Had a good look around, but found no others of this mix (similar in class types, but not in quantities therof), so I hope I haven't stolen anyone's thunder.

This build comes out of a desire to try and maximise the effectiveness of a melee based character from the benefits of the Red Dragon Disciple class and the huge boosts gained from an effective Bard and Curse Song.

playable from lvl 1 - 40 PvM

Human
Bard(26), Fighter(4), Red Dragon Disciple(10)
Neutral Evil

Abilies
STR: 16 (34)
DEX: 10
CON: 14 (16)
WIS: 8
INT: 14 (16)
CHA: 14 (18)

Ba 01: Bard(1): Power Attack, Cleave
F 02: Fighter(1): Weapon Focus: Scimitar
F 03: Fighter(2): Toughness, Blind Fight
Ba 04: Bard(2): CHA+1, (CHA=15)
Ba 05: Bard(3)
F 06: Fighter(3): Great Cleave
Ba 07: Bard(4)
Ba 08: Bard(5): CHA+1, (CHA=16)
Ba 09: Bard(6): Curse Song
F 10: Fighter(4): Weapon Specialization: Scimitar
Ba 11: Bard(7)
Ba 12: Bard(8): STR+1, Improved Critical: Scimitar, (STR=17)
Ba 13: Bard(9)
Ba 14: Bard(10)
Ba 15: Bard(11): Extend Spell
Ba 16: Bard(12): STR+1, (STR=18)
Ba 17: Bard(13)
Ba 18: Bard(14): Great Fortitude
Ba 19: Bard(15)
Ba 20: Bard(16): STR+1, (STR=19)
RDD 21: Red Dragon Disciple(1): Epic Weapon Focus: Scimitar
RDD 22: Red Dragon Disciple(2): (STR=21)
Ba 23: Bard(17)
Ba 24: Bard(18): STR+1, Epic Prowess, (STR=22)
RDD 25: Red Dragon Disciple(3)
RDD 26: Red Dragon Disciple(4): (STR=24)
Ba 27: Bard(19): Overwhelming Critical: Scimitar
RDD 28: Red Dragon Disciple(5): STR+1 (STR=25)
RDD 29: Red Dragon Disciple(5)
Ba 30: Bard (20): Lasting Inspiration
Ba 31: Bard(21)
Ba 32: Bard(22): STR+1, (STR=26)
RDD 33: Red Dragon Disciple(7): Great Strength I, (STR=27), (CON=16)
RDD 34: Red Dragon Disciple(8)
Ba 35: Bard(23): Epic Skill Focus: Perform
RDD 36: Red Dragon Disciple(9): STR+1, Great Strength II, (STR=29), (INT=16)
Ba 37: Bard(24)
RDD 38: Red Dragon Disciple(10): Darkvision, (STR=33), (CHA=18)
Ba 39: Bard(25): Armor Skin
Ba 40: Bard(26): STR+1, Epic Skill Focus: Taunt, (STR=34)
Skills

Concentration 43(46), Discipline 43(55), Lore 8(37), Perform 43(57), Spellcraft 43(46), Taunt 43(57), Tumble 40(40), UMD 14(18)

Skills by Level

Ba 01: Concentration(4), Discipline(4), Lore(4), Perform(4), Spellcraft(4), Taunt(4), Tumble(4)
F 02: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Lore(1), Save(2)
F 03: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Lore(1), Save(2)
Ba 04: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Lore(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(2), Taunt(2), Tumble(2)
Ba 05: Perform(1), Spellcraft(2), Taunt(2), Tumble(2)
F 06: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Lore(1), Save(2)
Ba 07: Concentration(2), Discipline(2), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(2)
Ba 08: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(2), Taunt(1), Tumble(1)
Ba 09: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(2), Tumble(1)
F 10: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(3)
Ba 11: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(2), Taunt(2), Tumble(2), UMD(1)
Ba 12: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1)
Ba 13: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1)
Ba 14: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1)
Ba 15: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
Ba 16: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
Ba 17: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
Ba 18: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
Ba 19: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
Ba 20: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1)
RDD 21: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
RDD 22: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
Ba 23: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(3), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(3), Tumble(2)
Ba 24: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(2)
RDD 25: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
RDD 26: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
Ba 27: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(3), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(3), Tumble(2)
Ba 28: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(2)
RDD 29: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
RDD 30: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
Ba 31: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(3), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(3), Tumble(2)
Ba 32: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), Tumble(2)
RDD 33: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
RDD 34: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
Ba 35: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(3), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(3), Tumble(2)
RDD 36: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2)
Ba 37: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(2), Tumble(3)
RDD 38: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(3)
Ba 39: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(2), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(2), UMD(4)
Ba 40: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Taunt(1), UMD(3)

Hitpoints: 440
Skillpoints: 277
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 24/20/21
BAB: 26
AB (max, naked): 42 (melee), 27 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 24/35
Spell Casting: Bard(6)

Provided items are available to boost the Perform/ Charisma level, so that you can hit the required Perform ranks of 80, then the benefits of both Bard Song and Curse Song are considerable:

Bard Song Natural Perform Ranks (57) Required Perform Ranks (80)
Attack +2 (+2)
Damage +3 (+3)
Will +3 (+3)
Fortitude +2 (+2)
Reflex +2 (+2)
HP +30 (+40)
AC Bonus +5 (+6)
Skill Bonus +9 (+15)

Curse Song Natural Perform Ranks (57) Required Perform Ranks (80)
Attack -2 (-2)
Damage -3 (-3)
Will -3 (-3)
Fortitude -2 (-2)
Reflex -2 (-2)
HP -30 (-40)
AC Bonus -5 (-6)
Skill Bonus -9 (-15)

Of Course the natural effect of Curse Song will increase if cast during the effects of Bard Song, thanks to the increase of 15 ranks across the range of all skills.

