Singing, Cursing and Delivering a Performance to Devastatingly Critical Acclaim PvM (1-40) and PvP

WAR BARD (“Battle Crier”)
By Deborah “Tyr” Templar


The focus of this build is to provide a Lasting Inspirational SINGER for the party who is also a TANK, hence capable of taking care of him/herself in melee combat.


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Method Behind the Madness:
This is a war bard, presented to the community on the anniversary of my Dragon Slayer series (RDD/Bards, and yes, the reason (in case anyone was wondering) why so many RDDs again from me lately

Similar Builds:
While not the first of his/her kind in terms of the class combo (there being 2 similar builds—namely, Raging Bull (Barbarian 8 / Bard 22 / RDD 10), by TeoDeathDealer Click Here (a nice party-friendly half-orc, bard-first, non-dev.crit bard/RDD), and Barbaric Champion Bard (Bard 26 / RDD 10 / Barbarian 4), by Draco Spirit, Click Here (a dev.critter, but significantly different as to focus and feats), making the War Bard (Battle Crier) unique, and s/he is essentially the flip-side (if you will) of my Dragon Rider, Barbarian 28, RDD 10, Bard 2, Click Here .

The Series:
War Bard (Battle Crier) is the second of what has seemingly become a 2-part character series in an “Anniversary Edition” of the Dragon Slayer series (the other being Wing Commander (Red Squadron) 26 Paladin/10 RDD/4 Bard + 29 Paladin/10 RDD/1 Sorcerer , Click Here , who is the warrior in this series, with this one being dedicated to 'dem lovable bards).


Pros and Cons—War Bard (“Battle Crier”):

26 Level Bard, enjoying a nice (highly buffable) AB, very good/high AC, EDR III (effectively giving DR 12/- w. curse song), and over 500 HPs singing (being esp. nice/high for a bard!); also comes equipped w. dev.crit (DC 40,+2 curse / self-buff 46 / 48 w. str.): having the potential to take out an enemy w. one swing – esp. one who’s trying to silence your song, is always nice.

That said, and apart from the fact that saves could be better (but are decent thanks to bard song, buffs, RDD immunities, and also has UMD), the main draw back of this build is the time it takes to achieve lasting inspiration. Some bard fans may find this frustrating; however, this was done to achieve a good melee presence (i.e., RDD (dev.crit)-first, w. RDD STR and barb. in for 4 apr (add bard haste, 5 apr), uncanny and speed boost, enhancing playability.

In the event a player is uninterested in dev.crit (or is on a server where it’s banned), a non-dev.crit variant (enjoying more spells, w. an enhanced performance skill and meta-magics in lieu of dev.crit) is included. Either way, the combo makes for a solid war bard (pvm), with all high-level/lasting bards being a welcome addition to any party (PvP).

Without any further ado, please meet War Bard (dev.crit followed by the non-dev.crit variant):


WAR BARD (Battle Crier) – Dev.Crit. Version
Bard(26), Barbarian(4), Red Dragon Disciple(10)

Human, Any Non-Lawful (theme: CN, CG or CE)


Attributes:
STR: 16 (30)
DEX: 12
CON: 15 (21)
WIS: 8
INT: 12 (14)
CHA: 12 (15)

Level Guide
01: Barbarian(1): power attack, weapon focus: Scimitar –or- Grt.Sword*
02: Bard(1)
03: Bard(2): cleave
04: Bard(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Bard(4)
06: Red Dragon Disciple(1): knockdown
07: Red Dragon Disciple(2): (STR=19)
08: Red Dragon Disciple(3): STR+1, (STR=20)
09: Red Dragon Disciple(4): blind fight*
10: Red Dragon Disciple(5)
11: Red Dragon Disciple(6)
12: Red Dragon Disciple(7): STR+1, improved critical, (STR=23), (CON=17)
13: Red Dragon Disciple(8)
14: Bard(5)
15: Bard(6): great cleave
16: Bard(7): CON+1, (CON=18)
17: Barbarian(2): {Uncanny Dodge I}
18: Bard(8): curse song
19: Barbarian(3)
20: Barbarian(4): CON+1, (CON=19)
21: Red Dragon Disciple(9): overwhelming critical, (INT=14)
22: Red Dragon Disciple(10): {Darkvision}, (STR=27), (CHA=14)
23: Bard(9)
24: Bard(10): CON+1, devastating critical, (CON=20)
25: Bard(11)
26: Bard(12)
27: Bard(13): epic weapon focus
28: Bard(14): CON+1, (CON=21)
29: Bard(15)
30: Bard(16): epic dam. reduction I
31: Bard(17)
32: Bard(18): STR+1, (STR=28)
33: Bard(19): epic dam. reduction II
34: Bard(20)
35: Bard(21)
36: Bard(22): STR+1, epic dam. reduction III (OR Grt.Cha for 6th lvl Bard Spells)*, (STR=29)
37: Bard(23): lasting inspiration
38: Bard(24)
39: Bard(25): epic prowess
40: Bard(26): STR+1, great charisma I, (STR=30), (CHA=15)

