Ever wonder how some players seem to have incredible characters that do all the things they want?
When making a character for any game, especially Dungeons and Dragons Online, figuring out where to start isn’t the only thing to consider. You also have to think about where you’re planning to go with the character, long term gameplay plans, and looking at the different leveling options as a whole instead of only fixating at the start. Knowing what you want your character to do later in the game and even with End Game content is a must.
Maybe you want a frontline, Battle Healer? Or a sneaky, stabby guy who pops out of hidden shadows with a secret blade like a Stealth Assassin? You might even simply want a Buff Support, someone who sprinkles buffs on the part consistently and continuously to benefit them without engaging in combat or being only a healer.
With so many options, it can be easy to get lost. Below are my top 10 best builds, outfitted with ideas on beginning gameplay but also what its main goal and abilities later in game are, too.
10. Holy Inquisitor
The angelic wings make him holy
The Holy Inquisitor is a Favored Soul Inquisitor who is focused on support spells and annihilates enemies with a crossbow.
Raced and aligned as a True Neutral Human, the Holy Inquisitor multiclasses between the Favored Soul and Artificer, this build starts at level 1 with Artificer then switches to Favored Soul until it snags one last Artificer bump at level 8, leaving all other levels for Favored Soul. Collecting the Disable, Search, Spot, Heal, and Open Lock skills; the Holy Inquisitor also has a great assortment of Spells, Feats, and enhancements. Through the Favored Soul, the build also gains Wisdom to hit and damage.
On a less technical note, some players note the build’s gameplay can be tedious until about level 12. The lack of an AoE also seemed to make things slower, but the use of No Holds Barred with the crossbow really devistates anything in their path, and level 18’s pick of Improved Precise Shot handles any AoE concerns.
One of the best DPS, the incredible utilization of crossbows combined with support spells makes this a fun build to try out.
What the Holy Inquisitor Excels In:
- Use of Leap of Faith, which the build’s name is based on, making it capable of reaching inaccessible places, flinging over and away from enemies, and provides for some shenanigans
- Self-sustaining, so it can be a solo-play build
- With its healing abilities and buffs, it plays awesomely as a Healer, too
Full build details: Holy Inquisitor by Strimtom
9. Dragonmarked Halfling Mechanic
They're just working it out
The Dragonmarked Halfling Mechanic build is a Self-Healing Halfing Mechanic, who is great for new players and is made without any VIP classes or races.
As the name implies, the build is raced as a Halfling with Chaotic Good for alignment. 18 of it's levels are Rogue, with Cleric at level 3 and Fighter at level 12. Its ample skills are: Heal, Disable Device, Open Lock, Seach, Spot, Diplomacy, Hide, Movie Silently, Use Magic Device, Balance, Jump, Tumble, and Performance- more than a handful to keep you going, along with plenty of Feats and a few spells.
Making great use of the Halflings’ Dragonmarks, this build includes a normal set of recommended build choices for a fresh player, and an altered set for Epic levels as well. A Fire and Forget approach, the Mechanic aspect of this build makes it incredibly fun for relaxing. Users have said it's a great build for free-to-play accounts and beginners, and they love it doesn't require tons of special or difficult to find gear. Quick to level, newbies and veterans alike find plenty of fun and enjoyment with this build.
What The Dragonmarked Halfling Mechanic Excels In:
- Basic gear, race, and classes; no VIP only access
- The one tome needed isn't until level 24 and can be acquired for free with earned favor
- Is ideal for first time players, and also offers an Epic Level version
Full build details: Dragonmarked Halfling Mechanic by Jiirix
8. HealAmp Barbarian
A raving good time
The HealAmp Barbarian is a build that has unbeatable Tankiness, decent Damage, and is a perfect two handed character to compliment any party.
As a Chaotic Good Aasimar for race and alignment, this build sticks purely to Barbarian. Making use of the skills Listen, Intimidate, Swim, Jump, Use Magic Device, Balance, and Haggle; it makes up for the inability to use spells with choice feats to push it above and beyond.
Utilizing the updated Occult Slayer Tree and Falconer Tree, the HealAmp Barbarian is not only a capable build for gameplay, but also provides for some shenanigans and loads of fun. While the DPS is mediocre, the build has staying power that really kicks off a fight and stays around to finish it. A list of Endgame gear is provided to keep you at the top of your game, as well.
