Which Build is Better?

Dwarvish Bulwark vs. Small
but Feared Soldier

<!-- if (!document.phpAds_used) document.phpAds_used = ','; phpAds_random = new String (Math.random()); phpAds_random = phpAds_random.substring(2,11); document.write ("<" + "script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript' src='"); document.write ("http://ads.tentonhammer.com/adjs.php?n=" + phpAds_random); document.write ("&amp;what=zone:81"); document.write ("&amp;exclude=" + document.phpAds_used); if (document.referrer) document.write ("&amp;referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); document.write ("'><" + "/script>"); //-->

By Ralsu



Long before the fighter/paladin/rogue build was style="font-style: italic;">en vogue on the official Dungeons
& Dragons Online (DDO) forum, Ten Ton Hammer's Darkgolem brought us
a "Killer Build" that combined those three classes to deadly effect.
Once the rest of the DDO community caught on to how powerful
fighter/paladin/rogue builds could be, DDO @ Ten Ton Hammer contributor
Scathe noticed that no one was paying attention to the extra benefits
the halfling race could add to such a build. The result is a build that
has tremendous saves.



Both are fun builds, but which one is better? In this scenario, forget
what a genius you are and how you would make better builds. Assume that
these two are the only choices a player has. Which should she pick?

The Case for the href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=231">Dwarvish
Bulwark

Darkgolem's build produces a character with respectable saves and
enough tools to do some damage. Weapon Focus: Slashing, Weapon
Specialization: Slashing, and Improved Critical: Slashing ensure that
the Dwarvish Bulwark can do good damage with any slashing weapon while
Scathe's build relies on finding a good kopesh. Fighters Action Boost
III allows the Dwarvish Bulwark to boost attack in critical moments, a
resource not available to the Small but Feared Soldier. Dwarven Spell
Resistance III goes a long way to making Darkgolem's build highly
resistant to magic--and when it comes down to it, saves against magic
are most important in combat. Finally, Darkgolem's build pumps Balance
to avoid those nasty Trip effects.

The Case for the href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=308">Small
but Feared Soldier

Scathe's build adeptly melds the advantages of the tiny halfling with
the already potent saves of a paladin and the Feat selection of a
fighter. Halfling Luck III boosts all saving throws, meaning that the
Small but Feared Soldier will resist the same spells that the Dwarvish
Bulwark does and evade damage
from trap and take reduced damage from many spells. The kopesh is one
the strongest weapons in DDO, so why shouldn't this build focus on it?
And the Small but Feared Soldier leaves a lot of room for Skill
placement; it was built before Turbine boosted the impact of Trip, but
it has room to develop an ample Balance check. Finally, the Small but
Feared Soldier grants the player the access to better wands with a
higher UMD check.

You've looked at the builds and read what I have to say. What do you
think?
cellspacing="2">
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(219, 201, 125);">

Which build is better?

Dwarvish Bulwark
Small but Feared Soldier
I'm too conceited to pick one because I think I know
everything and could do better!