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  1. #1
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    Default Sir Pikealot the unwanted, master piker build

    You were looking for max dps and hp, zerging Tod and Suulo like a hot knife through butter but you already knew you were wrong. Now you know why.

    Ddo is not about Dps or crowd control. Ddo is about piking. And piking is an art.

    Hord led the way (here and here ) but this build will make you travel where no one piker has been before.

    What are we looking for?

    The perfect piker need the following:

    1) It must be fairly desirable in a quest or raid
    2) It should be required to do absolutely nothing during the quest
    3) At the end of the quest, other players should remember him as “important” and “useful” so they will call you again

    As Hord stated

    This leaves the one, the only, true piker class in DDO: the bard. Yes, the bard. Play a song or two every 7 minutes (if the quest takes that long) and you are considered a hero and a necessity for raiding. The DPS of the group goes up just by pushing one button, maybe two, and back to your Farm on Facebook you go
    He is, of course, correct but how can we improve that and follow the three requirements above?

    Pikealot the unwanted – 32 pt. build



    Code:
    Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
    DDO Character Planner Home Page
    
    Pikealot the unskilled
    Level 20 Neutral Good Elf Male
    (2 Fighter \ 2 Ranger \ 16 Bard) 
    Hit Points: 304
    Spell Points: 510 
    BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
    Fortitude: 15
    Reflex: 18
    Will: 9
    
                      Starting          Feat/Enhancement
    Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
    (32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
    Strength             16                    16
    Dexterity            16                    21
    Constitution         14                    18
    Intelligence         10                    10
    Wisdom                8                     8
    Charisma             12                    13
    
    Tomes Used
    +1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
    +2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 16
    
                      Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                     Base Skills         Modified Skills
    Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
    Balance               7                    28
    Bluff                 1                     1
    Concentration         6                    27
    Diplomacy             1                     1
    Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
    Haggle                5                    24
    Heal                 -1                    -1
    Hide                  3                     5
    Intimidate            1                     5
    Jump                  5                    11
    Listen               -1                     1
    Move Silently         3                     5
    Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
    Perform               5                    24
    Repair                0                     0
    Search                0                     2
    Spot                 -1                     1
    Swim                  3                     3
    Tumble                5                     9
    Use Magic Device      5                    24
    
    Level 1 (Bard)
    Feat: (Selected) Toughness
    
    
    Level 2 (Fighter)
    Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
    
    
    Level 3 (Fighter)
    Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
    Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
    
    
    Level 4 (Ranger)
    Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
    
    
    Level 5 (Ranger)
    
    
    Level 6 (Bard)
    Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
    
    
    Level 7 (Bard)
    
    
    Level 8 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
    Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
    Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
    Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
    Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
    Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
    Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
    Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
    Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
    Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
    Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
    Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
    
    
    Level 9 (Bard)
    Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
    
    
    Level 10 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
    Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
    Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
    
    
    Level 11 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
    
    
    Level 12 (Bard)
    Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
    
    
    Level 13 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III
    
    
    Level 14 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
    Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
    
    
    Level 15 (Bard)
    Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
    
    
    Level 16 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
    Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II
    Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
    
    
    Level 17 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
    
    
    Level 18 (Bard)
    Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
    Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III
    
    
    Level 19 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV
    
    
    Level 20 (Bard)
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
    Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
    Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II
    1) That’s what warchanter bard are for, song of heroism, Ironskin chant, Inspired damage, Inspired attack and all melee dps will love you! In addition you have a pretty decent build, not some wiz 8, So 8, cl 4…

    2) That’s a little bit tricky. When your group see your 16/2/2 warchanter build they will assume you are a dps. The fools! Surprise them and enthusiastically tell them that you are an arcane archer, with slaying arrows, improved precise shot and manyshot! They will tell you to do absolutely nothing! After all how many raids went wrong because of a too zealous AA?

    3a) Then shoot some arrows during fights, aiming barrels and crates (nobody will notice but they will assume you’re helping) and manyshot the boss down and when it’s at 3%. You will be called a hero! Oh finally someone able to play an AA without getting aggro from every mob and kiting to China!

    3b) Hit Points. More hp = less deaths and you know everybody remembers when someone dies too often in a quest. You’re going to live.

    HP: 304 (base)
    + 60 hp (+6 cos)
    + 20 (minos legens)
    + 10 (draconic)
    + 45 (GS)
    + 30 (Greater false life)
    + 20 (+2 Exceptional cos)
    + 20 (+2 tome)

    509 unbuffed (!!)

    Piking is and art, take it to the next level!

