This page was created in 2022, eighteen years after the actual playthrough for this build. I therefore may have forgotten a few details (heh). I am mostly creating it because I'm considering replaying the game, and I'd like to reorient myself.
I did manage to find a forum posting of something pretty close to my original build. Per my comments, the version of it that I played in the actual game wasn't well considered, and I improved it up a lot for the post.
The related fanfic is
here
======================
What follows is a cleaned-up and expanded copy of my original forum posting, along with some comments by myself and others.
OVERVIEW
Bard 30/Rogue 5/Ranger 5
The Versatile Songmaster offers the best possible Bardsong as well as every possible skill in the game as a class skill. The four pre-epic Ranger levels give four attack per round. Also, the build is very flexible and can be tailored to your preferences. This is not a powerful melee build, but it offers a great variety of tactics for solo play and makes a tremendous support character in a party. While it is far from the strongest combat build I've created, it may be the most fun to play.
CREDITS
My research for this build consisted mostly of playing a horribly, hopelessly, painfully twisted version of it in the OC. Even so, it was a fun character to play and I felt that it could be redeemed. After checking this forum and not noticing any other builds that took bard to level 30, I decided to work this up.
VARIATIONS
- It doesn't really matter when you take the Rogue and Ranger levels, as long as you follow the "rule of four". Just take four Rogue levels and four Ranger levels pre-epic and the last one of each after level 20. I mixed levels at the beginning because low-level Bards are so weak, then added a break to allow banking skill points for Rogue and Ranger class skills. Finally, I added a huge break before taking the last Rogue and Ranger levels at levels 38 and 39, to allow more skill banking. If you want a different mix, go for it.
- I went with Ranger as a Fighter-ish class to achieve my goal of making every skill available in the original as a class skill. Ranger gives Animal Empathy, and uses the best attack bonus table to get the fourth attack per round. I find Animal Empathy fun and useful, and it fits my concept of this character. But if you don't care about it, substitute Fighter to be stronger in combat - you can work in Improved Two-Weapon Fighting this way.
- The only feats central to the build are Skill Focus, Epic Skill Focus, Curse Song, and Lasting Inspiration. Change up the rest however you like.
- You can increase Charisma instead of Dexterity after level 20 to get more Bard spells and free up the Skill Focus slot for another epic feat instead. Great Charisma and Great Dexterity are both available as Bard bonus feats if you wish to use them.
- The skill order shown in the build is intended to make the character playable from level 1. Make sure to put at least 1 point into any skill that requires training, to benefit from the +19 from the max Bardsong. I put one point into Ride early, but if whatever you're playing doesn't use that skill, put it somewhere else. I didn't put anything to crafting skills, but they'd be easy to work in. I pushed Use Magic Device, as the build can benefit from some Monk gear.
- I picked Short Sword as my melee weapon of choice because it is compatible with Weapon Finesse. If you prefer an alternative, go for it. Remember that Rangers get Dual-Wield (Ambidexterity + Two Weapon Fighting) for free at Ranger level 1, so whatever you pick, don't forget to equip two of them.
BARDSONG AND HOW TO GET PERFORM 100
The main point of this build is the Bardsong. A fully maxed Bardsong is incredible. The attack and save bonuses are nice, but the 48 bonus hit points, +7 to AC, and 19 extra skill points to everyone in your party put it over the top. Then you can subtract the same things from your opponents via Curse Song, and you've tilted the fight your direction in a huge way. Like Taunt? You've just added a 38 point gap in your favor to the chances it will succeed. Anyone in your group like Knockdown or Disarm (or did you work those into the Bard build)? Same effect on the chances. Have an especially difficult trap to disarm or persuade check to pass? And opponents get no save! (Sonic damage resistance does apply, but that's rare.) No problem. Thing is, all this requires a Perform skill of 100, which you just can't get without equipment. Fortunately, it is doable with items available in the game. Here's the math:
Max Perform Skill = 43
Skill Focus (Perform) = 3
Epic Skill Focus (Perform) = 10
Epic Gloves of the Minstrel = 30
Belt of the Performer+5 = 4
Adjusted Charisma of 30 = 10
-----------------------------------
100
The Belt of the Performer gives CHA+5, and a Nymph Cloak +7 finishes off the CHA adjustment. If you're into creating items in the toolset, you can get the same bonuses with fewer inventory slots by making uber-items. Keep in mind that you can have both the normal and the curse version of Bardsong active at the same time. Although singing multiple times doesn't stack, you can "re-sing" curse to add its effects to any new baddies that have shown up, or that you encounter in the next fight before the first curse song has worn off. Your Bardsong is your most potent weapon in this build. Use it!
