Ranged spellsinger?

[Kroonerman]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a ranged-focused spellsinger? I'm currently using a build on here (I think it's the roq star?) that is melee focused, 2 hander, and frankly it sucks.

I'm not having fun, I'm getting killed at least 5 times in an elite dungeon if I attempt to get anywhere near combat, and if I hang back the only thing groups let me do is cast inspire courage/comp and occasionally blur.

I'm only level 5, but if I'm going to be **** in melee, is there not some compelling reason to just redo the char as a ranged support character? Originally it was going to be a war chanter, ergo the melee and strength focus.

Basically I want to keep the char, and I keep hearing it gets more fun around 7, but every time I play the char I feel like I'm just getting carried or being a hinderance to the group, where they could have filled the slot with a cleric or dps or something.

I'm wondering why all the builds I see for bards are strength heavy melee fighters, and what I'm doing wrong that it's just not remotely entertaining to play one. Am I missing tomes, or not able to super-twink-gear my char or something?

[fco-karatekid]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a ranged-focused spellsinger? I'm currently using a build on here (I think it's the roq star?) that is melee focused, 2 hander, and frankly it sucks.

I'm not having fun, I'm getting killed at least 5 times in an elite dungeon if I attempt to get anywhere near combat, and if I hang back the only thing groups let me do is cast inspire courage/comp and occasionally blur.

I'm only level 5, but if I'm going to be **** in melee, is there not some compelling reason to just redo the char as a ranged support character? Originally it was going to be a war chanter, ergo the melee and strength focus.

Basically I want to keep the char, and I keep hearing it gets more fun around 7, but every time I play the char I feel like I'm just getting carried or being a hinderance to the group, where they could have filled the slot with a cleric or dps or something.

I'm wondering why all the builds I see for bards are strength heavy melee fighters, and what I'm doing wrong that it's just not remotely entertaining to play one. Am I missing tomes, or not able to super-twink-gear my char or something?

It does get _more_ fun around 7, but I TR'ed my warchanter ASAP upon hitting 20. I was able to do elite and epics at level, but it was SOOO SLOW to get the mobs controlled, then step into combat.

It's a different playstyle that you have to get used to and LIKE (kinda like a stealth-centered rogue assassin). If you're not willing to slow way down, you're better off changing classes.

I know I didn't answer your question, but I was where you are a few weeks ago.

[Kroonerman]

I thought I would share some of my bards current stats to see if I just bjorked something royally (I thought there was a type of formatting button but can't see it).

Stre: 16
Dex: 8
Con: 14
Int: 8
Wis: 8
Cha: 18

Feats: Toughness, mental toughness, and weapon focus: slashing

Currently using a greatsword and masters touch for weapon, AC is 16, HP is 77. Could go in to what my action points were spent on if it matters.

I'm a pay to play person, so I've got all the access stuff, I'd honestly just like to get this char leveled up. It's my first toon, and I like the idea of a group support role, I'm just feeling like I'm not doing jack to fill that role, and getting killed like a kitten under a tank besides.

[Kroonerman]

It does get _more_ fun around 7, but I TR'ed my warchanter ASAP upon hitting 20. I was able to do elite and epics at level, but it was SOOO SLOW to get the mobs controlled, then step into combat.

It's a different playstyle that you have to get used to and LIKE (kinda like a stealth-centered rogue assassin). If you're not willing to slow way down, you're better off changing classes.

I know I didn't answer your question, but I was where you are a few weeks ago.

I guess my problem is that I don't really have any clue what I'm doing, and I feel frustrated by it. No one I've grouped with has pointed to me and said 'you're a bad player and you should die' or anything like that. I just feel like I'm never carrying my weight. Most of the time it feels like fascinate would be a waste of time since groups mow down mobs so fast, and I think I need some +perform gear (I've got a +3 or something, that's it) because more often than not I don't land.

I'm just frustrated and irritated and squishy and tired of dieing and feeling like I'm seriously screwing up the class and not having any fun with it.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I think the issue is assuming that any first life character without gear controlled by a player reasonably new to the game is going to do well in elite content.

