Bohr, while I appreciate that the build you are using is interesting it's not really showing off what a rogue generally does. Attack penalties are cool but rogues tend to be about maximizing damage and these builds are supposed to be very simple and indicative of the class as a whole. The penalties are also a lot of keep track of and rattling isn't on the sheet (so can be confusing for new players). I'm not going to include it in the list of classes (although if you leave it there I will definately link it in the alternate build section once the normal build section fills up).
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out here Spoiler:Show
Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
The Bard, a Half-Elf Bard - *** (mostly because you just need to pay attention to what's happening at all times)
The Bard is a fixture of heroic fantasy, and someone no adventuring party can do without. Who else is going to to sing of their heroics? As a Bard, you have mastered every skill, and you aid your allies in the fight by granting them lots of attacks and (temporary) hit points. Warlords are famous for being the ultimate enablers, but really, a properly built Bard is right on their heels.
Suggested items: Shared Valor Armor [level 8]: you give your allies lots and lots of temporary hit points. Why not share in the fun?
Our focus is twofold: we can grant extra attacks to our allies with Staggering Note and Blunder, and we keep them safe by granting them (temporary) hit points with Virtue of Valor and Majestic Word.
It's important to realize that you have a mix of ranged weapon and implement powers. To that end, you take Moonbow Dedicate as your level 1 feat so you can use a shortbow for both your weapon and implement powers. Don't forget to select Sehanine as your deity in the character builder, otherwise you can't pick the feat!
The Bard, level 1 Half-Elf, Bard Build: Valorous Bard Bardic Virtue Option: Virtue of Valor Half-Elf Power Selection Option: Dilettante Officer Who Came Out of Retirement (Officer Who Came Out of Retirement Benefit) Theme: Spellscarred Harbinger
FINAL ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 18, DEX 13, INT 11, WIS 8, CHA 18
STARTING ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 16, DEX 13, INT 11, WIS 8, CHA 16
Three a-ma-zing powers. Rhyme of the Bloodseeking Blade not only gives you an out-of-turn attack, but also lets an ally's important attack hit. Song of Discord dominates an enemy, save ends. DOMINATES!! Most controllers are lucky to see a dominate power as their level 15 daily! And Moment of Escape doesn't look like much, but it can set up some crucial turns. Meanwhile, Bard of All Trades makes you awesome in every skill in the book.
The Bard, level 5 Half-Elf, Bard Build: Valorous Bard Bardic Virtue Option: Virtue of Valor Half-Elf Power Selection Option: Dilettante Officer Who Came Out of Retirement (Officer Who Came Out of Retirement Benefit) Theme: Spellscarred Harbinger
FINAL ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 19, DEX 13, INT 11, WIS 8, CHA 19
STARTING ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 16, DEX 13, INT 11, WIS 8, CHA 16
Instead of taking a level 7 power, you go back to level 3 for another nice enabling power. Echoing Weapon is worded in such a way that it not only deals 2d6 damage, but you can add all the bonuses of the attack to it as well. Basically, you grant your ally not one, but two damage rolls. The second damage roll just uses 2d6 instead of the normal weapon dice, but still receives all the bonuses. If this confuses you, Prescient Warning is a good alternative. Revitalizing Incantation is basically a third Majestic Word, which is never bad.
The Bard, level 8 Half-Elf, Bard Build: Valorous Bard Bardic Virtue Option: Virtue of Valor Half-Elf Power Selection Option: Dilettante Officer Who Came Out of Retirement (Officer Who Came Out of Retirement Benefit) Theme: Spellscarred Harbinger
FINAL ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 20, DEX 13, INT 11, WIS 8, CHA 20
STARTING ABILITY SCORES STR 10, CON 16, DEX 13, INT 11, WIS 8, CHA 16
POWERS Bard Feature: Majestic Word Bard Feature: Words of Friendship Warlock Attack 1: Eldritch Blast Bard Attack 1: Vicious Mockery Bard Attack 1: Staggering Note Bard Attack 1: Blunder Bard Attack 1: Arrow of Warning Bard Utility 2: Moment of Escape Bard Attack 3: Rhyme of the Blood-Seeking Blade Bard Attack 5: Song of Discord Bard Utility 6: Revitalizing Incantation Bard Attack 3: Echoing Weapon
FEATS Level 1: Ritual Caster Level 1: Moonbow Dedicate Level 2: Battle Song Expertise Level 4: Bard of All Trades Level 6: Improved Initiative Level 8: Superior Will
ITEMS Ritual Book Targeting Shortbow +2 Shared Valor Chainmail +2 Amulet of Resolution +2
How to proceed from here
The War Chanter paragon path is one of the best paragon paths ever printed, so take that and never look back. Powers should be focused on granting attacks to allies. In the feat department, Versatile Master is pretty much mandatory for Half-Elves. You can retrain your Dilettante power to Magic Weapon and take the Combat Virtuoso feat to get a simply incredible third at-will. After that, there's nothing you really need, so just take whatever you like. Don't forget you can multiclass as often as you want, so you could explore that as well.
