I was trying some various new comboes with the latest version of the Character Builder (April 2009), and found this rather nice Combo. Virtue of Valor + Aegis of Shielding, as that adds some serious durability to the party. Anyway, I threw some stuff together to make the most of it, so without further ado, here is the build I made.
That was the original post, but figured it would be more fun with an entire party made of bards! Well anyway, here are the bards! Bardic PartyShow
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Celisandre, the Defender, level 16 Half-Elf, Bard, Paragon Multiclassing Build: Valorous Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Valor Arcane Implement Mastery: Staff of Defense
FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 12, Con 22, Dex 11, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 11, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 16.
POWERS Bard at-will 1: War Song Strike Bard at-will 1: Jinx Shot (retrained to Chilling Cloud at Paragon Multiclassing) Half-Elf: Frigid Blade Arcane Initiate: Storm Pillar Bard encounter 1: Focused Sound Bard daily 1: Stirring Shout Bard utility 2: Concerted Effort (retrained to Channeling Shield at Acolyte Power) Bard encounter 3: Song of the New Dawn Bard daily 5: Vigorous Cadence Bard utility 6: Song of Conquest Bard encounter 7: Rewrite the Future Bard daily 9: Saga of Vengeance (retrained to Swordmage Shielding Fire at Adept Power) Bard utility 10: Mantle of Unity Paragon Multiclassing: Fire Burst Paragon Multiclassing: Impenetrable Warding Arcane Aegis: Aegis of Shielding Bard encounter 13: Song of Storms (retrained to Silverlight Strike at Novice Power) (replaces Song of the New Dawn) Bard daily 15: Wracking Radiance (replaces Vigorous Cadence) Bard utility 16: Song of Sublime Snowfall
ITEMS Ritual Book, Torc of Power Preservation +3, Staff of Ultimate Defense +3, Piercing Songblade Longsword +3, Crysteel Armor of Exploits +4 ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Rufus, the Leader, level 16 Half-Elf, Bard, War Chanter Build: Valorous Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Valor
FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 12, Con 22, Dex 11, Int 9, Wis 14, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 11, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 16.
FEATS Bard: Ritual Caster Level 1: Restful Healing Level 2: Initiate of the Faith Level 4: Combat Virtuoso Level 6: Novice Power Level 8: Acolyte Power Level 10: Adept Power Level 11: Versatile Master Level 12: Improved Valor Level 14: Rousing Voice Level 16: Majestic Rescue
POWERS Bard at-will 1: War Song Strike Bard at-will 1: Guiding Strike Bard encounter 1: Inspiring Refrain Bard daily 1: Echoes of the Guardian Half-Elf: Gaze of Defiance Bard utility 2: Concerted Effort Bard encounter 3: Song of the New Dawn Bard daily 5: Vigorous Cadence Bard utility 6: Song of Conquest Bard encounter 7: Timely Distraction Bard daily 9: Forceful Conduit Bard utility 10: Word of Life Bard encounter 13: Song of Storms (retrained to Mantle of Glory at Novice Power) (replaces Inspiring Refrain) Bard daily 15: Wracking Radiance (retrained to Purifying Fire at Adept Power) (replaces Echoes of the Guardian) Bard utility 16: Elegy of the Undefeated (retrained to Astral Shield at Acolyte Power)
ITEMS Ritual Book, Defensive Longsword +4, Magic Chainmail +4, Stormwalker's Cloak +3, Light Shield, Adventurer's Kit, Star of Corellon +3 ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Cedric, the Striker, level 16 Half-Elf, Bard, Paragon Multiclassing Build: Valorous Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Valor Student of the Sword: Student of Two-Handed Weapons
FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 14, Con 16, Dex 17, Int 9, Wis 15, Cha 21.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 13, Con 13, Dex 15, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 15.
