Singing, buffing, Cursing and hiding his way, 1-40 PvM. Epic level PvP'ing. Stay away from PvP environments where perma-true seeing is common. Beware of Silence for your Cursesong.
The harbinger of sorrows can actually be a superb benefit to his own side, because of numerous buffs and bardsong, but is a true Harbinger of Sorrows to his enemies. (Thanks goes to Metallica for the title)
No story this time, though I actually had one half-written.
Cleric19/Bard20/Shadowdancer1, Human Any non-lawful. Evil would perhaps get the best feel rp-wise.
Saving Throws Fortitude 21 Reflex 22 Will 32, all are +8 vs spells.
BAB: 25 AB (max, naked): 25 (melee), should be enough for your use, explained later. Ab buffs: Bulls, Emp for +3 from STR. Then you can EASILY cap it. Bless, Aid, Prayer, Battletide, GMW, Divine Favor and Divine power caps it. Then you have Bardsong and Warcry. Plus Cursesong to lower opponents AC. Actually, fully self buffed your attack-sequence Hasted would be: 48/43/38/48/48. Add to that cursesong and it's decent. 27 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 20/30 What buffs here? Hm, magic vestmentsx2, Shield of faith, Barkskin, Cat's grace, mage armor, Bardsong, you name it.
You could use more skills, at least Hide MS. But bardsongs will tip it up to 16 more in your favor.
The trick with this build comes now. You must use all that is in your power to catch your opponent Flat-footed. Then slam him with a touch attack, mostly used is harm. If there is no healers around, then HiPS and Harm a few, then slam them with cursesong, Icestorm or limitless other possibilities. This guy could fell the 3 35 level fighters(the lvl 40'ies are naked) and a prismatic Dragon unbuffed and buck naked in -Novice to Epic module. As for the AB, well, fully buffed+ and with prayer, battletide and cursesong you should be able to defeat any but the most resistent in PvM. If you think the build lacks punch, remember you have the full spell-range of both Bard and cleric, and will quickly become the main event in your party. Not that you will have to much trouble soloing, as long as you can rest once in a while.
When you catch some flat-footed with a touch-attack all AC they keep is the deflection AC, that's it. With uncanny dodge they keep their DEX too. When someone has true seeing, try to dispel it, use darkness (you can have a few) With your ultravision. If they have both, and you can't dispel it, you might try to harm them still, or use greater snactuary, rebuff and let loose everything you have. Main weakness in this build is lack of UMD, you might wanna get more INT or switch from spellcraft. Starting stats were a real problem. Spell DC's with Evocation are half-decent, but that's it. Not sure how much use the penetration is, but if you can't use spells on your adversary, you might be in trouble.
pro's -Spells. Loads of it. -HiPS, for your exploiting pleasure. -Buffs to the end of the millenium. -Party's friend. -Don't need AB with his intended tactics. -Still spell if you need spell-book management and use your Silence on yourself. -Bardsong undispellable, lasts 100 rounds. -Penetration power of 26(25). 75% to penetrate standard toolset SR. -Many invisibility spells, and detect spells. Good synergy between your Cleric domains and Bard-spells. no need for trickery or travel domain.
Con's -Low hp's. -Weak, VERY weak unbuffed. -Late HiPS, feel free to take it sooner, but you will mostly need plate early on. -No discipline, and no chance to get any useful discipline. -Low DC's, but Evocation useful vs low fort enemies. and you have some non-saveable spells. -Penetration power of 26(25). 25% that the standard max toolset SR resists your spells. -25% dispellable.
Beware, this is not a straightforward slasher, but demands some tactics that will quickly make you unpopular. You are totally dependant upon spellslinging. Some might suggest Monk as the third class, but I like HiPS to be exploited and save your invis spells.
Now, butcher me.
Edit: Typo's _________________ Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG
Edited By Grimnir77 on 06/17/06 11:22
I can definitely see this build's potential as a buff/debuff and offensive spellcaster, but I think I would suggest giving up on using spells with saving throws (freeing feats from spell foci and possibly stat points from wisdom). You do afterall get ice storm as a bard, and harm, word, creeping doom, and hammer as a cleric.
The extra feats could go to saving throws and/or ESF Discipline, while the extra stat points could go to Con to battle his hp weakness.
Just a thought... you'd lose some cleric spells/day but it might be worth it. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
Great build for parties, especially.
(Note: I'm 99.44% sure that 'Harbinger of Sorrow' is a Metallica song, not a Megadeth song.)
