Kalibano
Build Designer. Having fun since 2006!
Welcome to my build repository! I've been playing since 2006, and I play to have fun: I don't really care about 'the META'. I have 23 alts, so I actively play practically every class and race available in the game. I design all my builds fully from scratch. Hope you find them useful, and constructive comments/ suggestions are always welcome!
6. Kali's Blighted Wolf HYBRID Melee/De-buff+ Insta-kill Caster build
DDOBuilder (v2) file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder (v2) here.
Preface to the build
This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!
Aims of the build
Primary aim(s):
1. Melee DPS
2. combined with Enemy de-buffs:
3. and some Insta-kills (4 spells):
4. Crowd Control (some inc. de-buffs):
Key stats & synergies
My preferred Quickbar layout (in case it's useful):
A. Wisdom for melee combat:
Doublestrike breakdown:
> Crit damage multiplier boost = +0
E. 13 imbue die: Acid dmg (scales Acid Spell Power)
> buffable to 16 die
F. 8 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
G. Helpless damage = +70%
H. Extra damage:
I. > Burst damage:
J. Main Spell DCs:
K. Main Spell Powers:
M. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
I share some strategies for general defensiveness and survival in this thread. Come visit if you feel it could be useful to you!
The 'core elements' of the build
Class(es): Blight Caster (20)
Race: Shifter
Main stat: Wisdom (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 08/ DEX: 10/ CON: 16/ INT: 14/ WIS: 18/ CHA: 08
Skills: Spellcraft/ Heal / Use Magic Device/ Jump/ Tumble/ (any)
Weapon type(s): Scimitars (crit profile)
Feats:
Heroic enhancements: 84 = 80 + 3 (Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
Epic Destinies: 65 = 61 + 1 (Tome of Fate +3) + 2 (Fey & Dread tomes) + 1 (Historic tome)
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
Spells:
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)
Gear Set bonuses:
Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I
normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Most important augments to slot:
Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Filigree master plan:
Some notes on playstyle
Compiled from responses given in this thread and added here in case it helps understand how the build works
I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
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| If you would like to contribute towards this effort, any donations will be greatly appreciated. If not, please don't worry: sharing is caring! Just sit back and relax, and enjoy the builds! |
6. Kali's Blighted Wolf HYBRID Melee/De-buff+ Insta-kill Caster build
DDOBuilder (v2) file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder (v2) here.
Preface to the build
This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
- show how it started: its key aims
- indicate the key decisions that can be made to achieve those aims: stats, skills, feats, heroic enhancements, epic destinies
- all numbers are based on what a first-lifer (or someone with minimal past lives) would have, unbuffed, outside of reaper mode (they do, however, include equipped gear and partially completed filigrees). They are real characters, and those are the numbers I can offer.
- numbers are indicative of the potential minimum amounts that can be achieved with the investments that were proposed
- provide a 'photo' of what your character could look like at endgame during quite a few lives of their 'TR hamster wheel' journey
- show the 'foundations' to be built upon, if a player decides to embark on the 'TR hamster wheel' and go out there to hunt for rare bonuses
- gear choices are NOT part of the core build, but rather one of the most important ways to invest in the key elements of the core build to make the aims work. It has been added here simply to suggest options/ inspire. No promises are being made towards keeping this updated upon the release of new content.
DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!
