Kalibano
Build Designer. Having fun since 2006!
Welcome to my build repository! I've been playing since 2006, and I play to have fun: I don't really care about 'the META'. I have 23 alts, so I actively play practically every class and race available in the game. I design all my builds fully from scratch. Hope you find them useful, and constructive comments/ suggestions are always welcome!
8. Kali's Bard Swashbuckler HYBRID Melee/CC+ Insta-kill caster build
DDOBuilder (v2) file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder (v2) here.
Preface to the build
This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!
Aims of the build
Primary aim(s):
1. Melee DPS:
2. interweaved with Crowd Control:
4. Moderate offensive casting (mostly Sonic):
> Preference for spells that heal while doing damage to enemies:
7. Party buffs via enhanced 'Bardic Inspiration' & 'Bardic Ballad':
8. Finding & disabling traps + opening locks
Key stats & synergies
My preferred Quickbar layout (in case it's useful):
A. Charisma for melee combat & spellcasting:
> Attack speed boost = +30% (total 65%)
Note: this image
will be updated once I get to level 33 and take the 'Patience' feat
C. Doublestrike = 56%
> Crit damage multiplier boosts = +1 (15-18/ x4, 19-20/ x5):
> Expanded Vorpal threat range = +1 (19-20):
F. 5 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
G. Extra melee damage:
J. Main Spell Powers:
K. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
I share some strategies for general defensiveness and survival in this thread. Come visit if you feel it could be useful to you!
Class(es): Bard (18)/ Rogue (2)
Race: Tiefling Scoudrel
Alignment: Chaotic Good (Non-Lawful because Bard restriction)
Main stat: Charisma (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 08/ DEX: 12*/ CON: 16/ INT: 14/ WIS: 08/ CHA: 20
Feats:
Heroic enhancements: 85 = 80 + 3 (Racial tomes) + 2 (Universal tome)
N.B: Multi-selector choices:
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
Prior to Myth Drannor's level cap raise (total 65 Destiny Points)
Spells:
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)
Gear Set bonuses:
Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Most important augments to slot:
Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Filigree master plan:
I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
.
| If you would like to contribute towards this effort, any donations will be greatly appreciated. If not, please don't worry: sharing is caring! Just sit back and relax, and enjoy the builds! |
8. Kali's Bard Swashbuckler HYBRID Melee/CC+ Insta-kill caster build
DDOBuilder (v2) file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder (v2) here.
Preface to the build
This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
- show how it started: its key aims
- indicate the key decisions that can be made to achieve those aims: stats, skills, feats, heroic enhancements, epic destinies
- all numbers are based on what a first-lifer (or someone with minimal past lives) would have, unbuffed, outside of reaper mode (they do, however, include equipped gear and partially completed filigrees). They are real characters, and those are the numbers I can offer.
- numbers are indicative of the potential minimum amounts that can be achieved with the investments that were proposed
- provide a 'photo' of what your character could look like at endgame during quite a few lives of their 'TR hamster wheel' journey
- show the 'foundations' to be built upon, if a player decides to embark on the 'TR hamster wheel' and go out there to hunt for rare bonuses
- gear choices are NOT part of the core build, but rather one of the most important ways to invest in the key elements of the core build to make the aims work. It has been added here simply to suggest options/ inspire. No promises are being made towards keeping this updated upon the release of new content.
DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!
Aims of the build
Primary aim(s):
1. Melee DPS:
> AoE
> Fury of the Wild's 'Quick Cutter [T1]'
> {+30% dmg; +3 crit threat range}: Cleave Melee Attack that strikes all enemies around you twice
> Swashbuckler's 'En Point [T2]'
> {+30% dmg; +12 crit threat range; -1 crit multiplier}: Two attacks AoE
NO Save extra dmg
> Fatesinger's 'Mantle of Sound and Fury [T2]'
> Weapon attacks: chance for AoE Sonic damage per Char Level to all nearby foes
> Fury of the Wild's 'Cutter [T1]'
> all enemies hit by 'Quick Cutter [T1]' gain Cutter: Slash dmg/char Level; every 2s for 8s; stacks 3 times, scales w Melee Power
> Single-target
> Fury of the Wild's 'Fast and Furious [T2]'
> {+30% dmg; +3 crit multiplier}: Rush forward and strike your enemies!