Edited By BradpieceNHS on 06/16/06 19:50
I like the build. It is certainly interesting, to say the least, + a bard song that last for 100 rounds (you better have a packet of strepsils after that little performance ).
Honestly though, I wouldn't use this build. Nothing at all wrong with it, it just uses two of my most hated classes.
(Note: I'm 99.44% sure that 'Harbinger of Sorrow' is a Metallica song, not a Megadeth song.)
While I know extremely little about both Megadeth and Metallica, couldn't it be both? Songs unlike movies(unfortunately), don't have to have different names.
You can have 3+ songs sounding completely different, by completely different artists, with the exact same name. Stupid, but true.
Edited By Big Meph on 06/16/06 22:55
Good build. I never like super-buffing clerics much, but powerful nonetheless.
You might want to drop something for Zen Archery, if you can, to add a bit of versatility. _________________ CATS!
I can definitely see this build's potential as a buff/debuff and offensive spellcaster, but I think I would suggest giving up on using spells with saving throws (freeing feats from spell foci and possibly stat points from wisdom). You do afterall get ice storm as a bard, and harm, word, creeping doom, and hammer as a cleric.
The extra feats could go to saving throws and/or ESF Discipline, while the extra stat points could go to Con to battle his hp weakness.
Just a thought... you'd lose some cleric spells/day but it might be worth it.
Yeah, it is sound advice, but with active cursesong your save DC's with Evocation is only 4 from what a max-WIS Cleric has.
(Note: I'm 99.44% sure that 'Harbinger of Sorrow' is a Metallica song, not a Megadeth song.)
For parties, but he can easily be a menace on his own. woth the right tactics. As for the song being Metallica, isn't that what it says.
Quote: Posted 06/16/06 22:48:27 (GMT) -- Big Meph
Honestly though, I wouldn't use this build. Nothing at all wrong with it, it just uses two of my most hated classes.
What, you don't like clerics or bards?? I love both.
Quote: You can have 3+ songs sounding completely different, by completely different artists, with the exact same name. Stupid, but true.
Wish you'd have said, Sad but true.
Quote: Posted 06/16/06 23:32:29 (GMT) -- avarielo
Good build. I never like super-buffing clerics much, but powerful nonetheless.
You might want to drop something for Zen Archery, if you can, to add a bit of versatility.
Yeah, I wanted Zen archery, but couldn't figure out where to get it, I though about Dropping the penetration feats, but felt them as necessary too. This would also be a good build to include Divine power/might in, but it is already lacking in both feats and ability scores. And skills.
"I want it all" _________________ I see the fear you have inside, you can run but never hide. I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.
I run the Pre-Epic Builders guild. Join and share your experience.
*gasps* No discipline and no strength!? Please tell me you know you can get immunity to knockdown where you plan to use this fellow.
Quote: Posted 06/17/06 12:30:42 (GMT) -- Ythaniel
*gasps* No discipline and no strength!? Please tell me you know you can get immunity to knockdown where you plan to use this fellow.
43 discipline basically equals no discipline. Don't go toe-to-toe. Stay hidden in whatever way you can. Use Harm and spells. But you got the bard class, so it shouldn't be a problem to get discipline.
Note that you lack only 5 points of performane to reach your lvl 20 bardsong with maxed performance, so you can drop ESF:perform for ESF:discipline if you choose to go that way. You'll get 53 discipline plus the bardsong boost. So it is really an easy fix for it, you know, it has BARD in it. But you shouldn't stand around and let anyone try to knock you. _________________ I see the fear you have inside, you can run but never hide. I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.
I run the Pre-Epic Builders guild. Join and share your experience.
A good one Grim, my two favourite classes plus SD in one build. This is the typical combination that makes me wish for 50 lvls to go with.
When penetration is problematic (I know you all will get it the right way ) a Mord from a scroll should get it right. Xylo suggests a nice alternative too, with STR and CON pumped up a little melee performance will be increased. I'd take metamagic feats with the spell foci feat slots.
BTW, Metallica wrote Harvester of Sorrow not Harbinger Me likes the title the same though.
Cheers, Kail _________________ To hear the sound of Freedom, many gave their lives They fought for you and me Those memories will always live inside us, and now it's our time to be free
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) a Mord from a scroll should get it right. Xylo suggests a nice alternative too, with STR and CON pumped up a little melee performance will be increased. I'd take metamagic feats with the spell foci feat slots.