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  1. #1
    Community Member Jodro's Avatar
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    Default Dark Apostate/Ranger build

    Hello everyone,

    I'm trying to make a build based on dark apostate's undead transformation while being melee dodger, I don't have much experience so I'm sending it for constructive feedback.

    Must have build characterisics: Using shadow shrouding, f2p (no extra trees despite class/racial ones), up to lvl 20 (not epic), preferably melee, no tomes, 32-point built, no past life

    Race: Elf
    Nature: Chaotic Neutral
    Class: 6 Ranger/14 Dark Apostate

    Abilities
    STR: 8
    DEX: 20
    CON: 10
    INT: 12
    WIS: 15
    CHA: 8

    All extra ability points at lvl 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 go to DEX

    Skill points
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
    Balance 2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2
    Concentration 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
    Heal 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
    Hide 3 1 1 1 1 1
    Jump 4 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 1/2
    Listen 1
    Move Silently 3 1 1 1 1 1
    Search 1
    Spellcraft 2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
    Spot 1
    Swim 1 1
    Tumble 1/2
    UMD 1 1/2 1/2 1/2

    Feats

    Level 1: Toughness, Favoured enemy: Undead

    Level 3: Dodge

    Level 5: Favoured enemy: Evil Outsider

    Level 6: Mobility

    Level 7: Follower of the Undying Court

    Level 8: Animal Domain Tier I

    Level 9: Improved Critical: Slashing

    Level 11: Animal Domain Tier II

    Level 12: Whirlwind Attack, Undying Call

    Level 15: Greater Two Weapon Fighting, Animal Domain Tier III

    Level 18: Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons

    Level 20: Animal Domain Tier IV


    Encahntments (80 points)

    Tempest (42 points)

    Core Abilities
    • Shield of Whirling Steel
    • Tempest
    • Graceful Death


    Tier 1
    • Improved Reaction(3/3)
    • Whirling Blades I
    • Acrobatic (3/3)



    Tier 2
    • Improved Dodge (3/3)
    • Whirling Blades II



    Tier 3
    • Improved Mobility (3/3)
    • Critical Mastery (3/3)
    • Whirling Blades III


    Tier 4
    • Elaborate Parry (3/3)
    • The Growing Storm (3/3)
    • Whirling Blades IV



    Tier 5
    • Dual Perfection
    • Many Cuts (3/3)
    • Whirling Blades V
    • Dance of Death (3/3)


    Dark apostate (27 points)

    Core Abilities
    • Dark Apostate
    • Shadow Shrouding
    • Enchanted Shadowform I
    • Enchanted Shadowform II


    Tier 1
    • Apostate's Skills (3/3)
    • Apostate's Curse



    Tier 2
    • Enchanted Turning (3/3)
    • Enchanted Curse I



    Tier 3
    • Pray for Mercy
    • Cursed Words
    • Enchanted Curse II
    • Wisdom I



    Tier 4
    • Blessing of the Shadow (1/3)
    • Return to Dusk
    • Enchanted Curse III


    Warpriest (6 points)

    Core Abilities
    • Smite Foe
    • Resilience of Battle



    Tier 1
    • Toughness (2/3)
    • Righteous Weapons I



    Deepwood Stalker (4 points)

    Core Abilities
    • Far Shot



    Tier 1
    • Stealthy (3/3)



    Racial Tree: Elf (1 point)

    Core Abilities
    • Accuracy I



    Thats all, probably for the first 6 levels one must use bow only untill he gets dex based hit and damage with twf and then switch to schimitars.

    Any helping comments and ideas are welcome.

  2. #2
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Default

    Conceptually this is a Tempest Warpriest but with Dark Apostate instead of base class. So what's old is new again!

    First off, you might want to wait until Dark Hunter goes live, which would let you add trap skills and extra sneak attacks: 2d6 free from DH levels plus whatever you can afford from the DH tree. The downside is DH's Favored Enemy options are severely restricted and not that great.

    Second, strongly recommend War domain instead of Animal for Holy Sword (+1 crit range & multiplier); otherwise you won't have any critical threat range bonus unless you use Vistani Knife Fighter (and you said no P2P features so that's out). Your WIS is probably too low for Feral Charge to be useful; and the bonus HPs from Animal domain were majorly nerfed recently (+4 per cleric level vs +10 before).

    Third, your feats are not great. Whirlwind Attack is bad for TWF builds; Dance of Death is much better for AoE damage and the whole point of tier-5 Tempest on a build like this. Likewise Weapon Focus and Toughness. At the very least, you should have Precision ASAP.

