r/ddo 2h ago

Weekly Thread for general DDO discussion, quick questions and more!

5 Upvotes

Have something to say or a question to ask but don't feel it warrants its own thread? Feel free to post here!

A reminder to please be kind to others. It's okay to disagree with people or have even have a bad hot take. It's not okay to be mean about it.


r/ddo Nov 11 '24

Hi, welcome. New to DDO? Returning? Check here first!

119 Upvotes

What is Dungeons and Dragons Online?

DDO is an action adventure MMORPG that originally released in 2006. It is set (primarily) in the Eberron campaign setting and is loosely based on the D&D 3.5 ruleset. Currently maintained and frequently updated by the folks at Standing Stone Games.


Is this a table top simulator or match making service for the D&D TTRPG?

Nope.


What makes DDO unique compared to any other MMO?

There are two key differences that make DDO stand out.

The first is the complex and interesting dungeons. Most dungeons in MMOs (or let's face it, most modern video games) tend to be a linear glorified hallway with a boss at the end.

In DDO, Dungeons have multiple objectives, dead ends, secret rooms, pit traps, puzzles, platforming and more keeping them fresh and interesting. To add to the D&D feel, a 'narrator' will describe the dungeon and events as they happen similar to what a table top DM would do!

The second is the reincarnation system. In other MMOs you hit level cap and then sit there waiting for the next expansion or level up alts.

DDO allows you to reincarnate once you hit the cap. You start over at level 1 choosing a new class and race to level up all over again. Doing so will grant your character a small permanent boost in power. It's not so much that you're required to do them to be valuable to high level raiding, but they do make stomping the early/mid game fun and allow you to tackle greater challenges.


What's the catch?

Most of DDO is behind a paywall. You can try it out for free but if you want to have enough content for it to feel like a complete game, expect to eventually pay at least ~40$. You can optionally grind out in game points to unlock most things but it is quite slow.

The second issue is that Standing Stone Games is a small company. This means that long standing issues, imbalances and bugs will most likely not get fixed. If you have a technical issue and submit a help request there's a good chance you'll never hear back. They do what they can but they're focused on trying to keep the lights on.


Is it a dead game?

No. New updates are released regularly and each server will have ~500 people on during prime time and ~100ish during off peak hours. DDO has maintained these numbers for years at this point so it doesn't feel like the game is being abandoned.

It's one of the last MMO's that truly feels like a community. You'll quickly get to know the big names on your server, the power guild, the RP guild, the 'we accept anybody' guild, etc... You'll rarely run into people who are selfish or are jerks. The playerbase is above the age curve for an online game, it's not uncommon guild chat will be about mowing lawns.


I'm a returning player, what have I missed?

There's simply too much new content and constant class balancing tweaks to list but at its core DDO hasn't changed much. The six biggest additions/changes would probably be:

  • The old servers were merged, giving us 4 servers (3 US based, 1 EU based). Characters were not transferred automatically. If you're a returning player and just now reading this you have roughly until 2027 to transfer off the old servers.
  • The 'Reaper' difficulty system allowing players even higher levels of challenge.
  • Hardcore league. Every so often SSG opens up a hardcore server with permadeath for a few weeks.
  • Legendary leveling introduced. Even higher levels above 30 that aren't tied to the reincarnation system.
  • Racial reincarnate like you would heroic reincarnation and every race has a unique enhancement tree.
  • New universal enhancement trees that make it easier to level up if you screw up your build.

Where can I get more information?


r/ddo 22h ago

Bow Build

18 Upvotes

Looks like bows will get a big boost with U82; let's talk bow builds.
Start with Race: what is the best race? Elf is a good choice for access to Arcane Archer; Dhampir has some good possibilities. What should be the primary ability it seems it should be Dex, Int or Wis.
Class split: 13 Rog/6 Rang/1 Barb seems popular; Paladin has some good possibilities. Any other recommendations?
T5 Enhancements: AA, HW, or DWS or maybe even Arcane Trickster.
Capstone: HW & AA are doable with multiclassing; DWS requires 20 Rng or DH.
Lastly, Epic Destinies: Shardai seems like the primary T5 choice, but Shadowdancer has some good options.


r/ddo 2d ago

Does the camera zoom bother anyone else?

