Scoundrel Artificer

[Kayze]

Hello. If I wanted to get a tiefling scoundrel + artificer life out of the way, what would be the least painful way of finishing it? Melee? Ranged? Caster?

[Drekisen]

As someone who plays Artificer almost exclusively, I really do not see much in the way of the Scoundrel racial tree that will benefit you much in any of those three. So I would personally go Renegade Mastermaker/Harper and pretty much ditch the racial tree entirely.

Renegade will give you a lot of survivability and Harper gives a nice boost to Int, skills, and to hit and damage.

Construct Essence and Improved Construct Essence, both you can already have because Iconics jump right to 15 also gives you almost free self healing, as the Reconstruct SLA is available in Renegade at tier 4 and Regenerating Construct at tier 5.

Weapon choice is up to you but I stick with the THF feats and Greatswords.

[C-Dog]

Hello. If I wanted to get a tiefling scoundrel + artificer life out of the way, what would be the least painful way of finishing it? Melee? Ranged? Caster?

Arti can be strong at any of these builds. So the issue becomes 2 part...

1) The first part is purely personal - what part of an arti or leveling do you consider "painful"?

2) The second part is to find synergy between Scoundrel and Arti - and there could be something, altho' rather small (and I'm theory crafting here, so bear with me)...

Scoundrel racial gives mainly Fire and Sonic spellpower boosts - so very little there for an Arti to work with. (Some spells fall into that by accident, yes, but it's not their bread and butter, Electric.)

Dashing Weapons chain of enhancements adds up to +6 damage & +2 Sneak Attack Dice to "Shortsword, Rapier, Hand Axe, Light Hammer and Light Crossbow". Of these, Light Crossbow jumps out for use with Inquisitive (and most agree that Inquis > repeaters, even for an Arti.)

The other possible synergy would be Light Hammer with the Battle Engineer melee chain. However, LH implies a 2-weapon fighting sort of build (rather than single weapon, which would go Bastard Sword), and I can't speak to that - Arti + Ranger 6, +...?

But all of this theory begs the question - is +6 damage & +2 SA, plus whatever else comes from the TS racial chain, worth the 17 AP expenditure? Or is it better to (mostly) ignore TS and just stick with a standard Arti/X build as presented? (And I'd kinda lean toward guessing the latter...)

And if we do that, ignoring the race, that brings "caster" back into the running. :/


Don't know what you're preferences are, so here are some samples for non-Inquis Arti:

o Classic ranged pure (it's "old", but very little has changed w/ Arti) https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showth...=1#post4619310
o melee pure (same caveat) https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showth...=1#post5882447
o pure caster ('21) https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showth...=1#post6410664

However...

o Discussion of why Inquis > Repeater

... so, barring personal playstyle preferences, if you have Inquis, that's almost certainly the answer, plain and simple.

And once we go down the Inquisitive rabbit hole, there are multitudes of arguments for "best" build - some are highest DPS, others add survivability, others add party or solo considerations - in short, there is no one simple "best". One of the simplest would be Rogue/Arti/Ranger* Inquis build - but once you focus on Inquis you almost can't go wrong with whatever. Some use Inquis for Sorcerer PL's, so... yeah.

(* Ranger 6 for Sniper Shot, so typically either Arti 12/Ranger 6/Rogue 2 (just enough for Evasion) or Arti 8/Ranger 6/Rog 6, but there are other possibilities, including Heavy Armor builds, and/or adding Fighter and/or Barbarian (among others). Ymmv.)

AP split:

~41-42 in Inquis
+11(+) in DWS (Sniper Shot)
+11(+) in Mech (Int to Damage) (or 11 in Harper, OR 8 AP for KtA and use Insightful Damage spell for Int to Dam.)

...and the rest wherever, LOTS to choose from!

o some discussion re "best" Inquis build

[Kayze]

Thanks for the replies!

So to answer some points and to raise some more questions:

• I think artificer's cooldowns are really long and I really dislike ranged gameplay (but I see tons of inquisitor builds). I want to get at least some aoe in there from either strikethrough or spells, but if inquisitor really is the easiest I can make do.
• Is melee gameplay terrible in epics or is that only in higher reapers?
• I do not want to spend a Heart of Wood +1 to get rid of bard so what do I do with the bard level? I thought about going 16/4 so I can at least get blur and rage from level 2 bard spells.
• Is there another splash that I can throw in that could present another viable route in epics? (e.g. throw in 9 levels of warlock)

[C-Dog]

I think artificer's cooldowns are really long and I really dislike ranged gameplay (but I see tons of inquisitor builds). I want to get at least some aoe in there from either strikethrough or spells, but if inquisitor really is the easiest I can make do.

