*** First of all, this is a FLAVOR build so if it isn't super optimized down to the finest detail, I don't mind/care. ***

Ok, now that that is out of the way, I've long been considering a dual scimitar wielding ranger build of some type (yes, call me xXxXDrizzzzzzzitXxXx or some such, I don't give a fuck) but I've not had much luck in finding decent scimmies until recently.

Here are some pics:




and...





Now, I actually have ALL of these except for the EE Swailing Blade which I'm posting for camparison.


Anyway, the theme of the build is "Thunder and Lightning" and/or "Fire and Ice."

The first questions revolve around scimmy selections.

The Kronzek's is a no brainer for one scimmy but I'm undecided on which Pandemonium scimmy I should pair with it. The one with Lightning Storm makes more sense thematically but the Bloddletting one, I think, is better DPS-wise but doesn't really compromise the Thunder and Lightning theme.

Any thoughts?


For the Fire and Ice theme, the EE Frosbite is my Ice scimmy but I am unsure which of the other two I should choose for the Fire scimmy. One thing I did not mention is the spellcasting component of my build will be very limited so the Combustion property of the EE Swailing Blade isn't a big deal to me. Also remember that I don't have it yet either. I guess what I want to know is the Fire scimmy I have good enough both thematically and damage-wise that I shouldn't bother trying to find an EE Swailing Bade?


Now, for the build itself.

Looking to be an Elf and take the Valenar enhancements which eventually add +4 to hit and +4 to damage. I can be talked out of this though. I like Half-Orc for the STR enhancements. I like Half-Elf and Human too so I'm flexible regarding choice of race.

After much thinking, I'm leaning toward a 11Rngr/9Druid split and being in Winter Wolf Form. I've also considered 10Rogue/9Druid/1Ftr as well.

Question: Do the TWF feats affect the chance of an offhand attack in animal form?

For my ED of choice, I think Legendary Dreadnaught has a lot to offer and I'm going to try to work in Overwhelming Critical so having more critically goodness in the build is better.

Not sure about which class enhancements to go for but a couple of trees like Nature's Warrior and Tempest look enticing. For the 10Rogue/9Druid/1Ftr split, Nature's Warrior looks good along with Assassin for the extra sneak Attack dice.

Finally, please keep in mind I've played many Rogues but I have yet to even attempt a large splash Druid or Ranger so be gentle with me.

Thanks.

Munkenmo wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2013 at 5:56pm:

Ok, so for a 9Druid/9Ranger/2Ftr build, looks like H-Elf with Rogue Dilettante is the way to go then.

Just tested on live...Monks lose their monkly dodge bonus when becoming uncentered. Monk is out.

The Divine Might from 2 FvS seems ok except I'm not planning on really putting any points in CHA nor am I going to go out of my way to find CHA gear. 2 FvS is out.

Considering I'll need the feats and I'm not too concerned with getting traps, it looks like it'll be a 2Ftr splash.

Thanks for your help Munk.


Any insight on my proposed weapon choices?

Munkenmo wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2013 at 6:24pm:

Wow, that's pretty enlightening. Thanks!


Maybe I won't be in wolf form after all which pretty much means 13 Druid and losing out on a big Ranger splash. Hmmm...going to have to work in Evasion some other way now.

Right, I guess I could have endulged further, any proc based on YOU doing something, not the weapon, also works.

8/6/6 centered monk with scimitars?

Arkat wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2013 at 7:43pm:


The AOE-burst-on-vorpal effects introduced with alchemical crafting are coded differently than every other weapon effect ever for whatever reason. They get applied to all weapons no matter which weapon they're on. Acid Torrent, Electric Storm, Fiery Detonation, Freezing Gale, Sunburst.

Could be because they're actually somehow casting spells, but who knows.

Sorry winter wolf is 19-20*3 by default, I always just factor in improved crit.

blegh, I'm having a bad night, this is what I get for letting chai get under my skin.

Yeah 17-20*3, only weapon that'll show your true crit range is wraps sadly, normal weapons show their normal profiles.

Ignore them and take improved crit bludgeon.

it's not a proc, it's a passive.

passives work.

wraps in animal form effectively work exactly the same as they do for your standard monk, except in winter wolf form you get [1d10] 17-20*3 instead of  [1d6] 19-20*2.

I'm fairly certain TWF no longer works with animal forms.  A stealth fix some time before U20 addressed this (wasn't in patch notes). 

Easily tested by having differing elements in each hand and attacking a target dummy.  If TWF worked, you'd see the offhand element.  I tested this and never saw the offhand element.

I'll vouch for the natural fighting feat (x3) being amazeballs since it stacks with everything doublestrikey.

How do I see it (TWF) is working then?  I mean above and beyond the base 20% chance at offhand everyone gets without feats.

if you're using wraps everything that effects a monks +[w] effects a druids +[w]

if you're using something other than wraps then you give up the +.5[w] you get from unarmed strike every 4th level, and the +.5[w] from the monk past life feat.

Munkenmo wrote on Dec 4^th, 2013 at 5:21am:


Thanks Munk that clarifies things, and that extra 8[W] or 9[W] is yummy.