Nine Lives Artificer for HCL

[jskinner937]

Introducing my current 5k HC favor build. I call it Nine Lives on account of that it is a kitty cat and has many ways to avoid death. The build concept centers around the 9 key lives of survivability and the ability to solo in HCL.

Life#1 Blood Tribute - This is both a HP Buffer and Heal throughout the quest. Leave it up all the time and refresh when expires or is depleted. It is important to have CON starting high and wear as much CON items as possible. Also watch your CON damage, carry poison, disease and restore pots and rest often to remove BT CON damage. Other Temp HPs - House P Buffs +20 and Farm a Demonheart Augment from Isel of Dread for another +30 when hit, on top of +150HPs from Blood Tribute. This is not really exclusive to the build, but it is certainly a key feature.

Life#2 Speed - Barbarian +10% full time, later, another stacking 10% full time from Rune Arm Exp, Retreat 50% (farm boots in Borderlands) and Feline Agility upgrade and 1 rank of Sprint Boost make you faster than any monster (and characters) in quests. You never know when you must run away and frankly I am addicted to run speed in this game. I don't really kite, but it helps with that as well if that's your style.

Life#3 Evasion - From Tabaxi Tree and with a decent reflex save.

Life#4 Defensive Roll - I have never had this trigger yet, but it is there just in case you let blood tribute expire and get a crit. Again with a decent reflex save, this feat is pretty great for those situations.

Life#5 Ranged - Things tend to die before thy even get to you. I prefer to stay stationary and build up stacks of archer focus unlike most kiting ranged builds. This really helps with overall damage and you do not annoy the non-ranged players in your group if you are not soloing. Additionally, pulling mobs in pieces from afar is always better from a survivable perspective than rushing in guns a blazing.

Life#6 Working Saves - Fort save is kind of important later as there are a ton of mobs with disintegrate which bypasses MRR. You still should rely on Deathblock for IKs. Obviously reflex save is pretty instrumental considering this is an evasion toon. Will save likely will not be a big factor on this build but its workable as well.

Life#7 Additional DR - Stoneskin, Ablative Armor (works on force damage as well) plus the additional 3% from your Barb levels.

Life#8 Die Hard/Die Harder - Again for a what if scenario. Instantly getting back up and having more of a cushion can save a life. I once did the swim on my pure barb with low reflex in crucible and lagged to a black screen a split second and realized my blood tribute was down. It took me below 0HPs in a spike and I immediately recovered and kept swimming with blood tribute re-activated.

Life#9 HPs - This character will hold its weight on non-temp HPs even with most other HC builds out there, but then turn on the Temp HPs and likely you will have more than most at your level except maybe a pure Barbarian.

*I edited the build sheet below slightly from original based on feedback from C-Dog about sprint boost. I also switched from Inquisitor to Battle Engineer as I feel like repeaters will carry me further than expected into heroics. Since your spending your first points to get all the goodies in FB and Tabaxi, it just makes sense as Inquisitor takes a while to get the damage up. I might change back further down the road, and most likely if I go into Epics and LE.

Another few variations of this build worth considering I can think of is to pick up barbarian 3 (1 AP more for Core @ FB nets 20HPs and 10 HAMP) or Barbarian 4 (Uncanny Dodge) and a net gain of +1 fort Saves, Trap Saves and BAB for either version, and an additional 6HPs for 3 Barb and 12HPs for 4 Barb. Although you would have to give up 1 level 4 spell and 1 level 5 spell with either version and net loss of 60SPs or 120SPs respectively. At least you would not lose any feats, DCs or anything else important. Spell wise, I would sacrifice Cold Iron and Silver Weaps, since likely you will be using Deadly once you get level 6 spells.

Another option would be to go 16A/2R or 2M/2 Barb. Pretty much the same drawbacks as above, but alot more upside as you could invest less or even none in the tabaxi tree since you grab evasion for free with 2R or 2M. But if you go this direction, this would allow you to go inquistor around level 8-10 as your damage will outpace repeaters at that point. But loss of run speed boost uptime from the upgraded feline agility is a poor trade for my playstyle. Also defelct arrows loss (could take if 2M although) and the insurance of defensive roll are other defensive losses. I feel 2M has more upside than 2R. The difference is +2 Fort/Will saves, +4% Dodge (I understand this and AC bonus is unaffected if uncentered because of weapons only, but still need to be in cloth) and monk gets another feat over rogue (can use to pick up deflect arrows, toughness or even have the option to go Dodge, Mobility, Shot on the Run if you want to give up on some of the caster feats selected below. If I was doing on live I would go Inquisitor 41AP with 16A/2M/2Barb and max out damage everywhere I can, but in HCL defenses are more important than max damage.


