1001 Things I've learned from playing a Bard [Archive] - Wizards Community

1001 Things I've learned from playing a Bard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CaoSlayer
06-15-06, 10:05 AM This can be fun.

1) Bartender´s daughters are easy.

2) Every bard should always carry a whip, it is a cheap light weapon that can save your ass anytime.

3) Spells makes the bard powerful, people who say "bard sucks" it is because they have been not faced a bard using otto´s dance.

4) Numbers matters, the most people of the party the most powerful your buffers are, ask the wizard to summon something, cast a haste and sing inspire courage and the punny summons will match a pure warrior.

5) the best bardic armor set it is the mithril chain mail + mithril large shield, that it is a +6 AC with just 5% ASF and no a single penalty to checks.
Chaoswarrior
06-15-06, 12:44 PM 6) Multiclass into something else as soon as possible and NEVER look back! :D
CaoSlayer
06-15-06, 01:01 PM 6) Multiclass into something else as soon as possible and NEVER look back! :D

he dont played a bard, obviously.
MagicWar1
06-15-06, 03:05 PM 7:Though many people have light healing powers in some form or another, no one can replace a CoD. Except a bard.

8: If all else fails, hit a chord. Music always helps, especially at higher levels with Suggestion and mass.
Whisper_Swiftblade
06-15-06, 03:15 PM 9) don't sing "bluff, bluff, bluff the stupid ogre..." while members of your party are bluffing an ogre

hurrey for OOTS!!
Nephlite
06-15-06, 03:28 PM 10) Facinate is your Friend. You can suggest something else while the enemy watches.
CaoSlayer
06-15-06, 03:59 PM 11) bards can by very or little mad based in the role he wants to perform and have very few feats, most the time the best thing it is to try to improve one thing of the bard spending all the feats on it and the best suited stats instead of trying to be a joat when you lack the stats and feats needed.

12)best stats for a melee bard are in this order: con dex cha str int wis, you dont need high str. since you can get high damage with buffers and you only need a base charisma of 12 since you should avoid spells with a save.

13)ranged bard it is the same switching con and dex, a ranger character dont use to be damaged.

14)best stats for a caster-singer bard are in this order: cha dex (con<-> int) str wis, the highest cha it is an obvious thing, the dex it is a need because iniciative, you have to cast your buffs or debuffs before anyother else can act.

15)being half your offensive spells enchants spell focus enchant it is a non brainer.

16) and the other half are illusion.

17)BBEG´s bodyguards use to have low will saves, dominate or confuse them
Whisper_Swiftblade
06-16-06, 04:12 AM 18) Do not confidently chalenge anyone to a dance contest when your partie's lives are on the line until you know for a fact that they are not a dirvish
Vaelan
06-16-06, 05:19 AM 19. If you bring up enough sufficiently vague and confusing rules that the DM is not prepared to adjudicate, you can usually get what you want, especially if what you want is to be assaulted physically.

20. Bards are generalists, and generalists can be difficult to play effectively at higher levels. As such, Prestige Classes are a great help.
goawayugh
06-16-06, 08:03 AM 6) Multiclass into something else as soon as possible and NEVER look back! :D
HAHAHA..........agreed.
Apollo's Lyre
06-16-06, 11:34 AM 21. Don't even bother to take the few outright damage spells a bard gets. A well-placed Hideous Laughter beats 1d8 freaking sonic damage any day.

22. Bards are for the subtle.
Enphenitie
06-16-06, 12:02 PM 22) If you can't sing, and your DM is one of those people who likes you to act out what your character does, (Singing your bard's songs, making hand movements and saying arcane phrases to cast spells) Don't play a bard.
CaoSlayer
06-16-06, 12:14 PM 22) If you can't sing, and your DM is one of those people who likes you to act out what your character does, (Singing your bard's songs, making hand movements and saying arcane phrases to cast spells) Don't play a bard.

