Is this Shroud Ready?

[division]

Wanted to know if you would take this character into the shroud with you. If not, what can i improve on it. i would appreciate any constructive criticism.
http://img534.imageshack.us/i/screenshot00001x.jpg/ P.S. This is only with self buffs.

[Der_Incubo]

just being a bard is good enough to do anything.

[Illiain]

You're cutting it close as a melee with less than 400hps and no evasion. I'd suggest using Fire Shield (cold) scrolls often to minimize incoming fire damage. I have a similar build 14bard/6ranger. My first couple Shrouds were close calls but I could back out and multishot. Not sure if you'd have that option, but some dps is more than dead.

Also if you're going Warchanter2, grab the epic plate from the CC event. When you're 20, Superior false life and a blue slot for toughness will allow you to make a min2 helm for even more hps.

[Bobthesponge]

you should be fine on normal, but don't try elite just yet unless all you want to do is sing then hide in a corner.

You have minos for fort and with displacement should avoid getting hit too much - with no AC you will have to depend on that. You will get accepted to most parties for the songs anyway.

[NaturalHazard]

could madstone boots be a help vs harry in melee for more hp? i mean kinda risky as you cant cast any spells use items scrolls but if you have already buffed, maybe someone else can cast a fresh haste and your songs should last through a boss fight on normal right?

[karl_k0ch]

The Weapon is no DR bypassing weapon. Still, on normal, this is going to be a close call. You might need to explain that this weapon sits DPS-wise in between a +3 and a +4 Holy silver GA. Roughly, glancing blows being disregarded.
GEOB adds 3d6 + 4 = 14.5 on average, which is almost the same as the DR of 15. There are PUG leaders who might have a problem with this. You could get a +1 Metalline Flametouched Maul to link or something similar and offer the non-BB as an alternative.

[Rydin_Dirtay]

You are ok for a bard in norm Shroud, just use Fire Shield: Cold scrolls as was said. I like using DR breaking weapons myself.

The Evil Outsider Bane is not terrible...there are people beating on Harry with worse...but if it were me I'd get a DR breaker asap.

[Quikster]

The Weapon is no DR bypassing weapon. Still, on normal, this is going to be a close call. You might need to explain that this weapon sits DPS-wise in between a +3 and a +4 Holy silver GA. Roughly, glancing blows being disregarded.
GEOB adds 3d6 + 4 = 14.5 on average, which is almost the same as the DR of 15. There are PUG leaders who might have a problem with this. You could get a +1 Metalline Flametouched Maul to link or something similar and offer the non-BB as an alternative.

He might as well learn now that if a raid leader has a problem with this, its likely not a very good raid leader and he should pick another group if possible.

[Angelus_dead]

Wanted to know if you would take this character into the shroud with you. If not, what can i improve on it. i would appreciate any constructive criticism.

To get a Bard ready for Shroud requires 4 things:
1. Complete 5 dungeons around Vale of Twilight (not on Casual)
2. Build a Shavarath Signet Stone in the machine.
3. Put Haste on your bar.
4. Put Inspire Courage on your bar.

That's truly everything a bard needs. You seriously don't face any demands.

[Aerendil]

You're cutting it close as a melee with less than 400hps and no evasion. I'd suggest using Fire Shield (cold) scrolls often to minimize incoming fire damage. I have a similar build 14bard/6ranger. My first couple Shrouds were close calls but I could back out and multishot. Not sure if you'd have that option, but some dps is more than dead.

Also if you're going Warchanter2, grab the epic plate from the CC event. When you're 20, Superior false life and a blue slot for toughness will allow you to make a min2 helm for even more hps.

2 quick comments:
1) the gear from the event at level 16 is still very, very nice. Nearly almost as good as the level 20 stuff. So definitely pick up whatever you're aiming on getting in a level 16 version, as well as the full T3 version of the level 20 item. Unless you're going to zip through the levels, of course.

2) 400hp is fine. My rogue has just over 300 at level 17 and has done a few Shrouds with no problems at all. People are way too focused on the hp barrier these days. If you're not tanking or drawing aggro, and know how to position yourself, you're perfectly fine with 300+ (or 250+ with evasion).
That said, the more hps you have the better, so don't get me wrong here. It's just that the advice of "yeah, you *might* be ok" to me is silly. You're perfectly fine.
And do get a metalline of pure good or silver of pure good in some form, be it a maul, greatsword, or whatever. It shouldn't be too hard to find, and will make a difference on the Harry.