Race: Half-elf (human works well too, probably better)
Alignment: any non-lawful (I went with Neutral Good)
Stats:
STR 10 (+0) (not a Strength-based character)
DEX 15 (+2) (Bump early for AC, attack, etc. Finishes at 23, unless you bump CHA instead)
CON 12 (+1) (helps make up for d6 hit dice)
INT 14 (+2) (more skills)
WIS 8 (-1) (he'd have been a lousy pure Ranger)
CHA 16 (+3) (Bard spells, finishes at 18, unless you bump this instead of DEX)
HA: Half-elf Ability
RoA: Rogue Ability
RaA: Ranger Ability
BA: Bard Ability
BBF: Bard Bonus Feat
RaBF: Ranger Bonus Feat
NEF: Non-epic Feat
EF: Epic Feat
SA: Sneak Attack
| Character Level |
Class Level |
Attributes |
Skills |
Feats |
Other |
| 1 |
Rogue 1 |
|
40 points
Appraise +4 (4)
Disable Traps +4 (4)
Intimidate +4 (4)
Listen +4 (4)
Lore +4 (4)
Open Locks +4 (4)
Persuade +4 (4)
Search +4 (4)
Set Traps +4 (4)
Spot +4 (4) |
Point Blank Shot (NEF) |
Light Armor (RoA)
Rogue Weapon Prof. (RoA)
SA=1d6
Hardiness vs. Enchantment (HA)
Immune to Sleep (HA)
Low-light vision (HA)
Partial Skill Affinity Listen (HA)
Partial Skill Affinity Search (HA)
Partial Skill Affinity Spot (HA) |
| 2 |
Ranger 1 |
Animal Empathy +5 (5)
Ride +1 (1) |
6 points |
|
Dual Wield (RaA)
Medium Armor Proficiency (RaA)
Shield Prof (RaA)
Trackless Step (RaA)
Martial Weapon Proficiency (RaA)
Simple Weapon Proficiency (RaA)
Favored Enemy (RaA) |
| 3 |
Bard 1 |
|
6 points
Perform +6 (6) |
Weapon Finesse (NEF) |
Bard Song (BA)
Bardic Knowledge (BA) |
| 4 |
Rogue 2 |
DEX+1=16 |
10 points
Disable Traps +3 (7)
Intimidte +3 (7)
Open Locks +3 (7)
Persuade +1 (5) |
|
Evasion (RoA) |
| 5 |
Ranger 2 |
|
6 points
Animal Empathy +3 (8)
Search +3 (7) |
|
|
| 6 |
Bard 2 |
|
6 points
Perform +3 (9)
Tumble +3 (3) |
Rapid Shot (NEF) |
|
| 7 |
Rogue 3 | DEX+1=17
|
10 points
Disable Traps +3 (10)
Intimidate +3 (10)
Open Lock +3 (10)
Set Traps +1 (5) |
|
Uncanny Dodge I (RoA)
SA=2d6 |
| 8 |
Ranger 3 |
DEX+1=17 |
6 points
Animal Empathy +3 (11)
Set Traps +3 (8) |
|
|
| 9 |
Bard 3 |
|
6 points
Perform +3 (12)
Persuade +3 (8) |
Curse Song (NEF) |
|
| 10 |
Bard 4 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (13)
Persuade +5 (13) |
|
|
| 11 |
Bard 5 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (14)
Persuade +1 (14)
Tumble +4 (7) |
|
|
| 12 |
Bard 6 |
DEX+1=18 |
6 points
Perform +1 (15)
Persaude +1 (15)
Tumble +4 (11) |
Toughness (NEF) |
|
| 13 |
Bard 7 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (16)
Persuade +1 (16)
Tumble +4 (15) |
|
|
| 14 |
Bard 8 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (17)
Persuade +1 (17)
Use Magic Device +4 (4) |
|
|
| 15 |
Bard 9 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (18)
Persuade +1 (18)
Use Magic Device +4 (8) |
Extend Spell (NEF) |
|
| 16 |
Bard 10 |
CHA+1=17 |
6 points
Perform +1 (19)
Persuade +1 (19)
Use Magic Device +4 (12) |
|
|
| 17 |
Bard 11 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (20)
Persuade +1 (20)
Use Magic Device +4 (16) |
|
|
| 18 |
Bard 12 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (21)
Persuade +1 (21)
Use Magic Device +4 (20) |
Improved Critical-shortsword (NEF) |
|
| 19 |
Rogue 4 |
|
10 points
Disable Trap +5 (15)
