Advice on Art/Fvs split.

[Malkariss]

Hello again all!
My beautiful wife wanted to jump into hardcore and so I am working on a new toon to run with her. She loves playing AA ranger and because she isn't super experienced with the game I am trying to take on trapper/healer/tank roles on in one toon. Was considering a 2 art / 18 fvs or 2/17/ 1 fighter split for heavy armor and extra feat. Most art/fvs builds I see go inquisitor but with the wife already playing ranged I was looking for some suggestions on how I can go into a wis based melee build that is strong enough to survive elite heroic quest. Any advice on a build path or should I really just go inquisitor??

[rabidfox]

The 2nd level of arti for the rune arm; which when using crossbows is the only thing that can ever be equipped in your off-hand. If running melee, you'd have either 2-handed weapon, or off-hand orb/shield as options, so needing a runearm isn't a 'must have' for stat boosting/set bonuses. If she's used to ranged, she might like sticking with it as melee + hardcore could be a steep learning curve to the tricks of being at close range fighting. You might also consider 2 arti/15 FvS/ 3 Fight as a split. Going /3 fight gives another bonus feat and you can spec to the defense line for 20% more HP. I will say it's a tight split with no tomes as you're needing enough DEX for IPS at level 15, Int for trapping, Wis for spot/damage to weapon attacks.

[Malkariss]

The 2nd level of arti for the rune arm; which when using crossbows is the only thing that can ever be equipped in your off-hand. If running melee, you'd have either 2-handed weapon, or off-hand orb/shield as options, so needing a runearm isn't a 'must have' for stat boosting/set bonuses. If she's used to ranged, she might like sticking with it as melee + hardcore could be a steep learning curve to the tricks of being at close range fighting. You might also consider 2 arti/15 FvS/ 3 Fight as a split. Going /3 fight gives another bonus feat and you can spec to the defense line for 20% more HP. I will say it's a tight split with no tomes as you're needing enough DEX for IPS at level 15, Int for trapping, Wis for spot/damage to weapon attacks.

She is doing ranged playing straight ranger to 20. Im doing the art/fvs split but wasn't sure if I went melee if I should look to use a shield or stay with rune arm and a one handed melee weapon.

[rabidfox]

She is doing ranged playing straight ranger to 20. Im doing the art/fvs split but wasn't sure if I went melee if I should look to use a shield or stay with rune arm and a one handed melee weapon.

Given it's hardcore, if you go melee, might be better off with 2x rogue for evasion instead of arti (being able to evade a trap is a bigger deal there than on live). I'd only go with 2 arti for an inquisitive build where there's no other offhand options.

[slarden]

What are your goals for the season? Based on what you said it sounds like maybe level 20 and 1750 favor? For 5k favor or reaper rewards you probably want a full group this season - the champs are much tougher than live.

Based on what you said I would go pure gnome arti and specialize in the Renegade Mastermaker Tree: https://ddowiki.com/page/Renegade_Ma...r_enhancements

This will give you alot of hp and 3 cure wounds admixture slas that can be fully meta'd for very cheap and effective healing. Fit in the metamagic to beef up these slas (maximize and quicken are first priority). Plus everything is centered around int - trapping, dps (harper tree) and spells.

In terms of dps, I would just go with a repeater and rune arm and supplement it with some spells - dipping in the harper, gnome and other trees. Repeater requires very little investment to be effective - inquisitive is more dps at higher levels but going with repeater allows you to invest more in other areas since you need to fill so many roles. The rune arm blast is really good aoe and with a high int and a small investment in DC gear your offensive spells will be effective as well. Gnome lets you boost the crit relatively cheaply with a light repeater while giving you some other goodies in the tree.

A quick warning - the champions this season are very unforgiving - if you are looking to go to 20 and get 1750 favor run level 1 and 2 quests on elite and run 3+ on normal and you will get both rewards without having to worry about the new champ types. If you are going to run hard+ I would study up on the new champs so you are prepared. For example not taking a fear removal potion could kill you against one champ type.

[Malkariss]

What are your goals for the season? Based on what you said it sounds like maybe level 20 and 1750 favor? For 5k favor or reaper rewards you probably want a full group this season - the champs are much tougher than live.

Based on what you said I would go pure gnome arti and specialize in the Renegade Mastermaker Tree: https://ddowiki.com/page/Renegade_Ma...r_enhancements

This will give you alot of hp and 3 cure wounds admixture slas that can be fully meta'd for very cheap and effective healing. Fit in the metamagic to beef up these slas (maximize and quicken are first priority). Plus everything is centered around int - trapping, dps (harper tree) and spells.

In terms of dps, I would just go with a repeater and rune arm and supplement it with some spells - dipping in the harper, gnome and other trees. Repeater requires very little investment to be effective - inquisitive is more dps at higher levels but going with repeater allows you to invest more in other areas since you need to fill so many roles. The rune arm blast is really good aoe and with a high int and a small investment in DC gear your offensive spells will be effective as well. Gnome lets you boost the crit relatively cheaply with a light repeater while giving you some other goodies in the tree.

A quick warning - the champions this season are very unforgiving - if you are looking to go to 20 and get 1750 favor run level 1 and 2 quests on elite and run 3+ on normal and you will get both rewards without having to worry about the new champ types. If you are going to run hard+ I would study up on the new champs so you are prepared. For example not taking a fear removal potion could kill you against one champ type.

This was super insightful and helpful. Thanks so much.