Dex Scimitar Tempest

[Ganak]

Synopsis:

• Build for a pure Ranger Dex based scimitar TWF Tempest, laying out the basics and tactics with commentary.
• This is a high DPS build best played as an 'off DPS' with high sneak attack damage and very high fort bypass.
• The recently improved Dance of Death means 10 out of every 15 seconds you are hitting 3 mobs at once with a chance of 4 (220% Strikethrough Chance), so trash clearing is fun and effective. Plus many abilities work with Strikethrough such as Executioner's Strike and Merciful Strike.
• Executioner's Strike and Consume work quite well on a Dex build and having success in R10's with these abilities against mobs with lower fort saves, and take down totems in reaper baba. Add +15 assassinate from gear, plus +8 from SD for easily over 100 assassinate dc.
• I value survivability and team play in tough situations, so investments to this end such as healing.
• This build is endgame high reaper/raid focused and not put together with an optimal leveling 'along the way' focus.
• Not attempting to represent a perfect build from a min/max perspective; more about sharing what I'm doing, and giving and receiving ideas.
• Consider it a living template/work in progress...and love feedback and questions!

20 Ranger Wood Elf

Commentary:

• Wood Elf for a few reasons--bonus to Dex and no elven Con penalty, Elven Weapon Training enhancement bonus to scimitars, and I like Wood Elves (flavor).
• Pure ranger for Tempest capstone.

Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .+6. . . .4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 20. . . .+6. . . .8: DEX
Constitution. . 18. . . .+6. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . .8. . . .+6. . . 16: DEX
Wisdom. . . . . 10. . . .+6. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: DEX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: DEX

Commentary:

• Max dex and con, two points in Int and Wis. Get all the skill points I want with 8 Int, but could put 2 there instead of Wis.
• I like having Str as a dump stat, and only have to worry about Dex and Con which helps with gearing.

Skills:
Max: Spot, UMD, Heal, Balance, Search

Jump to 10 (any more is a waste)
1 point in tumble
I have some left over points and put them in hide and move silently, and am a very capable sneaky player, though rarely use sneak.

Commentary:

• Concentration skill not a priority due to having Quicken feat for healing casting. Concentration would be then left to help with scroll usage, which is limited to Res Scrolls in this build.
• With the change (nerf) to Scion of the Ethereal Plane, Hide doesn't mean much to me anymore.

Feats:
1 Precision
3 Completionist
6 Toughness
9 Improved Crit: Slash
12 Maximize
15 Quicken
18 Dodge
21 OC
24 Epic Toughness
26 Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Blinding speed
28 Elusive target
29 Dire Charge
30 Epic Reflex
30 Scion of the Ethereal plane

Commentary:

• I value having lots of HP, thus going against the general grain with Toughness/Epic Toughness. The combo adds 82 hp at cap. Need to be able to take some hard hits and survive.
• Maximize vs Empowered Healing - I really value the ability to be a highly effective single target healer, and I've kept tanks and whole parties up on high reaper content and in raids. He can burn through SP, but have an Epic Ring of Spell Storing, and SP pots. I also make sure I have a devotion bonus on my gear. The ability to heal others is underrated and just a huge bonus with this build.
• Quicken - Need to get those heals off fast!
• Dodge - Can take it or leave it. I don't have any issues maximizing dodge with the help of items and enhancements, and maximizing dodge is a must on the build.
• Elusive target - Can take it or leave it, and didn't feel anything else was better.
• Dire Charge really helps as this build has no other crowd control which is a weakness that you have to be smart to work around.
• Epic Reflex - It's not about the bonus to reflex saves as it is the no fail on a 1. This guy just doesn't fail reflex saves. Love dancing in the middle of traps in reaper.
• Scion of the Ethereal plane - With the change (nerf), I'm still taking this over Scion of Arborea, though to be honest I could go either way. I like the Permanent Lesser Displacement and Ghost Touch. I like the Permanent Invisibility Guard too for flavor as it melds well with the playstyle.

