I've always looked at the Tukaw concept as more of a philosophy than a build, with the individual capabilities making up a greater whole. Much like the Soul Survivor/Golden Roach kind of builds, it was built to win a battle of attrition by doing (eventually) more damage than opposing mobs. The original had, iirc:
- multiple guard procs to increase DPS
- some way of regaining sp (torc/conc opp)
- big damage main weapon to make up for lack of brute strength (min2 for those that needed dr breaking, 3x earth when autocrits were possible, maybe terror/vorpals when they were still useful)
- self repair
- buffs
- no/negligible save AoE DoTs as a DPS multiplier
- reliable damage mitigation via DoD
It had to be a Sorc because of the inherent advantages of a Sorc over Wiz back then that were just too good: more SP, synergy with 2 Paladin levels for better saves, faster casting time, fewer good spells, no PrE's. And of course it had to be a toaster for the self heals.
Pre-MotU, I ran an 17 Wiz/2 Rog/1 Ftr with the same concepts in mind, exchanging spell DPS for caster DC's. But when Wail didn't land, it played like a bard without songs. It still worked well enough, primarily because I could count on DoD/displacement/stoneskin keeping me alive long enough to dish out enough damage.
The build choices made sense
then, but don't so much now unfortunately with the inflation of mob hp; attrition isn't very viable these days with 10k hp ordinary mobs hitting so hard. The DoD's 20 DR proc is a joke because it also means you're not moving very fast, and mobility is key to surviving EE. Even on GH/Shadowfail EH's, if you're not moving around you'll die soon enough. SP regen with torc/conc opp isn't as viable these days for the same reason, as are guards. Enervation guards may still be useful, but aren't overly reliable. So with a 16/2/2 split, you're better off not melee'ing, instead going Shiradi spammer. Or better yet, 14wiz/4fvs/2mnk or 14sorc/4fvs/2paly.
Prior to Bladeforged, the spiritual successor I'd have to say was the Jugg, exchanging spell DPS (which doesn't scale well) for bow DPS (which does), but unfortunately relying almost solely on ED's and twists for much of its damage capabilities.
With Bladeforged though, you don't have to be an arcane at all; I firmly believe that sticking to a Wiz/Sorc/Arti platform, or any casting class, is giving up too much when all you really want from those is the SP to self heal.
My take is a variant on the Centered Cleaver build, going 9 monk/8 ftr/3 wiz. It's by no means an original, just merely leveraging some of the more obvious synergies with BF that I've seen. 9 monk primarily for improved evasion, as the reflexes aren't going to be very high, 8 fighter for centered weapons, 3 wiz for mental toughness, prot from evil, shield, blur if you don't have a permanent item (gets sp-expensive though).
Assuming 36pt build; handy past lives would be Arti for UMD, Ranger for bow damage, Monk for melee damage, Barb for hp, Shadar-Kai for dodge.
Level 28 Lawful Good Bladeforged Male
(8 Fighter / 9 Monk / 3 Wizard / 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 391
Spell Points: 401
BAB: 15/15/20/25/25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 12
Will: 12
Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(36 Point) (Level 1) (Level 28)
Strength 18 31
Dexterity 13 17
Constitution 15 21
Intelligence 12 16
Wisdom 9 13
Charisma 8 12
Tomes Used
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+4 Tome of Constitution used at level 15
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 15
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 15
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 15
Level 1 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge or Deflect Arrows if you have Shadar-Kai lives under your belt
Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Level 5 ((Monk)
Level 6 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot
Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave
Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Bow Strength
Level 11 (Fighter)
Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Level 13 (Fighter)
Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Level 15 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Zen Archery
Level 16 (Monk)
Level 17 (Monk)
Level 18 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Master of Forms
Level 19 (Wizard)
Level 20 (Wizard)
Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical
Level 22 (Epic)
Level 23 (Epic)
Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Level 25 (Epic)
Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed
Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Holy Strike