Coming back after 5 years away, seek build advice for Rogue type character please

[Spelly88]

Been away for many years and would like to try and get back into this again. I typically play solo as I never know when I'll have enough time for grouping, so I'm looking for a fun solo rogue type build that can do traps/locks. I'll probably bring a hireling along for tanking or healing as well.

Looking for a first life build, but I do have 32pt builds unlocked. I used to be VIP back in the day, but F2P now, so not all races/classes are unlocked (I do have Drow). I have a bunch of Turbine Points banked so I could buy something if it's really necessary...

I'm leaning towards pure rogue or rogue/bard type and I'll probably start at level 4 and run the harbor/marketplace quests... I'm a "sniff the flowers" type of player so I want to try and get all chests/optionals in quests...

I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel here, so if someone wants to point me to existing builds, that's fine... I did some searching but the ones I found were from 2013-2016 so I wasn't sure if they were still relevant with all the latest expansions... Speaking of, I do have the Underdark one, but not Ravenloft or the one just came out...

Also, I'm planning to run on normal/hard...

So, something fun solo, rogue based, flower sniffing, etc...

Thanks!

[unbongwah]

Rogue-splashed Swashbuckler is a good soloer. See the bard forums for builds like the Bard Trapper thread.

Also check the ranger forums for the Tempest Trapmonkey particularly if you prefer dual-wielding.

That said, pure rogue is still good if you don't mind the added challenge of soloing.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

If you don't mind starting at level 15 (or earlier, if you want), then you could buy that Iconic Hero ... What was the name again ... Shadar-kai ... https://ddowiki.com/page/Shadar-kai_Assassin_(Iconic)

[Spelly88]

Thanks for the responses... Is pure rogue very challenging to solo with? Even with a hireling along? What makes it so tough?

Are iconic heroes basically just pre-rolled guys that you can use? I'd prefer to start low level (4) just so I can enjoy the journey...

[Memnir]

I'm not the best at build-craft - but welcome back!

[Brandwynn]

Thanks for the responses... Is pure rogue very challenging to solo with? Even with a hireling along? What makes it so tough?

Are iconic heroes basically just pre-rolled guys that you can use? I'd prefer to start low level (4) just so I can enjoy the journey...

I solo with healer.. I have a h/orc. my prefered race. He is now on his third life as an arti. Mch like you I never know for how long I might play. PUGS and running with Guildies is just not going to happen all that often for me.

I am not real good at builds. If you have the h/orc open. Invest heavily into intelligence.Starting intelligence is 6. Your charisma is going to suffer. Well something is going to suffer. Just make sure it is not your constitution or dexterity. Also I find the great axe to be of help. He is currently an Atri on the third life.

Somehow, I make it work for me. Your mileage may vary.

[C-Dog]

WB!

I have a bunch of Turbine Points banked so I could buy something if it's really necessary...

You're going to want some quest packs, or you'll be repeating F2P quests to get to 20. Wait for sales, you'lll save you 100's, 1000's of DP*. (read link in my sig if you want)

(* btw - "Turbine" got rid of DDO, wanted to go a diff direction. They sold the company to a group of their DDO developers, it's now Standing Stone Games (SSG), and "TP" are now called DDO Points, or "DP". But "everyone" knows what TP means, and it's a hard habit for many to break. )

I used to be VIP back in the day, but F2P now... I do have the Underdark one, but not Ravenloft or the one just came out...

Ravenloft has (really!) great loot, and you can earn favor for the new(ish) Knife Fighter enhancement tree, but beyond that is not "necessary" to get to 20. The usual "core"3 are Vault of Night (to get thru 8-12 or so), Gianthold (for 13-16), and Vale of Twilight (for 16-20). The F2P quests get sparse as you go up in level, so without something you'll be stuck repeating quests = less fun.

Many argue that RL should be added to the "core", but that's a Real-Life-cash expansion decision, so that's a ymmv discussion. Underdark is RL-cash also, but pretty much necessary if you're going to 30. (Again, wait for a Sale if you want to save cash.)

I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel here, so if someone wants to point me to existing builds, that's fine... I did some searching but the ones I found were from 2013-2016 so I wasn't sure if they were still relevant with all the latest expansions...