Do normal. Do hard if you want a challenge. You'll have a lot more fun this way and feel that you can contribute more. In the elite quests you're currently running you're probably getting a double whammy: the quests are scaled to to be tough if you don't have the gear and the people you're playing with are probably geared to the hilt. Doing normal/hard runs will fix both issues as elite streakers will avoid you (which is good for your play experience).

Gear is important and possibly still accessible despite not having plat. Get consumables like +4 stat potions (str/dex/con/wis/cha), rage pots, haste pots, invisibility scrolls, cure wands, +AC pots (barkskin etc) and use them in elite quests to try to keep up a bit. Ask party members for ship buffs as long as people aren't busting to start the quest. Let other people get aggro first and use diplomacy when you get aggro.

Get your HP up. Put up an LFM for a loot run of chronoscope - level 5 to 25 - and let someone high level do the quest for you and put together an abishai set. Make sure you have the toughness feat and as many racial enhancements as you can take. Look for a guild augment slotted item matching your guild size and slot it with HP.

If youre really determined to compete in elites then put up a trade thread offering a TP code for plat and use that plat to buy twink gear, especially cannith crafted stuff made by a crafter (might set you back $10 or so).

[BoBoDaClown]

I thought I would share some of my bards current stats to see if I just bjorked something royally (I thought there was a type of formatting button but can't see it).

Stre: 16
Dex: 8
Con: 14
Int: 8
Wis: 8
Cha: 18

Feats: Toughness, mental toughness, and weapon focus: slashing

Currently using a greatsword and masters touch for weapon, AC is 16, HP is 77. Could go in to what my action points were spent on if it matters.

I'm a pay to play person, so I've got all the access stuff, I'd honestly just like to get this char leveled up. It's my first toon, and I like the idea of a group support role, I'm just feeling like I'm not doing jack to fill that role, and getting killed like a kitten under a tank besides.

wax on/off has some good advice regarding gear and the level of difficulty you aare trying. A big issue appears to be that you are biting off more than you can chew. Elite is designed for geared characters.

Mental toughness = a waste of a feat.

Your stats are more the stats of a caster bard.

On a first life (32pts), melee centric character, i would run something like:
18 Str
16 Con
14 Cha

At level 7 you should be able to get moderate fortification = nullifying 75% of crits.

Invulnerability armour is good at your current level.

Be the second person into combat.

To be running elite, 30 resist shrines are very handy.

If you don't have access to a guild ship, get your house P favour from Tangleroot Gorge and at least you'll have 20pt resists.

Carry cure wands and pots, to be able to quickly fill your bar up.

I don't think a ranged spellsinger will make you happy - it is mroe of a niche build that would probably require more experience/gear to make work. I guess you would die less, but you would contribute less.

[wax_on_wax_off]

wax on/off has some good advice regarding gear and the level of difficulty you aare trying. A big issue appears to be that you are biting off more than you can chew. Elite is designed for geared characters.

Mental toughness = a waste of a feat.

Your stats are more the stats of a caster bard.

On a first life (32pts), melee centric character, i would run something like:
18 Str
16 Con
14 Cha

At level 7 you should be able to get moderate fortification = nullifying 75% of crits.

Invulnerability armour is good at your current level.

Be the second person into combat.

To be running elite, 30 resist shrines are very handy.

If you don't have access to a guild ship, get your house P favour from Tangleroot Gorge and at least you'll have 20pt resists.

Carry cure wands and pots, to be able to quickly fill your bar up.

I don't think a ranged spellsinger will make you happy - it is mroe of a niche build that would probably require more experience/gear to make work. I guess you would die less, but you would contribute less.

I was never find of 6 Point investments into a stat except on a faster and with the changes to AC I like it even less. I'd suggest to take those 6 build points that are in charisma and put them into dexterity for +3 AC and reflex save that will be useful in almost all content (epic elite is only time it won't help). This would let you qualify for Rogue Dilettante on a Half-elf giving +3d6 sneak attack.

This might involve a reroll though *shrug*.