Iconic Builds for New Players (2024)

DEX-based TWF Assassin builds are also pretty straight-forward. Mine is very similar to slarden's halfling DEX build.

(EDIT 8/22/21) The biggest change is Update 50 buffed Shadar-kai's racial tree, in particular the chain attacks are actually useful now and address one of pure Assassin's shortcomings, namely no AoE DPS. you need to learn to use Improved Feint to take full advantage of sneak attacks vs mobs while using the chains. See Strimtom's SWF SDK Assassin thread.

Code:

SDK Assassin (U50)Rogue 20True Neutral Shadar-kaiStats 32pt Level Up ---- --------Strength 8 4: DEXDexterity 20 8: DEXConstitution 14 12: DEXIntelligence 16 16: DEXWisdom 8 20: DEXCharisma 6 24: DEX 28: DEXSkills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ------------------------------------------------------------Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Open Lo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Bluff 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Balance 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Hide 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Move Si 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Tumble 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 23UMD 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Concent 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11Swim 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------ 44 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11Feats 1 : Two Weapon Fighting 3 : Precision 6 : Improved Feint 9 : Improved Two Weapon Fighting12 : Improved Critical: Piercing15 : Greater Two Weapon Fighting18 : Two Weapon Defense OR Weapon Finesse21 Epic : Improved Sneak Attack24 Epic : Overwhelming Critical26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction28 Destiny: First Blood OR Elusive Target29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding30 Epic : Epic Reflexes OR Watchful Eye30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane10 Rogue : Opportunist13 Rogue : Crippling Strike16 Rogue : Improved Evasion19 Rogue : Defensive Roll OR Skill MasteryEnhancements (Spent: 80 +0r +0u / Max: 80 +0r +0u AP)Assassin (43 AP)
  • Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness, Lethality, Deadly Shadow
    1. Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
    2. Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
    3. Sneak Attack Training
    4. Execute, Killer III, Weakening Strikes, Sneak Attack Training
    5. Assassinate, Measure the Foe III, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization, Light Armor Mastery III
Shadar-kai (23 AP)
  • Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt, Empowered Jaunt
    1. Vicious Chain
    2. Forceful Chain, Ghostly Essence III, Guile
    3. Ghastly Chain, Displacement, Guile
    4. Greater Spiked Chain Attack, Assassin's Mark, Gloom Stalker
Thief-Acrobat (14 AP)
  • Staff Control, Stick Fighting, Tumbler
    1. Sly Flourish III, Fast Movement
    2. Haste Boost III
    3. Shadow Dodge III
Leveling Guide
  • Thief-Acrobat: Staff Control
    1. Fast Movement
  • Assassin: Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick, Nimbleness
    1. Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
    2. Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
    3. Sneak Attack Training
    4. Execute, Killer III, Weakening Strikes, Sneak Attack Training
    5. Assassinate, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization
  • Shadar-kai: Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt
    1. Vicious Chain
    2. Forceful Chain, Ghostly Essence III, Guile
    3. Ghastly Chain, Displacement
    4. Greater Spiked Chain Attack, Assassin's Mark
15. SK3 Guile; Ass5 Measure the Foe I, II, III16. SK0 Empowered Jaunt; SK4 Gloom Stalker17. TA1 Sly Flourish I, II; TA2 Haste Boost I, II18. Ass0 Lethality; TA2 Haste Boost III; TA1 Sly Flourish III; TA0 Stick Fighting19. TA0 Tumbler; TA3 Shadow Dodge I, II, III20. Ass5 Light Armor Mastery I; Ass0 Deadly Shadow; Ass5 Light Armor Mastery II, IIIDestiny (24 AP)Shadowdancer
  1. Stealthy III, Technician I
  2. Lithe III, Skill Mastery
  3. Shrouding Strike I, Meld into Darkness III, Grim Precision III
  4. Improved Invisibility I
  5. Untouchable, Executioner's Strike I, Sealed Soul
  6. Shadow Form, Dark Imbuement
Twists of Fate (11 fate points)
  1. Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
  2. Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
  3. Unearthly Reactions (Tier 1 Magister)
Sneak attacks (SA): 10d6 rogue levels + 8d6 Assassin + 2d6 SDK + 3d6 Improved Sneak Attack feat + 6d6 Shadowdancer + 6d6 Scion of Ethereal Plane = 35d6 SA (122.5 avg dmg per hit).

Required extra gear to start:

See Also
Forums: Advice: I need an advice for a Monster for my PartyI Just Inherited My Grandfather's Female Disciples Chapter 38 - Aunt Chen Awaits, High Stakes at the Auction

  • None, though a lot more healing potions certainly wouldn't go amiss... Iconic Builds for New Players (1)

Recommended extra gear to start:
  • +6 INT swap item for trapping. Until then, you can use Fox's Cunning potions.
  • Deadly & Seeker items: helm and goggles can be used as swap slots.
  • Deception gear: Backstabber's Gloves are the obvious choice, though it means giving up your initial doublestrike bonus. At level 17, Golden Guile is a good option, since it also adds Dusk and boosts your Bluff & Diplomacy.