Prefer more AB/Dev.Crit (DC) over EDR?
If for whatever reason you’re not interested in the EDR line (despite being wonderful against all meleer's really, but particularly against dexers) and prefer more natural AB/dev.crit DC instead, then adjust as follows:

Drop 1 con, putting those 2 points into cha. instead, then raising str. instead of con throughout; hence no EDR and -2 rage duration, but picking up str. feats (instead of edrI+II) and armor skin (instead of edrIII), and ESF: Perf. instead of grt. cha at the end, for final start/end stats: str. 36, con 16, cha 16, w. all else remaining the same except as follows:

• Lose: No EDR (apart from curse song), -2 fort (or, fort 25), and -80 HPs (meaning: 408 HPs, +30 song: 438, +80 rage, or 510 HPs self-buffed)
• Gain: +3 AB/Dam. (naked AB 43, +2 song: AB 45 / self-buff: 61+Taunt, or: AB 67),
+3 Dev.Crit DC (or, naked: DC 43 / self-buffed: 49 / str cap: 49 + 2 curse, or DC 51), +10 on your perform skill and 6th level casting (i.e., ice storm), & +2 AC (naked: 25 / leather+shield: 31, self buff 48 AC / med.armor+shield: 33, self-buff: 50 AC)

---


Basics:

a. a. Hitpoints: 488 (+26 song, +80 rage, or: 594 HPs)

Other:
EDR III (DR 9/- plus curse (-3 enemy dam.), or effective DR 12/-)
Bard Spells, Barbarian Speed, and UMD

b. Saving Throws:
Fort: 27 (song, rage, resist.: 32)
Will: 22 (song, rage, resist., owl’s: 30)
Refl: 20 (song, cat’s, resist.: 25)

Other:
• RDD immunities (fire, paralysis, sleep); Barb. Speed; Bard Spells (incl. clarity), UMD
• Rage: +4 STR (+2 ab/dam), Con (+80 HPs/+2 fort), and +2 will (-2 ac); 11 Rounds (enhance w. con items and/or umd)


Combat Vitals:

a. DevCrit (DC):
40, +2 Bull’s, +2 Rage, +2 Curse (lowers enemy fort), OR: DC 46 Self-Buffed
(STR cap: 46, +2 Curse: DC 48)


b. Attack Bonus:
BAB: 26, AB (naked): 40 (melee), 28 (ranged)

Mundane Weapon: 40, +2 Song: 42 AB

+5 Curse Song (reduces enemy AC)
+2 Bull’s
+2 War Cry
+5 Greater Magic Weapon
+2 Rage (-2 AC)
+ Haste (extra attack)
--
58, +6 Taunt (reduces enemy AC): 64/59/54/49/64 (self-buffs ONLY; No Equip’t/UMD)

c. Damage (comparative)

i) mundane scimitar:
1d6 +10 (crit: 16-20/x2); keen: 14-20
+5 GMW
+4 Bull’s and Rage
+2 War Cry
+3 Bard Song
+5 Pow.Attack (-5 ab)
--
+ Dev. Crit

ii) mundane great sword:
2-12+15 (crit: 17-20/x2); keen: 15-20
+6 bulls and rage
+2 War Cry
+3 Bard Song
+5 Pow.Attack (-5 ab)
--
+ Dev. Crit


Other:
Curse Song (30 dam., all enemies), Bard Spells, Bard Summons, UMD

* Note: figures do NOT include any umd/magical equip’t, nor factor in any crits.


