I need to roll a dwarf

[voodoogroves]

I've always liked dwarves. For me, it's always been Human, Dwarf and (w/ the coming of Eberron) WF and Shifters. I've played others in a variety of games, but keep going back to that core.

That's my instinct, which can be overwritten by brute force efficiency - so I roll things like Half Orcs.

Staring at the loading screen yesterday, it occurs to me the only dwarves I have are bank mules. I need to rectify that. DDO favors dwarves for tactics, axes (including d-axe whigh has a minor leaning towards use with shields or rune arms) and some AC boosts (increased dex, etc.) Hit me with some ideas - as I'd want to craft some GS, get some shield turn ins, etc. to prep for the next life.

What I'd prefer not
- I have lots of monks and monk types.
- Caster base - I'm leaning more towards hybrid casters these days

What I'd be leaning towards
- Something that has some amount of self healing
- Something that leverages either tactics or THF/cleaving/d-axe bonuses



This puts me on things like 18/2 Pally, Bard, Ranger ... but it seems like I can't get DPS, self healing AND tactics all in the same feat-space.

- A ranger 18/1/1 Exploiter would essentially be ... Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Power Attack, Improved Crit, Toughness, Tempest 3 feat, Quicken Spell ... how valuable is Tempest 3 compared to dropping to Tempest 2 and having a deeper split, fitting in Stunning Blow or other tactics? Any of you rangers really getting meaningful tactics DCs moderately easily? I suppose epic feats could help fill in the gaps.


- A pal 18/2 would lend itself to Defender and be ... PA, Cleave, Great Cleave, Toughness, Improved Crit, Shield Mastery, Improved Shield Mastery, Quicken, Empower Healing ... I could potentially drop Toughness and fit in Sunder, maybe one other in Epic levels? Same question - how's the tactics looking for paladins these days?


Bard would probably rely on songs for CC and not tactics. Doable, but not ideal. Fighter would rock the tactics, but not have the self healing I want. I'm not inclined to push another "caster base but not really a caster" base, but could be convinced.


Brainstorm me!

[CrackedIce]

Depends on what tactic feats your looking for really.

12 - 14 ranger base tempest could work.

12 tempest / 6 barb / 2 fighter works well - use of rage and self healing is managable as the rage is situational based anyway - twist tactics in any other destiny

barb nets you more then just a silly rage ability - beserker I, move speed, HP, uncanny dodge, PA + 2

feats: dodge, mobility, spring, Improved slash, PA, C, GC, stunning blow, toughness


12 tempest/ 7 fighter / 1 barb (for quick movement, but anyother class could do - rogue, arti, wizzy, monk)

dont take kensei I as feats arent that great for it so nets you 2 more feats then previous build (CE Improved trip, quicken empower heal, use Defender stance instead (extra 10% hp is solid)

Could go LD, fury, or shadowdancer. LD stands out with axes though and the cleaving abilities.

Could also use whirling dervish platform and specialize in tactics instead.

Alternatively fighter 12 and self heal through UMD and empower heal cocoon. Try 12 kensei 6 defender pali. Depending whether you want evasion and dodge over full armor PRR for third class. (2 monk, 2 rogue, 2 ranger...)

Could go 7 druid on the kensei or ranger platfom too - fatal harrier and daxes blitzing sounds pretty nifty.

In sum, my take is that endgame tempest II is better than Kensei II for raw damage - but Kensei II may be beneficial purely b/c you still have fighter feats to play with but at that point defender II I think is better for endgame.

If you do want to stay in LD then I prefer Defender II over Kensei II even when using tactics. The extra PRR and HP just adds that much (i.e. just dont play as a tank, play no different as you would for a kensei)

From what you want I think I would end up as 12 fighter (defender) ranger (tempest I) with either monk, pali, or rogue for last two dep whether you want evasion, umd, saves.