Enhancements:

Tempest (to capstone):

Recommended for tempest:

• Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows, Whirlwind, Dervish
• Improved Reaction III, Whirling Blades, Improved Defense III
• Improved Parry III, Whirling Blades, Sprint Boost III
• Storm Dancer, Whirling Blades
• Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
• Dual Perfection, Many Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III

Commentary:

• I take the passive Many Cuts vs the Thousand Cuts clickie because I value simplicity and not having too many buttons to click in combat. I like to keep my core combat button click options to 12-13 slots
• They really nailed Dance of Death (DoD) with the recent changes to it. The change to a 10 second clickie from the on-it activation itself was wonderful, but the fact you can have this ability on for 10 out of every 15 seconds is just marvelous. 200% Strikethrough Chance (plus the default 20%) so you are hitting three mobs at once (with a small chance to hit four). Moreover, the fact that so many of the abilities can proc on a Strikethrough, gosh...Let's just say that Tempest is better than ever solely based on the change to DoD. In the last 3-5+ years Tempest have gotten respect for high dps but I'd say they've been overlooked in recent years with Inquis and now THF. I'm fine with that...

Deepwood Stalker (at least 30 AP for the 4th core Mark of the Hunted):

• Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Exposing Strike, Advanced Sneak Attack, Mark of the Hunted
• Stealthy III (for +1 additional Sneak Attack Die), Increased Empathy I
• Survivalist, Melee/Range Power Boost III
• Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III, Favored Hunter III
• Survivalist, Killer III, Merciful Strike

Commentary:
Exposing Strike DWS clickie attack is huge for this build. When you get agro in it gives you 4 out of every 6 seconds of sneak attack and works on named bosses.

Merciful Strike - I really like and part of my core combat rotation - (+3[W] damage. On Sneak Attack: If the target is below 50% health, deal 500 damage. This damage scales with 100% Melee Power). You do have to manage that they are vulnerable to sneak attack when you activate.

Advanced Sneak Attack (T3 Core Ability): +1 Sneak Attack Die. +10 Positive Spell Power. You gain a +1 Competence Bonus to Critical Threat Range with your equipped weapons. (This does not apply to Shields or Unarmed). Your attacks now bypass 10% fortification.


Mark of the Hunted: Activate: Expend a use of Wild Empathy. Your currently selected enemy receives -25% Fortification, -10 Armor Class, -10 Spell Resistance, and suffers a -4 penalty to all ability scores for 3 minutes. This effect also works on bosses and Raid bosses.
Passive: Your attacks bypass an additional 10% Fortification. You also gain +2 Damage when attacking Favored Enemies.
Passive: +10 Positive Spell Power

Mark of the Hunted, for red named and bosses, lasts more than enough time and benefits the ENTIRE party.




Wood Elf:

• Elven Accuracy I, Nature I: +1 Dexterity
• Elven Weapon Training I:

I have (5) racial action points is the reason for this.

For any left over enhancement points, I pump dex.


Epic Destiny:
Shadow-dancer is the way.

+10 Melee Power per Innate ability (60 total). The special abilities use your Dex stat. DDoor is nice to have.

Some core ones to take:

• T1 Stealthy (3 points) - For +6 Assassinate DC for use with Executioner's Strike and Consume
• T2 Lithe (3 points)
• T3 Meld Into Darkness (3 points) - This is like getting the flashy star in Super Mario Brothers for 15 seconds invulnerability. The 120 second cooldown timer is reasonable, and the ability is usually there when you really need it. Huge for survivability.
• T3 Grim Precision (3 points) - 15% fort bypass and 3% dodge bypass.
• T5 Executioner's Strike (2 points) - Install kill with dc based on character level + higher of Dex modifier + Assassination bonuses. 12 second cooldown. Works with strikethrough. Yes please.
• T5 Sealed Soul (2 point cost) - I took this because who doesn't hate neg levels. Not essential.
• T6 Dark Imbuement - I love this ability. 30 second buff and only 2 minute cool down. +15 Melee Power, +2 sneak attack die, 9d6 unholy damage, the effective range of your melee attacks increases dramatically. With the attack range boost, combined with Dance of Death, it's like a giant harvesting machine rowing down rows of crops.

Twists:

• Martial Hymn
• Critical Damage
• A Dance of Flowers
• Unearthly Reactions
• First Harmonic Chord

Commentary:

• For Unearthly Reactions, I value adding the +6 reflex saves (adding strength to strength), the +3 dodge, and I like the flavor of phasing out when tumbling (and the visual).
• I'm not sold on Critical Damage as my T3 twist.
• Impregnable Mind is a backup T1 twist I am tempted to add to help out my will saves (which stink).

