Solo Sustainable DPS

[IAlwaysLose]

Yes, it likely is an irrational thing, just like halflings... cuz of this one guy who used to play Kender ALL THE TIME, and did so horribly... Anyways... I could always just role as a WF Wizard, cuz, that's like good offense and self healing... If I can stomach playing a WF that is.

Sorc might be better though...

How much UMD is necessary for a drow sorc to use healing scrolls and wands?

[EddieB_TBC]

Maybe want to re-look at the bard thing if you are serious about solo and sustainable dps. I run a wf 2hf brd/ftr warchanter and dear god he always was and remains brutal as he is lvl 19 now. At just under 500hp, he seriously hits like a mack frgn truck critting in the 170-200 range, UMDs just about anything but mass heal scrolls, and only recently has he started to play more of a support role because it seems like that role is needed in grps more than another tank. I did choose to go 16/4 because although I like to solo I do use him to support guild parties and got a lot of push for "the AC song", /snort, but were it not for that I would probably be 14/4/2 with 2 rogue for extra skills and evasion... dunno but at some point I may build another and play with that option.

Now I can also relate to the bards don't seem to be my thing because up until someone put the bug in my head about this build I was the same way, but, truly a warchanter build designed around beating the snot outa stuff rather than any of the other more conventional bard roles is a LOT of fun to play.

[Crann]

How much UMD is necessary for a drow sorc to use healing scrolls and wands?

More than you will have being a beginning player.

Wands up to Cure Crit and scrolls less than Heal are ok for between combat top offs...but in the thick of combat...Heal scrolls are what keep you alive when you are a soloing self healing fleshy arcane.

Not having UMD as a class skill will keep you out of no fail heal scroll range without difficult to acquire equipment, and/or a wasted feat.

If you are going arcane for soloing, play WF. No UMD required for reconstruct. 18wiz/2rogue is popular, but a pure Sorc would also be good.

[Darkrok]

Seriously, I dislike bards, always have, always will. It's a long term hate from 2nd edition I sing a song and make everyone bad @$$! Not my style It's just a personal preference thing. I was contemplating a Favored Soul pure to 20... might be easier than this. Was thinking more nuke/caster type, 16 wis to start but I dunno how well it would work compared to a sorc/wiz.

Warforged Favored Soul has solid melee, especially if you land an Epic Sword of Shadows.

Might want to look at this 15 paladin/3 monk/2 rogue build as well. (Just read you're just starting. WF'd FvS much better if you're new.

[Daliyn]

Now I can also relate to the bards don't seem to be my thing because up until someone put the bug in my head about this build I was the same way, but, truly a warchanter build designed around beating the snot outa stuff rather than any of the other more conventional bard roles is a LOT of fun to play.

This. A bard16/fighter2/rogue2 warchanter is a killing machine with buffs, selfhealing, full umd, full trapskills, evasion and - last but not least - the songs. Extremly solo capable especially for new players who still learn the quests, and still in great demand for every group.

[IAlwaysLose]

Well... Can anyone link or give me a solid build for a drow Bard16/fighter2/rogue2 with levelling progression? I know it's asking a lot but I am really not familiar with bards at all and certain skills (Like jump, never would have figured needed to get jump to 15+ without reading the forums) seem to be more important than at first look.

[Daliyn]

Not drow, but human. With drow, you'd have 1 less feat and less skillpoints, should still be doable though. In this build, the lvl 18 feat is not *really* essential, you could always take something else instead. Another toughness, for example.

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

Warchanter Bard Human
Level 20 True Neutral Human Female
(2 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 270
Spell Points: 515 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 14
Will: 9

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 21                   23
Dexterity            12                 12                   12
Constitution         15                 15                   16
Intelligence         14                 14                   14
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             12                 12                   14

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               5                 13                   13
Bluff                 4                  5                    5
Concentration         2                  3                    3
Diplomacy             1                  2                    2
Disable Device        6                 21                   21
Haggle                5                  6                    6
Heal                 -1                 -1                   -1
Hide                  1                  1                    1
Intimidate            1                  2                    2
Jump                  7                 13                   13
Listen               -1                 -1                   -1
Move Silently         5                  5                    5
Open Lock             5                 16                   16
Perform               n/a               25                   25
Repair                2                  2                    2
Search                6                 22                   22
Spot                  3                 20                   20
Swim                  7                 11                   11
Tumble                2                  3                    3
Use Magic Device      5                 25                   28

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Human Bonus) Two Handed Fighting


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 5 (Bard)
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (2): Blur


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Spell (2): Heroism
Spell (1): Remove Fear


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)
Spell (2): Rage
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (3): Haste


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (3): Remove Curse


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (4): Break Enchantment
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Spell (5): Greater Heroism


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Spell (5): Shadow Walk


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing
Spell (5): Greater Dispel Magic
Spell (6): Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (6): Otto's Irresistable Dance
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 Warchanter I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic IV
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery III

[Lord_WC]

I'd drop SF:UMD and Emp. Healing (you will be heal scrolling yourself too much, because it's faster, hits for more, and doesn't take away sp from buffs), and pick up EWP:Kopesh & something else (maybe OTWF if you plan on running epics).

Lvl1 feat choice is clearly a typo, pick two weapon fighting instead

Stat distribution is incoherent, you need at least 15 dex (and a +2 tome) if you want to pick up ITWF & GTWF.

I'd also dump IQ a bit more, and take the missing points from OL. 5-6 ranks in it is more than enough to open any doors/chests in the game with equipment. You can drop swim/diplo and all that on the first level, they don't do you any good. Spot I feel useless, you probably want Tharne on you, and it gives TS.

CHA is really a dumpstat on a warchanter, start with 8 and with a +2 tome and a +6 item you will be able to cast all your spells. The sp difference is what? 30 sp on level 20 or something like that. Put the freed up points in STR/CON, those help more in the dps/staying alive department.

Also DD can be 5-7 ranks lower than search, you will be using +5 picks which give +7 to your OL,DD, and traps have equal or lower DD DC compared to search.

You may want to consider picking up Perform I,II, whatever as well. You WANT to hit 55 perform by lvl20 to be able to run ev6.

[Daliyn]

I'd drop SF:UMD and Emp. Healing (you will be heal scrolling yourself too much, because it's faster, hits for more, and doesn't take away sp from buffs), and pick up EWP:Kopesh & something else (maybe OTWF if you plan on running epics).

Lvl1 feat choice is clearly a typo, pick two weapon fighting instead

No, this is a THF char, no points for the dex requirements. Corrected Lvl 8 and 15, sorry for the mistake.

You can drop swim/diplo

where put them instead?

Spot I feel useless,

New player build - for somebody who doesn't know the location of every trap in every dungeon.

start with 8 and with a +2 tome

New player build - +2 tomes are expensive and/or hard to find for an unfunded toon

[Lord_WC]

Ah ok.

I don't see much point in rolling a THF warchanter, TWF profits 80% more from the songs, and it's a higher dps style anyway. But YMMV.