Raid Buff Hoe

[majorhavoc]

The guild has agreed to assist with leveling & gearing a new raid buff bard, does not need any DPS, CC, or healing only 3 requirements!
1) Must have all the best long-duration Bard Buffs.
2) Must be able to buff at least 1 raid Chest.
3) Must have T5 Beckon for raid rescue.
Bonus points for having enough Rog skills to handle R1 raid traps.

Yes, he will spend most of the time standing around unless needed.
Here is a proposed build, please comment and help us improve it based on the aforementioned minimum requirements.

Human Buff Bard Inquis
18/2 Bard/Artificer
Chaotic Neutral Human


Level Order

1. Artificer . . . 6. Bard. . . . . .11. Bard. . . . . .16. Bard
2. Bard . . . . . .7. Bard . . . . . 12. Bard . . . . . 17. Bard
3. Bard . . . . . .8. Bard . . . . . 13. Bard . . . . . 18. Bard
4. Artificer . . . 9. Bard. . . . . .14. Bard. . . . . .19. Bard
5. Bard . . . . . 10. Bard . . . . . 15. Bard . . . . . 20. Bard


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .+8. . . .4: CHA
Dexterity . . . 13. . . .+8. . . .8: CHA
Constitution. . 16. . . .+8. . . 12: CHA
Intelligence. . 13. . . .+8. . . 16: CHA
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . .+8. . . 20: CHA
Charisma. . . . 18. . . .+8. . . 24: CHA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: CHA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32: CHA

Skills
. . . . . A .B .B .A. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Perform . . .5 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spellcr . 4 .1 .1 . . 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Disable . 4 . . 1. 2 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .23
Search. . 4 . . . .3. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spot. . . 4 .1 .1 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 3. 13
Jump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 12
Heal. . . . .½ .2 . . ½. 1. 1. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
Open Lo . 4 . . . .2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
UMD . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .24 .9 10. 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 12 12


Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.1 Human. : Least Dragonmark: Finding
.3. . . . : Rapid Shot
.6. . . . : Weapon Focus: Ranged
.9. . . . : Precise Shot
12. . . . : Extend Spell
15. . . . : Improved Critical: Ranged
18. . . . : Improved Bardic Music
21 Epic . : Inspiration Melody Excellence
22 Destiny: Lasting Inspiration
24 Epic . : Combat Archery
25 Destiny: Epic Mage Armor
27 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
30 Epic . : Watchful Eye
30 Legend : Scion of: Limbo
31 Destiny: Harbinger of Chaos
33 Epic . : Improved Precise Shot
34 Destiny: Titan's Blood


Spells

Bard

1. Focusing Chant (2), Color Spray (3), Detect Secret Doors (5), Cure Light Wounds (7), Merfolk's Blessing (18)
2. Blur (6), Cure Moderate Wounds (6), Rage (7), Invisibility (9), Heroism (19)
3. Haste (9), Good Hope (9), Displacement (10), Cure Serious Wounds (12), Charm Monster (20)
4. Otto's Sphere of Dancing (12), Freedom of Movement (12), Cure Critical Wounds (13), Dimension Door (15)
5. Greater Heroism (15), Mass Cure Light Wounds (15), Shadow Walk (16), Mind Fog (18)
6. Heroes' Feast (18), Mass Cure Moderate Wounds (18), Mass Cat's Grace (19)

Artificer

1. Enchant Armor (1), Enchant Weapons (1), <Any>

Enhancements (Spent: 80 +0r +2u / Max: 80 +0r +2u AP)

Spellsinger (39 AP)

• Spellsinger, Music of the Sewers, Music of the Dead, Music of the Makers, Virtuoso
  1. Studies: Musical III, Lingering Songs III
  2. Flicker or Willful: Flicker III, Marigold Crown: Yellow
  3. Defensive Bonus: Raucous Refrain III, Spell Song Trance, Charisma
  4. Sustaining Song, Spell Penetration: Arcane Aid III, Frolic, Song of Arcane Might
  5. Advanced Musical Studies, Prodigy III, Spell Song Vigor

Warchanter (25 AP)

• Skaldic: Constitution, Weapon Training, Song of Heroism
  1. Inspired Bravery III, Poetic Edda III, Rough and Ready III
  2. Ballad Melody: Arcane Shield III, Iced Edges, Sprint Boost III
  3. Ironskin Chant III
  4. Ballad Melody: Recklessness III

