The Control Bard: The Master of Honour Mode
(10 College of Swords Bard / 1 Fighter / 1 Wizard)
The "Control Bard" is universally recognised as the most powerful build for securing a victory in Honour Mode. Its philosophy is simple: deal devastating ranged damage to charge your mental acuity, then use a Bonus Action to paralyse every boss on the map with a 100% success rate.
1. Character Creation & Stats
- Optimal Race: Wood Elf (for mobility) or Halfling (to reroll Critical Failures of 1).
- Background: Charlatan or Urchin.
27-Point Allocation:
- Strength: 8 - Dexterity: 16 (Bow damage, Armour Class, Initiative)
- Constitution: 14 (Concentration)
- Intelligence: 8 - Wisdom: 10 - Charisma: 17 (Primary stat. +1 from the Hag = 18)
2. Leveling (Level 1 to 12)
3. Best in Slot (BiS) Equipment
The Core of the Build
DANGER- HEAD (Act 2): Helmet of Arcane Acuity. Each weapon attack grants +2 Acuity (increases the DC of your spells).
- RING (Act 3): Ring of the Mystic Scoundrel. Allows casting illusion/enchantment spells as a Bonus Action after an attack.
The rest of the equipment:
- Weapon (Act 3): Longbow Gontr Mael or Bow of the Preemptive Strike.
- Gloves: Gloves of Dexterity (Act 1) or Archery Gloves.
- Armour: Armour of Agility (Act 3).
4. The Death Loop (Combat Rotation)
- The Opener: Main Action -> two ranged Slashing Flourishes (4 arrows).
- The Buff: The Helmet of Arcane Acuity activates 4 times (+8 to spell DC).
- The Control: Bonus Action (via the Ring) -> cast Command (Halt) upcast on all enemies.
- Conclusion: With a 100% failure chance for them, the bosses skip their turn.