Post by buddhamind on Jul 9, 2009 14:49:27 GMT
Currently Level 77, x5 Demi with 1 Prince win, and 1 Pelor win.
Last updated Jan. 27, 2015.
This is a build for a "uni" bard using the Aleithian Dwarf Ultra-Rare subrace. At its fullest capacity, you can expect this to have good tanking ability with decent AC, high conceal, and immunity to most stat checks. It also gets five Bard epics, and maxes several useful skills. Because it does not rely on a Paladin splash for saves, you can go fully evil (hello Elysium) without consequences.
This has a lower running speed and shorter song duration than most typical builds that use the Shard subrace. However for a UR subrace, it is not that far off from a Shard build.
Aleithian Muse
Aleithian Dwarf
Con -2 Int +2 Cha +7
Free feats -- Dodge, SF: Trans
Note that even though the subrace bonus Cha +7 sounds like a lot, Dwarf racial stats are Con +2 and Cha -2, so this race is really more like Int +2 Cha +5. The stat points at creation may seem odd but it allows you to get the most points out of the allocation at the beginning.
Stat Points (No Demi)
Stat Points (1x Demi Reincarnation)
Stat Points (2x Demi or Higher)
Feats
1 - Artist
3 - Curse Song
6 - Lingering Song
9 - Extend Spell
12 - SF: Ench
15 - GSF: Ench
18 - Spell Pen
21 - Great Spell Pen
23 - Lasting Inspiration
24 - Epic Spell Pen
26 - SF: Illu
27 - GSF: Illu
29 - SF: Conj (or Div)
30 - GSF: Conj (or Div)
32 - Armor Skin
33 - GSF: Trans
35 - Epic Will
36 - Epic Fort
38 - Great Dex 1 (or Extra Music at >2x Demi)
39 - Great Dex 2 (or Blind Fight at >2x Demi)
Read Necro Book (+ Dirge)
42 - ESF: Illu (+ Possums)
45 - ESF: Conj (+ Healing Spirit) [or Div / Winter is Coming]
48 - ESF: Trans (+ UUU)
51 - ESF: Ench (+ Hear Me Roar)
54 - LSF: Illu
57 - Legendary Artist (or LSF: Ench at >2x Demi)
60 - Legendary Spell Penetration
Paragon Levels
63 - PSF: Illusion
66 - PSK: Illusion (+ Double Possums and Illusory Army)
69 - PSF: Ench (requires LSF: Ench, level 57)
72 - PSK: Ench (+ Double Hear Me Roar and Cacophany)
75 - Paragon Spell Penetration
78 -
Stat Point Allocation (No Demi)
You receive 10 from levels 1-40. Put the first 2 into INT, and 8 into CHA.
You receive 10 from levels 40-60. Put 2 into CHA, 4 into STR, and 4 into DEX.
Stat Point Allocation (1x Demi Reincarnation)
You receive 10 from levels 1-40. Put the first 2 into INT, and 8 into CHA.
You receive 10 from levels 40-60. Put 6 into STR, and 4 into DEX.
Stat Point Allocation (2x Demi or Higher)
You receive 10 from levels 1-40. Put the first 2 into INT, 6 into CHA, and 2 into DEX.
You receive 10 from levels 40-60. Put 6 into STR, and 4 into DEX.
Total base CHA should be 30 at Level 60.
Skills (No Demi)
-- Perform (max)
-- Concentration (max)
-- Discipline (max)
-- Tumble (stop at 60 points)
-- UMD (stop at 34 points)
-- Taunt, Bluff, or Persuade (max)
-- Parry (max)
-- Lore, Heal, or Craft Armor (dump remaining)
Additional Skills (1x Demi Reincarnation)
-- Lore (max)
-- Heal (max)
-- Craft Armor (remaining 15)
Alternative Skills (Drop Lore, Heal, or Taunt)
-- Appraise
-- Pick Pocket
Alternate Build Ideas
Play Strategies
Spell Selection
Level 6
Level 5
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Final Stats (No Demi)
(At level 60, with no demi iterations and no artifact, in only +14 gear)
Final Stats (1x Demi)
Final Stats (3x Demi, level 72, using Asmo belt)
Gear (Alternates)
There are lots of gear setups that work for this. Here are some items that I've used over the years. Just make sure you have one of the three good Bard armors, and use one of the shields with no Arcane failure.
Armor: Chorus of the Damned (Alts: Aria of the Unfaltering, Echoes of Creation)
Right Hand: Tia Bard Harp (Alt: Dueling Drum)
Left Hand: Arcadian Fire, Benediction, or Bastion of Cormyr (Alt: Asmo Shield)
Belt: Inspiration (Alt: The Serpent's Coil)
Helmet: Visor of Cursed Chaos (Alts: Gaze Into the Abyss, Circlet of Ahralihra Silverpaws, Exo Array, Helm of Zeal, Crown of Uncanny Stability)
Bracers: Gauntlets of Transposed Energy (Alt: Masterful Performance)
Amulet: Amulet of the Pharaoh (Alts: Ygrette's Evanescent Locket, Heavenly Haunt's Necklace, Rememberance of Iggwilv, Orudin's Oath)
Boots: Styxwalkers (Alt: Legendary Boots of Defense)
Cloak: Cloak of the Axerian Grandmaster (Alts: Corruption, Enfolding Captivation, Introweave Cape)
Mote: Solar Mote
Last updated Jan. 27, 2015.
