Input on an Elf Warchanter

[Arovin]

Been considering a war chanter with a focus on TWF with Scimitars. I wanted to keep my options open for tier 3 PRE's so I don't want to split more than 18/2. I know most bard splashes are Fighter or monks, so this build is a bit different. I am attempting to go FvS for the splash

FvS benefits:
~170 SP plus double SP from items
Proficiency preferred weapon: Scimitar (can drop Masters Touch) Ftr also gets
+2 Damage boost short term
+1 Damage and to-hit form Divine Favor short term
+10 HP from Toughness enhancement (Ftr also gets)

Losses over Ftr or Mnk Splash:
1 feat (extend was dropped to take its place)
-1 To-hit (planning to use Divine Power clickes anyways)
Option to get evasion with 2nd level monk

Here is the build:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Female
(19 Bard \ 1 Favored Soul) 
Hit Points: 254
Spell Points: 786 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 17
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            15                    18
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma             11                    14

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               2                    16
Bluff                 0                     2
Concentration         6                    26
Diplomacy             0                     2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                4                    25
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  2                     4
Intimidate            0                     2
Jump                  7                    28
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         2                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               4                    26
Repair                1                     2
Search                1                     4
Spot                  1                    13
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                6                    25
Use Magic Device      4                    25

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (1): Master's Touch


Level 2 (Bard)
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds


Level 5 (Bard)
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Spell (2): Rage


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Bard)
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (3): Haste


Level 8 (Favored Soul)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Diety) Favored by the Undying Court
Spell (1): Divine Favor
Spell (1): Remove Fear


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)
Spell (3): Good Hope
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (4): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Spell (5): Summon Monster V


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Spell (5): Shadow Walk


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (1): Detect Secret Doors
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Spell (6): Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (6): Otto's Irresistable Dance


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Spell (2): Invisibility


Level 19 (Bard)
Spell (3): See Invisibility


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (4): Break Enchantment
Spell (6): Heroes Feast
Enhancement: Favored Soul Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack 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 I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV
Enhancement: Bard Music of the Dead
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Bard Perform I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Energy of the Scion I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Favored Soul Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery III
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery IV

I am struggling with the spell selection a bit as many options seem worthless for this build.

Thanks for any input

[Symar-FangofLloth]

Re: double SP, this is rated based on your multiclass split. So 1 level of FvS or Sorc is 5% of your levels, so you'll only get +5%sp from items. And since max SP from items (that I am aware of) is 350, you're talking an ~+17sp gain.

[ddaedelus]

Because a warchanter is generally only buffing, not casting combat spells (especially with that Charisma score), I'm not sure I see the benefit of the extra spell points from the Favored Soul. You'll have plenty of spell points for buffing purposes.

Also, drop the Intelligence to 10 (8 if you can) and lose Spot.

[BLAKROC]

like was said no double sp from items as it's based on levels so a pop x would net you 107 sp instead of 100.

better splits to be had, on reason you see so many fighter splits if for the xtra feats.
2 fighter levels gives you 2 extra feats, more hp and +1 str enhancement.

gl

[Arovin]

I did not know the SP bonus was level based, Thank you.

[spifflove]

This is what I would do:

20 warchanter

18 str + level ups
16 dex
12 con
08 intel
08 wis
12 char

1) toughness
3) power attack
6) wf slash
9) twf
12) ic slash
15) itwf
18) gtwf

Alternative: 6 bab/14 bard droping toughness for cleave.

[Rav'n]

I started my TR'd Elf Bard with a 16 STR and a 14 Con.

[rover223]

If you're any class that meless in ddo you have to take toughness and a few enhancements in my opinion but especially for a chanter. As a chanter you're not going to be the spell singer in terms of high charisma like a spell singer so rely more upon the idea of a self buffing secondary tank rather than crowd control outside your songs. Even in the area of songs the virtuoso has the best cc for songs. Chanters can, if well made match the fighters in trash mob slaying but lack the hp and high ac that the dedicated tanks possess to go after end bosses with a vengence. My chanter has a 26 str and con and does well for himself but he just does not have the AC or the HP (410 at 18) to be banging alongside the barbarians, fighters and paladins on bosses. He can however make those melee types way uber. Bards are great at making the other party members great, remember your role as a buffer. As for an elf warchanter I would suggest a dwarf unless you have your heart set on an elf. Dual wielding dwarven axes with the axe enhancements will deal massive damage and get you more hp if you take the toughness feat and enhancements. Just something else to consider.

[Psyker]

With an 18/2 Bard/Fighter split you will gain 2 feats, 1 STR, some HP's, and Fighter Haste boost. The extra 2 Feats can be used to fit in Extend Spell and Mental toughness which should make up for the mana loss of Favored Soul.

[sly_1]

Pretty much any bard is really going to want extend spell, badly. Extended displacement is freaking amazing in this game, and will make up for your otherwise pathetic ac and low hp's. especially for an elf who is gonna usually have lower con than some other race.

For this reason, I would say that splashing fighter is going to be better for a warchanter. you don't need that much sp in the 1st place, and you desperately need the bonus feats.

That said, another option if you are dead set against splashing fighter is rogue. this way you get evasion which vastly aids your survivability.

As an aside in the op you mention monk as a common splash class for bard, but that is an impossible combo in ddo

[Arovin]

If you're any class that meless in ddo you have to take toughness and a few enhancements in my opinion but especially for a chanter. As a chanter you're not going to be the spell singer in terms of high charisma like a spell singer so rely more upon the idea of a self buffing secondary tank rather than crowd control outside your songs. Even in the area of songs the virtuoso has the best cc for songs. Chanters can, if well made match the fighters in trash mob slaying but lack the hp and high ac that the dedicated tanks possess to go after end bosses with a vengence. My chanter has a 26 str and con and does well for himself but he just does not have the AC or the HP (410 at 18) to be banging alongside the barbarians, fighters and paladins on bosses. He can however make those melee types way uber. Bards are great at making the other party members great, remember your role as a buffer. As for an elf warchanter I would suggest a dwarf unless you have your heart set on an elf. Dual wielding dwarven axes with the axe enhancements will deal massive damage and get you more hp if you take the toughness feat and enhancements. Just something else to consider.

I do have toughness in the build, its just later then is should be.

As an aside in the op you mention monk as a common splash class for bard, but that is an impossible combo in ddo

Your right and I knew that. I have been reading way too many build threads lately across all the class forums. Got confused as I was also looking at the FvS/Monk 18/2 concept.

Looks like there is little to no benefit to splash FvS on a bard. I think this TWF Elf is going Pure Paladin or mostly FvS and not bard. Thanks for all the input.