Character name: Nine Lives Artificer
Classes: 18 Artificer, 10 Epic, 2 Barbarian, 2 Legendary
Race: Tabaxi· · · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·25%
Str:· · ·8· · 0 · ·16 · · ·HP:· · · · 540 · · ·AC:· · 19
Dex:· · 11· · 2 · ·17 · · ·PRR: · · · ·20
Con:· · 16· · 0 · ·20 · · ·MRR: · · · ·21 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · 55
Int:· · 18· · 0 · ·35 · · ·Dodge: · ·4/27 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 15
Wis:· · 13· · 0 · ·17 · · ·Fort:· · · 15% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 15
Cha:· · ·8· · 0 · ·12 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 20
DR: 10\Cold Iron· ·3%
Immunities: Falling Damage, Natural Poisons, Natural Deseases

Saves:
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Fortitude:· · · · ·31
· vs Poison:· · · ·32
· vs Disease: · · ·32
Will: · · · · · · ·39*
· vs Enchantment: ·40*
· vs Illusion:· · ·39*
· vs Fear:· · · · ·39*
· vs Curse: · · · ·39*
Reflex: · · · · · ·37
· vs Traps: · · · ·43
· vs Spell: · · · ·39
· vs Magic: · · · ·37
Marked with a * is no fail on a 1 if required DC met

Energy· · · ·Resistance and Absorbance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acid: · · · · · · · ·45 · · · · · · 5%
Chaos:· · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Cold: · · · · · · · ·45 · · · · · · 5%
Electric: · · · · · ·45 · · · · · · 0%
Evil: · · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Fire: · · · · · · · ·45 · · · · · · 5%
Force:· · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Good: · · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Lawful: · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Light:· · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Negative: · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Poison: · · · · · · · 0 · · · · · · 0%
Sonic:· · · · · · · ·45 · · · · · · 0%

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Artificer(1)· · ·Standard: Insightful Reflexes
2 · · Barbarian(1)· · ·
3 · · Artificer(2)· · ·Standard: Point Blank Shot
4 · · Barbarian(2)· · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
5 · · Artificer(3)· · ·
6 · · Artificer(4)· · ·Standard: Rapid Shot
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Artificer Bonus: Precise Shot
7 · · Artificer(5)· · ·
8 · · Artificer(6)· · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
9 · · Artificer(7)· · ·Standard: Precision
10· · Artificer(8)· · ·Artificer Bonus: Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
11· · Artificer(9)· · ·
12· · Artificer(10) · ·Standard: Maximize Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
13· · Artificer(11) · ·
14· · Artificer(12) · ·Artificer Bonus: Quicken Spell
15· · Artificer(13) · ·Standard: Spell Focus: Evocation
16· · Artificer(14) · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
17· · Artificer(15) · ·
18· · Artificer(16) · ·Standard: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Artificer Bonus: Heighten Spell
19· · Artificer(17) · ·
20· · Artificer(18) · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Electric
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Master of Artifice
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Doubleshot
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Embodiment of Law
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Burst of Glacial Wrath
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Ethereal Plane
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Fount of Life
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up

