LFR Bard Build for your consideration - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

LFR Bard Build for your consideration

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
el_shawno
Apr 12, 2009 20:07:49 Folks, here's a Bard I've cooked up. Lemme know what yinz think about its playability. I'm wanting him to be effective but don't have to optimize as fun is important as well. Here goes:

Riordan O'Shea
Half-Elf Bard (Virtue of Cunning) - 1st Level
Origin: Baldur's Gate (for the extra language and +2 Streetwise bump)

STR: 10
CON: 14
DEX: 10
INT: 16
WIS: 10
CHA: 18

Feat: Pact Initiate (Fey)

Powers:

At Will:
Misdirected Mark
Vicious Mockery

Encounter:
Majestic Word
Words of Friendship
Majestic Word
Thundering Armor (Dilletante power)
Eyebite (Multi-Class ability)

Daily:
Stirring Shout

Skills:
Arcana
Bluff
Diplomacy
History
Religion
Streetwise

Equipment:
Chainmail
Light Shield
Longsword
Wand
Adventurer's Kit

I know that Scorching Burst is already a Dilletante "classic" (and rightly so, IMO) but the Thundering Armor ability is a nice goody to dole out to one of your party's defenders. Beyond that, I'm basically aiming for your basic battlefield control/skillmonkey build. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
#2
gomeztoo
Apr 13, 2009 4:41:54 You forgot a bard encounter power.
I started out similar (but with different stats and skills), but decided to alter her later, chainging feats and powers so she could figth with a blade better (referrung to her role as a commander of Narfell troops during the great Conflageration).
Samantha looks like this (at level 3):

STR: 8
CON: 12
DEX: 10
INT: 14
WIS: 12
CHA: 20

Region: Narfell

Feat: Implement Expertise, Melee Training

At Will:
Guiding Strike, Viscious Mockery

Encounter:
Majestic Word x2
Words of Friendship
Shout of Triumph

Daily:
Stirring Shout

Skills:
Arcana
Bluff
Diplomacy
Insight
Perception

Equipment:
Chainmail
Light Shield
Harsh Songblade +1 (sabre aka longsword)
Flute
Diadem of Acuity (inactive)
#3
KarmaInferno
Apr 13, 2009 5:58:29 There's really little reason to have both ranged at-will powers.

Both essentially are range 10 powers that impose a -2 penalty to target's attacks for a round.

Misdirected Mark's penalty is situational and of more limited range, but the damage is slightly higher

Vicious Mockery's penalty is applicable all the time, has better keywords, but is slightly less damaging.

I'd get one or the other but not both, and get a melee weapon at-will for the other. (or ranged weapon at-will when they become available)

This does strongly require having a weapon around on top of having an implement, but that's not real difficult. Plus the weapon power benefits from weapon damage dice and proficiency bonus.

-karma
#4
monad
Apr 14, 2009 0:56:40 I agree with the lack of need for two ranged at-wills. After being cornered and almost being killed during SPEC1-1 my bard picked up some chainmail and a melee at-will and hasn't looked back.
Since we're all sharing, here's my 5th level Bard:

(The Great) Aradran Ormulogun
Half-Elf Bard (Virtue of Cunning), 5th level
Also From Baldur's Gate (perhaps we've met?)

STR: 8
CON: 15
DEX: 13
INT: 15
WIS: 11
CHA: 19

Feats: Pact Initiate (Dark), Warrior of the Wild, Sneak of the Shadows

At Will:
Guiding Strike
Vicious Mockery

Encounter:
Majestic Word
Words of Friendship
Blunder
Thundering Armor (Dilettante power)
Spiteful Glamor (Warlock power)
Inspire Competence (Utility power)
Dissonant Strain

Daily:
Stirring Shout
Song of Discord

Skills:
Acrobatics
Arcana
Bluff
Diplomacy
History
Perception
Streetwise
Thievery

Equipment:
+1 Chain Delver's Armor
+1 Cloak of Resistance (saved his hide a couple of times!)
+2 Wand of Ethereal Stride (also a lifesaver)
+2 Wand of Eldritch Rain
+2 Wolfen Shortsword
Lute (the standards are the best)
Hand Crossbow, Lockpick Set, Climbing Kit, Adv. Kit, etc...

Rituals:
Glib Limerick
Comprehend Languages
Transfer Enchantment
Lullaby

Given the unpredictable nature of party makeup in LFR I'm trying to get him able to do a bit of everything. He can jump in and tank for a bit ('though he'll never be able to mark), pretend to be a striker for those important targets, or step back and shuffle around the battlefield from a distance. I plan on throwing in a bit of controller, Jack of all Trades, and perhaps some Implement or Weapon Expertise. I'm upping his WIS every chance I get, and should start snagging WIS MCs by 11th level, which will be especially useful once Arcane Power comes out.

