THF Dark Apostle Cleric of Mask

[jasonayoung]

Still trying to model Erevis Cale from Paul S Kemps masterful novels! Getting closer thanks to Dark Apostate.

He is a priest of Mask (Shar's herald and deity of non halfling thieves) and a rogue, but with a twisted martys sense of honor and regret. Oh and a shade. He repeatedly gets torn to shreds and heals thanks to shadows. And his sword, Weaveshear, is specially gifted by his patron for killing magic users and slaads.

So here we go.

15 cleric - heals with negative masses and harm, takes form of shadow
3 paladin - deity weapon of greatsword, saves galore
2 rogue - light armor, traps, improved evasion (shadow dancer)

Attack sequence, adrenaline - exalted cleave - bird trip cleave - mass inflict crit

Synergies with wis to hit/dmg, bird stuff, and assassinate.

Highlights:

2700 HP in reaper
22 dodge
100ish saves across the board
improved evasion
Upper 90s trapping skills with gear swaps per usual

I could probably use a better sword, but this is what i gots for nows.


Character name: Biz Dark Apostate THF
Classes: 15 Dark Apostate, 10 Epic, 3 Paladin, 2 Legendary, 2 Rogue
Race: Human · · · · · · · ·Alignment: Lawful Good

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · 30% · · ·Displacement:· ·65%
Str:· · 15· · 8 · ·53 · · ·HP:· · · ·2695 · · ·AC:· ·103
Dex:· · ·8· · 8 · ·46 · · ·PRR: · · · 107
Con:· · 16· · 8 · ·64 · · ·MRR: · · 84/50 · · ·+Healing Amp:· ·123
Int:· · ·8· · 8 · ·43 · · ·Dodge: · 22/27 · · ·-Healing Amp:· ·128
Wis:· · 18· · 8 · ·84 · · ·Fort:· · ·186% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 88
Cha:· · 10· · 8 · ·45 · · ·SR:· · · · ·32 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 32
DR: 30\-
Immunities: Natural Disease, Magical Disease, Super-Natural Disease, Fear, Death effect, Level drain, Freedom of Movement, Fear, Enchantment and charm spells, Magic Missiles, Magical Controls and Compulsion, Magic Missiles, Freedom of Movement, Charm, Domination

Saves:
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Fortitude:· · · · ·95
· vs Poison:· · · ·96
· vs Disease: · · ·96
Will: · · · · · · 103
· vs Enchantment: 106
· vs Illusion:· · 103
· vs Fear:· · · · 109
· vs Curse: · · · 103
Reflex: · · · · · ·94*
· vs Traps: · · · ·94*
· vs Spell: · · · ·94*
· vs Magic: · · · ·94*
Marked with a * is no fail on a 1 if required DC met

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Rogue(1)· · · · ·Standard: Two Handed Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Human Bonus: Toughness
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Disable Device(4), Search(4)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Concentration(4), Heal(4), Spell Craft(4)
2 · · Paladin(1)· · · ·Follower of Faith: Follower of Aureon
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
3 · · Dark Apostate(1) Standard: Maximize Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
4 · · Paladin(2)· · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
5 · · Dark Apostate(2) Domain: Luck Domain Tier I
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
6 · · Dark Apostate(3) Standard: Empower Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
7 · · Paladin(3)· · · ·
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
8 · · Dark Apostate(4) Wisdom: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
9 · · Dark Apostate(5) Standard: Improved Two Handed Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Domain Feat: Luck Domain Tier II
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
10· · Dark Apostate(6) Deity: Search the Soul
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
11· · Rogue(2)· · · · ·
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Search(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Heal(2), Spell Craft(7)
12· · Dark Apostate(7) Standard: Precision
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
13· · Dark Apostate(8)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
14· · Dark Apostate(9) Domain Feat: Luck Domain Tier III
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
15· · Dark Apostate(10)Standard: Greater Two Handed Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
16· · Dark Apostate(11)Wisdom: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
17· · Dark Apostate(12)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
18· · Dark Apostate(13)Standard: Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
19· · Dark Apostate(14)Domain Feat: Luck Domain Tier IV
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
20· · Dark Apostate(15)Wisdom: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Heal(1), Spell Craft(2)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Search(2)
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Negative
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Toughness
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Harbinger of Chaos
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Quicken Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Shadowfell
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Arcane Warrior
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up