    Normally I would suggest human over elf for the extra feat and skill points, but I understand the appeal of our pointy-eared brethren. And Undying Court would let you apply Dark Apostate's Favored Weapon bonuses to scimitars.

    So I was thinking something like this:
    Code:
    Character name: Dark Dark Valenar
    Classes: 14 Dark Apostate, 10 Epic, 6 Dark Hunter, 2 Legendary
    Race: Elf · · · · · · · · ·Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
    
    · · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·25%
    Str:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·HP:· · · · 791 · · ·AC:· · 19
    Dex:· · 18· · 0 · ·26 · · ·PRR: · · · ·10
    Con:· · 14· · 0 · ·14 · · ·MRR: · · · · 0 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · ·0
    Int:· · 16· · 2 · ·18 · · ·Dodge: · ·8/28 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 20
    Wis:· · 10· · 0 · ·10 · · ·Fort:· · · ·0% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · ·0
    Cha:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 21
    DR: 
    Immunities: Sleep
    
    Class and Feat Selection
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
    1 · · Dark Hunter(1)· ·Standard: Precision
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(4), Disable Device(4), Heal(4), Jump(4), Open Lock(4), Search(4), Spot(4), Swim(4)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2), Tumble(2)
    2 · · Dark Hunter(2)· ·
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
    3 · · Dark Hunter(3)· ·Standard: Dodge
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
    4 · · Dark Hunter(4)· ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Listen(2), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    5 · · Dark Hunter(5)· ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Aberration
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
    6 · · Dark Hunter(6)· ·Standard: Mobility
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Listen(2), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    7 · · Dark Apostate(1) Follower of Faith: Follower of the Undying Court
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    8 · · Dark Apostate(2) Domain: War Domain Tier I
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    9 · · Dark Apostate(3) Standard: Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    10· · Dark Apostate(4) 
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    11· · Dark Apostate(5) Domain Feat: War Domain Tier II
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    12· · Dark Apostate(6) Standard: Maximize Spell (OR Spring Attack)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Deity: Undying Call
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    13· · Dark Apostate(7) 
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    14· · Dark Apostate(8) 
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    15· · Dark Apostate(9) Standard: Greater Two Weapon Fighting
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Domain Feat: War Domain Tier III
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    16· · Dark Apostate(10)Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    17· · Dark Apostate(11)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    18· · Dark Apostate(12)Standard: Empower Spell (OR Quicken Spell)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    19· · Dark Apostate(13)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    20· · Dark Apostate(14)Domain Feat: War Domain Tier IV
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
    22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
    23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
    24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell (OR Two Weapon Defense)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Doublestrike
    26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
    27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Damage Reduction
    28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Harbinger of Chaos
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
    30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Watchful Eye
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Ethereal Plane
    31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Enhanced Elemental Dice
    32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    
    