[protokon]

your shroud ready. 100% fort and acceptable hit points + bard songs = ready, regardless of what DPS you are outputting.

[uhgungawa]

You need you work on your AC, it's too high

[fabhpk]

could madstone boots be a help vs harry in melee for more hp? i mean kinda risky as you cant cast any spells use items scrolls but if you have already buffed, maybe someone else can cast a fresh haste and your songs should last through a boss fight on normal right?

Sure it does help a lot.

Just activate the clicky after casting any spells you might want to, and before you get hit. Then you'll get both stages from madstone rage for a total of +4 str and +8 con (80 HP on lvl 20).


Good luck on your pulls!

[Sirea]

HP are likely low because they don't have a greensteel item yet, and they're also not capped. Still though, 380-ish (without rage) isn't bad at all when you consider that, they should definitely be pushing 450 at cap after crafting a HP item.

The only other thing I'd probably suggest is getting a legitimate DR-bypasser, but even the weapon you have now isn't horrible for normal runs.

You should be just fine, OP.

[division]

Well I do have a +1 holy silver falchion of greater parrying, i just wasn't wearing it in the screenshot.

[Cairo]

You're cutting it close as a melee with less than 400hps and no evasion.

THIS IS NORMAL SHROUD, PEOPLE. YOU DONT FRIGGIN NEED 400HP AND EVASION.

You need Heavy Fort, Fire Res, FoM, and you need enough hp to survive for 6 seconds - about 300ish is enough to survive, but its close, 350 is fine, ESPECIALLY considering buffs.

And if a raid leader wants you to link DR breakers for anything but elite? Avoid that run - its more trouble than its worth. Even on Elite, I'd take a Warchanter with a +4 Holy EOB, because theyll bring enough damage (self and party) boosts to make it worthwhile.

[Cairo]

The Weapon is no DR bypassing weapon. Still, on normal, this is going to be a close call. You might need to explain that this weapon sits DPS-wise in between a +3 and a +4 Holy silver GA. Roughly, glancing blows being disregarded.
GEOB adds 3d6 + 4 = 14.5 on average, which is almost the same as the DR of 15. There are PUG leaders who might have a problem with this. You could get a +1 Metalline Flametouched Maul to link or something similar and offer the non-BB as an alternative.

Id rather have someone using a +4 Holy EOB Greataxe than a +1 Met Flametouched Maul. A +4 EOB adds 2d6 + 6 = 8-20 damage, or 14 damage on average, and his base weapon damage with it is 1d12+38 or 39-50, then 1d12 Holy, his total damage per swing is gonna be 48-82.. plenty of damage, even after DR, for Normal Harry. If he crafts a Lit II, it'll only get better.

[t0r012]

1. Wow 7 AC , that is impressive. I hadn't even considered it was possible to get it that low. not like it matters after a certain point i just don't think I have ever seen anyone completely give give up on it like you. heck even shades barb runs with 24.

like I said not any difference between 7 and 24 in practical terms , just shocking to see.

2. HP should be fine, that is about where my monk was when she started running shroud. Sure she has evasion but I only ran in to death twice. once was just a bad luck. I caught a 1 save roll on some meteors in the face as the blades were in tight and i didn't feel so bad cause a big raged Barb and pure fighter dropped at the same time. The second was when a healer DCed in part one and the FvS wanted to try solo heal rather than wait.

3. Doesn't really matter as much what your bring to a shroud for a normal run. Your weapons are better than probably better than most I have run with in PuG shrouds by a long shot, and the shroud isn't as demanding as most seem to think it is. sing your songs, pull up a solver or know how to do your puzzle and swing that axe or falch at the big boss man and your shroud ready.

[Calebro]

1. Wow 7 AC , that is impressive. I hadn't even considered it was possible to get it that low. not like it matters after a certain point i just don't think I have ever seen anyone completely give give up on it like you. heck even shades barb runs with 24.

like I said not any difference between 7 and 24 in practical terms , just shocking to see.

Base 10 -1 dex -2 rage = 7

[Sarisa]

Looks fine to me. I would just recommend waiting until level 17 unless you get into a 16-19 only group. Shroud is great experience for something you'd run anyway and you don't really want to lose your first time bonus by running it at 16 with a 20 in the group.