Gear: (as of Update 46)

• Armor: Legendary Wildcard: Fort 214% - PRR 54 - Heal Amp 85 - False Life 81
• Necklace: The Family’s Blessing: Quality Assassinate +2, Insightful Armor-Piercing - 16%, Competence Deadly +17, Doublestrike 24%
• Gloves: Legendary Hammerfist: Insightful Doublestrike 11 - Seeker 21 - Insightful Deadly 8 - Cannith Combat Infusion
  
  
• Head: Legendary Umber Brim: Insightful Accuracy 16 - Insightful Deception 8 - Profane well-rounded - Improved Quelling Strikes
  
• Goggles: Legendary Collective Sight: Con 21 - Insightful DEX 10 - Quality Resistance 4
  
• Cloak: Legendary Cloak of the City's Champion: Parrying 10 - Insightful CON 10 - Quality PRR 13
  
• Ring: Legendary Celestial Ruby Ring: INT 21 - Stunning 23 - Accuracy 33 - Ghostly
  
• Wrist: Legendary Ironclad Armbands: Devotion +214 - Protection +17 - Parrying +10 - Equipped Healing Amplification +43
  
• Ring: Ring of the Silver Tongue: Improved Deception - Insightful Deception +8 - Assassinate +9 - Insightful Assassinate +4
  
• Belt: Legendary Belt of Sure Strikes: Magical Sheltering +54, Insightful Seeker 10, Quality Combat Mastery +5, Quality Accuracy +8
  
• Boots: The Shrouded Steps of the Beyond: Dexterity +22 - Enhanced Ghostly - Insightful Dodge +10% - Quality Dodge +5%
  
• Trinket: Legendary Bottle of Smoke: Quality Dexterity +5 - Smoke Screen - Speed +30 - Deception +17

Commentary:
Login/unbuffed/non-reaper stats:

• 80.02% doublestrike (Killer enhancement stacked 4 times will bring to 100% or use a reaper charge to add 30%)
• Offhand hit is 100% with 41% doublestrike on off hand.
• 97% fort bypass
• 17d6 sneak attack
• 172 standing melee power - Not including Martial Hymn which adds 10 melee power and 2d6 sneak attack (19d6), and Dark Imbuement (every 30 seconds out of 2 minutes) which adds 15 melee power and another 2d6 sneak attack (to 21d6).
• 175 PRR and 97 MRR
• 2200 HP and 914 SP

Scimitars:

• Nightshard
• Vulkoor's Edge
• The Fractured Elegance

Commentary:
Will circumstantially switch between Vulkoor's Edge and The Fractured Elegance in the off hand. Love my Nightshard. They are fixing Glass Shards, yay!



Playstyle:
A dex based scimitar ranger is best played as an off-tank and should always be focused on positioning to do sneak attack damage. Ideally others have agro, but the Exposing Strike DWS clickie (4 out of every 6 seconds of sneak attack) really helps when you have agro.

Maximize use of items giving sneak attack damage (Deception, Insightful Deception), and get three Sneak Attack Die from DWS tree, and six SA die from Shadowdancer (SD).

A focus should be on getting Fort Bypass as high as possible (over 100%), which benefits not only the sneak attack damage, but also the expanded crit range of the scimitar. This is a key of the build. With the advent of sharn content, we saw very high fort mobs and this character really, really shined in this regard.

Fort Bypass Passive Sources:

• Precision feat (25%)
• Armor-Piercing Item - The Family’s Blessing - Insightful Armor-Piercing - 16% (or 33% on Legendary Family Recruit Sigil)
• Advanced Sneak Attack (10%) - DWS core 3
• Mark of the Hunted (10%)
• Grim Precision (15%) - from SD.
• Can also Twist in Piercing Clarity (10%)
• 5% from Filigree
• Etc.

Threat reduction:

• I use the 50% threat reduction Treachery filigree, plus the inherent 20% from the Shadowdancer Shadow Training III Innate ability. This is useful to maintain sneak attack on end bosses, but also detrimental for the occasional instance you need to keep agro and be a main tank.

Entering a combat situation against trash, it usually Dark Imbuement > Dire Charge > Dance of Death > Executioner's Strike > MASS DEATH (and sometimes the mobs die too)



The end result is a highly resilient, versatile and high DPS character.