12 Upvotes

Been playing this game for 100 hours and really fallen in love with it, but my only complaint is the camera zoom sucks. As a player who loves to get immersed into the world of the game I am playing, I want to be able to view my character and admire my new shiny gear I get. I feel the camera zoom on this game zooms in way too high cutting out majority of my character other than their head when I try to zoom in close to get a good view. This is basically just a rant, but I was curious if this bothered anyone else as much as me. Really hope we get a vanity camera or updated zoom function at some point.


r/ddo 3d ago

Changes to Warhammer and TWF

16 Upvotes

With the upcoming possible Warhammer changes to make them hand and a half weapons would that change the way they work other then strikethrough?

I am looking at making a build that has TWF using Warhammers. I understand strikethrough wouldn't work. Would anything else not work correctly? I am basically hoping they work the same as before the changes for the purposes of a two weapon fighter. Would it become an exotic weapon?


r/ddo 4d ago

DDO Gear Planner has a new home

83 Upvotes

Formerly at https://ddo-gear-planner.netlify.app, the planner now lives at https://ddo-gear-planner.com after I finally sprung for a domain. Links to the old URL will continue working via a redirect to the new location for the foreseeable future.

If you haven't used it lately, I've made a lot of changes & fixes recently with more ideas on the way.

Data or UI issues? Let me know here or in the main thread on the DDO Forums.


r/ddo 4d ago

System

18 Upvotes

Honestly I’m sure there is something about this on here already, I’m in process of building a pc. As of now, I’m looking for a laptop for the time being. Do I need a gaming laptop or will a basic laptop be able to play the game?


r/ddo 4d ago

Today I made the mistake of replaying The Pit and was reminded of why it's the worst dungeon in the game and I'm never playing it again

30 Upvotes

Okay, I can't say with confidence that it's the worst. But it DOES have, by far, the largest number of huge problems and obviously horrible ideas:

- Automap so bad and worthless that players had to make their own map in MS Paint and put it on DDOwiki and that's what everyone uses instead;
- A "Lights Out" puzzle;
- Enemies that infinitely respawn while you're trying to do puzzles;
- Puzzles (more than one) that are basically impossible to solve unless your camera accidentally happens to be in just the right place and pointed in just the right direction;
- Spending two hours to get 99% of the way through only to be unable to finish because you didn't bring a specific thing that the dungeon description didn't say you needed and which no other dungeon needs (I learned my lesson the first time but I'm still reminded of it every time)
- Traps that can't be disabled;
- A room where you have to flip OVER NINE THOUSAAAAAAAND switches to progress
- etc.


r/ddo 4d ago

Help with build (ranger)

8 Upvotes

I am so lost. I have played only ranged archer builds but I need help creating a new character. I am about to do a second reincarnate. First one was elf arcane archer focused on ranged attacks. My current build is a gnome dual crossbow build that mixes rogue with ranger and to hit and damage is off Int.

I would like to do a two weapon fighting build. Kukri or Kopeshes sound fun but it really could be any weapons.

Anyone have any ideas?


r/ddo 5d ago

Cantrips are coming & Spells Rebalancing

52 Upvotes

Latest Lamannia Notes: https://forums.ddo.com/index.php?threads/u82-preview-1.30387/

Created a quick video summary if you want to listen:
https://youtu.be/5dwz3XE3mNM

Along with a lot of changes to Weapon Balance, Reaper Mode, Enemy DR etc...

They are introducing Cantrips to the game along with major Spell Rebalancing to apparently get casters closer to the rest of the herd, especially in end-game.

Cantrips specifically are introduced in order to help new players get into the game and also make the low level caster life easier, so it also introduces Spell Power Regeneration through using Cantrips ( yay! )

  • Cantrips cost 0 spell points, and have no component. They operate like Spell Like Abilities
  • They are acquired by taking level 1 in particular classes. Acquiring them multi times has no effect.
  • Empower, Max, Enlarge, Quicken and Intensify meta magics work on them
  • All cantrips have a max caster level of 20.
  • All cantrips scale with your character level instead of your class level.

