So I'm trying out this Pale Dwarlock build that was posted on the DDO forums but wanted to switch it over to SWF and use D.Axes with orbs. It's a Wizard/Warlock/Rogue trap able utility type of build that uses Enlightened Spirit for the glancing light damage and the various CON boosts.

It, as the name implies, also uses undead form. By the end of it you are in the melee mix in Wraith form swinging your axe and hitting eBlasts within your own death auras. Not really min/max but sounded fun and I'm using it in a static group of mostly auralocks for flavor.

Anyhow, someone has now informed me that I can't use Masters Touch to gain proficiency in undead form because I lose my "dwarfness". Anyone have an opinion as to whether this is WAI or a bug?



My rough feat list is:
.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.2 Warlock: Pact: Great Old One
.3. . . . : Empower Spell
.6. . . . : Precision
.8 Wizard : Maximize Spell
.9. . . . : Dodge
12. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
13 Wizard : Extend Spell
15. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
18. . . . : Toughness
18 Wizard : Quicken Spell
21 Epic . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
24 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
27 Epic . : Intensify Spell
28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Epic Toughness
30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of Fire

So I'm thinking I might swap out Dodge for D.Axes... or I might just say screw the orbs and swap SWF for THF and go with Great Axes instead.

Thanks for any suggestion. Well any helpful ones anyhow.

Have you tried gaining prof before going undead form?

That's not a bug.  The only dwarves who get dwarven war axe proficiency as martial proficiency are the warrior classes.  In DDO that'd be fighter, ranger, paladin, barbarian.

This is specifically listed in the in-game tooltip for this weapon.  "This axe is too large to be used in one hand without the special training that all dwarven warriors receive."

While written in the typical Turbine Vague-fashion, I recall years ago the wiki explaining what constituted "dwarven warriors" in the game.  Not sure why that information was edited out, but I see the wiki was altered last last year, so it could be a recent change the page editor thought "everyone" already knew.

Incorporate fighter (or other warrior class) in your build and you won't have to burn a feat getting the daxe proficiency.

I take 6 warlock levels in this build and there's no room for udderdark although I'm using it while leveling. Your understanding of d.axe proficiency seems skewed from what I understand. In essence, ALL dwarves treat them as Martial whereas other races treat them as exotic. My build assumed that already and that is why Masters' Touch is in my spell book.

The problem arises when I go into undead form. The game apparently removes the dwarfness from my undeadness if that makes sense and that puts the d.axe back into the realm of exotic which Masters' Touch can't fix. It may be working as intended or it may be a bug. I'll likely never know.

In any event, I'll take the proficiency for this run through as I am already using Rogue/Wizard/Warlock. It's not a game changer for this particular flavor build... just an unexpected twist.

Jiudark wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2016 at 6:57am:



If you take the EK enhancement that gives martial proficiency, then you should theoretically be able to Master's Touch a Dwarven Waraxe.

Jiudark wrote on Mar 29^th, 2016 at 3:02pm:


The "Show Unavailable" check box was not your friend?

The tree system made a bunch of options mutually exclusive and other good stuff became worthless due to dead-weight prereqs. Not to mention that the points spent progression is too steep and you usually have to take stuff you don't even want just to move up.

IMO, the tree system as-is needs more than 80 AP to support it. More like 100-120.

5 Foot Step wrote on Mar 29^th, 2016 at 3:20pm:


I don't remember that box to be honest, but I do remember the challenge of not fucking up enhancements to get what you wanted. 

I much prefer the handholding tree system, regardless of what KG says.  I guess I just don't enjoy the metagame of enhancement hunting through lists as much as I enjoy actually playing.  Visible icons is much more efficient for me and I'm not alone, that's industry standard, so I must not be the only player who feels that way.  If that makes me stupid, then so be it.  I'll enjoy derping along with the unwashed masses being able to instantly see in pictures what I want to see.

If you'll excuse me now, my bib is soiled by the drool again and I need my caretaker to come help me change it.