> Thief Acrobat's 'Sly Flourish [T1]'
> {+30% damage; +3 crit range} reduces threat with nearby enemies whether you deal damage or not
> Swashbuckler's 'Blow by Blow [T1]'
> {+3 crit range} deals extra Sonic damage (scales spell power), and reduces threat with nearby enemies
NO Save dmg
> Fatesinger's 'The Rythm to Reign [T3]'
> On Vorpal Strikes, unleash a thunderclap, dealing Electric and Sonic dmg (scales w respective spell power)
2. interweaved with Crowd Control:
> AoE spells/abilities:
Enchantment {vs Will Save}
> Fatesinger
> 'Cut the Strings [T5]' {monsters within a wide radius around you are forced to dance for 10s, cooldown 60s}
> Bard spell
> 'Otto's Sphere of Dancing' {A magical sphere that compels all enemies who enter it to dance}
Evocation {vs Fort Save}
> Bard spell
> 'Greater Shout' {an ear-splitting yell that stuns targets in its path}
Perform skill {vs Will Save}
> Bard
> 'Fascinate' (feat)
> Single-target spells/abilities:
NO Save
> Bard spell
> 'Otto's Irresistible Dance' {a single enemy feels an undeniable urge to dance}
Perform skill {vs Will Save}
> Tiefling Scoundrel
> 'Fiendish Arpeggio: Ash Imprisonment [T3]' {attempts to turn target to burning Ash: acts similarly to a Flesh to Stone Spell, and affects anything Fascinate can affect; duration 20s}
Perform skill + d20
> Swashbuckler
> 'Low Blow [T4]' {perform a shield bash; on hit, knocks down affected enemy for 3s, 18s cooldown}
Enchantment {vs Will Save}
> Bard spell
> 'Hold Monster' {a single enemy becomes held in place, causing helplessness, for a max of 6s per caster level}
> 'Guard' effects on being hit/missed:
NO Save
> Fatesinger's 'Intoxicating presence [C2]'
> {5% chance for enemies to become Fascinated for 12s, on being hit}
> Swashbuckler's 'Elegant footwork [T3]'
> {20% chance for enemies to be knocked down when they attack but miss you, 20s cooldown}
> Tiefling Scoundrel's 'Hellish Reverberation [T2]'
> {?% chance for enemies to be dazed when they strike you}
3. and with Insta-kills:
> AoE
Enchantment {vs Will Save}
> Fatesinger
> 'Cut the Strings [T5]' {for 10s your character gains the ability to cut their strings with any weapon strike or spell at a rate of once per second, instantly killing them}
> Single target
Perform skill {vs Fort Save}
> Swashbuckler
> 'Coup de Grace [T5]' {any Fascinated, Sleeping, Dancing, Dazed, Tripped, Mesmerized, Paralyzed, Petrified, or Stunned enemy must save or die instantly, 20s cooldown}
Secondary aim(s):4. Moderate offensive casting (mostly Sonic):
> Preference for spells that heal while doing damage to enemies:
> AoE spells/abilities/effects:
NO Save vs dmg
> Fatesinger
> 'Echoes of Discord [T2]' [Sonic + Healing]
> 'Mantle of Sound and Fury [T2]' {spells: chance for AoE Sonic damage per Char Level to all nearby foes}
> Fury of the Wild:
> 'Primal Scream [T2]' [Sonic] {scales w highest of Melee Power or Sonic Spell Power)
Evocation {vs Fort Save}
> Bard spell:
> Greater Shout' [Sonic + Healing]
> Spellsinger:
> SLA: 'Shout [T3]' [Sonic + Healing]
> Single-target spells/abilities/effects:
NO Save
> Spellsinger:
> SLA: 'Reverberation [T2]' [Sonic]
> Tiefling Scoundrel:
> 'Fiendish Arpeggio' (auto-granted racial feat) [Sonic + Fire]
> 'Guard' damage on being hit/missed (scales Spell Power):
NO Save
> Swashbuckler
> 'Sword Dance [T2]' [Sonic] (scales w spell power)
> Tiefling Scoundrel