  2. #2
    Community Member grodon9999's Avatar
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    This toon doesn't suck nearly enough, it is but the diet-coke of pikers.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by grodon9999 View Post
    This toon doesn't suck nearly enough, it is but the diet-coke of pikers.
    Piking is not about "sucking" but about doing nothing and being rewarded. It's a state of the mind. You can have a great build and still be a perfect piker. It's just smoke and mirrors to get you in the raid.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Darkenrahl_78 View Post
    Piking is not about "sucking" but about doing nothing and being rewarded. It's a state of the mind. You can have a great build and still be a perfect piker. It's just smoke and mirrors to get you in the raid.
    Absolutely!

    And yes, bards are the piking class and ranged is the way to pike as you tend to sit back, and when they see that bow... they are often glad your not using it. :P But then when they need some irritating thing on a ledge shot, or they are being terrorized by a merralith they are glad you brought it along.

    Also fascinate is the pikers ultimate tool. No one cares if you use it every fight, heck they wouldn't notice. But if things are going **** up, all you have to do is click one button and run in circles and you save the whole party from certain doom with your awesome power. And then when after you scrape up the cleric, they do all the hard work of killing stuff while you grow virtual turnips or post on the forums. (dual monitors are an essential piking tool)
    Former Host of DDOcast
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    Streaming sometimes on twitch as SigTrent

  5. #5
    Community Member DarkSpectre's Avatar
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    Smile

    I'm not sure this build takes it to the next level.

    On the other hand as you pointed out, Hordo and his reputation for piking take it to the next level.

    I personally think its about playing the songs and then getting out of the way which makes the bard the best class for piking.

    Same with rogues, get the traps and get out the way. If you happen to get a couple assassinates in, then brag about it the rest of the quest so people will think you have contributed.

    Ultimately its the players mindset that makes the pike happen...
    "Khyber Server" The Crown Jewel of DDO Main Alts. Darkelvis, Thickelvis, Almostelvis, Holyelvis, Lil-elvis

  6. #6
    Build Constructionist unbongwah's Avatar
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    Not sure how I feel about a modified take on one of my builds billed as a "piker"...
    Semi-retired Build Engineer. Everything was better back in our day. Get off my lawn.

  7. #7
    Community Member Elaril's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darkenrahl_78 View Post
    3a) manyshot the boss down and when it’s at 3%.
    You have to make sure to post that you got the killing blow in party chat, if you get it, by copy/pasting your combat log. If you didn't actually get the killing blow, type the text in anyways, only one other person will know the difference.
    Akori-Fighter Iroka-Sorcerer Censured-Rogue Isilti-Cleric Tony-Sorcerer Duress-Cleric Elaril-Fighter Avatard-Fighter Mitigation-Paladin Loose-Bard Shiken-Fighter Unreasonably-Barbarian Jueh-Monk

  8. #8
    Community Member Hordo's Avatar
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    *sniff*

    I'm so proud!

    What is even more awesome is that you came awfully close to my own Uber-Piker, Hordiva

    She's my own secret recipe of 16 Bard, 2 Ranger, 2 Rogue - ArcaneArcherRogueChanter2.

    +1 To YOU!

    And for those of you who want to learn more...Hit either the H or the O in Hordo's How-To below...each letter gets you to a different thread!
    -Khyber- Loreseekers, Guild Leader
    Hordorabbi ~ Hordiva ~ Hordazzle ~ Hordorc ~ Hordeau ~ And dozens of other HordoToons™!
    High Rabbi of DDO
    Loreseekers Guild ~ H.o.r.d.o.'s How-To Guides @Loreseekers

  9. #9
    Community Member Hordo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sigtrent View Post
    Absolutely!

    And yes, bards are the piking class and ranged is the way to pike as you tend to sit back, and when they see that bow... they are often glad your not using it. :P But then when they need some irritating thing on a ledge shot, or they are being terrorized by a merralith they are glad you brought it along.

    Also fascinate is the pikers ultimate tool. No one cares if you use it every fight, heck they wouldn't notice. But if things are going **** up, all you have to do is click one button and run in circles and you save the whole party from certain doom with your awesome power. And then when after you scrape up the cleric, they do all the hard work of killing stuff while you grow virtual turnips or post on the forums. (dual monitors are an essential piking tool)
    Yes, and the best thing about level 16 bard, really? When you occasionally irk those pesky mobs with your auto-attack pew pew pew and they come running at you and get a Irresistible Dance in the schnoz. You can just go back to watching Hawaii 5-0, your party will pick you up from there.
    -Khyber- Loreseekers, Guild Leader
    Hordorabbi ~ Hordiva ~ Hordazzle ~ Hordorc ~ Hordeau ~ And dozens of other HordoToons™!
    High Rabbi of DDO
    Loreseekers Guild ~ H.o.r.d.o.'s How-To Guides @Loreseekers

  10. #10
    Community Member brian14's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darkenrahl_78 View Post
    + 10 (draconic)
    Excuse my noobishness, but what is "draconic" and gives you +10 hp? (Sounds like first line of a joke)
    "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

    "Of course it is. Are YOU going to question beholder's artistic sense?"

