Warchanter Staff Build

[Aennu]

So I recently decided to return to DDO. I've played in the past five years, took a couple breaks in between only to find myself figuring out this build to get back into the game. I've decided to try and see how far free-to-play can get me, so I don't own anything yet, except the packs from the free quests coupon. I also unlocked drow which I will be using for this build.

My idea for this build is to utilize the 30% extra damage to helpless targets from rogue thief acrobat with the bard warchanter freezes. That means going at least 4 levels rogue, leaving 16 levels of bard. I am currently level 4 and this is what I have so far:
Aennu
19/1 Bard/Rogue
True Neutral Drow


Level Order
1. Rogue . . . . .
2. Bard . . . . . .
3. Bard . . . . . .
4. Bard . . . . . .


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 15. . . .4: STR
Dexterity . . . 10. . . .8: STR
Constitution. . 14. . . 12: STR
Intelligence. . 14. . . 16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . 20: STR
Charisma. . . . 16. . . 24: STR
. . . . . . . . . . . . 28: STR

Feats

.1. . . . : Two Handed Fighting
.3. . . . : Insightful Reflexes

However I could really use some advice on how to proceed with this build. When do I take the second/third/fourth rogue level, what feats to take (besided the THF line) and should i go for 16 bard or take a different split? Hoping some of you expert builders can shine some light on the matter

[Fivetigers33]

I did a similar build a little while ago and wasn't overly impressed with it. I did PDK Greatsword Bard, but relied on the same principles of using the Warchanter Freezes and AOE from a 2H weapon.

The single target DPS was poor because there are no crit profile bonuses for 2H weapons in any of the Bard trees. If you are set on bard and not willing to change, PDK Greatsword would be a little better than Quarterstaff as Greatsword has better damage and crit profile, and has synergy with Charisma.

If you are going to stay mostly in epics, you could splash 1 or 2 levels of Cleric and twist Confront Any Foe. You could then still use swashbuckling for better single target DPS and have CAF for AOE when needed. This would be the best option for bard, but it only works in epics.

If you are not married to Bard, and you just like the idea of AOE CC + AOE DPS, I'd suggest looking into some Druid Bear builds. Between the special bear attack spells and the enhancement tree, they have more CC than Warchanter and you can multiclass them with 6 Fighter or 5 Barbarian for a lot more DPS than Bard can get.

[Aennu]

First of all; thanks for taking the time to reply!

This being a first life build without any gear whatsoever I don't expect it to be a top notch dps build. I realize PDK will probably do much better, however I don't own it..

As far as crit profile goes I do get the Swords to Plowshares from rogue thief acrobat and the extra multiplier on 19-20 rolls from bard warchanter.

Bear druid is definitly something I will take a look at in the future, but once again, I don't have the druid class available yet

If I may ask, what feats did you have on your similar build to this? Any advice on that?

[Fivetigers33]

Feats would be the 3 THF feats and Precision. As a first life build you might want a toughness or two. Extend Spell is nice for buffs like Haste and Displacement. Maybe Quicken and Empower Heal to help your healing magic.

Without PDK or Druid, here's an option that might get you what you are looking for.

Bard 12 / Fighter 8 and use Falchions. The 23 AP you were going to put into Theif Acrobat now go into Kensai. You will get +20 Melee Power from Opportunity Attack and +1 Crit multiplier from the level 6 core, which will more than make up for the Helpless bonus damage you are no longer getting. Your crit profile will be 15-20 x3 (whereas with quarterstaves it would have been 18-20 x2). Take the 2 tactics fighter feats and your Freeze DCs will be better than if you were a pure bard. Other Fighter Bonus Feats can be for Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats.

[unbongwah]

The main issue here will be that taking tier-5 Warchanter for Spinning Ice will lock out tier-5 Acrobat Staff Specialization & Training (+1 crit range & multiplier, +10 MP) or vice versa. Either way you're not getting full benefits from your build combo.

Also you're putting your level-ups into STR but your freeze DCs will be based on CHA. Fortunately Feydark Illusionist will fix that by adding CHA to-hit and damage, although your build becomes MADer.

If you have or plan to unlock Falconry, you could use that instead which would let you have Spinning Ice + No Mercy without tying you to staves. Then go with Swashbuckler or possibly Kensei for melee DPS, although APs are still stretched pretty thin.