The Barder, melee zerg build

[Djoe]

Hello, I am Djoe. I'm planning on running this build I thunk up for my next life, doing tiefling and tiefling scoundrel PLs. The idea is to mix moving really fast with okay damage and crowd-control. I do 6 bard levels for t5s and the third core in warchanter, 13 levels of fighter for kensai and feats, and one level of favored soul for divine might. I'll probably go SWF and put 12 points into swashbuckling so I can use a buckler, but you could really play it however you want. I'll probably use a handaxe at cap, but for leveling I have a few options ill switch around on. The level order isn't going to matter, so long as you have the 6 bard and 1 fvs before level 15 (iconic character). The gear included is just what I typically wear for a strength build, I haven't done much isle of dread stuff yet so all feywild for the moment: anyway, at 32 I would have a DC of 107 for direcharge, which I believe lands decently far into reapers. Feedback is appreciated, although I'm not sure how long it'll be before I TR again. College student, not sure when I'll have time to play.

Again, I will reiterate that I have not yet played this build and am looking for suggestions before I try it. Thanks



Character name:
Classes: 13 Fighter, 10 Epic, 6 Bard, 2 Legendary, 1 Favored Soul
Race: Tiefling Scoundrel· ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · 10% · · ·Displacement:· ·50%
Str:· · 18· · 8 · ·78 · · ·HP:· · · ·2728 · · ·AC:· ·113
Dex:· · 12· · 8 · ·29 · · ·PRR: · · · 182
Con:· · 14· · 8 · ·59 · · ·MRR: · · · ·84 · · ·+Healing Amp:· ·133
Int:· · ·8· · 8 · ·25 · · ·Dodge: · 30/32 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 98
Wis:· · ·8· · 8 · ·25 · · ·Fort:· · ·142% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 98
Cha:· · 18· · 8 · ·56 · · ·SR:· · · · ·13 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 22
DR: 0\-
Immunities: Fear, Fear, Fear, Feather Fall, Freedom of Movement, Exhaustion

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Bard(1) · · · · ·Standard: Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Balance(4), Jump(4), Perform(4), Swim(4), Use Magic Device(4)
2 · · Fighter(1)· · · ·Fighter Bonus: Dodge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
3 · · Fighter(2)· · · ·Standard: Mobility
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fighter Bonus: Shield Mastery
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(2)
4 · · Bard(2) · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Balance(1), Jump(1), Perform(1), Use Magic Device(3)
5 · · Bard(3) · · · · ·
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Balance(1), Bluff(2), Jump(1), Perform(1), Use Magic Device(1)
6 · · Bard(4) · · · · ·Standard: Spring Attack
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Balance(1), Bluff(2), Jump(1), Perform(1), Use Magic Device(1)
7 · · Bard(5) · · · · ·
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Balance(1), Bluff(2), Concentration(1), Jump(1), Perform(1), Use Magic Device(1)
8 · · Bard(6) · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Balance(1), Bluff(2), Concentration(1), Jump(1), Perform(1), Use Magic Device(1)
9 · · Favored Soul(1) ·Standard: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Sovereign Host
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Concentration(1), Jump(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1)
10· · Fighter(3)· · · ·
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(1)
11· · Fighter(4)· · · ·Fighter Bonus: Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(1)
12· · Fighter(5)· · · ·Standard: Offhand Versatility
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(1)
13· · Fighter(6)· · · ·Fighter Bonus: Whirlwind Attack
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(1)
14· · Fighter(7)· · · ·
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(1)
15· · Fighter(8)· · · ·Standard: Improved Shield Mastery
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Fighter Bonus: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(2)
16· · Fighter(9)· · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Balance(1), Use Magic Device(2)
17· · Fighter(10) · · ·Fighter Bonus: Greater Shield Mastery
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Use Magic Device(3)
18· · Fighter(11) · · ·Standard: Power Attack
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Use Magic Device(3)
19· · Fighter(12) · · ·Fighter Bonus: Tactical Mastery
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Use Magic Device(3)
20· · Fighter(13) · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Class Skills: Swim(1)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Cross Class Skills: Use Magic Device(3)
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Force of Personality
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Doublestrike
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Cleave
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Deific Warding
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Great Cleave
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of Arborea
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Enhanced Elemental Dice
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Strength: +1 Level up