Aims of the build
Primary aim(s):
1. Melee DPS
2. combined with Enemy de-buffs:
> Saves (-7)
> Shifter 'Wildhunt Howl [T3]'
> Fortification (-50%, for 10s, bird attacks)
> Falconry 'Expose Weakness [T4]'
> Attack speed
> Season's Herald 'Beguile [T1]'
> Movement speed
> 'Ice Storm' (spell, no save)
> 'Grasping Thorns' (spell, no save)
> Blindness
> from several sources (listed in the Crowd Control section below)
> Constitution damage + obscure sight
> 'Cloudkill' (spell)
> Deafen
> 'Storm of Vengeance' (spell)
3. and some Insta-kills (4 spells):
> AoE (2):
Transmutation
> 'Mass Frog'
Necromancy
> 'Wail of Banshee' (de-buffs with negative levels on failed save)
> Single target (2):
Necromancy
> 'Jaws of Doom'
> 'Finger of Death'
Secondary aim(s):4. Crowd Control (some inc. de-buffs):
> Blighted Wolf
Trip
> 'Go for the Kill [T5]': knowckdown, 5s
Enchantment
> 'Howl of Terror' (spell): paralyze, 6-24s
No Save
> 'Ghost Wolf pack [T3]': confusion, 5s
Necromancy
> 'Blighted Charge (spell): blindness + helpless, 8s
Conjuration
> 'Bighted Breath (spell): blindness, 10s
> Falconry
Assassinate
> 'Coordinated strike [T4]': blindness + helpless
> Blight Caster spells
Transmutation
> 'Grasping Thorns': entangled (also 30% movement penalty, no save)
Necromancy
> 'Cackle fever': stun, 6s
Evocation
> 'Earthquake': knockdown (also 30% spell failure chance)
> 'Tsunami': knockdown
> Draconic Incarnation
> 'Daunting Roar [T3]' (25% chance to paralyze for 6s, no save) via:
> Draconic Incarnation's 'Energy Vortex [T4]'
> Blighted Wolf's 'Blighted Breath' (spell)
5. Moderate offensive casting (occasional use):> Mostly Acid:
> Draconic Incarnation
Conjuration
> 'Dragon Breath: Energy Vortex [T4]'
> Primal Avatar
> 'Shard Storm [T2]' (NO save)
> Blight Caster AoE Spells:
Conjuration
> Acid Well
> Cloudkill
Evocation
> Storm of Vengeance
> Blight Caster DoT spells
Conjuration
> Creeping Doom (NO Save)
> Black Dragon Bolt (NO Save)
> Enveloping Swarm (NO Save)
Necromancy
> Slimy Doom
> some Force & Cold
Key stats & synergies
My preferred Quickbar layout (in case it's useful):
A. Wisdom for melee combat:
> To hit: via Falconry's 'Killer Instinct I [T2]'
> To dmg via Falconry's 'Killer Instinct II [T3]'
> insightful bonus from Falconry's 'Deadly Instinct [T4]'
> To dmg
> tactics bonus
> base ability for Tactical DC formulas of several key attacks/enhancements/spells:
> Nature's Warrior (e.g. Go For the Kill)
> Blight caster wolf attack/spells (e.g. Jaws of Doom)
> Falconry attacks
B. Attack speed = 35%
Combat style bonus
> +20%: 'Blighted Wolf form' + Nature's Warrior 'Swift Hunter [T5]'
Enhancement bonus
> +15%: Gear/ Augment/ Haste spell
C. Doublestrike = 54%Doublestrike breakdown:
Feats
> +12%: 'Natural Fighting x3' (+4% each)
Heroic
> +10%: Nature's Warrior 'Beast Form Mastery [C6]'
Gear bonuses (inc Set bonuses)
> +15% artifact bonus (set bonus)
> +15% enhancement bonus
Filigrees (inc Set bonuses)
> +2%: 'Celerity' (2-piece set bonus)
> buffable to 94%:
> 30% from Nature's Warrior 'Doublestrike Action Boost [T2]'
> 10% exceptional bonus from Nature's Warrior 'Howl of the Hunter [C5]': casting 'Howl of Terror' (spell) grants this bonus for 10s
D. Weapon Critical profile = 15-20/ x3:→ Critical threat range
Base
> 18-20: Scimitars
Feats
> +3 feat bonus: 'Improved Critical: Slashing' (feat)
= 15-20
→ Critical damage multiplier
Base
> x2: Scimitars
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Nature's Warrior 'A True Hunter [C4]'
= x3
→ Average extra damage from weapon crit profile = +63%:
Overall Critical Profile Multiplier = 19 + 'Crit Units' / 19
'Crit Units' = (threat range) x (multiplier -1)
Critical threat range 15-20 = 6
Critical damage multiplier = 3
'Crit units' = (6) * (3-1) = 12
Overall Critical Profile Multiplier = 19 + 12 / 19 = 1.63 = 163% (100% base damage + 63% extra from crit profile)
> Crit damage multiplier boost = +0
E. 13 imbue die: Acid dmg (scales Acid Spell Power)
> Blight Caster 'Biting Acid imbue' toggle (auto-granted class feat @ level 2)
Imbue die breakdown:
+3 die Feats
+3 Scion of Acid (@lvl 30)
+1 die Heroic enhancements
+1 Blighted Wolf form (auto-granted with the form toggle)
+6 die Epic Destinies
+3 Primal Avatar (Tier 3)
+3 Draconic Incarnation (Tier 3)
+3 die Spells
+3 Blighted Bite (Spell)
= total 13 die, sustainable 100% of the time
+3 die 'Blighted Charge' (Spell) {for 10s after the charge/ 15s cooldown}
F. 8 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
+2 die Feats
+2 Perfect Natural Fighting feat
+6 dice Heroic enhancements
+6 Nature's Warrior (C1-6)
= total 8 die, sustainable 100% of the time
G. Helpless damage = +70%
Base bonus
> +50%
Heroic
> +15%: Nature's Warrior 'Prey on the Weak [T3]'
Airship buffs
> +5%: 'Game Hunter'
H. Extra damage:
> Extra Weapon dmg = +0.25{W]:
Airship Buffs
> +0.25[W]: 'Ninja Assassin'
> Extra Melee Power = up to +20:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat): Your offensive spells grant you a stack of Arcane Warrior: Physical (+1 Melee and Ranged Power), each of these stacks to 20 times and each stack lasts for 12 seconds.
