multiclassed bard

[jacob6]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
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Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(1 Fighter \ 6 Ranger \ 13 Bard) 
Hit Points: 218
Spell Points: 338 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 16
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             17                    22
Dexterity            16                    17
Constitution         15                    15
Intelligence          9                    10
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    26
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         6                    25
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle                3                    22
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  3                     3
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  6                    16
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         3                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               3                    22
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     0
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                4                    11
Use Magic Device      3                    22

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Human Bonus) Mobility


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Bard)


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)

Does this look terrible? :-o

*edit* Looks like I forgot weapon focus: slash, could drop extend and swap the feat's position with toughness, this is more or less my first multiclass build so any feedback would really be appreciated.

Idea I'm working with is the base for a warchanter.

[BoBoDaClown]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(1 Fighter \ 6 Ranger \ 13 Bard) 
Hit Points: 218
Spell Points: 338 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 16
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             17                    22
Dexterity            16                    17
Constitution         15                    15
Intelligence          9                    10
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    26
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         6                    25
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle                3                    22
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  3                     3
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  6                    16
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         3                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               3                    22
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     0
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                4                    11
Use Magic Device      3                    22

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Human Bonus) Mobility


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Bard)


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)

Does this look terrible? :-o

Not the best level split - you miss out on a lot of bard goodies (not saying your build won't work - just informing you).

Really, a bard is about songs. That's what people want before whatever else you bring.

Level 14 - Your inspire courage improves. Drop the level of fighter.
Level 15 - You get the last song buff - inspire heroics (+4 AC). Pretty useful. I would consider this the minimum level to be a considered a 'fully functional bard'. This now eats into your concept, because you would have to drop Ranger levels.
Level 16 - Level 6 Spells - not important for your build.
Level 18 - Future proofing against PrEs. Not as important with reincarnate options coming out.
Level 20 - Last boosts to songs.

So with that info, either go with your build, or change it as you see fit.

One last thing. I might have missed it, but I didn't see weapon focus in there. You need it to qualify for the warchanter PrE - a must really. I would also try to work extend in earlier, but it might not be possible.

Good luck
Good luck!

[Glockduck]

You are short on songs with this. When you multil class a bard, your min level bard to be effective is 15.

With only 11 lvs of bard, you are a very weak warchanter, that is light on the 'chanting' part.

[Bosco]

If you are going to multi class a bard, roll whatever class you wanted to mix with bard and invite a 20 bard to your party.

[jacob6]

As far as songs go, I only see a +1 attack difference between this toon and say a 20 spellslinger/virtuoso, is it really that bad?

[Bosco]

Your missing out on another plus 2 to attack and damage and your songs dont last as long. It may not appear as big a deal. But in long drag out fights like raids that extra plus 2 to damage and to hit is a big deal. If you are just building this to try and solo easy quests knock yourself out. But if you want to build a bard then you are building a support type character. I would advise exploring ways to max out your own personal dps by staying pure bard.

[BoBoDaClown]

As far as songs go, I only see a +1 attack difference between this toon and say a 20 spellslinger/virtuoso, is it really that bad?

Well, you haven't qualified for warchanter, so you are 2 down compared to a Spellsinger, as well as their 10% sp reduction.. You are then even further back from a 20 WC. You are also missing the AC song.

But you would still offer some thing to most groups. Maybe elite raids people would miss you out.

[jacob6]

Assuming I drop extend for wf:slash, I would be 3 attack / 2 damage down from a 20 wc
If I dropped the fighter level for a bard level I would lose the haste boost, but gain the +1attack/damage from the next increase from inspire courage, if I take ac song then yeah I might as well scrap the idea all together..

[Bosco]

Assuming I drop extend for wf:slash, I would be 3 attack / 2 damage down from a 20 wc

Then you have really bad haste. And really bad sp. Bards do not have that many spellpoints. Better to max the toon out to make your buffs last as long as possible and keep extend.

This is a main reason why most prefer to roll pure wc bards now. Sure you will see someone with one or two levels of Barb or Fighter but arcane casters in general will not multi more then one or two levels. Most groups like 4 min plus haste.

Try going thf focus on str take the thf feats forget dex and just keep yourself perma displaced. Then you offer some dps, fantastic songs and haste for days.

[BoBoDaClown]

Assuming I drop extend for wf:slash, I would be 3 attack / 2 damage down from a 20 wc
If I dropped the fighter level for a bard level I would lose the haste boost, but gain the +1attack/damage from the next increase from inspire courage, if I take ac song then yeah I might as well scrap the idea all together..

Personally, I don't like to talk people out of a 'build concept'.

If you want to make a ranger/bard, go for it - it will be fine for most content - maybe not the elite endgame, but really, assuming you are new, that's way off, and probably be on another toon. Within groups you'll provide good dps, and some songs; most won't quibble with that. (I certainly wouldn't get rid of extend though).

If you just want to make a bard who can do some significant dps, and you thought ranger was the best way to go for it - then there are certainly other options.

A 20 WC will offer decent personal dps and great group dps. However, sometimes we like to give ourselves more personal oomph, so you start splashing - all the way to 15 bard is an option. Such as 15/3/2 - Good warchanter buffs, rogue SA, evasion and skills, plus fighter feats. I would go with Halfling as a race (sneak attack and hero's companion).

However, these multi-class bulds can be advanced (particularly once rogue skills are involved). If this is your first 'proper' toon - I would encourage you to stay pure - you will learn a lot about the game and bards, and will be welcome in all groups.