[Rakehell]

That looks like a fun build. I am going to use some of those ideas in my next reincarnation. Thanks for sharing.

[Atwan]

Synopsis:

• Build for a pure Ranger Dex based scimitar wielding TWF Tempest, laying out the basic build and playstyle tactics with commentary.
• This is a high DPS build played as an off tank with high sneak attack damage and very high fort bypass.

20 Ranger Wood Elf

Commentary:

• Wood Elf for a few reasons--bonus to Dex and no elven Con penalty, Elven Weapon Training enhancement bonus to scimitars, and I like Wood Elves (flavor).
• Pure ranger for Tempest capstone.

Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .+6. . . .4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 20. . . .+6. . . .8: DEX
Constitution. . 18. . . .+6. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . .8. . . .+6. . . 16: DEX
Wisdom. . . . . 10. . . .+6. . . 20: DEX
Charisma. . . . .8. . . .+6. . . 24: DEX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: DEX

Commentary:

• Max dex and con, two points in Int and Wis. I get all the skill points I want with the 8 Int.
• I like having Str as a dump stat, and only have to worry about Dex and Con which helps with gearing.

Skills:
Max Spot, UMD, Heal, Balance, Search

Jump to 10 (any more is a waste)
1 point in tumble

Commentary:

• Concentration skill not a priority due to having Quicken feat for healing casting. Concentration would be then left to help with scroll usage, which is limited to Res Scrolls in this build.
• With the change (nerf) to Scion of the Ethereal Plane, I don't put any points into Hide, nor move silently.

Feats:
1 Precision
3 Completionist
6 Toughness
9 Improved Crit: Slash
12 Maximize
15 Quicken
18 Dodge
21 OC
24 Epic Toughness
26 Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Blinding speed
28 Elusive target
29 Dire Charge
30 Epic Reflex
30 Scion of the Ethereal plane

Commentary:

• I value having lots of HP, thus going against the general grain with Toughness/Epic Toughness. The combo adds 82 hp at cap. Although a glass cannon, still need to be able to take some hard hits.
• Maximize vs Empowered Healing - I really value the ability to be an excellent single target healer, and I've kept tanks and whole parties up on high reaper content. He can burn through SP, but have an Epic Ring of Spell Storing, and SP pots. I also make sure I have a devotion bonus on my gear. One or the other is of value.
• Quicken - Need to get those heals off fast!
• Dodge - Can take it or leave it. I don't have any issues maximizing dodge with the help of items and enhancements, and maximizing dodge is a must on the build.
• Elusive target - Can take it or leave it, and didn't feel anything else was better.
• Dire Charge really helps as this build has no other crowd control which is a weakness that you have to be smart to work around.
• Epic Reflex - It's not about the bonus to reflex saves as it is the no fail on a 1. This guy just doesn't fail reflex saves. Love dancing in the middle of traps in reaper.
• Scion of the Ethereal plane - With the change (nerf), I'm still taking this over Scion of Arborea, though to be honest I could go either way. I like the Permanent Lesser Displacement and Ghost Touch. I like the Permanent Invisibility Guard too as it melds well with the playstyle.

Enhancements:

Tempest (to capstone):

Notable must haves for tempest:

• Shield of Whirling Steel, Tempest, Graceful Death, Deflect Arrows, Whirlwind, Dervish
• Improved Reaction III, Whirling Blades, Improved Defense III
• Improved Parry III, Whirling Blades, Sprint Boost III
• Storm Dancer, Whirling Blades
• Storm Tempest, The Growing Storm III, Whirling Blades
• Dual Perfection, Many Cuts III, Whirling Blades, Dance of Death III

Commentary:

• I take the passive Many Cuts vs the Thousand Cuts clickie because I value simplicity and not having too many buttons to click in combat.

Deepwood Stalker (at least 30 AP for the 4th core Mark of the Hunted):

• Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Exposing Strike, Advanced Sneak Attack, Mark of the Hunted
• Stealthy III (for +1 additional Sneak Attack Die), Increased Empathy I
• Survivalist, Melee/Range Power Boost III
• Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III, Favored Hunter III
• Survivalist, Killer I, Merciful Shot

Commentary:
Mark of the Hunted: Activate: Expend a use of Wild Empathy. Your currently selected enemy receives -25% Fortification, -10 Armor Class, -10 Spell Resistance, and suffers a -4 penalty to all ability scores for 3 minutes. This effect also works on bosses and Raid bosses.
Passive: Your attacks bypass an additional 10% Fortification. You also gain +2 Damage when attacking Favored Enemies.
Passive: +10 Positive Spell Power

Mark of the Hunted, for red named and bosses, lasts more than enough time and benefits the ENTIRE party.