> large Insightful bonus to damage:
> Falconry 'Deadly Instincts [T4]' (+ tactics DCs bonus too)
> Chance for extra dmg on melee attacks {can only strike once every 5s):
> Primal Avatar's 'Mantle of Nature: Thorn [T2]' (scales Spell power)
> Magma DoT (armor):
> procs both on melee and spell casting
I. > Burst damage:
> Primal Avatar's 'Greater Form: Thorn Cloud [T5]'
J. Main Spell DCs:
> Transmutation (105+)
> Necromancy (103+)
> Enchantment/Conjuration (97+)
> Evocation (96+)
K. Main Spell Powers:
> Extra Spell Power = up to +40 Universal SPw:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat): Your weapon and unarmed attacks grant you a stack of Arcane Warrior: Magical (+2 Universal Spell Power), each of these stacks to 20 times and each stack lasts for 12 seconds.
> buffable:
> 'Wellspring of power' (feat) {for 30s, 180s cooldown}
[double duration with Draconic Incarnation's 'Pull from the Wellspring [T4]']
> +150 Universal Spell Power
> +20% Universal Spell Critical Damage
L. Strong Spell Point regeneration:
> Nature's Warrior
> 'Essence of the Shrike [T3]'
> Primal Avatar
> 'Ever Green [T3]'
M. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
> Hit Points bonus = +50-55%:
Competence bonus
> +20%: Perfect Natural Fighting (feat)
Profane bonus
> +10%: Blighted Wolf form
Primal bonus
> +5%: Nature's Warrior [C5]
Quality bonus
> +5%: Falconry [T3]
Legendary bonus
> +10%: Winter set (4 pieces)
Insightful bonus
> +5%: Primal Avatar [T4] (*after shrine)
> Strong temporary Hit Point generation:
> Nature's Warrior
> 'Jaws of Wolf [T5]'
> Primal Avatar
> 'Shard Storm: At its Core [T3]':
> Draconic Incarnation
> 'Elemental Blood [C3]'
> Dino crafting
>'Brighthorn'
> Incorporeality = 35% {for 10s every 60s}
> Nature's Warrior 'Ghost Wolf Pack [T3]'
The 'core elements' of the build
Class(es): Blight Caster (20)
Race: Shifter
Main stat: Wisdom (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 08/ DEX: 10/ CON: 16/ INT: 14/ WIS: 18/ CHA: 08
Skills: Spellcraft/ Heal / Use Magic Device/ Jump/ Tumble/ (any)
Weapon type(s): Scimitars (crit profile)
Feats:
Heroic enhancements: 84 = 80 + 3 (Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
Epic Destinies: 65 = 61 + 1 (Tome of Fate +3) + 2 (Fey & Dread tomes) + 1 (Historic tome)
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
> Primal Avatar
> T1: 'Spider of the Deeps'
> T2: 'Spirit Boon: Mind'
> T2: 'Shard Storm'
> T3: 'Transmutation DCs'
> T5: 'Thorn Cloud'
> Draconic Incarnation
> C1: 'Draconic Bloodline: Black'
> T4: 'Energy Vortex'
Spells:
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)
Gear Set bonuses:
Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I
normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Most important augments to slot:
+10 Melee Power/ +15 Doublestrike/ +10 Damage/ +14 Trip DCs
+2 profane/ +1 except All Ability scores
+5 insight/ +2 fest Wisdom & Constitution
+6 equip Transmutation; Necromancy; Conjuration; Evocation
+2 enhanc Transmutation; Necromancy & Enchantment DCs
+5% insight All Spell Critical chance
+139 Acid Spell Power/ +19 Spellcraft skill
+48 Hit Points/ +32 Sheltering/ +10 resist All Saves
(Suggestions for where to slot them in the DDOBuilder file for this build).
