Post by sabregirl on Jun 6, 2009 17:36:54 GMT
This is my newest dex bard build. I've always preferred dexers over caster or str bard variants but dex bards with decent AC and damage output are generally incompatible with huge aura epics, and huge aura epics at least are demanded by a lot of parties. Still, I think there's a place for melee dex bards.
I was inspired to make this build by Kobra's Razor Blade bard. Primarily I wanted to make a dex bard build that was alignment-problem-free in character and more offensive in melee - good for Rona or possibly Ely (though the small epics may be a limiting factor in ely).
Note that a build like this does not make a very good sole bard in the very deep hells especially nessus. However you do get fairly good damage from dualing katanas, especially if you own the stygian razor. So far she's been through dis and most of the way through min.
AC 131 in BURs at 60, self buffed only. Saves 66/78/65 (will save is buffed by +4 by dim mak robes) AB 91. Dex arti used.
This build works best and probably only with undying due to the sheer number of save feats and broad range of stats plus bonus skill points that undying gives you.
Starting Stats Elf - (Undying)
STR 8 (10)
DEX 16 (18)
CON 12 (16)
INT 14 (16)
WIS 14 (16)
CHA 14 (16)
Build Progression
01: Bard(1): Ambidexterity
02: Bard(2)
03: Fighter(1): Weapon Finesse, Weapon Proficiency Exotic
04: Fighter(2): DEX+1, Weapon Focus: Katana
05: Fighter(3)
06: Bard(3): Spell Focus: Illusion
07: Fighter(4): Two-Weapon Fighting
08: Bard(4): DEX+1
09: Bard(5): Curse Song
10: Bard(6)
11: Bard(7)
12: Bard(8): DEX+1, Greater Spell Focus: Illusion
13: Bard(9)
14: Bard(10)
15: Bard(11): Improved Critical: Katana
16: Bard(12): DEX+1
17: Bard(13)
18: Bard(14): Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
19: Bard(15)
20: Bard(16): DEX+1
21: Bard(17): Armor Skin
22: Bard(18)
23: Bard(19)
24: Bard(20): DEX+1, Great Dexterity I
25: Bard(21)
26: Bard(22)
27: Bard(23): Great Dexterity II, Great Dexterity III
28: Bard(24): DEX+1
29: Bard(25)
30: Bard(26): Great Dexterity IV, Great Dexterity V
31: Bard(27)
32: Bard(28): DEX+1
33: Bard(29): Great Dexterity VI, Great Dexterity VII
34: Bard(30)
35: Bard(31)
36: Bard(32): DEX+1, Epic Weapon Focus: Katana, Great Dexterity VIII
37: Bard(33)
38: Bard(34)
39: Bard(35): Epic Prowess, Lasting Inspiration
40: Monk(1): DEX+1, *Alignment Change*
ESF Book
Transmutation
Legendary Feats
Epic Spell Focus Illusion
Legendary Weapon Focus Katana
Legendary spell focus Illusion
Legendary Luck
Legendary Fort
Grt Dex 9 and 10
Skills
Max:
Perform
Taunt
Discipline
Listen
UMD
Tumble
Parry
Craft armor
Can split the remaining points between these two skills:
Concentration
Craft Weapon
Artifact: Dex
Spell Selections
to be added
This build will net you two bard epics plus the bonus conceal to your EV. You could swap out illus for enchantment or possibly necro for crit immunity.
Just as a warning you should probably NOT try to solo bard in deep hells with this unless you are very experienced and the party has a few unitanks included (I have done it many times but it is tricky). Especially in nessus you really need a silence ring. However in some areas the dex bard can actually perform better than a caster bard, especially rona and in many parts of aboleths.
-S
edit- Fixed again thanks to Yomi.
I was inspired to make this build by Kobra's Razor Blade bard. Primarily I wanted to make a dex bard build that was alignment-problem-free in character and more offensive in melee - good for Rona or possibly Ely (though the small epics may be a limiting factor in ely).
Note that a build like this does not make a very good sole bard in the very deep hells especially nessus. However you do get fairly good damage from dualing katanas, especially if you own the stygian razor. So far she's been through dis and most of the way through min.
AC 131 in BURs at 60, self buffed only. Saves 66/78/65 (will save is buffed by +4 by dim mak robes) AB 91. Dex arti used.
This build works best and probably only with undying due to the sheer number of save feats and broad range of stats plus bonus skill points that undying gives you.
Starting Stats Elf - (Undying)
STR 8 (10)
DEX 16 (18)
CON 12 (16)
INT 14 (16)
WIS 14 (16)
CHA 14 (16)
Build Progression
01: Bard(1): Ambidexterity
02: Bard(2)
03: Fighter(1): Weapon Finesse, Weapon Proficiency Exotic
04: Fighter(2): DEX+1, Weapon Focus: Katana
05: Fighter(3)
06: Bard(3): Spell Focus: Illusion
07: Fighter(4): Two-Weapon Fighting
08: Bard(4): DEX+1
09: Bard(5): Curse Song
10: Bard(6)
11: Bard(7)
12: Bard(8): DEX+1, Greater Spell Focus: Illusion
13: Bard(9)
14: Bard(10)
15: Bard(11): Improved Critical: Katana
16: Bard(12): DEX+1
17: Bard(13)
18: Bard(14): Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
19: Bard(15)
20: Bard(16): DEX+1
21: Bard(17): Armor Skin
22: Bard(18)
23: Bard(19)
24: Bard(20): DEX+1, Great Dexterity I
25: Bard(21)
26: Bard(22)
27: Bard(23): Great Dexterity II, Great Dexterity III
28: Bard(24): DEX+1
29: Bard(25)
30: Bard(26): Great Dexterity IV, Great Dexterity V
31: Bard(27)
32: Bard(28): DEX+1
33: Bard(29): Great Dexterity VI, Great Dexterity VII
34: Bard(30)
35: Bard(31)
36: Bard(32): DEX+1, Epic Weapon Focus: Katana, Great Dexterity VIII
37: Bard(33)
38: Bard(34)
39: Bard(35): Epic Prowess, Lasting Inspiration
40: Monk(1): DEX+1, *Alignment Change*
ESF Book
Transmutation
Legendary Feats
Epic Spell Focus Illusion
Legendary Weapon Focus Katana
Legendary spell focus Illusion
Legendary Luck
Legendary Fort
Grt Dex 9 and 10
Skills
Max:
Perform
Taunt
Discipline
Listen
UMD
Tumble
Parry
Craft armor
Can split the remaining points between these two skills:
Concentration
Craft Weapon
Artifact: Dex
Spell Selections
to be added
This build will net you two bard epics plus the bonus conceal to your EV. You could swap out illus for enchantment or possibly necro for crit immunity.
Just as a warning you should probably NOT try to solo bard in deep hells with this unless you are very experienced and the party has a few unitanks included (I have done it many times but it is tricky). Especially in nessus you really need a silence ring. However in some areas the dex bard can actually perform better than a caster bard, especially rona and in many parts of aboleths.
-S
edit- Fixed again thanks to Yomi.