2nd attempt at failing...

[xos420]

im really set on trying to make a ranged build with a bard that doesnt completely fail, i have plenty of twf builds. i wanted to go warchanter for the big buffs and still be able to pull out some ranged weapon dmg (longbow) on boss fights with manyshots, and dual wield when needed or out of amo. this is what i have so far. (not too worried about order of feats, with stats dump most into dex as lvl and some in str maybe?)

str:14
dex:16
con:12
int:10
wis:8
chr:14

human feat: point blank shot
lvl 1: power attack
lvl 3: weap focus slashing or piercing
lvl 6: precise shot
lvl 9: weap focus range
lvl12: extend spell
lvl15: imp crit ranged
lvl18: many shot
lvl 1-2 rgr: rapid shot, twf, bow str

i figure with a +6 str item human +str 2 rng +dex 1 + +6 dex item (maybe even 32 point build ((wich i should have soon so suggestions would be apreciated ))and some tomes if you wanna go "power gamer") and lvl 18 warchanter buffs would make a good longbow pump out some nice dmg with manyshot for boss fights and not that bad a dmg with twf for trash and w/e needed. is this a complete waste of my time or does it have potential? i know im not gonna be having huge dmg with this build but passable dmg with warchanter buffs and enough manna for other buffs and occasional cc should make this a viable and fun class to play.

[Noctus]

... would make a good longbow pump out some nice dmg with manyshot for boss fights

if that "boss fight" is over in 20secs than your idea is good. But as bossfight go much longer than 20secs, manshot stops its magic, and your DPS will shrivel like a snowball in hell.

and not that bad a dmg with twf for trash and w/e needed.

You dont really have TWF. The 1st tier of the TWF featchain only lessens the penaltys with hitting, and does not give you any additional attack. You will be much better with using a 2handed weapon in conjunction with at least Power Attck, or your DPS contribution will indeed be minimal.

[xos420]

im stubborn soo...

how about 15bard/2rgr/2ftr/1barb

28 point (32 point would probably have 16 str)
str:14
dex:16
con:12
int:10
wis:8
chr:14


human feat: point blank shot
lvl 1: power attack
lvl 3: weap focus slashing or piercing
lvl 6: precise shot
lvl 9: weap focus range
lvl12: extend spell
lvl15: imp crit ranged
lvl18: many shot
lvl 1-2 rgr: rapid shot, twf, bow str
lvl 1-2 ftr: weap spec ranged, greater weap spec rng


or 14bard/6barb

same stats

human feat: point blank shot
lvl 1: power attack
lvl 3: weap focus slashing or piercing
lvl 6: precise shot ( or extend spell)
lvl 9: weap focus range
lvl12: cleave
lvl15: imp crit ranged
lvl18: many shot
lvl 1-2 rgr: rapid shot, twf, bow str

str: rage+power rage 2 + frenzied berserker/frenzy + +6 item + +4 tome ( dreaming here lol) +5 from lvls makes +22 str =38 str?(32 point build with 16 str to start) unless i am completely wrong.

with bow str and warchanter buffs this should make bow dmg viable? or am i still dreaming?

[Jiipster]

Problems with the lastest builds you posted: you can only have 3 classes, and at endgame most people expect bards to be able to give Inspire Heroics (better known as the AC Song), which you get at Bard 15.

[xos420]

they dont make this easy...
i refuse to give up yet, but ima have to rethink this...

[MissErres]

they dont make this easy...
i refuse to give up yet, but ima have to rethink this...

Have you considered using repeaters instead of bows and dropping manyshot? It works great for a bard or bard/rogue combo.

[xos420]

Here i go again on my own...walking down the only road i've ever known...


15bard/4ftr/1barb

28 point (32 point would probably have 16 str)
str:14
dex:16
con:12
int:10
wis:8
chr:14


human feat: point blank shot
lvl 1: power attack
lvl 3: weap focus slashing or piercing
lvl 6: precise shot
lvl 9: weap focus range
lvl12: extend spell
lvl15: imp crit ranged
lvl18: many shot
lvl 1-4 ftr: weap spec ranged, rapid shot, bow str

str:
16 start 32 point build
5 lvls
6 item
4 tome
1 ftr str
2 human str
4 rage
=38 :P (im sure there is a potion or spell im missing that can bump it up a little bit)

i figure i wont have to worry about dex too much with a +6 item bard songs and ftr attack boost if i really need it + to hit should be fine on this build (ill grab a tome if i have to, wich will be more then likely)

[xos420]

i have thought of repeating xbows but ive been told that every steady range dps build ultimately fails so i decided a burst dps build would have to be able to pump out enough damage to atleast be viable

[MissErres]

i have thought of repeating xbows but ive been told that every steady range dps build ultimately fails so i decided a burst dps build would have to be able to pump out enough damage to atleast be viable

The problem with manyshot is that although it does great dps, it only lasts for 20 seconds then has a ~2 minute cool down. Repeaters fire faster than bows (I believe ), 3 bolts in quick succession then a quick reload, and do more sustained damage over time.

I don't do DDO math, it makes my head explode, so someone better at crunching numbers would be able to give you which would do more damage over a period of time.

[xos420]

the thing is even with the repeating xbow putting out more base dps i think with a peak str of 38 and bow str feat the bow should put out more damage, idk im not a numbers guy too much either so if anyone feals like coming along and working this out you would be loved forever :P lol

[Noctus]

The problem with ranged DPS is not that your build is particular bad, but that ranged DPS is bad in general. So any build that focusses on this will end with a very-low to totally-neglectable DPS contribution.

If you want to use ranged combat on a bard, i´d suggest that you spec for CC-Spells (max CHA, pure bard, Heighten + SF:Enchantment + ...) and only invest 2 feats (EWP:Repeater + IC:Ranged) into ranged combat, for the times when the group is properly buffed up and CC-Spells dont need to be cast. So you can do some ranged combat.

And you should focus on the DPS-aspect of your repeater, as this will be a futile attempt, but instead focus on effect weapons, like Paralysers, Banishers and so on.

[xos420]

14bard/6barb
dmg:
+15-40 str
+7 -bard song
+3 - barb damage boost
+5 - weapon
+2 -weap spec
= +32 damage..

15bard/4ftr/1barb
dmg:
+14- str
+7- bard song
+3- dmg boost
+4- imp weap spec
+5 weap
= +33 dmg...

.....dammit your right rofl, i cant find a spec that pumps out any more damage then that unless im missing something like spells and potions. apparently i have been beaten, dam you ddo, dam youz ta hell!!! lol i would really like to see ddo fix range weapon damage, it is one of the most fun combat styles to play imo but aparently ddo has decided to push it out the car going 75 down the highway, laugh as it bounces along in their rear-view mirror and then leave it on the side of the road to rot....

[Sir_Chonas]

edit: FOR JUSTICE

sorry I don't know much about bards but I'd say you want 15 bard no matter what, rest of the 5 (i'd say rogue, ranger, or fighter in that order of suggestions based on value of relevant skills).

[xos420]

my b lol guess we're lucky i didnt drop the f bomb every other word lol