The Count of Monte Cristo - dps, CC, survivability focused pure swashbuckler

[CThruTheEgo]

Curiously, if we are already using necklace of mystic eidolons, is shadow armor with profane casting really that important? Most of the abilities coincide.

I don't plan to use the Necklace of Mystic Eidolons. Although I will point out that the necklace does not have fortification and with the loss of the Mythic Minos Legens for Sightless, Shadowscale armor becomes the only source of fortification.

Yea ok I agree, keeping the cha goggles def makes more sense, but I ran GH tor many times now and still havent got mine yet lol (theres also a big chance the wrong ability bonus will be generated), and I couldnt resist wearing the precision goggles lol, +15 wis on 1 item lol, feels bad to leave it in the bank!

I hear ya. I think I acquired every set of Intricate Field Optics with the specific stat that I was looking for from the auction/shard house. Sometimes it has taken months before the specific set I'm looking for even shows up, and then it's usually for a ridiculous amount of shards. And in the meantime, I have no luck farming it from Tor.

Also, why stange tiding and pendent?
For pendant: dodge is covered by tiller, seeker by ring, and lesser displacement is also redundant is u keep up constant displacement spell. But I guess the will save+2 is nice? but is it worth sacrificing an equipment slot for?

For ring: dex is covered by bracers, umd is nice but for pure bards it should be high enough already for whatever, threat decrease is nice if u dont want aggro but most of the time I dont mind having aggro cos ur build is so good that I can survive being swarmed for quite a bit , deception is nice I guess but again, is it worth sacrificing the ring slot for it?

Strange Tidings is for both deception (which the build currently lacks) and the sneak attack damage. With the high rate of attack on this build, deception should proc often enough to be of benefit. Not only do you get the additional sneak attack damage when deception procs, but you get the defensive benefit of the mob turning away from you. And 16 sneak attack damage is nothing to sneeze at.

By using both Strange Tidings and The Band Immaterial, I'll be losing seeker 12 on Consuming Darkness. So the Pendant of Quiet Movements is primarily for seeker 12. Also, the insightful will save 2 will not stack with insightful saves 4 on the Epic Ethereal Bracers.

[CThruTheEgo]

Shield: Swashbuckler (riposte9/insight AC5/insight saves5/guardbreaking/insightful dex2/doublestrike7/blue slotted golem's heart)
Armor: Shadowscale light armor (shadow phase x3/deathblock/ghostly/fort130/profane spell DC1/blue slotted HP40/green slotted fear immunity)
Goggles: EN Intricate Field Optics (cha3/spot17/TS/yellow slotted greater enchantment focus2/colorless slotted heal15)
Helm: Sightless (true seeing/deathblock7/ranged power6/melee power6/con12/PRR35/MRR35/green slotted wiz10/blue slotted insightful con2)
Neck: Pendant of Quiet Movements (lesser displacement/dodge11/seeker12/insightful will save2/yellow slotted draconic soul gem)
Trinket: Epic Litany of the Dead (turn the page/profane abilities2/attack4/damage4/light of dawn/blue OR yellow slotted wis8/green slotted wis2)
Cloak: Mysterious Cloak (heal amp45/MRR25/green slotted proof against disease10/colorless slotted Globe of True Imperial Blood)
Belt: Epic Chord of Reprisals (cha11/resonance144/perform20/soundproof/roar/sheltering24/yellow slotted blindness immunity/green slotted sonic resistance40)
Ring swap: Strange Tidings (dex12/UMD7/deception/sneak attack to hit8/sneak attack damage16/blue slotted crushing wave guard/green slotted feather falling)
Gloves: Sanctified Gages (UMD5/2d6 light damage/deadly11/greater dispelling guard/blue OR yellow slotted str8/green slotted str2)
Boots: Epic Boots of the Innocent (resistance11/speed15/GH/vertigo12/stunning12/shatter12/yellow slotted water breathing/green slotted protection8)
Ring: The Band Immaterial (enchantment focus7/illusion focus7/green slotted anthem)
Bracers: Dissolution (corrosion156/acid lore20/acid absorption30/blue slotted natural armor8/green slotted proof against poison10)
Quiver: Epic Quiver of Alacrity (concentration -50/speed15/ranged and spell threat -15%/insightful sneak4/doublshot8)

To add to the comments made in the post above regarding the gear changes, the Pendant of Quiet Movements has dodge on it which allows me to drop the Kobold Admiral's Tiller for the Cove buckler. That has insightful saves 5 on it, which allows me to drop the Epic Ethereal Bracers. Then I can use Dissolution and twist energy burst acid, instead of reign, for some AoE dps. Ideally, this change would be accompanied with an LR to incorporate unbongwah's earlier suggestion of adjusting stats by boosting int for better know the angles and to max spellcraft. Because I will no longer have either reign or thunderstruck, I'd also drop perfect swf for spell power acid. I don't like the idea of dropping reign and pswf, but the loss of single target dps will be made up for by the gain of AoE dps. I don't know that I'll go so far as to do the LR because I don't play this character often anymore due to limited playtime, but that would be the ideal change for this build in U27. I'll make notes accordingly in the OP.