  11. #11
    Community Member lazylaz's Avatar
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    This is awfully close to how one of my bards will turn out. Good to see I was on the right track!

    Nice work.
    All of Company of the Black Dragon and all of Warriors of the Wild
    Some of the Vagabond Horde and some of the SrTG
    All on Khyber

  12. #12
    Community Member Hordo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by unbongwah View Post
    Not sure how I feel about a modified take on one of my builds billed as a "piker"...
    Hate to break it to ya...but the Hordiva build pre-dates at least your forum join date...I plan longterm for my pikers!

    EDIT: I just looked and began the Warchanter Manyshot build in March of 2009 thinking of some fun stuff to gimp around with for the 3rd Guild Anniversary in May of that year, but "decided" to wait as I had discovered the joys of payment issues...ahem...yeah.

    I put it up for a Guild Contest in May 2010 for Hordiva's 3rd TR and had about a dozen submissions (including my own AARogueChanter) and mine won even though I submitted it anonymously and recused myself from voting...the sheer pike-ability of the build won out!

    The Hordiva build, in her 3TR final version, is the build that was voted on by the guild last year and I created in that basic mold. I have since tweaked the build somewhat in order to experiment with slight nuances but the overall gist of the build remains much the same. The build that won the contest had certain points that made it work best for me:

    ==> Rogue skills able to succeed in Epic.
    ==> TWF Longswords and Rapiers for Elf Enhancement bonuses
    ==> Longbow with manyshot taking advantage of Elf Enhancement bonuses
    ==> Must be a Warchanter and be able to provide good party buffs as well as secondary DPS and tertiary healing
    ==> Had to be a 36 point build (as she was already a 2TR, and this would be her 3rd)

    What won the contest, and was submitted anonymously and voted on by a panel that did not include me, was my own build:

    The Arcane Archer RogueChanter Build.

    I made her a True Neutral Elf, and have her geared to the hilt...let's take a look at the build itself:

    Starting Stats:
    Strength: 14 (+3 Tome + 5 Level-Ups) = 22
    Dexterity: 15 (+2 Tome) = 17
    Constitution: 14 (+3 Tome) = 17
    Intelligence: 16 (+2 Tome) = 18
    Wisdom: 10 (+2 Tome) = 12
    Charisma: 11 (+2 Tome) = 13

    ==> Before we go on let me address these stats. The Strength is far from top-line, but is high enough to add good support DPS, the Dexterity is high enough to allow for TWF and ITWF as well as AC and to allow for high rogue skills, as well as the Intelligence which is unusually high on a bard just for the purposes of the rogue skills. The Constitution is basically at my minimum for my builds. The Wisdom is low for a good spot but with buffs is serviceable and thus the Will save is the only downfall with that stat, and Charisma is in the Warchanter toilet requiring an item to cast higher level spells...but it's a warchanter not a spellsinger or virtuoso for goodness' sake. LOL

    Level Progression:
    1 Rogue ==> Traditional for a Rogue multi-class to take advantage of the plethora of skill points at character creation.
    2 Ranger ==> Allows me to pick a Favored Enemy early to help with my lowbie career and then switch later to Evil Outsider for endgame.
    3-4 Bard ==> Finally, some songs and bit of je ne sais quoi?
    5 Ranger ==> Perhaps a bit early, but this gives me TWF for free, and some granted bow feats which help me later with Manyshot and AA.
    6-10 Bard ==> Ok, yes, it's time to zerg to Haste...and Warchanter.
    11 Rogue ==> A welcome infusion of extra skill points and Evasion to boot!
    12-20 Bard ==> Rest of the way bard to get to Inspire Heroics (AC song) and Irresistible Dance and MCLW...which are indispensible at endgame.

    The final build ==> 16 Bard, 2 Ranger, 2 Rogue

    The Feats...in no particular order:
    Due to the nature of the build consisting of two PrE lines some feats are pre-requisites, and others, whereas nominally optional, are required for manyshot...which is another desired feature of the build, thus we have relatively few feats that are not required by canon so to speak.
    Toughness ==> I take this in every build, and recommend it for every build as well.
    Warchanter Requirements ==> Weapon Focus: Slashing, Power Attack
    Arcane Archer/Manyshot Requirements ==> Weapon Focus: Ranged; Point Blank Shot; Mental Toughness, Manyshot
    Bring on the Freebies! ==> TWF for free (Ranger 2), Rapid Shot, Bow Strength, Favored Enemy-Evil Outsider and Evasion (Rogue 2).