Skills
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Skill Points· · ·32 ·8· 8 ·8· 8 ·8· 8 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 10 10 10 10 10
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20· Total Buffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance · · · · · 2 ·½· · ·1· · · · · · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · ·11.0 · 34.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 21.0
Concentration · · 4 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1 · · · · · · ·1· · 6.0 · 30.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 24.0
Disable Device· · 4 · · 2 · · 2 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 54.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Heal· · · · · · · 2 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · 7.0 · 29.0
Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 21.0
Jump· · · · · · · · ·5· · ·2· · ·2· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 46.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Move Silently · · · · · · ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 23.0
Open Lock · · · · 4 · · 2 · · 2 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 45.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 21.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 31.0
Search· · · · · · 4 · · 2 · · 2 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 54.0
Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 31.0
Spot· · · · · · · 4 · · 2 · · 2 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 45.0
Swim· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 23.0
Tumble· · · · · · · ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 23.0
Use Magic Device· 4 · · · · · · · · 2 ·3· 3 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 43.0
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Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tabaxi - Points spent: 18
Core1 Nimble Cat I
Tier1 Land on Your Feet
Tier1 Sneaky Strikes I
Tier1 Sharp Claws - 2 Ranks
Tier2 High Places
Tier2 Deflect Arrows
Tier2 Slip Out of Danger - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Focused Agility
Tier3 Sneaky Strikes II
Tier3 Corner - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Fast Sprinter
Tier4 Lucky Cat
Tier4 Nine Lives
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harper Agent - Points spent: 11
Core1 Agent of Good I
Tier1 Strategic Combat I
Tier1 Traveller's Toughness - 2 Ranks
Tier2 Know the Angles - 3 Ranks
Core2 Harper Training I: +1 Intelligence
Core3 Agent of Good II
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renegade Mastermaker - Points spent: 1
Core1 Renegade Defender
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frenzied Berserker - Points spent: 9
Core1 Die Hard
Tier1 Die Harder - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Athletics - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Sprint Boost - 1 Ranks
Tier2 Blood Tribute - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battle Engineer - Points spent: 41
Core1 Battle Engineer
Tier1 Weapon Training I: Crossbow Training I
Tier1 Thaumaturgical Conduits - 3 Ranks
Core2 Infused Weapons I
Tier2 Weapon Training II: Crossbow Training II
Tier2 Caustic Strike: Caustic Shot - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Extra Action Boost - 3 Ranks
Core3 Infused Armor I
Tier3 Weapon Training III: Crossbow Training III
Tier3 Shatter Defenses: Shatter Defenses (Crossbow) - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Intelligence
Tier4 Weapon Training IV: Crossbow Training IV
Tier4 Battle Mastery: Endless Fusilade
Tier4 Agility Engine - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Ability II: +1 Intelligence
Core4 Infused Weapons II
Core5 Infused Armor II
Tier5 Reconstructed Armaments: Reconstructed Crossbows
Tier5 Weapon Attachment
Tier5 Thunder Shock Weapon: Thunder-Shock Weapon (Crossbow)
Tier5 Unlock Potential
Tier5 Tactical Mobility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 5 permanent Destiny Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Divine Crusader - Points spent: 1
Core1 Just Cause
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shiradi Champion - Points spent: 31
Core1 Fey Favor
Tier1 Shiradi Strike: Hunt's End
Tier1 Prism
Tier1 Wild Magics - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Good Luck - 2 Ranks
Core2 Vision
Tier2 Shiradi Power: Pin
Tier2 Stay: Stay Strong - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Phase Double - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Healing Spring
Tier3 Double Rainbow
Tier3 Pierce Deception
Tier3 Improved Shiradi Power: Otto's Whistlery
Tier3 Fey Force: Fey Force
Core3 Audience with the Queen
Tier4 Overwhelming Force: Overwhelming Force
Tier4 Track
Tier4 Fey Form
Core4 Fey Countenance
Tier5 Lore of the Hunt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exalted Angel - Points spent: 21
Core1 Astral Touch
Tier1 Angelic Form
Tier1 Subtle Flame - 2 Ranks
Tier2 Saving Grace - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Angelic Body
Tier2 Divine Protection
Core2 Deepening Faith
Tier3 Holy Presence
Tier3 Purity of Mind and Soul - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Angelic Spell Focus: Evocation - 3 Ranks
Core3 Angelic Charge
Core4 Heavenly Leap: Heavenly Blessing
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Spell Power · · · · · · ·Base · ·Critical Chance· · Critical Multiplier.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acid· · · · · · · · · · · 169 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Light/Alignment · · · · · 189 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Cold· · · · · · · · · · · 169 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Electric· · · · · · · · · 189 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · 15
Evil· · · · · · · · · · · 154 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Fire· · · · · · · · · · · 189 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Force/Untyped · · · · · · 179 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Negative· · · · · · · · · 167 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Physical· · · · · · · · · 154 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Poison· · · · · · · · · · 169 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Positive· · · · · · · · · 217 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Repair· · · · · · · · · · 164 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Rust· · · · · · · · · · · 154 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
Sonic · · · · · · · · · · 159 · · · 0%· · · · · · · · ·5
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Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Artificer Spells
L1: Inflict Light Damage· · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 27
L1: Repair Light Damage · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 27
L1: Ablative Armor· · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27
L1: Enchant Weapons · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 27
L1: Resist Energy · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27
L1: Resistance· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 27
L1: Static Shock· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 33
L2: Inflict Moderate Damage · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 28
L2: Repair Moderate Damage· · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 28
L2: Bull's Strength · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 28
L2: Byeshk Weapons· · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 28
L2: Curative Admixture: Cure Moderate WoundsConjuration · · 28
L2: Lightning Sphere· · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 28
L2: Lucky Cape· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 28
L3: Inflict Serious Damage· · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 29
L3: Repair Serious Damage · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 29
L3: Adamantine Weapons· · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 29
L3: Flame Turret· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 29
L3: Insightful Damage · · · · · · · · · · · Divination· · · 29
L3: Stoneskin · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 29
L4: Inflict Critical Damage · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L4: Repair Critical Damage· · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L4: Armor of Speed· · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L4: Cold Iron Weapons · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L4: Greater Elemental Weapons · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 36
L4: Lightning Motes · · · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 36
L5: Cure Critical Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 31
L5: Radiant Forcefield· · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 31
L5: Silver Weapons· · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 31
L6: Deadly Weapons· · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 32
L6: Tactical Detonation · · · · · · · · · · Evocation · · · 38
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[jskinner937]

