Epic Challenge Runner

[EllisDee37]

I'd kind of like an epic challenge farmer on my dualbox account, which doesn't have warlocks. Since my main account already has a pale master for epic challenges, I'd like to change things up for the dualbox version. I'm thinking bard trapper.

I have two main motivations to roll up this character at all: 1) To be able to farm epic tokens for purifieds for the dualbox account's crafter, and 2) To double my chest pulls in whatever high level farming I happen to be doing. There's no particular reason he needs to be an epic challenge farmer (and thus stay at level 21), but being able to dualbox epic challenges would be nice for torch runs. And I think this guy would be far superior to the pale master in rushmore's since he would run much faster, plus have sprint boost.

This was initially an 18/2 bard trapper in fatesinger, but after feedback in the thread I've changed it to a 16/2/2 bard trapper with two barb levels for +10% run speed and 3 more sprint boosts per rest.

This build also happens to be an optimal collectable farmer, which was a happy coincidence. That alone is almost worth the hassle of rolling one of these up.

For an iconic version, Shadar-kai is the only option to keep the 16/2/2 level split. Drop Kama proficiency, move extend to level 6, and choose a different swashbuckling weapon. A drow short sword of the weapon master might be your best bet. Skills will take a significant hit; drop concentration altogether, and sacrifice some trapping skills. For the leveling order, start with rogue (obviously) then take your two barbarian levels and the second rogue level whenever makes the most sense to maximize your skills.



Epic Challenge Runner
16/2/2 Bard/Barbarian/Rogue, Epic 1
Human


Level Order

1. Bard . . . . . .6. Bard . . . . . 11. Bard . . . . . 16. Bard
2. Rogue . . . . . 7. Bard. . . . . .12. Bard. . . . . .17. Bard
3. Barbarian . . . 8. Bard. . . . . .13. Bard. . . . . .18. Bard
4. Barbarian . . . 9. Bard. . . . . .14. Bard. . . . . .19. Bard
5. Rogue . . . . .10. Bard. . . . . .15. Bard. . . . . .20. Bard


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt. . .32pt . . 34pt . . 36pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .---- . . ---- . . ---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 16 . . . 16. . . .18. . . .18. . . .4: STR
Dexterity . . . 14 . . . 14. . . .14. . . .14. . . .8: STR
Constitution. . 14 . . . 14. . . .14. . . .14. . . 12: STR
Intelligence. . 14 . . . 14. . . .14. . . .14. . . 16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . . .8. . . . 8. . . . 8. . . 20: STR
Charisma. . . . .8 . . . 12. . . . 8. . . .10. . .


Skills
. . . . .Bd Rg Bn Bn Rg Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd Bd
. . . . . 1. 2 .3. 4 .5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Perform . 4. . .1. 1 .1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Disable . . .4. . . . 4 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .23
Search. . 2. 3 .1. 1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 4. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Open Lo . . .2. ½ .½. 3 . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 20
Concent . 4. . . . . . . 1. . .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .18
Balance . 4. 1 . . . . . 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Jump. . . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Haggle. . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Swim. . . 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Heal. . . 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tumble. . 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .36 11. 7 .7 11. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9


Feats

.1. . . . : Single Weapon Fighting
.1 Human. : Extend Spell
.3. . . . : Precision
.6. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Kama
.9. . . . : Improved Single Weapon Fighting
12. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
15. . . . : Shield Mastery
18. . . . : Greater Single Weapon Fighting
21 Epic . : Improved Shield Mastery


Spells

Bard

1. Expeditious Retreat, Detect Secret Doors, Sonic Blast, Merfolk's Blessing, Focusing Chant
2. Blur, Cure Moderate Wounds, Invisibility, Rage
3. Displacement, Haste, Cure Serious Wounds, Good Hope
4. Dimension Door, Freedom of Movement, Cure Critical Wounds, Otto's Sphere of Dancing
5. Greater Heroism, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Greater Dispel Magic, <Any>
6. Otto's Irresistible Dance, Heroes' Feast

Enhancements (80 AP)

Swashbuckler (37 AP)

