R10 Bard

[Fivetigers33]

Here's my favorite build. If you don't have enough Racial AP, you can be any race you want and just use Sickles. Swap Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning for Swords to Plowshares. Or you can just use Labrythine Edge.


Classes: 18 Bard, 1 Cleric, 1 Fighter
Race: Aasimar Scourge · · ·Alignment: Neutral Good

Abilities
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· · ·· · Start Tome
Str:· · · 8· · 8
Dex:· · 14· · 8
Con:· · 16· · 8
Int:· · · 8· · 8
Wis:· · 14· · 8
Cha:· · 18· · 8
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Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Level 1 Requires a +1 Heart of Wood to switch out of Iconic Class
1 · · Bard(1) · · · · ·Standard: Single Weapon Fighting
2 · · Fighter(1)· · · ·Fighter Bonus: Precision
3 · · Bard(2) · · · · ·Standard: Shield Mastery
4 · · Bard(3) · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
5 · · Bard(4) · · · · ·
6 · · Bard(5) · · · · ·Standard: Completionist
7 · · Bard(6) · · · · ·
8 · · Bard(7) · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
9 · · Bard(8) · · · · ·Standard: Improved Single Weapon Fighting
10· · Bard(9) · · · · ·
11· · Bard(10)· · · · ·
12· · Bard(11)· · · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
13· · Bard(12)· · · · ·
14· · Bard(13)· · · · ·
15· · Cleric(1) ·Standard: Improved Shield Mastery
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Follower of Faith: Favored by Helm
16· · Bard(14)· · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
17· · Bard(15)· · · · ·
18· · Bard(16)· · · · ·Standard: Greater Single Weapon Fighting
19· · Bard(17)· · · · ·
20· · Bard(18)· · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Inspire Excellence
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Improved Shield Bash
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Elusive Target
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Charisma: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Dire Charge
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Feywild
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Skills
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Enhancements: 80 APs, Racial 15, Universal 1
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Aasimar: Scourge of the Undead - Points spent: 18
1 Core ·(1) Stronger Bonds I
2 Core ·(2) Ability I: +1 Charisma
3 Core ·(1) Stronger Bonds II
4 Core ·(2) Ability II: +1 Charisma
5 Core ·(1) Stronger Bonds III
6 Tier1 (1) Scourge Weapons
7 Tier2 (1) Improved Scourge Weapons
8 Tier1 (2) Improved Recovery I
9 Tier3 (1) Greater Scourge Weapons
10 Tier3 (2) Improved Recovery II
11 Tier3 (1) Blessing
12 Tier4 (2) Destroyer of the Dead
13 Tier4 (1) Divine Form
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Warchanter - Points spent: 45
1 Core ·(1) Skaldic Rage / Skaldic Constitution: Skaldic Constitution
2 Tier1 (2) Enchant Weapon
3 Tier1 (1) Rough and Ready
4 Tier1 (1) Rough and Ready
5 Tier1 (1) Rough and Ready
6 Core ·(1) Weapon Training
7 Tier2 (1) Iced Edges
8 Tier2 (1) Iced Edges
9 Tier2 (1) Iced Edges
10 Core ·(1) Song of Heroism
11 Tier3 (1) Frozen Fury
12 Tier3 (1) Frozen Fury
13 Tier3 (1) Balad Melody: Ironskin