What The HealAmp Barbarian Excels In:
- Staying Power, this Tank-like build might be packing smaller punches but has long drive
- Fun regardless of player experience level, newbies and aces alike can enjoy this build
- Leveling can run slow a points but gameplay is still so fun it's hard to notice
Full build details: The HealAmp Barbarian by Strimtom
7. Kundarak Axesinger
Aw it's just the baby
The Kundarak Axesinger build is a Melee DPS self-healer, and works perfectly on a firstlife.
Racing as a Dwarf and True Neutral aligned, this build is a mix of 12 Bard levels and 8 Fighter. Skilled in Perform, Concentration, Use Magic Device, Heal, Balance, and Tumble, it makes great use of the Warchanter party buffs while providing great damage as well.
With the use of Greataxes, this newbie-friendly build has ample Kensei bonuses and is an executioner master with plenty of decapitation fun. With a human version offered, the build has plenty of exciting tricks up its sleeve for any player looking to go lopping off heads like the best of them.
What The Kundarak Axesinger Excels In:
- More DPS than you can shake a stick at
- Great for firstlifers, fun without a load of complicated or difficult aspects to obtain
- Chopping off heads and bowling over enemies near effortlessly
Full build details: Kundarak Axesinger by unbongwah
6. The Count of Monte Cristo
Daydreaming about swordfighting
A throwback, The Count of Monte Cristo build is a pure Swashbuckler who offers crazy good DPS, CC, and survivability.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a True Neutral Human and fully classes in Bard. It utilizes countless skills, feats, Spells, Enhancements- this build packs in as much as possible to provide a solid character for just about anything you can imagine.
Well fitted defenses and balanced offenses makes this Swashbuckler an amazing build. The Count of Monte Cristo boasts rightfully of it's awesome CC and Self-Healing. It's highly adaptable and takes center stage easily in any fight. While you don't have to have tomes for this build, it stands strong without any, they can't hurt anything. This build provides plenty of fun and excellent gameplay for any level of player.
What The Count of Monte Cristo Excels In:
- Incredible offense and defense, making it a top build
- CC better than almost any other build
- Self-Healing and a slew of buffs and debuffs, which makes them a very sought after style of build in any party- though they can easily solo with its self sustainability
Full build details: The Count of Monte Cristo by CThruTheEgo
5. Zeus - God of Thunder and Lightning
His eyes only glow when he's angry, and they're always glowing
The Zeus build is a highly sustainable Doublestrike class that doesn't rely on the Killer Enhancement or Double Strike boost.
With a fleet of skills, feats, and well geared but obtainable items; the Zeus build is a killer DPS build with survivability to (not)die for! A Lawful Good Bladeforged aligned and race build, the Zeus classes 6 Paladin, 2 Monk, and 12 Rogue.
A shock n' rock play style, it provides plenty of flashy lightning and rolling waves of soundwave thunder to make every battle a real rock show. There's Tome usage but they're aquarable without being really difficult, and really push the survivability to a point beyond perfect. A solid and well rounded build, the Zeus is a great choice to really tear things up.
What Zeus - God of Thunder and Lightning Excels In:
- DPS, one of the top builds for damage
- Survivability and solo-possible options
- An explosion of lights and sound, both entertaining and highly effective
Full build details: Zeus - God of Thunder and Lightning by Lurzifer
4. AirForged the last Firebender
And the class can come with a fancy outfit
While not newbie-friendly, based as an intermediate build, the AirForged the last Firebender build is packed full of awesome fun!
While being raced Bladeforged and aligned Lawful Good, the AirForged the last Firebender can be successfully made and played with really any race as per preference. An extremely well made DPS with awesome Utility and Survivability, this build starts as a paladin then multis Sorcerer until a last paladin at 15, making it an 18 Sorcerer and 2 Paladin. Tomes aren't required but some for spellcasting can be helpful.
An epic mix of Skills, Spells, and Feats makes this build pretty well rounded. Many say it's an incredibly fun build, though they do also insist using the Bladeforged is the best choice even though any race can work for the build. Again, while not absolutely necessary, many have also said it's extremely beneficial to use Past Lives with the build, as well.