This is a build for a "uni" bard using the Aleithian Dwarf Ultra-Rare subrace. At its fullest capacity, you can expect this to have good tanking ability with decent AC, high conceal, and immunity to most stat checks. It also gets five Bard epics, and maxes several useful skills. Because it does not rely on a Paladin splash for saves, you can go fully evil (hello Elysium) without consequences.
This has a lower running speed and shorter song duration than most typical builds that use the Shard subrace. However for a UR subrace, it is not that far off from a Shard build.
Aleithian Muse
Aleithian Dwarf
Con -2 Int +2 Cha +7
Free feats -- Dodge, SF: Trans
Note that even though the subrace bonus Cha +7 sounds like a lot, Dwarf racial stats are Con +2 and Cha -2, so this race is really more like Int +2 Cha +5. The stat points at creation may seem odd but it allows you to get the most points out of the allocation at the beginning.
Stat Points (No Demi)
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha | |
14 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 13 | Creation |
14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 20 | After Subrace |
14 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 28 | Base at 40 |
18 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 30 | Base at 60 |
30 | 32 | 26 | 28 | 20 | 42 | With +12 Items |
Stat Points (1x Demi Reincarnation)
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha | |
14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 13 | Creation |
14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 20 | After Subrace |
22 | 22 | 14 | 20 | 10 | 30 | Base after 1xDemi |
34 | 34 | 26 | 32 | 22 | 42 | With +12 Items |
36 | 36 | 30 | 34 | 24 | 44 | With +14 Items and Con Arti |
Stat Points (2x Demi or Higher)
Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha | |
14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 13 | Creation |
14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 20 | After Subrace |
24 | 24 | 16 | 22 | 12 | 30 | Base- Level 60, 2xDemi |
36 | 36 | 28 | 34 | 24 | 42 | With +12 Items |
38 | 38 | 32 | 36 | 26 | 44 | With +14 Items and Con Arti |
42 | 42 | 36 | 40 | 30 | 48 | With +16 Items and Level 80 |
Feats
1 - Artist
3 - Curse Song
6 - Lingering Song
9 - Extend Spell
12 - SF: Ench
15 - GSF: Ench
18 - Spell Pen
21 - Great Spell Pen
23 - Lasting Inspiration
24 - Epic Spell Pen
26 - SF: Illu
27 - GSF: Illu
29 - SF: Conj (or Div)
30 - GSF: Conj (or Div)
32 - Armor Skin
33 - GSF: Trans
35 - Epic Will
36 - Epic Fort
38 - Great Dex 1 (or Extra Music at >2x Demi)
39 - Great Dex 2 (or Blind Fight at >2x Demi)
Read Necro Book (+ Dirge)
42 - ESF: Illu (+ Possums)
45 - ESF: Conj (+ Healing Spirit) [or Div / Winter is Coming]
48 - ESF: Trans (+ UUU)
51 - ESF: Ench (+ Hear Me Roar)
54 - LSF: Illu
57 - Legendary Artist (or LSF: Ench at >2x Demi)
60 - Legendary Spell Penetration
Paragon Levels
63 - PSF: Illusion
66 - PSK: Illusion (+ Double Possums and Illusory Army)
69 - PSF: Ench (requires LSF: Ench, level 57)
72 - PSK: Ench (+ Double Hear Me Roar and Cacophany)
75 - Paragon Spell Penetration
78 -
Stat Point Allocation (No Demi)
You receive 10 from levels 1-40. Put the first 2 into INT, and 8 into CHA.
You receive 10 from levels 40-60. Put 2 into CHA, 4 into STR, and 4 into DEX.
Stat Point Allocation (1x Demi Reincarnation)
You receive 10 from levels 1-40. Put the first 2 into INT, and 8 into CHA.
You receive 10 from levels 40-60. Put 6 into STR, and 4 into DEX.
Stat Point Allocation (2x Demi or Higher)
You receive 10 from levels 1-40. Put the first 2 into INT, 6 into CHA, and 2 into DEX.
You receive 10 from levels 40-60. Put 6 into STR, and 4 into DEX.
Total base CHA should be 30 at Level 60.
Skills (No Demi)
-- Perform (max)
-- Concentration (max)
-- Discipline (max)
-- Tumble (stop at 60 points)
-- UMD (stop at 34 points)
-- Taunt, Bluff, or Persuade (max)
-- Parry (max)
-- Lore, Heal, or Craft Armor (dump remaining)
Additional Skills (1x Demi Reincarnation)
-- Lore (max)
-- Heal (max)
-- Craft Armor (remaining 15)
Alternative Skills (Drop Lore, Heal, or Taunt)
-- Appraise
-- Pick Pocket
Alternate Build Ideas
- I prefer taunt over bluff or persuade. Taunting an enemy can be a very useful tactic to get it to attack you instead of your comrades. Choose bluff instead if you would prefer to send enemies in the other direction.