[Vernah]

Shield: Swashbuckler (riposte9/insight AC5/insight saves5/guardbreaking/insightful dex2/doublestrike7/blue slotted golem's heart)
Armor: Shadowscale light armor (shadow phase x3/deathblock/ghostly/fort130/profane spell DC1/blue slotted HP40/green slotted fear immunity)
Goggles: EN Intricate Field Optics (cha3/spot17/TS/yellow slotted greater enchantment focus2/colorless slotted heal15)
Helm: Sightless (true seeing/deathblock7/ranged power6/melee power6/con12/PRR35/MRR35/green slotted wiz10/blue slotted insightful con2)
Neck: Pendant of Quiet Movements (lesser displacement/dodge11/seeker12/insightful will save2/yellow slotted draconic soul gem)
Trinket: Epic Litany of the Dead (turn the page/profane abilities2/attack4/damage4/light of dawn/blue OR yellow slotted wis8/green slotted wis2)
Cloak: Mysterious Cloak (heal amp45/MRR25/green slotted proof against disease10/colorless slotted Globe of True Imperial Blood)
Belt: Epic Chord of Reprisals (cha11/resonance144/perform20/soundproof/roar/sheltering24/yellow slotted blindness immunity/green slotted sonic resistance40)
Ring swap: Strange Tidings (dex12/UMD7/deception/sneak attack to hit8/sneak attack damage16/blue slotted crushing wave guard/green slotted feather falling)
Gloves: Sanctified Gages (UMD5/2d6 light damage/deadly11/greater dispelling guard/blue OR yellow slotted str8/green slotted str2)
Boots: Epic Boots of the Innocent (resistance11/speed15/GH/vertigo12/stunning12/shatter12/yellow slotted water breathing/green slotted protection8)
Ring: The Band Immaterial (enchantment focus7/illusion focus7/green slotted anthem)
Bracers: Dissolution (corrosion156/acid lore20/acid absorption30/blue slotted natural armor8/green slotted proof against poison10)
Quiver: Epic Quiver of Alacrity (concentration -50/speed15/ranged and spell threat -15%/insightful sneak4/doublshot8)

To add to the comments made in the post above regarding the gear changes, the Pendant of Quiet Movements has dodge on it which allows me to drop the Kobold Admiral's Tiller for the Cove buckler. That has insightful saves 5 on it, which allows me to drop the Epic Ethereal Bracers. Then I can use Dissolution and twist energy burst acid, instead of reign, for some AoE dps. Ideally, this change would be accompanied with an LR to incorporate unbongwah's earlier suggestion of adjusting stats by boosting int for better know the angles and to max spellcraft. Because I will no longer have either reign or thunderstruck, I'd also drop perfect swf for spell power acid. I don't like the idea of dropping reign and pswf, but the loss of single target dps will be made up for by the gain of AoE dps. I don't know that I'll go so far as to do the LR because I don't play this character often anymore due to limited playtime, but that would be the ideal change for this build in U27. I'll make notes accordingly in the OP.

Do we lose vitality 45 with not using the mythic minos legens? Also, I don't have Dissolution yet, would it still be worth it to swap the feat for spell power acid?

[CThruTheEgo]

Do we lose vitality 45 with not using the mythic minos legens?

We do lose vitality 45 and I'm glad you pointed that out. You can slot a diamond of vitality so it's really only a loss of 25 hp. I did not notice that and will have to find a place to slot it.

Also, I don't have Dissolution yet, would it still be worth it to swap the feat for spell power acid?

I'd keep perfect swf and twist reign until you get Dissolution. Together they provide a nice chunk of damage and without the spell power/lore to back it up, energy burst will be somewhat lacking.

[Purhas]

Thinking of making a swashbuckler and I'm wondering how 81 PRR holds up in boss fights when CC is ineffective?

[CThruTheEgo]

Thinking of making a swashbuckler and I'm wondering how 81 PRR holds up in boss fights when CC is ineffective?

81 PRR holds up just fine when combined with the other defenses, including damage avoidance (dodge, incorp, and concealment), saves (with evasion and slippery mind), and self healing (sacred ground and cure spells). Altogether, this builds defenses are solid. Every build needs to find a balance between those - damage mitigation, damage avoidance, self healing, and saves. If it's weaker in one area, then it needs to be stronger in others. This build isn't designed to main tank an endgame boss on EE, but it holds up just fine in the situations for which it's intended. I hope that answers your question.