Defense Vitals:

23 AC (naked), uncanny dodge
+3 mundane Stud. Leather (+5 mundane Med. Armor)
+3 mundane shield
--
Light Armor: 29 AC (Med. Armor: 31 AC) (-2 raging)

+4 Haste
+5 Song
+4 Mage Armor
+2 Cat's Grace
+2 Curse Song (lowers enemy AB)
+ Impr. Invisibility (50% concealment)
------
Self-Buffed: Light Armor: 46 AC / Med. Armor: 48 AC (self-buffs ONLY) (-2 raging)

Other:
EDR III (DR 9/- + curse song (-3 enemy dam.), hence an effective DR 12/-
Bard Spells (incl. wounding whispers, ethereal, ghostly), UMD, and Dev.Crit.


Spell Casting:
Bard Level (5), SR 26+1d20
Cantrips (5/4) / Level 1(5/5) / Level 2 (5/5) / Level 3 (5/4) / Level 4 (5/4) / Level 5(5/4)
To see and plan your spell book, see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Bard


Other—Bard Song/Curse Song:

• Bard Song (self and allies):
+2 AB, +3 Dam., Saves (+3 Will, +2 Fort, +2 Refl.), +26 HPs, +5 AC, +7 All-Skills

• Curse Song:
At 45 Perform: Exact Opposite Effect on All Enemies in area of Effect
At 55 Perform (self-enhanced by eagle’s, song only): as above, but 30 damage and -9 skills

• Tip: sing first in order to enhance self/allies (incl your own perf skill), then curse enemies


Skillpoints: 257*
Concentration 42(47)(54 song), Discipline 43(53) (64 bull’s, rage+song), Lore 8(36)(RDD prereq.), Perform 43(45) (55 eagle’s+song), Taunt 43(45) (64 eagle’s, song+curse), Tumble 40(41), UMD 38(40)

Note: Bard song/Curse song (i.e., add +7 all-skills / subtract -9 all enemy skills)

* feel free to adjust your bard's skill-set to suit your own preferences/environs.


WHAT FOLLOWS is the non-dev.crit variant:

Edited By Grimnir77 on 07/10/07 19:48

WAR BARD (Battle Crier) – Non-Dev.Crit Version
Bard(26), Barbarian(4), Red Dragon Disciple(10)
Human, Alignment (non-lawful, as above)

Attributes
STR: 16 (30)
DEX: 12
CON: 15 (21)
WIS: 8
INT: 12 (14)
CHA: 12 (16)

Level Guide
01: Barbarian(1): knockdown, weapon focus
02: Bard(1)
03: Bard(2): armor proficiency heavy (or, SF: perform)*
04: Bard(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Bard(4)
06: Red Dragon Disciple(1): still spell
07: Red Dragon Disciple(2): (STR=19)
08: Red Dragon Disciple(3): STR+1, (STR=20)
09: Red Dragon Disciple(4): blind fight, (STR=22)
10: Red Dragon Disciple(5)
11: Red Dragon Disciple(6)
12: Red Dragon Disciple(7): STR+1, improved critical, (STR=23), (CON=17)
13: Red Dragon Disciple(8)
14: Bard(5)
15: Bard(6): empower spell
16: Bard(7): CON+1, (CON=18)
17: Barbarian(2): {Uncanny Dodge I}
18: Bard(8): curse song
19: Barbarian(3)
20: Barbarian(4): CON+1, (CON=19)
21: Red Dragon Disciple(9): epic weapon focus, (INT=14)
22: Red Dragon Disciple(10): {Darkvision}, (STR=27), (CHA=14)
23: Bard(9)
24: Bard(10): CON+1, great constitution I, (CON=21)
25: Bard(11)
26: Bard(12)
27: Bard(13): epic damage reduction I
28: Bard(14): CHA+1, (CHA=15)
29: Bard(15)
30: Bard(16): epic damage reduction II
31: Bard(17)
32: Bard(18): STR+1, (STR=28)
33: Bard(19): epic damage reduction III
34: Bard(20)
35: Bard(21)
36: Bard(22): STR+1, lasting inspiration, (STR=29)
37: Bard(23): great charisma I, (CHA=16)
38: Bard(24)
39: Bard(25): epic prowess
40: Bard(26): STR+1, epic skill focus: perform, (STR=30)


