Where to next? (level 8 build needs help)

[Quartzite]

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Level 8 True Neutral Warforged Female
(1 Fighter \ 7 Bard) 
Hit Points: 111
Spell Points: 288 
BAB: 6\6\11
Fortitude: 7
Reflex: 5
Will: 3

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)          (Level 8)            (Level 8)
Strength             16                 18                   18
Dexterity            10                 10                   10
Constitution         16                 16                   16
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom                6                  6                    6
Charisma             14                 14                   16

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 8)           (Level 8)
Balance               2                 10                   10
Bluff                 2                  3                    3
Concentration         7                 14                   14
Diplomacy             5                  6                    6
Disable Device       n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                  3                    3
Heal                 -2                 -2                   -2
Hide                  0                  0                    0
Intimidate            2                  3                    3
Jump                  3                  6                    6
Listen               -2                 -2                   -2
Move Silently         0                  0                    0
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               6                 14                   14
Repair               -1                 -1                   -1
Search               -1                 -1                   -1
Spot                 -2                 -2                   -2
Swim                  3                  4                    4
Tumble                3                  3                    3
Use Magic Device      6                 14                   14

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Composite Plating
Feat: (Automatic) Fascinate
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Light Fortification
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) Warforged Resistances
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds

Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip

Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (1): Focusing Chant

Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Competence
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat

Level 5 (Bard)
Spell (2): Rage
Spell (2): Blur

Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (1): Remove Fear
Spell (2): Heroism

Level 7 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend I

Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (3): Haste
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II

So here's my own take on a Warforgedchanter. Similar to Daemonis' build, only I've taken a level of Fighter. It's everything I expected from the build and more. I usually come 1st or 2nd on kills with my Carnifex. I boost the effectiveness of the entire party with 5/- DR, +3 hit, +5 damage. My UMD is at a respectable 21 with a Golden Cartouche, allowing me to cast all level 1 wands and usually level 2 wands (it's worth carrying my own repair wands now- I used to just heal wand myself).

I have a couple of questions, though- I'm seriously wondering if I should worry too much about getting 13 Bard for GH. Given that I'll end up with higher +hit and +damage from Inspire Courage, what exactly is GH giving (+2 saves and +2 skills over Heroism)? And on the same topic, does Good Hope give anything that isn't covered in my songs or GH/ Heroism?

Secondly- I was originally planning on taking Stunning Blow at level 9, and being blunt focused. I'd have to switch out my WF, but is that still a worthwhile idea? My Carnifex is really effective, and I know how good the SoS is. Would I be able to find a weapon that can compete with SoS by 14? I guess I could take Stunning Blow WITHOUT a Weighted Maul, or just switch the Maul on for the Stunning Blow, then switch back to a Slashing weapon (a lot of micro-management for 1 combat tactic). What do you guys recommend? If I do take Stunning Blow I'll pick up a Fighter Enhancement and at least 1 WF Enhancement, so I'll get +2 to the DC from 3 AP alone.

If I don't take Stunning Blow other options are SF:UMD (considering it's not a max UMD build not sure about this one), Mental Toughness (for more buffage), Toughness (obviously) or something else entirely?

So help me out here, with level split, spells and feats. Obviously the latter two can change. But if I decide to take a second level of Fighter instead of 13 Bard, picking feats becomes even harder! I now await y'alls advice (especially from other Tactical WF and/ or Warchanters).

[Quartzite]

Level 9 is close and I'm still not sure what to do for my feat or spell. I might try Stunning Blow as a Slashing spec, though I'm not sure how effective that'd be.

