Melee Red Dragon Disciple Builds

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:28 pm

I got asked to post these by Apache, these'll have links to screenshots of HP, AB and AC at 40 for each type, with the same gear.

All builds had the following equipped at time of testing:

Armor - Starfall Armor
Amulet - Amulet of Dimensions
Boots - Starfall Boots
Shield - Large Ice Shield
Ring 1 - NS Band of Gallantry
Ring 2 - NS Band of Valor
Bracers - Bracers of Armor +9
Cloak - NS Cloak
Helmet - Helm of the Wanderer
Belt - Belt of D'hara
Weapon - Blue Triton [censored] Sword

Here's the level list for the Fighter RDD. Note: You can replace the weapon and level 1 feats, it's just what I chose as per the test.

Starting Stats: 18 STR, 8 DEX, 16 CON, 8 WIS, 8 CHA, 12 INT.

On each level up until 21, max out discipline and lore as a general rule. This applies to all the builds.

Also note these only cover FEATS you take, as well as which level to take the proper statup.

Fighter
---
Level 1 - Weap Prof Exotic, Weap Focus BSword, Toughness.
Level 2 - Blindfight
Level 3 - Knockdown
Level 4 - Weapon Spec: BSword STR+1
Level 6 - Skill Focus: Discipline, Power Attack
Level 8 - Imp Crit: BSword STR+1
Level 9 - Cleave
Level 10 - Great Cleave
Level 12 - Imp Power Attack, Skill Focus: Lore
Level 14 - *Your Choice*
Level 15 - *Your Choice*
Level 16 - *Improved Knockdown* INT+1
Level 18 - Expertise, Improved Expertise
Level 20 - *Your Choice* STR+1

Bard
---
Take 20 tumble points at this level.
Level 21 - Epic Weapon Focus: BSword

RDD
---
Max out spellcraft here.
Level 24 - Great Strength I, STR+1
Level 27 - Great Strength II
Level 28 - STR+1
Level 30 - Epic Prowess

Fighter (Take after reaching level 10 RDD.)
---
Level 32 - STR+1
Level 33 - Great Strength III, Armor Skin
Level 35 - Epic Weap Spec: BSword
Level 36 - Epic Toughness I
Level 37 - Epic Toughness II

Bard
---
Level 38 - Tumble 20, max Spellcraft

Fighter
---
Level 39 - Epic Toughness III
Level 40 - Epic Tougnhess IV, STR+1

And the result you should get near:
http://www.knightofavl.net/images/Fighter.jpg
Posting the Barbarian and Paladin variants shortly after this, it takes a while to level them correctly.

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:57 pm

Barbarian time! Also note they're all human for purposes of neutrality in the engine-mechanics. I would recommend dwarf for higher HP, half-orc gives strength, but the loss of skillpoints can be too harsh on newer players.

Starting Stats: 18 STR, 8 DEX, 16 CON, 12 INT, 8 CHA
Put points in disciple and lore only.

Barbarian
---
Level 1 - Weapon Prof Exotic, Armor Prof: Heavy
Level 3 - Weap Focus: BSword
Level 4 - STR+1
Level 6 - Knockdown
Level 8 - STR+1
Level 9 - Imp Crit: BSword
Level 12 - Skill Focus: Discipline, STR+1
Level 15 - Toughness
Level 16 - INT+1
Level 18 - Blindfight
Level 20 - STR+1

Bard
---
Level 21 - Epic Weap Focus: BSword, Tumble 20, Spellcraft 20

RDD
---
Level 24 - Great Strength I, STR+1
Level 27 - Great Strength II,
Level 28 - STR+1
Level 30 - Epic Prowess

Barbarian (Take these after reaching 10 RDD)
Level 32 - STR+1
Level 33 - Armor Skin
Level 35 - Epic Toughness I
Level 36 - Great Strength II, STR+1

Bard
---
Level 38 - Tumble 20, max spellcraft, max UMD (You have an excess amount of points here.)

