12bard/6fighter/2rogue PDK Swashbuckler. Tweak my Bard!

[Gorthazien]

I read over several swashbuckler posts and really didn't find a build I was looking for laid right out to work with, so thought I'd post one. Looking to tweak this build to perfection! Any advice is appreciated...

Feat change. Tx N-Octurn
Stats redistributed under advice from unbongwah
Went with 2 Rogue at 19. Could have went 1 Rogue later in levels for greater skills impact.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.23.01
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Gorthazien 
Level 28 True Neutral Purple Dragon Knight Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Bard \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 392
Spell Points: 837 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 22
Will: 20

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             10                    13
Dexterity            13                    16
Constitution         15                    19
Intelligence         12                    16
Wisdom                8                    11
Charisma             17                    30

Tomes Used
+3 Tome of Strength
+3 Tome of Dexterity
+3 Tome of Constitution
+4 Tome of Intelligence
+3 Tome of Wisdom
+3 Tome of Charisma


                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               3                    34
Bluff                 3                    18
Concentration         2                    36
Diplomacy             3                    18
Disable Device        n/a                  12
Haggle                3                    18
Heal                 -1                     8
Hide                  1                    11
Intimidate            7                    38
Jump                  4                    26
Listen               -1                     8
Move Silently         1                    11
Open Lock             n/a                  12
Perform               n/a                  47
Repair                1                    11
Search                2                    26
Spellcraft            1                    11
Spot                  0                    25
Swim                  0                     9
Tumble                n/a                  12
Use Magic Device      n/a                  39

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precision
Feat: (Human Bonus) Single Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Bard)
Spell (1): Remove Fear


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Spell (1): Focusing Chant


Level 5 (Bard)
Spell (1): Hypnotism


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Spell (2): Invisibility
Spell (2): Blur


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Spell (1): Merfolk's Blessing
Spell (2): Suggestion


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Single Weapon Fighting


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Single Weapon Fighting


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery
Spell (3): Displacement


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Magical Training
Spell (4): Dimension Door


Level 19 (Rogue)


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Bulwark of Defense


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Epic Skill Focus (Arcane +5 Perform)


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Reflexes


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Hellball

Not really sure if Concentration is needed to cast Heal, Res, and Resto scrolls with Quicken on? Gorth can use those scrolls at a rather low level though due to his high Charisma. Enhancements seem to be pretty open to flavor in this build. I went with max swashy and defense...

Enhancements:
PDK 5ap
Swashbuckler 39ap
Stalwart 14ap
Warchanter 14ap
Spellsinger 8ap

Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Human Versatility: Saves Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Human Adaptability: Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Purple Dragon Knight - Cormyrean Knight Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Confidence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Swashbuckling (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Uncanny Dodge (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - On Your Toes (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Tavern Shanties (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Fast Movement (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Sword Dance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Action Boost: Doublestrike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Elegant Footwork (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Skirmisher (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Resonant Arms (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Battering Barrage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Battering Barrage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Charisma (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Coupe De Grace (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Second Skin (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Second Skin (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Second Skin (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Swashbuckler (Brd) - Exploit Weakness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Toughness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Stalwart Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Resilient Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Resilient Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Resilient Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Defense Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Defense Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Defense Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Stalwart Defender (Ftr) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Skaldic Constitution (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Weapon Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Song of Heroism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Rough and Ready (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Rough and Ready (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Rough and Ready (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Focused (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Focused (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Arcane Shield Chant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Arcane Shield Chant (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Arcane Shield Chant (Rank 3)
Enhanncement: Warchanter (Brd) - Ironskin Chant (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Ironskin Chant (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Warchanter (Brd) - Ironskin Chant (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Spellsinger (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Lingering Songs (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Lingering Songs (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Lingering Songs (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Charlatan (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Spellsinger (Brd) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 3)


Tweak my Bard!

SIDENOTE: If looking for Evasion to start off with, I'd recommend Rogue levels at 8 and 12(adjusting feats accordingly). The PDK starting gear is pretty decent, so just pick up a buckler, short sword, and some light armor to begin your reign of total domination!

[N-0cturn]

Hey,

Just some thoughts:

- If you don't plan to spent more that 20 AP in the stalwart tree I would go 15 bard / 3 Fighter 2 Rogue. You get access to Inspire Excellence, more SP and lvl 5 Spells.
- You don't have to take the Magical Training feat - 3 AP in Magical Studies (SS T1) will grant you the feat.
- Luck of Heroes seems like a filler - Bulwark of Defense would be better (or Inspire Excellence)
- Your stat distribution is not effective. If you start with 14 Dex, 14 Int and 15 Cha, and put all level ups points in Cha you will end up with +1 Dex, +2 Int and the same Charisma.

I find it a bit hard to recommend a specific stat distribution, because it depends on play-style and gear of the character. Personally I went with 18 Cha, 16 Con and 16 Int (would be 14 Int on a 32p build) and got insightful reflexes. This is because I like to have plenty of skill points and it helps with gear options.