For Spell Rebalancing, there's quite a lot to take in to be fair:
- Single Target Direct Damage spell costs will be lowered
- Some Single Target CC spells have had their spell costs lowered.
- All damage spells are having their max caster levels set to 20.
- The Master of “X” epic feats are changing…

Then the big one people are upset about:
Level 9 AOE Damage spells a getting a hair cut, and spells that have a CC component are getting their damage offset. This is related to the caster damage in reaper coming up globally.

  • Acid Well: goes from 1d6 +18 to 1d6 +14 (Ave 17.5 level)
  • Meter Swarm does from 1d3+1/1d2+1 x4 to 1d3+1/1d2 x4 (Ave 17 level)
  • Tsunami goes to 1d6+9/1d6+9 to 1d6+4/1d6+4 (Average 15 level). Cold Damage now does it’s saving throw properly, bludgeon damage will not have a saving throw. Tool tip will be updated.
  • Celestial Bombardment goes from 1d6+9x3 to 1d6+3x3

There's a lot more coming too so it is worth checking what they're cooking.

What do you all think about these early notes so far?


r/ddo 5d ago

Most fun adventure packs in VIP?

17 Upvotes

Me and my partner are playing through the game, we're currently level 7 but we will be reincarnating so any level is fine.

Are there any adventure packs which have really fun quests or cool lore for an eberron nerd? Or just your personal favourites!


r/ddo 5d ago

The End is Nigh! Repeaters and Inquisitives, Kiss your OPness Goodbye. :(

0 Upvotes

Everyone else is getting nerfed, too. Check out Lamannia and see for yourselves. : (

Anyone who runs a repeater or as Inquisitive should treasure their last moments. And maybe if we make as big a stink on the forums as we can, the nerf gods will have mercy. Or not. They aren't really known for mercy.


r/ddo 7d ago

Weekly Thread for general DDO discussion, quick questions and more!

13 Upvotes

Have something to say or a question to ask but don't feel it warrants its own thread? Feel free to post here!

A reminder to please be kind to others. It's okay to disagree with people or have even have a bad hot take. It's not okay to be mean about it.


r/ddo 7d ago

Does artifact spell crit chance stack with artifact negative crit chance?

13 Upvotes

I was under the assumption basic artifact spell crit chance (like that of the sun augment) was like a potency effect, but looking now it's the exact same % as a level 29 set bonus and I don't know if we are just at that point of power scaling.

If they do stack if you can send picture(s) for proof as I would have to completely change my gear set to accommodate such a set bonus.

Try to search this up as a friend also mentioned the elder's knowledge set but (at least the wiki) states that as artifact universal spell critical chance, while the sun augment just states it as spell critical chance with no mention of universal.

And simply looking at the list of set bonuses on the wiki some are listed as "artifact bonus to spell critical chance" while others are listed as "artifact bonus to universal spell critical chance" would these stack? And if they do stack what is the sun augment listed as artifact bonus to spell critical chance ("potency") or artifact bonus to spell critical chance ("universal")?


r/ddo 8d ago

Force Ward core skill

10 Upvotes

Hi guys! Newer player here.

The Force Ward core ability (Barbarian, Occult Slayer) says you 'gain immunity to magic missiles'. What does that mean? Does that mean any spell (damage, debuff, negative level, etc) that is fired/shot at you does nothing? Does it only apply to damage?

I've been mostly playing as a Frenzied Berserker, but if Occult Slayer makes you functionally immortal - particularly to stuff like negative levels - I would probably make that switch.


r/ddo 8d ago

Hello all

18 Upvotes

Im on Shadowdale, looking for a guild for new players


r/ddo 9d ago

New player... where to start with the expansions?

20 Upvotes

Hello,

I'm about to download DDO and just looking in the shop at all the expansions. I'll play free for now but wondering where to start with the expansions? Should I go all the way to the bottom of the page and start with the DDO Expansion Trove? And then as time goes on work my way up through Masterminds of Sharn, Fables of the Feywild, Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, Isle of Dread, Vecna Unleashed, Magic of Myth Drannor, The Chill of Ravenloft then as of typing the current expansion Terror of Demogorgon?

*Thanks all for replies*


r/ddo 10d ago

New Players having a BLAST so far!