Open Locks +5 (15) |
|
|
| 20 |
Ranger 4 |
CHA+1=18 |
6 points
Animal Empathy +6 (17) |
|
|
| 21 |
Bard 13 |
|
6 points
Perform +3 (24)
Persuade +3 (24) |
Improved Critical-longbow (NEF) |
|
| 22 |
Bard 14 |
|
6 points
Perform +1 (25)
Persuade +1 (25)
Use Magic Device +4 (24) |
|
|
| 23 |
Bard 15 |
|
6 points
Bluff +1 (1)
Perform +1 (26)
Persuade +1 (26)
Taunt +1 (1)
Use Magic Device +2 (26) |
|
|
| 24 |
Bard 16 |
DEX+1=19 |
6 points
Concentration +1 (1)
Perform +1 (27)
Persuade +1 (27)
Pick Pocket +1 (1)
Spellcraft +1 (1)
Use Magic Device +1 (27) |
Skill Focus-Perform (NEF) |
|
| 25 |
Bard 17 |
|
6 points
Discipline +1 (1)
Heal +1 (1)
Hide +1 (1)
Perform +1 (28)
Persuade +1 (28)
Use Magic Device +1 (28) |
|
|
| 26 |
Bard 18 |
|
6 points
Hide +1 (2)
Move Silently +2 (2)
Perform +1 (29)
Persuade +1 (29)
Use Magic Device +1 (29) |
|
|
| 27 |
Bard 19 |
|
6 points
Hide +2 (4)
Move Silently +1 (3)
Perform +1 (30)
Persuade +1 (30)
Use Magic Device +1 (30) |
Weapon Focus-longbow (NEF) |
|
| 28 |
Bard 20 |
DEX+1=20 |
6 points
Hide +1 (5)
Move Silently +2 (5)
Perform +1 (31)
Persuade +1 (31)
Use Magic Device +1 (31) |
|
|
| 29 |
Bard 21 |
|
6 points
Hide +2 (7)
Move Silently +1 (6)
Perform +1 (32)
Persuade +1 (32)
Use Magic Device +1 (32) |
|
| 30 |
Bard 22 |
|
6 points
Hide +1 (8)
Move Silently +2 (8)
Perform +1 (33)
Persuade +1 (33)
Use Magic Device +1 (33) |
Epic Weapon Focus-longbow (EF) |
|
| 31 |
Bard 23 |
|
6 points
Hide +1 (9)
Move Silently +2 (10)
Perform +1 (34)
Persuade +1 (34)
Use Magic Device +1 (34) |
Bard-Lasting Inspiration (BBF) |
|
| 32 |
Bard 24 |
DEX+1=21 |
6 points
Hide +2 (11)
Move Silently +1 (11)
Perform +1 (35)
Persuade +1 (35)
Use Magic Device +1 (35) |
|
|
| 33 |
Bard 25 |
|
6 points
Hide +2 (13)
Move Silently +1 (12)
Perform +1 (36)
Persuade +1 (35)
Use Magic Device +1 (36) |
Weapon Focus-shortsword (NEF) |
|
| 34 |
Bard 26 |
|
6 points
Hide +1 (14)
Move Silently +2 (14)
Perform +1 (37)
Persuade +1 (37)
Use Magic Device +1 (37) |
Epic Will (BBF) |
|
| 35 |
Bard 27 |
|
6 points
Hide +1 (15)
Move Silently +2 (16)
Perform +1 (38)
Persuade +1 (38)
Use Magic Device +1 (38) |
|
|
| 36 |
Bard 28 |
DEX+1=22 |
6 points
Hide +2 (17)
Move Silently +1 (17)
Perform +1 (39)
Persuade +1 (39)
Use Magic Device +1 (39) |
Epic Weapon Focus-shortsword (EF) |
|
| 37 |
Bard 29 |
|
6 points
Hide +2 (19)
Move Silently +1 (18)
Perform +1 (40)
Persuade +1 (40)
Use Magic Device +1 (40) |
Epic Skill Focus-Perform (BBF) |
|
| 38 |
Rogue 5
Disable Traps +5 (20)
Open Locks +5 (20) |
|
10 points |
SA=3d6 |
|
| 39 |
Ranger 5 |
|
6 points
Animal Empathy +6 (23) |
Epic Prowess (EF)
Epic Toughness (RaBF) |
|
| 40 |
Bard 30 |
DEX+1=23 |
6 points
Perform +3 (43)
Persuade +3 (43) |
|
|
At max level, the build is reasonably strong in combat, but not as strong as some other builds I've tried. In a trainer module, with gear similar to what you'd get at the end of HotU, I was able to take down a group of four Ancient Red Dragons with no problem. But it took a lot longer than the same fight with my
Paladin/Monk/Shadowdancer. But this build isn't really about maximizing combat effectiveness - it'll get you through, but it is mostly about doing everything else.
