Sir Pikealot the unwanted, master piker build

[Darkenrahl_78]

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

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!

[grodon9999]

This toon doesn't suck nearly enough, it is but the diet-coke of pikers.

[Darkenrahl_78]

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.

[sigtrent]

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)

[DarkSpectre]

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...

[unbongwah]

Not sure how I feel about a modified take on one of my builds billed as a "piker"...

[Hordo]

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.

[Elaril]

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.

[brian14]

+ 10 (draconic)

Excuse my noobishness, but what is "draconic" and gives you +10 hp? (Sounds like first line of a joke)

[Chai]

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

[Missing_Minds]

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.

[lazylaz]

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.

[brian14]

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")

[Missing_Minds]

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.

[Adalita]

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.

[Hordo]

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.

I'm SO glad you asked this! I actually am working on a Helf Piking Bard...I'll post the build in a few...as an edit to this post.

Here is what I had...IGNORE THE ENHANCMENT LEVELS...I did those each time I raised the ability score and is very rough atm anyway:

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

Hordopiker Canach
Level 20 True Neutral Half-Elf Male
(20 Bard) 
Hit Points: 212
Spell Points: 1037 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 14
Will: 22

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             13                    13
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         13                    14
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             18                    26

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    23
Bluff                 4                     8
Concentration         1                    31
Diplomacy             8                    31
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                8                    34
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  0                     7
Intimidate            4                     8
Jump                  5                     6
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         0                     7
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               8                    31
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     1
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  1                     1
Tumble                4                     4
Use Magic Device      8                    35

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Paladin


Level 2 (Bard)


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration II
Enhancement: Improved Haggle I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 5 (Bard)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment


Level 7 (Bard)


Level 8 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Improved Paladin Dilettante I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Improved Haggle II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration
Enhancement: Bard Spellsinger I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song II
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic III
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music III
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Bard)


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


Level 16 (Bard)
Enhancement: Improved Paladin Dilettante II
Enhancement: Improved Paladin Dilettante III
Enhancement: Improved Haggle III
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music IV
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Penetration


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Spellsinger II

[Belwaar]

Until you can pike an entire raid while at the grocery store and NO ONE know...then you can't call yourself the ULTIMATE piker.

[sigtrent]

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.

[incineration]

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:

10. Finally, just when they are catching on to you, TR.

[Hordo]

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.

The initial build didn't include Haggle...it was an entry supposedly for a real toon in a guild contest...but the current one does.

36 pt build, think about it for a second...I actually got my guildies to schlep me through a TRIPLE TR (was already a double TR when the contest was suggested) to cap again. Why they didn't "usurp" me I don't know! LOL