14 Tier3 (1) Frozen Fury
15 Tier3 (1) Balad Melody: Ironskin
16 Tier3 (1) Balad Melody: Ironskin
17 Tier3 (2) Ability I: +1 Charisma
18 Tier3 (1) High Spirits
19 Core ·(1) Fighting Spirit
20 Tier4 (2) Northwind
21 Tier4 (2) Northwind
22 Tier4 (2) Northwind
23 Tier4 (1) Ballad Melody: Recklessness
24 Tier4 (1) Ballad Melody: Recklessness
25 Tier4 (1) Ballad Melody: Recklessness
26 Core ·(1) Victory Song
27 Tier5 (1) Spinning Ice
28 Tier5 (1) Spinning Ice
29 Tier5 (1) Spinning Ice
30 Tier5 (2) Howl of the North
31 Tier5 (1) Chant of Power
32 Tier5 (1) Chant of Power
33 Tier5 (1) Chant of Power
34 Tier5 (1) Kingly Recovery
35 Tier5 (1) Kingly Recovery
36 Tier5 (1) Kingly Recovery
37 Tier4 (2) Ability II: +1 Charisma
38 Tier2 (1) Action Boost: Sprint
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Swashbuckler - Points spent: 16
1 Core ·(1) Confidence
2 Tier1 (1) Tavern Shanties
3 Tier1 (1) Tavern Shanties
4 Tier1 (1) Tavern Shanties
5 Tier1 (1) Limber Up
6 Core ·(1) Swashbuckling
7 Tier2 (2) Fast Movement
8 Tier2 (2) Deflect Arrows
9 Tier3 (2) Different Tack: Smooth Flourishes
10 Tier3 (1) Swashbuckling Style: Skirmisher
11 Core ·(1) Uncanny Dodge
12 Tier3 (2) Ability I: +1 Charisma
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Kensei - Points spent: 10
1 Core ·(1) Kensei Focus: Kensei Focus: Maces and Clubs
2 Tier1 (2) Weapon Group Specialization I: Kensei Focus: Maces and Clubs
3 Tier1 (1) Action Boost: Haste Boost
4 Tier1 (1) Action Boost: Haste Boost
5 Tier1 (1) Action Boost: Haste Boost
6 Tier1 (2) Extra Action Boost
7 Tier1 (2) Extra Action Boost
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Warpriest- Points spent: 4
1 Core ·(1) Smite Foe: Smite Foe (Melee)
2 Tier1 (1) Divine Might
3 Tier1 (1) Divine Might
4 Tier1 (1) Divine Might
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Feydark Illusionist - Points spent: 3
1 Core ·(1) Find Familiar (Pseudodragon)
2 Tier1 (2) Familiar's Flourish
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Active Destiny Tree
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Fatesinger - Points spent: 24
1 Core ·(0)· Repertoire
2 Core ·(0) Glitter of Fame
3 Core ·(0) Harmonic Resonance
4 Core ·(0) Intoxicating Presence
5 Core ·(0) Grandeur
6 Core ·(0) Majesty
7 Tier1 (1) First Harmonic Chord
8 Tier1 (1) First Harmonic Chord
9 Tier1 (1) First Harmonic Chord
10 Tier1 (2) Ability I: +1 Charisma
11 Tier2 (1) Bound Fate
12 Tier2 (1) Bound Fate
13 Tier2 (1) Bound Fate
14 Tier3 (1) Grim Fate
15 Tier3 (1) Grim Fate
16 Tier3 (1) Grim Fate
17 Tier2 (1) Reign
18 Tier4 (2) Martial Hymn
19 Tier2 (2)· Ability II: +1 Charisma
20 Tier5 (1) Bladesong
21 Tier5 (1) The Fith Chord
22 Tier3 (2) Ability III: +1 Charisma
23 Tier6 (1) Turn of the Tide
24 Tier3 (1) Aria
25 Tier4 (2) Ability IV: +1 Charisma
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Twists of fate - 40 of 40 Fate points spent.
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Twist 1 - Tier 4: Fury of the Wild: Sense Weakness
Twist 2 - Tier 3: Shadowdancer: Meld Into Darkness
Twist 3 - Tier 2: Unyielding Sentinel: Legendary Shield Mastery
Twist 4 - Tier 2: Divine Crusader: Confront Any Foe
Twist 5 - Tier 1: Grandmaster of Flowers: A Dance of Flowers