Spells:

Level Known (Available)
Cantrips 5 (4)
1 5 (5)
2 5 (5)
3 5 (5)
4 5 (5)
5 5 (4)
6 5 (4)

Spell Selection

Level Spell
1 Mage Armor
1 Protection from Alignment
1 Grease
1 Expeditious Retreat
1 Cure Light Wounds
2 Bull's Strength
2 Cat's Grace (or Darkness)
2 Eagle's Splendour
2 Ghostly Visage
2 Ultravision
3 Haste
3 Displacement
3 Greater Magic Weapon
3 Keen Edge
3 Wounding Whispers
4 Improved Invisibility
4 War Cry
4 Dismissal
4 Dominate Person
4 Neutralize Poison
5 Ethereal Visage
5 Greater Dispelling
5 Healing Circle
5 Mind Fog
5 Summon Creature V
6 Dirge
6 Energy Buffer
6 Ice Storm
6 Mass Haste
6 Summon Creature VI

Taunt:
Unbuffed Taunt 57, Minimum buff (Eagle's Splendour and Bard Song) 73.
Potential to drop an enemies AC by a further 6 points on top of the effects of Curse Song and 30% chance of Arcane Spell Failure.

Immune to both Fire and Paralysis.

Changes:

Extend Spell or Still Spell at 15th level - depends on your preference really
To Dev Crit or not to Dev Crit - personal preference really I can't stand this feat, but you can easily swap it in with a little adjustment for either Epic Prowess or Armor Skin
Saves are not great, but with a little shifting you can select Luck of Heros at first level and drop Great Fortitude instead, depends on your preference really.

*************************************

First effort so far, so I am prepared to be savaged!

Edited By griphook on 09/17/05 01:03

Neat.

I'd consider assigning at least one skill point to any skill which requires training. That way if you ever need to use the skill, you have it available. With the big skill boost via Bardsong, even a tiny investment still pays off.
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Disarm? That means chopping the other guy's arms off, right? a very good point - you could lose around 3 from spellcraft and possibly some from UMD. The others need to be left as they are as much as possible. Why finish RDD 10 so late in the build? Why not take it earlier and reap the benefits through the life of the character?

Since your Strength is so high and you're not taking Epic Weapon Specialization, I question the value of Weapon Specialization. Perhaps you should take Knockdown in place of it? Then you could try to fit in Improved Knockdown - perhaps in place of Great Fortitude?

I also don't recommend going for Overwhelming Critical unless you're pushing for Devestating Critical. I don't see Dev. Crit so I'd advise dropping Great Cleave and Overwhelming Crit. in favor of other feats.

You mention that saves are not great...so why not go for Champion of Torm instead of Fighter? Most people opt for Fighter to get Weapon Spec & Imp. Weapon Spec. Since you're not following that route, I think you could benefit from CoT in place of Fighter.

Kaliban.
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This space for rent
Quote: Posted 09/17/05 16:50:30 (GMT) -- Kaliban99

Why finish RDD 10 so late in the build? Why not take it earlier and reap the benefits through the life of the character?

Since your Strength is so high and you're not taking Epic Weapon Specialization, I question the value of Weapon Specialization. Perhaps you should take Knockdown in place of it? Then you could try to fit in Improved Knockdown - perhaps in place of Great Fortitude?

I also don't recommend going for Overwhelming Critical unless you're pushing for Devestating Critical. I don't see Dev. Crit so I'd advise dropping Great Cleave and Overwhelming Crit. in favor of other feats.

You mention that saves are not great...so why not go for Champion of Torm instead of Fighter? Most people opt for Fighter to get Weapon Spec & Imp. Weapon Spec. Since you're not following that route, I think you could benefit from CoT in place of Fighter.

Kaliban.

Good points, I'll attempt to explain why.

The RDD levels so late, as the overriding class is that of the Bard, in essence that is the main focus of the build and as such I was trying to achieve as high a Perform level as possible throughout its life, purely for the effects of its Bard and Curse Song and Taunt.

You could take all the RDD much earlier, and I would have if Dev Crit was the purpose, it being made available much earlier.

Another aim overall was to create as much damage as possible, hence opting for Fighter and taking Weapon Spec and Overwhelming Crit.

CoT was considered, but there are several reasons why I chose not to use this. First off you don't get the free 1st feat that a fighter does, nor the wpn spec, and you would not be able to take Weapon Focus in Scimitar until your Base Attack was +7 (ie. when you get CoT open to you), which makes things a little more difficult during those early levels.

