Ranger/Bard build

[ildawg]

this is my first attempt at building my own character, so i'm sure there is room for improvement. what would you veterans change on this :


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

bajra
Level 20 True Neutral Drow Male
(6 Ranger \ 14 Bard)
Hit Points: 212
Spell Points: 443
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 18
Will: 10

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 15 20
Dexterity 17 19
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 8 8
Charisma 12 13

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 5 21
Bluff 1 1
Concentration 6 22
Diplomacy 1 1
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 1 1
Heal -1 -1
Hide 3 7
Intimidate 1 1
Jump 6 16
Listen -1 1
Move Silently 3 18
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a 24
Repair 0 0
Search 4 12
Spot 3 11
Swim 6 11
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a 24

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I


Level 2 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Balance I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Animal
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 7 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage II


Level 8 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I


Level 10 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II


Level 11 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 13 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic IV
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I

[Irinis]

I'm assuming you mean to use rapiers due to the selection of piercing... but I don't see finesse in there. STR and DEX are both low depending on which one you are using for to-hit. If you go STR then lower your DEX and count on a tome to qualify for ITWF. The Warchanter song will help you to hit better than a pure Ranger with those stats, but still.

Why Ranger DEX II enhancement, are you going for +3 exceptional DEX?

[ildawg]

I'm assuming you mean to use rapiers due to the selection of piercing... but I don't see finesse in there. STR and DEX are both low depending on which one you are using for to-hit. If you go STR then lower your DEX and count on a tome to qualify for ITWF. The Warchanter song will help you to hit better than a pure Ranger with those stats, but still.

Why Ranger DEX II enhancement, are you going for +3 exceptional DEX?

i didnt get weapon finesse because my str ended up being higher. i got a base dex of 17 so i could get all the TWF feats. not sure why i got dex enhancements, i was just dumping points.


would i be better off leaving my str lower and focusing on dex with finesse feat? i was trying to make a dps build, and didnt want my dmg to lag behind

[unbongwah]

You took PA but not WF Pierce; that means you can't take Warchanter, which I'm guessing is what you were shooting for.

[ildawg]

here is a revised build based on input so far:



Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 True Neutral Drow Male
(6 Ranger \ 14 Bard)
Hit Points: 192
Spell Points: 466
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 16
Will: 11

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 21
Dexterity 14 14
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 10 10
Charisma 12 14

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 3 18
Bluff 1 2
Concentration 6 17
Diplomacy 1 2
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 1 25
Heal 0 0
Hide 2 2
Intimidate 1 2
Jump 7 12
Listen 0 2
Move Silently 4 5
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a 26
Repair 0 0
Search 4 12
Spot 4 12
Swim 7 9
Tumble n/a 3
Use Magic Device n/a 25

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 2 (Bard)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Improved Spell Resistance I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Bard Balance I
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 8 (Bard)


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Oversized Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Concentration I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic IV


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song III
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II

[Inferno346]

If you expect to get a +3 tome while lvling... you will probably be disappointed. Dump wisdom, raise dex to 15.

[TDarkchylde]

Looking at your revision's feats, I'd suggest dropping Oversize TWF, and taking Greater TWF in its place. Remember that the Drow melee enhancements also effect shortswords, which have the same base damage die as a rapier, but they're light (negating the need for OTWF) and have one less crit range (two with Improved Crit, still negligible). Having more offhand strikes is a little more useful than +2 to offhand crit range (and -20% offhand proc) in my mind.

Up the Dex to at least 15 (use your 1750 favor tome for +2 Dex) or 16 (gives you plenty of time to loot/pull a +1 Dex tome). Dump Wisdom to 8, you only need to reach 11 to cast Ram's Might and your other L1 Ranger spell. (+3 Wisdom items are fairly common.) Or dump Charisma to 10 (you only need 15 to cast your highest Bard spells, a +6 CHA item or +4 item and +2 from enhancements covers that). You'll have little casting early on, but it looks like you're going for melee primarily anyway, by frontloading your Ranger levels.

[ildawg]

ok, here's what i got now...still some ironing out in enhancements i think. how would this build perform as is though?



Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 20 True Neutral Drow Male
(6 Ranger \ 14 Bard)
Hit Points: 192
Spell Points: 443
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 17
Will: 11

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 21
Dexterity 16 17
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 10 10
Wisdom 10 10
Charisma 10 12

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 4 19
Bluff 0 1
Concentration 6 17
Diplomacy 0 1
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 0 24
Heal 0 0
Hide 3 3
Intimidate 0 1
Jump 7 12
Listen 0 2
Move Silently 5 6
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a 25
Repair 0 0
Search 4 12
Spot 4 12
Swim 7 9
Tumble n/a 4
Use Magic Device n/a 24

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 2 (Bard)
Spell (1): Feather Fall


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Spell (1): Camouflage
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Longstrider
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing
Spell (1): Ram's Might
Spell (1): Resist Energy
Spell (1): Summon Nature's Ally I
Spell (1): Tumble


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Improved Spell Resistance I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Bard Balance I
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 8 (Bard)
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 10 (Bard)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Heroism


Level 11 (Bard)
Spell (2): Invisibility
Spell (1): Detect Secret Doors


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 13 (Bard)
Spell (2): Rage
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (3): Haste


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (3): Good Hope


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Bard)
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (4): Break Enchantment


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Concentration I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic IV


Level 19 (Bard)
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Spell (5): Greater Heroism


Level 20 (Bard)
Spell (5): Greater Dispel Magic
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song III
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II

[tihocan]

That works, although tbh I don't think Tempest I is worth 3 feats anymore.

[ildawg]

That works, although tbh I don't think Tempest I is worth 3 feats anymore.

yea, im leaning toward scrapping this build.

i have a related question though. How do i read a BAB score, and what should i be shooting for on and melee character at endgame. i know its your Base Attack Bonus, but i dont know what all the different numbers mean.

how would i read this... BAB: 16\16\21\26\26

[Propane]

I would change up the level progression -

Somethink like

1 bard b1/r0 max skill points
2-3 ranger b1/r2 two weapon fighting + bow feats
4-11 Bard b9/r2 9 lv warchanter + songs +7 to hit / +7 dmg
11-15 ranger b9/r6 manyshot

You might get some ideas from one of my builds...

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=255307&highlight=acetylene

there is link included to another ranger/bard build- enjoy :)

[Mercureal]

yea, im leaning toward scrapping this build.

i have a related question though. How do i read a BAB score, and what should i be shooting for on and melee character at endgame. i know its your Base Attack Bonus, but i dont know what all the different numbers mean.

how would i read this... BAB: 16\16\21\26\26

That line means that you get 5 attacks, with each of those listed bonuses, starting with the highest bonus and moving down from there. So, your first attack would have a base of +26 to hit, and your fifth would have +16. That doesn't include bonuses from anything else.

Generally, in the higher levels you should be looking to have an adjusted roll to-hit in the mid-40s or higher to be effective in melee. But remember, besides your BAB you can get bonuses from your weapon, feats, enhancements, ability score, spells, and items, so it's not too difficult if you work at it.

[ildawg]

That line means that you get 5 attacks, with each of those listed bonuses, starting with the highest bonus and moving down from there. So, your first attack would have a base of +26 to hit, and your fifth would have +16. That doesn't include bonuses from anything else.

Generally, in the higher levels you should be looking to have an adjusted roll to-hit in the mid-40s or higher to be effective in melee. But remember, besides your BAB you can get bonuses from your weapon, feats, enhancements, ability score, spells, and items, so it's not too difficult if you work at it.


aaaah, that makes perfect sense. ok, so i need +to-hit in the mid 40s. i assume this goes for casters as well. how do i use the caster stat to figure my base +to-hit with spells?

the learning curve on this game is great. cant wait to play around with some concepts when i get it all figured out :)

[Noctus]

That works, although tbh I don't think Tempest I is worth 3 feats anymore.


I agree.

The splash of 6 Ranger once was excellent.

Now its around "meh....."


For your kind of buils i´d recommend rather 6 fighter, or 4 fighter 2 rogue