Bard Build - Warchanter

[Koragi85]

So I finally unlocked my Drow, and am ready to make my new bard. Mine is currently a Lv. 7 Human following the Warchanter Path, but Im not digging alot of the feats and such they give me, like Power Attack and Cleave, when I find myself Wand Healing and just Buffing in most of the dungeons. So I put together this build using a Drow instead of the Human, for better stats all around. (Pretty much a 32 point build w/out the 1750 Points.)

Any suggestions / changes are welcome.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.00
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Auvrik Stormrunner
Level 16 Neutral Good Drow Male
(16 Bard)
Hit Points: 118
Spell Points: 880
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 4
Reflex: 10
Will: 9

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
Abilities (Level 1) (Level 16) (Level 16)
Strength 16 18 18
Dexterity 10 10 10
Constitution 8 8 8
Intelligence 10 10 10
Wisdom 8 8 8
Charisma 20 25 28

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 13

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 16) (Level 16)
Balance 4 18 18
Bluff 5 9 9
Concentration 3 18 18
Diplomacy 5 9 9
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle 5 9 9
Heal -1 -1 -1
Hide 0 0 0
Intimidate 5 9 9
Jump 7 22 22
Listen -1 -1 1
Move Silently 0 0 0
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform 9 28 34
Repair 0 0 0
Search 0 0 2
Spot -1 -1 1
Swim 3 4 4
Tumble 4 19 19
Use Magic Device 9 28 28

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Drow Spell Resistance
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Fascinate
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Spell Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 2 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Spell (1): Master's Touch
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Competence
Spell (1): Charm Person
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I


Level 4 (Bard)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Heroism
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Perform II


Level 5 (Bard)
Spell (1): Hypnotism
Spell (2): Rage
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Perform
Feat: (Automatic) Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 7 (Bard)
Spell (2): Invisibility
Spell (3): Good Hope
Spell (3): Haste
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III


Level 8 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Inspire Courage
Spell (3): Displacement
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Mental Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Greatness
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music III


Level 10 (Bard)
Spell (3): Charm Monster
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III


Level 11 (Bard)
Spell (4): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Enhancement: Bard Perform III


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Song of Freedom


Level 13 (Bard)
Spell (4): Break Enchantment
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Spell (5): Summon Monster V
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (5): Mass Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III


Level 16 (Bard)
Spell (6): Heroes Feast
Spell (6): Mass Charm Monster
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III




Thanks.

------------------------------------------

Well, after reading alot of your posts and such. I tried a different route. Maybe TWF w/ foncus on increasing damage output and such, and not trying to charm any mobs. Though the decent Perform would help if necessary. I tried to use feats in which would increase the BAB as well, to make it easier to hit things. And Toughness + Racial Toughness, to try and add some survivability.

Let me know what you think! Comments / Suggestions will all be taken into consideration. Thanks!


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.00
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 16 Neutral Good Drow Male
(16 Bard)
Hit Points: 186
Spell Points: 590
BAB: 12\12\17\22
Fortitude: 7
Reflex: 16
Will: 9

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
Abilities (Level 1) (Level 16) (Level 16)
Strength 10 10 10
Dexterity 18 23 23
Constitution 14 14 14
Intelligence 10 10 10
Wisdom 8 8 8
Charisma 16 18 20

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 13
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 13

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 16)
Balance 8 25
Bluff 3 5
Concentration 6 21
Diplomacy 3 5
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 3 5
Heal -1 -1
Hide 4 6
Intimidate 3 5
Jump 4 19
Listen -1 1
Move Silently 4 6
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform 7 26
Repair 0 0
Search 0 2
Spot -1 1
Swim 0 0
Tumble 8 25
Use Magic Device 7 24

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Remove Fear
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Heroism
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Perform II


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Rage
Spell (1): Hypnotism
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Good Hope
Spell (2): Glitterdust
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Displacement
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Remove Curse
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Summon Monster IV
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Spell (5): Shadow Walk
Spell (4): Break Enchantment
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II


Level 15 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (6): Heroes Feast
Spell (6): Summon Monster VI
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song IV
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I

[Gornn]

As a warchanter you can actually be a pretty effective fighter yourself, even as a bard. I'd consider lowering your charisma substantially and adding it to con...with 120 HP at lvl 16...you won't last very long, even if u never entered melee...

[icculus]

Im not digging alot of the feats and such they give me, like Power Attack...