Barbarian 2 for runs speed, some HP/HAMP, speed boost and blood tribute.
Tabaxi tree gives evasion, SA die, defensive roll, natural immunity to falling damage, defelect arrows, additional reflex, etc.

Compared to WF Pure Arty will lose natural immunity to MM (get clicky/wands), natural poisons and diseases (carry pots) and Neg Levels (DW clickies). All of which are easily resolved. You gain on xbow damage however from Tabaxi tree in the form of 2 SA Die and High Places. Spell DCs are a gain overall as well since you have a feat to spare for not taking adamantine armor so can take Great SF Evo. You do lose Reconstruct SLA and some PRR/MRR as well as some fort saves and HPs but who cares because having Blood Tribute, 10% more base run speed and a 50% action boost to movement when needed is better overall damage mitigation and survivability.

[jskinner937]

Disclaimer....

I have not played this build yet, it was a concept I thought of while working on my WF Pure Arty this season. I do plan on building whether I make it to 5k or not this life and may even try in reapers. Please feel free to comment if you try this build, as I feel like this may be the best build for this season.

[jskinner937]

Another possible build option would be to drop inquisitive and go into battle engineer tree and spend some points in Occult Slayer for Guarding Bond (assuming weapon bond works with Xbows...may need tested). This would net an additional 12PRR and 15MRR, but lose watchful eye.

[jskinner937]

Update, my previous arty died from lag in a trap so I started this build and got to level 5. I spent the first points in Harper tree for int to hit/dmg and KtA tier 3 (which I will reset later). I also just got blood tribute and the first rank of sprint boost. This is definitely the way to play an arty with so much speed, a 150hp buffer from blood tribute and the normal awesome damage from repeaters you see. Next I am going to grab the last 2 tanks of sprint boost and start to fill out Tabaxi tree. Maybe around level 10-12 I will reset Harper and Battle Engineer and start filling out Inquisitor. Tabaxi and FB Trees I plan to keep.

I will continue to update the progress of this build. So far it’s steamrolled everything solo in 1s, 2s and 3s elite with many hound spawns. The speed just lets you kite them so easy. This build could likely fair well in reaper as well since there is no penalty to blood tribute like conventional self healing. With enough CON, you just spam it as soon as it wears or erodes away. Rest to remove stack. It’s your emergency HPs and your heal.

[Oxarhamar]

Update, my previous arty died from lag in a trap so I started this build and got to level 5. I spent the first points in Harper tree for int to hit/dmg and KtA tier 3 (which I will reset later). I also just got blood tribute and the first rank of sprint boost. This is definitely the way to play an arty with so much speed, a 150hp buffer from blood tribute and the normal awesome damage from repeaters you see. Next I am going to grab the last 2 tanks of sprint boost and start to fill out Tabaxi tree. Maybe around level 10-12 I will reset Harper and Battle Engineer and start filling out Inquisitor. Tabaxi and FB Trees I plan to keep.

