Help me GR My Bard

**Aflac** · 01-09-2011, 03:09 PM

Hey all,

First let me thank anyone who takes their time to respond to this post. With that said, I want to keep this short and sweet. I could spend from now to next week reading builds & I still wouldn't have my mind made up what I should do. All, I need is for someone to point me to a viable endgame build that "raid groups" will want. No since in re-inventing the wheel. The build will need to have 1 or 2 levels of rouge since I can't GR+3 & Bards w/ a LvL of Sorc have all but disappeared.

I have a love hate relationship w/ my bard. My bard is by far my favorite toon to play(I also have a Cleric, S&B Pali/Ftr, and Ranger Tempest/Rog). Somewhere along the way I lost the very thing that makes Bards shine. I would like to find that again.

1. My bard is LvL 11 Human True Neutral Bard 8/ Rouge 2/ Sorc 1; and I want to GR+2. LvL 1 & 10 Rog, LvL 3 Sorc.

2. I have 32pt Unlocked & I can get a +2 Supreme Ability.

3. I would like for my bard to be upfront running or leading the charge. Have the ability to solo. I'm so tired of my bard being so squishy(Low HP's & SP's)

4. Currently have: a: Some nice Longswords. b. The Rapier that regens IC c. Some Low LvL mithral shields, +4 Mithral Breast Plate(does no good thanks to my low dex)

Lastly,

A Bard's best CC is Fascinate; but, it seems someone is always swinging a THW and the splash damage just messes everything up & it takes to long to cast. grrr! Are there ways to avoid this frustration?

Thanks again for reading.

**ninjaeli** · 01-09-2011, 03:16 PM

do want to TWF/THF/ or Swordnboard
what prestige you after?

**Doxmaster** · 01-09-2011, 03:37 PM

It takes practice to time fascinate properly. If you want it to work, you have to start a while before you reach enemies and end the moment you actually reach them, if not a bit earlier. If you fascinate mid combat, you'll only get 1 monster because the rest will already be dead by the time the song lands. Practice on your toon now, so you'll have it mastered when you are releveling.

**Aflac** · 01-09-2011, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by ninjaeli

do want to TWF/THF/ or Swordnboard
what prestige you after?

I tend to run around w/ two weapons for spell pen and potency and stay in the back. My hat has devotion. No way I would melee w/o s&b, I'm to squishy. Very hard to keep clicky "shield" going all the time with so much going on. THF will mess up my fasinate; but opens up option to use staves which seem to be lacking in stats. I have several Falchions on my pali that I could pass off--Never thought of the bard using them. I don't have any Kopeshes; but, I do have Longswords Rapiers, daggers, & some maces.

So, I guess TWF as +5 Light Mithral shields are hard to come by.

For Prestige I'm open on that. Which everyone is best suited for endgame. Umm, Warchanter seems better since my 2 LvLs Rog will hurt my DC's.

Originally Posted by Doxmaster

It takes practice to time fascinate properly. If you want it to work, you have to start a while before you reach enemies and end the moment you actually reach them, if not a bit earlier. If you fascinate mid combat, you'll only get 1 monster because the rest will already be dead by the time the song lands. Practice on your toon now, so you'll have it mastered when you are releveling.

I'll work on it, thanks!

**Bwahahaha** · 01-09-2011, 04:26 PM

"A Bard's best CC is Fascinate; but, it seems someone is always swinging a THW and the splash damage just messes everything up & it takes to long to cast. grrr! Are there ways to avoid this frustration?"

Yep, explain to the group what your doing, castigate the mage for throwing firewalls everywhere, then quit and go solo... lol

I've just taken to going solo in slayer mode, I'm tired of folks busting my fascinate in Giant Hold. (And yes I've explained how fascinate works, but others don't seem to either care or understand.)

Btw, I'm looking for some pikers to stand around and get free xp, just don't get into fights. Lol...

**Aflac** · 01-09-2011, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bwahahaha

"A Bard's best CC is Fascinate; but, it seems someone is always swinging a THW and the splash damage just messes everything up & it takes to long to cast. grrr! Are there ways to avoid this frustration?"