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Enhancements: 80 APs, Racial 2
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Tiefling Scoundrel - Points spent: 2
Core1 Bloodsong I
Tier1 Scoundrel's Skills - 1 Ranks
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Warchanter - Points spent: 41
Core1 Skaldic Rage / Skaldic Constitution: Skaldic Constitution
Tier1 Rough and Ready - 3 Ranks
Tier1 The Poetic Edda - 1 Ranks
Tier1 Focused - 1 Ranks
Core2 Weapon Training
Tier2 Iced Edges
Tier2 Arcane Shield Chant - 3 Ranks
Core3 Song of Heroism
Tier3 Balad Melody: Ironskin - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Obstinance - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Frozen Fury - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Northwind - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Ballad Melody: Recklessness - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Movement Booster: Expeditious Chant - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Chant of Power - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Howl of the North
Tier5 Spinning Ice - 3 Ranks
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Kensei - Points spent: 23
Core1 Kensei Focus: Kensei Focus: Axes
Tier1 Weapon Group Specialization I: Kensei Focus: Axes
Tier1 Action Boost: Haste Boost - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Reed In The Wind - 3 Ranks
Core2 Spiritual Bond
Tier2 Improved Dodge - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Ascetic Training: Agility - 3 Ranks
Core3 Strike With No Thought
Tier3 Athletic Mastery - 3 Ranks
Core4 Power Surge
Tier4 Strike at the Heart
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Swashbuckler - Points spent: 12
Core1 Confidence
Tier1 On Your Toes - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Tavern Shanties - 1 Ranks
Core2 Swashbuckling
Tier2 Deflect Arrows
Tier2 En Pointe - 2 Ranks
Core3 Uncanny Dodge
Tier3 Swashbuckling Style: Skirmisher
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War Soul - Points spent: 4
Core1 Smite Foe: Smite Foe (Melee)
Tier1 Divine Might: Divine Might - 3 Ranks
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Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 12 permanent Destiny Points
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Grandmaster of Flowers - Points spent: 12
Core1 Inner Focus
Tier1 Strike with Poise - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Disciple's Studies - 1 Ranks
Core2 Disciple of Material: Adamantine
Tier2 Hail of Blows
Tier2 Calm before Storms - 3 Ranks
Core3 Disciple of Morality: Evil
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Legendary Dreadnought - Points spent: 35
Core1 Fearless
Tier1 Dire Attack: Dire Charge
Tier1 Dread Mantle
Tier1 Shrug Off Punishment - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Epic Tactics - 3 Ranks
Core2 Weaponmaster
Tier2 Ghost Touch
Tier2 Life and Death - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Strike Twice - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Momentum Swing
Core3 Thick Skinned
Core4 Unparalleled Accuracy
Tier4 Strike with Fear
Tier4 Lay Waste
Tier4 Carry On
Tier4 Kick While They're Down - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Untouchable
Tier5 Legendary Rally: Legendary Rally (Melee)
Tier5 Overpower: Lacerator
Tier5 Action Hero
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Fatesinger - Points spent: 13
Core1 Fate Singer's Repertoire
Tier1 Jack of all trades - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Tune of the Weave - 2 Ranks
Core2 Intoxicating Presence
Tier2 The Rhythm to Reign - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Reign - 2 Ranks
Core3 Glitter of Fame
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Tactical DCs
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Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · ·10+HD+Wis Mod vs d20 + 46 : d20 + Intimidate(46)
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · ·CR+Quest Level vs d20 + 46 : d20 + Diplomacy(46)
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·CR+Quest Level vs d20 + 53 : d20 + Bluff(53)
Fascinate · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Will vs d20 + 53 : d20 + Perform(53)
Sunder· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Fortitude vs 76 : 10 + Str Mod(34) + Sunder(32)
Trip· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Balance vs 76 : 10 + Str Mod(34) + Trip(32)
Suggestion· · · · · · · · · · · · ·Will vs 17 : 17
Dire Charge · · · · · · · · · · · ·Fortitude vs 107 : 20 + Max Mod(Str(34), Dex(9), Con(24), Int(7), Wis(7), Cha(23)) + Stun(53)
Momentum Swing Trip · · · · · · · ·Fortitude vs 107 : 20 + Max Mod(Str(34), Dex(9), Con(24), Int(7), Wis(7), Cha(23)) + Stun(53)
Lay Waste Stun· · · · · · · · · · ·Fortitude vs 151 : 20 + Max(Str(78), Dex(29), Con(59), Int(25), Wis(25), Cha(56)) + Stun(53)
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Equipped Gear Set: Standard
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Armor · · · · Chainmail of the First Snow · Drops in: U48: Feytwisted Chest
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Belt· · · · · Legendary Belt of the Ram · Drops in: U48 Quest: The Thornwright
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
Boots · · · · Legendary Deepsnow Boots· ·Drops in: U48 Quest: A Frosty Reception
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Bracers · · · Legendary Cold Iron Bracers · Drops in: U48 Quest: Immortality Lessons
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Cloak · · · · Legendary Cloak of Summer · Drops in: U48 Quest: Wake me up Inside
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
Gloves· · · · The Prince's Gauntlet · Drops in: U48 Any Feywild Quest
· · · · · · · Blue: +20 Sapphire of Accuracy
· · · · · · · Green: +12 Sapphire of Dodge
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Reverberation: Charisma(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Dreadbringer: Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: One Against Many: Strength(Rare Version)
Goggles · · · Legendary Eternal Flameguard's Lenses · Drops in: U56 Quest: ToEE: First Level and Earth Temple, end chest
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Temple's Inferno
Helmet· · · · Titania's Glory · Drops in: U48: Feytwisted Chest
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
Necklace· · · Legendary Necklace of Bottled Sunlight· ·Drops in: U48 Quest: The Endless Revels
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
Ring1 · · · · Legendary Ring of Summer's Heat · Drops in: U48 Quest: Legend of the Lost Locket
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
Ring2 · · · · Legendary Lionheart Ring· ·Drops in: U48 Quest: The Thornwright
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Summer
Trinket · · · Legendary Corroded Iron Figurine· ·Drops in: U46: Quest: The Sacred Bounty
· · · · · · · Blue: Empty augment slot
Weapon1 · · · Legendary Firesplitter· ·Drops in: Quest: The Trouble with Tar Pits
· · · · · · · Red: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · The Legendary Dread Isle's Curse
· · · · · · · Sentient Weapon Personality: Sentient Jewel of Whelm
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Sucker Punch/One Against Many: +2 Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: One Against Many: Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: One Against Many: Melee Power(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 4: Sucker Punch: Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 5: Dreadbringer: Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 6: Dreadbringer: Tactics DC(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 7: Dreadbringer: Melee Power(Rare Version)
Weapon2 · · · Legendary Wind-Swept Buckler· ·Drops in: U50: Quest: Back to Basics
· · · · · · · Red: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Trinket2· · · Restricted by another item in this gear set
Trinket3· · · Restricted by another item in this gear set