Active User Controlled Stances
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reaper
Epic Defensive Fighting
Maximize
Empower
Precision
Intensify Spell
Quicken
Deadly Instinct
Shadow Shrouding
Mantle of Fury
Apostate's Curse
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Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Apostate - Points spent: 39
Core1 Dark Apostate
Tier1 Shadowy Bulwark - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Apostate's Curse
Tier1 Apostate's Skills - 3 Ranks
Core2 Shadow Shrouding
Tier2 Enhanced Curse I
Tier2 Enhanced Turning - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Enhanced Curse II
Tier3 Wisdom I
Core3 Enhanced Shadowform I
Tier4 Wisdom II
Tier4 Enhanced Curse III
Tier4 Dark Judgement - 3 Ranks
Core4 Enhanced Shadowform II
Tier4 Blessing of the Shadow - 1 Ranks
Tier4 Return to Dusk
Tier5 Benediction
Tier5 Ward of Shadow
Tier5 Ultimate Heresy
Tier5 Shadows of Death
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Falconry - Points spent: 28
Core1 Summon Falcon: Summon Raven
Tier1 Rugged - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Practiced Accuracy - 1 Ranks
Core2 Ability I: Wisdom
Tier2 Killer Instinct I
Tier2 Watch the Center - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Diving Attack: Diving Strike - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Killer Instinct II
Tier3 Conditioning
Core3 Well Rounded I
Tier4 Deadly Instinct - 3 Ranks
Tier4 No Mercy - 3 Ranks
Core4 Ability II: Wisdom
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knight of the Chalice - Points spent: 13
Core1 Slayer of Evil I
Tier1 Improved Second Strikes - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Holy Combatant I
Tier2 Adept Combatant
Tier2 Exalted Attack: Exalted Cleave
Core2 Courage of Heaven
Tier3 Holy Combatant II
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 15 permanent Destiny Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shadowdancer - Points spent: 16
Core1 Shadow Training
Tier1 Assassinate - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Lithe - 3 Ranks
Core2 Step Through Shadows
Tier2 Dance in the Dark - 1 Ranks
Core3 The Darkest Luck
Tier3 Grim Precision - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fury of the Wild - Points spent: 38
Core1 Die Hard
Tier1 Epic Strike: Adrenaline - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Mantle of Fury - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Enduring - 3 Ranks
Core2 Die Harder
Tier2 Primal Scream
Core3 Die Hardest
Tier3 Force of Fury: Furious Force - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Wild Weapons: Strike Through - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Sense Weakness - 3 Ranks
Core4 Be the Whirlwind
Tier4 Wade Through: Wade Through - Strike Through - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Force Selector: Overwhelming Force - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Scarred by Chaos
Tier5 Unbridled Fury
Tier5 Nature's Fury
Tier5 The Great Leveler - 3 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primal Avatar - Points spent: 9
Core1 This is your Nature: Heart
Tier1 Well Weathered - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Seeking Balance - 1 Ranks
Tier1 Rejuvenation Cocoon
Tier2 Spirit Boon: Mind - 2 Ranks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dire Thaumaturge - Points spent: 2
Core1 Reaper's Arcanum I
Tier1 Reapers's Ability I: +1 Wisdom
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grim Barricade - Points spent: 14
Core1 Reaper's Defense I
Tier1 Reaper's Constitution I
Tier1 Reaper's Evasion I - 3 Ranks
Core2 Reaper's Defense II
Tier2 Reaper's Constitution II
Tier2 Reaper's Evasion II - 3 Ranks
Core3 Reaper's Defense III
Tier3 Reaper's Evasion III - 3 Ranks
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Tactical DCs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Falconry: Diving Strike · · · · · ·Balance vs 88 : 10 + Wis Mod(37) + Assassinate(9) + Character Level(32)
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Equipped Gear Set: Standard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armor · · · · Legendary Ship-Mage's Attire· ·Drops in: U50: Quest: The Final Enemy
· · · · · · · Blue: Globe of True Imperial Blood
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Belt· · · · · Legendary Direbear Belt · Drops in: U48 Quest: Quid Pro Quo
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Boots · · · · Legendary Deepsnow Boots· ·Drops in: U48 Quest: A Frosty Reception
· · · · · · · Green: +12 Sapphire of Resistance
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Bracers · · · Legendary Driftwood Bracers · Drops in: U50: Quest: Rest for the Night
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Cloak · · · · Legendary Sailcloth Cloak · Drops in: U50: Quest: Under the Cover of Darkness
· · · · · · · Green: +5 Diamond of Insightful Dexterity
· · · · · · · Yellow: +12 Diamond of Insightful Strength
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Gloves· · · · The Prince's Gauntlet · Drops in: U48 Any Feywild Quest
· · · · · · · Blue: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Lunar Magic: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Eye of the Beholder: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: Embraced by Light: Wisdom
Goggles · · · Legendary Collective Sight· ·Drops in: Quest: Blown Deadline
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (SDCIWC): +13 Intelligence
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (Ins SDCIWC): +6 Insightful Intelligence
· · · · · · · Blue: +12 Diamond of Charisma
Helmet· · · · Legendary Skullduggery Cap· ·Drops in: U50: Quest: The Final Enemy
· · · · · · · Green: +2 Festive Wisdom
· · · · · · · Yellow: +2 Festive Charisma
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Necklace· · · Legendary String of Ears· ·Drops in: U46: Quest: Heart of the Problem
· · · · · · · Green: +5 Diamond of Insightful Charisma
Ring1 · · · · Legendary Ethereal Ring · Drops in: U50: Quest: The Final Enemy
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Ring2 · · · · Legendary Nocturne Ring · Drops in: U48 Quest: A Frosty Reception
· · · · · · · Green: Sapphire of Good Luck + 3
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Trinket · · · Bloodrage Chrism· ·Drops in: Raid: Old Baba's Hut
· · · · · · · Blue: +13 Sapphire of Protection
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Crypt Raider Set (Legendary)
Weapon1 · · · Legendary Echo of Blackrazor· ·Drops in: Quest: White Plum Mountain
· · · · · · · Orange: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Red: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Lunar Magic: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Eye of the Beholder: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: Embraced by Light: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 4: Elemental Avatar: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 5: Dragonsoul: Wisdom

