Build advice for returning player

[SylvanPhoenix]

Hey everyone,

After a long hiatus, I'm coming back to DDO. I stopped playing in 2013 and my main is level 25 horc 18 barb/2 fighter 32 point toon. I'm looking for some advice on how I should adjust my build. The build was originally a THF horc DPS barb. I'd also like some advice on what to do with epic destinies. I can post my current gear but my expectation is that I'll just need to start working towards new stuff.

I don't plan to solo too much and I do enjoy running raids. Without playing any reaper runs, I'd like to have a viable character for them within reason of where my gear is. Thanks!

Cheers,
Sylvan

[SylvanPhoenix]

I should add that I have a +20 and +5 lesser heart of wood in my inventory so I can change my build significantly but my gear is centered around THF barb builds of yesteryear.

[C-Dog]

First build in this thread should be a solid model. 9 AP in Dwarf to Horc (or wherever).

o https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post6236501

The "Zoda" build was a gold standard for many years, not sure how much (if anything) has changed: https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5504830

[SylvanPhoenix]

Great, thanks! Zoda's build is not far from what I have. Sounds like the 2 levels of fighter aren't worth it anymore.

On epic destinies, I originally took a lot of Legendary Dreadnought with twists. Sounds like twists are gone and barbs should take Fury of the Wild. Any recommendations on non-Fury of the Wild destinies I should take?

[C-Dog]

Great, thanks! Zoda's build is not far from what I have. Sounds like the 2 levels of fighter aren't worth it anymore.

I would hazard that that depends on what you are doing with the build!

If you are taking Fighter 1 early (Level 2-3), for 4 AP you can get the Kensai +8 to hit/+8 damage boost, which is just crazy powerful in lowbie Heroics, so leveling to ~around~ 8 or so (depending on your damage) is a cakewalk (and after that becomes weak you can respec to a +30% Attack Speed boost). If all you're doing is going to 20 and TR'ing, this might well make the overall process a lot faster!

Otoh, if you're going to 30, then, yes, the Core 20 might be better overall for the power it gives for 20-30. Doubly so if you're planning on parking there for a while.

A good Heroic TR build can be very diff from a good ER build.

[SylvanPhoenix]

I would hazard that that depends on what you are doing with the build!

If you are taking Fighter 1 early (Level 2-3), for 4 AP you can get the Kensai +8 to hit/+8 damage boost, which is just crazy powerful in lowbie Heroics, so leveling to ~around~ 8 or so (depending on your damage) is a cakewalk (and after that becomes weak you can respec to a +30% Attack Speed boost). If all you're doing is going to 20 and TR'ing, this might well make the overall process a lot faster!

Otoh, if you're going to 30, then, yes, the Core 20 might be better overall for the power it gives for 20-30. Doubly so if you're planning on parking there for a while.

A good Heroic TR build can be very diff from a good ER build.

For sure. Since he's 25, my plan is to work my way to 30 and then TR. Thus I'll need a viable epic build. I'm thinking my first goal will be to level up and collect gear for higher epic content. I looked over what I have and none of it is what folks are mentioning in builds. That makes sense as that was 8 years ago, lol! I don't plan to do much soloing. I do like raids and being a good party member so I'd want a dps bar build that will help groups in tougher content.

From the reading I've done so far, I probably don't want to do much with reaper level runs until I get better gear so one thing that would be helpful is to know what my immediate goals for gear should be for a lvl 25. I do like THF style.

I'd say the other goal is to be smart with my lesser hearts of wood. I've got a +5 and +20. Would I want to slightly tweak the build right now and then do another LR later on when I get specific gear? I'd hate to use up my +20 lesser heart to make a build that I realize isn't helping me much and have to redo it.

A lot's changed in the game so I've spent most of my free time reading up on it. I really appreciate the advice!