I will continue to update the progress of this build. So far it’s steamrolled everything solo in 1s, 2s and 3s elite with many hound spawns. The speed just lets you kite them so easy. This build could likely fair well in reaper as well since there is no penalty to blood tribute like conventional self healing. With enough CON, you just spam it as soon as it wears or erodes away. Rest to remove stack. It’s your emergency HPs and your heal.

Just came here to say I like it

Meow

[C-Dog]

Very similar to one of the two builds I'm using on HC, but sans Tabaxi.

I think if you start A/B/A/B you can squeeze more skill points out of it, but I could be wrong. I do know I like the bonus 10% run speed and Die Hard for Korthos & early Hounds. Just make sure I have all 16 AP for BT before I start The Harbor, and lightning bolts aren't nearly as scary.

Next I am going to grab the last 2 ranks of sprint boost...

I never bother with more than the 1st. Look at it from the perspective of "what you gain" by spending more AP...

Barb starts at 110% speed, plus (one assumes, at minimum) +25% for Expeditious Retreat, for 135 base* run speed for a Barb character.

1 AP gets you +35% boost to that, 170/135 = more than a 25% increase - massive. Yes, PLEASE.

Spending +1 more AP bumps that by +5% to 175/170 or less than a +3% improvement from your previous speed - meh.

Spending +2 more AP makes that a 185/170 increase, or less than a 9% increase for 2 AP. Better, but still for only 20 seconds?

Dunno about you, but while t enjoy the permanent +10% of barb, there are very few situations where another 10% makes a diff that the basic +35 doesn't cover - if the mobs are slower than me, then that's all that matters. I just find other things (like DPS or basic Defense) calling more loudly for my 2 AP. ymmv.

(* I don't know if these numbers and math reflect the actual game mechanics of how [base speed+barb+magic+boost] add up, but the concept and conclusion are the same regardless; the 1st AP is worth far more than the next 2 combined.)

[jskinner937]

Very similar to one of the two builds I'm using on HC, but sans Tabaxi.

I think if you start A/B/A/B you can squeeze more skill points out of it, but I could be wrong. I do know I like the bonus 10% run speed and Die Hard for Korthos & early Hounds. Just make sure I have all 16 AP for BT before I start The Harbor, and lightning bolts aren't nearly as scary.


I never bother with more than the 1st. Look at it from the perspective of "what you gain" by spending more AP...

Barb starts at 110% speed, plus (one assumes, at minimum) +25% for Expeditious Retreat, for 135 base* run speed for a Barb character.

1 AP gets you +35% boost to that, 170/135 = more than a 25% increase - massive. Yes, PLEASE.

Spending +1 more AP bumps that by +5% to 175/170 or less than a +3% improvement from your previous speed - meh.

Spending +2 more AP makes that a 185/170 increase, or less than a 9% increase for 2 AP. Better, but still for only 20 seconds?

Dunno about you, but while t enjoy the permanent +10% of barb, there are very few situations where another 10% makes a diff that the basic +35 doesn't cover - if the mobs are slower than me, then that's all that matters. I just find other things (like DPS or basic Defense) calling more loudly for my 2 AP. ymmv.

(* I don't know if these numbers and math reflect the actual game mechanics of how [base speed+barb+magic+boost] add up, but the concept and conclusion are the same regardless; the 1st AP is worth far more than the next 2 combined.)

Awesome feedback about sprint boost. It sounds like those AP could be spent better elsewhere it sounds. Maybe I will add them back into KtA or some saves improvements. I appreciate it. And realistically with Tabaxi Feline Agility being the same it probably has a more seamless feel as I only planned using sprint boost to fill the gaps or in a panic escape.

[DAVIDARC]

I am sure this is posted someplace obvious and I missed it, but the information in the first post. Is this contained in a file somewhere on my local hard drive. How do you produce this report?

[Phoenicis]

I am sure this is posted someplace obvious and I missed it, but the information in the first post. Is this contained in a file somewhere on my local hard drive. How do you produce this report?

He used one of the character generators to build the character, then exported the information in a format that could be pasted to the forum. Character information does not, to my knowledge, exist on the player's computer.

[DAVIDARC]

He used one of the character generators to build the character, then exported the information in a format that could be pasted to the forum. Character information does not, to my knowledge, exist on the player's computer.

Thank you

[C-Dog]

... the information in the first post. ... How do you produce this report?

This is the product of a "Character Planner", an app to theory-craft a build and then have that plan saved in a standardized format, so you can then easily scan and refer to it later.