To the OP, as should be pretty evident our builds are pretty similar (Before PHBII came out, Aradran had Misdirected Mark as well), so I think it looks pretty good. Even though it's approximately 1/4 of a module, skill challenges are often where a lot of parties can fall down - all battle and no social skills, so it's both useful and a lot of fun to be a skillmonkey.
#5
Jay_Ibero_911
Apr 14, 2009 16:26:40 I second the reccomendation to only take one of the ranged at-wills. And share my 2nd level bard while I'm at it...

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
Elwood, level 2
Human, Bard
Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Valor
Background: Waterdeep

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 11, Wis 8, Cha 18.

Starting Ability Scores
Str 13, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 11, Wis 8, Cha 16.

AC: 19 Fort: 17 Reflex: 16 Will: 19
HP: 33 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 8

TRAINED SKILLS
Athletics, Arcana, History, Bluff, Streetwise, Diplomacy, Endurance.

FEATS
1: Ritual Caster
1: Improved Majestic Word
1: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)
2: Student of Battle

POWERS
1, At-Will: Guiding Strike
1, At-Will: War Song Strike
1, At-Will: Vicious Mockery
1, Encounter: Shout of Triumph
1, Daily: Slayer's Song
2, Utility: Song of Courage

ITEMS
Ritual Book, Adventurer's Kit, Light Shield, Longsword, Exalted Chainmail +1, Amulet of Protection +2

RITUALS
Glib Limerick, Comprehend Language
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======

Melee primarily but with one handy ranged at-will, and the blast encounter power...multiclass warlord for some good charisma based healing powers...hard choosing between rousing words, inspiring reaction, and bolstering shout though. He's proven very beneficial to the party so far (whopping 2 adventures...high tier only of course).
#6
Bigfluffylemon
Apr 16, 2009 5:52:13 I'd suggest you wear hide, rather than chain. With an INT of 16 your AC will be the same, but you don't suffer a movement penalty.

In general, looks very nice.
#7
el_shawno
Apr 28, 2009 23:12:27 Thanks for your suggestions, folks. After two LFR mods, I can safely say that Misdirected Mark is going by the wayside - likely for Guiding Strike.

As 2nd level approaches, I was leaning towards Bardic Knowledge at first, but after the latest issue of Dragon, I'm thinking take the Familiar feat. I mean, Dude! Parrot! Parrot with skill bumps!