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[Arkat]

Mask would NEVER have Paladins. His alignment is Chaotic Neutral.

Give your build 3 levels of Fighter instead of Paladin, make their alignment Chaotic Good, and you should be golden.

[jasonayoung]

Mask would NEVER have Paladins. His alignment is Chaotic Neutral.

Give your build 3 levels of Fighter instead of Paladin, make their alignment Chaotic Good, and you should be golden.

But what if it was a

<whispers>

fallen paladin?

[Arkat]

But what if it was a

<whispers>

fallen paladin?

It's still Lawful Good.


Clerics MUST be their Deity's alignment or within one step of the deity.

In this case, the alignment would have to be Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Good, or Neutral (no Chaotic Evil alignment for players in DDO).

Anything Lawful is right out.

[jasonayoung]

Ok major fail found.

Domain has to be war. I can get displace and saves through gear.

I'm thinking new toee 2 piece set can fit. I'll update that.

But holy sword is a pretty mandatory add for thf right?

[unbongwah]

Ok major fail found.

Domain has to be war. I can get displace and saves through gear.

I'm thinking new toee 2 piece set can fit. I'll update that.

But holy sword is a pretty mandatory add for thf right?

Dark Apostate has no crit bonuses; Warpriest has a +1 crit range bonus to Favored Weapons, but no crit multiplier bonus. So you're either going to want to take War domain for Holy Sword, base your build on an Universal Enhancement tree like Vistani or Inquisitive, or multiclass with something that adds crit bonuses, e.g., barbarian 5 / Dark Apostate 15 for tier-5 Frenzied Berserker.

Rather than splashing paladin for Holy Combatant, I would consider Warforged for Lord of Blades or wood elf for Faith of the Forest (falchions become Favored Weapons).

[AleCSannder]

Dark Apostate has no crit bonuses; Warpriest has a +1 crit range bonus to Favored Weapons, but no crit multiplier bonus. So you're either going to want to take War domain for Holy Sword, base your build on an Universal Enhancement tree like Vistani or Inquisitive, or multiclass with something that adds crit bonuses, e.g., barbarian 5 / Dark Apostate 15 for tier-5 Frenzied Berserker.

Rather than splashing paladin for Holy Combatant, I would consider Warforged for Lord of Blades or wood elf for Faith of the Forest (falchions become Favored Weapons).

What if you do a PDK 6LV, and damage charm?

[unbongwah]

What if you do a PDK 6LV, and damage charm?

Do you mean PDK with fighter 6 for Kensei bonuses? Otherwise I have literally no idea what you're talking about.

Silvanus PDK fighter 6 / cleric 14 with tier-5 Kensei has 16-20/x4 critical threat range with mauls; and it frees you to take a different domain such as Animal or Death. You give up the last two Dark Apostle cores, though, plus level 8 & 9 spells, so it's a tradeoff.

