Moncher - need advice on build

[mikarddo]

Greetings,

Sofar I have only played casters in DDO but I just had a Pinion drop and figured I should try to put it to good use. Lots of advice needed
Here is what I have sofar. Skills and in particular enhancements will be added once I feel comfident about the class and feat selection.

The plan is to play an archer with as little melee as possible once I am into the epic levels so heroic levels are not the focus.
Feel free to let me know what I did wrong as I am sure I had plenty of things wrong.

Thanks to Ron and his team for the planner.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 Lawful Good Elf Male
(2 Fighter \ 12 Monk \ 6 Ranger \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 528
Spell Points: 255 
BAB: 17\17\22\27\27
Fortitude: 21
Reflex: 18
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            16                    21
Constitution         14                    21
Intelligence          8                    13
Wisdom               16                    24
Charisma              8                    13

Tomes Used
+5 Tomes for all stats from prior life.

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Past Life) Past Lifes: 2xFvS, 3xWiz, 3xSorc
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Zen Archery


Level 4 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge


Level 5 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light


Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Monk)


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Ten Thousand Stars


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)


Level 11 (Monk)


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: CON
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Monk)


Level 14 (Monk)


Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: CON


Level 17 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Grandmaster of Forms

Level 19 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Critical


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Combat Archery


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Toughness


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Toughness


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Doubleshot

[Acaios]

imo, with so many caster PL the mistake was pulling that pinion and wanting to make your toon ranged.

other than that, weapon focus ranged is no longer needed for the arcane archer, iirc. i`d take precision instead. keep in mind that power attack doesnt work with ranged.

with ninja spy core 2, you can do damage with your dex. so, to hit with dex, and damage with dex. it would only seem reasonable to go dex based. and have 23 str just for overwhelming. and some wisdom for 10k stars (not too crazy though - but at least 13 at creation for zen archery).

about ED feat doubleshot. if you are spamming manyshot and 10k stars this feat is useless. not that there are many other usefull feats for ranged toons (on mine i plan to give her toughness and elusive)

check also the other recent thread about monkchers https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ing-a-monkcher

[Charononus]

imo, with so many caster PL the mistake was pulling that pinion and wanting to make your toon ranged.

other than that, weapon focus ranged is no longer needed for the arcane archer, iirc. i`d take precision instead. keep in mind that power attack doesnt work with ranged.

with ninja spy core 2, you can do damage with your dex. so, to hit with dex, and damage with dex. it would only seem reasonable to go dex based. and have 23 str just for overwhelming. and some wisdom for 10k stars (not too crazy though - but at least 13 at creation for zen archery).

about ED feat doubleshot. if you are spamming manyshot and 10k stars this feat is useless. not that there are many other usefull feats for ranged toons (on mine i plan to give her toughness and elusive)

check also the other recent thread about monkchers https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ing-a-monkcher

dex to damage from ninja spy no longer works with bows from my understanding as it was overwriting bow strength.

[Soulfurnace]

dex to damage from ninja spy no longer works with bows from my understanding as it was overwriting bow strength.

Turbine logic - we can't fix it, so we'll remove it. (Or make it WAI.)

[Charononus]

Turbine logic - we can't fix it, so we'll remove it. (Or make it WAI.)

I'm still holding onto the delusion that they'll bring it back at some point with it fixed to not overwrite bow str. Leave me my delusions please.

[mikarddo]

imo, with so many caster PL the mistake was pulling that pinion and wanting to make your toon ranged.

other than that, weapon focus ranged is no longer needed for the arcane archer, iirc. i`d take precision instead. keep in mind that power attack doesnt work with ranged.

with ninja spy core 2, you can do damage with your dex. so, to hit with dex, and damage with dex. it would only seem reasonable to go dex based. and have 23 str just for overwhelming. and some wisdom for 10k stars (not too crazy though - but at least 13 at creation for zen archery).

about ED feat doubleshot. if you are spamming manyshot and 10k stars this feat is useless. not that there are many other usefull feats for ranged toons (on mine i plan to give her toughness and elusive)

check also the other recent thread about monkchers https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...ing-a-monkcher

Thanks for the feedback.

I have another Shiradi caster with just one pastlife that will serve until DC casting is once again hot. Till then my main char might as well explore other avenues and trying out a Pinion seems worthwhile. So its not as much a case of wanting to make the char ranged but more of wanting to try something else till DC casting is in fashion again and the caster PL actually matter.

Wrt doubleshot my understanding is that its bugged and you actually still get doubleshots even right after using 10k / manyshot but I havent seen this myself so it could be wrong.

As per other replies Ninja Spy dex doesnt work for longbows so that idea is unfortunately out.

Precision does indeed seem better than Weapon Focus but without Weapon Focus taking its not possible to take Power Critical. Do you still feel that Precision is better if it comes at the cost of Power Critical?