If dont care about evasion and getting charisma on dwarf isnt what you want to do, Consider 7 ranger for 3rd tier heals and cleric (empower heal, echoes of power), barb for movement (which is big when blitzing)

Here is a quick rendition below:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Dwarf Male
(12 Fighter \ 7 Ranger \ 1 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 396
Spell Points: 195 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 12
Will: 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             17                    24
Dexterity            14                    17
Constitution         18                    20
Intelligence         14                    14
Wisdom                9                     9
Charisma              6                     6

Tomes Used
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               2                     7
Bluff                -2                    -2
Concentration         4                     5
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                    -2
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  2                     3
Intimidate           -2                     4
Jump                  3                     7
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         2                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     2
Search                2                     4
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  3                     7
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Trip


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow


Level 17 (Fighter)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 19 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Whirlwind Attack


Level 20 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense III
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics I
Enhancement: Dwarven Tactics II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) II
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate I
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II

Whirlwind feat chosen for fun, but could go improved sunder, improved ranged or some other if you want.

Anyway that is my two cents. Hopefully gave you some ideas for what you would like to do.

Cheers!

[Khatzhas]

Do you have access to the Druid class?

[Lord_kNiels]

I've long wanted to roll a dual warhammer wielding dwarven bard. Which makes me think dwarves should also receive bonuses to hammers and picks in addition to or as an option in place of axes. Maybe it would interest you. A dwarven warchanter with hammers would give you some of the self sufficiency you look for.

Maybe 16/2/2 bard fighter rogue, for feats and evasion, or something other than rogue if you want some offensive benefit instead. Just throwing my thoughts out there, as they have haunted me for a while

Reason I haven't rolled one myself is because I currently have a great deal of characters with little time to attend them all regularly. If I had infinite time at my disposal, this dwarf would definitely have seen the lights of eberron.

[Dandonk]

Personally I recommend rolling them in eggs and sugar. Preferably after washing the dwarf in question*. This way they taste best.


* This may be the difficult part to accomplish. Please take all necessary (and some unnecessary) care while attempting this step. You have been warned.

[voodoogroves]

I've long wanted to roll a dual warhammer wielding dwarven bard. Which makes me think dwarves should also receive bonuses to hammers and picks in addition to or as an option in place of axes. Maybe it would interest you. A dwarven warchanter with hammers would give you some of the self sufficiency you look for.

Maybe 16/2/2 bard fighter rogue, for feats and evasion, or something other than rogue if you want some offensive benefit instead. Just throwing my thoughts out there, as they have haunted me for a while

Reason I haven't rolled one myself is because I currently have a great deal of characters with little time to attend them all regularly. If I had infinite time at my disposal, this dwarf would definitely have seen the lights of eberron.

The fact that dwarves don't get a bonus with hammers makes we want to weep, pull my hair and gnash my teeth.

If I went Bard and TWF it would likely be fighter 2 / ranger 2 ... but I don't see that as very different than OTHER bards I have. I'd consider a S&B bard for a non-serious alt, but the characters I'm looking to TR have gear investment I'd rather not dump on a future bank toon.


I DO have access to druid. There's a thought.

[Khatzhas]

I DO have access to druid. There's a thought.

Its a hybrid caster with great self-healing that still leverages the tactics bonuses.

Downside is that you won't look like a dwarf while playing.
Or upside maybe.

[Vellrad]

Is playing non-dwarf possible at all?

[voodoogroves]

Is playing non-dwarf possible at all?

Vellrad was elf now WF ... you tell me ;-)

Its a hybrid caster with great self-healing that still leverages the tactics bonuses.

What uses the tactics bonuses? Some of the form attacks?

[Hellllboy]

I have a number of fun Dwarf Builds I have done lately.

My current life is a Dwarf Ranger/Rog (19/1)-I have been pretty happy with him as a trapper and off tank TWF melee. (currently at 13 atm)

My previous life was a Dwarf Rog/Fighter (12/8)-Mechanic/SD and I had a lot of fun with that build-I could get every trap in the game and had decent self healing and THF.

I also have a third life Dwarf Bard/Barbarian (14/6) that I enjoy playing as well as a 2 hander.

Most of my Dwarves use Great or Dwarven Axes-depending on my feat allowances.