22a)in those cases you should then ask the player who is playing as the wizard to cast a spell or the fighter wield a heavy weapon or the rogue to open a real lock.
Thelon Fairblade
06-16-06, 12:29 PM 23) Be prepared to be the party "face man".

24) If you are going to be the "face man", be really good at it. Be Mr. Charisma/Bluff/Diplomacy. Spend that Skill Focus feat; heck, get 2. Get CWI, make yourself a nice cloak (Charisma), circlet (Persuasion), and necklace (skill bonuses, affinity throat = singing/speaking). Don't forget, people like being healed; CLW is a great opener!

25) If you don't want to be the "face man", be *really* good at something else. After you screw up the first negotiation they force you into, they better have some reason to keep you around.

26) Haste is your friend (for if 23, 24, and 25 fail).
Radagast
06-16-06, 12:59 PM Just started my first Bard, but I had another in my party from 1 to 22 level in a different campaign.

27) The good thing about being a generalist is that you can cover the party's weak spots. However, you have to actually know what those weak spots are - pay attention to the composition of the party (classes, etc) as well as details of those classes. For example, if the party's wizard is as subtle as a brick, that's where your arcane spells can come handy. Another example: What if the party is short on healing, or the party's cleric (or other healer-type) has a bad habit of either charging into battle or otherwise getting in trouble? Well, you can heal, too.

Bards can fill many roles, but to be truly effective, look for what the party needs. For example, if the party already has an crazy Illusionist-Enchanter, don't try to out-do him because you'll fail at that. Instead, focus more on buffing or whatever offensive spells he doesn't have or can't use.

28) Bards can't do EVERYTHING. Don't try to be a tank - you're not. In fact, Bards really should just flat out avoid melee combat since about the only thing they can take down is an arcane caster without his defenses up. The right multi-class build would get around this, but it's easier to buy a bow and keep out of harm's way.

29) You don't HAVE to be a brightly-colored, forever happy, singing and dancing goofball to be a Bard. Elan doesn't have to be your rolemodel. You don't even have to actually sing - recite poems or something. Don't dress in bright, silly colors. All that does is annoy everyone around you, draw the attention of bad guys, possibility give you penalties to Hide (and Move Silently if you wear bells on your shoes or some stupid thing), and perpetuate the stereotype of all Bards being flakes.

Ideally, your foes won't really notice you at first, and if they do, they won't really know what you are. You're just a not-so buff guy in armor. Could be an archer, a Rogue of some sort... maybe a Cleric, even? Hard to say... and while they are thinking about it, you can Dominate, Charm, or otherwise mess with them.
meabolex
06-16-06, 02:11 PM I'll just skip to 32. . .

32) Always spend a lot of time on picking spells for spontaneous casters.

33) Always take your party's composition into consideration before picking a "specialization" (ranged/melee/caster/skills). Sometimes you just shouldn't specialize in any one thing. There are plenty of feats that are helpful regardless of how you play.

34) Constitution is often the most important stat of the bard. With relatively low hit points (d6) and a low fortitude save, constitution should probably get more attention than people normally give it.

35) A luck blade is your friend. Get one ASAP.
nerdybard
06-25-06, 09:13 PM 33.Anyone who believes bards are worthless should be "convinced" with Dominate person, Suggestion, or casting Sleep on certain party member/ogre encampment, let the party see you disposing of the remains in various holes which you dug with a/the victims leg.

34.Build your Bard based on the concept, anyone who based their build on the stats and not concept and are judging the Bard based on THEIR ineptitude should be killed in above method

35.Multi-Classing to/from Rogue/Sorceror is NOT required, but is pretty damn good.

36.Bardic Lore can be used to mine material for Suggestion/Puts you into more 15 room dungeon crawls that have nothing to do with the story, but are awesome, and may well become side-plots then anything.

