With DEX/Weapon Finesse Changes, is this workable?

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Vathailos

Well-known member
So, I've done a SWF war hammer Bladeforged Paladin/Artificer (odd, I know, just for flavor), and it ended up being a hoot to play.

Now I'm relooking TWF, and it looks like Ranger now gives DEX to-hit and damage for any one-handed weapons.

So, does a 2WF Ranger/Dragon Lord (12/8) using Knights Training w/ battle axes, Ravager T-5 (36 pts, x2 Crit Range), DL T-4 (24 pts, Displacement, CHA trance, etc.), and Tempest for Core 4 (21 pts, x1 Crit Multiplier) sound at all viable?

If math is correct (and it may not be), should net x4 multiplier (before Patience) and 15-20 range?

You could go DEX to damage, CHA/CON for the rest of stat focus and you'd have very good Evasion saves, a little Light Armor buff from Tempest.

I know the roar would suffer a little without STR or CHA as a primary stat, but the crit profile on the axes (or long swords) should allow for some respectable DPS.

The big things is Sunder would suck not going STR, and that's your immunity stripper 😕 Alternately you could go Dark Hunter, STR-focused, Medium Armor?

Thanks in advance for thoughts!
 
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Djoe

Djoe

Well-known member
it sounds like a fun build. It would be stronger if you went strength based and used the strength trance, but if you prefer dex for flavor then I don't see why not
 
Ziindarax

Ziindarax

Ex-Player Council Member / Alumni
Djoe said:
it sounds like a fun build. It would be stronger if you went strength based and used the strength trance, but if you prefer dex for flavor then I don't see why not
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The reworks have implemented rules from 5th edition and 5.5 edition where you can dump strength, and rely on Dexterity for hit and damage. Casters using spells and abilities such as Shillelegh, or warlocks using pact weapons, can use their casting stats for hit and damage instead of strength.
 
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Ziindarax

Ziindarax

Ex-Player Council Member / Alumni
Vathailos said:
TYVM Unbongwah, good catch!

Unfortunately, I was mighty tight. This means no immunity strip. Not the end of the world of course.
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If it's only just one AP you're short on, then a universal point tome might have you covered.
 
unbongwah

unbongwah

Well-known member
I posted a similar split elsewhere, but it was max STR with T5 DLord + DWS level 12 core for +2 multiplier +1 critical range. Also I took THF for leveling with free TWF for bosses.

I like DEX builds but I can't find a good reason to go DEX-based Dragonlord. Similarly I like Tempests but the best part is the Tier-5 Enhancements; without them it's a mediocre tree at best IMO.
 
V

Vathailos

Well-known member
unbongwah said:
I posted a similar split elsewhere, but it was max STR with T5 DLord + DWS level 12 core for +2 multiplier +1 critical range. Also I took THF for leveling with free TWF for bosses.

I like DEX builds but I can't find a good reason to go DEX-based Dragonlord. Similarly I like Tempests but the best part is the Tier-5 Enhancements; without them it's a mediocre tree at best IMO.
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Agree that DL is far better suited to STR (or CHA) builds. Trance being the main reason, but also favoring STR because of the bump to DC of Trip/Sunder (and their improved variants).

I may abandon the hybrid route. My STR pure DL has a great, classic D&D Fighter feel anyway. This min-max theoretical attempt was a good learning opportunity regardless.

Thanks for the feedback all!
 
droid327

droid327

Hardcore casual soloist
Yeah there's just no advantage to going DEX when STR works just as good, has a higher ceiling, can actually land a Roar, and you dont have to settle for an off-stat trance.

Also, the idea of a +2/+1 split with Ravager is viable, and would land you at 15-20/x5 (120%) with Patience, but a more standard Longsword T5 DL version would get you 16-20/x6 (125%) if you trade Tempest C4 for DWS C4, and you'd have a better Roar. DWS is arguably a better second tree than Tempest if you're not taking T5s, too. Ravager is a subpar tree outside of the T5s (and capstone), as well.
 
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Vathailos

Well-known member
Thanks Droid!

I think that DL is indeed numerically better for damage (I need to get my head around the crit multiplier/range to combined damage a bit better), the counterbalance for me to an extent is the Ravager healing.

In your example, what do you think of going DH for Medium Armor+ 50% trap damage reduction vs standard Ranger (since I'm assuming your STR-based wouldn't be relying on Evasion)?
 
unbongwah

unbongwah

Well-known member
Vathailos said:
In your example, what do you think of going DH for Medium Armor+ 50% trap damage reduction vs standard Ranger (since I'm assuming your STR-based wouldn't be relying on Evasion)?
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The question is what are you giving up to put 11 APs into Dark Hunter for Underdark Armor?
 
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