Focus or IC:Slashing that you don't care about) - but you still have that pile of bonuses from Cleric/War Domain.

Also, you can't use Heavy Armor (for either build) without becoming uncentered.

Now. I was thinking. I need to do some scourge lives, already ran aasimar, and I wanted to do a longsword build.

So if I went pure, I would have to build for strength, since can't use dex to hit damage, since longswords aren't light weapons. Didn't want a str build, could go khopesh instead and use calamity and flow. Yes that's prob optimal ranger build, but that's not what I was looking for. So I wanted monk splash, and go wisdom. Since it maxes AC and healing hands. And I haven't done scourge yet. So yes, a scourge and ranger past live out of it. Also, I wanted to use gear I already have. I know with gearset posted, I could achieve 200 AC, 200 prr and high dodge. So I was looking for what fit what I got.

Pure Ranger can use Wisdom to hit/damage just as easily as any other build - the Wisdom to hit/damage is from Falconer and has nothing to do with Monk. In terms of AC, it's unlikely your AC will be all that meaningful because you're not spending any significant effort on it. On the other hand, losing 25 PRR and 50 MRR going from Light -> Cloth is meaningful.

Ok so damage. If you go str longswords, say 100 str, you have 7w. On soulrazor. But if you go monk splash, you get dance of flowers and improved martial arts for +2w. So 2 over 7 is 25% increase.

It's a 25% increase to the relatively small portion of your damage from the basic weapon dice. Those +2[w] are worth 13 damage. Your 96 Wisdom is worth +64 damage. Deadly/Insightful Deadly is worth another +23. Seeker is probably another +15 or so. You're likely running 50+ Sneak Attack. The basic weapons are +60 or so. So those extra +2[w] are less than 5% of your damage (and that's being generous since we're not mentioning anything about Reaper enhancements, filigrees, etc.) Compared to the pure Ranger build, you lost 12.5% damage from Doublestrike and 10 Melee Power in the capstone.

You might also not even be gaining the advantage you believe you're gaining. You can't take Improved Martial Arts on any of these builds since it requires 12+ levels of Monk. There's some question also whether Dance of Flowers works with Whirling Steel Strike (check wiki - I'm not sure myself because I don't have an Epic level Whirling Steel Strike character right now).

Which is +4 dex, just 2 AC and reflex, and 25% off hand doublestrike. 25% on 7w going str is about +2w so it's a wash.

And 10 melee power. As noted above, you're miscalculating the value of +2[w].

So, I didn't want a cleric build or run aasimar. I wanted a scourge build with monk and longsword. The cleric is good, might test it one of these days, after I get soulrazors, but like I said, it's feat short. Missing quicken, have to run in sd for evasion, and missing completionist and CE. The ranger build has room for feats. Everything fits. And the trade of of 8 wisdom and 4 bab for 1 threat is prob not as good a deal, but I can make up some running dc. So lot of trade offs in these approaches.

There's no reason to run Quicken (or, frankly, Spell Focus) if you're not planning to cast in combat. Remember, the Cleric build is a better melee build before it ever casts an offensive spell or heal. While I'd argue it's silly to run around with level 7 Divine Spells and not be able to cast effectively, there's no downside when you're comparing it against a build that can't cast effective offensive spells at all. Likewise, if you're swapping out IC:Slashing on your build, you could just as easily do it on the Cleric build as well.

But I also looked it over again last night, and would prob change my ap too. I admit running aasimar would be best max, since I could put into 16 for 10% hp.

You actually put 16 AP for the Vulnerability debuff. That's 20% damage right there. I don't think you fully appreciate the yawning gulf between the build you're presenting and the one I outlined (although my quick example build could certainly be tweaked one way or another).

But again, looking for a scourge build. And not a str build, and not a dex build. Running in robes with high AC and dodge, basically a monk with longswords. But tier5 in tempest. Since monk trees don't support dual swords, and I'm not going 8 fighter.

Ninja Spy supports dual Swords. Going 20 Monk instead of 18/2 Ranger is a tough call. I'm pretty sure pure Ninja Spy would beat 18/2 Ranger/Monk dps-wise, with the exception of Dance of Death. Ninja Spy gets the full critical profile, the Fists maneuvers, Improved Martial Arts and a pile of Sneak Attack. However, 20 Monk isn't a particularly strong build either.

Even strictly within the confines of a Scourge build for Ranger past life, a Day/Night pure Ranger build would almost certainly outperform what you're planning.

Oh ya last thing. Running ethereal versus astral. I guess you want that for sneak damage. But I don't build for tanks having aggro, I'm usually a front fighter. So Astra plus 18 ranger core grants 13% doublestrike and 4 mdb. Dps and defense. Fits my style. If i ran raids or tanks I'd consider rogue assassin. Those have serious dps. But I'm not a flank fighter. Got to level this thing, and I don't run in a static.
Ok these changes will consolidate the build. Improved it and got a better perspective on its max dps and defense.