37.Suggestion, Use it or I will come to your house and make you suffer.
Zephyrus/Sonet
06-25-06, 09:47 PM 38) The Bard is an awesome class, it's you that sucks.
Kcirtap1990
06-25-06, 10:01 PM 39) Using your guitar strings to politely remove the head of your enemy gets gunk in the windings and therefore makes them useless.
speeblefreak
06-26-06, 12:53 AM 40. Fighter/Rogue/Sorcerers focused on enchanments are needlessly complicated, though you may not realize that immediately. [/OOTS]
R3DM4G3
06-26-06, 01:02 AM 41.) Glibness!!! +30 to Bluff checks, how can you go wrong?
Dolo
06-26-06, 01:26 AM 42. Think about what you are going to say first before you roll, not after. Cause disrespecting the High Priest((Or person you are trying to get one over on)) of the Temple, then hoping the mechanic can save you from your mistake gives the DM leeway to completly ignore and bonuses you have, or worse drag the rest of the party into your oopsie.
Dolo
06-26-06, 01:35 AM 43. Remember your class is the living definition of the "Grey Area" exploit it for all its worth. Cause the less mechanics get involved the better off you are. You can Bluff someone with such a lie you dont even have to really roll, fall back on the roll when it really matters((But it requires you the player to be a BS artist of a good degree to pull this.)).

44. If the NPC is talking, you are doing good. The second you hear dice from the DM's side hit the table, the situation has the potential of heading south....prepare accordingly.
PoorHobo
06-26-06, 01:44 AM 45. Number 1. and number 2. are not mutually exclusive.

46. You will agree they suck when you realizie your first and (formerly)best class ability doesn't work in combat. Feel free to use that facinate on Number 1.
JulesCARV
06-26-06, 03:28 AM 47. If you're a half-elf, take the first racial substitution level. The 6th very likely isn't worth it, though.
Another Gnome
06-26-06, 04:33 AM 48. Grease saves lives. It too is not mutually exclusive with 1.

49. Expeditious retreat also saves lives. Especially after 1.

50. Not all bartenders' daughters are as hot as you are. It's common courtesy to bring your own paper bag.
CaoSlayer
06-26-06, 05:09 AM 51)Plain miss chances beats AC, while AC it is effective based on how good it is your oponent, a 50% miss chances works through levels 1-20 unlike AC that becomes unnable to catch bab.

51) multiple use spells are your best ones, grease it is good because can be used for triping or disarming, shatter it is good because can destroy any lock and ever any door glitterdust it is good because it is both dispell invisibility and mass blind, blink it is great because allows you to get through walls and doors.
Izodor_Shadowcaster
06-26-06, 05:40 AM 52) Never run screaming into a dark room which happens to be full of hobgoblins if your only way of dealing damage is with your rapier which deals 1d4-2 damage (yes, it is possible).
CaoSlayer
06-26-06, 06:40 AM 52) Never run screaming into a dark room which happens to be full of hobgoblins if your only way of dealing damage is with your rapier which deals 1d4-2 damage (yes, it is possible).

use an illusion for that and tell the mage to prepare a fireball when the hobgoblins gathers to bash the "bard".
lordofskulls
06-26-06, 08:22 AM 53) get a whip and longsword instead of a rapier, actually just get a longbow and avoid combat altogether

54) if your cleric doesnt heal people she doesn't like, you become really useful really fast.

55) take the battle caster feat because medium armor with a miss chance makes up for the low hp

56) take the extra-slot or extra-spell feat for your favourite spell if you want to go caster

57) when the other caster is a battlemage dont take damage spells
Izodor_Shadowcaster
06-26-06, 10:15 AM 58) Never use Fascinate on yoour party members.

59) Never try to replace the figther of the group, and never join him in a fight against 6 orcs.