Human (13 AP)

• Human Versatility: Skills Boost, Human Adaptability: Charisma, Human Versatility II: Spell Power Boost, Greater Adaptability: Intelligence
  1. Dragonmark Focus: Tharashk III
  2. Lesser Dragonmark: Tharashk
  3. Greater Dragonmark: Tharashk

Inquisitive (5 AP)

• Inquisitive
  1. Dual Shooter, Law on your Side

Destinies (Spent: 69 (56 +13pdp) / Max: 69 (56 +13pdp) AP)

Divine Crusader (32 AP)

• Just Cause, Confront any Foe, Weather any Blow, Sunder Evil
  1. Spear of Light III, Consecration III
  2. Holy Mantle, Shield of Light III, Bulk Up III
  3. Gaze of the Divine, Crusade
  4. Purge the Wicked III, Blessed Strikes III, Cower Before Me
  5. Beckon Divinity

Fatesinger (24 AP)

• Fatesinger's Repertoire, Intoxicating Presence, Glitter of Fame, Hear My Voice Friend
  1. Jack of all trades I, Epic Strike: The Pluck of a String, Harmonic Resonance
  2. Pianissimo III, Discord: Arrow of Discord, Grandeur, A Little Bit of Music
  3. The Rhythm to Reign III
  4. Great Ballads of War III

Exalted Angel (13 AP)

• Astral Touch, Deepening Faith, Angelic Charge
  1. Subtle Flame III, Holy Strike: Healing Pillar
  2. Divine Protection III, Stand and Be Judged
  3. Exalted Angel Spell Focus: Enchantment I

 

[Ying]

Why stop at being a buff bot? Incorporate debuffing into to your build. That will increase damage for everyone in your raid far more than just buffing characters.

T5 Warchanter > T5 Spellsinger for buffs. Spell Song Vigor is not relevant in a game where Ring of Spell Storing (epic and legendary) is easily obtained and shrines are plentiful.

Otto's Sphere of Dancing and Color Spray are worthless without the DCs to support it. You can't just rely on Mind Fog to reduce DCs by 10.

Not sure why you aren't going T5 Machrotechnic since you have a rune arm and epic mage armor. Giving every melee 5% attack speed is amazing.

Improved Precise Shot is something that looks good on paper compared to reality. It's rarely useful unless you're soloing.

 

[majorhavoc]

Why stop at being a buff bot? Incorporate debuffing into to your build. That will increase damage for everyone in your raid far more than just buffing characters.

T5 Warchanter > T5 Spellsinger for buffs. Spell Song Vigor is not relevant in a game where Ring of Spell Storing (epic and legendary) is easily obtained and shrines are plentiful.

Otto's Sphere of Dancing and Color Spray are worthless without the DCs to support it. You can't just rely on Mind Fog to reduce DCs by 10.

Not sure why you aren't going T5 Machrotechnic since you have a rune arm and epic mage armor. Giving every melee 5% attack speed is amazing.

Improved Precise Shot is something that looks good on paper compared to reality. It's rarely useful unless you're soloing.

Sadly Divine Crusader T5 Beckon Divinity is non-negotiable, that is the whole purpose of the build.
I also agree that Warchanter is better than Spellsinger for melee, but it requires too much focus.
Would you suggest dumping IPS for maybe Quicken Spell?

 

[mikarddo]

If you are dual-boxing the bard and playing your actual char too - just stand at zone in after buffing in raids where thats possible

Make sure you max out positive spell power for best healing from song and max duration of songs to avoid having to rebuff.

Thats pretty much it.

 

[Pilgrim]

does the temporary HP from alchemist being in green trigger for bard sustaining song? If it does then thats another way of getting more temp HP to the party, Also lets you get some more crit chance.

 

[mikarddo]

You can also go Artificer 15 + Bard 5 for bard songs + Deadly / GEW if your raid group does not otherwise have Deadly.
If you are strictly a buff hoe I consider that a very storng combo.

 

[Ying]

Sadly Divine Crusader T5 Beckon Divinity is non-negotiable, that is the whole purpose of the build.
I also agree that Warchanter is better than Spellsinger for melee, but it requires too much focus.
Would you suggest dumping IPS for maybe Quicken Spell?