For when you get agro, Exposing Strike DWS clickie is huge in it gives you 4 out of every 6 seconds of sneak attack and as mentioned works on named bosses.


Wood Elf:

• Elven Accuracy I, Nature I: +1 Dexterity
• Elven Weapon Training I:

I have (5) racial action points is the reason for this.

For any left over enhancement points, I pump dex and will add additional dodge in the tempest tree.


Epic Destiny:
I go Legendary, but a case can be made for Shadow-dancer


Gear:

I haven't updated my gear since last year and I'm due to re-evaluate with update 46 coming out. So consider this a placeholder...


Part of the Family Set:
Armor: Legendary Wildcard: Fort 214% - PRR 54 - Heal Amp 85 - False Life 81
Necklace: Legendary Family Recruit Sigil: True Seeing - Armor Piercing 33 - Deadly 17 - Relentless Fury
Gloves: Legendary Hammerfist: Insightful Doublestrike 11 - Seeker 21 - Insightful Deadly 8 - Cannith Combat Infusion


Head: Legendary Umber Brim: Insightful Accuracy 16 - Insightful Deception 8 - Profane well-rounded - Improved Quelling Strikes

Goggles: Legendary Collective Sight: WIS 21 - Insightful DEX 10 - Quality Resistance 4

Cloak: Legendary Cloak of the City's Champion: Parrying 10 - Insightful CON 10 - Quality PRR 13

Ring: Legendary Celestial Ruby Ring: STR 21 - Stunning 23 - Accuracy 33 - Ghostly

Wrist: Legendary Hallowed Castigator: Devotion +214 - Healing Lore +31% - INS Sheltering +27 - Improved - Emp Heal

Ring: Sigil of the Triumvirate: DEX 22 - Insightful Accuracy 17 - Insightful Deadly +8 - Sonic Absorption 53%

Belt: Slavers Crafted: Wizardry 371 - Resistance 14 - Hide 22 - DEX 4 (Quality)

Boots: Cannith Crafted: Dodge 15 - Sheltering 38 (for the MRR) - Seeker (insightful) 7

Trinket: Echo of Ravenkind: E Holy Burst - True Seeing - CON 20 - Improved Deception


Scimitars:
Nightshard
Vulkoor's Edge/The Fractured Elegance

Commentary:
I looted The Fractured Elegance and then went into a long TR cycle, so I haven't really played with it yet. I'm concerned because it's been reported the Glass Shards effect is bugged. Vulkoor's Edge is a just very nice all around weapon. And I absolutely love Nightshard.



Playstyle:
A dex based scimitar ranger is best played as an off-tank and should always be focused on positioning to do sneak attack damage.

Maximize use of items giving sneak attack damage (Deception, Insightful Deception), and get three Sneak Attack Die from DWS tree.

A focus should be on getting Fort Bypass as high as possible, which benefits not only the sneak attack damage, but also the expanded crit range of the scimitar. This is a key of the build. With the advent of sharn content, we saw very high fort mobs and this character really, really shined in this regard.

Passive Sources:
Precision feat (25%)
Armor-Piercing Item (23% cannith crafting / 28% slave lord crafting / or other items or weapons with it.
Advanced Sneak Attack (10%) - DWS core 3
Mark of the Hunted (10%)
Can also Twist in Grim Precision (15%) or Piercing Clarity (10%)
There are more I'm not thinking off.



The result is a very resilient character with arguably the most under rated dps in the game when built and played right.

This is great and I am trying to follow this build - any chance you could give me a run down of what order to do the enhancements? Also I am not a completionist and would like to know what other feat you would recommend. I have been gone for 2 years and just coming back to play.

[Assassination]

Atwan,

By level 6 you would like to have 11 pts in tempest for dex to damage, also 11 pts in dws for exposing strike. From there you will be pouring pts into tempest to get core 4, and into tier 5's at lvl 12.

Tiefling assassin blades are nice at lvl 4, they are keen, and have dex to damage. I typically use those until 7, when I switch to a pair of TOEE crafted scimmies.

