Ganak Goblinjuicer - All Dwarf - 20 Pure Fighter
What follows is my humble attempt at a Kensei/Vanguard, circa late 2020.
This build post is a living work in progress, and I am getting the barebones build up first and will work to add detail.
A Ramble of a Preamble:
True story: In beta I first rolled up Ganak, SO excited for the first D&D MMO. Life pulled me away from PNP in my mid-teens and DDO was a path to recapture a part of my youth I felt I missed. I logged in, super stoked, and after 30 seconds screen went blank. Exited, logged back in, good for 30 seconds, then screen blank again. And so on. I played for an hour this way in 30 second snippets. Bad power supply, (upgraded prior to launch), but was hooked and have played Ganak since then, now one of two characters I play (RIP Alts).
I've been a fan of the works of RA Salvatore for 30 years and counting, and even had the chance to meet Bob. Ganak has always been in the image of a Delzoun dwarf; gonna bury in like a tick on a dog. Fans will recognize the influences to the name and what this build hopes to achieve.
Since beta, Ganak has primarily been S&B, through thick and thin (lots of thin), minus a few foray's into THF. I'm lucky that through practice I've achieved some level of competency to be a contributor, and more so that many great players let me tag along.
Acknowledgements:
- Must send a nod to Strim for his excellent build which re-enthused me for S&B a few years back. He's a tremendous player and person: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ghter-Vanguard
- Also a shoutout to Ballrus for his influential build: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...Vanguard-build
Cautions and Design Goals:
- This build intends to be a min/max within the concept of a furious dwarf with a dwarven axe, shield and an appetite for destruction.
- This is not an attempt to build the best x, y or z. In fact, I expect to make improvements based off generous feedback given here.
- I make no claims as to the effectiveness of this build as compared to other classes or playstyles.
- I aspire to help people who may find interest in this playstyle, and hope to see them put their own personal touch and improvements.
- This is a build intended for end game and high reaper. This build is not optimized for the leveling process.
- This is not an easy character to play, especially from a self-healing standpoint. Saves are not great (they stink).
- This character is not a tank, but will be mistaken for one.
- Not a solo build.
- This is a high tactics build, allowing crowd control on the battefield, and mitigating the fact that, well, you're not a tank.
Why Vanguard Now?
The addition of Strikethrough and changes to hand and a half weapons were a huge, huge boon to this build. The ability to hit (3) mobs with a stunning blow, then chop them all down all at once is superb.
I view this build as a combination of all styles: THF, SWF (by virtue of 15% Combat Style bonus to Melee Attack Speed) and TWF (having the passive shield bash go off once per second).
Also, as of late August 2020 per U47 Lam preview, it appears shields are getting a significant boost (Many shields have had their dice W scalar and base dice increased in epic levels) so hopefully there will be more options for dps shields than just The Legendary Best Defense.
Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 18. . . .+8. . . .4: STR
Dexterity . . . 10. . . .+7. . . .8: STR
Constitution. . 20. . . .+8. . . 12: STR
Intelligence. . 10. . . .+7. . . 16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . .+7. . . 20: STR
Charisma. . . . .8. . . .+7. . . 24: STR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... . .28: STR
Commentary:
- Outside maxing Str and Con, put the rest of the points wherever you like. 10 Int gives me the skill points I want, but could easily go 8 Int and go with 10 wis for the extra will save.
Skills:
Max: UMD, Heal, Balance
Jump to 10 (any more is a waste)
1 point in tumble
I have left over points and put some more into jump and swim.
Commentary:
- I've thought about taking intim just to grab kiting mobs, but then would need to invest in intim gear and meh.
Feats:
1. Toughness & Stunning Blow
2. THF
3. Completionist
4. Improved Shield Bash
6. Shield Mastery & ITHF
8. Improved Shield Mastery
9. IC: Slash
10. Precision
12. WF: Slash & GTHF
14. WS: Slash
15. GWF: Slash
16. Tactical Supremacy
18. Tactical Mastery & Heavy Armor Champion
20. GWS: Slash
21. OC
24. Epic Toughness
26. PTHF
27. Blinding Speed
28. PTWF
29. Dire Charge
30. Heavy Armor Master & Scion of Arborea
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.
- Alternatives to Completionist would include Heavy Armor Combatant or Tactical Combatant. Magical Training is also one to consider for extra SP and Echoes of Power for Cocoon.
- Of course, all (4) THF feats are a must (resulting in 170% strikethrough).
- The level 30 selection of Heavy Armor Master (+9 PRR and MRR) is more a reflection that I didn't find any of the other epic feats to carry more benefit. Would love to hear suggestions.
Enhancements: (will flush out at a future time)
Kensei (41 points):
- All cores (Kensei Focus: Axes)
- Weapon Group Specialization: Axes, Extra Action Boost III, Haste Boost III
- Weapon Group Specialization: Axes, Tactics III,
- Weapon Group Specialization: Axes, Strength
- Weapon Group Specialization: Axes, Strength, Liquid Courage, Strike at the Heart
- All tier 5's
Vanguard (31 points):
- First (5) cores
- Shield Specialization I, Armor Training II
- Shield Specialization II, Brutality III, Stunning Shield, Missile Shield III
- Shield Specialization III, Fatal Bulwark, Strength, Follow Up I
- Shield Specialization IV, Strength
Falconry (8 points):
- Completely and only investing in Falconry for the sprint boost. How can you be a Vanguard running behind everyone??? In fact, I really believe the Vanguard tree should have an option for Sprint Boost.
Dwarf (6 points - because I have 12 racial past lives and a +1 racial tome, and then after all the above I have 1 point left over and use it for an extra Dwarven Toughness 10 hp):
- Dwarven Toughness
- Dwarven Constitution
- Dwarven Weapon Training
- Dwarven Toughness
Commentary:
- Tier 5 Vanguard abilites do not compare to the dps boost you get from going Tier 5 Kensai. Not even close. Shield Rush is easily replaced by Dire Charge which is better.
- If you don't need sprint boost, can invest in Stalwart Defender or racials or something else.
Epic Destiny:
Legendary Dreadnaught
Twists:
- Martial Hymn
- Meld Into Darkness
- A Dance of Flowers
- Rejuvenation Cocoon
- First Harmonic Chord
Gear: Coming Soon (going to evaluate once U47 hits).
Playstyle:
- At higher reaper, while you can take a hit or two, but have to be careful and best to not have agro. I enjoy high reaper without a healer (in a group) but have to be very, very careful and strategic. Lose focus or bite off too much and you're in soul stone timeout.
- Stun, stun, more stun, and trip. Control the battlefield. If it can be stunned, it will be stunned. Stunning Shield is awesome, and I think works on everything, and highly effective with reapers. I do try to conserve it somewhat as it's a great get out of jail free ability. Ttrip is effective depending on the mob, though not to the level of the stunning blow and shield.
- I do not utilize any hate/incite gear, as gaining agro isn't the goal, killing stuff quickly is.
More updates to come, but wanted to get the barebones out.
And remember...the true meta of DDO is: Player > Build.
Play how you want to play, however you want to play.
Thank you for your time and look forward to feedback!