3/2/2 Artificer/Rogue/Barb - now what?

[Thrudh]

Went for maximum survivability for a brand-new character with no items or cash:

I started with halfling for the healing dragonmarks (because I couldn't afford potions)... Wanted 2 levels of barb for Blood Tribute, two levels of rogue for evasion.

STR 10
DEX 17 (Level 4 and Level 8 upgrades to get to 19 for IPS - if I live that long)
CON 14
INT 16 (Level 12+ upgrades)
WIS 8
CHA 8


1 artificer (for repeating crossbow proficiencies and skills) - Dragonmark of Healing
2 barb - 10% fast movement
3 barb - Point Blank Shot - Spend all 8 APs to get Blood Tribute
4 rogue
5 rogue - Evasion
6 Artificer (for rune-arm use) - Empower Healing (to boost dragonmarks) - Probably should have taken Precise Shot here... was a tough choice
7 Artificer - elemental weapons

Getting to level three, stuck with a group... Spent AP on barb tree only... As soon as I hit level 3 (two levels of barb), maxed out Blood Tribute.

Blood Tribute is extremely useful (150 temp hp, -1 CON), but I discovered you can't use it all the time... Starting with a 14 CON, no tomes, no CON items at first, you can't really keep it up all the time. Great if you see a danger coming, but if something surprises you, you can still end up dead.

Didn't really feel comfortable until level 5 when I got evasion as a rogue... I'm still paranoid about traps, though.

Haven't died yet... But as first life character, just doing elite for favor, and trying to bank some decent BtA items...

Working on Harper Tree now to get INT to damage, but can't decide if I want to focus on more artificer levels or rogue levels.

Thoughts? Goal here is 1750 favor and 20th level if possible.... Probably stick with elite most of the way...

[cru121]

I recommend continuing at least a bit as artificer. You look like you could use some extra feats.

[Xyfiel]

I just hit 20 this morning on a 16Arty/2barb/2Rogue Inquisitive. Warforged though for immunity and self heals. Don't bother with Harper until much later. Without high intelligence for the first 15 levels you don't need KtA. You can get intelligence to damage from 6 Arty. There are better enhancements to take at low levels than Harper for a few damage.

[Targal]

I'd say you go some rogue for some rogue special ability(Improved Evasion / Slippery mind) and bonus trap saves. then rest is taking more rogue or arti.

[Thrudh]

I just hit 20 this morning on a 16Arty/2barb/2Rogue Inquisitive. Warforged though for immunity and self heals. Don't bother with Harper until much later. Without high intelligence for the first 15 levels you don't need KtA. You can get intelligence to damage from 6 Arty. There are better enhancements to take at low levels than Harper for a few damage.

Good point on KtA... How do you get intelligence to damage from 6 Arty?

I see I can get it from 6 rogue... Is that what you meant?

I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to go up the Battle Engineer tree for Endless Fusilade or up the rogue Mechanic tree.

I like the free feats and spells from Arti, but the Mechanic tree is pretty solid so maybe I should concentrate on Rogue first...

[cru121]

Good point on KtA... How do you get intelligence to damage from 6 Arty?

I see I can get it from 6 rogue... Is that what you meant?

I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to go up the Battle Engineer tree for Endless Fusilade or up the rogue Mechanic tree.

I like the free feats and spells from Arti, but the Mechanic tree is pretty solid so maybe I should concentrate on Rogue first...

Artificer level 3 infusion grants int to damage.

[C-Dog]

I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to go up the Battle Engineer tree for Endless Fusilade or up the rogue Mechanic tree.

If you're using a good droploot/vorpal Repeater (to spam the special effects), then Arti. If using a good named GXB (like Divine Artillery), which is better DPS, then Arti 4 for Fusilade and the rest Mech.

Something patterned after this:
o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post6056000

Working on Harper Tree now to get INT to damage, but can't decide if I want to focus on more artificer levels or rogue levels.

Thoughts?

Beyond the above? Only this: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5534437

[Thrudh]

Artificer level 3 infusion grants int to damage.

Ah, the level 3 spell Insightful Damage? And Arti gets level 3 spells at level 6...

I was looking at the enhancements, and forgot that...

Yes, I'm thinking I'll go to Arti 7 next... That will give me two level 3 spells (INT to damage spell, plus Flame Turret or Stoneskin)...

And Arti 7 means I'll get +20 to my resist energy spells... which is important in a world with very low (or non-existent) guild ship buffs.

Then maybe I'll grab a few more rogue levels after that. assuming I'm still alive...

[cru121]

Arti 8 is another bonus feat
Arti 9 is fourth level infusions... Armor of Speed?