60) Never call your DM names, you can use all the support you can get.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CaoSlayer 06-15-06, 10:05 AM	This can be fun. 1) Bartender´s daughters are easy. 2) Every bard should always carry a whip, it is a cheap light weapon that can save your ass anytime. 3) Spells makes the bard powerful, people who say "bard sucks" it is because they have been not faced a bard using otto´s dance. 4) Numbers matters, the most people of the party the most powerful your buffers are, ask the wizard to summon something, cast a haste and sing inspire courage and the punny summons will match a pure warrior. 5) the best bardic armor set it is the mithril chain mail + mithril large shield, that it is a +6 AC with just 5% ASF and no a single penalty to checks.
Chaoswarrior 06-15-06, 12:44 PM	6) Multiclass into something else as soon as possible and NEVER look back! :D
CaoSlayer 06-15-06, 01:01 PM	6) Multiclass into something else as soon as possible and NEVER look back! :D he dont played a bard, obviously.
MagicWar1 06-15-06, 03:05 PM	7:Though many people have light healing powers in some form or another, no one can replace a CoD. Except a bard. 8: If all else fails, hit a chord. Music always helps, especially at higher levels with Suggestion and mass.
Whisper_Swiftblade 06-15-06, 03:15 PM	9) don't sing "bluff, bluff, bluff the stupid ogre..." while members of your party are bluffing an ogre hurrey for OOTS!!
Nephlite 06-15-06, 03:28 PM	10) Facinate is your Friend. You can suggest something else while the enemy watches.
CaoSlayer 06-15-06, 03:59 PM	11) bards can by very or little mad based in the role he wants to perform and have very few feats, most the time the best thing it is to try to improve one thing of the bard spending all the feats on it and the best suited stats instead of trying to be a joat when you lack the stats and feats needed. 12)best stats for a melee bard are in this order: con dex cha str int wis, you dont need high str. since you can get high damage with buffers and you only need a base charisma of 12 since you should avoid spells with a save. 13)ranged bard it is the same switching con and dex, a ranger character dont use to be damaged. 14)best stats for a caster-singer bard are in this order: cha dex (con<-> int) str wis, the highest cha it is an obvious thing, the dex it is a need because iniciative, you have to cast your buffs or debuffs before anyother else can act. 15)being half your offensive spells enchants spell focus enchant it is a non brainer. 16) and the other half are illusion. 17)BBEG´s bodyguards use to have low will saves, dominate or confuse them
Whisper_Swiftblade 06-16-06, 04:12 AM	18) Do not confidently chalenge anyone to a dance contest when your partie's lives are on the line until you know for a fact that they are not a dirvish
Vaelan 06-16-06, 05:19 AM	19. If you bring up enough sufficiently vague and confusing rules that the DM is not prepared to adjudicate, you can usually get what you want, especially if what you want is to be assaulted physically. 20. Bards are generalists, and generalists can be difficult to play effectively at higher levels. As such, Prestige Classes are a great help.
goawayugh 06-16-06, 08:03 AM	6) Multiclass into something else as soon as possible and NEVER look back! :D HAHAHA..........agreed.
Apollo's Lyre 06-16-06, 11:34 AM	21. Don't even bother to take the few outright damage spells a bard gets. A well-placed Hideous Laughter beats 1d8 freaking sonic damage any day. 22. Bards are for the subtle.
Enphenitie 06-16-06, 12:02 PM	22) If you can't sing, and your DM is one of those people who likes you to act out what your character does, (Singing your bard's songs, making hand movements and saying arcane phrases to cast spells) Don't play a bard.
CaoSlayer 06-16-06, 12:14 PM	22) If you can't sing, and your DM is one of those people who likes you to act out what your character does, (Singing your bard's songs, making hand movements and saying arcane phrases to cast spells) Don't play a bard. 22a)in those cases you should then ask the player who is playing as the wizard to cast a spell or the fighter wield a heavy weapon or the rogue to open a real lock.
