The POETIC BLADE (Double-Weapon Master)
By Deborah "Tyr" Templar

This character, Poetic Blade, is a tweak from one of my earlier power bard characters, the Blade; accordingly, Poetic Blade joins my Fighting Bard Series. This one’s inspired by Sir Kail, insofar as he opined that it would be nice to see a power Blade character with two weapons of choice in lieu of dev crit; and so, here s/he is: Poetic Blade, a fighting bard and double weapon master, with exciting AB and the ability to dish out not only some rather awesome damage, but to also switch weapons on a moment’s notice and equip a tower shield; this, to gain the benefit, added protection and utility of being able to use a big board, while still being able to dish out very good str-based damage. Without further adieu, please meet the Poetic Blade (the Double Weapon Master).

Note: To see Blade, with links provided also to his/her companions in my fighting bard series,
Click Here

Poetic Blade -- Overview
Fighter(11), Bard(1), Weapon Master(28)

Race: Human / Alignment: Any Non-Lawful (Theme: True Neutral or Neutral Good)


Final Stats:
STR: 18 (34)*
DEX: 13
CON: 12
WIS: 8
INT: 13
CHA: 8


Level Guide:

01: Fighter(1): dodge, weapon proficiency exotic, weapon focus: scythe
02: Fighter(2): mobility
03: Fighter(3): power attack
04: Fighter(4): STR+1, spring attack, (STR=19)
05: Fighter(5)
06: Fighter(6): expertise, whirlwind attack
07: Weapon Master(1): weapon of choice: scythe
08: Weapon Master(2): STR+1, (STR=20)
09: Weapon Master(3): knockdown
10: Weapon Master(4)
11: Weapon Master(5)
12: Weapon Master(6): STR+1, weapon focus: longsword, (STR=21)
13: Weapon Master(7)
14: Weapon Master(8)
15: Weapon Master(9): improved critical: scythe
16: Weapon Master(10): STR+1, (STR=22)
17: Fighter(7)
18: Fighter(8): weapon specialization: scythe, improved knockdown
19: Fighter(9)
20: Fighter(10): STR+1, blind fight, (STR=23)
21: Weapon Master(11): Great Strength I, (STR=24)
22: Weapon Master(12)
23: Weapon Master(13): epic weapon focus: scythe
24: Fighter(11): STR+1, epic weapon specialization: scythe, (STR=25)
25: Weapon Master(14)
26: Weapon Master(15)
27: Weapon Master(16): Great Strength II, epic weapon focus: longsword, (STR=26)
28: Weapon Master(17): STR+1, (STR=27)
29: Weapon Master(18)
30: Weapon Master(19): Great Strength III, weapon of choice: longsword, (STR=28)
31: Weapon Master(20)
32: Weapon Master(21): STR+1, (STR=29)
33: Weapon Master(22): Great Strength IV, epic prowess, (STR=30)
34: Weapon Master(23)
35: Weapon Master(24)
36: Weapon Master(25): STR+1, Great Strength V, epic toughness I, (STR=32)
37: Weapon Master(26)
38: Weapon Master(27)
39: Weapon Master(28): Great Strength VI, epic toughness II, (STR=33)
40: Bard(1): STR+1, (STR=34)

---

Skillpoints: 174
Disable Trap 1(2), Discipline 43(55), Hide 1(2), Intimidate 4(3), Open Lock 1(2), Perform 4(3), Spellcraft 33(34), Tumble 40(41), UMD 41(40)

----

II. The Basics:

Hitpoints: 476


Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 21/15/21
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +6

Note: Clarity potions (and/or similar items) are our friend; Also UMD skilled


II. Combat Vitals:

A. Double-Weapon Master:
Whereas the Scythe chosen for its excellent crit potential, delivering /x5 damage on a crit., the Longsword chosen since it is an all-around good weapon, permitting the use of a shield.

Mundane Weapons
BAB 30
AB: + 53/48/43/38 (NO Buffs)
+1 Bard Song
--
54/49/44/39

Note: UMD/Haste or item property gives us another attack, or: 54/49/44/30/54
---
Capped: +12 Str and +20 Weaponry or UMD (ie., truestrike): +79/74/69/64/79


B. Damage:

* Mundane Scythe:
Crit: 17-20/x5 (15-20/x5 w. Keen)*
Damage: 2d4 +24
+1 Bard Song
--
27-33 damage/attack / On a Crit: 135-165 damage

* Mundane Longsword (Illustrative):
1d8+12 (crit: 17-20/x3), +1 Bardsong (crit: 15-20/x3 Keen)*

Note: as noted, longsword is a versatile, all-around good weapon; however, feel free to swap it for another one-hand/shield enabling weapon of your choice, such as warhammer (for a different damage type ie bludgeon), or the scimitar (for a wider crit/threat range).--

*Note: UMD/Keen or item property widens our crit. range, or: 15-20 crit.