A good planner will automagically make sure that things like pre-reqs are all met, so will not only confirm whether you can fit all the features (feats, skills, enhancements, etc.) you want into a build, but will also tell you what went wrong if/when you try something not allowed, and then what the end-result will look like, and does it all in a format that's easy to read and share.


There are 2 that are still currently being updated and supported:

o "Character Builder Light" (the above). Bare bones info, only the basic values. It's no longer updated by the original author (EllisDee37), but so popular that it got taken over by others. Go toward the end of the thread to download the latest version. (See also this thread)

o "DDO Character Planner", by Ordinary (output example here). This is a far more in-depth and detailed breakdown, with an option to add gear for your build and then showing end-values like Fort, Max Dodge Cap, PRR and any/all immunities. Much more for an experienced player than a newer one, for someone who wants to know all the math.

[jskinner937]

I actually used Matrim's New Build.

https://github.com/Maetrim/DDOBuilde.../tag/1.0.0.168

I could have cleaned up some of the details before I exported it, admittingly so.

[jskinner937]

Level 9 now. Grabbed Evasion and the 2 upgrades to feline agility from the tabaxi tree (defensive roll last point there next level). This build seems pretty indestructable now with picking up an Emerald of Demonhart and the False Life House P Buff with 200 temp HP buffer (more if bard or warlock are in party). Again with enough CON, I pretty much leave Blood Tribute on all the time and shrine when I need to replinish CON. Did every quest on Elite (shortman and solo mostly), however I did run in a few groups where I knew the folks.

The extra feline agility upgrades are so nice and the single rank of sprint boost gives you something to fill the downtime. This build is so fun and damage is still quite nice with repeaters. The only downside (and same with most ranged) is the lack of AOE. I did not farm Strinati and currently have no damage spells, but rune arm and lightning spells will come later. But during combat I just stand still and tank everything so that everything stays in PB range and I build up Archer Focus stacks much faster.

[jskinner937]

Just made it to level 12. Started grouping a bit more on account that trappers seem a rare commodity these days at these levels. So I join LFMs that are looking for them and the ones I solo that have difficult traps, I post LFM. Damage is still holding strong so I am sticking with points in battle engineer for now. If I start to see it tail off, I might consider the original plan of inquisitor, or possibly even Arcanotech. I am just playing it by ear for now. I find that AOEs damage is still just unnecessary at this point as I mow single targets down pretty fast. Hounds even in level 9 quests never seemed a problem. They hit harder but I just jump and refresh blood tribute when needed. Honestly never really been a single close call so far this life.

[jskinner937]

I died today in VoN5 doing the traps in the electric hall and the blades got me. To be hoenst, I was being a little risky on the last four traps and trying to get all the boxes done on the same side and lag froze. Normally I would just spam blood tribute, but I did not have that luxury. I think I wanted to know the limits of the build as well...and know I do. I will not give up although. I like playing this build alot. Heck I might even do more reapers this life just to further test the waters.

[Kaliya]

I died today in VoN5 doing the traps in the electric hall and the blades got me. To be hoenst, I was being a little risky on the last four traps and trying to get all the boxes done on the same side and lag froze. Normally I would just spam blood tribute, but I did not have that luxury. I think I wanted to know the limits of the build as well...and know I do. I will not give up although. I like playing this build alot. Heck I might even do more reapers this life just to further test the waters.

That's rough, sorry for the loss.

We lost two trappers in that same hall last season.

You have the right and good attitude, best wishes on the next go 'round.

[jskinner937]

That's rough, sorry for the loss.

We lost two trappers in that same hall last season.

You have the right and good attitude, best wishes on the next go 'round.

Well I got back to 12 and managed traps with no problem this time. Reflex of +32 wasn’t an issue, as much as a bit of lag, bad rolls and being too aggressive. I just did the safe way of staggering from one side to the other this time.

Soloed a bunch of RL p1-3 at level on Elite for gear, this build won’t mow down mobs like a FVS or Sorc, but it still fairs well by dropping single targets quickly, including hounds.

[jskinner937]

Leveled to 16 and I am noticing my damage is a bit lacking but still good enough. And now I have endless fuselade so hounds and red names still drop fast. Did quite a bit of 12s/13s solo and shortmanned Sands Raid. I really only skipped ToEE2, Twilight/Titan Raid and DA on Hard. Also did quite a few 16s already. Sitting at 3786 favor at the moment.

[slarden]

Nice build, congrats on your progress so far!