You're guaranteed to be wearing a Deception item (it's part of Silent Avenger) and you're very likely wearing an Improved Deception item. Couple this with Invisibility Guard and your only real worry is Sneak Attacking purple bosses - and I doubt you'll be tanking those. You also have two single target helpless and a multi-target helpless/blind. I don't envision you'll have many issues with Sneak Attacks.

Another alternative approach if you absolutely want Scourge + Monk + Ranger, resulting in a Ranger past life would be to do 12/6/2 Ranger/Fighter/Monk. You could fight with Calamity and Soulrazor, getting full critical profile on Calamity and the same critical profile you have right now on Soulrazor (which would presumably be your off-hand). You'd lose Dance of Death, but you'd gain a significant amount of single target damage to counterbalance it. You'd have better defenses and more feats to play with. You could even go 8/6/6 to pick up Shadow Veil (depending on available racial AP).

I'm not objecting to your goals so much as your approach. It's just not a particularly effective way to build the character you want to build.

[Vish]

Ok gonna run an updated version of the 18/2 build
Because I wanna see stats on it.
Not really interested in a cleric build
Maybe someone could build it and report the numbers
But I have just enough points for aasimar scourge, and I checked that oath blade does accept sentience, and I can use the poor mans barovian longswords at cap.
But mostly I was looking at mdb
Figured I could get it up to 50. So I want to see if gear will go that high.
And Sharn prob be out end of march, April
So I have time to finish the elf build, and roll this one from 15-30
And I'll be running dc, so I'll fill out a divine sphere for future use. Still got a couple or so to finish.
And hopefully I can get in some kt raids, and DOJ hoping for a fellblade.
I know it won't be as good as my duality monk, but I want to see the dps. And stat it.

[ClanBastage]

Vish...the build is fun as heck...go for it...I am loving my version.

I personally give two $h*ts what the forum trolls say about builds....bottomline...if we all listen to them this game would effectively be a a few canned characters with no flavor and diversity...in fact I think that the ability to pretty much make whatever character you want in this game has greatly contributed to the survival over all these years where others have fell off!!

I have never made a "max DPS" build or a build that goes for 10's of thousands damage crits....I build fun, interesting builds that are fun to play and hold my interest...if only for a while and I am always able to contribute to the party/raid....

Have fun and don't be a cookie cutter

Kraezy

[Emerge2012]

Vish...the build is fun as heck...go for it...I am loving my version.

I personally give two $h*ts what the forum trolls say about builds....bottomline...if we all listen to them this game would effectively be a a few canned characters with no flavor and diversity...in fact I think that the ability to pretty much make whatever character you want in this game has greatly contributed to the survival over all these years where others have fell off!!

I have never made a "max DPS" build or a build that goes for 10's of thousands damage crits....I build fun, interesting builds that are fun to play and hold my interest...if only for a while and I am always able to contribute to the party/raid....

Have fun and don't be a cookie cutter

Kraezy

Your build isn't diverse, it's deficient. Adding 2 monk levels just to add 2 monk levels doesn't make it interesting and chomping at the bit to use Knight's Training like everyone else doesn't exactly give you hipster status.

You do you, like everyone else. But I don't see a reason get salty about people offering suggestions that are better than what was presented. That kind of goes along with posting a build if it's not optimized.

[bls904c2]

Your build isn't diverse, it's deficient. Adding 2 monk levels just to add 2 monk levels doesn't make it interesting and chomping at the bit to use Knight's Training like everyone else doesn't exactly give you hipster status.

You do you, like everyone else. But I don't see a reason get salty about people offering suggestions that are better than what was presented. That kind of goes along with posting a build if it's not optimized.

everyone plays different and everyone has different amounts of play time. an idea of a build he is thinking of playing is put out there because of who knows what is the driving factors for this build.

Is he wanting to play for a ranger PL, is he just wanting to experiment with new feat but really likes the look of monk, /animations. using monk because he has all the equipment except for weapons. so easy to gear.

not a single toon i run is optimized by any means but my own. i run a very unique warlock that everyone laughs at my damage that he out puts. but i can stand toe toe with most things in this game.

if i optimized each toon i play i would honestly only play one maybe 2 types of styles because i have the worst luck in equipment drops. it would take me years heck my main i am still farming RL items for my gear set up thats along time for gear.

the beautiful part of this game is being able to play very interesting builds and still be viable. its PVE and its working as a group while still being able to solo when need be.

the forums are becoming toxic with all this optimal build is a must. im glad he shared his build of what he is interested in building and playing.


Main toons
atryagain, completionist heroic, racial, epic
atrytryagain, completionist epic
atrysimple,
atrymulligan,
atrynormal,
atryalways,
dontmindme

with 6 other test toons

residents of Cannith

with perma death toons on

thelanis and sarlona

[Hjarki]

everyone plays different and everyone has different amounts of play time. an idea of a build he is thinking of playing is put out there because of who knows what is the driving factors for this build.

No one is trying to argue that he shouldn't play what he wants. What we're trying to point out that, within the context of what he wants, there are more and less effective ways to accomplish the same goal.