Kalibano
Build Designer & Fun Lover 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 file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder 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 + some Fire):
Key stats & synergies
Key abilities toolbar (main rotation):
A. Charisma for melee combat:
> Attack speed boost = +30% (total 75%)
C. Doublestrike = 56%
F. 5 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
G. Extra melee damage:
K. Main Spell Powers:
L. 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!
O. Party buffs via songs:
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: 83 = 80 + 2 (Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
N.B: Multi-selector choices:
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
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!
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| 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 file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder 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
2. interweaved with Crowd Control:
> AoE spells/abilities:
> Fatesinger
Enchantment
> 'Cut the Strings [T5]'
> Bard
Enchantment
> 'Otto's Sphere of Dancing'
Perform skill
> 'Fascinate'
Evocation
> 'Greater Shout'
> Single-target spells/abilities:
> Swashbuckler
Perform skill
> 'Low Blow [T4]'
> Tiefling Scoundrel
Perform skill
> 'Fiendish Arpeggio: Ash Imprisonment [T3]'
> Bard
NO save
> 'Otto's Irresistible Dance'
Enchantment
> 'Hold Monster'
> 'Guard' effects on being hit/missed:
> Fatesinger
> 'Intoxicating presence [C2]' {on being hit, 5% chance for enemies to become Fascinated for 12s, no save}
> Swashbuckler
> 'Elegant footwork [T3]' {When enemies miss you, they have a 20% chance to be knocked down, no save}
> Tiefling Scoundrel
> 'Hellish Reverberation [T2]' {enemies that strike you have a chance to be dazed, no save}
3. and with Insta-kills:> AoE
> Fatesinger
Enchantment
> 'Cut the Strings [T5]'
> Single target
> Swashbuckler
Perform skill
> 'Coup de Grace [T5]'
Secondary aim(s):4. Moderate offensive casting (mostly Sonic + some Fire):
> AoE spells/abilities:
> Fatesinger
No save vs dmg
> 'Echoes of Discord [T2]'
> Bard
Evocation
> 'Greater Shout'
> 'Shout'
> Machrotechnic
No save vs dmg
> 'Sonic Boom [T1]'
> 'Tonquin's Thunder Hammer [T2]'
> Single-target spells/abilities:
> Spellsinger
No save
> 'Reverberation [T2]'
> 'Guard' damage on being hit/missed (scales Spell Power):
> Swashbuckler
> 'Sword dance [T2]'
> Tiefling Scoundrel
> 'Hellish Rebuke [T1]'
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]'
6. Finding & disabling traps + opening locksKey stats & synergies
Key abilities toolbar (main rotation):
A. Charisma for melee combat:
> To-hit via Feydark Illusionist's 'Familiar Flourish [T1]'
> To damage via Swashbuckler's 'Smooth Flourishes [T3]'
> High Perform skill: DCs for insta-kill (Coup de Grace) + some CC abilities & Fascinate
> SWF with bucklers: Swasbuckler's 'Skirmisher [T3]'
B. Attack speed = 45%
Combat style bonus
> +30%: 'Greater Single Weapon Fighting' (feat)
Enhancement bonus
> +15%: Haste spell
[Rogue Acrobat 'Haste Action Boost [T2]']
C. Doublestrike = 56%
> buffable to 86% in reaper mode
[Dread Adversary's 'Reaper Strike [T1]']
D. Weapon Critical profile 15-20/ x3:→ Critical threat range
Base
> 19-20: Short Swords
Feats
> +2 feat bonus: 'Improved Critical: Piercing' (feat)
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +2 competence bonus: Bard's 'Swashbuckling [C3]'
= 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
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Bard's 'Swashbuckling [C3]'
= x3
→ Average additional base damage = +60%:
Critical threat range 15-20 = 6
Critical damage multiplier x3 (-1 to remove base) = 2
> 6 x 2 = 12
> Each point = 5% more average base damage
> 12 x 5% = 60%
> Crit damage multiplier boosts = +1 (15-20/x4):
Epic Destinies
> +1 on 19-20 rolls: Fatesinger's 'Blade Song [T5]'
15-20/x4 = 6 x 3 = 18
18 x 5% = +90% more average base damage
> Expanded Vorpal threat range = +1 (19-20):
Feats
> +1: 'Perfect Single Weapon Fighting' (feat)
E. 8 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
+4 die Filigrees
+2 Reverberation (set bonus: 2 pieces)
+2 Long Shadow (set bonus: 3 pieces)
= total 8 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'
> Sonic dmg on weapon attacks (can only occur once every 10 seconds, scales Sonic Spell Power)
> Fatesinger's 'Mantle of Sound and Fury [T2]'
> Extra Melee Power:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat)
H. Burst damage:
> Fatesinger's 'Turn the Tide [T5]'
I. De-buffs:
> Inflict Sonic vulnerability
> Fatesinger's 'Harmonic Resonance [T1]' (up to 30% extra dmg, procs on melee + spell casting)
> Will save de-buffs:
> Bard spells
> 'Crushing Despair'
> 'Mind Fog'
> Rogue Acrobat
> 'Sly Flourish [T1]'
> Improved Destruction on all melee attacks
> Swashbuckler's 'Battering Barrage [T4]'
J. 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!)K. 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]'
L. 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)
O. Party buffs via songs:
> Spellsinger
> 'Inspiration Melody: Spell Song trance [T3]
> 'Arcane Aid [T4]'
> Epic feat
> Inspire Excellence
P. 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: 83 = 80 + 2 (Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
N.B: Multi-selector choices:
> Swashbuckler
> T3: 'Smooth Flourishes' (CHA) + 'Skirmisher' (Buckler)
> T4: 'Low Blow'
Epic Destinies: 65 = 61 + 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'
> Machrotecnic
> T1: 'Sonic Blast'
> T2: 'Tonquin's Thunder Hammer'
> T3: Speed Drive
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
+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
+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!
.
Last edited:
without heighten