Barbarian with a Lute Icon

[Roguewiz]

Disclaimer: The build is a work in progress and subject to change depending on how it works out for me.

What this build is not: A Tank, a Trap Monkey, a Healer
What this build is: A buffing machine, a DPS monster, a character with the AC of a paperbag, decent HP

With that being said, I opted for a 16/4 split. Why? 6th level Bard spells, 3 extra cheats from Fighter, Critical Accuracy II from Fighter, Strength II from Fighter, Toughness II from Fighter, and Weapon Specialization.

iMaestro is currently 14th. He is pretty self-sufficient for the most part. He does require a Cleric Henchman while soloing, but otherwise from a buff and mob killing standpoint; he works well. +45 or so extra damage per swing with self buffs and ship buffs. A decent amount of + to hit (+30 or so self buffed with Power Attack) @ level 14.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page
Imaestro 
Level 20 True Neutral Warforged Male
(4 Fighter \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 338
Spell Points: 565 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 14
Will: 10
                Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 23                   24
Dexterity             8                 10                   10
Constitution         18                 20                   20
Intelligence         10                 12                   12
Wisdom                6                  8                    8
Charisma             14                 16                   18
Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
 
                Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
               Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               1                 11                   11
Bluff                 2                  4                    4
Concentration         8                 25                   25
Diplomacy             2                 20                   20
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                6                 20                   20
Heal                 -2                 -1                   -1
Hide                 -1                  0                    0
Intimidate            2                  4                    8
Jump                  7                 22                   22
Listen               -2                 -1                   -1
Move Silently        -1                  0                    0
Open Lock            n/a                n/a                   n/a
Perform               6                 22                   22
Repair                0                  1                    1
Search                0                  1                    1
Spot                 -2                 -1                   -1
Swim                  3                  7                    7
Tumble                1                 10                   10
Use Magic Device      6                 27                   27
 
Level 1 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Perform (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
 
Level 2 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 3 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
 
Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 5 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 6 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
 
Level 7 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 9 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
 
Level 10 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 11 (Bard)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
 
Level 13 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Haggle (+1)
Skill: Perform (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
 
Level 14 (Bard)
Skill: Diplomacy (+7)
 
Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Quick Draw
 
Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+6)
 
Level 17 (Bard)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Perform (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
 
Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
 
Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
 
Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Greatsword
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
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 Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II
Enhancement: Greatsword Training
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Flanking Mastery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack I
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack II
Enhancement: Warforged Power Attack III
Enhancement: Warforged Great Weapon Aptitude I
Enhancement: Warforged Great Weapon Aptitude II
Enhancement: Warforged Great Weapon Aptitude III

I wonder how many people will catch a certain reference to a fun card game... =p

[Valindria]

Enhancement: Greatsword Training
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II

Why? The 1st you do not need as fighter gains that already. The only reason people take those enhancements is because they are required by Kensei.

[Roguewiz]

I have also considered going 14 Bard/6 Fighter. This would open up Kensei I. I don't access to a builder here at work (heck, our security barely allows me to post), so I can't check to see what I gain/lose.

[Roguewiz]

Why? The 1st you do not need as fighter gains that already. The only reason people take those enhancements is because they are required by Kensei.

The Greatsword Training was a brain fart on my part. I just went down the list of enhancements my bard currently has and didn't think about the fact that I will have proficiency as a Fighter.

The 3 points spent in Critical Accuracy really can't be spent anywhere else worthwhile. I'd have to double check once I get home, since I'll be freeing up 1 point from Warchanter Greatsword Proficiency.

[unbongwah]

Have you already looked at Genghis Khan? Barb 2 / ftr 2 costs you a feat (Weap Spec), Toughness II, and Haste Boost II; but you gain +10% run speed, +1 barb PA enh, Sprint Boost, and 3 uses of Rage. Seems like a fair tradeoff to me. Plus you would actually add the barb you mention in your title. HO would be even better, I'm guessing, at least DPS-wise.

Also, you don't need so much base CHA on a WC. I would start something like 18 / 8 / 18 / 8 / 6 / 12.

And like Valindria said, drop Crit Accuracy & greatsword training.

[Roguewiz]

Have you already looked at Genghis Khan? Barb 2 / ftr 2 costs you a feat (Weap Spec), Toughness II, and Haste Boost II; but you gain +10% run speed, +1 barb PA enh, Sprint Boost, and 3 uses of Rage. Seems like a fair tradeoff to me. Plus you would actually add the barb you mention in your title. HO would be even better, I'm guessing, at least DPS-wise.

Also, you don't need so much base CHA on a WC. I would start something like 18 / 8 / 18 / 8 / 6 / 12.

And like Valindria said, drop Crit Accuracy & greatsword training.

I did, and came close to actually going that route instead. However, +2 strength/Con wasn't worth the loss of spellcasting ability while Raged. Using the Rage spell may be lower in terms of Str/Con, but the ability to refresh my spells and drop a heal if necessary (to me) outweighed the benefit of having a little more str/con.

The other downside is being "tired" after losing barbarian rage. The Rage Spell doesn't have that negative.

If you use dismiss rage, are you still hit with the penalty for losing barbarian rage?

[dkyle]

I did, and came close to actually going that route instead. However, +2 strength/Con wasn't worth the loss of spellcasting ability while Raged. Using the Rage spell may be lower in terms of Str/Con, but the ability to refresh my spells and drop a heal if necessary (to me) outweighed the benefit of having a little more str/con.

It's plus 4, and stacks with Rage spell, and can be dismissed if you need to drop a heal.

It's mostly useful for boss fights where you probably won't be in charge of healing anyway.

The other downside is being "tired" after losing barbarian rage. The Rage Spell doesn't have that negative.

If you use dismiss rage, are you still hit with the penalty for losing barbarian rage?

You do get tired, but that's where lesser restore pots come in!


That said, I personally like the Rogue splash over the Barb splash. More DPS if you don't have aggro (which, you probably won't, at least in boss fights), and no rages to juggle. Plus trap skills and evasion.

[unbongwah]

The other downside is being "tired" after losing barbarian rage. The Rage Spell doesn't have that negative.

WF are immune to fatigue; if you play non-WF, down a Lesser Restoration potion.

[Blank_Zero]

*points at Sig for my entire post/viewpoint*

I do agree that 2 Rogue is much nicer than 2 Barb though, and plan to fix it after my eventual TR.

Basically, 14 Bard WC gives the same Song buffs as any pure 20 non-WC Bard, and on a WC, is only 1 to-hit/dmg. What it loses in group DPS, it MORE than makes up for it in personal DPS.