16 Brd/2 rng/2 ftr - AA + Bard PRC flexibility

[Zenmuse]

Looking for some input on this 28pt Arcane Archer Bard (optional Warchanter or Spellsinger).

Basically the idea is a ranged bard buffer that doesn't rely on a repeater and has the flexibility to bounce between spellsinger and warchanter as needed. The biggest downside i see is the feat intensity of Bow's as well as trying to stay eligible for Warchanter (what i think is currently the most popular bard PRC).

The two fighter levels (for WC feats) can and probably will be taken later (lvl's 19 and 20) to allow access to Bard spells earlier.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
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Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(2 Fighter \ 2 Ranger \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 224
Spell Points: 669 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 17
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity            16                    19
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             14                    14

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 2

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               3                     4
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         5                    22
Diplomacy             6                    21
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  3                     4
Intimidate            2                     2
Jump                  7                    26
Listen               -1                     1
Move Silently         3                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               6                    23
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                 -1                     1
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      6                    25

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Bard)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 7 (Bard)


Level 8 (Bard)


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Bard Concentration I
Enhancement: Bard Concentration II
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music III
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music IV
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

So let me hear you comments, concerns or improvements. Thanks!

[maddmatt70]

Nice concept and build. The one big feat you are missing is improved precise shot. Is there any way you get fit that feat in? I am guessing you need point blank for another feat prerequist otherwise that would be a feat I wold consider dumping for improved precise shot. Some other options include not taking toughness or adding two more fighter levels and picking up improved precise shot that way.

Edit: I would probably get rid of toughness and point blank for maximize and improved precise shot respectively. That would give you a decent ability to heal as well as range. With a 28 pointer you sound like more of a new player you will have to play around with your hit points as you get to end game.

[Zenmuse]

Unfortunately point blank is needed for some of the archery feats.

Toughness is an idea... but i feel it's almost required on any build. I'll play with the idea when i get there.

Currently the character is level 6 on the khyber server. I've stayed pretty true to the build i laid out... and enjoy it quite a bit so far. Up until level six he was basically a wand monkey, and filling a true jack of all trades, master of none role. I solo healed a bunch of the quests i've run, and put out modest damage with either ranged or in melee.

Thankfully he'll start to look more like a bard now that he has extend and a few good buffs (took Heroism and Cure mod at 6).

Can't wait for Manyshot and Arcane Archer at 9 though... his damage should spike significantly with imbued arrows... and while he won't be top of kill meters (unless i get good at timing the my shots and KSing my groupmates ), he will be a decent backlines heal/buff/dps-er

[Feynt]

I'm curious why your level 3 is back to bard as opposed to another level of ranger. Wouldn't that make your early game as a combatant easier? It also appears that you aren't going for level 6 spells, might I ask why that is?