FEATS Bard: Ritual Caster Level 1: Student of the Sword (retrained to Battle Awareness at Level 16) Level 2: Weapon Expertise (Spear) Level 4: Berserker's Fury Level 6: Novice Power Level 8: Acolyte Power Level 10: Adept Power Level 11: Versatile Master Level 12: Weapon Proficiency (Greatspear) Level 14: Combat Virtuoso Level 16: Surprising Charge
POWERS Bard at-will 1: Misdirected Mark (retrained to Challenging Strike at Paragon Multiclassing) Bard at-will 1: Guiding Strike Half-Elf: Howling Strike Bard encounter 1: Inspiring Refrain Bard daily 1: Slayer's Song Bard utility 2: Inspire Competence Bard encounter 3: Charger's Call Bard daily 5: Word of Mystic Warding Bard utility 6: Ode to Sacrifice (retrained to Unbreakable at Acolyte Power) Bard encounter 7: Scorpion's Claw Strike Bard daily 9: Thunder Blade Bard utility 10: Word of Life Paragon Multiclassing: Rain of Blows Paragon Multiclassing: Wrath of the Gods Bard encounter 13: Song of Storms (retrained to Storm of Blades at Novice Power) (replaces Inspiring Refrain) Bard daily 15: Quick Steel Dance (retrained to Quicksilver Stance at Adept Power) (replaces Word of Mystic Warding) Bard utility 16: Allied Rhythm
ITEMS Ritual Book, Stormwalker's Cloak +3, Adventurer's Kit, Iron Armbands of Power (heroic tier), Boots of Eagerness (heroic tier), Horned Helm (heroic tier), Gloves of the Healer (paragon tier), Star of Corellon +2, Vanguard Greatspear +3, Battle Harness Earthhide Armor +3 ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Chanticleer, the Controller, level 16 Half-Elf, Bard, Paragon Multiclassing Build: Prescient Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Prescience Arcane Implement Mastery: Orb of Imposition
FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 11, Con 14, Dex 9, Int 14, Wis 20, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 10, Con 11, Dex 8, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 16.
POWERS Bard at-will 1: Vicious Mockery (retrained to Thunderwave at Paragon Multiclassing) Bard at-will 1: Cutting Words Bard encounter 1: Focused Sound Bard daily 1: Arrow of Warning Half-Elf: Chilling Cloud Bard utility 2: Words of Protective Fate Bard encounter 3: Cruel Fate Bard daily 5: Rhyme of Fire Bard utility 6: Allegro (retrained to Emerald Eye at Acolyte Power) Bard encounter 7: Insightful Shot (retrained to Fire Shroud at Novice Power) Bard daily 9: Symphony of Misfortune Bard utility 10: Mantle of Unity Bard encounter 13: Sharp Retort (replaces Cruel Fate) Bard daily 15: Iceshard Shot (retrained to Prismatic Beams at Adept Power) (replaces Arrow of Warning) Bard utility 16: Song of the Soul Harvest Paragon Multiclassing: Fire Burst Paragon Multiclassing: Etheral Sidestep
ITEMS Ritual Book, Orb of Karmic Resonsance +3, Orb of Judicious Conjuration +2, Boots of Eagerness (heroic tier), Cloak of Displacement +3, Eladrin Crysteel Armor +4, Harsh Songblade Dagger +3, Phrenic Crown (heroic tier), Antipathy Gloves (heroic tier), Master's Wand of Thunderwave +1 RITUALS Brew Potion, Glib Limerick, Water Walk ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Selenedra, the Blaster, level 16 Half-Elf, Bard, Paragon Multiclassing Build: Cunning Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Cunning
FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 14, Con 13, Dex 18, Int 15, Wis 9, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 13, Con 10, Dex 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 16.
POWERS Bard at-will 1: Vicious Mockery Bard at-will 1: Cutting Words (retrained to Lightning Strike at Paragon Multiclassing) Bard encounter 1: Focused Sound Bard daily 1: Stirring Shout Half-Elf: Blazing Starfall Bard utility 2: Concerted Effort Bard encounter 3: Song of the New Dawn Bard daily 5: Rhyme of Fire Bard utility 6: Glimpse the Future Bard encounter 7: Deflect Attention Bard daily 9: Wail of Anguish Bard utility 10: Illusory Erasure Bard encounter 13: Sharp Retort (retrained to Cyclone Pull at Novice Power) (replaces Song of the New Dawn) Bard daily 15: Satire of Evasion (retrained to Lightning Daggers at Adept Power) (replaces Stirring Shout) Bard utility 16: Haste (retrained to Avatars of Chaos at Acolyte Power) Paragon Multiclassing: Chaos Storm Paragon Multiclassing: Storm of Energy
ITEMS Ritual Book, Staff of Ruin +4, Harsh Songblade Dagger +3, Bloodthread Githweave Armor +3, Torc of Power Preservation +3 ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ====== Keyleth, the Sniper, level 16 Half-Elf, Bard, Paragon Multiclassing Build: Cunning Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Cunning
FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 12, Con 22, Dex 11, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 11, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 16.
