Please help with a build

[Strigol]

Just came back to the game after a couple years break.

Was looking to get some type of buff / support type char.

I was looking at the bard buffs and they're nice, but I'm not overly fond of meleeing

So, to the point, is a bard that uses bows (paralyze/disrupt/etc) viable, and if so, can someone suggest a 28pt build for me?

[CSFurious]

i think that you would enjoy playing a cleric

if you want to play a ranging bard, i would suggest crossbows over bows

i think if you acquire some good weapons that you will be able to contribute to your groups' success beyond buffs & cc

good luck

[Strigol]

Got a buddy that's doing a cleric, I have an old 2fighter / 4ranger build that went heavy repeaters I may pull him back out once the cleric is a few lvls higher. I appriciate the advice

[maddmatt70]

Two options for ranged bards.. one is a repeater bard - this build type usual are pure bards and the other is a bow bard with ranger levels. Up to you..

[JoeyJoJoJr]

light repeaters all the way!
you'll be even more effective at the CC

[Strigol]

why light over heavy repeater?

[Citymorg]

I disagree. I have a Bard 8/ Rogue 2 who does melee, but mostly uses long and shortbows. Grant, I have a couple of really high level characters that have been able to feed her some really nice bows. Still, in a support role, I am much better off avoiding combat and staying well behind the action. She is very squishy. With being said, I haven't invest a lot in terms of freats and APs for her bow use. Therefore, compared to a Ranger of equal level, there is no contest. However, she can still hold her own, and with stat damaging weapons, she just needs to hit and occasionally crit. Finally, she has a Holy Shortbow of Pure Good, that when added to Flame Arrow/fire arrows (that she UMDs off a wand) does some pretty good DPS if she has to.

In short, yes, it is viable just don't expect to lead the kill count every run.

[Strigol]

I by no means expect to kill anything that moves. Or even do remotely well in the kill count

Was thinking more along the lines of Bard songs for buffing, then bows of para / weakening / etc to debuff the enemies while I sat on the back lines.


I got a higher lvl char to feed equipment to this one, so that's not much of an issue either.


Would you mind throwing up a quick show of your charcter build so I had something to work off of Citymorg?

[maddmatt70]

I disagree. I have a Bard 8/ Rogue 2 who does melee, but mostly uses long and shortbows. Grant, I have a couple of really high level characters that have been able to feed her some really nice bows. Still, in a support role, I am much better off avoiding combat and staying well behind the action. She is very squishy. With being said, I haven't invest a lot in terms of freats and APs for her bow use. Therefore, compared to a Ranger of equal level, there is no contest. However, she can still hold her own, and with stat damaging weapons, she just needs to hit and occasionally crit. Finally, she has a Holy Shortbow of Pure Good, that when added to Flame Arrow/fire arrows (that she UMDs off a wand) does some pretty good DPS if she has to.

In short, yes, it is viable just don't expect to lead the kill count every run.

Come on Citymorg.. At least 1 ranger level for the bow strength you should look into it.. When people say support roles that usual means they could have made a better build. Bards don't have to be support roles they can be healers, melee, and ranged characters and still provide bard songs and other buffs. I like you bro, but I am letting you have it..