Why bump DEX at level ups instead of CHA? Bard abilities tend to benefit from CHA, and this isn't really a max combat build. The reason is gear. Using gear typical of the official modules, we'll use the Belt and Hand slots for Epic Gloves of the Minstrel and Belt of the Performer in order to get Perform = 100. This uses up two of the slots that frequently have DEX gear, but leaves open the Cloak spot, for which CHA gear tends to be available. So by boosting DEX at level ups, we get both DEX and CHA, while boosting CHA at level ups would likely leave us with good CHA but little DEX. If you know the gear in wherever you're playing doesn't follow these patterns, you may want to adjust your attribute bumps accordingly.
You could also drop STR to 8 and bump something else at character creations, but encumberance is a thing in NWN and I hate walking around slowly. If you're jumping straight to 40 and expect to have Bags of Holding and/or not carry much stuff, feel free to drop STR and bump whatever you like.
Rogue Class Skills that are not available as class skills to either Ranger or Bard (make sure to take these with Rogue levels):
- Disable Trap
- Intimidate
- Open Lock
Ranger Class Skills that are not available as class skills to either Rogue or Bard (make sure to take these with Ranger levels):
Bard Class Skills that are not available as class skills to either Rogue or Ranger
appraise, bluff, concentration, craft armor, craft trap, craft weapon, discipline, heal, hide, listen, lore, move silently, parry, perform, persuade, pick pocket, spellcraft, taunt, tumble, use magic device
Class skills available to both Rogue and Ranger but not Bard (good as filler on non-Bard levels):
(The above are all based on the EE version of the game)
Comment thread from original post follows.
Interesting character
concept!
r>
With all that dex, I would also think of taking AA instead of ranger. It would require some other feats and an other levelling order, but should be possible.
The build depends on some high end equipment. In a low magic setting (ie max +3 items), have you calculated how high perform you could get there? That would dictate how many bard levels the build needs and how many levels of rogue/fighter type you could take instead.
One of the reasons for making this build/taking these classes was to be able to take every skill. Now I wonder what skills did you take, and why?
Thanks! I created the original version of the character before SoU can out, so AA wasn't an option. I've since thought about what you suggest - AA instead of Ranger - but I've never worked it up. It might work out very well.
For low magic, let's assume the following equipment:
Gloves of the Minstrel +3
Belt of the Performer +3
Adjusted Charisma of 20
That loses 27 ranks of Perform on the gloves, 1 rank on the belt, and 5 on Charisma, for a loss of 33 total, or a final Perform of 67. That would make 23 levels of Bard worthwhile.
If you bump Charisma instead of Dexterity after level 20, you get a Perform of 70, making it worthwhile to take Bard to level 24. So you could take Rogue and Ranger both up to level 8, which works out nicely with the "rule of four". Or you could take Rogue to 7 and Ranger to 9, and pick up Improved Two-Weapon Fighting. You'd get an experience penalty, but if you time the levels right it would only apply to the experience gained between the last level of Ranger (at 39) and the last level of Bard (at 40). That'd still be a potent Bard song, with nice improvements from both the Rogue and Ranger levels. You still wouldn't get any Ranger spells, unless you shifted the abilities around to increase Wisdom at the expense of something else.
Which skills did I take? All of 'em, of course!
Seriously, I have several versions of this build. The level 40 one I've only tried in a character-builder type module in arena combat against canned opponents. For that build I tossed most everything into either Perform or the fighting-related feats.
I have another version of the build that I'm planning to play all the way to 40 via various modules. It is currently at level 21. I've put at least one point into everything except Craft Armor, Craft Trap, Craft Weapon, and Parry.
I've gone heavy on:
Perform (obvious reasons)
Taunt (great against certain opponents)
Tumble (for AC and avoiding AoOs)
UMD (so I can weak Monk gear).
I've also put a good deal into Persuade and Animal Empathy (because they fit my character concept). Plus I enjoy it when I'm attacked by a pack of animals and can start them fighting against each other instead. (Yeah, I know that's out of character for a Ranger. I still like it.)
I dropped a good deal into Disable Trap and Open Locks in my first round of Rogue levels, because I won't get another chance to to increase them until level 38 (if I follow the leveling per my original post).
One nifty thing about the bard song is that about the time skill checks tend to start getting hard, the bard song skill bonus kicks in. So to some extent, the skills eventually start taking care of themselves. I try to put a little into anything that requires training, so that I can benefit from the skill bonus.
Thanks for your comments!
Bard song is a great equalizer. In fact with it active and extened war cry your AB is the same or better then a WM. Without taking all those required feats.
Here is someone else';s
level 30 Bard build.