• Confidence, Swashbuckling, Uncanny Dodge, Panache
  
  1. On Your Toes II, Tavern Shanties II
  2. Fast Movement, Double Strike Boost III
  3. Skirmisher, Resonant Arms III
  4. On the Mark III, Low Blow
  5. Thread the Needle, Second Skin I, Exploit Weakness, Coup de Grace: Melee

Warchanter (25 AP)

• Skaldic: Rage, Weapon Training, Song of Heroism, Fighting Spirit
  
  1. Poetic Edda III, Rough and Ready III
  2. Iced Edges III, Sprint Boost III
  3. High Spirits III, Frozen Fury III
  4. Reckless Chant III

Frenzied Berserker (8 AP)

• Die Hard
  
  1. Extra Rage I, Athletics III
  2. Extra Action Boost III

Spellsinger (7 AP)

• Spellsinger
  
  1. Studies: Magical III, Lingering Songs III

Human (3 AP)

• Damage Boost
  
  1. Improved Recovery

Destiny (24 AP)

Fatesinger

1. Allure III, Strength
2. Lucidity III, Strength
3. Aria III, Strength
4. Echoes of Martial, Strength
5. Fragment of Clarity II, Fragment of Valor II
6. Turn of the Tide

Twists of Fate (14 fate points)

1. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
2. Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
3. Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)

Gear

Head: ML21 Sheltering 25 Helmet of Stunning 11 w/Ins. Fortification 57 (Feather Falling)
Eyes: ML21 Search 18 Goggles of Deadly 8 w/Ins. Seeker 4 (Water Breathing)
Neck: ML21 Ins. Spell Resist 11 Necklace of Charisma 10 w/Ins. Charisma 4 (Deathblock)
Back: ML21 Spell Resist 22 Cloak of Dodge Bonus 10 w/Ins. MRR 12 (Wisdom +6)
Wrist: ML21 Resistance 8 Bracers of Ins. PRR 12 w/Ins. Strength 4 (Fear Immunity)
Hand: ML21 Melee Alacrity 15 Gloves of Armor Piercing 15 w/Ins. Perform 9 (Master's Gift)
Waist: Spare Hand (Good Luck +2, Intelligence +6)
Feet: ML21 Dexterity 10 Boots of Strength 10 w/Ins. Dexterity 4 (Striding +30%)
Ring: Ring of the Stalker (Heavy Fort, Vitality)
Ring: ML21 Perform 18 Ring of False Life 38 w/Ins. Constitution 4 (Blindness Immunity)
Trinket: Blasting Chime
Body: ML21 Constitution 10 Spiritcraft Leather of Healing Amp 40 (Armored Agility)

Weapon: Forrester's Brush Hook
Shield: ML21 Devotion 115 Spiritcraft Buckler of Wizardry 203 w/Ins. Deadly 3
Range: Nightforge Spike


Scores

50 strength (16 base +5 levelups +4 fatesinger +1 echoes +14 boots & bracers +2 1750 tome +2 ship +4 skaldic rage +2 rage spell)
30 dexterity (14 base +14 boots +2 ship)
30 constitution (14 base +14 armor & ring +2 ship)
22 intelligence (14 base +6 augment +2 ship)
16 wisdom (8 base +6 augment +2 ship)
28 charisma (12 base +14 necklace +2 ship)

43 umd (23 ranks +1 epic level +9 charisma +3 lucidity +1 spellsinger cores +2 luck augment +4 gtr heroism)
75 perform (23 ranks +1 epic level +18 ring +9 gloves +9 charisma +1 spellsinger cores +6 allure +2 songblade +2 luck +4 gtr heroism)
33+ songs/rest (16 bard levels +2 tavern shanties +3 poetic edda +12 fatesinger cores +anthem regeneration)

43 frozen fury (10 base +9 charisma +8 bard levels +11 helmet +4 belt +1 ship)

27 dodge cap (25 base +2 ship)
26 max dex bonus (18 spiritcraft leather +4 swashbuckler cores +2 second skin +2 augment)
26 dodge (10 skirmisher +4 swashbuckler cores +2 on your toes +10 cloak)

36 doublestrike (12 belt +3 swashbuckling +15 shield mastery +6 reckless chant)
60 armor piercing (25 precision +15 grim precision +15 gloves +5 ship)