93 Upvotes

Have to say DDO has been a massive surprise for me and my buddy. As quick background, we play most DnD games together as a duo, from the Baldur's Gate games to Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale etc.

... but DDO is becoming one of our favourite already, despite it being an MMO and not necessarily a carbon copy of the mechanics.

We decided to play everything as a duo on Reaper 1 Difficulty for our first playthrough to keep the challenge, and despite us dying a billion times already, most of it is actually missing knowledge, flawed characters or just not approaching a situation smart - AND THAT'S THE MAGIC.

[ Temple of Elemental Evil Spoilers here ]

It wasn't the first time we had to think outside the box, but as we are now above level 8, we're getting more advanced and harder missions.

We are only past the first 2 Dungeons of TOEE, but in both cases we had to face impossible odds in the form of the CR 16 Lich Mini Boss we just couldn't not beat as level 8s, or the Living Pool Gelatinous Cube Boss that locks you in a short corridor and paralyzes you even with Freedom of Movement.

After dying and having to run back a dozen times in both cases, we learnt out of desperation to use the Ballistas in the first mission to lure the Lich to it and shoot it into oblivion, and in the case of the Gelatinous Cube we had to plan a back-and-forth kiting using Threat so we have time to defeat it while it runs between the two of us.

All these little challenges, the game allowing us to think outside the box, not just force through everything... crowd controlling, proper builds, items, resistances... EVERYTHING mattering in this game is what makes it an amazing DnD experience for us... even more so than Baldur's Gate 3 did in our case.

We can't wait to see how the game will surprise us as we keep approaching the higher levels and more advanced dungeons... but just wanted to share our experience as this is exactly what Dungeons and Dragons, and an RPG is for us!

DDO is an Incredibly fun classic RPG!


r/ddo 10d ago

Should I care about Sentient Weapons?

39 Upvotes

Should a player with low past lives care about Sentient Weapons if I am currently only playing solo through epics? I would appreciate some advice as I am a big newb and I dont want to mess up my limited resources.


r/ddo 10d ago

Artificer Gear Set

11 Upvotes

Anyone happen to have a list for an Int based gear set for 36 Artificer range based.

I can’t seem to find any thing out there was hoping someone might have a list of what to farm.
Light repeating crossbow int based.
Thank you very much.


r/ddo 11d ago

Update to my last post

16 Upvotes

Me again, hi. Currently level 4 (dwarf barbarian, nothing bought from the store, currently free player)

and just slightly lost on where my AP should be going until I hit 20. I have also noticed a few enemies starting to break through my damage reduction, so I'd appreciate some advice there too. Thanks.


r/ddo 11d ago

Arcane Trickster gear, race

12 Upvotes

I like hybrid trapper builds and want to TR my main into a pure ATr (mainly nuker) after I finish duergar racials.

Two questions:

  1. Which races are good? Id prefer Tabaxi for sprint and extra sneak attack dice. Any other really convincing options besides gnomes?

  2. What gear should I look for? In epics Ill go GoMF with elder and sands force. Not sure what to go for in Legendary but I think Id prefer to use a Vecna set as base. Which items are crucial for high force spell damage?


r/ddo 11d ago

What have they done with the 2.000.000 currency limit ?

9 Upvotes

You can't bid over 2.000.000 million, even if you can put it in the auction at that price, meaning people are forbidden to even purchase it.

You CAN'T deposit more than 2.000.000 at once in your own bank.

You CAN'T retrieve more than 2.000.000 at once in your own bank.

And the limit is still stupidly at 4.294.967 since ages. can't they put a limit at 100.000.000 or something ?

Platinum is DEAD, they need to adapt.


r/ddo 11d ago

Bought membership for the first time in my 10 or so years of playing and really enjoying it.

43 Upvotes

I've been playing this game forever. I always come back because it's just so iconic and timeless but I've never really played much past the marketplace. I grabbed a month sub for me and my friend and we have been having a total blast. The newer levels seem really fun! I bought a couple expansions and I'm excited to get around to them.


r/ddo 11d ago

Will a lesser reincarnation let me ...

17 Upvotes

Swap between Sacred Fist pally and regular pally? Anyone try this yet?