SDK Mechanic: This build requires a repeater or great xbow to start; Divine Artillery or Fatal Flaw would be ideal, but even a HN Trapsmith or a decent lootgen repeater would suffice. You'll also want +INT gear ASAP to boost DPS & trap skills; and Deception gear for extra ranged SAs. [EDIT: Backstabber's Gloves are a good choice, b/c Doublestrike does nothing for Mechanics and +2 to-hit isn't that important.] It requires a +2 DEX tome from Favor, but not until lvl 24 when you take Imp Sneak Atk. For a 28pt build, start DEX 18 INT 16 CON 14 CHA 8, I think, and drop either Concentration or Heal.

Code:

SDK MechanicRogue 20True Neutral Shadar-kaiStats 32pt Tome Level Up ---- ---- --------Strength 8 4: INTDexterity 18 +2 8: INTConstitution 14 12: DEXIntelligence 18 16: INTWisdom 8 20: INTCharisma 6 24: INT 28: INTSkills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ------------------------------------------------------------Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Open Lo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Spot 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Bluff 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Diplo 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Hide 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Move Si 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Tumble 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23UMD 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Balance 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 15Concent 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11Heal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11Jump 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------ 48 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14Feats 1 : Point Blank Shot 3 : Rapid Shot 6 : Rapid Reload 9 : Precise Shot10 Rogue : Improved Evasion12 : Improved Critical: Ranged13 Rogue : Opportunist15 : Improved Precise Shot16 Rogue : Crippling Strike OR Skill Mastery18 : Precision19 Rogue : Defensive Roll OR Skill Mastery21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical24 Epic : Improved Sneak Attack26 Destiny: Holy Strike OR Pierce Damage Reduction: Cold Iron27 Epic : Combat Archery28 Destiny: Doubleshot29 Destiny: Embodiment of Law OR Deific Warding30 Epic : Blinding Speed OR Epic Damage Reduction OR Insightful Reflexes30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal PlaneEnhancements (80 AP)Mechanic (44 AP)
  • Arbalester, Tanglefoot, Targeting Sights, Improved Detection, Expert Builder, Hip Flask
    1. Sharpshooter, Thunderstone III
    2. Sharpshooter, Improved Traps III, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
    3. Sharpshooter, Wracking Shot I, Ooze Flask III
    4. Sharpshooter, Fletching III, Leg Shot
    5. Sharpshooter, Rapid Fire III, Time Bomb III, Sniper, Mechanical Reloader
Assassin (25 AP)
  • Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back, Assassin's Trick
    1. Sneak Attack Training, Stealthy III
    2. Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
    3. Sneak Attack Training, Intelligence
    4. Killer III, Sneak Attack Training
Shadar-kai (8 AP)
  • Shadar-kai Grit, Intelligence, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt
    1. (none)
    2. Guile
Thief-Acrobat (3 AP)
  • Staff Control
    1. Fast Movement
Leveling Guide
  1. TA0 Staff Control; TA1 Fast Movement; Mec0 Arbalester
  2. Mec1 Sharpshooter; Mec1 Thunderstone I, II
  3. Mec1 Thunderstone III; Mec0 Tanglefoot; Mec2 Sharpshooter
  4. Mec2 Improved Traps I, II, III
  5. Mec3 Sharpshooter; Mec3 Ooze Flask I, II, III
  6. Mec0 Targeting Sights; Mec2 Wand and Scroll Mastery I, II, III
  7. Mec4 Sharpshooter; Mec4 Fletching I, II
  8. Mec4 Fletching III; Mec4 Leg Shot; Mec3 Wracking Shot I
  9. Ass0 Knife in the Darkness; Ass1 Sneak Attack Training; Ass1 Stealthy I
  10. Ass1 Stealthy II, III; Ass0 Dagger in the Back; Ass2 Damage Boost I
  11. Ass2 Damage Boost II, III; Ass2 Sneak Attack Training
  12. Mec0 Improved Detection; Mec5 Sharpshooter; Mec5 Rapid Fire I
  13. Mec5 Rapid Fire II, III; Mec5 Sniper
  14. Mec5 Mechanical Reloader; Mec5 Time Bomb I, II
  15. Mec5 Time Bomb III; Ass0 Assassin's Trick; Ass2 Venomed Blades I, II
  16. Ass2 Venomed Blades III; Ass3 Sneak Attack Training
  17. Ass3 Intelligence; Ass4 Killer I, II, III
  18. Mec0 Expert Builder; Ass4 Sneak Attack Training; SK0 Shadar-kai Grit
  19. SK0 Intelligence; SK0 Shadow Phase
  20. Mec0 Hip Flask; SK2 Guile; SK0 Shadow Jaunt
Destiny (24 AP)Legendary Dreadnought
  1. Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
  2. Damage Boost III, Constitution
  3. Critical Damage III, Haste Boost III
  4. (none)
  5. Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
  6. Master's Blitz, Pulverizer
Twists of Fate (14 fate points)
  1. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
  2. Pin (Tier 2 Shiradi)
  3. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
At some point, you'll probably find that Mechanic traps are no longer effective, at which point you'll ditch them and put your APs elsewhere. So enjoy them while they're useful! Iconic Builds for New Players (2)

