This is another build for Imp Invis/Epic Dodge, which thanks to syrath I now love, and prefer quite a bit to SC V not only because it saves tons of feats, but because it gives you other buffs including death immunity spells, which I don’t like to leave home without.
I didn’t see anything similar to this in the epic builds, except of course for the bard/aa/sd builds. The main difference here is lower ab in exchange for higher level spells, more slots, and most importantly to me, immunity to death magic. In fact I took 15 wizard instead of 13 just to squeeze out some extended shadow shields. If you prefer the extra 1ab/1damage, go for it, and remember you only need to end up with 17 int in this case.
Since this is only my second time using Epic Dodge (or SD, for that matter) in a build, any suggestions would be appreciated. The same would be true of my Quicksliver [working] build. Incidentally i'd like to know how to make links in this forum. It said my link had too many characters without a space.
Race: Elf
Starting Stats (Ending Stats)
STR 12
DEX 18 (28)
CON 12
WIS 8
INT 16 (18)
CHA 8

1 Wizard-(illusionist) Point Blank Shot
2 Wizard-
3 Wizard-Weapon Focus Longbow
4 Wizard-
5 Wizard-Extend Spell
6 Wizard-Rapid Shot
7 Wizard-
8 Wizard-
9 Wizard-Toughness
10 Wizard-Combat Casting (or if you prefer, empower spell/max spell)
11 Wizard-
12 Wizard-Dodge
13 Arcane Archer-
14 Arcane Archer-
15 Arcane Archer-Improved Critical: Longbow
16 Arcane Archer-
17 Arcane Archer-
18 Arcane Archer-Mobility
19 Arcane Archer-
20 Arcane Archer-
21 Arcane Archer-Epic Weapon Focus: Longbow
22 Arcane Archer-
23 Arcane Archer-
24 Shadow Dancer-Armor Skin
25 Shadow Dancer-
26 Shadow Dancer-
27 Shadow Dancer-Epic Fortitude
28 Shadow Dancer-
29 Shadow Dancer-
30 Shadow Dancer-Great Intelligence I
31 Shadow Dancer-
32 Shadow Dancer-
33 Shadow Dancer- Epic Dodge
34 Arcane Archer-
35 Arcane Archer-
36 Arcane Archer-Epic Prowess, Epic Will
37 Arcane Archer-
38 Wizard-
39 Wizard-Epic Skill Focus: Discipline
40 Wizard-Great Intelligence II
You get a good number of skills, which I suggest using as follows (with 35 leftover):
35 Tumble
40 Hide
40 Move Silently
43 Concentration
21 Discipline

Final stats:
HP: 340 [15*4 (wizard) + 15*8 (arcane archer) + 10*8 (shadowdancer) + 40 (toughness) + 40 (con bonus)]
28 AC Naked, Unspelled
With a mundane longbow, AB: +44/+39/+34, dmg: 1-8 + 8 (19-20 x3)
Fortitude: 25 (+8 against spells)
Reflex: 31 (+8 against spells, plus improved evasion)
Will: 23 (+8 against spells, plus slippery mind)
Epic Dodge
32 Discipline... Good thing you won’t be getting hit too often.
HIPS

With shield, shadow shield, magic vestment, improved invisibility, lesser mind blank, haste and true seeing, as well as minimal bull’s strength, endurance and cat’s grace:

With all spells, a mundane robe and a mundane longbow, you get:
AC: 44
AB: 45/45/40/35 (43/43/43/38/33 with rapid shot)
Damage: 1-8+9 (if you can get a mighty bow +2, you get 2 more damage because of 14 str.)
Immune:
Mind Spells
Necromancy Spells
Death Effects

And you have 50% Concealment, Epic Dodge and True Seeing.

You also have shadow evade, but I’m not entirely positive on the stats for that, or how long it lasts (the server I was testing this build on doesn’t allow SD, and I’ve never done an SD before).

You can also cast reciprocal damage spells that, if extended, will last 30 rounds. Of course with epic dodge and 50% conceal, you really won’t be getting hit enough for these to be very useful. Another useful spell is spell breach or lesser spell breach, which are like mini-mordekainens (including the no save or SR, which is nice when you only have 15 caster levels and 18 int).


Pros:
50% Conceal and Epic Dodge.
High naked AC.
Solid AB, though low for an archer.
Nice reflex save.
Improved Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Defensive Roll.
Immunity to Death Magic and Mind Spells.
HIPS and high hide/ms.
Ranged attacks.

Cons:
HP is pretty low (380 with min. endurance) and can’t heal.
Only 5 attacks per round at most... 3 base. 24 BAB.
Fort/Will saves aren’t too hot, but at least you have immunity to death/mind spells. The +8 from spellcraft is always a big help too.
Moderate damage output, and can’t use fire weapon on a non-melee, which sucks. This build would have a lot of trouble against high DR, especially that which can’t be eaten away at like that of a DwD. The triple crits help a little bit at least.


If you wanted to, you could drop one of the epic feats in favor of blinding speed. I happen to dislike short-term effects.
_________________
Have I mentioned I hate IGMS?