+2 profane/ +1 except All Ability scores
+5 insight/ +2 fest Wisdom & Constitution
+6 equip Transmutation; Necromancy; Conjuration; Evocation
+2 enhanc Transmutation; Necromancy & Enchantment DCs
+5% insight All Spell Critical chance
+139 Acid Spell Power/ +19 Spellcraft skill
+48 Hit Points/ +32 Sheltering/ +10 resist All Saves
(Suggestions for where to slot them in the DDOBuilder file for this build).
Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Filigree master plan:
- Primarily invest in Spell DC and Wisdom.
- Spell Power goes as secondary aim, if/when possible to squeeze in
- other effects get the least priority
Some notes on playstyle
Compiled from responses given in this thread and added here in case it helps understand how the build works
Melee power is currently at 130+ (buffable by up to +30 with 'Go for the Kill' attack). Some things to bear in mind:
> This is not a pure melee character, it's a hybrid melee/caster
> Investment in the majority of the key melee power bonuses from gear has been made (2 out of 3):
> What is lacking in melee power is compensated via:
There will be plenty of options of attacks/spells to choose from in combat, and this will possibly feel a bit overwhelming at a first glance here. As you level up and get a feel for these abilities, you'll hopefully develop a sense for which to try and always use, and which to resort to in longer fights. Hopefully these notes about how I like to play will be helpful:
> This is not a pure melee character, it's a hybrid melee/caster
> the 2 main Epic Destinies are not melee focused, and therefore, do not grant any melee power in their cores
> filigrees (which are a source of a large amount of melee power) need to focus on spell DCs because of their 'all-or-nothing' nature
> Investment in the majority of the key melee power bonuses from gear has been made (2 out of 3):
1. enhancement bonus via an augment
2. artifact bonus (Leg Windlasher)
3. I am currently working on a possible new gear set up to try and include profane bonus. This will take a while, but as soon as I have something ready I'll be posting it in the forums.
> What is lacking in melee power is compensated via:
A. spell power:
> imbue damage on each attack
> Primal Avatar mantle damage on melee attacks and spellcasting
> energy vortex passively doing damage while you attack
> several acid DoTs doing damage while you do melee damage
B. CC + insta-kills
> insta-kills are the best form of DPS
> while these are on cooldown, CC often ensures mobs are helpless, and therefore, they take extra dmg
> though CC itself is not a form of DPS, making it work requires very heavy investment, at the detriment of things like melee power. It's a conscious choice of mine, as CC is highly valuable in my opinion
> A + B above constitute the bulk of the 'caster-hybrid' aspect of this buildThere will be plenty of options of attacks/spells to choose from in combat, and this will possibly feel a bit overwhelming at a first glance here. As you level up and get a feel for these abilities, you'll hopefully develop a sense for which to try and always use, and which to resort to in longer fights. Hopefully these notes about how I like to play will be helpful:
> I always use insta-kills in between doing melee attacks. Even if Wail of Banshee fails, it de-buffs enemies via neg levelling
> I personally try to use the following in my rotations as much as possible:
> Dragon breath: energy vortex
> Shard storm
> Storm of Vengeance
> 'Go for the Kill': melee power boost + extra dmg vs helpless targets + knockdown
> 'Jaws of Doom': melee attack that insta-kills + grants 10x char level in temp hit points (Nature's warrior 'Jaws of the Wolf [T5]')
> 'Blighted charge': blinds + causes helplessness + boosts imbue die by +3 for 10s
> 'Howl of Terror': amazing CC at melee range + exceptional bonus to doublestrike + 5% spell crit chance + 15% spell crit dmg (Nature's Warrior 'Howl of the Hunter [C5]')
> 'Ghost Wolf Pack': confusion on mobs (no save) + you gain 35% incorporeality for 10s
> 'Blighted breath': AoE acid dmg + blinds enemies + chance to paralyse, no save (breath attack, via 'Daunting Roar)
> 'Coordinated strikes': AoE blind + helpless
These are also very nice, if/whenever you get the chance to use them:
> 'Throat Rip': strikes 3x + 6 sneak attack die + inflicts bleed + silence enemies
> 'Baiting Bite': performs a bluff effect, which lets you dish sneak dmg on each attack
I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
.
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