The Problem With Taking 20 Bard Levels

[Aashrym]

Until certain capstones I could say the same of many classes... although this is more pronounced in the bard class - that is due to the lack of any real upgrades to the class for some time.

I.e.

Rogue... until assasin III and deadly shadow was added - you'd be crazy to be pure rogue.

Paladin ... until Kotc III and weapons of good - you'd be crazy to stay pure pally.

Fighter ... Here especially Kensai III and weapon alacrity created incentive for pure fighters - what's really crazy now is they've lessened the value of that capstone and are offering more classes the same ablity earlier... fact is already people are looking such as 'meh'. Expect even more splashing from now on.

Bard... Bard Musical Prodigy (was all) outside of basic DnD rule...

Bards unfortunately had not been upgraded very much in a long time... they added a capstone really of value to a non-chanter PrE. and while it's a good capstone for them ... one tier of PrE (level six) only exists... DDO is DnD + enhancements <- not many people realize how those enhancements are such a decissive factor in game (they comprise up to a 25% increase in character base effectiveness in some cases).

I've requested for a long time that they pay some attention to bards... I've asked for more bard enhancements, bardic spells, more bardic feats and even more bardic like lute (excuse me) "loot" many people came back stating bards were fine... I knew they were not what they could be, they're not on par with other classes, the generalization of them poise such that reaching tier for "adaquate" is pressing them to that role.

I definitely agree bards could use a turn from some upgrades, particularly lvl's 17-19. Without that bard capstone I wouldn't make anything but a warchanter and at level 14 I've got a better inspire courage to a point where I would be considering my multi options and whether I want the level 15 song or a couple lvl 6 spells.

There isn't anything special for most warchanters after that.

With the capstone and +1 to inspire courage at lvl 20 I think I would be crazy not to take it with a spellsinger and end up with whatever for a couple of spells taken in that time. Not much from lvl 17-19.

With a virt (which I do not play so this part is theory) I can't see making a melee oriented virt with the cutoff at anything but 20 otherwise the character will max out inspire courage at +6/+6 and there not being much for melee up to lvl 20. A virt looking at more spell support is also looking at needing that capstone too.

The polish I would be looking for is the tier 3 PRE at lvl 18 and some more spell options that are available at higher levels.

Improved blink (i want my incorporeal miss chance ), cacophonic shield, city stride, improvisation, and unfettered heroism have potential to be adapted to DDO for some bonuses. Improvisation would need some work, and unfettered heroism would need a lot of liberal decision making on the intended result. Improved blink, cacophonic shield, and city stride should be easy to implement.

Body harmonics, dirge, eyebite, mass dominate person, the shadow conjuration/summoning lines would be nice to add. I might even be happy with the unluck spell

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Until certain capstones I could say the same of many classes... although this is more pronounced in the bard class ...

I've requested for a long time that they pay some attention to bards... I've asked for more bard enhancements, bardic spells, more bardic feats and even more bardic like lute (excuse me) "loot" many people came back stating bards were fine... I knew they were not what they could be, they're not on par with other classes, the generalization of them poise such that reaching tier for "adaquate" is pressing them to that role.

I have always thought that paladins and bards where the "b@astard children"of DDO, from a developer standpoint.

Paladins however received several major do-overs and are completely revamped and improved over what they were at game launch. So many more bells & whistles that makes them both more fun to play and more important to the party.

Bards however, are just now receiving their first real dev time, I HOPE they slot some real R&D time here and do bards RIGHT.

I definitely agree bards could use a turn from some upgrades...

Improved blink (i want my incorporeal miss chance ), cacophonic shield, city stride, improvisation, and unfettered heroism have potential to be adapted to DDO for some bonuses. Improvisation would need some work, and unfettered heroism would need a lot of liberal decision making on the intended result. Improved blink, cacophonic shield, and city stride should be easy to implement.

Body harmonics, dirge, eyebite, mass dominate person, the shadow conjuration/summoning lines would be nice to add. I might even be happy with the unluck spell

These are all great ideas.