Optimize This Party: The Bard

[Laserlight]

Since the board has been rather quiet lately, and since our GM said "you can rebuild your character until you start Paragon", which will be next week....I'm going to solicit your expert advice. What paragon path and why? What powers should be replaced? Any special tricks or tactics?

The campaign primarily focuses on combat. All our stats are unusual due to DM's house rule. Party is prescient bard, scout, pyro mage,
paladin/barbarian hybrid, and artificer. We'll start with the Bard.


====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Audrie, level 11
Half-Elf, Bard, Karmic Shaper
Bardic Virtue Option: Virtue of Prescience
Signs of Influence Option: Welcome Guest
Signs of Influence Option: Demand Audience
Half-Elf Power Selection Option: Knack for Success
Occupation - Entertainer (+2 to Bluff)
Theme: Scholar

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
STR 14, CON 16, DEX 19, INT 15, WIS 18, CHA 24


AC: 23 Fort: 22 Ref: 24 Will: 27
HP: 78 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 19

TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +12, Athletics +12, Diplomacy +19, Insight +18, Perception +16, Religion +12

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +14, Bluff +18, Dungeoneering +13, Endurance +12, Heal +13, History +11, Intimidate +16, Nature +13, Stealth +14, Streetwise +16, Thievery +13

POWERS
Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack
Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack
Scholar Utility: Use Vulnerability
Half-Elf Racial Power: Knack for Success
Bard Feature: Majestic Word
Bard Feature: Words of Friendship
Bard Attack 1: Staggering Note
Bard Attack 1: Victim of the Feywild
Bard Attack 1: Jinx Shot
Bard Attack 1: Arrow of Warning
Bard Utility 2: Beguiling Ballad
Bard Attack 3: Rhyme of the Blood-Seeking Blade
Bard Attack 5: Song of Discord
Bard Utility 6: Revitalizing Incantation
Bard Attack 7: Prescient Warning
Bard Attack 9: Saga of Vengeance
Bard Utility 10: Illusory Erasure
Karmic Shaper Attack 11: Karmic Wound

FEATS
Level 1: Ritual Caster
Level 1: Bard of All Trades
Level 2: Weapon Proficiency (Greatbow)
Level 8: Extended Prescience
Level 9: Battle Song Expertise
Level 10: Prescient Fortification
Level 10: Improved Defenses
Level 11: Majestic Rescue

ITEMS
Gloves of Agility x1
Deep-Pocket Cloak +2 x1
Pelor's Sun Blessing (level 8)
Diadem of Acuity x1
Shadowdance Leather Armor +2 x1
Howling Songbow Greatbow +3 x1
====== End ======

[Tafkam Hokie]

The obvious question is why Knack for Success instead of using Dilettante to pick up Twin Strike? Since you are already a greatbow-wielding half-elf bard, seems pretty natural.

[GPuzzle]

The obvious question is why Knack for Success instead of using Dilettante to pick up Twin Strike? Since you are already a greatbow-wielding half-elf bard, seems pretty natural.

He's a Wis-heavy Leader. Magic Weapon fits better.

TBH, the best thing to do here is to go half-Cleric, so you get great AC, healing and buffing, while mixing with enabling and debuffing from the Bard. Also Warlord MC works great.

[Nightgaun7]

The obvious question is why Knack for Success instead of using Dilettante to pick up Twin Strike? Since you are already a greatbow-wielding half-elf bard, seems pretty natural.

She already had twin strike and afaik isn't planning to stack enough statics to make it worth it. She was unhappy with it and may have retrained it already.


TBH, the best thing to do here is to go half-Cleric, so you get great AC, healing and buffing, while mixing with enabling and debuffing from the Bard. Also Warlord MC works great.

I already called dibs on the hybrid Cleric

[GPuzzle]

In that case, Dilletante for Magic Weapon.

[Nightgaun7]

We've got an Artificer as well :smalltongue:

[GPuzzle]

Paint the Bullseye, then.