Spells
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Bard Spells
L1: Enchant Weapons
L1: Feather Fall
L1: Focusing Chant
L1: Grease
L1: Merfolk's Blessing
L1: Sonic Blast
L2: Blindness
L2: Blur
L2: Glitterdust
L2: Invisibility
L2: Rage
L3: Crushing Despair
L3: Displacement
L3: Good Hope
L3: Haste
L3: Remove Curse
L4: Cure Critical Wounds
L4: Dimension Door
L4: Freedom of Movement
L4: Otto's Sphere of Dancing
L5: Cure Light Wounds, Mass
L5: Greater Dispel Magic
L5: Greater Heroism
L5: Shadow Walk
L6: Cure Moderate Wounds, Mass
L6: Heroes' Feast
L6: Otto's Irresistible Dance
Cleric Spells
L1: Divine Favor
L1: Protection from Evil

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Equipped Gear Set : Legendary Part of the Family, Eminence of Winter (4), Wild Fortitude, Alluring Elocution
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Helm · · · · Titania's Glory
Cloak· · · · Legendary Cloak of Winter
Belt · · · · Direwolf Belt
Bracers· · · · Legendary Cold Iron Bracers
Boots· · · · Legendary Deepsnow Boots
Armor · · · · Legendary Wildcard
Gloves· · · · Legendary Hammerfist
Goggles · · · Legendary Collective Sight (Constitution / Insightful Charisma)
Necklace· · · The Family's Blessing
Ring1 · · · · Stolen Signet of ir'Wynam
Ring2 · · · · Legendary Celestial Ruby Ring (Dexterity)
Trinket · · · Legendary Five Rings (Sheltering, Armor Piercing, Intimidate, Quality Charisma)
Quiver· · · Epic Quiver of Alacrity
Weapon· · · · Lightning Coil / Labrythine Edge
Shield· · · · Legendary Alchemical Buckler (Resonance/Charisma/Water) / Epic Swashbuckler (ML28)

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[Fivetigers33]

[choco1212]

Nevermind, i see why now. Good vid's btw

[PrinceOfAsphodel]

First off, thanks for making your build information so accessible! As a fellow Bard lover but with less resources, I find it very helpful. I've actually been working on a really similar idea. I can't quite make out the critical profile on your Mace in the video but if I'm calculating correctly, Swashbuckling + Improved Critical + Destroyer of the Dead + Howl of the North + Overwhelming Critical + Bladesong brings it to (15-18 x4) and (19-20 x7). I'm looking at a Hand Axe-wielding Scoundrel build that would end up with the same profile but only if it had 6 levels of Fighter for the third Kensei core Strike with No Thought. The build would theoretically be 13/6/1, since I think I lose too much if I drop the Cleric level.

Anyway, I can tell you put a lot of thought into your Bard build so I was wondering if I could pick you brain a bit and ask if this axe build looks comparable to your light mace build. I originally planned to be in Dreadnaught to squeeze one extra multiplier on (19-20) rolls but I'm not sure if it's worth giving up on all the Fatesinger stuff. I'm sure there is some weakness to the build that I'm not considering. I know losing the level 18 Warchanter core is unfortunate but on the other hand, the Scoundrel tree appears to synergize with Bard a little better than Scourge, and Tornado (while not amazing) does have more relevant stats than your prized Lightning Coil xD. Anyway, I'm dragging on, thanks again for posting your videos. They've been a real inspiration. Hope you're doing well. Cheers.

[Fivetigers33]

First off, thanks for making your build information so accessible! As a fellow Bard lover but with less resources, I find it very helpful. I've actually been working on a really similar idea. I can't quite make out the critical profile on your Mace in the video but if I'm calculating correctly, Swashbuckling + Improved Critical + Destroyer of the Dead + Howl of the North + Overwhelming Critical + Bladesong brings it to (15-18 x4) and (19-20 x7). I'm looking at a Hand Axe-wielding Scoundrel build that would end up with the same profile but only if it had 6 levels of Fighter for the third Kensei core Strike with No Thought. The build would theoretically be 13/6/1, since I think I lose too much if I drop the Cleric level.

