Delightful into the mix

Back when Epic Von 5 traps were actually Epic, I built my rogue Delightful. My whole goal was a mechanic rogue to get those traps. So, she might not do a lot of damage with her repeating crossbow, but she disarms pretty well. So, after the trap nerf, really haven't played her much. That changed today. I saw a group looking for a rogue for Epic party crashers and I switched and jumped in. She did the traps easily, no boosts even. Was the bluff for the names even. So, I even went and ran Snitch and Big Top with her. She might not be my strongest toon, but she does what she was built for well.

I ran a few other epics today on various toons, including my first Epic DQ on Burradrow. Still no torc, but another Epic quest down for her. Then I jumped on late tonight and Tobril got me into the Hard TOD they had going. They kept loosing members, so I jumped in. Was a real smooth run until the last part. We had some deaths healing up Horoth, but 4 pots later for me and many pots for the healers, we beat it anyway. No PM ring yet, but hey, not every toon can get it their first run like Canttouchths.

Bastard Sword Bard

Slight change, Master Touch will not work on Bastards, so will have to work the exotic Bastard feat in, but no big deal.

OK, if you follow Samius, you will know he recently posted a Bastard Sword War Chanter build recently.  I liked most of what I saw, but Samius and I do things slightly different, so I played around in the planner and came up with a 12 Bard/6 Fighter/2 Rogue version.  Pleased don't think I believe there is anything wrong with Samius's version, as he builds very good toons, but we play slightly different and this was my take on it.    Leaving out the Barbarian (might loose little DPS) and 13th level of Bard, I was able to take the rogue levels to get evasion and up some UMD and other skills.

I had been meaning to lay out a good Bastard Sword user as I have a lot of good Bastards saved up.  So seeing Samius's post, gave me some good ideas, so I stole some and then added my touches.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.2

Rightgeous
Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 12 Bard)
Hit Points: 358
Spell Points: 388
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 12
Will: 9

Abilities (32 Point)
Strength 18
Dexterity 8
Constitution 16
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 8
Charisma 12

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Skills

Balance 3- 22
Concentration 5- 27
Diplomacy 5- 23
Intimidate 5- 28
Jump 8- 17
Perform n/a- 26
Use Magic Device 5- 26

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Human Bonus) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 4 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I


Level 5 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II


Level 7 (Bard)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 8 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II


Level 9 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Shield Bash


Level 11 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Fighter Flanking Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 13 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Fighter Stalwart Defender I


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 16 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II


Level 17 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery III


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 19 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Charisma III


Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter II

Canttouchths is a little happier

So today, I ran a few epics on Pofo and did decent, pulled a few seals I needed.  So then Tobril came on and we decided to hit up all the Red Fens again and I jumped on Burradrow.    Burradrow picked up a couple things, but the real kicker was Into the Deep.  Canttouchths has been needing the shard for the Gloves of the Claw for a while now.  The end fight ended up a little messy, but we succeeded and low and behold, the Gloves shard drops.  So, after that, of course Cant had to go make some new gloves to sport around.  +5 stacking intimidate is nice and 30% healing amp don't hurt.  Couple more items I want to get him and he is pretty set.  Seal of the Silver Concord cloak here I come, and I haven't forgot you shard and helm for the Mroranan Helm.  Those should make him pretty solid for that next life as a Half Elf.

Another EPIC item down.

So, logged on tonight and Tobril is on and wants to run some EPIC fens.  Since I need all kinds of EPICS, I am up for it, so I take Burradrow on out to Red Fens.  First, we run Last Stand.  First try went south, as they can occasionally do, but we go back in and complete.  Tobril is on Holybott, his FVS healing the group, minus the PM Burradrow and still gets second most kills.  Burradrow, the Crowd Controller has third most.  Still trying to determine how the sorc was not blasting away everything, but hey, we completed.  So we hit the chest and low and behold, there is my Twisted Talisman seal.  So before I logged off, I got to go epic my Talisman.  Sure, it is not the greatest epic item out there, but it cost me nothing to do and gives me 100 more mana from clickies.  That is two casts of Death Aura to keep Burradrows healing ticking, so I'll take it.  

We ran Claw and Into the Deep as well, but nothing special happened in either of those.  I just got to keep working on getting a bauble and the stuff to epic my spell storing ring to make the extra spell points all there.  And of course that elusive Torc, but she will come.