No completionist, consider the dodge/mobility/spring attack line. Spring attack has a long 20's or so cool down, is helpful for entering a fight... I find it less useful endgame.

You could also take point blank shot/imp crit ranged, if you like to have a ranged option.

[Saekee]

maybe for a few AP get the extra favored enemies from Falconer and VkF for stacking damage on all of them? What do you think?

[Kielbasa]

IF you're going dex based use flow and labrynthine edge for trash. Then swap to anything with fetters and dust offhand for big meat sacks. Nightshard is great but if you have it labrynthine edge is like an upgraded version of it.

Sadly glass shards does not proc as often as it should to make fractured elegance worth using.

[Assassination]

maybe for a few AP get the extra favored enemies from Falconer and VkF for stacking damage on all of them? What do you think?

Currently I did this for the 2 extra favored enemies. If you are still taking Know the angles, you will probably not have enough pts. to do this. Also will depend on the number of racial pts you have, and

what race you are. Some races have very nice racial trees that you will spend pts in, others are more meh... Currently in human i've spent 13 pts in racial, 43 pts tempest, 31 dws, 2 vkf, and 2 falconer. I think that adds up to 91...

You can also twist a favored enemy from Primal Avatar as a tier 2 twist, but there are better twists at tier 1 and 2 for melee's I think. Anyway you can get your favored enemy damage to around + 14-18 or so, which is very nice.

[Ganak]

This is great and I am trying to follow this build - any chance you could give me a run down of what order to do the enhancements? Also I am not a completionist and would like to know what other feat you would recommend. I have been gone for 2 years and just coming back to play.

Assassination was spot on when he said:

"By level 6 you would like to have 11 pts in tempest for dex to damage, also 11 pts in dws for exposing strike. From there you will be pouring pts into tempest to get core 4, and into tier 5's at lvl 12."

Dodge/mobility/spring attack is a great alternative for Completionist (and Toughness/Epic Toughness). Dire Charge at lvl 29 fills the need for me for a burst, rapid movement ability, and I felt the Spring Attack would be redundant, though in transparency I haven't tried the new Spring Attack active ability.

"Or fit in point blank shot/imp crit ranged for a ranged option." I myself don't use a bow unless absolutely necessary, but that is me and I'm probably shortchanging the potential of the build.

[Taxidiotis]

OP,
I tried a Welf Tempest, but the lack of self-healing LoH led me back to the master race.
I suppose Castigators are helping out your CSW.
Where is your doublestrike? And you're not taking DWS Killer III?
Do you have a INT swap item for KTA? Have you considered putting in INT on Ruby Ring, instead of STR?
Where is your Deception for SA?
Do you notice lack of Quality accuracy and damage? I guess Elven tree makes up for it.
Why do you consider this build a glass cannon? It looks tough. Are you missing heals? It looks like you have a lot of PRR/MRR, Dodge, AC...Or are you running Hi Rprs? (Almost everyone is glass in R10)

I think I would like to try this out, but making gear out a little more efficient. I am concerned about dblstk, seeker, LoH, SA and INT tho.

Nice build!

[Assassination]

Taxi,

Do you still it think it's necessary to take know the angles now that the damage does not stack with insightful damage? I always disliked the swapping garbage anyway....

There is also a new trinket in the new update that has stunning/insightful stunning that would help with dire charge dc and offset the tactical dc component from KTA's.

I'm on my last racial of human now, and can say that i definetly miss the LOH from aasimar. I do like having max dex though, so I will probably go back to Wood Elf.

Aasimar is really the best racial tree though..... so we'll see... Although too much self healing doesn't leave much for the Clerics and FVS to do...I like to consider their feelings.

[Taxidiotis]

Taxi,

Do you still it think it's necessary to take know the angles now that the damage does not stack with insightful damage? I always disliked the swapping garbage anyway....

There is also a new trinket in the new update that has stunning/insightful stunning that would help with dire charge dc and offset the tactical dc component from KTA's.

I'm on my last racial of human now, and can say that i definetly miss the LOH from aasimar. I do like having max dex though, so I will probably go back to Wood Elf.

Aasimar is really the best racial tree though..... so we'll see... Although too much self healing doesn't leave much for the Clerics and FVS to do...I like to consider their feelings.

