KensaiChanter (Bard 14 / Fighter 6)

[LuKaSu]

Originally, this had been planned as a DPS Bard with a 12 fighter /8 bard split, but I loved having the higher skill values and better buffs of adding the extra levels of Bard. 8 got the minimum buffs, Haste and displacement, but higher added higher cures, DDoor, FoM, Greater Heroism, etc. Up to level 12, it's the same as the old version, Bard at 1st level for skills, fighter, fighter, and bard for the next three. Then alternating fighter, bard, until level 12. Honestly, the reason for the order is that it keeps the Fighter Symbol by my name in PUGs, so my bard portion won't be expected to shine until I hit warchanter I at level 12 (hitting Kensai at level 11). From this point, it's bard all the way to cap. Lots of buffs, no CC (exept for mass dominate at level 20, for going back through lower level quests and cleaning up what I'd missed), four extra feats and a bit higher damage from the fighter levels. For skills, maxing UMD, perform and Concentration with Bard levels and Jump with fighter levels, and splashing in some haggle and diplo when extra skill points are left over.

I haven't put in the enhancements, other than making sure I had the feats at the right levels to take Kensai I at 11, Warchanter I at 12, and Warchanter II at 18.

This by no means has to be a half elf, but I thought it would be nice to be able to use raise dead scrolls when I didn't have any UMD gear on, so I dillied FvS.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.2
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Level 20 Neutral Good Half-Elf Male
(6 Fighter \ 14 Bard) 
Hit Points: 226
Spell Points: 421 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 11
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    23
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             14                    14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                     4
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         6                    28
Diplomacy             4                     4
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                6                    20
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate            2                     2
Jump                  5                    23
Listen               -1                    -1
Move Silently         0                     0
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               6                    25
Repair                0                     0
Search                0                     0
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  4                     6
Tumble                1                     1
Use Magic Device      6                    25

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Favored Soul
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Brutal Throw
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Bard)
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 8 (Bard)
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (2): Rage


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Bard)
Spell (1): Detect Secret Doors
Spell (2): Blur


Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 13 (Bard)
Spell (2): Heroism
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (3): Haste


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Bard)
Spell (3): Remove Curse
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality


Level 19 (Bard)
Spell (4): Summon Monster IV
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Spell (5): Shadow Walk


Level 20 (Bard)
Spell (5): Mass Suggestion

[elujin]

mebey the pally dilli can help with save prob not enough though

but i think fvs dilli is a bit of a waste on a bard

mebey rog though less bonus with two hander
barb for extra thoughness and con

[Geraldicus]

I'm doing something very similar with my bard but he's going to have two levels of barbarian as well so as to have a few more rages and just a little damage reduction. Since Warchanter 2 only needs 12 levels of bard, that's enough bard for me (especially since I'm a soloist and therefore don't have to worry much about buffing anyone other than myself). I was thinking of cutting fighter out of the equation entirely but those extra combat feats allow me to take a metamagic feat like extend. So far the dps seems pretty good but on the other hand I'm a little squishier than I'd like to be.

[Warinx]

I got the same build only TWF, and I'd dump Charisma to 8 or so, lower if you have good gear. 8+2 tome +6 item = lvl 6 spells. Since you don't have lvl 6 spells maybe even 7 charisma unless you feel 1 umd will be big.

I got 43 UMD on my build with 8 base charisma at lvl 20.

[Warinx]

I'm doing something very similar with my bard but he's going to have two levels of barbarian as well so as to have a few more rages and just a little damage reduction. Since Warchanter 2 only needs 12 levels of bard, that's enough bard for me (especially since I'm a soloist and therefore don't have to worry much about buffing anyone other than myself). I was thinking of cutting fighter out of the equation entirely but those extra combat feats allow me to take a metamagic feat like extend. So far the dps seems pretty good but on the other hand I'm a little squishier than I'd like to be.

I would advice against that Gerald, Between lvl 12 and 14 you lose out on 3 enchantments for your Bard Song Inspire Courage, wich is why you go for Warchanter anyway.

After 14 you don't get anything before lvl 20 so after that you can do anything

[Blank_Zero]

Thought I might point to my build here.... only differences would be taking Pally Dilly and doing 2 Barbarian over getting Kensei 1... +4 STR/CON is REALLY nice for boss fights

Take a look, it might help out here too.

[kurglar]

I've been looking for a Bard build that could hold its own in a fight but since i've always played melees I'm not so familiar with casters. I liked LuKaSu's build but wanted it to be a dark elf (since i'm f2p) so I came up with the build below. any tips to improve it would be appreiciated. thx

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.2
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tradegy 
Level 20 Neutral Good Drow Male
(6 Fighter \ 14 Bard) 
Hit Points: 308
Spell Points: 441 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 11
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma             14                    14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    19
Bluff                 2                     3
Concentration         6                    21
Diplomacy             2                     3
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                6                    20
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate            2                     7
Jump                  7                    25
Listen                0                     2
Move Silently         0                     0
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               6                    22
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     3
Spot                  0                     2
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                4                    18
Use Magic Device      6                    21

Level 1 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 4 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I


Level 5 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 8 (Bard)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage II


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: Drow Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Ranged Damage I


Level 10 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery II


Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 13 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Kensei Rapier Mastery I


Level 14 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Thrown Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III


Level 16 (Bard)
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 17 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery III


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Thrown Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II


Level 19 (Bard)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack II


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery IV