    Skills
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Skill Points· · ·36 10 10 10 10 10· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6
    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 · · · · · 1 ·1· 1 · · 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4.0 · 26.0
    Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Concentration · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 39.0
    Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Disable Device· · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 41.0
    Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Heal· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 37.0
    Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
    Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Jump· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 22.0
    Listen· · · · · · · · · · ·2· · ·2· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4.0 · 20.0
    Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
    Open Lock · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 31.0
    Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
    Search· · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 43.0
    Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
    Spot· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 25.0
    Swim· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 22.0
    Tumble· · · · · · 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 23.0
    Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Active Auto Controlled Stances
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Empty Offhand
    Elf
    Cloth Armor
    Centered
    Chaotic
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Enhancements: 80 APs
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Tempest - Points spent: 40
    Core1 Shield of Whirling Steel
    Tier1 Improved Reaction - 3 Ranks
    Tier1 Improved Defence - 1 Ranks
    Tier1 Whirling Blades I
    Tier2 Improved Dodge - 3 Ranks
    Core2 Tempest
    Tier2 Improved Parry - 3 Ranks
    Tier2 Action Boost: Haste Boost - 3 Ranks
    Tier2 Whirling Blades II
    Core3 Graceful Death
    Tier3 Whirling Blades III
    Tier3 Improved Mobility - 3 Ranks
    Tier4 Whirling Blades IV
    Tier4 The Growing Storm - 3 Ranks
    Tier5 Cuts: Tempest: A Thousand Cuts - 3 Ranks
    Tier5 Dual Perfection
    Tier5 Whirling Blades V
    Tier5 Dance of Death - 3 Ranks
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Dark Apostate - Points spent: 26
    Core1 Dark Apostate
    Tier1 Bane
    Tier1 Apostate's Curse
    Tier2 Enhanced Curse I
    Core2 Shadow Shrouding
    Tier2 Prayer
    Tier2 Dark Rewards - 3 Ranks
    Core3 Enhanced Shadowform I
    Tier3 Enhanced Curse II
    Tier3 Cursed Words
    Tier3 Pray for Mercy
    Core4 Enhanced Shadowform II
    Tier4 Blessing of the Shadow - 1 Ranks
    Tier4 Return to Dusk
    Tier4 Enhanced Curse III
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Deepwood Stalker - Points spent: 11
    Core1 Far Shot
    Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
    Tier1 Tendon Cut - 1 Ranks
    Core2 Sneak Attack
    Tier2 Action Boost: Melee/Ranged Power Boost - 3 Ranks
    Tier2 Improved Weapon Finesse
    Core3 Called Shot: Exposing Strike
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Dark Hunter - Points spent: 3
    Core1 Underdark Stalker
    Tier1 Bleed the Weak
    You could stagger out the Hunter / Apostate levels to spread those extra skill points from DH a bit more evenly, but it would mean delaying your Tempest enhancements. If/when you unlock Harper Agent or Horizon Walker, you can shift APs from Dark Apostate into them for a Battle Trance (Know the Angles or No Step Missed). Unsure what to do with Epic Destinies, but definitely Shadowdancer would be in there for extra sneak attacks and Evasion.

    EDIT: scimitars have 14-20/x3 critical threat range with Holy Sword + Improved Critical, which should go well with Dark Apostate's Enhanced Curse III ("On crit, you apply the effects of the Curse spell") and Enhanced Shadowform II ("Your Bestow Curse, Doom, and Bane spells no longer have a saving throw").
    Last edited by unbongwah; 02-16-2023 at 01:02 PM.
    Semi-retired Build Engineer. Everything was better back in our day. Get off my lawn.

  3. #3
    Community Member Jodro's Avatar
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    Dec 2022
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    Default

    First of, Dude your answers are amazing, always so detailed and helpful great job.

    Normally I would suggest human over elf for the extra feat and skill points, but I understand the appeal of our pointy-eared brethren. And Undying Court would let you apply Dark Apostate's Favored Weapon bonuses to scimitars.
    Yeah, about that, my first attempt was a human 6 barb/2 rogue/12 dark apostate with twf longswords and heavy on occult slayer tree (because wepon bond charge gets doubled with twf and don't need higher than lvl 5 barb to fully utilize it) and strength domain instead. But then i found out that elves get schimitars as favoured weapons which are slightly better (and cooler) and on top of that there is the tempest tree that gives you free twf dex based with them without spending anything on feats and a bunch of twf bonuses. So for me it was a done deal.

    The previous build might had worked a bit better with 5 barb/3 rogue/12 dark apostate and dex based daggers instead, but they don't do much damage.

    Second, strongly recommend War domain instead of Animal for Holy Sword (+1 crit range & multiplier); otherwise you won't have any critical threat range bonus unless you use Vistani Knife Fighter (and you said no P2P features so that's out). Your WIS is probably too low for Feral Charge to be useful; and the bonus HPs from Animal domain were majorly nerfed recently (+4 per cleric level vs +10 before).
    Would luck domain also work? I get that i lose attack power but i get a bit extra on not getting damage.

    The only reason I boosted wisom a bit extra was to also have some spell power, but tbh i don't know how much a melee fighter might need it.

    Also thanks for showing me this:
    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    Code:
    Character name: Dark Dark Valenar
    Classes: 14 Dark Apostate, 10 Epic, 6 Dark Hunter, 2 Legendary
    Race: Elf · · · · · · · · ·Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
    
    · · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·25%
    Str:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·HP:· · · · 791 · · ·AC:· · 19
    Dex:· · 18· · 0 · ·26 · · ·PRR: · · · ·10
    Con:· · 14· · 0 · ·14 · · ·MRR: · · · · 0 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · ·0
    Int:· · 16· · 2 · ·18 · · ·Dodge: · ·8/28 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 20
    Wis:· · 10· · 0 · ·10 · · ·Fort:· · · ·0% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · ·0
    Cha:· · ·8· · 0 · · 8 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 21
    DR: 
    Immunities: Sleep
    
