Wailing Whiplash

Unfortunately this is the same class mix as a previous effort. However my version is a Strength based build with a higher AB, an improved skillset, which allows an unbuffed Taunt of 56. No idea on AC or save comparisons, as these were not shown originally. Ironhart's version is an Elf, as opposed to a human in this case.

Bard23/CoT10/WM 7 by Ironhart
Click Here

The build is very much a meleer, but with a smattering of magical aids available.

Both Bard and Curse Song are extremely useful, with Lasting Inspiration hitting at 33rd level. The choice of weapon is very much down to the individual, I had toyed with taking Katana instead, which would provide a far higher damage output and crit threat.

Bard 23/ Champion of Talos (Torm) 10/ Weapon Master 7
Human - Female :Any Lawful
Very Playable 1 - 40, either solo or party
Not sure how this would fare in PvP, but PvM should be more than capable

STR 14 (26)
DEX 14
CON 14
WIS 8
INT 14
CHA 14 (16)

Concentration (C), Discipline (D), Intimidate (I), Lore (L),
Spellcraft (S), Taunt (Ta), Tumble (Tu), UMD (U)

1. Bard 1 - Armor Prof Heavy, Curse Song - C4, D4, I2, L1, P1, S4, Ta4, Tu4
2. Bard 2 - C1, D1, P3, S1, Ta1, Tu1
3. Bard 3 - Weapon Proficiency Exotic - C1, I1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
4. Bard 4 - STR+1 (STR=15) - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
5. Bard 5 - C1, D1, I1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
6. Bard 6 - Weapon Focus: Whip - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1, U1
7. Bard 7 - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
8. Bard 8 - STR+1 (STR=16) - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
9. Bard 9 - Extend Spell - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
10. Bard 10 - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
11. Champion of Torm 1 - D1
12. Champion of Torm 2 - STR+1 (STR=17), Dodge, Mobility - D1
13. Champion of Torm 3 - Smite Evil - D1
14. Champion of Torm 4 - Expertise - D1
15. Champion of Torm 5 - Spring Attack - D1
16. Champion of Torm 6 - STR+1 (STR=18), Whirlwind Attack - D1
17. Weapon Master 1 - Weapon of Choice: Whip - D1
18. Weapon Master 2 - Still Spell - D1
19. Weapon Master 3 - D1
20. Weapon Master 4 - STR+1 (STR=19) - D1
21. Weapon Master 5 - Great Strength I (STR=20) - D1
22. Bard 11 - C12, D1, P3, S12, Ta12, Tu12
23. Champion of Torm 7 - D1
24. Champion of Torm 8 - STR+1 (STR=21), Great Charisma I (CHA=15), Improved Critical: Whip - D1
25. Bard 12 - C3, D1, P5, S3, Ta3, Tu3
26. Bard 13 - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
27. Bard 14 - Great Charisma II (CHA=16) - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
28. Bard 15 - STR+1 (STR=22) - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
29. Bard 16 - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
30. Bard 17 - Epic Skill Focus: Perform - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
31. Bard 18 - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
32. Bard 19 - STR+1 (STR=23) - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta, Tu1
33. Bard 20 - Lasting Inspiration - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1, U1
34. Weapon Master 6 - D1
35. Weapon Master 7 - D1
36. Champion of Torm 9 - STR+1 (STR=24), Epic Prowess - D1
37. Champion of Torm 10 - Epic Weapon Focus: Whip - D1
38. Bard 21 - C5, D1, P5, Ta5, Tu5, U3
39. Bard 22 - Great Strength II (STR=25) - C1, D1, P1, Ta1, U2
40. Bard 23 - STR+1, Epic Skill Focus: Taunt - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1

HP 388
Saving Throws
Fort 26
Will 24
Reflex 33
BAB 27
AB 40 (melee), 30 (ranged)
AC naked (plate and shield): 20 (30)
Skillpoints 267

Skill Spread
Concentration 43 (45)
Discipline 42 (50)
Intimidate 4 (7)
Lore 1 (26)
Perform 43 (56)
Spellcraft 40 (42)
Taunt 43 (56)
Tumble 40 (42)
UMD 7 (10)

