Help me build an interesting archer char.

[mattdanger]

I am really interested in ranged combat, but I don't want a regular ranged archer. Rogues are probably my favorite class type, and im beginning to like bards too. I want a char that can do damage and not be a waste of space in the party, and i know that ill have to melee from time to time. Is there any really good bard / rogue archer builds out there that are plausible? I like these two builds but was wondering if there are any other builds out there like these but are better

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=285473

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=285979

I like crossbows too so im not against a crossbow build or anything.
What is some good advice?

Thanks for the help.
Matt

[Lasulie]

Well here's what I would do 14 Bard/6 Rogue :

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(6 Rogue \ 14 Bard) 
Hit Points: 212
Spell Points: 421 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 19
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity            16                    20
Constitution         13                    14
Intelligence         17                    24
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             12                    14

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    28
Bluff                 4                     5
Concentration         1                    25
Diplomacy             5                    22
Disable Device        7                    34
Haggle                5                    25
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  7                    20
Intimidate            1                     2
Jump                  3                    12
Listen               -1                     3
Move Silently         7                    19
Open Lock             7                    25
Perform               n/a                  31
Repair                3                     9
Search                7                    32
Spot                  3                    24
Swim                 -1                    -1
Tumble                4                     6
Use Magic Device      5                    25

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Reload


Level 2 (Bard)


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot


Level 4 (Rogue)


Level 5 (Bard)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Bard)


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
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 Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Music of Makers
Enhancement: Bard Music of the Dead
Enhancement: Bard Virtuoso I
Enhancement: Bard Virtuoso II
Enhancement: Rogue Acid Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Intelligence I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II
Enhancement: Improved Perform I
Enhancement: Improved Perform II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I

APs and feats are extremely tight, level progression is weirded out a bit to get more out of the rogue levels but if you want a smoother leveling experience I suggest going rogue 6 then bard 14.
Virtuoso allows you to enthrall mobs even with low charisma and spell DC. Bard spells are used mostly for buffing (only one meta in the build Extend) like Masters touch that will allow you to use heavy repeaters.
OH and you NEED 32 pts build and a +2 dex tome to make this work

[mattdanger]

This is pretty much what I was thinking about, but I don't have 32pt builds yet. I will keep this is mind tho for when I unlock it though because it seems pretty cool to me. Thanks man.

[unbongwah]

You seem to be leaning towards crossbows, but if you might prefer going AA: I'm not sure if it's any good, but I posted a rogue / bard AA trapmonkey build recently. No tomes or special gear required, but it would be challenging to play since it's so squishy and its ranged feats & trap skills are so backloaded. Still, it eventually gets full trap skills & UMD, all the relevant ranged feats, and all bard songs.

[mattdanger]

undongwah,

That build is something that I wouldn't mind playing so I thank you for it, but being still under a season into this game im not sure that I will be able to make that char just about yet. Although it is at the top of chars I would like to try out, but time wise right now I should just reach 20 with my original before making another.