I also think at Paragon Level, the parrot should gain the encounter ability to force an enemy to sing "Margaritaville" until save ends.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 el_shawno Apr 12, 2009 20:07:49	Folks, here's a Bard I've cooked up. Lemme know what yinz think about its playability. I'm wanting him to be effective but don't have to optimize as fun is important as well. Here goes: Riordan O'Shea Half-Elf Bard (Virtue of Cunning) - 1st Level Origin: Baldur's Gate (for the extra language and +2 Streetwise bump) STR: 10 CON: 14 DEX: 10 INT: 16 WIS: 10 CHA: 18 Feat: Pact Initiate (Fey) Powers: At Will: Misdirected Mark Vicious Mockery Encounter: Majestic Word Words of Friendship Majestic Word Thundering Armor (Dilletante power) Eyebite (Multi-Class ability) Daily: Stirring Shout Skills: Arcana Bluff Diplomacy History Religion Streetwise Equipment: Chainmail Light Shield Longsword Wand Adventurer's Kit I know that Scorching Burst is already a Dilletante "classic" (and rightly so, IMO) but the Thundering Armor ability is a nice goody to dole out to one of your party's defenders. Beyond that, I'm basically aiming for your basic battlefield control/skillmonkey build. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
#2 gomeztoo Apr 13, 2009 4:41:54	You forgot a bard encounter power. I started out similar (but with different stats and skills), but decided to alter her later, chainging feats and powers so she could figth with a blade better (referrung to her role as a commander of Narfell troops during the great Conflageration). Samantha looks like this (at level 3): STR: 8 CON: 12 DEX: 10 INT: 14 WIS: 12 CHA: 20 Region: Narfell Feat: Implement Expertise, Melee Training At Will: Guiding Strike, Viscious Mockery Encounter: Majestic Word x2 Words of Friendship Shout of Triumph Daily: Stirring Shout Skills: Arcana Bluff Diplomacy Insight Perception Equipment: Chainmail Light Shield Harsh Songblade +1 (sabre aka longsword) Flute Diadem of Acuity (inactive)
#3 KarmaInferno Apr 13, 2009 5:58:29	There's really little reason to have both ranged at-will powers. Both essentially are range 10 powers that impose a -2 penalty to target's attacks for a round. Misdirected Mark's penalty is situational and of more limited range, but the damage is slightly higher Vicious Mockery's penalty is applicable all the time, has better keywords, but is slightly less damaging. I'd get one or the other but not both, and get a melee weapon at-will for the other. (or ranged weapon at-will when they become available) This does strongly require having a weapon around on top of having an implement, but that's not real difficult. Plus the weapon power benefits from weapon damage dice and proficiency bonus. -karma
#4 monad Apr 14, 2009 0:56:40	I agree with the lack of need for two ranged at-wills. After being cornered and almost being killed during SPEC1-1 my bard picked up some chainmail and a melee at-will and hasn't looked back. Since we're all sharing, here's my 5th level Bard: (The Great) Aradran Ormulogun Half-Elf Bard (Virtue of Cunning), 5th level Also From Baldur's Gate (perhaps we've met?) STR: 8 CON: 15 DEX: 13 INT: 15 WIS: 11 CHA: 19 Feats: Pact Initiate (Dark), Warrior of the Wild, Sneak of the Shadows At Will: Guiding Strike Vicious Mockery Encounter: Majestic Word Words of Friendship Blunder Thundering Armor (Dilettante power) Spiteful Glamor (Warlock power) Inspire Competence (Utility power) Dissonant Strain Daily: Stirring Shout Song of Discord Skills: Acrobatics Arcana Bluff Diplomacy History Perception Streetwise Thievery Equipment: +1 Chain Delver's Armor +1 Cloak of Resistance (saved his hide a couple of times!) +2 Wand of Ethereal Stride (also a lifesaver) +2 Wand of Eldritch Rain +2 Wolfen Shortsword Lute (the standards are the best) Hand Crossbow, Lockpick Set, Climbing Kit, Adv. Kit, etc... Rituals: Glib Limerick Comprehend Languages Transfer Enchantment Lullaby Given the unpredictable nature of party makeup in LFR I'm trying to get him able to do a bit of everything. He can jump in and tank for a bit ('though he'll never be able to mark), pretend to be a striker for those important targets, or step back and shuffle around the battlefield from a distance. I plan on throwing in a bit of controller, Jack of all Trades, and perhaps some Implement or Weapon Expertise. I'm upping his WIS every chance I get, and should start snagging WIS MCs by 11th level, which will be especially useful once Arcane Power comes out. To the OP, as should be pretty evident our builds are pretty similar (Before PHBII came out, Aradran had Misdirected Mark as well), so I think it looks pretty good. Even though it's approximately 1/4 of a module, skill challenges are often where a lot of parties can fall down - all battle and no social skills, so it's both useful and a lot of fun to be a skillmonkey.
#5 Jay_Ibero_911 Apr 14, 2009 16:26:40	I second the reccomendation to only take one of the ranged at-wills. And share my 2nd level bard while I'm at it... ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Elwood, level 2 Human, Bard Bardic Virtue: Virtue of Valor Background: Waterdeep FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 13, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 11, Wis 8, Cha 18. Starting Ability Scores Str 13, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 11, Wis 8, Cha 16. AC: 19 Fort: 17 Reflex: 16 Will: 19 HP: 33 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 8 TRAINED SKILLS Athletics, Arcana, History, Bluff, Streetwise, Diplomacy, Endurance. FEATS 1: Ritual Caster 1: Improved Majestic Word 1: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade) 2: Student of Battle POWERS 1, At-Will: Guiding Strike 1, At-Will: War Song Strike 1, At-Will: Vicious Mockery 1, Encounter: Shout of Triumph 1, Daily: Slayer's Song 2, Utility: Song of Courage ITEMS Ritual Book, Adventurer's Kit, Light Shield, Longsword, Exalted Chainmail +1, Amulet of Protection +2 RITUALS Glib Limerick, Comprehend Language ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ====== Melee primarily but with one handy ranged at-will, and the blast encounter power...multiclass warlord for some good charisma based healing powers...hard choosing between rousing words, inspiring reaction, and bolstering shout though. He's proven very beneficial to the party so far (whopping 2 adventures...high tier only of course).
#6 Bigfluffylemon Apr 16, 2009 5:52:13	I'd suggest you wear hide, rather than chain. With an INT of 16 your AC will be the same, but you don't suffer a movement penalty. In general, looks very nice.
#7 el_shawno Apr 28, 2009 23:12:27	Thanks for your suggestions, folks. After two LFR mods, I can safely say that Misdirected Mark is going by the wayside - likely for Guiding Strike. As 2nd level approaches, I was leaning towards Bardic Knowledge at first, but after the latest issue of Dragon, I'm thinking take the Familiar feat. I mean, Dude! Parrot! Parrot with skill bumps! I also think at Paragon Level, the parrot should gain the encounter ability to force an enemy to sing "Margaritaville" until save ends.