Might want to check WHY they gave you Pwr Atk :rolleyes:

[Tuney]

From the looks of it ,it is looking like he wants the songs of a warchanter but the CCing of a spellslinger. I'd say drop your strengh to bare min to get Power attack and put it into con.

My bard is silly old bard that swaps between all three and I find that her general 'playstyle' doesn't change to much other then when hard/elite quests come up. Because there is no point to have that high of str if you never enter combat and then when entering combat when there is AE damage it spells doom for you.

[Hecore]

I'd consider aiming your starting stats at 15 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON, 10 INT, 8 WIS, and 12 CHA. You'll mostly be buffing and healing, and neither of those require high charisma - plus charisma doesn't add all that much to your SP. Drop Toughness, drop Mental/Imp. Mental Toughness, and certainly drop Skill Focus: Perform. In it's place grab Power Attack and the three TWF feats - you'll need to eat a +1 dex tome to do so but it syncs really nicely with the bard song.

Regardless of what you do, however, drop Skill Focus: Perform. It's a wasted feat, even if you were going for Virtuoso.

If you want a CC type of bard (which seems likely based on your spell choice) I would go with 8 STR, 16 DEX, 12 CON, 10 INT, 8 WIS and 20 CHA, and for my feat selection I would take Spell Focus: Enchantment at 1, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Repeating Heavy Crossbow) at 3, Extend Spell at 6, Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment at 9, Spell Penetration at 12 and Heighten Spell at 15. When you're not casting spells that mesmerize the enemy you'll be able to provide ranged support via cursespewing, paralyzing, W/P or banishing repeaters.

But with what you've got you simply aren't built for melee combat, and it seems like your feat and spell choices are conflicting with your starting stats.

[Noctus]

Drows make excellent Bards, so you made the right racial choice.


But you have to decide if you want to be ableto cast Crowd-Control Spells or be able to melee. You dont have enough resources to do both. Decide for one and stick to it.



when I find myself Wand Healing and just Buffing in most of the dungeons.

If you like "support Caster, some CC, with support healing - style" Hecore´s recommendations are good.



On the other hand if you would prefer to melee at the front, you should go more like this:
Purely melee focused Dwarfen Warchanter. 2 Fighter / 18 Bard.
They can reach good DPS while still being able to throw around all the nice bard buffs.

Strength 16 (alll level ups here)
Dexterity 16
Constitution 14
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 8
Charisma 12

Feats:
- Power Attack
- Weapon Focus
- TWF
- ITWF
- GTWF
- Thoughness
- Extent
- IC:Piercing


Buy yourself a cheap +1 DEX tome from the money you earn while leveling. nowadays they are a commodity.

[maddmatt70]

You will not be able melee at end game well with an 8 con. Heck you will die alot even if you just cc all the time.

[WolfSpirit]

First and formost, your a Bard. Max your CHA to get the best DC you can. Give a 13 STR for the Power Attack needed for Warchanter and put the rest into CON. Just my 2 cp.

[Noctus]

First and formost, your a Bard. Max your CHA to get the best DC you can.Give a 13 STR for the Power Attack needed for Warchanter and put the rest into CON.


Thats only right for 50% of the viable Bard builds, the Spellsingers.
Warchanters are better build differently.

[WolfSpirit]

Thats only right for 50% of the viable Bard builds, the Spellsingers.
Warchanters are better build differently.

But the guys said he buffs alot and such.

[lOprahl]

Took a look at your build, and here are some notes.

Critical Changes:

8 Con --- 8 Con is a bad idea, regardless of the build you intend to make. 200 HP is just not enough...Being the toon always getting rezzies in Raids can get embarrassing.

-------------------------
I see alot of first time bard players, want to make the everything Bard. They want to have the Spellsinger meets Warchanter uber bard with max cha. Unfortunately, when you try to have both it ultimately backfires on you.

Suggestion 1: Choose a specialty.

If you want a Warchanter- Max Attack/Damage buffs - Substitute charisma for con...I personally like Weapon Finesse / Dex build for drow chanters...

If you want a spell singer - 10% of SP cost / Best Bard DCs - Substitute Strength for con...12 minimum.

(Left out Virtuoso...as its more for experienced bard players. Roll a chanter/spellsinger before you attempt a virtuoso)

Suggestion 2: If you find that your build isnt fun, or isnt working, dont be hesitant to reroll sooner rather then later. Youll know around level 9 or 10 if your bard is worthy.
~~~~~
GL capping your first bard!

[Koragi85]

**See Original Post - Moved New Build*