+58% run speed (32 haste +16 bard levels +10 barbarian)
13 sprint boosts (5 base +3 frenzied berserker +3 twist +1 echoes of LD +1 ship)

[Saekee]

How strongly do you feel about Roll with the Punches? Because one barb level will really make this guy fly

[unbongwah]

Since you're not building for Enchantment DCs, my first thought was one of those bard 12 / ftr 6 / rog 2 builds using handaxes. Bard 12 gets you 3 lvl 4 spells (FoM / CCW / DDoor). Handaxes become 15-18/x4 19-20/x7 with all relevant crit bonuses which compares favorably with Brush Hook; and you can still use it as a DR breaker if you needed it. [I'm presuming you can Cannith-craft all the ML:21 or below handaxes you could possibly need.] The extra ftr feats would let you squeeze in PA/CL/GC chain for Momentum Swing+Lay Waste if you switch to LD; you list enough Twists that you evidently intend to do some ED leveling already.

[EllisDee37]

Since you're not building for Enchantment DCs, my first thought was one of those bard 12 / ftr 6 / rog 2 builds using handaxes. Bard 12 gets you 3 lvl 4 spells (FoM / CCW / DDoor). Handaxes become 15-18/x4 19-20/x7 with all relevant crit bonuses which compares favorably with Brush Hook; and you can still use it as a DR breaker if you needed it. [I'm presuming you can Cannith-craft all the ML:21 or below handaxes you could possibly need.] The extra ftr feats would let you squeeze in PA/CL/GC chain for Momentum Swing+Lay Waste if you switch to LD; you list enough Twists that you evidently intend to do some ED leveling already.

For handaxes I'd go with Axe of the Unseen Blow, which would be +1 multiplier on all your numbers. (15-20x5 compared to 13-20x4 for Brush Hook.) As for DR breaking, I don't actually care much at all on a swashbuckler. That's more of a nice perk than an issue.

But remember:

Also, since this will be a challenge farmer, I want as many caster levels as possible for extended haste. This locks me into an 18/2 build that stays in Fatesinger.

The 18/2 build in the OP can cast 4:36 haste on kobold workers, compared to only 2:24 from the 12/6/2 LD version. Also as a challenge farmer, the primary content will have enemies roughly equivalent to running Mirror Darkly on EN. I'm honestly not sure if the DPS disparity between the build in the OP and a build with fully double that DPS would even be distinguishable.

One thing I know with certainty: I don't love running rushmore on my pale master challenge farmer because he runs incredibly slow, at a sad +32% run speed.

How strongly do you feel about Roll with the Punches? Because one barb level will really make this guy fly

Very little, but I do care about the 12 seconds I'd lose on hasted kobolds. Then again, do I really need evasion? Maybe 18/1/1? Hmmm. I could see using this build to handle traps for VON5 dailies on my main account, but you need evasion for the traps in VON5. Not to survive them; to physically disable them without being interrupted.

I would really enjoy that barbarian run speed, though, for sure. Hmmm.

[unbongwah]

Oh, so what you really want is bard 16 / barb 2 / rog 2 with T5 Warchanter for Expeditious Chant with 41% base run speed? Maybe CHA-based for reasonable DCs on WC freeze atks + discoball?

[Arktanis]

I'd almost suggest a PDK build, but you would need a +1 heart, this would give even better warchanter DCs. And could maybe squeeze in the Rallying Cry buff as well.

[Saekee]

Shadowdancer grants evasion (shadow mastery), just an option if dropping rogue evasion

[unbongwah]

And could maybe squeeze in the Rallying Cry buff as well.

Rallying Cry and Expeditious Chant don't stack. It would give him the option of having Rallying Cry + T5 Swashie, ofc, though it's 16 APs for maxed out Rallying Cry.

Shadowdancer grants evasion (shadow mastery), just an option if dropping rogue evasion

Switching to a non-Arcane ED costs him +5 CLs which is 1 minute of Extended Haste. Ofc, he can gain back two by switching to pure bard, but in that case he didn't need a rogue splash or Shadowdancer at all; he could just take SB capstone instead. Which circles back to "how bad does ED37 want trap skills for this build?"

[Saekee]

Rallying Cry and Expeditious Chant don't stack. It would give him the option of having Rallying Cry + T5 Swashie, ofc, though it's 16 APs for maxed out Rallying Cry.