    Class and Feat Selection
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
    1 · · Dark Hunter(1)· ·Standard: Precision
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(4), Disable Device(4), Heal(4), Jump(4), Open Lock(4), Search(4), Spot(4), Swim(4)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2), Tumble(2)
    2 · · Dark Hunter(2)· ·
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
    3 · · Dark Hunter(3)· ·Standard: Dodge
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
    4 · · Dark Hunter(4)· ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Listen(2), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    5 · · Dark Hunter(5)· ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Aberration
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
    6 · · Dark Hunter(6)· ·Standard: Mobility
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Disable Device(1), Heal(1), Jump(1), Listen(2), Open Lock(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Swim(1)
    7 · · Dark Apostate(1) Follower of Faith: Follower of the Undying Court
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    8 · · Dark Apostate(2) Domain: War Domain Tier I
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    9 · · Dark Apostate(3) Standard: Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    10· · Dark Apostate(4) 
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    11· · Dark Apostate(5) Domain Feat: War Domain Tier II
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    12· · Dark Apostate(6) Standard: Maximize Spell (OR Spring Attack)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Deity: Undying Call
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    13· · Dark Apostate(7) 
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    14· · Dark Apostate(8) 
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    15· · Dark Apostate(9) Standard: Greater Two Weapon Fighting
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Domain Feat: War Domain Tier III
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    16· · Dark Apostate(10)Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    17· · Dark Apostate(11)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    18· · Dark Apostate(12)Standard: Empower Spell (OR Quicken Spell)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    19· · Dark Apostate(13)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    20· · Dark Apostate(14)Domain Feat: War Domain Tier IV
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Heal(1)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Disable Device(2), Search(2)
    21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
    22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
    23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
    24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell (OR Two Weapon Defense)
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Doublestrike
    26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
    27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Damage Reduction
    28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Harbinger of Chaos
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
    30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Watchful Eye
    · · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Ethereal Plane
    31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Enhanced Elemental Dice
    32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
    
    
    Skills
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Skill Points· · ·36 10 10 10 10 10· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6· 6 ·6
    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 · · · · · 1 ·1· 1 · · 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4.0 · 26.0
    Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Concentration · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 39.0
    Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Disable Device· · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 41.0
    Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Heal· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 37.0
    Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
    Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Jump· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 22.0
    Listen· · · · · · · · · · ·2· · ·2· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4.0 · 20.0
    Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
    Open Lock · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 31.0
    Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
    Search· · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 43.0
    Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 18.0
    Spot· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 25.0
    Swim· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 9.0 · 22.0
    Tumble· · · · · · 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 23.0
    Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 13.0
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    Active Auto Controlled Stances
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Empty Offhand
    Elf
    Cloth Armor
    Centered
    Chaotic
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Enhancements: 80 APs
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Tempest - Points spent: 40
    Core1 Shield of Whirling Steel
    Tier1 Improved Reaction - 3 Ranks
    Tier1 Improved Defence - 1 Ranks
    Tier1 Whirling Blades I
    Tier2 Improved Dodge - 3 Ranks
    Core2 Tempest
    Tier2 Improved Parry - 3 Ranks
    Tier2 Action Boost: Haste Boost - 3 Ranks
    Tier2 Whirling Blades II
    Core3 Graceful Death
    Tier3 Whirling Blades III
    Tier3 Improved Mobility - 3 Ranks
    Tier4 Whirling Blades IV
    Tier4 The Growing Storm - 3 Ranks
    Tier5 Cuts: Tempest: A Thousand Cuts - 3 Ranks
    Tier5 Dual Perfection
    Tier5 Whirling Blades V
    Tier5 Dance of Death - 3 Ranks
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Dark Apostate - Points spent: 26
    Core1 Dark Apostate
    Tier1 Bane
    Tier1 Apostate's Curse
    Tier2 Enhanced Curse I
    Core2 Shadow Shrouding
    Tier2 Prayer
    Tier2 Dark Rewards - 3 Ranks
    Core3 Enhanced Shadowform I
    Tier3 Enhanced Curse II
    Tier3 Cursed Words
    Tier3 Pray for Mercy
    Core4 Enhanced Shadowform II
    Tier4 Blessing of the Shadow - 1 Ranks
    Tier4 Return to Dusk
    Tier4 Enhanced Curse III
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Deepwood Stalker - Points spent: 11
    Core1 Far Shot
    Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
    Tier1 Tendon Cut - 1 Ranks
    Core2 Sneak Attack
    Tier2 Action Boost: Melee/Ranged Power Boost - 3 Ranks
    Tier2 Improved Weapon Finesse
    Core3 Called Shot: Exposing Strike
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Dark Hunter - Points spent: 3
    Core1 Underdark Stalker
    Tier1 Bleed the Weak
    took me forever to write it the way i did

    First off, you might want to wait until Dark Hunter goes live, which would let you add trap skills and extra sneak attacks: 2d6 free from DH levels plus whatever you can afford from the DH tree. The downside is DH's Favored Enemy options are severely restricted and not that great.
    Didn't know about this sub class, looks very useful. Do you have a date of release?

