Dance to the Beat (a bard build)

[Makarion]

Hi!

I'm considering making this character. It's not optimised, so people can tweak it and get the really nice numbers going if they prefer .

"Dance to the Beat"

Human rogue 3 / ranger 1 / bard 16 Warchanter

Starting stats:
Strength 18 +1 enhancement (human), +5 levels
Dexterity 14 +1 enhancement (rogue)
Constitution 14 +1 enhancement (human)
Intelligence 8
Wisdom 8
Charisma 12 +2 enhancement (bard - +3 possible if required)

Note, that you could drop Charisma to 8 and increase constitution to 16, if you are confident you'll find at least a Charisma +2 tome before you gain access to 6th level bard spells. Non-humans might consider dropping charisma to 10 to increase intelligence to 10 if they want to maintain rogue skills. Warforged are going to have to suffer a little, but they have sufficient upsides to consider if you can stand the look .

1. Rogue. Toughness, THF
2. Bard.
3. Ranger. WF: blunt, FE: evil outsider (+3 to hit & dmg at high lvls, martial weapons, good saves)
4-6. Bard. Power Attack
7-8. Bard.
9. Rogue. ITHF. Evasion, just in time for Gianthold and the Orchard next level.
10-12. Bard. IC: blunt
13-15. Bard. GTHF
16-18. Bard. Extend Spell (not sure on this one yet)
19. Bard.
20. Rogue.

The basic idea is a bard using quarterstaves and mauls. The former has a good attack speed, even in the hands of a non-acrobat, and the latter has a decent damage profile. This level split has 6th level (maximum) bard spells, although only a small spellpool. Enough for buffing, at least, and once you have concordant opposition gear (I don't but many people do), even that isn't an issue anymore. It also has a bard song that is only 1 point less than the highest possible, as far as I can tell, and that will mean a lot of splash damage from those sweeping THF hits.

I'm pretty sure that this build cannot match the dps of Thanimal's build, or Rabidly (which were inspiring), because they use TWF, which is virtually always better at high enough levels. It's a different take on things though, and hopefully people will enjoy considering it. I'm sure it will suffice perfectly fine anywhere outside of epic raids - and who knows, maybe even there! Do let me know if you get to try it .


The level of ranger can be replaced with a level of barbarian for much the same effect - it's mostly a case of personal preference. Barbarian rage doesn't allow for spellcasting or scroll use though, and it's a clicky - I prefer "always on" effects. Barbarian (or fighter) would give access to another level of toughness enhancement, which might be appealing.


Warforged would have enhanced power attack of course, and could delay toughness, drop Extend, and be otherwise in good shape.

Halflings have their superior racial enhancements (in my opinion the best of any race), but they sacrifice 3 points of strength for it, plus a feat and some skill points. The latter only matters if you want to keep your traps skills maxed (as well as perform and UMD, plus balance partial), which a human can do according to my planning. I expect that a hafling version of this build would beat it in dps, but someone will have to run that through a spreadsheet for me .

Elves can use Falchions for their racial enhancement bonuses, if they switch to slashing feats instead of blunt. It's a departure from the theme of the build though.

On Thelanis:
Lindon (elf cleric mongrel)
Makarion (drow evasion kensai)
Brighid (drow spellsinger)
Ludovich (human mechanic paladin)
Belisarda (elf cleric with monk splash)
Thaddeusz (human paladin intimitank)
Yseuld (dwarf tempest)
and a few others

[Marr0w1]

I make most of my own builds for flavour, and generally use mauls
and warhammers on my rogue/bard.
I'm sure you already know that both rogue and ranger splashes definitely lend themselves better to TWF (but thats why its a flavour build, right? ) but mauls work fine in this as well... although I'd steer you away from the staff route.

My reasons being thus:
+staff requires no feats (although you should have plenty with those splashes)
-staff is a simple weapon, and as such has a poor damage die
-staff has a poor crit threat range and multiplier, whereas at least mauls get x3 crits
-staff is a niche weapon for some rogues and monks, but isnt treated as a fully two handed weapon for power attack damage bonus

[unbongwah]

A couple points to consider:

- bard builds are generally not high-AC builds; the reason they have high DEX is for TWF, not AC or Reflex saves. So while DEX 14 might help at low lvls, in the long run you are probably better off putting those points into CON or maybe INT if you need the skill points.
- IMHO Bow STR and 1 FE is not worth a ranger splash.

How about this: a TWF human rogue / bard / fighter who uses weighted warhammers?

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

Level 20 True Neutral Human Female
(1 Fighter \ 3 Rogue \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 236
Spell Points: 495 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 17
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity            15                    18
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             12                    14

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                     8
Bluff                 1                     2
Concentration         4                    24
Diplomacy             5                    25
Disable Device        5                    24
Haggle                1                     2
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  2                     4
Intimidate            1                     2
Jump                  7                    10
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         2                     4
Open Lock             6                    15
Perform               n/a                  24
Repair                1                     1
Search                5                    24
Spot                  3                     3
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                6                     8
Use Magic Device      5                    25

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Diplomacy (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Perform (+5)


Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 7 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+3)


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Perform (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)


Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Diplomacy (+4)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons


Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Open Lock (+2)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Charisma I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery III
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Rogue Item Defense I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song II
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Incredible Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Incredible Song II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I

Max ranks in Disable, Search, Diplomacy, and UMD; 22 ranks in Concentration & Perform; 11 ranks in Open Locks. So a good trapmonkey as well as a pretty good DPS Warchanter. I took Stunning Blow at lvl 18, although I don't know if you can get your DCs high enough to be worthwhile, even with weighted weapons. A second metamagic might be more useful. Or could take FoP if you take a +1 CHA tome; or CE w/+1 INT tome. Didn't pick spells, but I would focus on heals & buffs with a couple of CCs like Otto's Irresistible.

[Makarion]

A couple points to consider:

- bard builds are generally not high-AC builds; the reason they have high DEX is for TWF, not AC or Reflex saves. So while DEX 14 might help at low lvls, in the long run you are probably better off putting those points into CON or maybe INT if you need the skill points.
- IMHO Bow STR and 1 FE is not worth a ranger splash.

How about this: a TWF human rogue / bard / fighter who uses weighted warhammers?

Max ranks in Disable, Search, Diplomacy, and UMD; 22 ranks in Concentration & Perform; 11 ranks in Open Locks. So a good trapmonkey as well as a pretty good DPS Warchanter. I took Stunning Blow at lvl 18, although I don't know if you can get your DCs high enough to be worthwhile, even with weighted weapons. A second metamagic might be more useful. Or could take FoP if you take a +1 CHA tome; or CE w/+1 INT tome. Didn't pick spells, but I would focus on heals & buffs with a couple of CCs like Otto's Irresistible.

That looks like a strong build. Sadly, it's yet another TWF bard. I know, it's where the melee dps is at in DDO, but it gets pretty boring after a while - it seems my character list is chock full of TWF as it is.

You are, though, very right on the Dexterity note. It could safely be dropped to 10, with those points better used elsewhere.

On the Ranger / FE remark: it really seems that 80% of the mobs you fight beyond level 15 or so are evil outsiders. I guess another rogue lvl is an option, but the ranger also contribute notable save improvements. Especially if the dex is lowered, that will be important.

[unbongwah]

If you want something different, how about THF rogue 2 / barbarian 2 / bard 16 using weighted mauls? Rogue for SAs, Evasion & trap skills, barbarian for +10% run speed & Rage; WC gives you an extra use of Rage, so you should have 3 per rest. IIRC, barbarian Rage and the Rage spell stack, so that's +6 STR & CON +3 Will; just be sure to cast the spell first.