Here are some thoughts on this:
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5476589

[unbongwah]

Since you're going CHA-based PDK, I'm inferring you plan to use short swords. I'm also inferring you plan to go for Dashing Scoundrel, since you didn't take the Shield Mastery feats.

I don't understand why you started INT 10, then put 2 lvl-up pts into it. If you want higher INT for more skill pts, you should just start with higher base INT - take it from CON or STR - so you can put all your lvl-ups into CHA.

- If you don't plan to spent more that 20 AP in the stalwart tree I would go 15 bard / 3 Fighter 2 Rogue. You get access to Inspire Excellence, more SP and lvl 5 Spells.

Agreed: if you're not going to T4 bonuses (Swift Defense, 2nd Gtr Defensive stance bonuses), 15/3/2 is a better split. The only downside is giving up two feats, but you have some weak / filler feats already.

- You don't have to take the Magical Training feat - 3 AP in Magical Studies (SS T1) will grant you the feat.
- Luck of Heroes seems like a filler - Bulwark of Defense would be better (or Inspire Excellence)

Also agreed.

[Gorthazien]

Since you're going CHA-based PDK, I'm inferring you plan to use short swords. I'm also inferring you plan to go for Dashing Scoundrel, since you didn't take the Shield Mastery feats.

I don't understand why you started INT 10, then put 2 lvl-up pts into it. If you want higher INT for more skill pts, you should just start with higher base INT - take it from CON or STR - so you can put all your lvl-ups into CHA.

Agreed: if you're not going to T4 bonuses (Swift Defense, 2nd Gtr Defensive stance bonuses), 15/3/2 is a better split. The only downside is giving up two feats, but you have some weak / filler feats already.

Also agreed.

Definitely using short swords! The Shield Mastery feats are there. I went with +2 INT at levels where they synced with the +4 tome for extra skill points. I'm sure I want those extra two feats, so I'll stick with 12/6/2 and work it out.

[Gorthazien]

Hey,

Just some thoughts:

- If you don't plan to spent more that 20 AP in the stalwart tree I would go 15 bard / 3 Fighter 2 Rogue. You get access to Inspire Excellence, more SP and lvl 5 Spells.
- You don't have to take the Magical Training feat - 3 AP in Magical Studies (SS T1) will grant you the feat.
- Luck of Heroes seems like a filler - Bulwark of Defense would be better (or Inspire Excellence)
- Your stat distribution is not effective. If you start with 14 Dex, 14 Int and 15 Cha, and put all level ups points in Cha you will end up with +1 Dex, +2 Int and the same Charisma.

I find it a bit hard to recommend a specific stat distribution, because it depends on play-style and gear of the character. Personally I went with 18 Cha, 16 Con and 16 Int (would be 14 Int on a 32p build) and got insightful reflexes. This is because I like to have plenty of skill points and it helps with gear options.

Here are some thoughts on this:
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post5476589

My AP points are wrapped up pretty tight(see OP edit). Bulwark of Defense is the better choice. Tx!

[Ancient]

Can you just list your feats rather than use the convoluted builder output that scatters them all over?

[Gorthazien]

Can you just list your feats rather than use the convoluted builder output that scatters them all over?

Wouldn't have much room for my Enhancement list then, but tx for the input

[Gorthazien]

As Gorth rapidly nears PERFECTION, a question that remains is the optimal gear setup:

Epic Treasure Hunter's Spyglass (Tier 3) & Magestar
Epic Swashbuckler (Tier 3) and/or Kobold Admiral's Tiller (Epic 3BC)
Iron Mitts (Epic 3BC)
Epic Chord of Reprisals
Epic Eye of the Beholder
Epic Ethereal Bracers
Necklace of Mystic Eidolons
Shadowscale Armor: Shadow Killer
Thunder-Forged Weapons & Mutineer's Blade for some Jack Jibbers farming!
Cannith Crafted +5 Wounding Short Sword of Puncturing (Red Aug slot)
Epic Elyd Edge if I can ever get me hands on that Seal...ARRRGH!!

Just a few that are readily available for Gorth

[goodspeed]

Just a thought. Evasion isn't as great as it used to be. Expecially when you have a crapton of hp which heavy armor and SD tree offers. I have about the same build and after switching and using enhancments getting the warchanter and swashy stuff and SD, you get get dodge a good ways up even on heavy. I mean just with ur basic gear your looking at 57% dmg reduction and thats without all the goodies from necro 4 epic.

Unless you were going for traps or a stick build, id switch those rog for maybe cleric. Get some insightful str going on.

[unbongwah]

Expecially when you have a crapton of hp which heavy armor and SD tree offers.

If you want a THF or TWF bard, WC w/med/hvy armor becomes an option, but not on a Swashie. Swashbuckling requires light armor (or robes); fortunately, gtr defensive bonuses apply with a shield in your offhand.

[goodspeed]

If you want a THF or TWF bard, WC w/med/hvy armor becomes an option, but not on a Swashie. Swashbuckling requires light armor (or robes); fortunately, gtr defensive bonuses apply with a shield in your offhand.

ya I just totally missed the swash thing lol. Even though it was in the title.