III. Defense Vitals:

AC 19 (naked)
AC 27 (mundane armor only) / With shield: AC 30
* with Dex Boost and/or Haste and +5 Items: AC > 60


IV. Spell Casting:
Fully Skilled in the Use of Magical Devices, and Bard Toys


V. Skills Progression:

01: Disable Trap(1), Discipline(4), Intimidate(2), Open Lock(1), Save(4),
02: Discipline(1), Save(7),
03: Discipline(1), Save(10),
04: Discipline(1), Intimidate(1), Save(11),
05: Discipline(1), Intimidate(1), Save(12),
06: Discipline(1), Save(15),
07: Discipline(1), Save(18),
08: Discipline(1), Save(21),
09: Discipline(1), Save(24),
10: Discipline(1), Save(27),
11: Discipline(1), Save(30),
12: Discipline(1), Save(33),
13: Discipline(1), Save(36),
14: Discipline(1), Save(39),
15: Discipline(1), Save(42),
16: Discipline(1), Save(45),
17: Discipline(1), Save(48),
18: Discipline(1), Save(51),
19: Discipline(1), Save(54),
20: Discipline(1), Save(57),
21: Discipline(1), Save(60),
22: Discipline(1), Save(63),
23: Discipline(1), Save(66),
24: Discipline(1), Save(69),
25: Discipline(1), Save(72),
26: Discipline(1), Save(75),
27: Discipline(1), Save(78),
28: Discipline(1), Save(81),
29: Discipline(1), Save(84),
30: Discipline(1), Save(87),
31: Discipline(1), Save(90),
32: Discipline(1), Save(93),
33: Discipline(1), Save(96),
34: Discipline(1), Save(99),
35: Discipline(1), Save(102),
36: Discipline(1), Save(105),
37: Discipline(1), Save(108),
38: Discipline(1), Save(111),
39: Discipline(1), Save(114),
40: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Perform(4), Spellcraft(33), Tumble(40), UMD(41).

Edited By Grimnir77 on 08/27/06 12:46

Author's Note:

there appear to be many fighting bards out there lately, and this character is thus pleased not only to join his/her mates (in the Blade series), but also all the other unique and wonderful combat bards now out there, each with their own special charm, and including Mith's latest build, Click Here

A wonderul chorus, indeed! Tyr, this is a nice idea, but it is not exactly a bard meleeist! One level does not a bard make...
without the smell of cheese, i mean!

imho, it is always nice, if you are goin 2 weapons, to take 2 different types of damage. I know scythe does have some pierce, it is just my preference. Also, it would be an idea to take ws/ews in longsword in lieu of 2 gr str. Yes you loose 1 ab, but you would gain +5 damage with longsword and loose +1 dam with scythe, which is a fair trade imo.

The concept really reminds me of the PRC MAN AT ARMS class. THough that class uses 4 weapn focuses. You would probably love the prc! Too bad its almost time for nwn2..
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Quote: Posted 07/24/06 22:47:54 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

You should listen to avado

I would suggest you drop 3 WM levels for 3 Fighter levels and get epic weapon specialization in both your weapons. I agree with Avado on chosing different weapons. Either, go for weapons that do different damage types, so a bludgeoning weapon instead slashing. Or, pick a weapon with a large threat range like a scimitar, that way you chew up the mobs with the scimitar and whip out the scythe for the big enemies.

Other than that it looks good. Well done Tyr.
_________________
Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.

Edited By Mithdradates on 08/26/06 20:29



He be pretty darn awesome, alright (thanks, Mith: and he even has a song (ok, a slight one, but a song ). As to the weapon ideas, neat. And I agree, totally a matter of personal choice, but yer choices be good ones: different damage or scimmy you say? Alright, then: easilly done. Change longsword for warhammer (bludgeon) or scimmy, or whatever your pleasure. Only reason I put in longsword is b/c it's a good all-arounder, permitting board use; by all means, feel free to change it (and neat suggestions - thanks

As to AB/droppin WM for ie extra damage on a one-hander, nah, he gets awesome damage on the scythe, which be his main weapon, and I *like* his power AB +53 (that'd be AB 79 capped); not worth droppin' AB for a mere couple of points of damage on our secondary weapon, especially when there's no need for it (uh, why else max out UMD, ya know? Speaking of damage, I made a mistake on the damage, cheatin' ya out of some points (sorry, folks; but PM sent, and here be those numbers):

MUNDANE SCYTHE
2d4 + 24 (Piercing and Slashing Damage), +1 Bard Song:
or, 27-33 damage per attack, x’s up to 5 APR (w. haste)
CRIT: 17-20/x5 (15-20/x5 keen), or: 135-165 dam. per crit

That said, if for some odd reason you’re not as excited about the scythe as I am (x5 crit damage? Seriously, just look at it and tell me it's not to love? ). BUT, for those of you who've yer heart set on a greataxe or something, then you not need exotic weap., and can in turn enhance yer one-handed weapon as follows:

Level 1 – drop EWP, taking WF i.e. warhammer (or other one-hander weapon) and WF greataxe or greatsword; having switched weapons, adjust as follows:
as for the two-hander, adjust levels 23 and 24 to reflect this change;
as for the one-hander, adjust levels 27 and 30 to reflect this change.

Level 7 – whichever two-hander you chose be yer WM WOC
Level 12- take imp crit w resp. to two-hander of choice
Level 15- take imp crit w resp. to one-hander of choice
Level 18- take weap. specialization in both weapons, i.e., two-hander & one-hander

Whatever may be your weapons, Enjoy! ~ Tyr (and thanks!)

ps. If ya wants more bard, well, I built one for just about everyone in my Blade/fighting bard series, as everyone here knows, and incl. a fighting laster! (yeah, yeah: I admits, I gotta thing for 'dem singing knights (as if *that* were any secret

Edited By TyrTemplar on 08/27/06 06:32