[Fecerak]

The first thing I thought of was something like Fighter 12/Druid 7/Rogue or Artificer 1
Kensei II and Fighter tactics enhancements along with load of feats helps the tactics a lot, 7 druid gives you access to CSW, which should be decent self-healing, along with nice things like Fatal Harrier, Reaving Roar, FoM+Sleet Storm, Ram's Might, pets to do levers, among other things. Rogue or Artificer gives you UMD, although if that isn't necessary you have lots of options for that last level, like barb for the movespeed, monk if you need more feats, rogue or arti as mentioned or possibly even ranger for sprint boost and a favored enemy (which potentially could be decently synergistic with the FE from primal avatar if you use that as your destiny).

The only possible issue I can see is that the self-healing might be a bit lower than you wanted, but other than that it seems like it fits what you want fairly well.

[chance2000]

I need to roll a dwarf.
Do not try and roll my dwarf!
Hands off the Smigit!!!!

[Bacab]

I love my Dwarven Battle Cleric named "Hjealer" (18CLR/2FTR). Though I have been playing Atropine's final WIZ life lately and been duoing Bacab with a buddy's WF Barb...do "Hjealer" has not been played for a month or so.

Voodoo...

Maybe a simple 20 Kensei Fighter that is a Stunning Blow Fiend...and you use 2 Warhammers... or a Deathnip and a Warhammer?

[Kilbar]

I find Dwarf Pallys to be great fun.

Oh, Voodoogroves, I too wish Dwarves had bonuses with hammers and picks to reflect their mining and forge-working heritage. Of course, I also wish warhammers could be specialized in...

[Rawrargh]

Have you considered a good ol' strength based Battlecleric? Nothing beats a full plate wearing, greataxe swinging, evil smiting, aura healing cleric in my book.

That'll get you DPS(decent), self sufficiency(buckloads of it), You might even be able to squeeze in some tactics...

2-3 levels of fighter or 2 levels of fighter 1 level of wizard for 3 extra feats

toughness
powerattack (ftr)
empower healing
cleave (Ftr)
quicken (wiz)
great cleave
improved crit
Thf
ithf
gthf
Epic Overwhelming crit
Stunning blow

... Yeah that could actually work think I'm gonna have to roll a new dwarf...

[whereispowderedsilve]

**Not my build!!!!**

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=413310

Looks pretty dope though *imo*! Check/try it out! :P! ! Go the Dwarves!

[Vellrad]

Here is what I use (level 16 so far)
Feel free to use/improve/ignore

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.16.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Warpriest of Moradin
Level 25 Neutral Good Dwarf Male
(2 Fighter \ 17 Cleric \ 1 Wizard \ 5 Epic) 


                  Starting          
Abilities        Base Stats         
(36 Point)       (Level 1)          
Strength             17             
Dexterity             8             
Constitution         15             
Intelligence         11             
Wisdom               16             
Charisma             11             

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 25

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 2 (Cleric)


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 4 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Cleric)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 16 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Cleric)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 21 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Overwhelming Critical


Level 22 (Fighter)


Level 23 (Fighter)


Level 24 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 25 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Improved Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Force Manipulation I
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Charisma II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Might II
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning III
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery II

I don't know why, but planner lets me to take 2 feats at lvl24, probably its not allowed in game, so there will be no GTHF.

[DynaTheCat]

I believes we have enough dwarves around here.

[NovaNZ]

Hail Voodoogroves.

I only play dwarf alts.

STR based bard16 (SS), Ftr2, Rogue2 - cleave, great cleave, stunning blow, great fun to play, heals reasonably, traps - useful.

I am also doing dwarf STR based acrobat 16, Ranger2, Ftr2 - cleave, gt cleave, manyshot - fun to play.

Hell - combat engineer/mechanic/anything is a good generic base.

Clonk - cleric17/monk2/ftr1

GL

[Vellrad]

Have fun playing the true and only master race, but I warn you- after you try it, there is no going back.
When you decide what you want to play, come back and let us know.

Vellrad was elf now WF ... you tell me ;-)

And he is gimpiest gimp of all the gimps, unsavable, dieing in simpliest forgotalbe realms quests.
Even if reborn as the true master race, taint of elfkind stained him, and will be gimped still.
So he is warforged, at least he get to eat halfing or 2 sometimes.

<stupid image>

I believes we have enough dwarves around here.

GTFO plz ;p