Ranged Bard

[Korban_Dallas]

So this is a Build I am planning on running Using Short Bows Only no melee and helping with Buffing/Healing/Crowd Control

Netural Good Human 14 Bard

BASE STATS (32 Point Build):
Strength - 9
Dexterity - 15
Constitution - 13
Intelligence - 10
Wisdom - 8
Charisma - 18

+1 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 14

Feats:
1) Mental Toughness, Extend Spell
2)
3) Empower Healing Spell
4)
5)
6) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
7)
8)
9) Improved Mental Toughness
10)
11)
12) Heighten Spell (or maybe Rapid Reload if I decide to use Crossbows)
13)
14)

Enhancements (Points):

Bard Extra Song I[] II[] III[] (6)
Bard Song Magic I[] II[] (3)
Bard Energy of the Music I[] II[] (3)
Bard Inspired Damage I[] II[] III[] (6)
Bard Lingering Song I[] II[] III[] IV[] (10)
Bard Charisma I[] II[] III[] (12)
Bard Inspired Attack I[] II[] (6)
Bard Lyric of Song I[] (1)
Bard Concentration I[] II[] (3)
Bard Spellsinger I[] (4)
Human Adaptability Charisma I[] (2)



Skill Distribution/Level:
1) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 4 Points
2) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
3) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
4) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
5) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
6) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
7) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
8) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
9) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
10) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
11) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
12) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
13) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point
14) Balance, Concentration, Haggle, Jump, Listen, Perform, Use Magic Device = 1 Point

Spell List
Cure Light Wounds
Otto's Resistable Dance
Expeditious Retreat
Cure Moderate Wounds
Blur
Hypnotism
Soundburst
Glitterdust
Good Hope
Haste
Cure Serious Wounds
Displacement
Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Dimension Door
Freedom of Movement
Hold Monster
Greater Heroism
Mass Suggestion
Mind Fog

Any Comments? Suggestions?

[Korban_Dallas]

So anyone have any feedback? also What Enhancements should I focus in, ill redo the build with enhancements if I know what to use.

[sigtrent]

I wouldn't call it a ranged bard since you devote pretty much nothing specific to augment your ranged combat, but that's me, and its your character.

It seems fine, a pretty generic casting focused bard. You will probably have better things to do than shoot your bow most of the time but it may come in handy on occasion.

Personaly if I make a ranged oriented pure bard I would tend to favor the Repeating Heavy Crossbow. It takes good advntange of inspire courage due to the high rate of fire which is mostly indipenent of BAB and feat considerations.

For enhancements... I suppose you focus on positive energy damage for healing, getting inspire courage up to high levels of attack and damage, increasing your charisma and finaly getting either Spellsinger or Virtuoso. Spellsinger seems more a natural for your build.

[Geonis]

Here is a Ranged Bard. This is one of my current characters, though he is only 12 right now. Works very well. Get you a Silver Bow and go to town.

Oh, and he is meant to be a Spellsinger, but the Char Gen wouldn't let me pick it for some reason.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 14 Neutral Good Elf Male
(2 Ranger \ 12 Bard)
Hit Points: 122
Spell Points: 480
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 16
Will: 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 14)
Strength 14 14
Dexterity 17 21
Constitution 12 12
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 16 22

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 14)
Balance 6 13
Bluff 3 6
Concentration 1 6
Diplomacy 3 6
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 5 23
Heal -1 -1
Hide 4 5
Intimidate 3 6
Jump 6 10
Listen 3 18
Move Silently 4 5
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a 23
Repair 0 0
Search 0 2
Spot 3 6
Swim 2 2
Tumble n/a 9
Use Magic Device 5 23

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+2)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot

Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)

Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Perform (+6)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat

Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+5)
Spell (1): Hypnotism

Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds

Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Rage

Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Grease
Spell (2): Soundburst

Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Haggle (+3)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+3)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
Spell (2): Hypnotic Pattern
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Good Hope

Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+3)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+3)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (4): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Spell (4): Dominate Person

Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement

Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Bard Concentration I
Enhancement: Bard Concentration II
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I

[A_Sheep]

Well, I personally am disillunsioned enough with ranged combat in DDO that I wouldn't suggest a ranged character for anyone.

Other than that, I'd say the 14 Bard build is better than 12/2, since 14 bard will put you in the best position to use your non-ranged abilities.

If you do go 12/2, I'd suggest dropping point blank shot and manyshot and picking up casting related feats to off-set lacking those bard levels.

PBS and Manyshot are, in my opinion, only marginally useful in DDO.

[EinarMal]

+1 for the only do ranged if you really really want to opinion. Taking ranger levels or manyshot for an increase in DPS is marginal at best at the upper levels. If you have a bunch of good repeaters (like paras etc... then that is a good option)

Ranged is fine for a bit of de-buffing but wasting levels and a ton of feats to try for DPS I am not a fan of. If you want a ranged bard take heavy repeater or just use crossbows for paralyzing etc... and call it a day. That will give you something to do when not casting. The problem with ranged DPS is a game mechanic currently, even the most pimped out Ranger is still way behind melee. So, I wouldn't bother going for DPS, just use a crossbow for effects type weapons like wounding of puncturing or paralyzing. That just requires a decent dex and you are set. If you have a bunch of good repeaters you can go that way as well.

[CSFurious]

i do not believe that you qualify as a "ranged" bard unless you take a ranged combat feat or two

take rapid reload & use light & heavy crossbows, you will shoot fast enough
with a cursespewer, paralyzer, banisher & bursts to contribute to your party's success

[Korban_Dallas]

Thank you for the feedback all

I am considering using regular crossbows instead of bows more or less because I have a level 14 repeater user and I don't really feel like trying to find another set of good repeaters. I was considering dropping heighten and taking rapid reload, do you think that would make a big difference not having heighten as far as overall spell usefulness?

[skraus1]

Bard DCs are weaker than normal casters because they don't get as many spell levels. That said, at this time Otto's orb is probably your best CC spell and is a level 4 spell. So not having highen on it will cost you 1 DC. You could make that up in many ways.