Barbarian
---
Level 39 - Epic Toughness II
Level 40 - Epic Toughness III

And the final result:
http://www.knightofavl.net/images/Barbarian.jpg

DM Iris_ns3 · Post by **DM Iris_ns3** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:59 pm

10 levels RDD, how come she doesnt have wings?

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:10 pm

Error with my animation override. I can't help it, though, 'cause I rather like not crashing during heavy combat.

Also fixing an error on the barb levelup guide, it should have blindfight instead of IKD with that guide.

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:34 pm

And finally, the paladin. This one has an advantage due to 100% success rate with the Holy Avenger weapon, which is really great early in levelling until EC runs are common for it, as well as smiting and so on.

Starting stats: 18 STR, 8 DEX, 14 CON, 13 INT, 11 WIS, 8 CHA

As usual, max lore and discipline along the way.

Paladin
---
Level 1 - Weap Prof Exotic, Toughness
Level 3 - Weap Focus: BSword
Level 4 - STR+1
Level 6 - Knockdown
Level 8 - STR+1
Level 9 - Imp Crit: BSword
Level 12 - Extra Smiting, STR+1
Level 15 - Blindfight
Level 16 - STR+1
Level 18 - Improved Knockdown
Level 20 - STR+1

Sorceror
---
Level 21 - Epic Weap Focus: BSword, max spellcraft, take tumble to 10 ranks.

RDD
---
Level 24 - Great Strength I, STR+1
Level 27 - Great Strength I
Level 28 - STR+1
Level 30 - Epic Prowess

Paladin
---
Level 32 - STR+1
Level 33 - Armor Skin
Level 34 - Epic Toughness I
Level 36 - Great Strength II, STR+1
Level 37 - Epic Toughness II

Sorceror
---
Level 38 - Max Tumble and Spellcraft

Paladin
---
Level 39 - Epic Toughness III
Level 40 - STR+1

And here's what it should look close to at 40:
http://www.knightofavl.net/images/Paladin.jpg

Overall, I'd say fighter RDD is the best one due to feats, damage and HP capability. With its extra feats, that build matches a barbarian RDD built 99% the same way. As for race, I'd say dwarf is the best due to the extra +40 HP you can get from higher CON than normal. Half-orc would be good for experienced players, but I'm sure there's a reason why I don't see many half-orc builds nowadays, right?

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:03 pm

These're powerful builds indeed. I'll try to keep a running list of bosses successfully solo'd with the testing gear.

These're the ones Fighter RDD has beaten.

Kutalch
Ice Wyrm
Elemental Lord
Celestial Lord
Draco Mortis
Lich King

Acara_ns3 · Post by **Acara_ns3** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:05 pm

Wow.. you can solo Kutalch, Draco, Lich King, Cele Lord and Elemental with a 40th with uber gear.. amazing

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:12 pm

She wasn't 40 at the time, and still getting hit, as noted by the low AC for a meleer. Trying my hand at soloing "high risk" areas, though.

DM Iris_ns3 · Post by **DM Iris_ns3** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:14 pm

Acara wrote:Wow.. you can solo Kutalch, Draco, Lich King, Cele Lord and Elemental with a 40th with uber gear.. amazing

When theres nothing good to say, dont say anything at all.

Acara_ns3 · Post by **Acara_ns3** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:13 pm

why aren't you using ns belt by the way? d'hara been tweaked so it's better than ns now?

Forte_ns3 · Post by **Forte_ns3** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:16 pm

Never seen an NS belt, so I don't know. D'hara belt's the same one I've had for about six months at least.

Yeti_ns3 · Post by **Yeti_ns3** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:32 am

wings won't show up with the new cloaks i don't think, do they?

Warnic05_ns3 · Post by **Warnic05_ns3** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 5:52 am

Nope wings don't show up, damn horrible cloaks cant they just remove the cloaks?!

DM Iris_ns3 · Post by **DM Iris_ns3** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:33 pm

Poor Bam, dont you know you can dye them?

Fargo_Blake_ns3 · Post by **Fargo_Blake_ns3** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:47 am

I do see there are some unmark levels that could lead someone to take the wrong class at the wrong time , like your Paladin , at level 21 Sorc dose 22 and 23 go to Sorc or Rdd ?