  4. #4
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jodro View Post
    Would luck domain also work?
    Without Holy Sword, scimitars cap out at 15-20/x2; with Holy Sword, they're 14-20/x3. So that's roughly a 30-35% increase to "raw" DPS (i.e., non-sneak-attack or Imbue based), not counting the +5% chance to apply proc-on-crit effects like Enhanced Curse III or Burst damage on weapons. Unless you plan to TR as soon as you hit 20, take the War domain.
    took me forever to write it the way i did
    I used this character planner: https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showth...racter-Planner

    The Dark Hunter info in it is based on the first preview which has changed since then. But since I literally only spent 3 APs on DH tree, the differences don't affect my build at all.
    Didn't know about this sub class, looks very useful. Do you have a date of release?
    I didn't see an official date announced but since this week was the third preview, I would expect it within the next two weeks. Unfortunately Lamannia just closed so one can't test the build.
    Last edited by unbongwah; 02-16-2023 at 02:45 PM.
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  5. #5
    Community Member Jodro's Avatar
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    Ok, I can do some changes then, maybe toss some more feats and add child of faith too.

    I also noticed that we have different favoured enemies. I thought undead and evil outsiders are the most common, is it wrong?

    Since you are very experienced, How would you rate your or my build? Average?

    Regarding Dark Hunter, while its true that he isn't very useful to this built compared to regural ranger, he seems amazing for combining with other classes and builds, rogue is probably the one everyone thinks of first.

    EDIT: Bane and Prayer from enchantment tree are different from the lvl 1 spells cleric has?
    Last edited by Jodro; 02-16-2023 at 04:33 PM.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jodro View Post
    I also noticed that we have different favoured enemies. I thought undead and evil outsiders are the most common, is it wrong?

    EDIT: Bane and Prayer from enchantment tree are different from the lvl 1 spells cleric has?
    Dark Hunter's favored enemy selection is a lot more limited, and undead and outsiders just aren't available to them.

    The Bane and Prayer spells are the same, but as SLAs, you can add metamagics to them for free, and Apostates get to deal damage to people using them, unlike normal Clerics.
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  7. #7
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jodro View Post
    I thought undead and evil outsiders are the most common, is it wrong?
    Like I said, "Favored Enemy options are severely restricted and not that great." Dark Hunter can only take Vermin, Elf, Aberration, Animal, Humanoid, and Monstrous Humanoid.
    EDIT: Bane and Prayer from enchantment tree are different from the lvl 1 spells cleric has?
    Like all SLAs, you can apply metamagics to them for free. And Dark Apostate has an interesting effect to apply to them:
    • Pray for Mercy: Your Prayer-like spells (Bless, Bane, Prayer) now resonate with Evil energies, dealing 1d4 Evil damage per Caster Level to all enemies. This damage is doubled against enemies that are Cursed.

    Will this be enough damage to merit spending so many APs in Dark Apostate? I'm looking forward to finding out!
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  8. #8
    Community Member Jodro's Avatar
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    I see you didn't put any skill points in spellcraft. Isn't evil damage, casted by apostate's curse on wepon hit, boosted by light spellpower? Or its so little that is negletable?

  9. #9
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jodro View Post
    I see you didn't put any skill points in spellcraft. Isn't evil damage, casted by apostate's curse on wepon hit, boosted by light spellpower? Or its so little that is negletable?
    Brain fart: I had Negative Spellpower (Heal) and Evil / Alignment Spellpower (Spellcraft) conflated. Adding Spellcraft means either higher INT, switching to human, or dropping a different skill like Concentration.

