Novelty Thrower Bard

[Fishcatch22]

Hey, all. I've always been one to try out different builds, and I'm not shy of trading efficiency for some novelty. I've always liked the idea of a thrower specialist and making a Bard, so I figure why not make a thrower bard for the heck of it? he won't be pure novelty; I still want him to be able to provide solid support, enough so that he will be able to be meaningful even in a non-novelty situation, and possibly do a feat-swap over to TWF/THF if the novelty should wear off. My main questions are:

1.If I should do a Halfling for the throwing bonuses, or some other race (likely human for the bonus feat), dumping Dex to save stats and picking up Brutal Throw to make up the difference.

2.The best way to set the character up so that I can swap to a viable combat form should the novelty wear off. Ideallly, I'd like to set it up so I could trade out the Throwing feats (Imp crit, PBS, brutal Throw if I take it and quick draw) out for THF or TWF feats (Depending on what I dumpstat) and Imp crit for slashing/piercing/whathaveyou. I don't need a build made from the ground up, I'm fairly experienced with DDO, just some friendly suggestions.

EDIT: Forgot the WC pre-reqs are weapon focus: a melee type. herp derp... He would likely be a virtuoso then, I suppose.

[Falco_Easts]

Dwarf with Brutal Throw. The axe enhancements work with throwing axes and are the same bonus as Halfling Throwing enhancements. If the going gets tough they can put down the little axe and pick up the big axe and melee.

[smeggy1384]

If you're not concerned with damage and multiclassing see about some monk levels. There was a feat to add a chance to double throw shuriken, or something like that... Add in the halfling racial to throwing, as well as heroes companion.. Might be fun.

Edit: And your weapon focus can be blunt for handwraps. Also one of the monk stances had some mention of throwing attack speed boost..

[cru121]

monks are too lawful to multiclass with bards...

[smeggy1384]

monks are too lawful to multiclass with bards...

ah yes alignment restrictions.. forget about those since i mainly play true neutral.

Perhaps 6 levels of fighter for kensai with throwing axes, and being a dwarf for the dwarven axe enhances would fit then. Melee capability with a greataxe or D-axe and shield.

[karl_k0ch]

EDIT: Forgot the WC pre-reqs are weapon focus: a melee type. herp derp... He would likely be a virtuoso then, I suppose.

It's not that much of an issue. These are only 2 feats, namely a weapon focus, and Power Attack. If you go str-based, it's not that bad to have a melee option.

I'm chiming in with the dwarf option. Pure Dwarven Str-based warchanter. You don't need the THF feats to do some damage with a THF weapon.
Feats would be something along the line of:

1 Toughness
3 Power Attack
6 Weapon Focus: Slashing
9 Brutal Throw
12 Extend
15 IC: Ranged (or IC: Slashing)
18 e.g. Spell Penetration (to make Otto's Irresistable work better)

It's also worth having a look at the Drow's granted Shuriken Mastery, which grants an additional projectile chance in at the rate of your Dex score. As soon as your Dex score is greater than 10, the additional amount of shuriken offer the possibility of more damage than Throwing axes, despite their worse crit multiplier and the lesser weapon damage. It's all about the additional damage you manage to put on this weapon.
While leveling, the dwarven variant would probably offer more damage, but the a Drow's shuriken will eventually pull ahead at cap.

[Fishcatch22]

It's not that much of an issue. These are only 2 feats, namely a weapon focus, and Power Attack. If you go str-based, it's not that bad to have a melee option.

I'm chiming in with the dwarf option. Pure Dwarven Str-based warchanter. You don't need the THF feats to do some damage with a THF weapon.
Feats would be something along the line of:

1 Toughness
3 Power Attack
6 Weapon Focus: Slashing
9 Brutal Throw
12 Extend
15 IC: Ranged (or IC: Slashing)
18 e.g. Spell Penetration (to make Otto's Irresistable work better)

It's also worth having a look at the Drow's granted Shuriken Mastery, which grants an additional projectile chance in at the rate of your Dex score. As soon as your Dex score is greater than 10, the additional amount of shuriken offer the possibility of more damage than Throwing axes, despite their worse crit multiplier and the lesser weapon damage. It's all about the additional damage you manage to put on this weapon.
While leveling, the dwarven variant would probably offer more damage, but the a Drow's shuriken will eventually pull ahead at cap.

Hm... interesting consideration. I'll have to seriously consider the Drow option, as that sounds very interesting. Not to mention I could easily swap to TWF with dual rapiers should I so choose. You are right about the Dwarves, and finding the named Throwing Axe (Dwarven thrower) seems like it would be easier than finding a decently enchanted returning Shuriken... unless I could craft one these days, I've been gone since update 8, and I;m not too familiar with what crafting can do.

[karl_k0ch]

Hm... interesting consideration. I'll have to seriously consider the Drow option, as that sounds very interesting. Not to mention I could easily swap to TWF with dual rapiers should I so choose. You are right about the Dwarves, and finding the named Throwing Axe (Dwarven thrower) seems like it would be easier than finding a decently enchanted returning Shuriken... unless I could craft one these days, I've been gone since update 8, and I;m not too familiar with what crafting can do.

With cannith crafting, it's not that hard to make some decent returners. There had been an issue with that, but iirc, they should be craftable by now.