> 'Hellish Rebuke [T1]' [Fire] (scales w spell power)
5. Moderate support healing the frontline:
> Fatesinger
> 'Hear my Voice Friend [C4]'
{Greatest Shout, Greater Shout, Shout, and Echoes of Discord spells now target allies inside their areas of effect and heal them for 10% of the damage potential of the spell}
> 'Majesty [T4]'
{When you play any Bardic Song while using the Mantle of Sound & Fury, you heal yourself & nearby allies for 1d2 Hit Points per Character Level (scaling with Positive Spellpower) and apply the Restoration spell}
> Spellsinger
> 'Sustaining Song [T4]' {applies a temp fast-healing effect for duration of song; heals for 2d3 every 2s}
> Bard
> 'Soothing Song' (auto-granted feat @lvl 8): heals twice with 'Majesty [T4]'
> 'Mass Cure Moderate & Light Wounds' (spells)
6. some Enemy de-buffs:
NO Save
> Swashbuckler:
> Improved Destruction on hit: -1 AC, -1% Fortification per stack, stacks up to 15 times; 20s duration, may trigger once every second
'Battering Barrage [T4]'
> Thief-Acrobat:
> On Sneak Attack: Intelligent target gains -1 Balance, Reflex, and Will saves for 20s; stacks 5 times, cooldown: 8s
'Sly Flourish [T1]'
> Fatesinger:
> Harmonic Resonance stacks {10% Sonic damage vulnerability and -5 AC per stack; stacks up to 3 times, lasts up to 20s}
20% chance on weapon attacks & offensive spells
'Harmonic Resonance [T1]'
> Fury of the Wild
> Shaken {-2 attack rolls, saves & skill checks}, for 30s every 30s
'Primal Scream [T1]'
Enchantment {vs Will Save}
> Stormsinger spells:
> -2 attack, saves, skill checks and weapon dmg, on failed save. Also applies Weaken Will (-5 to Will Saves for 15s), even on successful save
'Crushing Despair'
> -10 Will Saves on failed save; while in the fog
'Mind Fog'
7. Party buffs via enhanced 'Bardic Inspiration' & 'Bardic Ballad':
enhanced 'Bardic Inspiration' (active song)
> Spellsinger
> 'Spell Song trance [T3]' {+1 morale spell DC's & 10% morale discount on spell point costs}
> 'Arcane Aid [T4]' {+1 Music Bonus to Spell Penetration}
> Fatesinger
> 'Jack of All Trades [T1]' {Inspire Competence now also grants +3 Skills to those you inspire}
> Epic feat
> 'Inspiration Melody: Excellence' {+2 competence bonus to all stats}
enhanced 'Bardic Ballad' (passive 'aura')
> Fatesinger
> 'Inspire Transcendence [T5]' {+1 all Spell DCs, +1 DC of all Tactical Feats, and True Seeing}
8. Finding & disabling traps + opening locks
Key stats & synergies
My preferred Quickbar layout (in case it's useful):
A. Charisma for melee combat & spellcasting:
> To-hit via Feydark Illusionist's 'Familiar Flourish [T1]'
> To damage (inc Bucklers) via Swashbuckler's 'Smooth Flourishes [T3]'
> High Perform skill:
> DCs for insta-kill: Swashbuckler's 'Coup de Grace [T5]'
> DCs for some CC abilities:
- Swashbuckler's 'Low Blow [T4]'
- Tiefling Scoundrel's 'Fiendish Arpeggio: Ash Imprisonment [T3]'
> Bard 'Fascinate' (auto-granted feat)
> base ability for some key spells/enhancements:
> Fatesinger (e.g. Cut the Strings [T5])
> Bard CC & offensive spells (e.g. Hold Monster, Otto's Sphere of Dancing & Greater Shout)
B. Attack speed = 35%
Feats
> -10%: 'Patience'
Combat style bonus
> +30%: 'Greater Single Weapon Fighting' (feat)
Enhancement bonus
> +15%: Haste spell
[Rogue Acrobat 'Haste Action Boost [T2]']
> 9 Charges:
Base charges
> 5
Augment
> +3: 'Legendary Moment to Legendary Moment'
Airship buffs
> +1: 'Concert Hall'