I have static (no item swap) 66 INT in reaper = Insightful Dmg 14 using KTA (which is 6 points more than gear). It also goes toward combat DCs, that I would believe tempests do not have a good source of. Unless you can show that putting the 8AP required for KTA somewhere else to make up for 6dmg and 14DCs, I would think KTA necessary.
Unless that U46 trinket insightful stunning is greater than 14, I would not believe it a BIS item. The gear tetris alone to solve for what that trinket slot removes would not be worth any real gains.
I have not seen much in U46 that would improve DEX-based tempest. i.e Those U46 artifact boots look nice, but the tetris that comes with it is prob not worth one more DEX and 5% conceal. In the end, I am sure you would lose some quality acc/dmg from WIS artifact ring, armor piercing (or saves), relentless fury; or dropping Umber Brim for Wind Howler mask. I think U46 would introduce a mess.
Affirmation+LoH has saved me a lot...giving up LoH is tough. I would need a full time mommy-copter to run mid-hi rpr. That is one way of appeasing the hjealer's fee-fees tho But I am a big fan of Welf tempest. Hope it works out.

[Atwan]

I have static (no item swap) 66 INT in reaper = Insightful Dmg 14 using KTA (which is 6 points more than gear). It also goes toward combat DCs, that I would believe tempests do not have a good source of. Unless you can show that putting the 8AP required for KTA somewhere else to make up for 6dmg and 14DCs, I would think KTA necessary.
Unless that U46 trinket insightful stunning is greater than 14, I would not believe it a BIS item. The gear tetris alone to solve for what that trinket slot removes would not be worth any real gains.
I have not seen much in U46 that would improve DEX-based tempest. i.e Those U46 artifact boots look nice, but the tetris that comes with it is prob not worth one more DEX and 5% conceal. In the end, I am sure you would lose some quality acc/dmg from WIS artifact ring, armor piercing (or saves), relentless fury; or dropping Umber Brim for Wind Howler mask. I think U46 would introduce a mess.
Affirmation+LoH has saved me a lot...giving up LoH is tough. I would need a full time mommy-copter to run mid-hi rpr. That is one way of appeasing the hjealer's fee-fees tho But I am a big fan of Welf tempest. Hope it works out.

Ok which TOEE scimmy should i use for this build? i have the named one from the quest. If i am going to craft one of them too what do i put on it?

[Taxidiotis]

Ok which TOEE scimmy should i use for this build? i have the named one from the quest. If i am going to craft one of them too what do i put on it?

I would not use a TOEE scimmy, but if you have to go with one; Epic Leopards Chill. I messed around with it. Great for mob, but ending up abandoning it for bigger/better BDR scimmies like Frac Ele or Niteshard.

[Ganak]

Updated OP with Update 46 gear added in, and some polish overall.

[Taxidiotis]

Updated OP with Update 46 gear added in, and some polish overall.

I'm sure you will feel the lack of dps without a doublestrike item (or insightful/quality seeker! or Quality Deadly *smh tisk tisk*).

Why the silver tongue ring? Are you only using it for improved deception? Insightful deception is already on Umber Brim; and you are not assassinating (or are you?). The only net gain is improved deception, which the Sapphire ring has with extra stuffs to boot. (or abandon imp. dec. as I cannot ever tell its even working). You could put CON on Sapphire ring and dump dragon belt for something prettier say maybe Belt of Sure Strikes (since you need the MRR & Seeker anyway...oooh and some added stun DCs, too! With Q Accuracy for those pesky glancing blows!).

Why the push for WIS on a WElf? Because you do not have a Resist(Will) item?

City Champ cloak is such a prude...nice shiny insightful CON...rest is crapola. But everyone has to scream for more HP. Try the Balanced Cloak with crafted Q-CON; its a total net loss of 3 CON if you slot a +2CON augment, which is a good trade-off for the seeker and parry (IF... HP is your concern. My take is, if Lynabelle wanted us to have HP on a DPS tempest, her will would grant it to us! If not, thank her anyway and we still are obliged to pump out a DPS tempest, no exceptions).

As previously mentioned, those artifact boots look tasty, but they completely mess your up your tetris style in a negative way. They may be useful in later updates...
I believe you previously mentioned you nixed KtA...is that still so? Ever thought of gearing around Bloodsigil Ring artifact? It's pretty handsome. Don't get me wrong, tetris will still be your favorite game...but I think they may do better that the boots. I am currently trying to fit the ring in...but I also cry and have autistic fits.