    But I was also thinking of using Bleed the Weak, since it has higher base damage than Dark Apostate's Curse and scales with Melee Power instead of Spellpower. But then I added the Apostate SLAs because, well, I needed to spend a bunch of APs to get Enhanced Curse III (Curse on critical hit) and Enhanced Shadowform II (15% Incorporealty and no saves on Curse/Doom/Bane) so I figured "why not?"
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    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    Brain fart: I had Negative Spellpower (Heal) and Evil / Alignment Spellpower (Spellcraft) conflated. Adding Spellcraft means either higher INT, switching to human, or dropping a different skill like Concentration.

    But I was also thinking of using Bleed the Weak, since it has higher base damage than Dark Apostate's Curse and scales with Melee Power instead of Spellpower. But then I added the Apostate SLAs because, well, I needed to spend a bunch of APs to get Enhanced Curse III (Curse on critical hit) and Enhanced Shadowform II (15% Incorporealty and no saves on Curse/Doom/Bane) so I figured "why not?"
    I only have whatever I can muster for skill points with a slowly maturing +8 supreme tome. That being said, all of my skill points just go into spellcraft and heal, with an occasional point or two into concentration.

    I started with a 8 strength (falconry for damage) and am using two longswords (favored weapon). That being said, there are w few things that are my bread and butter that do a lot of bacon saving... Dark judgement for stupid huge, nearly endless temporary hps, and of all things prayer sla. Prayer does lots of good things, but ramped up with force spellpower that damage gets pretty high. Its sp cheap, you can enlarge it, there is no save, and its instant. Likewise, I find that align spellpower does a heck of a job driving up my imbue damage.

    There is one question I can't figure out. Something happens in fights, not terribly often, when suddenly my enemies start taking huge purple damage from my imbue damage. It goes from ~100-140 per hit to 250-350 per hit. I don't think its attached to the curse on crit, and tbh i hardly ever use the actual imbue curse enhancement, not even to delete undead. SOMETHING does it, and the effect is highly noticeable.

    Given that dark judgement is aoe-all friendlies, and pumps out 10 per cleric level temp hps at instant "cast", and gets endless recharges if you took turn regen. When I started using it, the whole game changed. Frankly, in most dungeons I run, there isn't a lot of undead that i cant blat with smite or flamestrike or whathaveyou, leaving a huge number of unused turns.

    I am currently a 2fighter/10 da, and I am loving it. I took some advice elsewhere and decided to just turn on maximize 100% of the time on my combat spells. It sucks up some serious spellpoints, but again like with undead, cleaning house with prayer and random twf swinging is a breeze against most everything.

    I haven't found a downside yet, other than having to cc an impulse ring :|

    Would I mix this with ranger? Dark hunter specifically? Hell yes, 6/14. But I am hard pressed to figure out when I should take levels in both. DA is so phenomenal a game changer that taking the levels starting at 7 would be horrifying. It might be better to go with barb 2 or something, but the extra fighter feat is amazingly helpful.

    I will admit, this took some significant trial and error with enhancements to make this go, but little of my gear was farmed (earth pendant, got summer ring early, ToEE ds specs).

    Definitely will do this again, but maybe thf with 13 strength and possibly 2 paladin, since cha is used for undead turning anyway.

  11. #11
    Community Member PerfectWater's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    Normally I would suggest human over elf for the extra feat and skill points
    You baited me into my first post! If you converted this to Human, would you take Olladra and use sickles or just ignore the favored weapon stuff? Curious about the ability spread as well, since you can't get 18 Dex without doing 8 Wis (32 point build) which is doable but annoying for spells.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by PerfectWater View Post
    ...you can't get 18 Dex without doing 8 Wis (32 point build) which is doable but annoying for spells.
    You have to prioritize, based on your playstyle and your view of what's "practical".

    If you are not blindly married to absolute max damage, go with 17 Dex (which is almost as good), and start with 11 Wisdom, which (with +2 Guild buffs) has you covered up to Level 3 spells. Nothing wrong with starting with an "odd" value in a stat, unless you have every last piece of gear pre-planned (which most first-life don't).

    You could also start w/ a 16 Dex and an 11 starting Strength, which helps avoid Encumbrance, another problem for 1st-life that have no Str tomes.

    Or some combination of the two. All depends what you value.