I am thinking of taking 2 Fighter, though. As good as GH is, it's only a skill/ save boost over Heroism. And I wasn't planning on taking any 13 Bard Enhancements anyway (6 AP is too steep for Inspired Attack III). Fighter 2 will give me 11 BAB at 14 instead of 10 BAB. Plus an extra feat and a few more HP, as well as access to Fighter Strength I (30 Str = 16 Starting + 1 Enhancement + 3 Levels + 6 Item + 2 Favour Tome + 2 Rage spell). I will be missing one song and a bit of duration on my spells, but overall with 16 songs and 24 minute extended spells (except haste and displacement), I'm thinking I should be fine. It's a hard call, though. At 16 I'll be 14 Bard / 2 Fighter almost without question (unless they release a Warchanter II Enhancement or something else uber for Bard 15).

No-one has any suggestions, though?

[EinarMal]

Level 9 is close and I'm still not sure what to do for my feat or spell. I might try Stunning Blow as a Slashing spec, though I'm not sure how effective that'd be.

I am thinking of taking 2 Fighter, though. As good as GH is, it's only a skill/ save boost over Heroism. And I wasn't planning on taking any 13 Bard Enhancements anyway (6 AP is too steep for Inspired Attack III). Fighter 2 will give me 11 BAB at 14 instead of 10 BAB. Plus an extra feat and a few more HP, as well as access to Fighter Strength I (30 Str = 16 Starting + 1 Enhancement + 3 Levels + 6 Item + 2 Favour Tome + 2 Rage spell). I will be missing one song and a bit of duration on my spells, but overall with 16 songs and 24 minute extended spells (except haste and displacement), I'm thinking I should be fine. It's a hard call, though. At 16 I'll be 14 Bard / 2 Fighter almost without question (unless they release a Warchanter II Enhancement or something else uber for Bard 15).

No-one has any suggestions, though?

You might try quick draw and stunning blow. That would allow you to use axes during the SB cooldown. You could also throw in a vertigo weapon for your trip as well in the swapping mix.

Personally I would delay the 2nd fighter level for now. You don't really need the feat. I agree at some point you will probably take another fighter level but getting greater hero can still be useful.

I would go Bard and try stunning blow, if you don't like then SF UMD or mental toughness are probably your best bets. Even though you are not a UMD build getting to 30 or so would be really useful for stoneskin and repiars.

[Quartzite]

Yeah, sounds what I was leaning towards. I think I would prefer to have 5th level Bard spells "just in case". Even if I decide against GH, I still have other options for spells I could take instead. GH seems to be the best bet for elite content, though.

I'm gonna try Stunning Blow. I won't be able to fit Quick Draw in unless I lose Warchanter, Imp Crit, or Toughness all of which I wouldn't be too sure about. I'll have a 21-22 DC on Stunning Blow, even with Slashing weapons. Mental Toughness will probably be my fall back- more mana for buffs is always a good thing.

[Quartzite]

Okay, my next question is re Balance and Concentration:

What levels are good enough for these skills. I've been wanting to put some points into Haggle so I don't have to bother with a mule, but I don't want to gimp my combat viability. Obviously a +haggle item goes a long way, but I'm wondering how many points I can afford to pull out of balance/ concentration, or even perform (I can always max out perform with excess skill points once the level cap raises if they add perform based DCs).

[Mad_Bombardier]

Okay, my next question is re Balance and Concentration:

What levels are good enough for these skills. I've been wanting to put some points into Haggle so I don't have to bother with a mule, but I don't want to gimp my combat viability. Obviously a +haggle item goes a long way, but I'm wondering how many points I can afford to pull out of balance/ concentration, or even perform (I can always max out perform with excess skill points once the level cap raises if they add perform based DCs).

Always max Perform skill. CHA modifier and Perform item don't matter, but max ranks does. Balance is always good to have. When you wait 2 seconds for a roll to stand up, you dang well better stand up. As for Concentration, it only matters if you are casting in combat while being hit. My Bard buffs before the fight, and rarely casts during, so Concentration skill is not necessary.

But all of these are class skills and you get 6 + INT modifier skill points per level. You should have a minimum of 2 more points per level to spare for Haggle and UMD.