[Vernah]

Any changes to the gear with U28? I was maybe thinking of the Epic Lion's Mane for the extra constitution. Or even the Epic Robe of Insight?

[CThruTheEgo]

Any changes to the gear with U28? I was maybe thinking of the Epic Lion's Mane for the extra constitution. Or even the Epic Robe of Insight?

I didn't see anything that looked particularly attractive for this build, so I have no gear changes planned for U28.

The Pendant of Quiet Movements is the source for both seeker and dodge. I wouldn't want to lose either. I find the hp, self healing, damage mitigation, and damage avoidance of this build to be enough, so I don't think the extra hp is worth it personally.

The only thing of use for this build on the Epic Robe of Insight is the insightful charisma 4, which puts you at an odd charisma. But if you did manage to squeeze out another charisma for an even number, you still come out even on DCs because shadowscale has the profane DC bonus on it. Not to mention you have to give up both ghostly and fortification. Fort would be easy enough to slot elsewhere, but ghostly can be a little more difficult. Plus there's the PRR/MRR loss of going from light armor to robes.

So overall, I just don't see much for this build to gain from the new gear.

[Hasacz]

Hey, I'm returning player, still leveling my first TR swashbluckler bard following this build I wonder which adventure packs would you call "mandatory" to get recommended gear for character like this? Sorry if I'm doubling someone's question but I didn't find noob friendly short list, everything about gear is scattered around whole topic. So if someone would be so kind to write few packs that I should get it would be highly appreciated.

Cheers, Bunchie.

[unbongwah]

I wonder which adventure packs would you call "mandatory" to get recommended gear for character like this?

Final gear list is in this post. Use the DDO wiki if you need to know which packs contain what.

[CThruTheEgo]

Hey, I'm returning player, still leveling my first TR swashbluckler bard following this build I wonder which adventure packs would you call "mandatory" to get recommended gear for character like this? Sorry if I'm doubling someone's question but I didn't find noob friendly short list, everything about gear is scattered around whole topic. So if someone would be so kind to write few packs that I should get it would be highly appreciated.

Cheers, Bunchie.

Yeah, sorry, this thread is a bit scattered atm. The post that unbongwah linked sums up what I would like to do with the build, but don't have the time currently, so I haven't fully updated the OP.

Most of the gear listed in the post that unbongwah linked comes from epic Necro 4 and Trials of the Archons. Some of it does come from the raids in each of those packs. The Field Optics come from epic Gianthold. Shadowscale armor is from the Ruins of Thunderholme. The Mysterious Cloak is from mysterious remnant turn ins, so that doesn't require an adventure pack. And the buckler is from Crystal Cove, a seasonal event.

If you are looking for lower level gear, there are several links in the OP just below the gear section. To find out where that stuff comes from, wiki is your best option. Just type the name of the item into the search bar, find the item's page, and it will tell you where it comes from.

Hope that helps.

[UurlockYgmeov]

most of the items I listed in my items posting are hot-linked to ddowiki.com.

[Obrezze]

If u get completionist wich feat do you take out?

[CThruTheEgo]

If u get completionist wich feat do you take out?

Spell focus enchantment would probably be my first choice. I've been focused on other characters lately and I haven't run this character for the last few updates, so I don't know how the DC holds up in that content. You'd lose a total of 3 DCs (-1 from spell focus, -3 from magister's enchantment specialist, +1 from completionist), which isn't huge. But I know mobs in level 30 quests just received some changes, so I don't know how the DC holds up against those changes. Plus, most mobs in the last couple updates (and in the next couple) have spell resistance, and I basically dumped spell penetration on this build, so the enchantment spells won't hold up against anything with spell resistance. If you've built for spell resistance, then this might not be an issue for you. All that said, the enchantment spells may not be entirely viable in endgame content anymore, but I honestly don't know if that is the case or not. This build also has other methods to CC, so losing out on a few DCs wouldn't be the end of the world.

Another option would be inspire excellence, but that has some great utility for the entire group, so I'd be less inclined to lose this.

I wouldn't want to give up any of the combat feats or quicken.

I hope that helps.

[JMac13]

is it just me or shield mastery isnt working with swf line + skirmisher?

[Shadowdrag0n]

is it just me or shield mastery isnt working with swf line + skirmisher?

Swf says "wielding only an orb, runearm, or nothing in your off hand." So I'm guessing it doesn't work with shields any more, which kind of breaks this build.

[froggi480]

Swf says "wielding only an orb, runearm, or nothing in your off hand." So I'm guessing it doesn't work with shields any more, which kind of breaks this build.

SWF does say that but the Swashbuckling style: skirmisher enhancement that is supposed to be taken will take care of that problem.