  13. #13
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PerfectWater View Post
    If you converted this to Human, would you take Olladra and use sickles or just ignore the favored weapon stuff?
    Apostate's Curse only works with Favored Weapons and that's kind of a signature feature of the build I posted. And since we're DEX-based, Favored weapon options are even more limited. If not using elf or half-elf for scimitars, you could go for daggers with Blood of Vol; or drow with short swords (Vulkoor). Even with Swords to Plowshares, most sickles will cap out at 17-20/x3 (there's a few with inherent +2 crit range which would be 15-20/x3); unless you convert this build to use Swashbuckler instead of Tempest. If you splash monk, you can make longswords DEX-compatible via Whirling Steel Strike plus take Knight's Training for +1 crit multiplier; but that means giving up either ranger 6 (Exposing Strike + free ITWF) or cleric 14 (Holy Sword).
    Curious about the ability spread as well, since you can't get 18 Dex without doing 8 Wis (32 point build) which is doable but annoying for spells.
    You could stick with regular ranger instead of Dark Hunter and drop the trap skills, which means you need only enough INT for your primary skills; then put those extra build points into WIS. Alternatively, since this is meant as a F2P build, put them into CHA so you can use Divine Might for Battle Trance.
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  14. #14
    Community Member PerfectWater's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by C-Dog View Post
    You have to prioritize, based on your playstyle and your view of what's "practical".

    If you are not blindly married to absolute max damage, go with 17 Dex (which is almost as good), and start with 11 Wisdom, which (with +2 Guild buffs) has you covered up to Level 3 spells. Nothing wrong with starting with an "odd" value in a stat, unless you have every last piece of gear pre-planned (which most first-life don't).

    You could also start w/ a 16 Dex and an 11 starting Strength, which helps avoid Encumbrance, another problem for 1st-life that have no Str tomes.

    Or some combination of the two. All depends what you value.
    Hi C-Dog. I personally have no problem doing something like 17 main stat if it works out later. I'm more intellectually curious about build philosophy in this case than actually playing it. I don't have much experience with DDO, but I've been interested in 3.5/Pathfinder character building for a long time. I love the puzzle solving!

    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    Apostate's Curse only works with Favored Weapons and that's kind of a signature feature of the build I posted.
    Man, I hate missing obvious stuff. Haven't messed around with Clerics/Favored souls and favored weapons in a long time.

    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    And since we're DEX-based, Favored weapon options are even more limited. If not using elf or half-elf for scimitars, you could go for daggers with Blood of Vol; or drow with short swords (Vulkoor). Even with Swords to Plowshares, most sickles will cap out at 17-20/x3 (there's a few with inherent +2 crit range which would be 15-20/x3); unless you convert this build to use Swashbuckler instead of Tempest. If you splash monk, you can make longswords DEX-compatible via Whirling Steel Strike plus take Knight's Training for +1 crit multiplier; but that means giving up either ranger 6 (Exposing Strike + free ITWF) or cleric 14 (Holy Sword).

    You could stick with regular ranger instead of Dark Hunter and drop the trap skills, which means you need only enough INT for your primary skills; then put those extra build points into WIS. Alternatively, since this is meant as a F2P build, put them into CHA so you can use Divine Might for Battle Trance.
    I was just interested in what you had in mind before you were constrained by "Elf" as a parameter. Sounded like you thought the build would be better as a Human so I was wondering what that would look like. I considered Vol but then naturally there's a temptation to go into VKF, and you don't really have the AP to add that tree as far as I can tell.

  15. #15
    Community Member Jodro's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PerfectWater View Post
    I was just interested in what you had in mind before you were constrained by "Elf" as a parameter. Sounded like you thought the build would be better as a Human so I was wondering what that would look like. I considered Vol but then naturally there's a temptation to go into VKF, and you don't really have the AP to add that tree as far as I can tell.
    Sorry for those restrictions, but asked it to be F2P build so everyone can have access to it. And using elf (which gets schimitars) seemed to have the most powerful result I could go with.

    P.S. Wow, didn't expect people to come back to this post, I thought it was over. Glad to see people liking dark apostate

  16. #16
    Community Member PerfectWater's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jodro View Post
    Sorry for those restrictions, but asked it to be F2P build so everyone can have access to it. And using elf (which gets schimitars) seemed to have the most powerful result I could go with.

    P.S. Wow, didn't expect people to come back to this post, I thought it was over. Glad to see people liking dark apostate
    Apology unaccepted and unnecessary!. I just liked this concept for some reason. I enjoy unusual divine melee builds. Honestly I just like to see how "master builders" come up with solutions to problems. Mr. Unbongwah has been a great resource on the Pathfinder CRPG subreddit so I was glad to see him here helping out. Anyway, now I'm just brownnosing so I'll go back to lurking.