Burradrow is mostly EPIC good

So, why do I say most Epic good.  Well, she is not really ready for Epic Chrono yet.  The DCs are super high in there and well, I need a few more things to be ready for that.  I need to get my Yugo favor done for yugo pots.  Honestly, I don't usually worry about yugo pots, but they will add +1 to her DCs and can pick up a few more HP.  I need to start grinding TOD to get my Pale Master ring.  Won't change my DCs from what I currently have with Epic spyglasses, but will open that slot for a Litany which can help.  Then there is always store pots.  These I can guarantee I will use sparingly.  I don't have the funds to pump a bunch into the DDO store,

So, with all that said, I ran Epic "Into the Deep" and "Bargain of Blood" runs last night.  Both were smooth and pretty easy.  Picked up a shard for the Boots of the Mire from the Deep.  Not the Glows shard I need, but at least I am starting to get back into running Epics.  If the BYOH channel pursues their goal of growing a group of good dedicated players for Epic running, then I should see all I need in no time.

EPIC Snitch, Burradrow seems to be good

OK, last night, I joined a pug (I know, it is shocking) with Burradrow and did an Epic Snitch.  I started with my ship buffs and all with a 41 DC on my dancing ball/mass holds.  That was working greater.  I died in the fire trap, thank you lag gods, so my dc dropped to 40.  But it did not seem to change much and my spells where still hitting well.  So I am guessing the build I came up with for Burradrow is working.  She is sitting with both Greater Necro and Enchantment focus.  She has almost 2200 sp and 430ish hp in form.  Not bad for a drow that only took one toughness.  I will likely TR her again later just to make her stronger, but she appears to be doing fine now.  A chrono run at some point may tell the difference, but I am happy with her.  I may do a sorc or fvs life just to get her more SP at some point.

Quick, almost a rant

As most DDOers that read the DDO forums know, there is always someone ranting about one thing or another on the forums, but last week, one caught my eye.  I am home doing training today, so I have some time to finally get around to commenting.

Ok, the rant was a rogue complaining that he likes his build that essentially did nothing but assassinate and did not need Strength.  While he is absolutely correct, there is some things he did not seem to want to consider.  He was talking about how many Epic runs he had done and oh my god, kill count.  DDO is famous for the last person to hit gets the kill, so I have never found kill count to be any measure of a toon or player.  You want to impress me, show that you can survive in any situation.  What happens when the cleric is down and you are only one left?  Can you live long enough to get the healer back up?

Those that have ran with me over the years on Sarlona knows I am a big believer in survivability and I am still one of those suckers trying to build AC based toons, ala Canttouchths.  I still think it does not matter what else you can do, how hard you hit, how bad you are sneaking up hitting something, if in the end, you are dead and in the survivors pocket.

So what does all this mean in a nutshell per see, you can build your toons anyway you see fit.  The game is about enjoyment and running your play style is what you will enjoy.  Samius and I disagree all the time on how to build something, but we have different play styles and both seem to be very successful.  But keep in mind, when you go far outside the norm, you are limiting your grouping potential.  People are going to use MyDDO (Trust me, I think it is worst tool Turbine every built), or they are going to remember what they saw when they played with you (How I prefer to learn as a great player on a weird/poor build is still better than a poor player on a great build).  So, get a tough skin and don't go ranting to the forums when you built something unusual, because you will not get much sympathy from the rank and file.  Go play and show them you are a great player with a different build.

If you have to spout in the forums, in LFMs or in group how great you are, then a little secret for you, you probably are not that great.  Keep working at it.  The best players get known on the servers and get groups because they can show how good they are by action, not bluster.

Burradrow, my PM is back to cap.

OK, tonight saw Burradrow return to cap.  So, how will my tr'd Pale Master do in epics.  Well, time will tell but a few things I can tell you now.  She has a Necro DC of 42 when holding my greater necro weapon and a Enchantment DC of 41 when holding the correct weapon.  Of course, both of these are in Lich form.  Her intelligence is at 44 in form, and I only have a +2 tome at this point.  So, I should be able to eventually get her to 46.  Epic spirit glasses eventually will allow me to have Greater Necro and Enchantment at the same time.  So, back to the epic grind for now until the TR bug hits me again.