- Appraise is also a useful skill to have. It can save you millions when dealing with Zerial, Ixion, or Moriarty. If you want it, drop lore, heal, or taunt.
- I have been using the Conjuration epic, Healing Spirit, instead of the Divination epic, Winter is Coming. This is just personal preference. You could take whatever you like here-- Evocation also comes to mind. When you make this choice, don't forget to weigh the Paragon spells too, which you will eventually want to get.
Play Strategies
- Get Aria, Echoes, or Chorus as soon as possible, and start using Displacement and a Shield instead of Ethereal Visage and a Torch. This will get you 120-130 AC with higher damage resists, which is much more effective than ~100-110 AC and lower resists. Either way, you still keep the 85% concealment. You do lose the other benefits of EV (spell immunity, damage reduction), but the tradeoff is well worth it. You have no reason to keep your AC that low.
- Regarding play, the party is your first priority. Know which mobs KD and use UUU if needed. If it's a tough fight, or there's an enemy with Devastating Critical, step in with Dirge of the Deathless. Do not underestimate healing circles and the Mass Cure line of spells. If you see someone die, give them a song, and perhaps displacement. Communicate with the party. The HG Wiki page for Bards has some more good info.
- You will have a LOT of extended ghostly visage available, so use them liberally!
- An immobilized enemy is almost as good as dead. Don't forget to use your Winter is Coming epic once per rest. Stillsound is also effective on certain enemies (Notably, Narzugon and Molydeus). Sometimes you can get other immobilizing spells to work, too, so experiment. However you are NOT a DC-maxed caster, so don't waste your time focusing on the monsters when you could be casting more effective party-helping spells.
- Use lesser spell mantles (level 6) in areas like Sissy where there is a lot of magic flying around and you have a good chance of getting imploded. Some randomized items give level 7 spell slots, this is a good one to use extended in those slots.
- DON'T use Improved Heroism unless asked. Some classes are actually hurt by it -- notably, it cancels Tenser's Transformation, which is particularly bad news for Staffmasters.
Spell Selection
Level 6
- Least Spell Mantle
- Energy Buffer
- Mass Cure Serious Wounds
- Ice Storm
- Mass Haste
Level 5
- Healing Circle
- Ethereal Visage
- Lesser Mind Blank
- Wail of Doom
- Greater Shadow Conjuration
- Mind Fog
Level 4
- Stone Shatter
- Shout
- Legend Lore
- Neutralize Poison
- Cure Critical Wounds
- Break Enchantment
Level 3
- Treasure Scent
- Bestow Curse
- Remove Curse (Swap for Remove Disease pre-Demi)
- Displacement
- Keen Edge
- Greater Magic Weapon
- (Note: Use Gust of Wind from the BUR ring, and use Remove Disease from Demi store rods and Supernatural items)
Level 2
- Deafening Clang
- Ghostly Visage
- Endure Elements
- Iron Silence
- Clarity
- Iron Grasp
Level 1
- Amplify
- Expeditious Retreat
- Insidious Rhythm (Switch spell accordingly if you prefer Bluff/Persuade over Taunt)
- Joyful Noise
- Protection from Alignment
- Grease
Final Stats (No Demi)
(At level 60, with no demi iterations and no artifact, in only +14 gear)
- Fort 54, Reflex 59, Will 58
- AC Approximately 125, 85% conceal
Final Stats (1x Demi)
- AC should be 130ish depending on girding and shield bonus. Conceal is 85%.
- Saves should be 55 Fort / 60 Reflex / 58 Will
- HP should be 960
Final Stats (3x Demi, level 72, using Asmo belt)
- Fort 60, Reflex 65, Will 63
- AC 130 in base gear without girding
Gear (Alternates)
There are lots of gear setups that work for this. Here are some items that I've used over the years. Just make sure you have one of the three good Bard armors, and use one of the shields with no Arcane failure.
Armor: Chorus of the Damned (Alts: Aria of the Unfaltering, Echoes of Creation)
Right Hand: Tia Bard Harp (Alt: Dueling Drum)
Left Hand: Arcadian Fire, Benediction, or Bastion of Cormyr (Alt: Asmo Shield)
Belt: Inspiration (Alt: The Serpent's Coil)
Helmet: Visor of Cursed Chaos (Alts: Gaze Into the Abyss, Circlet of Ahralihra Silverpaws, Exo Array, Helm of Zeal, Crown of Uncanny Stability)
Bracers: Gauntlets of Transposed Energy (Alt: Masterful Performance)
Amulet: Amulet of the Pharaoh (Alts: Ygrette's Evanescent Locket, Heavenly Haunt's Necklace, Rememberance of Iggwilv, Orudin's Oath)
Boots: Styxwalkers (Alt: Legendary Boots of Defense)
Cloak: Cloak of the Axerian Grandmaster (Alts: Corruption, Enfolding Captivation, Introweave Cape)
Mote: Solar Mote