I started thinking about this build a few weeks ago, but then dropped the idea because I didn't think it would be effective enough. However, I finally got to trying it out, and in a party is turned out to be quite useful. It's intended for PvM, and definetely not for PvP (unless you want to spam HiPS).
One build with the same class combination in the search engine, The Ghost Slinger by Kaliban99, but his' is a slinger (d'uh).
Support in a Small Package, 1-40, PvM only Halfling, non-lawful Bard 26/Rogue 13/Shadowdancer 1
Advantages - decent AB for this class combination - Lasting Inspiration - 20th level Bard Song (you are actually 1 Perform rank behind, but Eagle's should get it done) - Epic Dodge - Set Traps (all deadly but gas) - Improved Evasion with a very high Reflex Save - Bardic spells - undispellable (but for Mordenkainen's) - HiPS - 7d6 Sneak Attack - great party asset
Disadvantages - somewhat low AB - not able to get full benefit from Bard Song - low Will and Fortitude saves (although you have a +9 vs. spells) - might be in trouble against sneak-immune - low HP - no dual-wielding - may not be suitable for solo play - True Seeing - smells of cheese
Starting abilities STR 10 DEX 16 (30) CON 14 WIS 8 INT 14 CHA 15 (16)
Ending abilities STR 10 DEX 30 CON 14 WIS 8 INT 14 CHA 16
Skills - 324 points Discipline 43(43) Hide 43(53) Move Silently 43(55) Perform 43(49) Set Trap 5(15) Spellcraft 43(45) Tumble 40(50) UMD 42(45) 22 points left (maybe Taunt for foes who didn't spend points in Concentration)
Combat Vitals HP 322 BAB 25 AB 40 AC 29(naked)/31(large shield)
Saves (+9 vs. spells, +2 vs. traps, +2 vs. fear) Fortitude 19 Will 20 Reflex 35
AB can be easily increased with Cat's Grace, GMW, Warcry, Bard Song and Curse Song (lowers enemies' AC by 5). Also, AC can be improved with Mage Armor, Shield, PfA, Haste, Bard Song and Curse Song. Improved Invisibility should aid as well. When all else fails, there's HiPS.
Bard Song gains you +2 AB, +3 damage, +2 Fortitude and Reflex, +3 Will, +28 HP, +5 AC and +8 to skills. After singing Bard Song, Curse Song will increase to level 21, so enemies will receive -2 AB, -3 damage, -2 Fortitude and Reflex, -3 Will, -30 HP and -9 to skills.
You might struggle with damage at times, but you have Bull's Strength, Warcry, Bard Song and Curse Song. Not much, but they are more choices. Either way, UMD is available.
43 Discipline with a Halfling is not that useful, so it could be swapped for Taunt or something else.
As was said, this build is more suitable for party environment, where his abilites can be more effective.
Any suggestions are highly appreciated.
Edited By rafa10pj on 12/03/07 21:56
Skill Focus: Perform doesn't seem to do this build much good unless it is a requirement I'm not aware of. It gets 2 hp and 1 skill point with a minimal buff, but another feat might serve you better. Perhaps weapon focus:sling or toughness. weapon focus:sling would get you once less ab for the sling than your melee weapon.
I try to get the full benefits from Bard Song, and Skill Focus: Perform gets Peform to 49 ranks, just one point from the level 20 Bard Song. Because the focus of the build is aiding its party, it seemed appropiate. However, on my first try I had taken Toughness, due to the low hitpoints.
For solo play, I would take Toughness all the way and rely on CHA and Perform enhancing gear. Should have noted it in the OP.
Drop con to 12 raise cha to 16,saves u 1gr dex so take esf perform and toughness instead of sf perform.or drop int or str by 2. U could swap out dodge as its only 1ac vs current attacker.
Quote: Posted 12/04/07 10:25 (GMT) -- bloodymerc Drop con to 12 raise cha to 16,saves u 1gr dex so take esf perform and toughness instead of sf perform.or drop int or str by 2. U could swap out dodge as its only 1ac vs current attacker.
That's good advice. Dropping CON to 12, raising CHA to 16 and swapping a few feats will improve Perform with no loss. I'll post the revised version when I got the time.
Dodge is a prerequisite for Shadowdancer.
Edited By rafa10pj on 12/04/07 15:04
I would definitely drop Discipline - your AC will almost certainly be high enough that anything that hits you will overcome your discipline anyway. Taunt sounds good, and with the other 22 points you have sitting around I would pump Search and Disable Traps. You should be able to get both Set and Disable Traps to 16 (so you can handle all Deadly traps), and even a few points in search will let you find most of them (I think you only need a 22 or so to find them, so even 10 points will find them pretty quickly, if not on the first roll....).
TM
Yeah, dropping Discipline is a possibility. With the penalty for small stature and only 43 ranks, any serious knockdowner (¿?) will get you every time. In fact, without a nice STR score and ESF, Discipline is a waste. At any rate, you should avoid these guys, and that's why you have lots of posibilites: HiPS, Epic Dodge, Invisibility, UMD. However, 43 is enough to stop those who don't have the AB to make Knockdown too dangerous, in my opinion.
Disable Traps will make him even more party-friendly, so that's a good suggestion