Yep, explain to the group what your doing, castigate the mage for throwing firewalls everywhere, then quit and go solo... lol

I've just taken to going solo in slayer mode, I'm tired of folks busting my fascinate in Giant Hold. (And yes I've explained how fascinate works, but others don't seem to either care or understand.)

Btw, I'm looking for some pikers to stand around and get free xp, just don't get into fights. Lol...

LMAO!! Ya, and it's not even a PUG "It's my GUILD!!"

**Rav'n** · 01-09-2011, 04:56 PM

Wow... where to begin? You say you want to Lead the charge...and you run twf.... but you're looking at 3 Sorc? If you're looking to Melee, My suggestion is 15 Bard/3 Rogue/2 Fighter or even 16/2/2. You'll have 2 more Feats, a TON more HP and be extremely versatile. 15/3/2 gives more Rogue Skills and Backstab, but 16/2/2 gives you Tier 6 spells.

Where's your Fort? At level 11 you should be running Heavy Fortification. The best way is 20 Taps for the Minos Legen Helm. Heavy Fort AND 20 Hit Points (remember you said you were squishy?)

Devotion should be situational. Grab it on a shield or scepter/club and equip when in Healing Mode. I wouldn't worry too much about AC (you said you'd never Melee w/o a shield)...It takes a bit of work to get good AC as a Bard. Instead you should be running Blur and Displacement nonstop.

Hope this helps.

**Aflac** · 01-09-2011, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rav'n

Wow... where to begin? You say you want to Lead the charge...and you run twf.... but you're looking at 3 Sorc? If you're looking to Melee, My suggestion is 15 Bard/3 Rogue/2 Fighter or even 16/2/2. You'll have 2 more Feats, a TON more HP and be extremely versatile. 15/3/2 gives more Rogue Skills and Backstab, but 16/2/2 gives you Tier 6 spells.

No you completely misunderstood, or I missed typed. When I GR, I plan to go Bard 18/ Rog 2. And, yes I do carry 2 weapons, but not for melee as I currently don't have TWF.

Originally Posted by Rav'n

Where's your Fort? At level 11 you should be running Heavy Fortification. The best way is 20 Taps for the Minos Legen Helm. Heavy Fort AND 20 Hit Points (remember you said you were squishy?)

On my belt.. I didn't mention it b/c I didn't think it was critical to GR'ing.

Originally Posted by Rav'n

Devotion should be situational. Grab it on a shield or scepter/club and equip when in Healing Mode. I wouldn't worry too much about AC (you said you'd never Melee w/o a shield)...It takes a bit of work to get good AC as a Bard. Instead you should be running Blur and Displacement nonstop.

Hope this helps.

Devotion is not optional currently; b/c all I do is CC and Heal. Thats why I'm GR'ing, along w/ upgrading to 32pt.

You have given me some thoughts, Thank you.

**Rav'n** · 01-09-2011, 05:37 PM

You're gonna want to think about moving your Fort Item as you level up. ToD belts are ALL the Rage at level 18! I'd look for a Con Belt for now... as the Good Melee (ToD) Belts are Con/GFL. And the Minos is the best Helm option until you can build a Green steel Helm.

Also... at this point, there's really no reason for 18 Bard if you don't plan on going Pure Bard. Both the 16/2/2 and the 15/3/2 bring more Personal DPS than an 18/2 Build. Songs are the same with all three builds so there's no song advantage for an 18 Bard. I played 2 different 18/2 Builds (Virt and WC) before LR-ing my Virt to a 15/3/2 and my WC to the 16/2/2.

Just some more ideas.

**Aflac** · 01-09-2011, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Rav'n

You're gonna want to think about moving your Fort Item as you level up. ToD belts are ALL the Rage at level 18! I'd look for a Con Belt for now... as the Good Melee (ToD) Belts are Con/GFL. And the Minos is the best Helm option until you can build a Green steel Helm.