Note: this image
will be updated once I get to level 33 and take the 'Patience' featC. Doublestrike = 56%
> buffable to 86% in reaper mode
[Dread Adversary's 'Reaper Strike [T1]']
D. Weapon Critical profile 15-20/ x4:→ Critical threat range
Base
> 19-20: Short Swords
Feats
> +2 feat bonus: 'Improved Critical: Piercing' (feat)
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Bard's 'Swashbuckling* [C3]' {base bonus}
> +1 competence bonus: Bard's 'Swashbuckling* [C3]' {*doubled bonus if you have the IC feat}
= 15-20
Special bonus
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 insightful bonus (stacking until successfully critically hit): Swashbuckler's 'Exploit Weakness [T5]'
→ Critical damage multiplier
Base
> x2: Short Swords
Feats
> +1 feat bonus: 'Patience'
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Bard's 'Swashbuckling [C3]'
= x4
→ Average extra damage from weapon crit profile = +94%:
Overall Critical Profile Multiplier = 19 + 'Crit Units' / 19
'Crit Units' = (threat range) x (multiplier -1)
Critical threat range 15-20 = 6
Critical damage multiplier = 4
'Crit units' = (6) * (4-1) = 18
Overall Critical Profile Multiplier = 19 + 18 / 19 = 1.94 = 194% (100% base damage + 94% extra from crit profile)
> Crit damage multiplier boosts = +1 (15-18/ x4, 19-20/ x5):
Epic Destinies
> +1 on 19-20 rolls: Fatesinger's 'Blade Song [T5]'
→ Average total extra damage from weapon crit profile on 19-20 rolls = +105%:
Overall Critical Profile Multiplier = 19 + 'Crit Units' / 19
'Crit Units' = (threat range) x (multiplier -1) + 2 * (19-20 bonuses)
Critical threat range 15-20 = 6
Critical damage multiplier = 4
19-20 bonuses = 1
'Crit units' = (6) * (4-1) + 2 * (1)= 20
Overall Critical Profile Multiplier = 19 + 20 / 19 = 1.73 = 205% (100% base damage + 105% extra from crit profile)
> Expanded Vorpal threat range = +1 (19-20):
Feats
> +1: 'Perfect Single Weapon Fighting' (feat)
E. 6 imbue die: Sonic dmg (scales Spell Power)> Tiefling Scoundrel's toggle 'Bloodsong I [C1]'
Imbue die breakdown:
+3 die Feats
+3 Scion of Feywild (@lvl 30)
+1 dice Augment
+1 Emerald of Arcane Empowerment
+2 die Filigrees
+2 Reverberation (set bonus: 2 pieces)
= total 6 die, sustainable 100% of the time
F. 5 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
+1 die Feats
+1 Rogue (auto-granted feat @lvl 1)
+4 dice Epic Destinies
+3 Shadowdancer (C1-3)
+1 Shadowdancer (T2)
= total 5 die, sustainable 100% of the time
G. Extra melee damage:
> Ability modifier to dmg = 1.75x:
> Full SWF combat style line of feats
> Extra Weapon dmg = +0.25{W]:
Airship Buffs
> +0.25[W]: 'Ninja Assassin'
> Extra Melee Power:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat)
H. Burst damage:
> Fatesinger's 'Turn the Tide [T5]'
I. Main Spell DCs:> Enchantment
> Evocation
(Numbers will be added when I acquire all the gear I have planned for. It's hard work feeding and clothing 23 alts!)J. Main Spell Powers:
> Sonic
> Positive
(Numbers will be added when I acquire all the gear I have planned for. It's hard work feeding and clothing 23 alts!)> Extra Spell Power:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat)
> Extra damage on offensive spellcasting:
> 'Mantle of Sound and Fury [T2]'
K. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
> Max DEX bonus to armor: = 39 / Dodge cap = 30%
> Dodge chance = 30%
> buffable to 55% with 'Uncanny Dodge' (feat)