Spellcasting - 6th level Bard Spells
Level (Known) [Available)
Cantrips - (5) [4]
Level 1 - (5) [5]
Level 2 - (5) [5]
Level 3 - (5) [5]
Level 4 - (5) [4]
Level 5 - (5) [4]
Level 6 - (4) [4]

Decent Taunt ranking
Unbuffed 56
Bard Song (12 points) 68
CHA bonus (up to 6 points) 74

CONS

Low HP - having trouble seeing how I can increase on this, without dropping AB further, losing Lasting Inspiration and both Epic Spell Foci. Toughness would be good, but not without sacrificing Extend Spell, Armor Prof Heavy or Weapon Prof Exotic.

Armor Skin - would like to fit this in, but really can't see a way to do that Having to select both Armor Prof Heavy and Weapon Prof Exotic - ideally I would drop both of these, but I feel that they are both quite necessary to the build.

Of course - weapon Prof Martial could be selected instead - depending on your preference, or not at all. this could allow Toughness to be taken and/ or getting Improved Critical Pre-Epic, which in turn could allow Armor Skin at 24th (or 37th) instead.

Taking the Whip is a purely cosmetic thing by the way.

Now bearing in mind the annoying feature of CoT that says you have to be non-evil to qualify, an alignment change is required after 27th level to Chaotic Evil. You could of course change alignment throughout the build. Again a cosmetic thing.

Let your imagination run riot if you will

Edited By griphook on 11/18/05 14:32

It's cool conceptually. Minor tweaks necessary in some instances, build to taste in others:

1. Lasting inspiration has to be taken at level 21 as it is not available at level 20.

2. Whip? Just kidding.

3. Moved some feats around to get higher AB earlier and moved some classes around. Took the WeaponMaster crit multiplier earlier. Once you aren't racing to get lasting inspiration at Level 33, you can shift the WM levels earlier. I apportioned it such that you get your level 16 bard song early and then pushed for the 6th and 7th WM levels but you could justify moving those levels even earlier, like after the Level 11 bard song.

1. Bard 1 - Armor Prof Heavy, Curse Song - C4, D4, I2, L1, P1, S4, Ta4, Tu4
2. Bard 2 - C1, D1, P3, S1, Ta1, Tu1
3. Bard 3 - Weapon Proficiency Exotic - C1, I1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
4. Bard 4 - STR+1 (STR=15) - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
5. Bard 5 - C1, D1, I1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
6. Bard 6 - Weapon Focus: Whip - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1, U1
7. Bard 7 - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
8. Bard 8 - STR+1 (STR=16) - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
9. Bard 9 - Extend Spell - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
10. Bard 10 - C1, D1, P1, S1, Ta1, Tu1
11. Champion of Torm 1 - D1
12. Champion of Torm 2 - STR+1 (STR=17), Dodge, Mobility - D1
13. Champion of Torm 3 - Smite Evil - D1
14. Champion of Torm 4 - Expertise - D1
15. Champion of Torm 5 - Spring Attack - D1
16. Champion of Torm 6 - STR+1 (STR=18), Whirlwind Attack - D1
17. Weapon Master 1 - Weapon of Choice: Whip - D1
18. Weapon Master 2 - Still Spell - D1
19. Weapon Master 3 - D1
20. Weapon Master 4 - STR+1 (STR=19) - D1
21. Weapon Master 5 - Great Strength I (STR=20) - D1
22. Bard 11 - C12, D1, P3, S12, Ta12, Tu12
23. Champion of Torm 7 - D1
24. Champion of Torm 8 - CHA+1 (15) Improved Critical: Whip, Epic Weapon Focus: Whip- D1
25. Bard 12 - C3, D1, P5, S3, Ta3, Tu3
26. Bard 13 - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
27. Bard 14 - Great Charisma II (CHA=16) - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
28. Bard 15 - STR+1 (STR=21) - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
29. Bard 16 - C1, D1, P2, S1, Ta1, Tu1
30. WeaponMaster 6 - Epic Skill Focus: Perform
31. WeaponMaster 7
32. Bard 17 - STR+1 (STR=22)
33. Bard 18 - Great Strength II (STR=23)
34. Bard 19
35. Bard 20
36. Bard 21 - Lasting Inspiration - STR+1 (STR=24)
37. Champion of Torm 9
38. Champion of Torm 10 - Epic Prowess
39. Bard 22 - Great Strength (STR 25)
40. Bard 23 - STR+1 (26), Epic Skill Focus: Taunt