EDIT: while you can use any crossbow with this build to start, here are the named xbows I recommend for this build.

http://ddowiki.com/page/ItemIconic Builds for New Players (3)ivine_Artillery
http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:The_Fatal_Flaw
http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Light_Boltslinger

SDK Daggerdruid: This is a fairly straight-forward flavor build: DEX-based TWF druid 15 / rogue 5 using daggers (hence the less-than-spectacular name). Requires druid, obviously, and a WIS item to start to cast spells; you'll need WIS 18 by lvl 20 from whatever combo of gear, tome, shipbuff, etc. you can manage. Decent melee DPS, a little bit of caster DPS (partly for flavor, partly for Arcane Warrior stacks), plus plenty of heal & buffs from druid spells + Sacred Ground, ofc.

Code:

SDK Daggerdruid15/5 Druid/RogueNeutral Good Shadar-kaiLevel Order1. Rogue 6. Druid 11. Druid 16. Druid2. Druid 7. Druid 12. Rogue 17. Druid3. Druid 8. Rogue 13. Druid 18. Druid4. Druid 9. Druid 14. Druid 19. Druid5. Druid 10. Druid 15. Rogue 20. RogueStats 32pt Level Up ---- --------Strength 8 4: DEXDexterity 20 8: DEXConstitution 14 12: DEXIntelligence 16 16: DEXWisdom 8 20: DEXCharisma 6 24: DEX 28: DEXSkills R D D D D D D R D D D R D D R D D D D R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ------------------------------------------------------------Spellcr 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 23Disable 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Search 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Spot 4 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 23UMD 4 7 4 3 5 23Open Lo 4 1 2 5 6 1 19Heal 2 2 1 1 1 7Balance 4 4Jump 4 4Swim 4 4Tumble 4 4 ------------------------------------------------------------ 44 7 7 7 7 7 7 11 7 7 7 11 7 7 11 7 7 7 7 11Feats 1 : Two Weapon Fighting 3 : Precision 3 Druid : Wild Shape 1: Wolf 6 : Quicken Spell 6 Druid : Wild Shape 1: Bear 9 : Improved Two Weapon Fighting10 Druid : Wild Shape 2: Winter Wolf12 : Improved Critical: Piercing14 Druid : Wild Shape 2: Dire Bear15 : Greater Two Weapon Fighting17 Druid : Wild Shape 3: Fire Elemental18 : Empower Healing Spell21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical24 Epic : Two Weapon Defense OR Hamstring26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction28 Destiny: First Blood OR Elusive Target29 Destiny: Arcane Warrior OR Dire Charge30 Epic : Blinding Speed OR Epic Reflexes30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of FireSpellsDruid
  1. Ram's Might, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
  2. Barkskin, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
  3. Sleet Storm, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
  4. Freedom of Movement, Cure Serious Wounds, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
  5. Death Ward, Greater Vigor, Stoneskin, Cure Critical Wounds, Panacea
  6. <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>
  7. Regenerate, Mass Greater Vigor, Body of the Sun
  8. <Any>, <Any>
Enhancements (80 AP)Assassin (37 AP)
  • Knife in the Darkness, Dagger in the Back
    1. Poison Strikes: Heartseeker, Shiv III, Sneak Attack Training
    2. Venomed Blades III, Sneak Attack Training, Damage Boost III
    3. Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
    4. Execute, Killer III, Sneak Attack Training, Dexterity
    5. Measure the Foe III, Deadly Strikes, Knife Specialization

Thief-Acrobat (23 AP)

  • Staff Control, Stick Fighting
    1. Thief Acrobatics III, Sly Flourish II, Fast Movement
    2. Haste Boost III
    3. Shadow Dodge III, Dexterity
    4. No Mercy III

Nature's Warrior (13 AP)

  • Nature's Warrior
    1. Extra Wild Empathy III, Shifting Rake I
    2. Flight III, Vengeful Hunter II
    3. Fatal Harrier III

Shadar-kai (7 AP)

  • Shadar-kai Grit, Dexterity, Shadow Phase, Shadow Jaunt
Destiny

(24 AP)Divine Crusader

  1. Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
  2. Consecration III, Flames of Purity II
  3. Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
  4. No Regret, Crusade
  5. Castigation, Celestial Champion
  6. Strike Down

Twists of Fate (35 fate points)

  1. Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
  2. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
  3. Balanced Attacks (Tier 3 Primal)
  4. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
I delayed the last rogue level to lvl 20 in order to squeeze out more skill pts; but the downside is you don't get tier-5 Assassin enhancements until then, so your heroic leveling will be slower / more of a PITA due to lower melee DPS. If you have a +2 INT tome to start, divide the extra skill pts between Open Lock and Heal. If you have Harper, you can ditch SDK enhancements for Know the Angles.

EDIT: due to low DCs, fire spells like Body of the Sun and firewall are just there to help build stacks of Arcane Warrior and Empyrean Magic, which in turn help melee DPS and Consecration, respectively.

Iconic Builds for New Players (2024)
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