Bards rock. No one that actually played a good bardic build can deny it and still be considered sane. It might be Halloween approaching, but it's getting PM season for me Here we have another PM build, this time an Epic PM aiming for Epic Spells, coupled with a virtually Epic Bard getting its signature feat and Fighter utility.

BAB is kept at 25 so as to be able to exploit Divine Power scrolls. Play in an environment where they are available or get a Cleric friend with the scribe scroll feat and you'll be all the happier.

Saves look crappy but spells, bard song, immunities will help and spellcraft kicks them in a more than decent range vs spells.

The buffed stats are quite something, the AC especially. And there's still room for improvement with UEF scrolls (another +5 dodge, hitting the cap) and a magical shield (say +5, maybe self made with a Magic Vestment scroll) which will take you into the realm of Dragons and beyond.

Let's take a closer look at it, shall we?


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Mourning Glory - Bard(20), Fighter(4), Pale Master(16)
Human, any non lawful, non good
PvM, Playable 1-40



ABILITIES (ending)
STR: 15 (26)
DEX: 8
CON: 14
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 16


STATS SUMMARY
Hitpoints: 399
Skillpoints: 261

Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 23/22/19
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +9

BAB: 25
AB: 37 (melee), 25 (ranged)
AB (self buffed): 47-48 (BS, GMW, War Cry, Bard Song), 53-59 (+ Curse Song and Taunt)

AC (naked/full plate and tower shield): 29/40
AC (self buffed): 71-72 (Cat's Grace, Mage Armor, Haste, EMA, Bard Song), 73-74 (+ Curse Song)

Spell Casting: Bard(6)
Spells known: 5/5/5/5/5/5/4
Spells/day: 5/6/6/6/5/5/4

Bard Song 20th lvl: +2 AB, +3 dmg, +3 Will, +2 Fort/Ref, +28 HPs, +5 AC, +8 skills


SKILLS
Concentration 43(45)
Perform 42(50)
Spellcraft 43(45)
Taunt 42(45)
Tumble 40(39)
UMD 32(35)
19 points leftover


LEVELING GUIDE
01: Bard(1): Artist, Skill Focus: Perform
02: Fighter(1): Weapon Focus
03: Fighter(2): Knockdown, Blind Fight
04: Bard(2): STR+1, (STR=16)
05: Bard(3)
06: Bard(4): Extend Spell
07: Pale Master(1)
08: Pale Master(2): STR+1, (STR=17)
09: Bard(5): Curse Song
10: Bard(6)
11: Bard(7)
12: Bard(8): STR+1, Improved Critical, (STR=18)
13: Bard(9)
14: Bard(10)
15: Bard(11): Still Spell
16: Bard(12): STR+1, (STR=19)
17: Bard(13)
18: Bard(14): Toughness
19: Bard(15)
20: Bard(16): STR+1, (STR=20)
21: Pale Master(3): Epic Weapon Focus, {Darkvision}
22: Pale Master(4)
23: Fighter(3)
24: Fighter(4): STR+1, Weapon Specialization, Epic Weapon Specialization, (STR=21)
25: Pale Master(5)
26: Pale Master(6)
27: Bard(17): Epic Prowess
28: Pale Master(7): STR+1, (STR=22)
29: Pale Master(8)
30: Pale Master(9): Armor Skin
31: Pale Master(10)
32: Pale Master(11): STR+1, (STR=23)
33: Pale Master(12): Great Strength I, (STR=24)
34: Pale Master(13): Epic Energy Resistance: Acid I (or Fire I)
35: Pale Master(14)
36: Pale Master(15): STR+1, Epic Spell: Epic Warding, (STR=25)
37: Bard(18)
38: Bard(19)
39: Bard(20): Lasting Inspiration
40: Pale Master(16): STR+1, Epic Spell: Epic Mage Armor, (STR=26)


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Advantages
•Good AC, excellent buffed AC
•Good buffed AB
•20th lvl Bard/Curse Song
•Lasting Inspiration
•EMA/EWA
•Crit Immunity
•Immunity to Paralysis, Stun and Hold
•UMD
•Taunt
•Good HPs for a Bard
•6th lvl Bard spells
•Ready to exploit Divine Power scrolls
•WS/EWS


Weaknesses
•Mediocre saves: bard song, spells and spellcraft help a lot though
•Low unbuffed AB
•Tight on skillpoints
•Late LI
•Dispellable
•Low duration on EW


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Feedback and constructive criticism are, as usual, gladly appreciated.


Cheers,
Kail
_________________
Unto to the darkness
I commend my soul
Never shall I repent
Never shall I be saved

I'll go into the House of Death
Before my last breath
My enemies all shall die!

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 04/25/08 18:23

Similar builds in the search engine:

Undeath,s Eternal Champion /Bard 16/PM 16/Fighter 8 by Evo_Dragon
Doom Skald /Bard 16/Fighter 8/PM 16 + No Dev Crit Version by Mithdradates

Mith's build is the closest (the other build's a dexer), especially the non dev crit version, but mine goes for LI, has more known spells and plans to exploit divine power.
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Quote: Posted 09/25/06 11:58:10 (GMT) by xitooner

I find its better to be flexible, THINK, and know your enemy.
Of all the builds I've played, this is my favorite class split of all time. Great build. I feel elated to see a build such as this. Great job! (Could use more AB )
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"With Europe liberated, the people of the world turned their attention to that old devil, the United States of America [...] We taught that monster of old the true meaning of freedom."
Star Wreck IMO, Curse Song effective AB with LI is almost identical to unbuffed AB. 10 turns is long enough that you don't really have to think of it as a debuff in the sense of having to reapply it and leave yourself open to do so (like Taunt), and since it's actually an AC penalty, of course, it doesn't contribute to the +20 cap. So, I think a build like this performs more like an unbuffed AB 42 build than an unbuffed AB 37 build...not too shabby.

That said, of course it could use more AB. We could all use more AB. Kail, this is a great template, supported by excellent documentation. Well done. And the name is perect. Double entendre. Thanks for sharing. I'll be giving this a whirl, as it speaks to me in a language that I feel comfortable with.
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Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server
(with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)

Ariel, Ookla, RIDE! Thanks all.

Yes the build could do with some more AB, but who couldn't? (well (nearly pure mages) ignore the stat, but you get my point) As pointed out, Curse Song basically puts the AB back to 42 which is acceptable. Throw in all your other buffs and clerical buffs from scrolls and it gets quite respectable.

Dwarflord, thanks for the kind words. The name came as an inspiration, indeed. The build is a pleasure to play, solo or party its strengths will shine. And it sends a message to all those who do not believe that Bard rocks.


Cheers,
Kail
_________________
Unto to the darkness
I commend my soul
Never shall I repent
Never shall I be saved

I'll go into the House of Death
Before my last breath
My enemies all shall die! My main character, Teo, is very similiar to this build. A very sweet character to play.