Quicken Spell is non-negotiable.

Elaborate what you mean about Warchanter requiring too much focus. I run a very effective first life Warchanter, and it does everything your build is proposing and more.

 

[SpartanKiller13]

does the temporary HP from alchemist being in green trigger for bard sustaining song? If it does then thats another way of getting more temp HP to the party, Also lets you get some more crit chance.

No; Soothing Poultices is on-cast (as is Feigned Health FWIW), although the CLW SLA pot is a great vector for spreading those temps.

I have a 15/4/1 Bard/Warlock/Alchemist exactly for that sort of build, but post-stat-squish and with modern HP scaling it's less and less relevant; still decent healing via ED stuff, 400ish AoE temps, and T5 US means I can tank for like 15s when necessary. Definitely requires active play though to get great value.

Although now I'm wondering about 11/5/4 Bard/Cleric/WM, 32 RS/22 Spellsinger/22 WM makes you a healing beacon sorta thing, but probably not good enough to be worth it (could do FvS with Heal Wall probs a lot more effectively, but does require you to tab in every 30s - but then you could double as a raid healer too as needed, with CW SLA etc). Losing +2 stats feelsbad though, even if it's pretty minor.

 

[majorhavoc]

Quicken Spell is non-negotiable.

Elaborate what you mean about Warchanter requiring too much focus. I run a very effective first life Warchanter, and it does everything your build is proposing and more.

run is the key word, too much focus = standing at zone in buffing unless raid wipe then Jib/Beckon or run to chest at end

 

[majorhavoc]

You can also go Artificer 15 + Bard 5 for bard songs + Deadly / GEW if your raid group does not otherwise have Deadly.
If you are strictly a buff hoe I consider that a very storng combo.

I like this idea, getting to max bard buffs and Deadly Wep would be the holy grail of buff mule.

 

[Ying]

run is the key word, too much focus = standing at zone in buffing unless raid wipe then Jib/Beckon or run to chest at end

Sounds like exciting and engaging gameplay. Why your guild would want to dedicate a raid spot to this is beyond me. Bards can heal just fine in every R1 raid. Play however you want, but your guild would be better served with a different strategy.

 

[mikarddo]

Sounds like exciting and engaging gameplay. Why your guild would want to dedicate a raid spot to this is beyond me. Bards can heal just fine in every R1 raid. Play however you want, but your guild would be better served with a different strategy.

Some guilds may raid with fewer than 12 people preferring to shortman rather than pug out the last few spots.
In that case having a pure buff bard on a second account while playing your actual character on your real account does make good sense.

That does not seem to be the case here though

 

[Hobgoblin]

Sounds like exciting and engaging gameplay. Why your guild would want to dedicate a raid spot to this is beyond me. Bards can heal just fine in every R1 raid. Play however you want, but your guild would be better served with a different strategy.

this is the way. my buff bard is t5 WC and has heals. for normal reaper he sings and stays close enough for aura. if I bring him to raids I'm either actively healing or we are so op he stays in a corner and I don't care if he does. when I do play him I do use a few debuffs. he is a first lifer but well geared and an actual asset in quests not a waste if a party slot like what you seem to want.


not you Ying

 

[majorhavoc]

Correct, we often short-man raids, we don't need the extra PUG slots so a buff hoe at zone-in is very beneficial.

 

[majorhavoc]

Sounds like exciting and engaging gameplay. Why your guild would want to dedicate a raid spot to this is beyond me. Bards can heal just fine in every R1 raid. Play however you want, but your guild would be better served with a different strategy.

I am guessing you are not getting the point, nobody will be playing this toon, it will buff the party at the zone and do nothing else other than buff the chest at the end, it is not meant to be exciting just pure utility.

 

[unbongwah]

I am guessing you are not getting the point, nobody will be playing this toon, it will buff the party at the zone and do nothing else other than buff the chest at the end, it is not meant to be exciting just pure utility.

That's the part that was missing from your OP, sounds like this is an alt account with a pure buffbot. Hence all the misguided advice on how to make this actually fun to play.

 

[LokiFrost]

That's the part that was missing from your OP, sounds like this is an alt account with a pure buffbot. Hence all the misguided advice on how to make this actually fun to play.

I completely understood OP when he said, "Yes, he will spend most of the time standing around unless needed."

 

[Oliphant]

PDK For Cormyr!?