Human TWF Trapchanter

[tekkentroop]

Hi, Im a quite new player, my current main char is a lvl 12 battlecleric, and Im looking into planning my next big char (hopefully after I unlock veteran status). I like chars that are versatile and can contribute to the party in several ways, and can solo low-lvl quests if necessary.
On my cleric, Ive often seen how important it is to have a trapmonkey on elite quests (especially with a cleric with no reflex save to speak of) and I really love having bards around since its hard to use power attack on a cleric with mediocre equip.
Thus, my next char shall be a warchanter bard with full trap capabilities, capable to fulfil two important roles in a party and still contributing to melee damage. Since Im not a real endgame player (yet?), I want to get access to important abilities as soon as possible, not taking any fighter levels.

Race: Human
Ive thought about taking a drow, but theyre a bit squishy and since I wont take charisma or int above 14 anyway, a human has slightly better stats. The additional feat helps to get along without fighter levels, and versatility is nice for twf damage boost and difficult traps.

Class: Bard 18/Rogue 2
Its possible to fit one or two fighter levels later on, but I definitely want to go 1 Rogue - 7 bard - 1 Rogue first. Rogue 2 will add evasion and allow me to put some more points in skills which would be cross-class for bard (thinking of spot here). Fighter levels arent really necessary since I will go rapier/shortsword (cutthroats smallblade from crystal cove).

Stats

Str 16 + all lvl ups (for decent melee)
Dex 15 (for twf - might put the char on ice at lvl 8 and wait for +2 dex tome)
Con 14
Int 12 (barely enough for trapskills because of human skill bonus)
Wis 8
Cha 12 (Id like to be able to cast lvl 1 and 2 spells without items, later on I will get bard cha enhancements anyway)

Feats
1: Toughness+TWF
3: Weapon Focus: Piercing
6: Power Attack
9: Extend Spell (might switch this with ITWF)
12: IC: Piercing
15: ITWF
18: GTWF

Enhancements
Warchanter I+II
Inspire Courage enhancements
Lingering Song IV
Bard cha I+II
Rogue haste boost I
Rogue dex I
Rogue sneak attack training I
Human Adaptability Str/Con
Human Toughness III
Human Versatility IV
Human Improved Recovery II

Skills
Max perform
Max UMD
Max disable device
Max search
Max haggle
High spot
some balance, concentration, jump etc

Since I never played a bard yet, and only got limited experience with trapskills (lvl 9 tempest ranger with rogue splash) I appreciate any comments and hints.

I didnt plan enhancements thoroughly, maybe some bard experts can give me some pointers what to drop and whats missing. For example, Im not sure about the use of extra song (bard gets one per level) and music of the dead, for example, and if its possible to fit it in (limited action points).

[quityourjobs]

You got a lot of the right ideas, I think the big thing to consider is whether 18 Bard gives you any advantage over 16 Bard. 16 levels gives you access to level 6 spells, plus the option for another splash into Fighter, Barb, or more Rogue. Tier III of the PREs are just a LR away should they come out.

Recommended splash is usually 2 Fighter for 2 extra feats, Profs, +1 str, and a total of +18 hps including enhancements. If you do go Fighter, the general choice is Khopesh and either Maximize for better heals or Quick Draw for scrolling and weapon swaps (assuming you go Human 16/2/2).

Personally, I don't think Human is necessarily the best choice, unless you're set on 18 Bard levels, in which case the extra feat is really important.

If you're willing to consider other races, Dwarves get Daxe access with Fighter levels (or WCII) plus bonuses to axe use, extra con, and great spell saves. Halflings get hit bonuses, sneak attack damage bonuses, saves, and cheap dex. Horc and WF have PA enhancements and other great advantages as well.

On the skills end, leave spot low, it's hard to maintain enough to be really useful. Better off learning the traps or surviving with great reflex saves. Max concentration and put a few in Balance, Balance effectively caps at 20.

Either wait for a +2 dex and +2 int tome, or plan on a LR / TR later to incorporate them.

As I frequently say on this type of commentary, be prepared to restart and LR this build several times. It will take a few tries to get it how you like it.

[unbongwah]

Right now the main reason to go bard 18 is you hope WC III comes along someday; otherwise you arguably get more from extra rogue and/or ftr lvls.

I recommend bumping up ITWF to lvl 9 and pushing Extend back to lvl 15. Unfortunately, your BAB won't be high enough to take GTWF until lvl 18; still, the idea is to up your TWF DPS ASAP.

All spellcasters should have max Concentration IMHO esp. those without Quicken. Don't forget you make Concentration checks when using scrolls as well as spells.

Here's my build (intended for hvy picks as well as rapiers). Adapt as you see fit.

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

Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(2 Rogue \ 18 Bard) 
Hit Points: 252
Spell Points: 502 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 8
Reflex: 18
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity            15                    18
Constitution         14                    15
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             12                    12

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                     8
Bluff                 1                     1
Concentration         4                    25
Diplomacy             1                     1
Disable Device        5                    23
Haggle                5                    24
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  2                     4
Intimidate            1                     5
Jump                  7                    10
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         2                     4
Open Lock             6                    13
Perform               n/a                  24
Repair                1                     1
Search                5                    23
Spot                  3                     3
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                6                     8
Use Magic Device      5                    24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Human Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+5)
Skill: Search (+3)


Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Haggle (+2)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+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: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 19 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
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 Bravery 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 Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II
Enhancement: Heavy Pick Training
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery IV

[tekkentroop]

Thanks a lot, Ubongwah, that looks 97% like I intended my char, and the remaining 3% are probably an improvement...

Just one question about enhancements: is scroll mastery more valueable than lingering song III+IV? Taking scroll mastery I is a no-brainer, but is getting a few hp more out of a heal scroll better than a longer song duration? On the other hand, a high lvl bard should have enough songs for an entire raid...