[mikarddo]

Here is my first take on enhancements. I feel like bambi on thin ice. Advice is most definitely needed

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.19.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Enhancement: Elf - Elven Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Dexterity (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Elven Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Aerenal Weapon Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Elf - Aerenal Weapon Training (Rank 1)

Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Morphic Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Metalline Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Energy of the Wild (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Flaming Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Dispelling Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Dispelling Shot (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Dispelling Shot (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Inferno Shot (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Inferno Shot (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Inferno Shot (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Terror Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Soul Magic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Paralyzing  Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Moonbow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arrow of Slaying (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Runebow (Rank 1)

Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Focus: Archery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Archery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Extra Action Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Kensei Weapon Specialization: Archery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Agility (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Agility (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Kensei (Ftr) - Agility (Rank 3)

Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Shield of Whirling Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Acrobatic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Dodge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Dodge (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Dodge (Rank 3)

Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Ninja Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Stealthy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Acrobatic (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Ninja Spy (Mnk) - Agility (Rank 3)

Visually:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/df3lsblkjx...%20enh%201.PNG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9b5h9ebb85...%20enh%202.PNG

[Soulfurnace]

I'm still holding onto the delusion that they'll bring it back at some point with it fixed to not overwrite bow str. Leave me my delusions please.

Can I hold onto my delusion that they'll fix all the wrap related stuffs?

[Acaios]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have another Shiradi caster with just one pastlife that will serve until DC casting is once again hot. Till then my main char might as well explore other avenues and trying out a Pinion seems worthwhile. So its not as much a case of wanting to make the char ranged but more of wanting to try something else till DC casting is in fashion again and the caster PL actually matter.

Wrt doubleshot my understanding is that its bugged and you actually still get doubleshots even right after using 10k / manyshot but I havent seen this myself so it could be wrong.

As per other replies Ninja Spy dex doesnt work for longbows so that idea is unfortunately out.

Precision does indeed seem better than Weapon Focus but without Weapon Focus taking its not possible to take Power Critical. Do you still feel that Precision is better if it comes at the cost of Power Critical?

well, tbh, i stopped playing regularly ddo in the summer, so any input i give is from the release notes i`ve read and some info from my guildies. i was under the impression that the bug was that dex damage and bow strength were stacking, but it seems that they just nerfed dex damage instead of fixing it.

anyway, imo, i`d choose precision over +1attack and 2 seeker. +25% to land those precious criticals - and sneak attack damage is nice, if also combined with a black scale robe. criting on TO or abbot or e/e mobs with some fortification. and one more feat to play with.
on my archer i was thinking of making her human to get the dragonmark of finding. elves have displacement dragonmark, although i dont know about its duration and effectiveness over some GS clikies.

also try to get improved precise shot as soon as possible. that`s your aoe damage. unless you are using melee weapons (handwraps) while leveling, and already doing aoe with the 2 cleaves (at least that`s what i was doing). but as soon as manyshot, 10k stars and IPS are available, that`s when the archer shines.
dont neglect sneak attack damage from ninja spy - and you can drop stealthy. even if you are trying to get it to tier3, that passive ki gen is only when you sneak.

[mikarddo]

well, tbh, i stopped playing regularly ddo in the summer, so any input i give is from the release notes i`ve read and some info from my guildies. i was under the impression that the bug was that dex damage and bow strength were stacking, but it seems that they just nerfed dex damage instead of fixing it.

anyway, imo, i`d choose precision over +1attack and 2 seeker. +25% to land those precious criticals - and sneak attack damage is nice, if also combined with a black scale robe. criting on TO or abbot or e/e mobs with some fortification. and one more feat to play with.
on my archer i was thinking of making her human to get the dragonmark of finding. elves have displacement dragonmark, although i dont know about its duration and effectiveness over some GS clikies.

also try to get improved precise shot as soon as possible. that`s your aoe damage. unless you are using melee weapons (handwraps) while leveling, and already doing aoe with the 2 cleaves (at least that`s what i was doing). but as soon as manyshot, 10k stars and IPS are available, that`s when the archer shines.
dont neglect sneak attack damage from ninja spy - and you can drop stealthy. even if you are trying to get it to tier3, that passive ki gen is only when you sneak.

Thanks again. The one rank of Steathy was only to qualify for tier 5 (needed to spend 5 AP on tier one) - so its simply taking for lack of something actually useful. I will probably just use an Ottos so the actual order of feats is less important (I wont to use the Pinion while its smoking hot).

[Acaios]

just pointing out a couple of things that you might have missed.

ninja spy core 3 gives 25% incorporeality. on my melee monk i had it always on. on my monkcher, due to ranged attacks dont generate ki (according to wiki it is WAI), i had to twist enlightment from the GMOF, and while i was in earth stance, with just +1 passive ki gen, that`s just enough for your 10k stars. every now and then of course i could melee when i was on timer on manyshot and 10k, but i was too bored to do that. also i had a mabar cloak with 10%, and on a ranged toon it didnt matter much to me. just saying. if you have enough ki, that`s something you should get.

shintao core 1: 1 AP for 5% hamp

henshin mystic : way of patient tortoise. 3 AP (2 for this one and 1 more for core1) for 20HP and 4 concentration.

there`s also conteplation, which at it`s 3rd tier gives a +1 passive ki gen, which could free 1 of your twists from getting elightment, and get cocoon for self heals. but it needs 8 AP on this tree to get all that, sadly i couldnt afford.

deepwood sniper: i`d try to take some core enhancements, up to core3 if possible. kiting e/e mobs from safe distance and still doing additional damage to them (sneak damage and damage from PBS). awesome! and core 3 seems like a nice clicky you can spam without sp cost.
it has also some positive spellpower if you want it for cocoon. and damage boost.

btw, iirc, in the wiki i had read that some enhancements from ranger and kensei dont stack. agility or something..