Basics
Hitpoints: 488 (+30 song, +80 rage, or: 598 HPs)
Saving Throws
Fortitude/Will/Reflex: 27 (32 self-buffed)/22 (30 self-buffed)/20 (25 self-buffed)

Combat Vitals

BAB: 26, AB (naked): 40 (melee), +2 Song: 42 AB
Self-Buffed (as above): 58, +6 Taunt (reduces enemy AC): 64/59/54/49/64 (No Equip’t/UMD)

Damage: see above, +34 curse song (all enemies in area of effect)


Defense Vitals:
AC: 23 (naked)
Light Armor and Shield: 29 AC, +17 self-buffs: AC 46 (-3 no shield, -2 raging)
Medium Armor & Shield: 31 AC, +17 self-buffs: 48 AC (-3 no shield, -2 raging)
Plate Armor and Shield: 34 AC, +15 self-buffs: 49 AC (-3 no shield, -2 raging)
--
+ Impr. Invisibility (50% concealment) / Empowered Wounding Whispers / EDR III

* Note: does NOT incl. any umd or magical equipment; for available buffs, see above.


Spell Casting:
Bard, Level (6), SR 26+1d20
Cantrip (5/4) / Lev1 (5/5) / Lev 2 (5/5) / Lev 3 (5/5) / Lev 4 (5/4) / Lev 5 (5/4) / Lev 6 (4/4)


Bard Song/Curse Song:

* Song (enhance self and allies):
At 56 perform (sleeping naked/no buffs nor hums):
21st Lev. Bard Song: +2 AB/+3 Dam., +2 fort, +3 will, +2 refl, +30 HPs, +5 AC, +9 all-skills

* Curse (at 68 perform/23rd Lev. Curse– i.e. self-buffed (+3 emp. Eagle’s, +9 song):
All enemies in area of effect suffer -2 AB/-3 dam, - 2 fort, -3 will, -2 refl, 34 dam, -12 all-skills

Note:
If took SF: Perf., add +3 perf (or 62 perf, w. emp.eagle’s), giving 23rd Song / 24th Curse;
In addition, if took SF:Perf. (or, alt., can get a +3 perf. enhancing item) and bring cha. to cap (w. a cha. item), this gives you 65 perf., meaning a 23rd level Bard Song / 25th level Curse

For more info Re: Bard Song/Curse and Performance see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Bard_Song

Skillpoints: 257*
Concentration 43(48), Discipline 43(53), Lore 8(36), Perform 43(56), Taunt 43(46), Tumble 40(41), UMD 37(40)


Note: Bard song/Curse Song (i.e., add +9 all-skills / subtract -12 all enemy skills); for other available buffs, see above.

* feel free to adjust your chief’s skill-set to suit your own preferences/environs.



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As always, I welcome constructive criticism (esp. any ideas as to how to achieve LI sooner, w.o putting off RDD (dev.crit, EDR) any longer, or otherwise losing 4th round attack).

In the meantime, I really hope everyone enjoys this character, and I sincerely thank absolutely everyone who took the time out to comment on these or any other of my builds, as well as the players who enjoy them; as to a story, I’m pleased to attach a link to the original one, being about our familiar slayer who, on being bitten by a dragon, becomes infected by its blood and transforms into a dragon, and it’s entitled: “The Tale of the Dragon Slayer,” Click Here .

May the Legend of the Dragon Slayers and the Dragon Riders Live On! ~ Tyr

Edited By Grimnir77 on 07/10/07 19:49

umm.. nice idea and save! I cannot imagine investing that many bard lvls and not maxing out spell lvls! It would be like takin 29 cleric with a wisdom of 15 for life
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Quote: Posted 06/28/06 00:22:49 (GMT) -- TyrTemplar

This post is for general information purposes only, and does not constitute a legal opinion or render any legal advice. It may not be relied on for any purpose, and gives rise to