Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad
This thread will help:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=185372
I suggest against the ranged focus. A Crystal Echoblade of Harmonizing (which is a longsword) will do a lot more damage, and your inspire courage has a range that you will want covering your allies. Crystal Echoblade does additional sonic damage on each attack equal to half your bard level, while using your bardic music. The harmonizing property continues your bardic music performance for 10 rounds on it's own, allowing you to cast a spell or do any other activity without concentrating on the bardic music.
Though if you do go the ranged route, a Bow of Songs is the way to go (the version in the Magic Item Compendium). And you could add the harmonizing property to it I suppose instead (or as well). The bow lets you burn a bardic music attempt to add your charisma bonus to attack and damage.
For other items, don't forget the Badge of Valor, and the Vest of Legends (see below on that one).
As for mixing some levels of another class with the White Raven specialty, I agree that can be a potent combo. You can use a Vest of Legends to add +5 to your bardic music effects, so you don't even NEED the Song of the White Raven feat to stack with the Bo9S levels (though it might work better with the feat). Just remember the crystal echoblade is based off your bard levels, and neither the feat nor the vest will help with that.
As for feats, Song of the Heart and Melodic Casting are important. If your DM allows Words of Creation, go for it if you are willing to pay the costs. I personally think the Subsonics feat can be quite useful.
For spells, just don't forget the Inspirational Boost Spell. It's critical (and yet another swift action, so careful juggling those swift actions).
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=185372
I suggest against the ranged focus. A Crystal Echoblade of Harmonizing (which is a longsword) will do a lot more damage, and your inspire courage has a range that you will want covering your allies. Crystal Echoblade does additional sonic damage on each attack equal to half your bard level, while using your bardic music. The harmonizing property continues your bardic music performance for 10 rounds on it's own, allowing you to cast a spell or do any other activity without concentrating on the bardic music.
Though if you do go the ranged route, a Bow of Songs is the way to go (the version in the Magic Item Compendium). And you could add the harmonizing property to it I suppose instead (or as well). The bow lets you burn a bardic music attempt to add your charisma bonus to attack and damage.
For other items, don't forget the Badge of Valor, and the Vest of Legends (see below on that one).
As for mixing some levels of another class with the White Raven specialty, I agree that can be a potent combo. You can use a Vest of Legends to add +5 to your bardic music effects, so you don't even NEED the Song of the White Raven feat to stack with the Bo9S levels (though it might work better with the feat). Just remember the crystal echoblade is based off your bard levels, and neither the feat nor the vest will help with that.
As for feats, Song of the Heart and Melodic Casting are important. If your DM allows Words of Creation, go for it if you are willing to pay the costs. I personally think the Subsonics feat can be quite useful.
For spells, just don't forget the Inspirational Boost Spell. It's critical (and yet another swift action, so careful juggling those swift actions).