Anyway, I can tell you put a lot of thought into your Bard build so I was wondering if I could pick you brain a bit and ask if this axe build looks comparable to your light mace build. I originally planned to be in Dreadnaught to squeeze one extra multiplier on (19-20) rolls but I'm not sure if it's worth giving up on all the Fatesinger stuff. I'm sure there is some weakness to the build that I'm not considering. I know losing the level 18 Warchanter core is unfortunate but on the other hand, the Scoundrel tree appears to synergize with Bard a little better than Scourge, and Tornado (while not amazing) does have more relevant stats than your prized Lightning Coil xD. Anyway, I'm dragging on, thanks again for posting your videos. They've been a real inspiration. Hope you're doing well. Cheers.

You are correct about my crit profile. 15-20 x4, 19-20 x7

You can get the same crit profile multiclassing with Fighter like you plan to. You can get even better multiclassing with Barbarian (T5 Frenzied Berserker).

I have tried Fatesinger vs LD several times. Fatesinger is the clear winner for burst damage. From my testing they are roughly equal on non-burst damage, though LD might be a little better in long boss beatdowns, but I've never done a proper test of that scenario. The big bonuses for LD is the extra helpless damage and the 20 second action boost cooldown, so if you are mostly grinding reaper XP, it's possible that LD might be better. You can always try them both and see what you like better, but I like Fatesinger. And remember, I was getting 14-20 x4 Crit profile with light maces in LD, and I still prefer Fatesinger. Being able to turn it up to 11 on demand with Turn of the Tide is perfect for Doom Reapers and bosses and you don't have to worry about keeping Blitz up.

Feel free to ask whatever.

[Tilomere]

Excellent play skills and timing in videos. Might want to swap that FvS to cleric though for turn undead charges to keep Dance of Flowers twist instead of Bane of Undeath?

Edit: Nvm Sense Weakness works now.

[Fivetigers33]

Excellent play skills and timing in videos. Might want to swap that FvS to cleric though for turn undead charges to keep Dance of Flowers twist instead of Bane of Undeath?

Also, since Sense Weakness was disabled, have you considered swapping it out for Grim Precision?

Thanks for pointing out that typo, lol you'd think I know what class I am (it's cleric). I've updated my original post.

I thought they fixed Sense Weakness. I'll have to check it out in game.


Edit: According to the Character sheet, it is giving me 30% helpless damage. I didn't do any in quest testing though.

[Tilomere]

Ooh, it was fixed two months ago, I just missed it in patch notes for Feywild.

[PrinceOfAsphodel]

You are correct about my crit profile. 15-20 x4, 19-20 x7

You can get the same crit profile multiclassing with Fighter like you plan to. You can get even better multiclassing with Barbarian (T5 Frenzied Berserker).

I have tried Fatesinger vs LD several times. Fatesinger is the clear winner for burst damage. From my testing they are roughly equal on non-burst damage, though LD might be a little better in long boss beatdowns, but I've never done a proper test of that scenario. The big bonuses for LD is the extra helpless damage and the 20 second action boost cooldown, so if you are mostly grinding reaper XP, it's possible that LD might be better. You can always try them both and see what you like better, but I like Fatesinger. And remember, I was getting 14-20 x4 Crit profile with light maces in LD, and I still prefer Fatesinger. Being able to turn it up to 11 on demand with Turn of the Tide is perfect for Doom Reapers and bosses and you don't have to worry about keeping Blitz up.

Feel free to ask whatever.

Hey, thanks so much for the quick reply! Good to hear from the expert that LD is not far behind Fatesinger. I also concluded that Fatesinger was better but I wasn't able to process how big the difference was. You made the difference very easy to understand. It's still funny to me since I started playing Swash in the era where LD was by far the better choice. The tables have certainly turned.