Inquis cooldowns (and warm ups!) are shorter, but they're still there. If you don't love ranged, then go with the melee version (1-handed or 2-handed weapon), it's another favorite.

[*]Is melee gameplay terrible in epics or is that only in higher reapers?

I don't run melee as a rule, but I've seen melee crush high epics (E or low-R).

I think the answer may be - what do you currently have the better gear for?

[*]I do not want to spend a Heart of Wood +1 to get rid of bard so what do I do with the bard level? I thought about going 16/4 so I can at least get blur and rage from level 2 bard spells.

Ah, awkward... I know you said you don't love Ranged, but there is Ranged love in the Bard trees, so, with their Buffs added in, a heavy split (maybe w/ Barb 1 tossed in) could work fine. A Lvl 9 Bard can boast Displacement, Haste & Good Hope, which is a solid boost to any build.

Alternately, Bard should be able to lend Swashbuckling spice to any single-weapon build - maybe the answer lies in that direction? Bard/Arti(/X?) melee is non-standard, but could be more than strong enough.

(One problem is "armor" - you'd have to find a solution between a Renegade Mastermaker's heavy armor and a Bard's spell casting - but doable?)

Is there another splash that I can throw in that could present another viable route in epics? (e.g. throw in 9 levels of warlock)

Pardon the quibble, but soime would consider 9 levels to be something more than a "splash".

If it were Heroics, I'd say "Yes, Warlock 9 is more than strong enough to carry a build to 20" - but to 30??? No experience with trying, but I wouldn't want to bet on it unless someone can swear to it. :/

[C-Dog]

(Now I'm wondering if you could get Cha to Hit/Damage, and go the Warchanter Freezing strikes route? That would get you Medium armor. Big question is if the AP's would stretch that far. )

[Drekisen]

Is this something you want to make long term viable or are you just knocking out two past lives, because honestly once you hit epic, capping to 30 is easy even on a not so ideal build, just do Orchard, Saltmarsh, Feywild, Barovia, and possibly Cogs slayer.

With a pot going and a full group it goes really fast, run bordelands N/H and then E if you need to at 30 to get 42 Heart Seeds in less than 2 hours and your done.

[Kayze]

Is this something you want to make long term viable or are you just knocking out two past lives, because honestly once you hit epic, capping to 30 is easy even on a not so ideal build, just do Orchard, Saltmarsh, Feywild, Barovia, and possibly Cogs slayer.

With a pot going and a full group it goes really fast, run bordelands N/H and then E if you need to at 30 to get 42 Heart Seeds in less than 2 hours and your done.

Just knocking out the lives

If we go with a melee + aoe mindset, perhaps a frenzied swashbuckler 12/5/3 artificer/barbarian/bard:

Devil with a Handaxe
12/5/3 Artificer/Barbarian/Bard
True Neutral Tiefling Scoundrel


Level Order

1. Bard. . . . . . 6. Barbarian. . . 11. Artificer. . . 16. Artificer
2. Barbarian . . . 7. Barbarian. . . 12. Bard. . . . . .17. Artificer
3. Barbarian . . . 8. Artificer . . .13. Artificer . . .18. Artificer
4. Barbarian . . . 9. Artificer . . .14. Artificer . . .19. Artificer
5. Artificer. . . 10. Artificer. . . 15. Bard. . . . . .20. Artificer


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 14. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . .8. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 16. . . 12: INT
Intelligence. . 18. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . 12. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . 10. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . 28: INT

Skills
. . . . .Bd Bn Bn Bn Ar Bn Bn Ar Ar Ar Ar Bd Ar Ar Bd Ar Ar Ar Ar Ar
. . . . . 1 .2. 3 .4. 5. 6 .7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 .5 . . 1. 5. . .2 .6 .1 .1 .1 .23
Disable . . . . . . . 8. 1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. . .2 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Search. . . .1. 2 .½. . .½. 2 .5 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. . .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .23
Spot. . . . . . 1 .2½ . .1½ 1. 3. 3. 1. 1. . .2 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Balance . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11. . . . 3 . . . .2½ 1½ 1 .23
UMD . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . 4. 5. 1. . .2 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. . .1 .22
Tumble. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . 11
Jump. . . 4 .1. 1 .1. . .2. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . 10
Haggle. . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. 3. 10
Intim . . . .5. 1 .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Perform . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Concent . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Spellcr . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Bluff . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Diplo . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .40 .8. 8 .8. 8. 8 .8. 9. 9. 9. 9 11. 9. 9 11 10 10 10 10 10


Feats

.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.3. . . . : Power Attack
.6. . . . : Cleave
.9. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
10 Arti . : Construct Essence
12. . . . : Quicken Spell
15. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
16 Arti . : Improved Critical: Slashing
18. . . . : Offhand Versatility
20 Arti . : Improved Construct Essence
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
22 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
24 Epic . : Burst of Glacial Wrath
25 Destiny: Elusive Target
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Deific Warding
30 Epic . : Epic Fortitude
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea


Spells

Artificer
Ablative Armor (5), Resistance (5), Shield of Faith (8), Resist Energy (19)
Toughen Construct (9), Reinforce Construct (10), Lucky Cape (16)
Insightful Damage (13), Flame Turret (14), Stoneskin (19)
Armor of Speed (17), Protection from Elements (18)
Tenser's Transformation (20)
Bard
Expeditious Retreat (1), Sonic Blast (12), Merfolk's Blessing (15)

Enhancements (Spent: 80 +1r +1u / Max: 80 +1r +1u AP)

Frenzied Berserker (33 AP)
Die Hard, Frenzied Toughness
Extra Rage III, Cracking Attack III
Body Blow III, Blood Tribute III, Sprint Boost III
Blood Trail III, Supreme Cleave III, Constitution
Crazy Strike III, Constitution
Focused Wrath II, Healing or Hurt: Raging Blows
Renegade Mastermaker (31 AP)
Renegade Defender, Alchemical Shield, Cure Serious Admixture, Constructive Conduit
Easily Fixed, Toughness III
Kinetic Discharge III, Mighty Slam I, Armor Mastery III
Reinforced Armor III, Shielding Construct, Stat: Intelligence
Kinetic Charge, Reconstruct III, Warding Construct, Stat: Intelligence
Harper Agent (10 AP)
Agent of Good I, Ability Score: Intelligence
Strategic Combat, Awareness II
Know the Angles III
Swashbuckler (6 AP)
Confidence, Swashbuckling
On Your Toes I, Blow By Blow: Melee III
Tiefling Scoundrel (1 AP)
Bloodsong I
Warchanter (1 AP)
Skaldic: Constitution
Leveling Guide
Tiefling Scoundrel: Bloodsong I
Frenzied Berserker: Die Hard, Frenzied Toughness
Extra Rage III, Cracking Attack III
Body Blow III, Blood Tribute III, Sprint Boost III
Blood Trail III, Supreme Cleave III, Constitution
Crazy Strike III, Constitution
Focused Wrath II, Healing or Hurt: Raging Blows
Harper Agent: Agent of Good I
Strategic Combat, Awareness II
Know the Angles III
Warchanter: Skaldic: Constitution
Renegade Mastermaker: Renegade Defender, Alchemical Shield
Easily Fixed, Toughness III
Kinetic Discharge III
Swashbuckler: Confidence
On Your Toes I, Blow By Blow: Melee III15. Swa0 Swashbuckling; RM2 Mighty Slam I; RM3 Shielding Construct; RM0 Cure Serious Admixture
16. RM3 Reinforced Armor I, II, III
17. RM3 Intelligence; RM2 Armor Mastery I, II, III
18. RM4 Reconstruct I, II
19. RM4 Reconstruct III; RM4 Kinetic Charge
20. RM4 Intelligence; RM0 Constructive Conduit; RM4 Warding Construct


Destinies (Spent: 52 (40 +12pdp) / Max: 52 (40 +12pdp) AP)

Legendary Dreadnaught (33 AP)
Fearless, Weaponmaster, Thick Skinned
Push Through The Line III, Dread Mantle
Extra Action Boosts III, Combat Brute
Strike Twice III, Epic Power & Precision III, Armor of Dusk III
Carry On, Strike with Fear, Kick While They're Down III, Untouchable
Overpower: Lacerator, Legendary Rally: Melee, Dusk Surge
Shadowdancer (11 AP)
Shadow Training, Step Through Shadow, The Darkest Luck
Cover of Darkness II, Technician III
Lithe III
Fatesinger (8 AP)
Fatesinger's Repertoire, Intoxicating Presence
Epic Strike: The Sword Sings, Harmonic Resonance
Discord: Blade of Discord

And then for non-raid equipment, maybe:

• Eye:Epic Raven's Sight
• Head:Epic Memories of Insight
• Neck:Epic Wolf Whistle
• Trinket:Epic Bloodstone
• Body:Epic Tourney Armor
• Back:Epic Cape of the Roc
• Wrist:Epic Bracers of Deftness
• Waist:Epic Spare Hand
• Finger1:Epic Seal of the Earth
• Feet:Epic Boots of the Mire
• Hand:Epic Raven's Talons
• Finger2:Epic Ring of the Mire
• Weapon:Epic Sworn Silver Hand Axe

Thoughts? How would this do in epics?

[Drekisen]

Seems doable, though I rarely multi-class so you would want a better opinion than mine.

What about the THF line and Bastard Swords, seems like you would get more melee damage that way