The Swashbucking Inaquisitive Bardificer (Scoundrel 18/2 Bard/Artificer)

So let's see if this works.

The Swashbuckling Inaquisitor Bardificer
18/2 Bard/Artificer
True Neutral Tiefling Scoundrel

Level Order

1. Bard       6. Bard      11. Bard  16. Bard
2. Artificer  7. Bard      12. Bard  17. Bard
3. Bard       8. Artificer 13. Bard  18. Bard
4. Bard       9. Bard      14. Bard  19. Bard
5. Bard      10. Bard      15. Bard  20. Bard

Stats
           36pt Tome Level Up
           ---- ---- --------
Strength      8   +4   4: INT
Dexterity    16   +5   8: INT
Constitution 16   +5  12: INT
Intelligence 16   +4  16: INT
Wisdom        8   +5  20: INT
Charisma     16   +5  24: INT
                      28: INT

Skills
         B  A  B  B  B  B  B  A  B  B  B  B  B  B  B  B  B  B  B  B
         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
        ------------------------------------------------------------
Perform  4     2  1  1  1  1     2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Disable     4  2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Open Lo     1     2  1  2  1  2  1  2  1  2     2     2     2     2  23
Search   2  3  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Spot     2        ½ 1½  ½ 1½  5  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
UMD      4     2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  23
Heal     2                       ½     1     2     2  ½  2     1     11
Balance  4                                               1  1  3  1  10
Concent  4                                                            4
Diplo    4                                                            4
Haggle   3                                                            3
Tumble   1                                                            1
        ------------------------------------------------------------
        36  8 10 11 11 11 11 10 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13

Feats

 1 :        Point Blank Shot
 3 :        Rapid Shot
 6 :        Precise Shot
 9 :        Precision
12 :        Improved Critical: Ranged
15 :        Quicken Spell
18 :        Improved Precise Shot
21 Epic :   Combat Archery
24 Epic :   Inspire Excellence
26 Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Positive OR Pierce Cold Iron
27 Epic :   Overwhelming Critical
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Fount of Life
30 Epic :   Blinding Speed
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea

Enhancements (80+5 of 80+5 AP)

Inquisitive (41 AP)
  • Inquisitive, Hit the Streets, Mind Like Iron, True Seeing, Undaunted, Master Inquisitive
    1. Dual Shooter, Law on your Side
    2. Crossbow Adept, Observation, Improved Law, Action Boost: Skills III
    3. Crossbow Adept, Ask Questions First, Improved Observation, Intelligence
    4. Crossbow Adept, Shoot Later, Dashing Inquisition, Greater Law, Intelligence
    5. No Holds Barred, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Jaded, Diplomatic Immunity

Swashbuckler (24 AP)
  • Confidence, Swashbuckling, Uncanny Dodge, Panache
    1. On Your Toes III, Tavern Shanties I, Blow by Blow (Ranged) III
    2. Deflect Arrows, Fast Movement, Double Shot Boost III
    3. Cannoneer, Dexterity
    4. Music Box, Dexterity

Harper Agent (12 AP)
  • Agent of Good I, Intelligence
    1. Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
    2. Know the Angles III
    3. Strategic Combat

Tiefling Scoundrel (5 AP)
  • Bloodsong I
    1. Dashing Weapons, Innate Protection II

So how's this work, you might ask. An INT-based Bard?

Actually pretty well, thank you. The DPS is absurd with an Inquisitor setup, and enough of the Swashbuckler tree is in there to allow for good avoidance defenses from high dodge. Pair that with Displacement, and Shadow Form from Shadowdancer, and it's hard for things to even hit you in lower skulls. You'll likely be using Pin/Whistler, Fascinate, Otto's Irresistable Dance, and a Legendary Nightshade Shooter for your crowd control since you won't have the Charisma to use most Bard spells for CC.

The main reason for INT to damage via Harper is because Swash offers no way to make Light Crossbows CHA-to-damage, as Different Tack requires SWF. That creates enough synergy with Shadowdancer to make it the natural destiny choice. You also get Consume for some surprise instakills that actually can nail some things, and Evasion as a consolation prize.