Support Bard?

[Mab]

Hey, I haven't played DDO in years. Looking for a good build recommendation on what I used before and like best... a bard that uses archery and heals very well with support goodies on the side. Have Half-Elf enabled so would like to use this. Any links I should see?

[Irinis]

You can look at any Elf or Human build for the kind of Bard you want and extrapolate from there. I wouldn't recommend Half-Elf really, but for some Arcane Archers the lack of CON penalty may be an improvement.

[Rydin_Dirtay]

Ron's Char Planner has been updated to allow for Half-Elves, so you can run builds through it now. I suggest you d/l it and run a few builds through.

[Stormslayer1]

How about something like this?


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.0 BETA
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Norlamin Moonshadow
Level 20 Neutral Good Half-Elf Male
(20 Bard)
Hit Points: 200
Spell Points: 806
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 16
Will: 12

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 13 15 15
Dexterity 14 16 19
Constitution 13 15 15
Intelligence 8 10 10
Wisdom 8 10 10
Charisma 18 25 29

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Balance 6 27 27
Bluff 4 9 9
Concentration 5 25 25
Diplomacy 4 9 9
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle 4 9 9
Heal -1 0 0
Hide 2 4 4
Intimidate 4 9 13
Jump 1 15 15
Listen -1 0 0
Move Silently 2 4 4
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform 8 32 32
Repair -1 0 0
Search -1 0 0
Spot -1 0 0
Swim 1 2 2
Tumble 6 27 27
Use Magic Device 8 32 32

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Paladin
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Charm
Feat: (Automatic) Fascinate
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Mixed Heritage
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Social Graces (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
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
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I


Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I


Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Competence
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Dexterity I


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Feat: (Automatic) Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 8 (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: (Automatic) Improved Inspire Courage
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage 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) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Greatness
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song IV


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) Extend Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Song of Freedom
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Music of Makers


Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


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) Enlarge Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Heroics
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Music of the Dead
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity III


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity IV


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Mass Suggestion
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Improved Spell Penetration I


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Musical Prodigy
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II

[Chette]

How about something like this?


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.0 BETA
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Norlamin Moonshadow
Level 20 Neutral Good Half-Elf Male
(20 Bard)
Hit Points: 200
Spell Points: 806
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 16
Will: 12

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Strength 13 15 15
Dexterity 14 16 19
Constitution 13 15 15
Intelligence 8 10 10
Wisdom 8 10 10
Charisma 18 25 29

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20) (Level 20)
Balance 6 27 27
Bluff 4 9 9
Concentration 5 25 25
Diplomacy 4 9 9
Disable Device n/a n/a n/a
Haggle 4 9 9
Heal -1 0 0
Hide 2 4 4
Intimidate 4 9 13
Jump 1 15 15
Listen -1 0 0
Move Silently 2 4 4
Open Lock n/a n/a n/a
Perform 8 32 32
Repair -1 0 0
Search -1 0 0
Spot -1 0 0
Swim 1 2 2
Tumble 6 27 27
Use Magic Device 8 32 32

Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Paladin
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Charm
Feat: (Automatic) Fascinate
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Mixed Heritage
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Social Graces (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
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
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I


Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I


Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Competence
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Dexterity I


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Feat: (Automatic) Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 8 (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: (Automatic) Improved Inspire Courage
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage 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) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Greatness
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song IV


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) Extend Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Song of Freedom
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Music of Makers


Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


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) Enlarge Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Heroics
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Music of the Dead
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity III


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity IV


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Mass Suggestion
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Improved Spell Penetration I


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Musical Prodigy
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II




I'm not sure what this is....it has no combat feats except weapon finesse and power attack? It's certainly not an archery bard like the OP requested, as it has exactly zero archery feats.

Check out Irinis' Bard guide in her signature, there are some great links to builds there. It is difficult to make a bard archer as there are many feats required to be good at archery, and they don't synergize that well with the feats required for bards, but it can be done. You will likely have to multi-class with ranger though. You will have a ton of fun though!