Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

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

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

Advancement by Level

LEVEL	CLASS	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.