If I had taken CoT then the saves would only increase by 2 points, which isn't worth it IMO. A lot of servers I have played on don't allow more than one Prestige Class anyway, so that played a part as well.

Anyway I hope that answers your questions I see!


Kaliban
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This space for rent I to think it would be very valid to go RDD earlier. Hit the epic levels at fght4/Bard8/RDD8. You would lose bard song a little while, but RDD will more than make up for that. Take lvl 21 and 22 as RDD and go pure bard, I really think that will make it more playable. It will even net you some skill points. I think I may have to think on both your suggestions some more (Kaliban and Grimnir), watch this space. Been having a look at this. Think you are right Grimnir. 2 years? Crikey, doesn't time fly. Thought I would post this as I had been requested recently. (thanks for the request btw - you know who you are).

Well that being said, here is the revised version of this build. Bearing in mind my play styles have altered somewhat since I first did this, the build is similar, but has a few differences.

Anyway here goes:

Taloned Wandering Minstrel
1-40 PvM
Bard 20/ Fighter 10/ Red Dragon Disciple 10
Human

STR: 16 (34)
DEX: 8
CON: 15 (18)
WIS: 8
INT: 14 (16)
CHA: 14 (16)

01: Bard(1): Power Attack, Cleave
02: Fighter(1): Weapon Focus: Scimitar
03: Fighter(2): Knockdown, Blind Fight
04: Fighter(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Fighter(4): Weapon Specialization: Scimitar
06: Bard(2): Curse Song
07: Bard(3)
08: Bard(4): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Bard(5): Great Cleave
10: Bard(6)
11: Red Dragon Disciple(1)
12: Red Dragon Disciple(2): STR+1, Improved Critical: Scimitar, (STR=21)
13: Red Dragon Disciple(3)
14: Red Dragon Disciple(4): (STR=23)
15: Red Dragon Disciple(5): Extend Spell
16: Red Dragon Disciple(6): STR+1, (STR=24)
17: Red Dragon Disciple(7): (CON=17)
18: Red Dragon Disciple(8): Improved Knockdown
19: Bard(7)
20: Bard(8): STR+1, (STR=25)
21: Red Dragon Disciple(9): Epic Weapon Focus: Scimitar, (INT=16)
22: Red Dragon Disciple(10): {Darkvision}, (STR=29), (CHA=16)
23: Fighter(5)
24: Fighter(6): STR+1, Overwhelming Critical: Scimitar, Epic Weapon Specialization: Scimitar, (STR=30)
25: Bard(9)
26: Bard(10)
27: Bard(11): Devastating Critical: Scimitar
28: Fighter(7): STR+1, (STR=31)
29: Fighter(8): Epic Prowess
30: Bard(12): Epic Fortitude
31: Bard(13)
32: Bard(14): STR+1, (STR=32)
33: Bard(15): Epic Skill Focus: Taunt
34: Bard(16)
35: Bard(17)
36: Bard(18): STR+1, Great Constitution I, (STR=33), (CON=18)
37: Bard(19)
38: Fighter(9)
39: Bard(20): Lasting Inspiration
40: Fighter(10): STR+1, Armor Skin, (STR=34)

Hitpoints: 464
Skillpoints: 280
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 30/22/18
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +9
BAB: 26
AB (max, naked): 42 (melee), 26 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 23/34

Skillset:
Concentration 15(19)
Disable Trap 1(4)
Discipline 43(55)
Lore 8(31)
Open Lock 1(0)
Perform 42(45)
Search 1(4)
Spellcraft 42(45)
Taunt 42(55)
Tumble 40(39)
UMD 42(45)

The main differences now allow for a more effective melee presence early on (Weapon Spec, KD, Great Cleave are available earlier). Epic Weapon Spec (26th) and Dev Crit (24th) are now available also as well. RDD matures by 22nd level.

Advantages:

-Extra 24 HP
-Extra 3 Skillpoints
-Extra 6 points to Fort Save
-Extra 2 points to Will Save
-More Feats: Knockdown, Improved Knockdown, Epic Weapon Specialization and Dev Crit
-UMD ranks now at 45 rather than 18
-RDD matures by 22nd level
-Perform ranks reduced for maximising Bard and Curse Song - only need a further 5 ranks to maximise LI
-CHA Reduced to 16 by maturity - still maintains max possible spells
-Dev Crit (24th)
-EWS (26th)

Disadvantages:

Concentration reduced to 15 (19), but not essential, these could be spent elsewhere
Bard levels reduced from 26 to 20 allowing for more epic level fighter feats
Taunt reduced by 2 ranks
Ranged AB and AC reduced by 1 point, but this will be cancelled out with a minimum roll of Cat's Grace
Reflex save reduced by 3 points (again 1 point saved by minimum roll of Cat's Grace)
Bard progression delayed and Lasting Inspiration delayed until 39th level

Overall there are far more pluses than minuses. The biggest minus for me is the delay in Lasting Inspiration until 39th level.