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 10/10/07 13:31

Quote: Posted 09/04/04 23:34:19 (GMT) -- yrtsns

This is another build for Imp Invis/Epic Dodge, which thanks to syrath I now love, and prefer quite a bit to SC V not only because it saves tons of feats, but because it gives you other buffs including death immunity spells, which I don’t like to leave home without.
I didn’t see anything similar to this in the epic builds, except of course for the bard/aa/sd builds. The main difference here is lower ab in exchange for higher level spells, more slots, and most importantly to me, immunity to death magic. In fact I took 15 wizard instead of 13 just to squeeze out some extended shadow shields. If you prefer the extra 1ab/1damage, go for it, and remember you only need to end up with 17 int in this case.
Since this is only my second time using Epic Dodge (or SD, for that matter) in a build, any suggestions would be appreciated. The same would be true of my Quicksliver [working] build. Incidentally i'd like to know how to make links in this forum. It said my link had too many characters without a space.
Race: Elf
Starting Stats (Ending Stats)
STR 12
DEX 18 (28)
CON 12
WIS 8
INT 16 (18)
CHA 8

1 Wizard-(illusionist) Point Blank Shot
2 Wizard-
3 Wizard-Weapon Focus Longbow
4 Wizard-
5 Wizard-Extend Spell
6 Wizard-Rapid Shot
7 Wizard-
8 Wizard-
9 Wizard-Toughness
10 Wizard-Combat Casting (or if you prefer, empower spell/max spell)
11 Wizard-
12 Wizard-Dodge
13 Arcane Archer-
14 Arcane Archer-
15 Arcane Archer-Improved Critical: Longbow
16 Arcane Archer-
17 Arcane Archer-
18 Arcane Archer-Mobility
19 Arcane Archer-
20 Arcane Archer-
21 Arcane Archer-Epic Weapon Focus: Longbow
22 Arcane Archer-
23 Arcane Archer-
24 Shadow Dancer-Armor Skin
25 Shadow Dancer-
26 Shadow Dancer-
27 Shadow Dancer-Epic Fortitude
28 Shadow Dancer-
29 Shadow Dancer-
30 Shadow Dancer-Great Intelligence I
31 Shadow Dancer-
32 Shadow Dancer-
33 Shadow Dancer- Epic Dodge
34 Arcane Archer-
35 Arcane Archer-
36 Arcane Archer-Epic Prowess, Epic Will
37 Arcane Archer-
38 Wizard-
39 Wizard-Epic Skill Focus: Discipline
40 Wizard-Great Intelligence II
You get a good number of skills, which I suggest using as follows (with 35 leftover):
35 Tumble
40 Hide
40 Move Silently
43 Concentration
21 Discipline

Final stats:
HP: 340 [15*4 (wizard) + 15*8 (arcane archer) + 10*8 (shadowdancer) + 40 (toughness) + 40 (con bonus)]
28 AC Naked, Unspelled
With a mundane longbow, AB: +44/+39/+34, dmg: 1-8 + 8 (19-20 x3)
Fortitude: 25 (+8 against spells)
Reflex: 31 (+8 against spells, plus improved evasion)
Will: 23 (+8 against spells, plus slippery mind)
Epic Dodge
32 Discipline... Good thing you won’t be getting hit too often.
HIPS

With shield, shadow shield, magic vestment, improved invisibility, lesser mind blank, haste and true seeing, as well as minimal bull’s strength, endurance and cat’s grace:

With all spells, a mundane robe and a mundane longbow, you get:
AC: 44
AB: 45/45/40/35 (43/43/43/38/33 with rapid shot)
Damage: 1-8+9 (if you can get a mighty bow +2, you get 2 more damage because of 14 str.)
Immune:
Mind Spells
Necromancy Spells
Death Effects

And you have 50% Concealment, Epic Dodge and True Seeing.

You also have shadow evade, but I’m not entirely positive on the stats for that, or how long it lasts (the server I was testing this build on doesn’t allow SD, and I’ve never done an SD before).

You can also cast reciprocal damage spells that, if extended, will last 30 rounds. Of course with epic dodge and 50% conceal, you really won’t be getting hit enough for these to be very useful. Another useful spell is spell breach or lesser spell breach, which are like mini-mordekainens (including the no save or SR, which is nice when you only have 15 caster levels and 18 int).


Pros:
50% Conceal and Epic Dodge.
High naked AC.
Solid AB, though low for an archer.
Nice reflex save.
Improved Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Defensive Roll.
Immunity to Death Magic and Mind Spells.
HIPS and high hide/ms.
Ranged attacks.

Cons:
HP is pretty low (380 with min. endurance) and can’t heal.
Only 5 attacks per round at most... 3 base. 24 BAB.
Fort/Will saves aren’t too hot, but at least you have immunity to death/mind spells. The +8 from spellcraft is always a big help too.
Moderate damage output, and can’t use fire weapon on a non-melee, which sucks. This build would have a lot of trouble against high DR, especially that which can’t be eaten away at like that of a DwD. The triple crits help a little bit at least.


If you wanted to, you could drop one of the epic feats in favor of blinding speed. I happen to dislike short-term effects.