Anyway, people always bring up the T5 Berserker-Swash build because the crit profile is amazing but even though I keep wanting to try it, everything in Berserker that's under T5 just seems so underwhelming for a Swashbuckler, as opposed to what Kensei provides on the way to Strike With No Thought. Have you ever tried this Barb splash yourself?

[Fivetigers33]

Anyway, people always bring up the T5 Berserker-Swash build because the crit profile is amazing but even though I keep wanting to try it, everything in Berserker that's under T5 just seems so underwhelming for a Swashbuckler, as opposed to what Kensei provides on the way to Strike With No Thought. Have you ever tried this Barb splash yourself?

I have tried it. Barb spash gets better DPS, but locks you out of T5 Warchanter. The Fighter splash can still take T5 Warchanter, so it gets spinning ice and all those other goodies. If you play mostly with other people that have CC covered, Barb is probably better. If you solo a lot, or generally do most of the CC for your party, you're going to want T5 Warchanter. There isn't really a clear winner. Both are good. It just depends on what you want for your build.

To get the most out of the Barb version you need to Rage though, which comes with it's own set of limitations. It can be done without raging, but that's where you end up with a lot of "wasted" AP.

[Tilomere]

How about this:



Edit, oh nvm, can't accept sentience... No gain in damage, but it is cheaper to make maybe it has close to same damage.

[Fivetigers33]

How about this:

This should also give you better leveling because you get your end game weapon at level 24, and beast mode heroic version of weapon right when you start as an iconic to reset FTB at 15.

That's a really good guess! Had to log on and see what my actual numbers were, and here they are in reaper with Ascendant Bond.



The Brush Hook would be an awesome weapon, however it suffers the same fate as all the other awesome N/H/E weapons of Eveningstar and Gianthold, in that it doesn't accept sentience. Taking off my sentient weapon, I lose 3% Doublestrike, 8 Damage, 34 Melee Power, Shattered Device debuff, Prowess, and a handful of other small bonuses. I've tried something similar on paper with the Drow Light Mace of the Weaponmaster, but my math still put it behind a weapon with legendary weapon die. Maybe I'm wrong though and should actually try it?

Edit: I've been using ML 14 Skullsmasher for heroics and Drown Light Mace of the Weapon Master for 21-27.

[PrinceOfAsphodel]

How about this:


This should also give you better leveling because you get your end game weapon at level 24, and beast mode heroic version of weapon right when you start as an iconic to reset FTB at 15.

Super true. It's not a great endgame weapon though, since it doesn't deal great damage and can't accept sentience.

[Tilomere]

Super true. It's not a great endgame weapon though, since it doesn't deal great damage and can't accept sentience.

Oh right, Loss of sentience cancels increased base crit profile. Pros and cons though. That makes it a really cheap build to make since it doesn't involve sentience tool kits or +1 hearts.

[Fivetigers33]

That makes it a really cheap build to make since it doesn't involve sentience tool kits or +1 hearts.

Another option for people that want to do the build but not buy a heart is they can just keep the level of ranger and either twist Haste Boost or get it from Vistani. The Fighter level is 90% for haste boost, the extra action boosts and feat are just icing on the cake.

[therobb]

Awesome write up and impressive videos! I say this as a fellow bard lover who's doing more and more R10 solo runs on my swashbuckler lately.

I'm doing something similar to your build but my split is 16 bard, 3 rogue, 1 cleric. Running in Fatesinger as well. Compared to your split, mine loses 1 feat from dropping the fighter level, but gains evasion, trap skills and more skill points and a little sneak damage. Evasion and trap skills plus stealth skills really give the build a batman feel that it can do anything reasonably well.

11 points in Vistani for haste boost, deflect arrows and I take melee power to throwing weapons so you have at least a little ranged DPS option when needed. (Sometimes swap to throwing dagger and Wallwatch set and toggle on the Doubleshot epic past life for ranging in certain situations.)

