As a cunning bard (the virtue just looks so much more interesting) the question is whether intelligence is half as good as charisma? Consider how much charisma affects compared to intelligence:
- Charisma improves Will, attacks, damage, healing and some skills
- Intelligence improves Reflex, virtue range, about the same number of skills, and possibly AC
Here are the feats and powers I have considered for Heroic, not looking for damage at all. In Paragon (if we get that far) I know I will want Psychic Lock and maybe Hide specialisation, don't know what else. Rousing Voice looks really good and should probably be taken sooner. As you can see, nothing here requires or benefits from Int higher than 13 (for JoAT) but then I may have missed some amazing feats or powers?
Bard: Ritual Caster
Human: Jack of All Trades ... Really good with Skill Versatility, I think
Level 1: Advantage of Cunning ... Maneuvering
Level 2: White Lotus Riposte ... Mostly as a defensive measure, more interesting than boosting defenses
Level 4: White Lotus Enervation ... This should help everyone and help me set up for dailies
Level 6: Bravo ... +2 to hit for two rounds per encounter compares really well with Action Surge
Level 8: Rousing Voice ... Can you use Second Wind when resting? (Temp hps after resting)
Level 10: Ideas?
Bard at-will 1: Guiding Strike ... Reduce a defense by -2
Bard at-will 1: Cutting Words ... Pull 2
Bonus At-Will Power: Vicious Mockery ... Reduce attacks by -2
Bard encounter 1: Shout of Triumph ... Rearrange a little in close blast 3 (must be really awesome with Valor and good con)
Bard daily 1: Slayer's Song ... Help allies hitting
Bard utility 2: Moment of Escape ... Get one ally out of trouble (maybe Inspire Competence instead)
Bard encounter 3: Song of the New Dawn ... Saves
Bard daily 5: Vigorous Cadence ... Some healing whenever BBEG attacks
Bard utility 6: Insightful Warning ... Some defense
Bard encounter 7: Timely Distraction ... Help all hit
Bard daily 9: Saga of Vengeance ... Heal or save, to use vs BBEG
Bard utility 10: Savior's Song ... More saves