Is my original bard worth keeping?

[BoBoDaClown]

Hey guys,

This is the first character I ever made. I am contemplating rerolling at some point and making a pure bard (with greater knowledge and 32-pt going into it).

How do you think this bard will go once Mod 9 hits live? What do you think I could do to make her more useful? More fighter level? What would be a good level split at 20?

I already think she is suffering a little at current endgame, although she isn't kitted out, so equipment could make a big difference?

I don't really mind rerolling, but she is the only level 16 I have, so I am a little hesitant.

Udine (28pt)
Human 15 Bard 1 Fighter

Str: base was 16 +2 tome
Dex: base was 12 +3 tome
Con: base was 12 +1 tome
int: base was 8
wis: base was 8
Cha: 16 base +4 lvl ups +1 tome

I think my cha is a little low to be competing at end game, even if I got an exceptional bonus.

Went the Spellsinger route with my enhancements.

Feats:
Empower Healing
Extend
Heighten
IC: Slashing
Power Attack
SF: UMD
Toughness
Spell Focus: Enchantment

So, scrap the character and make a new Bard? OR are there some great ideas to give her a new lease of life?

My idea:
-I thought giving up on CC, gunning for something like Fighter 2, 3 or 4 and Bard the rest.
-Picking up the THF feats
-getting rid of IC slashing, grabbing mineral 2 great axe
-getting rid of spell focus and skill focus, maybe even heighten
- TWF is a possibility if I ever get a +4 dex tome, but would only take me to dex 17 (GTWF).

Comments?

Thank you for any advice!

Cheers

BoBo

[Minor_Threat]

Looks ok to me, 16 base CHA isn't bad, but I would go warchanter.

[Noctus]

- TWF is a possibility if I ever get a +4 dex tome, but would only take me to dex 17 (GTWF).

There is nothing more than GTWF. There is nothing "only" to talk about.




To get back to your original problem:

If you would respec to Warchanter you would have "wasted" 4 level up points into CHA. As well as buildpoints to buy yourself a high starting CHA. For me that would be a nasty downturn on the character.

On the other hand a Spellsinger is best be pure. Cant really afford loose the Capstone. Most propably a Drow with a higher starting CHA. Loosing on the Capstone is a really nasty downturn for any Spellsinger.




To me your character is stuck in the middle between the serious melee abilities of a dedicated Warchanter and the reliable CC of a dedicated Spellsinger. Although he is leaning more towards Spellsinger-ishness atm.

I would respec him to a GTHF Greataxe wielding Warchanter. Throw out Heighten and Spellfocus and SF:UMD and get yourself the full THF feat chain. You can be a reliable 2nd line tank with some noticeable DPS.
This would leave you a not good, not bad, but okay-ish character. Certainly an Asset to every group you join, but not as good as a planed TWF Warchanter.

[honkuimushi]

The 17 Dex for ITWF and GTWF would require a +4 tome and your 20th level stat. I don't know if you'll be able to respec into those feats from level 20 after Mod 9.

My advice would be to go Warchanter with Two-handed weapons and spec into the THF feat change. Your 4 stat points into charsma aren't entirely optimal, but I don't think they're fatal. They do give you more spell points, increasae your UMD and make your spells harder to resist.

After Mod 9 gor 18/2 or 16/4 Bard / Fighter. That will give you 1 more point of Strength to go with your last stat point. 18/2 will let you take Warchanter III but Fighter 4 will give you an extra +2 to damage from Weapon Specialization. Hopefully, the later Bard enhancements will be previewed sometime soon, at least before you level to 19.

He may not be completely optimal, but he should be playable. Gear and Tomes can go a long way.

[Rydin_Dirtay]

/agree with others... respec her to Warchanter. Seems to me that the DR that Warchanters give is worth it for just about any group. You could also take the Haggle enhancement line and you'd have a secondary purpose for your 28pt level16 first toon.

[Varr]

Scrap her. If u have open slots no reason to kill her off. If not, to the wood pile. There are a bunch of much better builds you now know how to roll and 32 pt is even better. My preferance is the 18/2 sexy elven virt/rogue max haggler, but to each thier own.

[maddmatt70]

Sounds like this bard would make a good haggle bard. Retire your bard from adventuring but keep it around to sell your stuff and make some money. If you want to level another bard or other character to actually adventure with great.