From the wiki -
Skirmisher: Passive: While Swashbuckling with a Buckler in your off hand, you gain 10% Dodge, and you may use a Buckler and still benefit from the Single Weapon Fighting line of feats.

Does not require Swashbuckling. It may be used with non finesse weapon.[Unverified]
Allows you to benefit from both Single Weapon Fighting and Shield Mastery simultaneously. (Melee Power does not stack, both feat chains grant Combat Style bonus).
While using Different Tack your buckler also gets selected modifier to damage (CHA/DEX/INT)

[CThruTheEgo]

Swf says "wielding only an orb, runearm, or nothing in your off hand." So I'm guessing it doesn't work with shields any more, which kind of breaks this build.

froggi480 is correct. SWF never allowed a shield to be used in the offhand. The skirmisher enhancement was always required to do so.

EDIT: To clarify a bit, the relationship between SWF and swashbuckling is overly complicated. SWF can be done with only an orb, rune arm, or nothing in the offhand. Swashbuckling can be done only with a buckler or nothing in the offhand. In order to swashbuckle with an orb or rune arm, you need to take the arcane marauder or cannoneer enhancement, respectively. In order to SWF with a buckler, you need to take the skirmisher enhancement. This is how it has always been since SWF and swashbuckling were introduced. I hope that clears it up.

[CThruTheEgo]

I haven't updated the OP fully since U24 because the potential changes involved would alter the build significantly enough that I am not likely to put that much effort into it given how much I currently play this build. That may change after I get some of my other characters squared away with U29. So for the time being, I will simply talk about some of the possible options for this build with the level cap increase.

As with my other melee builds, harbinger of chaos seems like the best level 29 epic destiny feat for emphasizing dps. Deific warding is a good defensive option.

For the level 30 legendary feat, I'm leaning toward scion of the feywild. The additional sonic spell power would boost not only the inherent 2d20 sonic damage from the feat, but also the 6d6 sonic damage from resonant arms. The heal amp and enchantment DCs are nice also. If I go with the build changes mentioned in post #462, then scion of the plane of earth is an option as well to boost energy burst acid. Another 20 PRR would certainly be nice as well, though I'd make no use of the +4 conjuration. Given that the elemental spell power for each feat is only +10 and they each provide +30 universal spell power, the difference between them is minimal. I've not calculated acid spell power so I don't know how close acid and sonic spell power would be with each other. If one is significantly higher, which neither one should be, then I might go with the one that is higher just for the greater elemental damage on weapon attacks.

I've been thinking about how the 2d20 elemental damage compares to the +20 melee power from scion of arborea. 2d20 elemental damage averages out to 21 damage per hit. With 400 spell power, that's an extra 105 average damage per hit. For +20 melee power to provide an additional 100 average damage per hit, you have to do 500 average damage per hit (factoring in crits as well) before other melee power is applied. And that's base damage only, not including any weapon effects, doublestrike, or attack speed, but does include things that apply to base damage such as deadly and seeker. Average base damage per hit shouldn't come anywhere close to 500. So for this build, I think scion of the feywild or plane of earth is a better option than scion of arborea.

Regarding the regular level 30 feat, I'm thinking it might be time to build for spell penetration on this build to keep the persistent CC options viable in the new content. That depends, of course, on how necessary past lives are to reaching useful levels of spell pen. I'm not going to grind past lives, I just don't have the time for that. But if adding an item, taking the base spell pen feat, and possibly twisting some spell pen would bring it up to at least semi-effective levels, then this is probably what I will do. I'm not sure what I would spend this feat on if I can't reach effective levels of spell pen.

So spell pen may also be what I spend my fourth twist slot on. This would, however, make it difficult to afford energy burst acid. I'm not grinding past lives for fate points, so I'm currently limited to 27 fate points. Depending on the DCs required in the new content, I may consider dropping magister enchantment specialist. Then I could take energy burst acid, spell pen, and legendary shield mastery, and simply miss out on the fourth twist slot. I don't have a definitive solution to this yet and a lot depends on what is needed for new content and whether or not this build can reach those numbers. If I don't twist spell pen, I'd probably just take extra action boosts.

That's it for now. As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.

EDIT: I haven't checked out U29 gear, so no idea about those potential changes.

[unbongwah]

I've not calculated acid spell power so I don't know how close acid and sonic spell power would be with each other. If one is significantly higher, which neither one should be, then I might go with the one that is higher just for the greater elemental damage on weapon attacks.

It may simply be a question of gear: e.g., Dissolution looks like the highest Corrosion named item; I can't find a comparable Resonance item. Plus if you go Corrosion, you could add Acid Energy Burst to your Twists; that's probably preferable to fire or lightning in current endgame.