FEATS Bard: Ritual Caster Level 1: Mark of Passage Level 2: Student of Artifice Level 4: Combat Virtuoso Level 6: Novice Power Level 8: Acolyte Power Level 10: Adept Power Level 11: Versatile Master Level 12: Master Crafter Level 14: Running Shot Level 16: Weapon Expertise (Bow)
POWERS Bard at-will 1: Jinx Shot Bard at-will 1: Guiding Strike (retrained to Magic Weapon at Paragon Multiclassing) Dilettante: Five Storms Paragon Multiclassing: Icy Weapons Paragon Multiclassing: Shed the Mark Bard encounter 1: Firemetal Shot Bard daily 1: Saga of Rivalry Bard utility 2: Moment of Escape Bard encounter 3: Rhyme of the Blood-Seeking Blade Bard daily 5: Arrow of Ill Omen Bard utility 6: Dramatic Shift Bard encounter 7: Insightful Shot (retrained to Vampiric Weapons at Novice Power) Bard daily 9: Saga of Vengeance Bard utility 10: Song of Recovery Bard encounter 13: Enduring Struggle (replaces Firemetal Shot) Bard daily 15: Iceshard Shot (retrained to Lightning Sigil at Adept Power) (replaces Saga of Rivalry) Bard utility 16: Heroic Interjection (retrained to Iron-Hide Infusion at Acolyte Power)
ITEMS Ritual Book, Forceful Longbow +4, Gauntlets of the Ram (heroic tier), Cloak of Distortion +3, Legendmaker Braidmail Armor +3, Ghoststride Boots (paragon tier) ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======
Stuff of notice: The level 5 daily, Swordmage Shielding Fire is so nasty it's really even funny. How is the correct way to interpretate the feat Arcane Aegis? Is it one mark per encounter, and that you may use the aesig as many times as it triggers? Or is it that the mark end after you have used the aegis power once?
Edit: Added the Wizard version of the Build, complete with the Staff of Defense Implement mastery, but this one could be rather dubious depending on how bards work together with PMC, Ie if it is possible to pick PMC feats from several classes, due to the open ended wording on Multiclass Versatilty.
Edit 090517: added an entire party made of bards, haven't really had the chance to try it out, so I am not entirely sure on how good this party would be. But since every member can heal at least 3/encounter, they should be fairly durable at least.
Edit 090707: added an archery build to the party. Any sort of critique or suggestions for improvement is appreciated.
Well if I understand what you're doing correctly (and I always get confused with the way multi-classing works in 4e for some reason, and it's only made more confusing with Half-elves and Versatile Mastery) I don't think you can take more then one PMC feat. The way it works in the character builder is at least that way; meaning that if you were to take Student of the Sword, 3 power swap feats, and then Arcane Initiate you'd have to "choose" which class to PMC into when you took the PMC option. Thus limiting your choices of "PMC Feats" to just the one(s) for your PMC choice. If it sounds confusing, that's because it is!
Make any sense at all Boffer? I desperately love the idea of having a bard-only party just because of the awesome potential there is in Versatile Master combined with Multiclass Versatility, PMC, and Eternal Seeker.
Ok, I see your point, but since these characters are all made with the builder (and can be imported into it), it is really unclear how it is supposed to work, as it is working as you say for every other class.
Love the idea, has to be the prettiest party of all time. I'm getting a pre-tragic gasoline fight vibe from it. (Ten points to the person who names the reference)
As far as the individual builds go i think your right on the money with the Defender, Blaster, and Leader. The Controller i feel could be better optimized by entering the Cunning Prevaricator Prestige Path. Not every controller needs to be an Orbizard, turning your friends invisible while you slide them about the battlefield and unleash the bard's excellent arsenal of single target debuffs.
As for the "Multiple Prestige Multiclassing" goes- the requirements specifically state that you have to have the required feats for A CLASS. At this point you qualify as a Prestige Multiclassed X, and so you are restricted to feats that focus on that specific class.
Ok, I see your point, but since these characters are all made with the builder (and can be imported into it), it is really unclear how it is supposed to work, as it is working as you say for every other class.
The RAW seems pretty clear, but the builder works differently. It's one of the reasons people say the builder shouldn't be trusted for builds, though personally, I like the builder's interpretation.
