Bard/Dervish/Whirling Dervish

[Lanzlo]

What is the 'magic number' for Whirling Dervish? Was thinking of RCRing my Battle Dancer into a Bard/Dervish/Whirling Dervish build. What I have so far (just thrown together...)

http://nwn2db.com/build/?293115

All you Expert Builders, help? Please?

[Steve]

Here is my take on a "bladedancer" concept:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?188289

This was made before the Custom Combat feats came online for BGTSCC, and I'd probably replace Weapon Specialization for One Weapon or Northlander Hewing.

[Sun Wukong]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?293160 <= I would probably lean in favour of this one. I would ditch bastard swords in favour of longswords. The damage difference is not that great to be honest... and you can make rather big longswords with the appearance kit. Plus, you got ton of very good longswords in game.

[Sun Wukong]

What is the 'magic number' for Whirling Dervish?

Depends on what you want.

If it is Evasion, 4 levels seems to be the best bet.

Then the next magic number is at 6 for Whirlwind Attack.

Finally, you can take all ten levels for the additional +1 AB and Minor Teleportation ability.

Bard 10/Dervish 10/Whirlwind Dervish works as well as any other build.

[Lanzlo]

OK, went Bard 16/Dervish 10/WD 4. Keeping the bastard sword, because a) it's fluffy and RP-ish, and b) I've already found a decent bastard sword to level with.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?293115

Final thoughts?

[Sun Wukong]

You can push Daylight adaptation to somewhere like level 27~ It doesn't take that long to level up in the underdark if you just stick to doing the quests, and looting the nearby areas as you go around.

Expose Weakness is nice.

Belt of Growth gives +3 Constitution and Strength, so it is good to end up at odd strength and constitution. Otherwise potions of Bulls and Bears will do.

[Steve]

I'd say drop Concentration and make sure Spellcraft lands on 30 pts natural, you can put the rest in Spot to max to 33, and the rest rest in Heal...you'll need it!!

[Sun Wukong]

Tumble should end at 30. You get no added bonuses of having it any higher.

I would change the Skill Focus Tumble into Skill Focus Heal. Those extra three points of Heal will do lot more than Tumble.

Then I would remove the points from Spot skill and move them back onto the Concentration skill. While your character is not a dedicated caster, and you can be dispelled, being abble to re-apply your concealment spells will save your character from a fugue trip.

[chad878262]

This build really wants Curse Song, Lingering Song would be a plus as well, but not strictly necessary. Dropping Bastard Sword would be ideal, but if you're dead set on using that weapon I would argue Curse Song over LoH.

[Sun Wukong]

Curse Song for your character would basically give you +2 AC and +3 AB. Thus while the song is active, it gives better effect than the Luck of Heroes feat.

[chad878262]

Curse Song for your character would basically give you +2 AC and +3 AB. Thus while the song is active, it gives better effect than the Luck of Heroes feat.

With 16 Bard levels and 30 perform...

-2 AB to enemies
-3 damage
-5 AC
20 sonic damage

So it is actually equivalent to +2 AC, 3/- DR, +5 AB and does 20 damage to all enemies unless they have DR/ Sonic. With 16 Bard Songs per rest and the fact you'll use it against bosses and when you get mobbed by ~3+ enemies I think it is worth more than LoH. Any build with 16 or more Bard levels should have Curse Song IMO.

[Sun Wukong]

Ah yes, for some reason I was thinking about Bard 14/Dervish 10/Whirling Dervish 6 build!

Yeah, Curse Song would be a solid pick of a feat.

[Lanzlo]

OK, edited again. I:

-Changed LoH to Curse Song
-Took points out of Spot, redistributed them among Concentration and Heal
-Took Skill Focus (Heal) instead of (Tumble)

Any other changes you'd recommend? Or does she look good?

[Sun Wukong]

I think it should be good now. The skills put into diplomacy could go to Open Lock. Most Lock DCs in underdark are not that high, and you can use Inspire Competence but more Open Lock always helps a bit. (Events)