Also... at this point, there's really no reason for 18 Bard if you don't plan on going Pure Bard. Both the 16/2/2 and the 15/3/2 bring more Personal DPS than an 18/2 Build. Songs are the same with all three builds so there's no song advantage for an 18 Bard. I played 2 different 18/2 Builds (Virt and WC) before LR-ing my Virt to a 15/3/2 and my WC to the 16/2/2.

Just some more ideas.

This is exactly what I wanted to know!! Can you post a link to your builds? Both sound like they are viable end game builds.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

**Gorbadoc** · 01-09-2011, 06:34 PM

Do a search for The Classic Rocker in the builds forum. With your 2 rogue levels, you'll want something different (for starters, you'll probably want more intelligence and dexterity, and if you have the dexterity anyhow, you may decide TWF is the way to go). But it should give you an idea of one person's approach to bard melee DPS.

Edit: Also, find a different guild. If they can't understand the concept of "Hey, guys, when I Fascinate, gang up on one monster at a time," then they don't deserve to run with a bard. And like Dox and Bwaha said, practice the timing of it.

Also, it was always a terrible idea to splash sorc levels onto a bard. Don't get rid of the sorc because it's unpopular; get rid of the sorc because it hurts your build.

**Veileira** · 01-09-2011, 06:51 PM

Now that you have a better idea of what you want have a look at the builds index in the Bard Guide. Each build has a summary and a comment that makes it easier to choose which builds to look at more closely.

**Aflac** · 01-09-2011, 09:01 PM

Thanks all..

Ya, I looked at every build there for humies; and some for other races. But, I didn't know which one was viable endgame. I don't want to spend the money on GR just to have something other than a stellar build.

Again, thanks for everyone's input.

**Aflac** · 01-11-2011, 02:36 AM

Ok all, after looking at lots of builds my bard has decided to go Spellsinger instead of Warchanter based on this build: Aelunira the Diva

1. A GR+2 can only replace 2 lvls, Rog or Sorc. As stated above: Sorc was never a good idea. But, back in the day, thats how bards got more SP's.

2. So I'm stuck w/ one lvl of Rogue. I decided to take 2 lvls instead.
a. Pick up evasion
b. Pick up skills
c. Pick up Sneak Attack

3. The reference build above fit this profile.
a. Some Melee focused on THF
b. Allows for access to the full range of bard spells.

For this build, No metamagic feat is available at lvl 1. Therefore, Wisdom is dumped; and, Force of Personality is used. The points from Wisdom are put into dex to help w/ evasion and dex bonus to armor.

Enhancements, Feats, and Skills are still open for debate. Please, Scrutinize this build.
1. To much Concentration?
2. Not enough Balance?
3. Spell Pen instead of GSF: Enchantment?
4. Must have Song of Magic IV
5. You don't really need that spell xxxx.

Code:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Human Female
(2 Rogue \ 18 Bard) 
Hit Points: 242
Spell Points: 924 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 17
Will: 18

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    18
Dexterity            13                    16
Constitution         13                    16
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma             16                    24

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Supreme Ability used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    20
Concentration         1                    32
Disable Device        5                    19
Haggle                7                    30
Jump                  6                    15
Move Silently         5                    23
Open Lock             5                    13
Perform               n/a                  30
Search                5                    15
Tumble                5                     7
Use Magic Device      7                    34

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Force of Personality
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I


Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+6)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (1): Master's Touch
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Otto's Resistable Dance
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Invisibility
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+2)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment
Spell (1): Charm Person
Spell (2): Rage
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Improved Spell Penetration I


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+3)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Soundburst
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Good Hope
Enhancement: Bard Spellsinger I


Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II


Level 11 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song II
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Otto's Sphere of Dancing
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music III


Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Bard Spellsinger II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 15 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (5): Mind Fog
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


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


Level 18 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment
Spell (1): Feather Fall
Spell (5): Greater Dispel Magic
Spell (6): Otto's Irresistable Dance
Spell (6): Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Hold Person
Spell (6): Heroes Feast
Enhancement: Bard Improved Spell Penetration II


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Slow
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery II

Thread: Help me GR My Bard

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Help me GR My Bard

Posting Permissions