Cool build, but it seems like you have a few wasted feats. First of all, what is the purpose of Mobility? With SD lvls your Tumble skill should be high enough that you should never trigger attacks of opportunity, so Mobility seems pretty useless. Also not sure if Epic Fort and Epic Will are really necessary, as you can use Clarity or Mind Blank to make you immune to mind-affecting spells, and I believe Wizzies have spells to make them immune to death magic as well.

Also, curious as to why you chose SD rather than Rogue. With 13 lvl of Rogue you can get access to Epic Dodge as well, plus you get 7d6 sneak attacks to help your damage, as well as more skill credits (especially if you start as a Rogue). If you were to do something like Rogue 13/Wizard 17/AA 10 you would have a much more damage build that could cast 9th lvl spells, although you would lose a couple points of AB. You would also lose HIPS, which is kind of nice, especially for an archer build.
Quote: Posted 09/05/04 03:26:05 (GMT) -- CrispyCritter

Cool build, but it seems like you have a few wasted feats. First of all, what is the purpose of Mobility? With SD lvls your Tumble skill should be high enough that you should never trigger attacks of opportunity, so Mobility seems pretty useless. Also not sure if Epic Fort and Epic Will are really necessary, as you can use Clarity or Mind Blank to make you immune to mind-affecting spells, and I believe Wizzies have spells to make them immune to death magic as well.
Mobility is a prereq for SD.
Quote: 
Also, curious as to why you chose SD rather than Rogue. With 13 lvl of Rogue you can get access to Epic Dodge as well, plus you get 7d6 sneak attacks to help your damage, as well as more skill credits (especially if you start as a Rogue). If you were to do something like Rogue 13/Wizard 17/AA 10 you would have a much more damage build that could cast 9th lvl spells, although you would lose a couple points of AB. You would also lose HIPS, which is kind of nice, especially for an archer build.

There is always the case that rogue can replace shadowdancer in many builds like this (including my own). Remember however to get the same feats as a shadowdancer a rogue must be 16th level instead of 10. 2 are a must defensive roll and imp. evasion. Slippery Mind is questionable whether you really need it. The loss of hips is quite a big loss in many cases however, and in others choosing rogue would give you an xp penalty (e.g. fighter/COT/shadowdancer). However additionally someone might just not want to be a backstabber, I like stealth builds but Im not a particular fan of either the rogue class due to the fact it has sneak attack , and Im not a fan of rangers either. I do like dex based fighters though.

Syrath
Quote: Posted 09/05/04 03:26:05 (GMT) -- CrispyCritter
Also not sure if Epic Fort and Epic Will are really necessary, as you can use Clarity or Mind Blank to make you immune to mind-affecting spells, and I believe Wizzies have spells to make them immune to death magic as well.

Also, curious as to why you chose SD rather than Rogue.
As syrath said, mobility for SD.
Epic Fort and Will are definitely things you could change without damaging the build at all, I just wanted to boost the low saves against spells other than death and mind. The most important to boost is fortitude, and I'd give a lot of consideration doing the epic res: fire instead of epic will to guard against darkfire/flame wep. Ultimately those choices are up to you to make, since they don't affect the structure of the build in any way. This is true of most of my builds.. I usually like to leave some room to breathe as far as feats are concerned (which is why I would never want to go for SC5).
And yeah, I tend to prefer SD to rogue for the reasons syrath pointed out. But going for lv9 spells wouldnt be a terrible idea, if you're willing to sacrifice 1 ac 2 ab and 1 damage for 2 9-slots and i think 3 8-slots.
Thanks for the critiques and suggestions; love to hear any others people might have.
_________________
Have I mentioned I hate IGMS?
Quote: Posted 09/05/04 03:26:05 (GMT) -- CrispyCritter


Also, curious as to why you chose SD rather than Rogue. With 13 lvl of Rogue you can get access to Epic Dodge as well,

Um, I do believe your mistaken there Crispy. In order to get Epic dodge with Rogue, you first need to obtain epic rogue. (meaning you need at least 20 levels of it.) If you want epic dodge, and you want it without taking so many Rogue levels, then SD is clearly the better way to go.
_________________
You can't kill what was simply never there. . .
Quote: Posted 03/06/06 16:13:09 (GMT) -- NelosNasidar

Quote: Posted 09/05/04 03:26:05 (GMT) -- CrispyCritter


Also, curious as to why you chose SD rather than Rogue. With 13 lvl of Rogue you can get access to Epic Dodge as well,

Um, I do believe your mistaken there Crispy. In order to get Epic dodge with Rogue, you first need to obtain epic rogue. (meaning you need at least 20 levels of it.) If you want epic dodge, and you want it without taking so many Rogue levels, then SD is clearly the better way to go.

No. 13 Rogue is required to get both Improved Evasion and Defensive Roll, Epic Rogue is not a pre-requisite for Epic Dodge. In order to get Epic Dodge, you need to have


_________________
The world is grey, the mountain's old
The forge's fire is ashen and cold
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls
The darkness dwells in Druin's halls...

~ Summoning - Khazad-Dúm