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Dungeons & Dragons Online Guides » The Lyrist of the Bow

November 7, 2008 – 12:30 am
Posted by: Epem

A lyrist of the bow is an elven archer who using song (and regular) magic in combat. Not only does this allow the lyrist to avoid being beset by foes in combat, it also allows use of song to improve proficiency with weapons, and scrolls and wands for direct damage when necessary.

In combat a lyrist should use fascinate to immobilize opponents, then take out one at a time, kiting opponents and using a bow. This reduces combats into “bite sized pieces”, as it were. Another skill a lyrist of the bow has is with pulling. Like any archer, the lyrist can usually pull without too much concern… however, if something goes wrong, and an overly large pull occurs, the lyrist can quickly use fascinate, and when opponents reach the lyrist, they will be just in time to be neutralized for a time.

The lyrist’s favored enemies are creatures that often are the most trouble for a bard.. undead and vermin. Drow elves are included because they common in the jungles of Xendrik. Another skill the lyrist has is with wild empathy. Normally a ranger may not have a very high empathy save.. but the lyrist doesn’t particularly suffer from this issue.

Starting abilities:
Elf (28 pt) Elf (with Bonuses) Elf (32 point)
Str 12
Str 12 Str 14
Dex 16
Dex 20
Dex 16
Con 10 Con 10 Con 10

Int 8
Int 8
Int 10

Wis 12 Wis 12
Wis 12

Cha 16 Cha 22
Cha 16

(Below information based upon 28 point build, level 14)

Hit Points: 120

Armor Class: 15 + Items/spells

Saving Throws:
Fortitude: +8
Reflex: +16
Will: +8

Class/Race Features:
Bardic Music (Fascinate, Inspire Courage, Inspire Competence, Suggestion)
Bow Strength
Wild Empathy
Favored Enemy (Undead, Drow Elf, Vermin)
Immune to Sleep spells and effects
+2 saves vs enchantments
+2 to listen, search and spot. (applied)

Skills:
Use Magical Device +25
Tumble +13
Haggle +9
Perform +19
Move Silently +20
Hide +20
Spot +12
Swim +8

Feats: Skill Focus: Use Magical Device, Dodge, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Shot on the Run, Rapid Show, Two-Weapon Fighting, Many Shot, Improved Two Weapon Fighting

Enhancements:
Bard Extra Song 2
Bard Perform 2
Elven Ranged Damage 2
Bard Tumble 2
Ranger Sprint Boost 3
Ranger Dexterity 2
Elven Dexterity 2
Bard Inspired Damage 1
Bard Lingering Song 2
Bard Charisma 2
Elven Ranged Attack 1
Bard Inspired Attack 1

Spells
Spell Points: 324 (Base 230 + 94 Ability Bonuses )

Bard
(DC 16 + spell level)
Level 1: Grease, Expeditious Retreat, Remove Fear, Detect Secret Doors
Level 2: Blur, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust

Ranger
(DC 11 + spell level)
Level 1: Camouflage, Jump
Level 2: Summon Nature’s Ally 2

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Detailed progression by level

Level 1
Class: Bard
Feats: Skill Focus: Use Magical Device
Skills: Use Magical Device +4, Tumble +4, Haggle +4, Perform +4, Move Silently +2, Hide +2
Enhancements: Bard Extra Song 1, Bard Perform 1, Elven Ranged Damage 1

Level 2
Class: Ranger
Skills: Hide +3, Move Silently +2
Enhancements: Bard Tumble 1, Ranger Sprint Boost 1

Level 3
Class: Ranger
Feats: Dodge
Skills: Hide +1, Move Silently +2, Spot +2
Enhancements: Ranger Dexterity 1, Elven Dexterity 1

Level 4
Class: Bard
Ability Score: Charisma +1
Skills: Use Magical Device +3, Perform +2
Enhancements: Bard Inspired Damage 1, Bard Lingering Song 1, Bard Charisma 1, Elven Ranged Attack 1

Level 5
Class: Bard
Skills: Use Magical Device +1, Perform +2, Tumble +2
Enhancements: Bard Inspired Attack 1

Level 6
Class: Ranger
Feats: Mobility
Skills: Spot +3, Hide +1, Move Silently +1
Enhancements:

Level 7
Class: Ranger
Skills: Spot +1, Hide +2, Move Silently +2
Enhancements: Ranger Sprint Boost 2

Level 8
Class: Bard
Ability Score: Charisma +1
Skills: Use Magical Device +3, Perform +2
Enhancements: Bard Extra Song 2, Bard Perform 2, Bard Tumble 2

Level 9
Class: Ranger
Feats: Point Blank Shot
Skills: Spot +1, Hide +2, Move Silently +2
Enhancements:

Level 10
Class: Ranger
Skills: Spot +2, Hide +1, Move Silently +1, Swim +1
Enhancements: Ranger Dexterity 2, Elven Dexterity 2, Elven Ranged Damage 2

Level 11
Class: Bard
Skills: Use Magical Device +3, Perform +2
Enhancements:

Level 12
Class: Ranger
Feats: Shot on The Run
Ability Score: Charisma +1
Skills: Swim +1, Hide +2, Move Silently +2
Enhancements: Ranger Sprint Boost 3

Level 13
Class: Ranger
Skills: Hide +1, Move Silently +1, Swim +3

Level 14
Class: Bard
Skills: Use Magical Device +3, Perform +2
Enhancements: Bard Lingering Song 2, Bard Charisma 2