Mr PeaCH
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Posts: 26
(6/18/03 12:50 am)
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For Sha'nor (sp?) Peacharo's Bow Bard spec
First and foremost, credit must be given to Dan's guide to Bards as published on the official SB template forums:
Dan's Guide to Bards
I did tweak it a few ways. First the basics accd to Dan...
High dex rogue Bard base (Elf, Irekei, Aelfborne), choose optimal starting runes, get PL'd from 1-20 and take Archer rune at that time. Chants and spells from Bard to GM: Ritardando (snare and attack speed debuff); Ballad of Beregund (Group run chant); Ragnor's Rede (Group damage chant); Rhythm of Steel (Group attack speed chant). By end game Bardsong is 115 to get Group Invulnerability (8 seconds, GM'd with 1pt), Bow Skill at 140, Light Armor at 130, Archery another 100.
That's the plan. I have not been as careful with my points as I could have been. I will respec out of Dodge for instance and I may spec out of Hide/Stealth too as I almost never solo. Another group friendly chant that would be good to get is the Song of Spring which is a tri-elemental resist (fire, cold, lightning) up to +50% with GM. I took Irekei and have been happy with that race; good blend of high dex and better con than the elf. also Irekei-only LA looks good.  I also took (in addition to Archery) the Traveller Rune and was thinking about a Huntsman or Bounty Hunter for track but I can't see spending another 20 pts with this template... it's going to be hard enough to get my Bow, LA and Archery up to snuff.
Noob isle is cake anyways; I didn't feel badly about not being able to do much for a group from lvl 1-20 w/o a real weapon skill... saving myself for the Archery rune at lvl 20. But from 21-45 or 50 the character is pretty weak individually but definately shines in a group by keeping chants going. And yes, I "cheat" by macroing my chants and looping it for approx. 3 mins... otherwise you have to hit each chant every 30 seconds to twist them manually. If you just want one chant going that will play indefinately. Chants do not require any mana or stamina... at all. My main spell is the Ritardando which is nice for tough mobs or for kiting if soloing. Great for opposing tanks too.
But by about 50 my bow was doing decent damage and in offensive mode I hit frequently and quickly. I use a -13 bow at the moment, stance gives another -17 plus my chant is good for about -35 speed currently. this much speed leads to what is called double-hitting where my bow is firing faster than the graphics allow and it looks like you're firing two arrows at a time.
The Bow Bard is a very satisfying and highly group desired template. It does require patience early on; the rewards do not come till later for the most part. Oh, and chants draw a lot of agro even if you're trying to sit back early on so be careful and don't go afk in groups.
Peacharo Wootsong - R5 Archer Bard - Shadowbane - Scorn
The Order of the Silver Hand |
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