The Provocateur - 17Wiz/3Brd Evocating Inquisitive
This build is an Inquisitive with Evocation.
It uses AOE spells, esp. Greater Shout and Meteor Swarm, to complement the single-targeting of ranged.
Since Inquisitive requires 41 ap's and T5 enhancements, it rules out access to the T5 caster enhancements or capstones that typically give +2/3 to DC's. The work-around is to get +2/3 to DC's from Spellsinger using 8/12 ap's and three levels of Bard. This retains access to level 9 spells and allows you to max out skills such as Diplomacy and UMD.
The work-around can be used alternatively for an Enchantment or Illusion build (with the latter on a Deep Gnome). I chose Evocation for the AOE damage using all metamagics on large mobs to complement the single-target damage of Inquisitive--and because my character had three sorcerer past-lives. I use primarily Greater Shout for CC.
I tried the 3-bard splash with Cleric and Druid before getting to Wizard. It was pretty good with Cleric and Druid, but both suffered from a lack of feats, which did not allow for full metamagics.
The wizard variation is close to perfect. It would have been great to get Insightful Reflexes, but the build needs DEX anyway to better work with light armor. It uses an augment to bypass arcane spell failure.
The build uses Tiefling Scoundrel because Dashing Weapons include the light crossbow, and the racial cores provide sonic and fire spell-power while applying the former to weapon damage. The gear, spells, and feats are therefore focused on Sonic and Fire.
One of the reasons I waited on Wizard was because of the low BAB. However, I use Divine Power scrolls for full BAB, and the bard levels give enough UMD to do so. It can seem tedious at first to repeatedly use these scrolls, but it's easy and excellent after it becomes habit.
So someone might be thinking: why not just go pure bard? The answer: not enough feats.
Character name: Evocative
Classes: 17 Wizard, 10 Epic, 3 Bard, 2 Legendary
Race: Tiefling Scoundrel· ·Alignment: Neutral Good
· · ·Start Tome
Str:· · ·8· · 8
Dex:· · 12· · 8
Con:· · 16· · 8
Int:· · 18· · 8
Wis:· · 14· · 8
Cha:· · 10· · 8
DR:
Immunities: Fear, Energy Drain
Heroic Past Lives
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Past Life: Ranger(3)
Past Life: Sorcerer(3)
Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Bard(1) · · · · ·Standard: Point Blank Shot
2 · · Bard(2) · · · · ·
3 · · Bard(3) · · · · ·Standard: Rapid Shot
4 · · Wizard(1) · · · ·Metamagic: Maximize Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
5 · · Wizard(2) · · · ·
6 · · Wizard(3) · · · ·Standard: Rapid Reload
7 · · Wizard(4) · · · ·
8 · · Wizard(5) · · · ·Metamagic: Empower Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
9 · · Wizard(6) · · · ·Standard: Precise Shot
10· · Wizard(7) · · · ·
11· · Wizard(8) · · · ·
12· · Wizard(9) · · · ·Standard: Precision
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
13· · Wizard(10)· · · ·Metamagic: Extend Spell
14· · Wizard(11)· · · ·
15· · Wizard(12)· · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
16· · Wizard(13)· · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
17· · Wizard(14)· · · ·
18· · Wizard(15)· · · ·Standard: Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Metamagic: Spell Focus: Evocation
19· · Wizard(16)· · · ·
20· · Wizard(17)· · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Sonic
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Combat Archery
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Crush Weakness
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Embolden Spell
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Arcane Warrior
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of Arborea
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Legendary Aim or Epic Spell Power: Fire
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Intelligence: +1 Level up
Enhancements: 80 APs
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Tiefling Scoundrel - Points spent: 19
Core1 Bloodsong I
Core2 Charisma I
Tier1 Dashing Weapons
Tier1 Innate Protection - 3 Ranks
Core3 Bloodsong II
Core4 Charisma II
Core5 Bloodsong III
Tier2 Improved Dashing Weapons
Tier3 Greater Dashing Weapons
Tier3 Scoundrel's Inspiration - 1 Ranks
Tier4 Enthralling Weapons
Tier4 Staccato Sovereign
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Spellsinger - Points spent: 8
Core1 Spellsinger
Tier1 Studies: Magical Studies - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Lingering Songs - 1 Ranks
Core2 Music of the Sewers
Tier2 Marigold Crown: Violet Marigold Crown
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Inquisitive - Points spent: 41
Core1 Inquisitive
Tier1 Dual Shooter
Tier1 Eye for Accuracy - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Conjure Bolts - 1 Ranks
Tier1 Law on your side
Core2 Hit the Streets
Tier2 Crossbow Adept I
Tier2 Observation
Tier2 Improved Law
Tier3 Improved Observation
Core3 Mind Like Iron
Tier3 Crossbow Adept II
Tier3 Ability Score I: Intelligence
Tier3 First Things First: Shoot First
Core4 True Seeing
Tier4 Crossbow Adept III
Tier4 Greater Law
Tier4 Ability Score II: Intelligence
Tier4 Inquisition Style: Arcane Inquisition
Tier4 What Later?: Ask Questions Later
Tier5 No Holds Barred
Tier5 Inquisitor's Path: Jaded
Tier5 Diplomatic Immunity
Core5 Undaunted
Core6 Master Inquisitive
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Harper Agent - Points spent: 12
Core1 Agent of Good I
Tier1 Strategic Combat I
Tier1 Harper Enchantment
Tier2 Know the Angles - 3 Ranks
Core2 Harper Training I: +1 Intelligence
Tier3 Strategic Combat II
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Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 12 permanent Destiny Points
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Fatesinger - Points spent: 35
Core1 Fate Singer's Repertoire
Tier1 Epic Strike: The Pluck of a String
Tier1 Harmonic Resonance
Tier1 Tune of the Weave - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Discord: Arrow of Discord
Core2 Intoxicating Presence
Tier2 The Rhythm to Reign - 3 Ranks
Core3 Glitter of Fame
Tier3 Reign - 3 Ranks
Tier3 The Magic of Music: Evocation - 3 Ranks
Tier3 The Sonata to Serve - 3 Ranks
Core4 Hear my Voice Friend
Tier4 Great Ballads of War - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Shout it out: Very Very Vocal
Tier5 Ballad of the ages
Tier5 Mastering the Strings - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Blade Song
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Shiradi Champion - Points spent: 13
Core1 Fey Favor
Tier1 Prism
Tier1 Good Luck - 3 Ranks
Core2 Vision
Tier2 Stay: Stay Good - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Phase Double - 1 Ranks
Core3 Audience with the Queen
Tier3 Double Rainbow
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Shadowdancer - Points spent: 12
Core1 Shadow Training
Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Cover of Darkness - 2 Ranks
Tier2 Lithe - 3 Ranks
Core2 Step Through Shadows
Tier3 Shadowcaster: Shadowstriker
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