Most of that is just suggestions. I like taking EWF as early as possible and like taking my ability feats such that they even up the ability.

Cheers.
Quote: Posted 11/17/05 16:13:52 (GMT) -- Ithacan

It's cool conceptually. Minor tweaks necessary in some instances, build to taste in others:

1. Lasting inspiration has to be taken at level 21 as it is not available at level 20.

That's incorrect. Test it and you'll see. Here's a snippet from one of my Bard builds:

38 Bard 19
39 Bard 20 Lasting Inspiration
40 CoT 10 Epic Toughness

I've built several Bards that take LI on Bard 20.

Kaliban.
_________________
Intelligent design is neither. Science over superstition please. Here's the Grimoire on the point:

Lasting Inspiration
Type of Feat: (Epic) General
Prerequisite: Perform 25, 21st level, Bard Song
Specifics: This feat allows the effects of bardic music to last ten times
longer.
Use: Automatic

I am definitely sometimes wrong, as is the Grimoire.

Edited By Ithacan on 11/17/05 19:00

Quote: Posted 11/17/05 18:46:38 (GMT) -- Ithacan

I have tested it and, unfortunately, reached a different result.

Lasting Inspiration requires a level 21 character but only a level 20 bard. More precisely it requires the bard song(20) feat.
_________________
Character Build Calculator(works with Excel, Open Office) 2.83: updated to NWN 1.69.
Quote: Posted 11/17/05 18:50:26 (GMT) -- Kamiryn


Lasting Inspiration requires a level 21 character but only a level 20 bard. More precisely it requires the bard song(20) feat.

Well, the good news is that I have now figured out how to use Kamiryn's character builder. That backs up Kaliban on the point.

I swear - swear - that one of the best builders in this guild gave me the info on requiring 21 bard levels. I could not find it in the postings, however.

So there.
Quote: Posted 11/17/05 19:31:08 (GMT) -- Ithacan

Quote: Posted 11/17/05 18:50:26 (GMT) -- Kamiryn


Lasting Inspiration requires a level 21 character but only a level 20 bard. More precisely it requires the bard song(20) feat.

Well, the good news is that I have now figured out how to use Kamiryn's character builder. That backs up Kaliban on the point.

I swear - swear - that one of the best builders in this guild gave me the info on requiring 21 bard levels. I could not find it in the postings, however.

So there.

yAY! wE HAVE A NEW FOLLOWER!
_________________
.:\_/:. Only those who have known darkness in
(OvO) their hearts will see the shadows in life...
(|__|)
..".."..
Quote: Posted 11/17/05 18:46:38 (GMT) -- Ithacan

Here's the Grimoire on the point:

Lasting Inspiration
Type of Feat: (Epic) General
Prerequisite: Perform 25, 21st level, Bard Song
Specifics: This feat allows the effects of bardic music to last ten times
longer.
Use: Automatic

I am definitely sometimes wrong, as is the Grimoire.

I was an unbeliever once as well... fortunately I saw the light!

Personally I find having access to Lasting Inspiration earlier in a build makes it far more playable, particularly if you aren't doubling up with Lingering Song (some people do for some reason).

Nice Suggestions Ithacan... I'd go with those, but I would still opt to take Weapon Master at 34th and 35th, which would allow Lasting Inspiration at 33rd.

I think I could live without the final improvement to crits until then , the bonus to my Taunt checks of +8 at that point may be more valuable... but personal preference at the end of the day.

.....On a side note did I mention that Miss Whiplash is a redhead... think I'd better stop there.