  17. #17
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PerfectWater View Post
    I was just interested in what you had in mind before you were constrained by "Elf" as a parameter. Sounded like you thought the build would be better as a Human so I was wondering what that would look like.
    Human gets an extra feat and skill points, both of which are helpful for a dual-wielding melee/trapper/caster hybrid like this. But only elves and half-elves can take Undying Court for scimitars as Favored Weapons which are a pretty good option for this specific build concept.

    Forgot to mention anyone can take The Undying Court's Blessing from Divine Crusader at level 23 to gain scimitars as Favored weapons, if you don't mind using something else for leveling.

    EDIT: I made a Veteran toon (elf Dark Hunter 3 / Dark Apostate 4) to test a couple of things:
    • If I take the level 3 Tempest core and DWS Improved Weapon Finesse, do I get DEX to hit and damage with scimitars? Yes, which would let me stagger out DH levels (to better spread skill points) without having to delay DEX to hit and damage so much.
    • If I equip a scimitar in my main hand and something else in my offhand, does the latter still benefit from Apostate's Curse? Yes, although the reverse is not true, meaning you have to have a scimitar in your main hand.
    Last edited by unbongwah; 03-01-2023 at 06:13 PM.
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  18. #18
    Community Member Jodro's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    If I equip a scimitar in my main hand and something else in my offhand, does the latter still benefit from Apostate's Curse? Yes, although the reverse is not true, meaning you have to have a scimitar in your main hand.
    Thats very interesting, but I'm not sure what happens with the passive extra damage you get for favoured weapons. "You follow the Undying Court. You have +2 to attack and damage rolls with scimitars." How damage roll works on twf? Cause if you get 1 for each weapon then you supposedly shouldn't get the extra damage for other weapon than schimitar.

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    So I wanted to give some feedback incase it may be helpful to your build idea. I tried a similar build of 12 cleric/6 ranger/2monk. I did this split for the GM of forms from monk for the easy doublestrike bonus. Luck domain cleric for displacement since no lvl 14 means no holy sword. However, I build around the imbue dice from DA over standard damage. I didn't even take Imp Crit until lvl 18. I also used my monk bonus feats to get dodge/mobility for WW to help with AoE pre 12. All that being said, the damage is pretty disgusting in my opinion.

    At level 15, I was doing around 160dmg per hit, per weapon. No doublestrike, no crit. at 16 this was more like 200-220. So per swing, proccing my offhand strike I was doing 320-440 dmg. Add my 45% doublestrike and haste boot and the number just roll. Granted this is in mid/high heroics.
    The way I built, I focused heavy on ranger early to pick up Tempest T5 for the AoE, so my imbue dice came in late. I picked up most of my dice between 14-20. The numbers mentioned above, this was with only 6 imbue dice, I had 3 more by 20.
    If I focused more into a standard people Idk how the damage compares but I think the imbue dice from DA is very nice, and easy to scale. Plus AA gives you +6 dice if you want to invest heavy since you already have ranger. It does split your enhancements thin, and you do miss the bigger crit profiles but I have had no problem deleting content with this.

    Now the downside, cloth armor, even with displacement and everything I can manage for defenses, I still feel squishy until I was able to get Heal (level 19). Not squishy in getting 1 shot, but taking lots of medium damage hits and not being able to easily out heal them. Granted this is on reaper as well attempting content solo. I could do most things solo, just had to heal between fights here and there.
    I also did this as a gnome since it was for a racial PL. However if you have the racial points it would be much better as a Drow for +2 more imbue dice and Shortsword favored weapon (using daggers on gnome meant investing 12 pts into vistani to stay centered vs 1 pt in monk).

    Hope this helps with maybe some comparison or a different angle of approach to this type of build. I'm unsure how the loss of holy sword vs grandmaster of forms comparison works out since imbue is my main focus, might try it the other way around next life.

  20. #20
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jodro View Post
    Thats very interesting, but I'm not sure what happens with the passive extra damage you get for favoured weapons. "You follow the Undying Court. You have +2 to attack and damage rolls with scimitars." How damage roll works on twf? Cause if you get 1 for each weapon then you supposedly shouldn't get the extra damage for other weapon than schimitar.
    Levelling a first-lifer is easier if you don't need double of every weapon but can use non-scimitars in your offhand (and still benefit from Apostate's Curse). That's what I was testing to confirm.
    Last edited by unbongwah; 03-07-2023 at 02:51 PM.
    Semi-retired Build Engineer. Everything was better back in our day. Get off my lawn.

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