What The AirForged the last Firebender Excels In:
- DPS, not the absolute highest ranked in damage but holds strong at the top for its consistency
- Well balanced, any improvements are more for personal preference than gameplay
- Higher requirements to obtain some aspects, but can be substituted for easier versions without compromising playability
Full build details: AirForged the last Firebender by UurlockYgmeov
3. The Icebreaker
Freeze, hands in the air!
A Freezing Warchanter Bard, The Icebreaker is an unbelievably adaptable and wildly fun build, despite its requirements for the Purple Dragon Knight race and sword usage.
While the Icebreaker has some specific and uncompromisable aspects, such as needing to be raced as Purple Dragon Knight, it's pretty flexible in most areas. In fact, players have also had great success swapping Drow for the race, and alignment doesn't play a factor. Making use out of loads of Feats, Skills, and other goodies granted by race and class, this build is a CC expert.
As it's name would suggest, the Icebreaker uses tons of Freezing attacks. It utilizes an AoE attack that can be used just about every single fight, and really impacts the CC abilities and helps greatly whether you're soloing or in a party. The build gives the choice of leveling 12 in Bard, 6 Fighter, and 2 Rogue or 16 Bard, 2 Fighter, and 2 Rogue.
What The Icebreaker Excels In:
- Freezing characters, literally, locking them down and making CC a piece of ice cream cake
- Providing plenty of shenanigans with its different abilities, leading to it to be both fun and stunningly effective
- Has some locked in parts to the build, but can still be flexible and adapted for personal preferences
Full build details: The Icebreaker by Tentaki
2. Wizard Palemaster
Pool party! Is that a floaty or a body..?
This Wizard Palemaster build is a great heal as you kill style gameplay, a strong self-healer that’s able to easily annihilate enemies.
A true Neutral Halfing for race and alignment, the Wizard Palemaster sticks all levels into Wizard for a pure build. While the Race doesn't influence the build, picking Gnome or Deepgnome is still highly recommended for a few elements. Using Concentration, Spellcrafting, Heal, Search, Balance, Haggle, and Use Magic Device; the build grabs lots of Feats and spells to amplify it's amazing gameplay.
Very intuitive of a build, it plays hard and fast, giving plenty of incredible gameplay hours. Able to pick from 4 undead forms, the Wizard Palmaster gains countless benefits from necromancy as well. It comes with a skeleton companion, which enables you to have him perform tasks for you and has plenty of immunities. With killspells and advantages from negative energies, it has lots of combat power and self-healing. When in a party, if a member dies, you can bring them back undead; this grants the possibility to likewise heal them with negative energies like you do for yourself.
What The Wizard Palemaster Excels In:
- Has 4 undead forms that offer endless advantages
- Uses and greatly benefits from various Necromancy abilities
- Comes with a Skeleton buddy who can do tasks you assign, including lugging your soul stone to a shrine if needed
Full build details: Wizard Palemaster by Strimtom
1. Voodu Warlock
The bigger they are, the harder they fall, right?
An absolutely, speechlessly amazing Tank build, the Voodu Warlock packs blinding DPS and can solo better than any other build out there.
A pure Warlock build, it can be any alignment or race, though Drow is the build's default. Aligned with the Fey pact, any will work fine but the build guide has the Fey Pact's benefits listed for a reason. More than capable of being a Soloing Tank in any dungeon or Raid, this build is also an unbeatable bonus in any party.
Amazing at every type of gameplay, even Reaper is easier than ever with this build. While you can go hard soloing, in a party anyone in an aura benefits incredibly, going as far as completely eliminating the threat of death itself. Unbelievably fun for any run you can imagine, even just karowaking around, this is The Build if you’re looking for fun with a massive, fatal donkey punch.
What the Voodu Warlock Excels In:
- High self healing, their aura also likewise makes any party member immune to death
- If you have lag or have to go AFK often, this build is the one to pick as it is so self sustainable, you’ll come back to your character not only still alive, but with mobs dead around you
- With the Fey Pact’s Misty Escape, which can be activated even on a mount, you (and your mount) can launch through the air to incredible lengths, including phasing through enemies at will
Full build details: Voodu Warlock by Nachomammashouse
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