> Concealment = 50%:
> 'Displacement' (spell)
> Deflect arrows (1 projectile every 6s):
> Swashbuckler's 'Deflect Arrows [T2]'
> Hit Points bonus = +30%
Competence bonus
> +20%: Swashbuckler's 'Second Skin [T5]'
Legendary bonus
> +10%: Winter set (4 pieces)
L. Trapping:
> High INT:
> Search + Disable traps
> Reflex saves: 'Insightful reflexes' (feat)
> Improved Evasion:
> Rogue lvl 2 (feat)
> Shadowdancer's 'The Darkest Luck [C3]'
The 'core elements' of the buildClass(es): Bard (18)/ Rogue (2)
Race: Tiefling Scoudrel
Alignment: Chaotic Good (Non-Lawful because Bard restriction)
Main stat: Charisma (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 08/ DEX: 12*/ CON: 16/ INT: 14/ WIS: 08/ CHA: 20
* +1 DEX tome req for Precision feat
Skills:> Search/ Disable Device / Open Lock
> Perform/ Heal / Use Magic Device/ Spellcraft/ Balance (req for Single Weapon Fighting feats)/ Tumble*
* min 7 points req for Greater Single Weapon Fighting feat
Weapon type(s): Short swords, Rapiers, Daggers, Light Picks (light piercing weapons)Feats:
Heroic enhancements: 85 = 80 + 3 (Racial tomes) + 2 (Universal tome)
N.B: Multi-selector choices:
> Swashbuckler
> T3: 'Smooth Flourishes' (CHA) + 'Skirmisher' (Buckler)
> T4: 'Low Blow'
> Spellsinger
> T2: 'Yellow Marigold Crown' (Enchantment)
> T4: 'Arcane Aid'
Epic Destinies: 73 = 69 + 1 (Tome of Fate +3) + 2 (Fey & Dread tomes) + 1 (Historic tome)
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
> Fatesinger
> T1: 'Strike a Cord'
> T2: 'Echoes of Discord'
> T3: Evocation DCs
> T4: 'Martial Resonance'
> T4: 'Very Very Vocal'
> T4: 'Enlarge Spell'
> Shadowdancer
> T3: 'Shadowstriker'
> T3: 'Enchantment DCs'
> Fury of the Wild
> T1: 'Quick Cutter'
> T2: 'Fast and Furiousr'
> T3: 'Doublestrike'
> T3: 'Sprit of the Beast'
Prior to Myth Drannor's level cap raise (total 65 Destiny Points)
Spells:
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)
Gear Set bonuses:
Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Most important augments to slot:
+10 Melee Power/ +1 Imbue dice
+10 Dmg/ +20 To-hit
+3 Action Boost charges
+1 except All Ability scores
+5 insight Charisma
+5 insight Intelligence (for the trapping gear)
+2 festival Charisma & Constitution
+6 equip Evocation DCs
+2 enhanc Enchantment & Evocation DCs
+139 Positive Spell Power
+19 Perform skill
Invisibility guard/ Quickdraw
+48 Hit Points/ +100% Fortification
+10 resist All Saves / +6 insight Saves & AC
Eye of Mabar / Feareater
(Suggestions for where to slot them in the DDOBuilder file for this build).
+10 Dmg/ +20 To-hit
+3 Action Boost charges
+1 except All Ability scores
+5 insight Charisma
+5 insight Intelligence (for the trapping gear)
+2 festival Charisma & Constitution
+6 equip Evocation DCs
+2 enhanc Enchantment & Evocation DCs
+139 Positive Spell Power
+19 Perform skill
Invisibility guard/ Quickdraw
+48 Hit Points/ +100% Fortification
+10 resist All Saves / +6 insight Saves & AC
Eye of Mabar / Feareater
(Suggestions for where to slot them in the DDOBuilder file for this build).
Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Filigree master plan:
- Primarily invest in Spell DC and Charisma.
- Imbue Dice goes as a secondary aim, if/when possible to squeeze in
- other effects get the least priority
I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
.
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