There are many ways to spec out a Bard in DDO; so many choices, in
fact, that it is very easy to make a mistake and really gimp yourself
later in game, especially with a Bard who gets very few Feats to begin
with. Bearing that in mind, we’ve done the hard work for you.
We present the Warchanter, a Melee Bard that will level easily, and
keep you from looking like a total noob while grouping.



The
Warchanter

Bard Hybrid



Role

Party buffs, personal DPS, decent defense



Weakness

Few spell points, enough to buff, but not able to sling spells

Description

So, you want to kick ass as a Bard, do you? Do you like the idea of
making your entire team perform better, while dishing out damage? Does
standing back with the casters hoping not to get hit seem boring to
you? Want to get up close and personal with your enemy while hearing
the squishy sounds of your blade sinking deep into flesh and feeling
their warm blood splatter across your face? Then the Warchanter is the
class for you!



As a Warchanter you will be one of the best at amplifying your party's
melee damage output. You will be a fairly capable fighter in your own
right, and will also be self-sufficient.



This Warchanter is a Bard/ Fighter/ Rogue build. You will focus on
improving your fighting capabilities, as well as that of your party,
but will also be able to mesmerize your enemies and use almost every
item in the game like other Bards. It is designed to get you very high
DPS, and near max songs.



Race

Dwarf (mainly for save bonuses)



Alignment

True Neutral (avoids all alignment damage)



Starting
Abilities

28 Point Build

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STR 16 DEX 16 CON 12 CHA 12 INT 8 WIS 8

Advancement
by Level

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style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"> LEVEL style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"> CLASS style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"> FEAT  1  ROGUE  TOUGHNESS  2  FIGHTER  TWO
WEAPON FIGHTING  3  BARD  FOCUS:
SLASHING  4  BARD  5  BARD  6  BARD  OVERSIZED
TWO WEAPON FIGHTING  7  ROGUE  8  FIGHTER  IMPROVED
TWO WEAPON FIGHTING  9  BARD  POWER
ATTACK  10  BARD  11  BARD  12  BARD  IMPROVED
CRIT: SLASHING  13  BARD  14  BARD  15  BARD  GREATER
TWO WEAPON FIGHTING  16  BARD  17  BARD  18  BARD  EXTEND
SPELL  19  BARD  20  ROGUE

At level 20 this will give you a final build of Bard 15/Fighter 2/Rogue
3. Always take Rogue at first level if you are going to take any Rogue
levels at all. It gives you a lot more skill points to spend than if
you take it later on.



Spells
(in order taken by spell level)



Level
1: Cure Light Wounds,
Expeditious Retreat, Focusing Chant, Remove Fear, Detect Secret Doors

Level
2: Cure Moderate Wounds,
Rage, Blur, Heroism

Level
3: Haste, Displacement, Cure
Serious Wounds, Remove Curse

Level
4: Freedom of Movement,
Dimensional Door, Cure Critical Wounds, Break Enchantment

Level
5: Greater Heroism, Mass Cure
Light, Greater Dispel, Shadow Walk



Skills



Perform:
Keep maxed out (for Bard songs)

Use
Magic Device: Keep maxed out
(for wand and scroll use, and ignoring
requirements                 
on gear)

Open
Locks: Keep at half ranks,
and you can catch up on rogue levels (at half can still open
most  locks)

Balance:
Put a few left over points here (helps you get up faster once knocked
down)

Jump:
Put a few left over points here



Enhancements

Take them when you can, at level 20 you should end up with the
following.



Bard Warchanter I (availabe at level 10)

Dwarven Toughness III

Fighter STR I

Rogue DEX I

Dwarf CON I

Bard CHA II

Dwarven Axe Damage II

Dwarven Armor Mastery II

Dwarven spell Resist III

Dwarven Axe Attack II

Bard Lingering Song II

Bard Song Magic II

Bard Inspired Damage III

Bard Energy of Music II

Bard Wand and Scroll Mastery I

Bard Inspired Attack III

Bard Inspired Bravery II

Rogue Sneak Attack Training I

Fighter Haste Boost I

Fighter Toughness I



Summary

This build captures the spirit of the Warchanter. You are a kick ass
Bard that can solo very well, but you’re also wanted by
groups for all the benefits you bring. In many groups you can be near
the top of the kill list, and your songs are something that every party
member will love.



I have to say that this is one of the most fun classes I have played in
DDO in a long time. While not a class for the beginner, you don't have
to be a hardcore player either. Players with a good basic understanding
of the game, and a love of playing a hybrid will truly excel with this
build.



A special thank you to Thanimal who was the inspiration for this build.