Starting a new character can be an intimidating process, especially if you're not familiar with the game system or the character class. Which feats to take? Which skills to invest in? Which ability scores to raise? There are so many choices! Thanks to our Path system, you can dive into the action with a character without needing to fret over all the details!
Paths help take the guesswork out of making a new character. You can choose between several styles of gameplay, and your class trainers will select your abilities for you based on which character path you're following. Once you're comfortable enough to make the choices on your own, you can deviate from your path at any time, or even create a new character and build it from scratch!
To start your character on a Path, begin by selecting which play style you enjoy:
- Do you enjoy fighting enemies face to face? You might enjoy a Melee character.
- Are you the type who loves wielding magical powers? You may like playing a Spell caster.
- Seeking something off the beaten path, like traps and musical skills? You could have fun playing a Specialist!
Within each of these categories, available classes are listed that best match the play style you enjoy. Once you've chosen your class, you’re able to select a Path!
When you select a Path, your character will be created with all abilities, skills, feats, and spells assigned, based on the pre-designed choices that come with the Path. As you level your character in the game, each time you speak with your class trainer to gain your next level you will be given a choice: you may stay on your current path, and the trainer will continue to automatically assign abilities of your path for you, or you can chose to abandon your path, and select all your character's attributes from that point on without assistance.
Each class offers a choice of three Paths, and each path is designed to highlight a different style of playing that particular class. Remember that your character's race can slightly affect what abilities are chosen, and some races are slightly better suited to certain Paths. You can read more about what the gameplay will be like when you follow your path by reading the General, More Info, and Stats panels on the right side of the screen. If you'd like to see a more long-term look at what your character will be like at maximum level following a path, you can even view detailed path information in the Compendium!
If you're versed in Dungeons & Dragons, you may enjoy customizing your character entirely - select Customize, where you'll have the option to choose all elements of your character one at a time without assistance. There are thousands of ways to design a character to suit your gameplay needs, so once you feel confident in how to optimize a character, feel free to design a character from scratch using the Customize button and level your character in your own unique way! To learn more about character customization, click here!
Even following a path there are still opportunities for character customization! As you earn experience, you will achieve ranks. For each rank you’ve completed, you’ll receive action points! Action points are used at your class trainer to purchase enhancements. These enhancements offer benefits for your character in addition to your feats, abilities, and skills, and can vary based on your race and class. You can invest heavily in specific types of benefits, or dabble in a little bit of many types, the choice is yours! To learn more about Enhancements, click here!
Remember that your trainer can’t select your enhancements for you, but many of your enhancement choices are based on your particular race and class. When in doubt, you can compare your character sheet with your enhancement choices and may select enhancements that offer benefits to abilities and skills that your path is already focused on. For example, if you are on a rogue path that specializes in searching for and disarming traps, it might be a good idea to select enhancements that further provide bonuses for those abilities!
You don’t have to be an expert dungeon master to get the most out of your Dungeons & Dragons Online experience thanks to the Path system. Following a Path is a great way to quickly start off your adventures in Stormreach! To view available paths, visit the Path Directories in the DDO Compendium!
