Spellsinger vs. Lyrical Poet

[Teldurn]

A little information first. I enjoy playing support characters, always have. I don't know why; maybe it's because it's the feeling that "my support makes everyone else do better" that makes it worth more to me than one-trick-pony builds that only focus on one or maybe two things, like only DPS or only healing.

Anyhow, I think I'm ready to start building "the character to take to level 20". My very first character was jacked up because I brought over PnP mentalities to DDO, and that hardly ever works out (I didn't do any research, didn't register on forums, and found out the hard way CON is not a dump stat ). The second character was better, but I can already tell it won't be able to make it to 20 (he's still just at 8.5).

So I have always enjoyed playing bards, and have looked into following an actual build this time around. I found the Spellsinger, and the Lyrical Poet builds, both of which look very interesting to play.

I just can't decide what the list of pros and cons are for each (I suspect they'll play similarly with differences being very subtle), so I figured I'd ask the more experienced experts around here. Bear in mind that while I know I won't be doing much actual fighting with either build and that's okay, one of the goals I want to achieve is not missing much with crowd control spells. I understand both builds seem to be geared toward that, but I couldn't figure out which one excels at what. Also, I plan to go Human (unless there's a good enough argument to do some other race). My other goal is that I know I'm a packrat, so the 10 STR in both instances might quickly weigh me down - if I went with the 12 STR variant mentioned in the Spellsinger notes, what other stat would I need to decrease?

Would someone be nice enough to break it down for me? Thanks a bunch, folks.

[BoBoDaClown]

Probably the spell singer- better at landing spells.
+ doesn't waste stat points and a feat on a relatively ineffective combat style (unless you really want to use a repeater).

Personally, I think my build is better.

Soza
20 Human Bard

28pt Build
14 Str -> allows for some dps, especially while leveling and using vorps. Use Master's touch and a two hander.
14 Con -> hp = good. Could raise at expense of str.
18 Cha + level ups

Feats:
1) TOughness - that spell singer build lacked it - I reckon it's a must have.
1) Extend
3) Spell FOcus: Enchant
6) Maximise - healing is good (You can take empower healing early and swap out for the more expensive maximise later)
9) Spell Focus Enchant
12) Quicken - great all round - but especially for healing
15) Spell pen
18) Heighten

This build gets you:
a) Good buffs (war chanter is better)
b) Top Bard CC
c) Fantastic Healing
d) Poor, but can hold a sword dps

Note: I would take balance, UMD, concentration, perform and haggle as skills. Haggle = money maker.

Hope that helps

[Teldurn]

Actually, that does help a lot, thanks! I ended up doing a variant of the Spellsinger, where my stats were:

12 Str
8 Dex
15 Con
8 Int
8 Wis
18 Cha

I won't be on the front lines swinging with the fighter and the barbarian, but the 12 Str will at least let me be halfway decent with a weapon, plus it'll allow me to carry more without being encumbered.

For feats, I chose Mental Toughness and Spell Focus: Enchantment at level 1, and will do Extend at lvl3. The reason for that was I figured (again) I wouldn't be on the front lines, and the larger pool of sp would help with heals. The rest of the feats went pretty much as you describe. I also chose those skills too.

I'll play it for a couple levels and see how it goes. If the 12 Str/15 Con and no Toughness feat isn't quite cutting it, I'll reroll.

Thanks again!

[BoBoDaClown]

Actually, that does help a lot, thanks! I ended up doing a variant of the Spellsinger, where my stats were:

12 Str
8 Dex
15 Con
8 Int
8 Wis
18 Cha

I won't be on the front lines swinging with the fighter and the barbarian, but the 12 Str will at least let me be halfway decent with a weapon, plus it'll allow me to carry more without being encumbered.

For feats, I chose Mental Toughness and Spell Focus: Enchantment at level 1, and will do Extend at lvl3. The reason for that was I figured (again) I wouldn't be on the front lines, and the larger pool of sp would help with heals. The rest of the feats went pretty much as you describe. I also chose those skills too.

I'll play it for a couple levels and see how it goes. If the 12 Str/15 Con and no Toughness feat isn't quite cutting it, I'll reroll.

Thanks again!

1) Don't reroll - you can get a free feat swap to grab toughness instead of mental toughness.

2) Mental toughness may help mitigate some low sp issues in early levels - but it really adds very little as you go up, while you need more and more hp. Personally, I rarely run out of sp, and for those moments I do, I have saved mana pots.

3) While I think toughness is a very important feat, I think it is even more vital on a new character; it gives you a little bit of cushioning. Remember toughness opens up some hp enhancement lines, while mental toughness doesn't do the same for sp.

4) np