EDIT: this post is no longer relevant since I took up Matyr's suggestion and went with Moonbow Dedicate.
^ a Javelin-wielding Bard might be a bit controversial, but I believe it's the best simple/military weapon for the class. As said in the other post, I used it because:
a) it let's you use both ranged and melee powers without switching weapons
b) it is one-handed so you can still use a shield
c) it has a better range than any other thrown weapon you're proficient with
The downside of course is the +2 proficiency bonus. A dagger would be better, if not for the pitiful range (the damage die also leaves something to be desired).
But Daggers are probably the best weapon for a melee/ranged Bard, with a backup bow just in case. If you're concerned about range, there's an enchantment for that. Several, actually. If you're concerned about damage dice, you're probably playing the wrong class...
As I said, I chose the Javelin for the range. You can of course use a Distance Dagger, but that costs you a feat and a weapon enchant. OTOH, it's still a +1 to hit...
Bohr, while I appreciate that the build you are using is interesting it's not really showing off what a rogue generally does. Attack penalties are cool but rogues tend to be about maximizing damage and these builds are supposed to be very simple and indicative of the class as a whole. The penalties are also a lot of keep track of and rattling isn't on the sheet (so can be confusing for new players). I'm not going to include it in the list of classes (although if you leave it there I will definately link it in the alternate build section once the normal build section fills up).
I'm just going to pretend this means by build is too good and you don't want to include because other people will feel bad.
As I said, I chose the Javelin for the range. You can of course use a Distance Dagger, but that costs you a feat and a weapon enchant. OTOH, it's still a +1 to hit...
Why does the Distance Dagger cost you a feat over just using a javelin? You could just purchase a LvL 1 enchant on the cheap and gain the bennies but i guess this route doesn't work with the Rain of Hammers Ki focus, correct?
Like I said in the build post, you need to know the ki focus rules to play this build. Maybe I should just update it to remove the ki focus altogether, and go for MC Swordmage.
ezrider, you can either use the properties of the dagger or the ki focus, but not both. Since the build uses melee, ranged and imp attacks, you want a way to use only one magic weapon. I chose ki focus since I think that works best.
Like I said in the build post, you need to know the ki focus rules to play this build. Maybe I should just update it to remove the ki focus altogether, and go for MC Swordmage. ezrider, you can either use the properties of the dagger or the ki focus, but not both. Since the build uses melee, ranged and imp attacks, you want a way to use only one magic weapon. I chose ki focus since I think that works best.
I was going to do basically the same thing you are doing here only without a ki focus and a shortbow instead. Worship Sehanine and take Moonbow Dedicate. Now you have a strong ranged implement to enjoy using as a weapon.
The build I was working on before I had to go pick up the wife (and now I need some sleep soon) is this:
1: Moonbow Dedicate 2: Imperious Majesty 4: Battlesong Expertise 6: Resourceful Leader 8: Superior Will
I'm just going to pretend this means by build is too good and you don't want to include because other people will feel bad.
You are welcome to pretend, but that is not at all what I meant. I meant it doesn't fulfill the purpose of this thread and will not be included. It isn't a slighty against the build at all, but rather an explanation of why I wasn't going to include it.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out here Spoiler:Show
Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
Like I said in the build post, you need to know the ki focus rules to play this build. Maybe I should just update it to remove the ki focus altogether, and go for MC Swordmage. ezrider, you can either use the properties of the dagger or the ki focus, but not both. Since the build uses melee, ranged and imp attacks, you want a way to use only one magic weapon. I chose ki focus since I think that works best.
I was going to do basically the same thing you are doing here only without a ki focus and a shortbow instead. Worship Sehanine and take Moonbow Dedicate. Now you have a strong ranged implement to enjoy using as a weapon.
The build I was working on before I had to go pick up the wife (and now I need some sleep soon) is this:
1: Moonbow Dedicate 2: Imperious Majesty 4: Battlesong Expertise 6: Resourceful Leader 8: Superior Will
I'm just going to pretend this means by build is too good and you don't want to include because other people will feel bad.
You are welcome to pretend, but that is not at all what I meant. I meant it doesn't fulfill the purpose of this thread and will not be included. It isn't a slighty against the build at all, but rather an explanation of why I wasn't going to include it.