    Important Skills For This Build:
    Disable Device ==> Maxed out to be able to hit any possible trap, on a good roll, with all the usual items and buffs.
    Search ==> Also maxed out...it doesn't matter how well you might know where the trap is if you can't search it you can't disarm it.
    Use Magic Device ==> Max, max, max...with our pitiful starting Charisma we need all the help here before buffs that we can get.
    Open Lock ==> I tend to stop this at 15 ranks, which is higher than many, as I really don't like having to waste all my good tools.
    Spot ==> I have this a little higher (20) because even if I know a trap is there...some do move and I like to be able to spot them...so sue me!
    Balance ==> Whatever little points I have left over goes in here.
    Concentration ==> I'm not too worried here...if I need to cast a spell I'll back off and cast it. Most of my spells are premeptive buffs anyway.


    Oh and for maximum Piking...I recently respecced a bit and ditched toughness and something else I forget right now for Trapmaking! Grease Traps FTW!
    Last edited by Hordo; 02-16-2011 at 04:06 PM.
    -Khyber- Loreseekers, Guild Leader
    Hordorabbi ~ Hordiva ~ Hordazzle ~ Hordorc ~ Hordeau ~ And dozens of other HordoToons™!
    High Rabbi of DDO
    Loreseekers Guild ~ H.o.r.d.o.'s How-To Guides @Loreseekers

  13. #13
    Community Member Chai's Avatar
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    Simply awesome. I have been doing all this work on a 16-2-2 bard barbarian fighter, when I should have rolled up a 16-2-2 bard ranger rogue pew pew. I could have been getting half a YouTube webisode in between having to change targets while autoattacking this entire time. /sigh
    Quote Originally Posted by Teh_Troll View Post
    We are no more d000m'd then we were a week ago. Note - This was posted in 10/2013 (when concurrency was ~4x what it is today)

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by brian14 View Post
    Excuse my noobishness, but what is "draconic" and gives you +10 hp? (Sounds like first line of a joke)
    Argonesson (dragon) favor. 2nd tier. It isn't a joke.

  15. #15
    Community Member lazylaz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Missing_Minds View Post
    It isn't a joke.
    I'm pretty sure he meant "what is draconic and gives you 10hp?" sounds like the first line of a joke.
    Last edited by lazylaz; 02-16-2011 at 04:21 PM. Reason: yep
    All of Company of the Black Dragon and all of Warriors of the Wild
    Some of the Vagabond Horde and some of the SrTG
    All on Khyber

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hordo View Post
    Hate to break it to ya...but the Hordiva build pre-dates at least your forum join date...I plan longterm for my pikers!
    I have to register two disputes....

    1. Your build doesn't include Haggle. What is the point of piking your way through without getting rich off the gravy.

    2. Its a 36pt build for crying out loud! Thats a lot of work to get there, so why all the trouble of leveling more than once on a piker? A 28pt FTP would much better qualify IMHO. The less invested the better.
    Former Host of DDOcast
    Member of The Madborn of Thelanis
    Streaming sometimes on twitch as SigTrent

  17. #17
    Community Member incineration's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sigtrent View Post
    I have to register two disputes....

    1. Your build doesn't include Haggle. What is the point of piking your way through without getting rich off the gravy.

    2. Its a 36pt build for crying out loud! Thats a lot of work to get there, so why all the trouble of leveling more than once on a piker? A 28pt FTP would much better qualify IMHO. The less invested the better.
    from refering to his guide:
    Quote Originally Posted by Rabbi_Hordo View Post
    10. Finally, just when they are catching on to you, TR.
    Quote Originally Posted by Knockback View Post
    It's a grenade, so just throw it at your feet. : )
    Quote Originally Posted by Chai View Post
    If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a meteor swarm!

  18. #18
    Community Member brian14's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lazylaz View Post
    I'm pretty sure he meant "what is draconic and gives you 10hp?" sounds like the first line of a joke.
    Yes, that's what I meant.

    I realized OP was serious. (Well, for certain definitions of "serious")
    "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

    "Of course it is. Are YOU going to question beholder's artistic sense?"

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by brian14 View Post
    Yes, that's what I meant.

    I realized OP was serious. (Well, for certain definitions of "serious")
    "And don't call me Shirley".

    Sorry, Brian, work has me trying to figure out a show stopper issue, now I'm just waiting on the peer review. Been a bit more serious in real life and it bleed into the forum there.

  20. #20
    Community Member Adalita's Avatar
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    Hey Hordo, big fan. Any thoughts on rolling your build as a Helf? If so what dilly would you take? I'm thinking Pali for the bonus to saves. The other options would be Barb for the extra toughness or FvS for wand/scroll access, although a decent UMD would take care of those.
    Quote Originally Posted by Chai View Post
    DDO players dont ragequit. They ragejoin. Boycotting around these parts means play something as much as possible, then post that we hate it.

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