Sublime Singer (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Author: Ghostwheel (talk) Date Created: September 9th, 2009 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

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File:Female HalfElf.jpg

"Songs were my tutors, spells are my lovers. How could you ever compare?"

Introduction

The bardic singer who can outcast many spellcasters and outsing most bards.

References

• Unearthed Arcana (Flaws)
• Dragon Magic
• Book of Exalted Deeds
• Eberron Campaign Setting
• Complete Mage
• Complete Adventurer
• Complete Arcane
• Races of Destiny
• Magic Item Compendium
• Spell Compendium
• Dungeon Master's Guide II

Game Rule Components

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): (Assuming 32 Point Buy) 10 10 14 16 10 16

Race: Half-Elf

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Bard 1	+0	+0	+2	+2	Dragontouched, Dragonfire Inspiration, Melodic Casting	Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1, Soothing Voice
2nd	Bard 2	+1	+0	+3	+3
3rd	Bard 3	+2	+1	+3	+3	Song of the Heart	Inspire Competence
4th	Bard 4	+3	+1	+4	+4
5th	Bard 5	+3	+1	+4	+4
6th	Bard 6	+4	+2	+5	+5	Words of Creation	Suggestion
7th	Bard 7	+5	+2	+5	+5
8th	Bard 8	+6	+2	+6	+6		Inspire Courage +2
9th	Virtuoso 1	+6	+2	+6	+8	Draconic Heritage (Battle)	Persuasive Song
10th	Virtuoso 2	+7	+2	+6	+9
11th	Sublime Chord 1	+7	+2	+6	+11
12th	Sublime Chord 2	+8	+2	+6	+12	Obtain Familiar (Raven)	Song of Arcane Power
13th	Virtuoso 3	+8	+3	+7	+13		Sustaining Song
14th	Virtuoso 4	+9	+3	+7	+14
15th	Virtuoso 5	+9	+3	+7	+14	Extraordinary Concentration	Jarring Song
16th	Virtuoso 6	+10	+4	+8	+15		Inspire Courage +3
17th	Virtuoso 7	+10	+4	+8	+15		Song of Fury
18th	Virtuoso 8	+11	+4	+8	+16	Captivating Melody
19th	Virtuoso 9	+11	+5	+9	+16		Mindbending Melody
20th	Virtuoso 10	+12	+5	+9	+17		Revealing Melody

At level 20: Bard 8 / Virtuoso 10 / Sublime Chord 2

Items of Note

• Badge of Valor
• Vest of Legends
• Wand of Inspirational Boost
• +1 Harmonizing weapon
• Speaker’s Trumpet
• Admiral’s Bicorn
• Metamagic Rod, Silent (used with Dispel Magic to help deal with those pesky Silence spells)

Highlights

• Inspire Courage bonus: 4 (Base with Vest of Legends) x2 (Words of Creation) + 1 (Song of the Heart) + 1 (Inspirational Boost) + 1 (Badge of Valor) = +11d6 Sonic damage, x2 (Creaking Cacophony) = +22d6 damage to every attack any ally under the effect of your Inspire Courage song makes
• You're able to cast spells from both that Bard and Sorcerer/Wizard list... For example, Greater Dispel Magic as a 5th level spell or Otto's Irresistable Dance as a 6th!
• Ability to cast spells as a level 9 bard in addition to level 9 spells from Sublime Chord. (After entering Sublime Chord, have all further Virtuoso levels add to its spellcasting.)
• Ability to Calm Emotions with a DC equal to your perform check (Soothing Voice)
• Dominate enemies who you've Fascinated (Mindbending Melody)
• Give all allies the benefit of True Seeing (Revealing Melody)
• Perform and cast spells at the same time (Melodic Casting)

Further Optimization

• With all your ranks in Use Magic Device, load up your Raven familiar with scrolls, wands, and other goodies to effectively double your actions per round
• Pick up a mandolin (Complete Adventurer) to raise the damage done by Inspire Courage + Dragonfire Inspiration by another 1d6

Limitations

• Areas filled with silence can greatly hinder the character

DM Counters

• Target that low Fort save

Variants

• Obtain Familiar, Extraordinary Concentration and Captivating Melody are not truly required for the build and may be switched out for other feats should others appeal more. Some of these include...

• Lingering Song (CA) if you want to switch songs and keep your old song going for the entire encounter
• Music of Growth (ECS) if you have a druid ally who likes to summon animals and plants

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