I always recommend new/returning players to start here:

o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5759353

(Also note the "custom" threads @ bottom of first post. You could scan the recent ones suggested in those threads, and/or ask there.)

Some are indeed older, and so may not be "100% optimized" by current standards, but few (if any!) are "broken". Rogue hasn't had a significant pass in a long time, so I wouldn't worry about any of them. Bard, otoh, tends to want to be a Swashbuckler (some form of SWF) now.

[Spelly88]

WB!


You're going to want some quest packs, or you'll be repeating F2P quests to get to 20. Wait for sales, you'lll save you 100's, 1000's of DP*. (read link in my sig if you want)

(* btw - "Turbine" got rid of DDO, wanted to go a diff direction. They sold the company to a group of their DDO developers, it's now Standing Stone Games (SSG), and "TP" are now called DDO Points, or "DP". But "everyone" knows what TP means, and it's a hard habit for many to break. )

Speaking of hard habits to break, I still use diplomacy on chests right before I open them...

If I start having fun with my build, I'm pretty sure I'll buy the Ravenloft expansion.

After looking at the build repository, I'm leaning towards this one:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5603580

It's from 2015, but hopefully still viable and fun.

[Saekee]

Speaking of hard habits to break, I still use diplomacy on chests right before I open them...

If I start having fun with my build, I'm pretty sure I'll buy the Ravenloft expansion.

After looking at the build repository, I'm leaning towards this one:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5603580

It's from 2015, but hopefully still viable and fun.

since you do not have VFK that is ok—I recommend splashing other classes if you will TR at 20. Also, improved feint is now very good and does not require Combat Expertise—just keep your bluff skill high.
Do you have Monk?
Otherwise a good split is adding 1 barb early for run speed boost and at level 12 add fighter for free feat.

Faster sneaking enhancements stack so 2 ranger/18 rogue is good too and you get free feats from 2 ranger.

[Spelly88]

since you do not have VFK that is ok—I recommend splashing other classes if you will TR at 20. Also, improved feint is now very good and does not require Combat Expertise—just keep your bluff skill high.
Do you have Monk?
Otherwise a good split is adding 1 barb early for run speed boost and at level 12 add fighter for free feat.

Faster sneaking enhancements stack so 2 ranger/18 rogue is good too and you get free feats from 2 ranger.

Those are interesting sounding, especially the barb/rogue/fighter. Any links to that? Or a name? Same with the 2ran/18rog, any names to search for?

Thanks!

[Saekee]

Those are interesting sounding, especially the barb/rogue/fighter. Any links to that? Or a name? Same with the 2ran/18rog, any names to search for?

Thanks!

I haven’t posted them, but the basics are easy if you put them in a planner (which do not work on my MAC)

I recommend getting to 3 rogue first for dex to hit & damage; the 1 barb at 4 for run speed. 1 Fighter at level 12 for IC pierce and you get a free feat too—in general you want TWF line; improved feint early; Precision when you can; ITWF; IC pierce; then the rest is open—some like PL: rogue which is strong later, weapon focus feats for more melee power, dragonmarks for halflings and elves, and Weapon finesse if you think you will be using light maces on skellies (not really necessary anymore with Assassin’s trick).

In my sig is a link to a Wiki page which then links to the Prowler but it is not up to date

If you have monk, monk 1 fighter 1 is insanely fun as a heroic assassin since you use wraps until 11 and can stay centered with daggers with Vistani. More important is the easy access to faster sneaking in ninja tree for 4 AP that stacks with assassin; you really scurry! But you won’t be an assassin with daggers until level 14 or 15 due to AP costs

[Spelly88]

since you do not have VFK that is ok—I recommend splashing other classes if you will TR at 20. Also, improved feint is now very good and does not require Combat Expertise—just keep your bluff skill high.
Do you have Monk?
Otherwise a good split is adding 1 barb early for run speed boost and at level 12 add fighter for free feat.

Faster sneaking enhancements stack so 2 ranger/18 rogue is good too and you get free feats from 2 ranger.

So I just bought the big $130 Ravenloft package today since it sounded really cool. Yes, it was expensive, but I justified part of that with the 60-day VIP access included. Now that I have that VKF tree, does it change any of the build recommendations?