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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Orcus Porkus" data-source="post: 5033873" data-attributes="member: 76022">cunning gnome charmer bardI've posted this build on the WotC board but didn't get feedback. I guess everybody is too busy enchanting gnoll claws.I think it's a pretty neat charmer, for an actual campaign that starts at level 16 soon, with experienced players who appreciate a cunning leader. I've never really played a bard before, nor have I seen one in action, so everything is pure theory for me now.One of my main questions is how useful the "Advantage of Cunning" feat is. It slides an enemy who was adjacent to the "cunned" ally into that ally's former square. It doesn't have to be the enemy that missed.Also, he is very much specialized on Will attacks. Since he has such strong attack bonuses, he is specifically going after high will opponents who are usually a lot safer.I expect him to be in melee quite often, and thus make sure that the MBA and Guiding Strike are working OK.Here is the original post:This build can pull off 4 fun daily charm attacks at level 20 with effects a save ends.He can stack save penalties from these sources (not all apply all the time):<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Cunning Longsword -3</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Phrenic Crown -1 on first save</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mystic Rapture (Entrancing Mystic PP) -5 on charm if within 3 squares (-2 on all others). This penalty affects your allies' powers as well! A fantastic leader/defender feature indeed, but also requires you to be in the fray a lot. For this reason you need some options for melee as well.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Curse Eye Tattoo (when using Action Point) -2</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Amulet of Elegy (daily) -4 on first save (penalty is the same as this neck slot item's enhancement bonus)</li> </ul>In addition, this build enjoys a scaling bonus to attack and damage rolls on all those 4 daily attacks, and all other charm attacks he has, through Feyborn Charm (only for gnomes and Eladrin). Note that an attack bonus that scales with each tier is an absolute rarity in the game, since it breaks the balance. The chance to hit should always be the same until level 30 (in theory.) This cannot be underestimated. Look at other builds desperately trying to increase accuracy.This feat makes gnome superior, since Eladrin have the "wrong" racial bonuses. Eladrin is still viable though, because DEX is by far more important for this build than INT, while INT is not a waste either (see below).He gets another +1 attack bonus on charm attacks through Mystery Given Form (Entrancing Mystic PP), and doesn't expend the power if an encounter power misses all targetsWith Psychic Lock, most attacks also deliver a -2 penalty to attack rolls (if the psychic keyword is present).Irrefutable Armor grants a reroll with enhancement bonus on will attacks as a daily power.He enjoys the following extra damage on most attacks:Resplendent Gloves +2 since it's against WillFeyborn Charm +1/+2/+3Scrappy +1/+2/+3 when wielding a versatile weapon (works on the Cunning Longsword as implement)Versatile weapon +1 when wielded 2-handed (I'm assuming this also works on implement attacks)Maddening Action (Entrancing Mystic PP) deals 5 ongoing psychic damage with a save ends penalty whenever using an Action Point. Some of the save penalties apply on this auto-damaging effect.He enjoys 2 defensive immediate reactions that work on being hit or missed, respectively. Fade Away works when gets hit, and Shroud of Adeptus (Entrancing Mystic power) works when he gets missed.All the fine bonuses on attacks and damage and penalizing attack rolls also apply to his grand at-will, vicious mockery, which now deals an effective -4 penalty to the enemy's next attack roll. Ugh, that's like a daily power <img src="http://fast1.onesite.com/community.wizards.com/smileys/smile.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />For melee he has Guiding Strike as a viable option. Melee Basic Training (CHA) would be useful, but the feat slot is not really available. If it happens to often that Opportunity attacks etc. fail because of this I would train it.All encounter attack powers have the charm and/or psychic keywords in order to benefit from Feyborn Charm and Psychic Lock.The dailies:Compulsion (Bard 5)Allows to slide target 5 squares once on his turn (save ends). So if he fails, this can go on for a fun long time. Great for always putting him into the worst place ever (zones, defender, stinking clouds, over cliffs, his wife, etc.) The fellow also can't move on his own anymore.Hideous Laughter (Bard 9)Target can't take opportunity actions and suffers -2 (-4 with Psychic Lock) to attack rolls (save ends.) There is also an after effect, no opportunity actions (save ends). This is pretty good, for example at the start of a battle against a dragon before he pulls off his major attacks and action points.Confusing Chorus (Bard 15)At the start of the turn, the target makes a melee basic attack against creature of my choice as free action (save ends). This is kind of a cheap version of dominating, pretty good for the level, and can possibly go on until the end with your -8 saving throw penalty.Ultimatum of the Third Order (Entrancing Mystic 20)All enemies within 5 can pick between being stunned (end of next turn) or 10 ongoing psychic damage (save ends). Talking about giving DM's a headache.As a little extra, this guy likes mobility, so he has Speed 6 despite Chain, and can walk on walls and liquid surfaces with full speed, and travel through forests like Tarzan did. (see items)He keeps a couple of additional implements, to augment Vicious Mockery or gain additional reach, and the Friendship power.Please note that as a house rule we get the expertise feat for free.====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======Pock, level 16Gnome, Bard, Entrancing MysticBuild: Cunning BardBardic Virtue: Virtue of CunningArcane Implement Proficiency: Arcane Implement Proficiency (heavy blade group)Pact Initiate: Pact Initiate (fey pact)Background: Arcane Agent (Stealth class skill)FINAL ABILITY SCORESStr 12, Con 14, Dex 14, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 22.STARTING ABILITY SCORESStr 11, Con 13, Dex 13, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 16.AC: 31 Fort: 26 Reflex: 29 Will: 30HP: 111 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 27TRAINED SKILLSArcana +20, Acrobatics +14, Diplomacy +20, Stealth +16, Religion +18, Bluff +20UNTRAINED SKILLSDungeoneering +9, Endurance +10, Heal +9, History +14, Insight +9, Intimidate +15, Nature +9, Perception +9, Streetwise +15, Thievery +10, Athletics +9FEATSBard: Ritual CasterLevel 1: Feyborn CharmLevel 2: Arcane Implement ProficiencyLevel 4: ScrappyLevel 6: ToughnessLevel 8: Pact InitiateLevel 10: Melee Training (Charisma)Level 11: Psychic LockLevel 12: Improved CunningLevel 14: Paragon DefensesLevel 16: Majestic RescueFeat User Choice: Focused Expertise (Longsword)POWERSBard at-will 1: Guiding StrikeBard at-will 1: Vicious MockeryBard encounter 1: Shout of TriumphBard daily 1: Stirring ShoutBard utility 2: Song of CourageBard encounter 3: Dissonant StrainBard daily 5: CompulsionBard utility 6: Glimpse the FutureBard encounter 7: Deflect AttentionBard daily 9: Hideous LaughterBard utility 10: Mantle of UnityBard encounter 13: Foolhardy Fighting (replaces Shout of Triumph)Bard daily 15: Confusing Chorus (replaces Stirring Shout)Bard utility 16: HasteITEMSRitual Book (2), Cunning Longsword +4, Curse Eye Tattoo (heroic tier), Master's Wand of Vicious Mockery +2, Oceanstrider Boots (paragon tier), Phrenic Crown (heroic tier), Amulet of Elegy +4, Resplendent Gloves (heroic tier), Bracers of Brachiation (heroic tier), Adventurer's Kit, Camouflaged Clothing, Thieves' Tools, Irrefutable Darkhide Armor +4, Wand of Allure +1, Diamond Cincture (heroic tier), Distance Shortbow +1, Whistling Songbow Shortbow +1RITUALSTraveler's Chant, Glib Limerick, Control Weather, Fey Passage, Call of Friendship, Enchant Magic Item====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======</blockquote>

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