Switching to a non-Arcane ED costs him +5 CLs which is 1 minute of Extended Haste. Ofc, he can gain back two by switching to pure bard, but in that case he didn't need a rogue splash or Shadowdancer at all; he could just take SB capstone instead. Which circles back to "how bad does ED37 want trap skills for this build?"

Perhaps the solution is easy--when running challenges, go Fatesinger; otherwise, run in SD? SD will also give incorp in shadow form. Then the 18/1/1 split would be doable.

[EllisDee37]

Oh, so what you really want is bard 16 / barb 2 / rog 2 with T5 Warchanter for Expeditious Chant with 41% base run speed? Maybe CHA-based for reasonable DCs on WC freeze atks + discoball?

I very much considered CHA-based, but then I thought back to all the times I ran challenges on my monk and then at the end of the session had to open up and decon like 30 chests. In the end I decided that STR-based was better so I can ignore encumbrance.

I also considered disco ball goodness for sunset ritual, but figured fascinate would be more reliable since I can reach a much higher perform than I can enchant DC. (75 perform as written with gear compared to 50 enchant DC if I went full enchant-specced, sacrificing much dps in the process.) If, for example, I wanted to use CC to protect the colossal crystal carrier, I think fascinate will be far more effective than dancing ball.

Most of the time I won't be using any CC at all, and perform is also useful for the shield stun thingy, so it seemed like just standing pat with fascinate is the better bet.

As for base run-speed, you forgot haste: +73% runspeed, compared to +50% as written or +59% if I go 17/2/1, which isn't off the table. One thing to point out is that I'll have 10 sprint boosts per rest as written, +50% action boost bonus per use. I envision I'll be doing a lot of sprinting, and the Expeditious Chant won't do anything for me while it's active.

EDIT: Man, 16/2/2 does open up the possibility of 13 action boosts per rest, though, and that would be incredibly useful in rushmore. Where to find 8 AP for +3 boosts/rest, though?

[unbongwah]

EDIT: Man, 16/2/2 does open up the possibility of 13 action boosts per rest, though, and that would be incredibly useful in rushmore. Where to find 8 AP for +3 boosts/rest, though?

I was thinking 35 SB / 24 WC / 8 FB / 1 human to start, which leaves 12 APs to tweak things. I'd also consider adding Ear Smash+Knockout.

[EllisDee37]

Switching to a non-Arcane ED costs him +5 CLs which is 1 minute of Extended Haste. Ofc, he can gain back two by switching to pure bard, but in that case he didn't need a rogue splash or Shadowdancer at all; he could just take SB capstone instead. Which circles back to "how bad does ED37 want trap skills for this build?"

Well, I definitely want the ability to open those locked gates in rushmore, and pure bards have no way to do that outside of bells of opening. (I give all those to my heroic challenge farmer monk.)

I'm kinda leaning toward 16/2/2, tier 5 swashbuckler, maybe something like:

Enhancements (80 AP)

Swashbuckler (37 AP)

• Confidence, Swashbuckling, Uncanny Dodge, Panache
  
  1. On Your Toes I, Tavern Shanties III
  2. Fast Movement, Double Strike Boost III
  3. Skirmisher, Resonant Arms III
  4. On the Mark III, Low Blow
  5. Thread the Needle, Second Skin I, Exploit Weakness, Coup de Grace: Melee

Warchanter (25 AP)

• Skaldic: Rage, Weapon Training, Song of Heroism, Fighting Spirit
  
  1. Poetic Edda III, Rough and Ready III
  2. Iced Edges III, Sprint Boost III
  3. High Spirits III, Frozen Fury III
  4. Reckless Chant III

Frenzied Berserker (8 AP)

• Die Hard
  
  1. Extra Rage I, Athletics III
  2. Extra Action Boost III

Spellsinger (7 AP)

• Spellsinger
  
  1. Studies: Magical III, Lingering Songs III

Human (3 AP)

• Damage Boost
  
  1. Improved Recovery

Haste would be good for 4:12, which is still over 4 minutes. That's good, right? (My pale master ECF has 5:12 hastes, which totally rocks.)

[EllisDee37]

Okay, finished the second pass and edited it into the OP. This also includes gear.