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[Riffolk]

Looks like a fun build concept!

One main suggestion I'd recommend is dropping to 12 Fighter, I don't see much benefit in the 13th level.
Whereas 12/7 Bard/1 opens up 3rd lv spells (haste + displacement).
Or if you were feeling spicy 12/6/2 Cleric with Chaos Domain for the Turn Undead buff.

Second suggestion would be to pickup Opportunity Attack from Kensei instead of Strike at the Heart. Small change, but 20 Melee Power > Improved Destruction.

[Djoe]

Looks like a fun build concept!

One main suggestion I'd recommend is dropping to 12 Fighter, I don't see much benefit in the 13th level.
Whereas 12/7 Bard/1 opens up 3rd lv spells (haste + displacement).
Or if you were feeling spicy 12/6/2 Cleric with Chaos Domain for the Turn Undead buff.

Second suggestion would be to pickup Opportunity Attack from Kensei instead of Strike at the Heart. Small change, but 20 Melee Power > Improved Destruction.

I appreciate the advice. Going 7 bard means i'd also want to take extend at some point, which I don't mind at all. The way I've worked that out is taking offhand versatility at 18 instead of 12 so I can keep whirlwind or spring attack before 15, and then I cut out the two cleaves I would have taken in epics in favor of fighter tactical DC feats.

I'm going to probably flip my main character sometime this weekend, I might update this thread with screenshots later.

[unbongwah]

Unless you need the fighter PL, you may want to consider bard 12 / fighter 6 / cleric 2 (Strength domain) instead.