Also I'm doing a Tiefling Scoundrel with the short sword from Too Hot to Handle for 20% vulnerability plus Fiendish Arpeggio for another solid CC and debuff option on an already strong tactical build. Slightly worse crit profile than the light mace you're using, but the vulnerability stacks and fort reduction more than make up for it.

Congrats on the awesome bard build.

[therobb]

On my bard instead of the 4 winter set items, I'm going more DPS oriented. Pretty similar to your setup but swapping in these items:

Belt: Belt of Sure Strikes
Bracers: Brightlord
Trinket: Battleworn Medal
Cloak: Shadowhail Cloak (sneak damage plus stealth skills always on)
Rings: Celestial Ruby & Sapphire (Dex and Con crafted)
Buckler: Crabshell or Moonguard (guardbreaking is good)

Overall this gear set gets less tankiness (hp, heal amp, PRR)... but more fort bypass, better tactics DCs, higher to-hit, more action boosts, and a little higher doublestrike (100% standing on my setup).

[PrinceOfAsphodel]

Awesome write up and impressive videos! I say this as a fellow bard lover who's doing more and more R10 solo runs on my swashbuckler lately.

I'm doing something similar to your build but my split is 16 bard, 3 rogue, 1 cleric. Running in Fatesinger as well. Compared to your split, mine loses 1 feat from dropping the fighter level, but gains evasion, trap skills and more skill points and a little sneak damage. Evasion and trap skills plus stealth skills really give the build a batman feel that it can do anything reasonably well.

11 points in Vistani for haste boost, deflect arrows and I take melee power to throwing weapons so you have at least a little ranged DPS option when needed. (Sometimes swap to throwing dagger and Wallwatch set and toggle on the Doubleshot epic past life for ranging in certain situations.)

Also I'm doing a Tiefling Scoundrel with the short sword from Too Hot to Handle for 20% vulnerability plus Fiendish Arpeggio for another solid CC and debuff option on an already strong tactical build. Slightly worse crit profile than the light mace you're using, but the vulnerability stacks and fort reduction more than make up for it.

Congrats on the awesome bard build.

Your build can solo R10s too? That's awesome. How are you able to trap while you're Charisma based, though? Especially on higher difficulties.

[Fivetigers33]

Awesome write up and impressive videos! I say this as a fellow bard lover who's doing more and more R10 solo runs on my swashbuckler lately.

I'm doing something similar to your build but my split is 16 bard, 3 rogue, 1 cleric. Running in Fatesinger as well. Compared to your split, mine loses 1 feat from dropping the fighter level, but gains evasion, trap skills and more skill points and a little sneak damage. Evasion and trap skills plus stealth skills really give the build a batman feel that it can do anything reasonably well.

11 points in Vistani for haste boost, deflect arrows and I take melee power to throwing weapons so you have at least a little ranged DPS option when needed. (Sometimes swap to throwing dagger and Wallwatch set and toggle on the Doubleshot epic past life for ranging in certain situations.)

Also I'm doing a Tiefling Scoundrel with the short sword from Too Hot to Handle for 20% vulnerability plus Fiendish Arpeggio for another solid CC and debuff option on an already strong tactical build. Slightly worse crit profile than the light mace you're using, but the vulnerability stacks and fort reduction more than make up for it.

Congrats on the awesome bard build.

Good stuff! There are lots of viable splits for bard, this just happens to be my favorite. Evasion would be nice though, I just really like the level 18 core for Warchanter. Always happy to see other people playing bard well. I recently tried a TWF dagger vistani bard with pain and suffering, but in the end I didn't like it quite as much as scourge/light mace.

[therobb]

Your build can solo R10s too? That's awesome. How are you able to trap while you're Charisma based, though? Especially on higher difficulties.

Only 12 base dex, max skill ranks in spot/search/disable. With one ring swap (keylock ring with 12 intelligence augment slotted) I'm at 100 search and disable which has been enough for everything.