Bravo on the Ironclad wrists, those are awesome and could probably keep you alive with only WElf's CMW/CSW/Cacoon/etc

Now for the bloodletting for the rest of aspiring Sexy Dexys that may be following this post...As-is OP, I would never advertise this gear-out as "high-end dps". I am not stating that to be demeaning or to diminish your efforts(which I laud), but simply an objective fact.

But keep going!
*Cue Tetris theme song*

[Ganak]

Why the silver tongue ring? Are you only using it for improved deception? Insightful deception is already on Umber Brim; and you are not assassinating (or are you?).

Yes Using assassinate (Executioner's Strike and Consume) and the ring adds +13 assassinate, and slotting the ring solely for this.



Love the idea about CON on Sapphire ring and going with the Belt of Sure Strikes. Also the cloak idea makes sense, as the City Champ cloak is just about the +10 con. I'm going to re-evaluate and I haven't committed to a final gear set as just finished a long TR cycle.


Certainly miss doublestrike, but not sure of a path forward to include it...

Tetris theme song indeed.


I put 2 points in Wis as don't feel I need another 2 points in INT. Will saves do suck on this build.

KTA I'm still undecided. Does it add to assassinate or just tactical feats?

Thanks Taxi, awesome feedback!

[Taxidiotis]

KTA I'm still undecided. Does it add to assassinate or just tactical feats?

I get it, I forgot you're running SD. I do not believe assassinate is considered tactical (but that has never stopped SSG from applying it even with no description added in the mouse-over display icon).
My gut tells me KtA does not add DCs to assassinate. I'm sure a helpful rogue can confirm this.

A much wiser player once told me..."don't fight the game". If tempests were meant to assassinate, they would be given abilities to do so in trees/feats/etc. If your goal is to assassinate, I believe you should start a rogue. Trying to get pure-builds to do something that is outside their scope only diminishes the output of the purity, and will never equal the output of it's alternate origin. I'm sure there are some exceptions (before the tanks of DDO fly in here and smash my teeth in). In this instance the former sentiment prevails.

Further, tempests do get SA abilities that I definitely recommend including in any tempest build.

Of course this is all subjective...if you tell me (in your best Gomer Pyle voice) "...but I wanna assassinate with my tempest because I enjoy the fun!", then disregard all above suggestion(s). Enjoying your game will always trump suggestive superiority. You can take that to the bank! And I will respectfully bow out of the conversation (and quietly roll my eyes at the absurd ).

[Arlathen]

Yes Using assassinate (Executioner's Strike and Consume) and the ring adds +13 assassinate, and slotting the ring solely for this.



Love the idea about CON on Sapphire ring and going with the Belt of Sure Strikes. Also the cloak idea makes sense, as the City Champ cloak is just about the +10 con. I'm going to re-evaluate and I haven't committed to a final gear set as just finished a long TR cycle.


Certainly miss doublestrike, but not sure of a path forward to include it...

Tetris theme song indeed.


I put 2 points in Wis as don't feel I need another 2 points in INT. Will saves do suck on this build.

KTA I'm still undecided. Does it add to assassinate or just tactical feats?

Thanks Taxi, awesome feedback!

Personally, I would swap the Family Recruit Sigil necklace for the raid version, Family's Blessing. Fixes the Doublestrike issue at a cost of some lost Armour Piercing, which tbh I think you can manage considering the sheer amount you have. You'll also get Quality Assassinate +2 out of it.

[Assassination]

KTA does not apply to assassinate dc's. I think it currently stacks with insightful stun and trip items, but that may be adjusted with the coming update 46patch2.

I'm currently running a "Strength" based aasimar tempest to see how well i can do with tactics endgame.

Those new dex boots are really attractive for a dex bases tempest, i was able to fit them in on my last playthrough to cap on an assassin, but i do think if "dps" is your main concern then there are better artifacts to be had.

That intelligence ring artifact seems kind of awesome, quality tactics, quality deadly, and qual deception... that's some damage! and a nice boost to kta if you are using it.

Update 46patch2 note: apparently glass shards on our scimmie's is going to actually do something now... very nice.

[Ganak]

Updated gear set and minor tweaks...