I rather like that this build uses brush hook. It's a really cool weapon, but outside of specialty builds like this one it's pretty hard to justify crafting a build around it. So it's nice to give it a purpose.

I'm kind of eyeing the third core in Spellsinger, the one that lets you fascinate undead. That would be super double-plus useful in The Disruptor. That would cost 4 AP from somewhere else, and for that 4 AP I'm eyeing Human Improved Recovery and Second Skin I.

While I calculate the dodge bonus out of curiosity, any tweaks to this second pass you can see?

[EllisDee37]

Just this week finished this alt on live, complete with twists and gear. I updated the gear listed to reflect what I went with on live, which includes spell resistance and insightful spell resistance. In terms of epic challenges, my will save is now irrelevant since my 49 spell resistance by itself makes me fully immune to all forms of mind control. I don't even need deathblock or death ward, either, since it also gives me complete immuninty to necromancy.

CR25 challenges are full of CR25 mobs. If they roll a 20 on their spell pen they only get to 45, which is no match for my 49. The real test will come with collectable farming in EN Terminal Delirium. I now can say from experience that 49 spell resistance makes you immune to beholder level drain in EN VON3, but terminal delirium is a higher level quest so that still remains to be seen. (If not, I'll switch to Shadowdancer with Sealed Soul. Anything to avoid having to farm up more visors! heh.)

[Stoner81]

Nice build m8 I bet this toon doesn't half shift around with all the movement speed buffs!

EDIT - Do you think this is superior to your Pale Master build for challenges? Loving the fact you can open the locked gates in mansion runs.

Stoner81.

[Stoner81]

CR25 challenges are full of CR25 mobs. If they roll a 20 on their spell pen they only get to 45, which is no match for my 49.

Rushmore is CR30 (just checked), though he is a boss so I'm assuming that the other bosses in mansion runs will be the same.

Stoner81.

[Saekee]

I very much considered CHA-based, but then I thought back to all the times I ran challenges on my monk and then at the end of the session had to open up and decon like 30 chests. In the end I decided that STR-based was better so I can ignore encumbrance.

I also considered disco ball goodness for sunset ritual, but figured fascinate would be more reliable since I can reach a much higher perform than I can enchant DC. (75 perform as written with gear compared to 50 enchant DC if I went full enchant-specced, sacrificing much dps in the process.) If, for example, I wanted to use CC to protect the colossal crystal carrier, I think fascinate will be far more effective than dancing ball.

Most of the time I won't be using any CC at all, and perform is also useful for the shield stun thingy, so it seemed like just standing pat with fascinate is the better bet.

As for base run-speed, you forgot haste: +73% runspeed, compared to +50% as written or +59% if I go 17/2/1, which isn't off the table. One thing to point out is that I'll have 10 sprint boosts per rest as written, +50% action boost bonus per use. I envision I'll be doing a lot of sprinting, and the Expeditious Chant won't do anything for me while it's active.

EDIT: Man, 16/2/2 does open up the possibility of 13 action boosts per rest, though, and that would be incredibly useful in rushmore. Where to find 8 AP for +3 boosts/rest, though?

you probably know this, but there are three different level 18 necklaces that add an action boost per rest. Might be nice to have as a post-shrine/start of quest swap (hit speed boost and damage boosts, then swap
in your charisma necklace. Very handy for Rushmore).

[EllisDee37]

you probably know this, but there are three different level 18 necklaces that add an action boost per rest. Might be nice to have as a post-shrine/start of quest swap (hit speed boost and damage boosts, then swap
in your charisma necklace. Very handy for Rushmore).

I did know that, but didn't think of it. That's a good thought.

[psykopeta]

sorry for the dumb question but... looking at you weapon redux thread, if you were to craft a handaxe with red slot for this toon, which one would you do? i mean, i have the heroic normal version of the brush hook, so i feel like it could be better for me (the day i decide to create a epic challenge runner, after watching your videos cause i haven't run then more than twice each lol)

[Stoner81]

Why Bard for level 1 m8? Wouldn't Rogue be better for the skill points or am I missing something? My daughter has started playing so I'm looking at TRing a toon in to this build to run with her (Pally). Also what do you recommend for weapons until level 15? Rapiers?

Stoner81.