• Pros: higher-level bard spells, +6% runspeed, longer-duration WC Ice attacks, Inspire Greatness + Fighting Spirit (temp HPs), Wall of Steel and Melee Power Boost from Warpriest, free STR damage heal from domain
• Cons: lose Power Surge and Tactical Mastery

Essentially a race-agnostic version of one of the more heavily-multiclassed Icebreaker builds. The silver lining to losing Power Surge is potentially freeing APs from Kensei to put into, say, Stalwart Defender for defensive stance or Vanguard for extra S&B options.

[magaiti]

Why STR-based? I'd rather go CHA-based (3 AP in Feydark + 2 ap in Swashbuckler) or even CON-based (3 AP in Feydark + 18 ap in dwarf)

[Aerendil]

Unless you need the fighter PL, you may want to consider bard 12 / fighter 6 / cleric 2 (Strength domain) instead.

• Pros: higher-level bard spells, +6% runspeed, longer-duration WC Ice attacks, Inspire Greatness + Fighting Spirit (temp HPs), Wall of Steel and Melee Power Boost from Warpriest, free STR damage heal from domain
• Cons: lose Power Surge and Tactical Mastery

I was thinking the same. /6 Bard would not only have a short freeze durstion, but may not even have meaningful DCs to begin with (6 bard = +3 DC only, plus no PDK to boost it).

Would be interested to see how this build plays though.

[Djoe]

Wow, a lot of responses seemingly overnight. Glad I waited until the weekend, lol.

Unless you need the fighter PL, you may want to consider bard 12 / fighter 6 / cleric 2 (Strength domain) instead.

• Pros: higher-level bard spells, +6% runspeed, longer-duration WC Ice attacks, Inspire Greatness + Fighting Spirit (temp HPs), Wall of Steel and Melee Power Boost from Warpriest, free STR damage heal from domain
• Cons: lose Power Surge and Tactical Mastery

Essentially a race-agnostic version of one of the more heavily-multiclassed Icebreaker builds. The silver lining to losing Power Surge is potentially freeing APs from Kensei to put into, say, Stalwart Defender for defensive stance or Vanguard for extra S&B options.

I had no clue the IceBreaker build existed, thanks for pointing me towards it. After reading this initially I looked into what going 12 bard over 12 fighter would win / cost me, and for the most part the only downside is, like you said, losing powersurge and a lot of tactics DCs from fighter feats. I'm proposing to taking quite a lot of feats (SWF line, Shield line, Spring attack and Whirlwind + pre-requisites, Fighter Tactics feats, plus a couple others) that is only really possible with 12 fighter, unless I give up one or more of these groups of options. I would however gain a Ddoor at 15, in addition to everything else listed.

Why STR-based? I'd rather go CHA-based (3 AP in Feydark + 2 ap in Swashbuckler) or even CON-based (3 AP in Feydark + 18 ap in dwarf)

I can get my strength a lot higher with the gear I currently have, while also keeping my charisma relatively high for the divine might to actually be relevant. I also plan on using trip in heroics, which scales off of str. Going con-based is a really funny idea but unfortunately impossible for this build, I only have 2 racial APs and need to play tiefling for the past lives.

I was thinking the same. /6 Bard would not only have a short freeze durstion, but may not even have meaningful DCs to begin with (6 bard = +3 DC only, plus no PDK to boost it).

Would be interested to see how this build plays though.

I'm glad you guys raised to my attention that the warchanter freeze is based off of bard level. Only 3 (3.5?) seconds of freeze might be a little disappointing. If I changed 6 levels of fighter over for bard, I would only lose three feats (the two tactics DC absolutely because of level requirement, plus offhand versatility because I'm using a shield anyway and don't know why I opted for it to begin with), but it would also mean that I don't get the cool stuff from the dodge feat line like spring and whirlwind attack until late epics. I'll probably sit on this until I flip.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[Riffolk]

If I changed 6 levels of fighter over for bard, I would only lose three feats (the two tactics DC absolutely because of level requirement, plus offhand versatility because I'm using a shield anyway and don't know why I opted for it to begin with), but it would also mean that I don't get the cool stuff from the dodge feat line like spring and whirlwind attack until late epics. I'll probably sit on this until I flip.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Another option would be to level without a buckler (SWF with orb or nothing in offhand) and pickup Shield Mastery Specialty at lv 31. This would give you back 3 feats to pickup Spring/Whirlwind attack for leveling.