Dex Dual Wield Bard

[sippahodge]

Hey all, got a WM and a Sorcerer toon, looking for something very else so thought of a dex based duel wield Bard. Build below.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?250231

What you all think?

[Valefort]

Couple of things :

1. you need improved two-weapon fighting to qualify for Tempest so go dread pirate 6 before tempest
2. you'll be dispelled
3. ability focus(songs) is not a good idea there
4. spellcasting prodigy bad idea
5. No expose weakness even though you have evasion
6. 12 bard is not a super good point to stop
7. No perfect two-weapon fighting
8. Lingering song not useful

And more importantly very low damage !

I would change it towards that : http://nwn2db.com/build/?250232

[sippahodge]

Cheers for that

[Thorsson]

It's a bad idea essentially. You'll be dispellable whatever you do and you need more damage.

I made one, but I left Bard at 8 and took 10 levels of Dervish. That way you don't depend on spells and you Dance when you need to do more damage.

[sippahodge]

Dex bard seemed like a good idea to me, why are they so bad?

[sippahodge]

Whats an effective dex duel wield build?

[Valefort]

Because damage comes from STR and courage inspiration doesn't completely make up for it, it's just .. like that. You can try to make up for it by adding swashbuckler and pumping STR and INT a bit higher but the damage will still be on the low side.

bard 15 / dread pirate 7 / tempest 3 / swashbuckler 5

http://nwn2db.com/build/?250238

AC: 10 (base) +1 (LoH) +3 (tumble) + 3 (greater two weapon defense) + 4*4 (enchant, dodge, natural, deflection) + 6 (DEX bonus) + 4 (mithral chain shirt) + 3 (shield rapier in main hand) = 46 AC

AB : 26 (BAB) + 9(DEX) + 7 (inspire courage) +4 (weapon enchantment) + 2 (heroism) - 2 (two weapon fighting) = 46 AB

Damage : main hand, rapier : 1d6 + 3 (EB) + 4 (STR) + 4 (INT) + 7 (sinpire courage) = 21.5 average

off-hand, dagger : 1d4 + 4(EB) + 2(half STR) +4 (INT) +7 (inspire courage) = 18.5 average

You can also go with fighter 12 ... something like bard 8 / fighter 12 / dread pirate 10, quite simple and effective :

http://nwn2db.com/build/?153046 but ofc that's more of a fighter than a bard.

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Effective DEX dual wield builds usually count on sneak attack damage and use HiPS.

[sippahodge]

Ok based on your input I'm thinking If I duel some daggers i should probs go Sneak and HiPS so thinking rouge based like this

http://nwn2db.com/build/?250282

Cheers for your input guys, I am pretty noob at builds but half the fun is creating the build yourself so your advise and direction is appreciated.