[Haphazarduk]

Mask would NEVER have Paladins. His alignment is Chaotic Neutral.

Give your build 3 levels of Fighter instead of Paladin, make their alignment Chaotic Good, and you should be golden.

No alignments for Paladins in D&D anymore - get with the times

Hap

[Arkat]

No alignments for Paladins in D&D anymore - get with the times

Hap

That's one of MANY reasons why D&D is dumb now.

Glad I switched to Pathfinder v1 (aka D&D v3.75 if you will) way back when.

None of my gaming groups have any interest in switching from that to anything else.

[jasonayoung]

Well he leveled good enough but man he sucks at cap. He can barely solo an r1 feywild and survive. Forgetting the lore part, the negative healing stinks, can't keep up. He doesn't have enough defense, and no CC. Hmm

I've done the str based pure Cleric in war domain a couple times. It does shine. But there's no flavor for a leather armored THF shadow encased priest rogue in THAT.

[Arsont]

Well he leveled good enough but man he sucks at cap. He can barely solo an r1 feywild and survive. Forgetting the lore part, the negative healing stinks, can't keep up. He doesn't have enough defense, and no CC. Hmm

I've done the str based pure Cleric in war domain a couple times. It does shine. But there's no flavor for a leather armored THF shadow encased priest rogue in THAT.

I'm curious what your PRR/MRR look like; I found that to be the biggest issue on my 18/2 melee apostate, but I was able to run R1 Feywild solo with no sweat, and R3 if I was careful. Harm with the Apostate T5 gave enough healing when combined with Shadow form defenses.

You could swap Arcane Warrior for Deific Warding without really changing the flavor/lore of the character. You could also swap Scion of the Shadowfell to Aborea or Celestia, but that's a slight departure in terms of flavor. I'd also suggest finding at least some medium armor (If not heavy) for regular questing, and keep light as a situational swap item. Again, might be a slight drift from your lore, but it could help with survivability. I'd also suggest trying to fit in the 6 ap needed for Sacred Defender stance; 25 PRR would be nice. You might be able to drop No Mercy (Dps is 0 when dead) and some from KoTC (And try getting greatsword from Divine Crusader) to squeeze it in.

Lack of CC would be my fear with this kind of build; Your DC's probably aren't high enough for reaper at cap, and you don't have a lot of consistent CC while in Fury. Have you tried running in Dreadnought (CC scales off highest ability mod)? I haven't tried it with this kind of build, but I imagine it's synergize pretty well.

Alternatively, I found the Magus of the Eclipse freeze aura to be pretty effective, so it might be worth putting 21 points in there for that and pairing that with Fury. I'd say Divine Crusader might be helpful too, but I can't speak to the Cower effect in it.

I really want your build to work, because I wanted to do a very similar build for my next life. So please let me know if you try any of these tweaks, and how it feels!

[jasonayoung]

I'm curious what your PRR/MRR look like; I found that to be the biggest issue on my 18/2 melee apostate, but I was able to run R1 Feywild solo with no sweat, and R3 if I was careful. Harm with the Apostate T5 gave enough healing when combined with Shadow form defenses.

You could swap Arcane Warrior for Deific Warding without really changing the flavor/lore of the character. You could also swap Scion of the Shadowfell to Aborea or Celestia, but that's a slight departure in terms of flavor. I'd also suggest finding at least some medium armor (If not heavy) for regular questing, and keep light as a situational swap item. Again, might be a slight drift from your lore, but it could help with survivability. I'd also suggest trying to fit in the 6 ap needed for Sacred Defender stance; 25 PRR would be nice. You might be able to drop No Mercy (Dps is 0 when dead) and some from KoTC (And try getting greatsword from Divine Crusader) to squeeze it in.

Lack of CC would be my fear with this kind of build; Your DC's probably aren't high enough for reaper at cap, and you don't have a lot of consistent CC while in Fury. Have you tried running in Dreadnought (CC scales off highest ability mod)? I haven't tried it with this kind of build, but I imagine it's synergize pretty well.

Alternatively, I found the Magus of the Eclipse freeze aura to be pretty effective, so it might be worth putting 21 points in there for that and pairing that with Fury. I'd say Divine Crusader might be helpful too, but I can't speak to the Cower effect in it.

I really want your build to work, because I wanted to do a very similar build for my next life. So please let me know if you try any of these tweaks, and how it feels!

I fed him a heart and I'm trying pure cleric in LD. Went heavy set and am more survivable of course. Dire charge DCs are about 120 pumped