New DDO Player looking for Bard Char Gen Help

[Etharion]

Hey folks. I am new to DDO and I am looking to make my first character a bard. I've been playing LOTRO for the past three years and I'm looking for a break. I will be playing with a fairly static group of 3/6 and they are in need of a trapsmith. I'm looking to create a toon with the following priorities:

1) Fulfill trapsmith duties for the group (DD, OL, & Search, at a minimum)
2) Buff at the highest level possible without going Pure
3) Solo through higher levels (read: Survivability)
4) Contribute to DPS (party and personal)
5) Plan with endgame in mind

My time is somewhat limited, but I do want to build a character that will be respectable at endgame, while still being fun to level. I will eventually raid and probably TR this character.

I appreciate any and all advice the forum can give. I could definitely use help on enhancements and spell selection.

Thanks again,
Etharion

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.09.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Neutral Good Human Female
(1 Fighter \ 3 Rogue \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 276
Spell Points: 520 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 16
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         14                    16
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma             10                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+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          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    24
Bluff                 0                     3
Concentration         2                    12
Diplomacy             0                     3
Disable Device        6                    26
Haggle                4                    26
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  6                     7
Intimidate            0                     7
Jump                  7                    12
Listen               -1                     0
Move Silently         6                     7
Open Lock             6                    15
Perform               n/a                  26
Repair                2                     3
Search                6                    26
Spot                  3                    15
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                6                     7
Use Magic Device      4                    26

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Bard)
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (1): Master's Touch
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II


Level 5 (Bard)
Spell (2): Heroism
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat
Spell (2): Blur
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II


Level 7 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery II


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (2): Rage
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Good Hope
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 10 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 11 (Bard)
Spell (3): Cure Serious Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery III


Level 13 (Bard)
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song III
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Spell (4): Break Enchantment


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (5): Shadow Walk
Enhancement: Human Versatility III


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III


Level 19 (Bard)
Spell (6): Otto's Irresistable Dance
Spell (6): Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing
Spell (5): Greater Dispel Magic
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV

[BoBoDaClown]

Looks good.

You could drop one more bard level - i don't think 16 bard gives you anything that relates to your stated priorities.

So, 15/4/1

This may allow you to drop int a bit.

It would gain you 20% haste boosts (as opposed to 15%) and an extra +3 SA damage (through an enhancement).

Bard break points:
20: Last buff to inspire courage (damage song)
16: Level 6 Spells (mass cure moderate wounds and otto's irresistible dance)
15: AC song
14: 2nd to last buff to inspire courage

[game5551]

You seem to have a pretty solid build there. I did not pay attention to spells or enhancements - I'll leave those to someone else

Are your friends brand new as well? I ask because tombs can be very hard to find in quests. +1s go for about 20k on the auction house, +2 for 10x that or more. If they are established players they can probably pass down the tome or plat, but if not it can be hard to afford. I see you did delay the need till level 12 though, which will help.

Skills are sort of all or nothing. One rank in tumble is all you need. Some people like to pump tumble and max it (I dont) but 7 ranks isnt going to get you much beyond what 1 rank would. Same for move silently and hide I think. I would suggest more in spot (if you dont see the trap, and dont know it is there because you haven't done the quest 100s of times, then it is a problem)

Even though 14 int is more than you need for skills, it probably is a good safe number to help with traps. It is not needed IMO if you have plat enough to buy the best trap skill boosts and tools from the auction house, but if you are low on funds every +1 matters (if you have the money I would suggest starting at 12, some on the forums would suggest going all the way down to 8, but I am not comfortable starting that low on my rogue).

Anywase, I expect you did your homework, this looks like a very solid build

[Etharion]

Thanks for the advice, folks. Here is a revision taking into account the comments on reducing INT. I would like to have Otto's for endgame; hence the 16/3/1. That said, I will work up a 15/4/1 and post it later on. Should help me fill out a few more skills, and I'll focus a bit more on SA for additional dps.

Thanks again. All advice is welcome and appreciated.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.09.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Aquitaine  Montreve
Level 20 Neutral Good Human Female
(1 Fighter \ 3 Rogue \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 276
Spell Points: 500 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 16
Will: 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma             12                    16

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          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    16
Bluff                 1                     3
Concentration         4                    11
Diplomacy             1                     3
Disable Device        5                    26
Haggle                5                    26
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  2                     3
Intimidate            1                     7
Jump                  7                    12
Listen                2                     3
Move Silently         2                     3
Open Lock             6                    13
Perform               n/a                  27
Repair                1                     2
Search                5                    23
Spot                  3                    17
Swim                  3                     7
Tumble                3                     4
Use Magic Device      5                    26

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery I


Level 4 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II


Level 5 (Bard)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery II


Level 8 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 10 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Spot I


Level 11 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 12 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III
Enhancement: Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery III


Level 13 (Bard)
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III


Level 16 (Bard)


Level 17 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack III


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Improved Haggle I
Enhancement: Improved Haggle II
Enhancement: Improved Perform I