Thelon Fairblade 06-16-06, 12:29 PM	23) Be prepared to be the party "face man". 24) If you are going to be the "face man", be really good at it. Be Mr. Charisma/Bluff/Diplomacy. Spend that Skill Focus feat; heck, get 2. Get CWI, make yourself a nice cloak (Charisma), circlet (Persuasion), and necklace (skill bonuses, affinity throat = singing/speaking). Don't forget, people like being healed; CLW is a great opener! 25) If you don't want to be the "face man", be really good at something else. After you screw up the first negotiation they force you into, they better have some reason to keep you around. 26) Haste is your friend (for if 23, 24, and 25 fail).
Radagast 06-16-06, 12:59 PM	Just started my first Bard, but I had another in my party from 1 to 22 level in a different campaign. 27) The good thing about being a generalist is that you can cover the party's weak spots. However, you have to actually know what those weak spots are - pay attention to the composition of the party (classes, etc) as well as details of those classes. For example, if the party's wizard is as subtle as a brick, that's where your arcane spells can come handy. Another example: What if the party is short on healing, or the party's cleric (or other healer-type) has a bad habit of either charging into battle or otherwise getting in trouble? Well, you can heal, too. Bards can fill many roles, but to be truly effective, look for what the party needs. For example, if the party already has an crazy Illusionist-Enchanter, don't try to out-do him because you'll fail at that. Instead, focus more on buffing or whatever offensive spells he doesn't have or can't use. 28) Bards can't do EVERYTHING. Don't try to be a tank - you're not. In fact, Bards really should just flat out avoid melee combat since about the only thing they can take down is an arcane caster without his defenses up. The right multi-class build would get around this, but it's easier to buy a bow and keep out of harm's way. 29) You don't HAVE to be a brightly-colored, forever happy, singing and dancing goofball to be a Bard. Elan doesn't have to be your rolemodel. You don't even have to actually sing - recite poems or something. Don't dress in bright, silly colors. All that does is annoy everyone around you, draw the attention of bad guys, possibility give you penalties to Hide (and Move Silently if you wear bells on your shoes or some stupid thing), and perpetuate the stereotype of all Bards being flakes. Ideally, your foes won't really notice you at first, and if they do, they won't really know what you are. You're just a not-so buff guy in armor. Could be an archer, a Rogue of some sort... maybe a Cleric, even? Hard to say... and while they are thinking about it, you can Dominate, Charm, or otherwise mess with them.
meabolex 06-16-06, 02:11 PM	I'll just skip to 32. . . 32) Always spend a lot of time on picking spells for spontaneous casters. 33) Always take your party's composition into consideration before picking a "specialization" (ranged/melee/caster/skills). Sometimes you just shouldn't specialize in any one thing. There are plenty of feats that are helpful regardless of how you play. 34) Constitution is often the most important stat of the bard. With relatively low hit points (d6) and a low fortitude save, constitution should probably get more attention than people normally give it. 35) A luck blade is your friend. Get one ASAP.
nerdybard 06-25-06, 09:13 PM	33.Anyone who believes bards are worthless should be "convinced" with Dominate person, Suggestion, or casting Sleep on certain party member/ogre encampment, let the party see you disposing of the remains in various holes which you dug with a/the victims leg. 34.Build your Bard based on the concept, anyone who based their build on the stats and not concept and are judging the Bard based on THEIR ineptitude should be killed in above method 35.Multi-Classing to/from Rogue/Sorceror is NOT required, but is pretty damn good. 36.Bardic Lore can be used to mine material for Suggestion/Puts you into more 15 room dungeon crawls that have nothing to do with the story, but are awesome, and may well become side-plots then anything. 37.Suggestion, Use it or I will come to your house and make you suffer.
Zephyrus/Sonet 06-25-06, 09:47 PM	38) The Bard is an awesome class, it's you that sucks.
Kcirtap1990 06-25-06, 10:01 PM	39) Using your guitar strings to politely remove the head of your enemy gets gunk in the windings and therefore makes them useless.
speeblefreak 06-26-06, 12:53 AM	40. Fighter/Rogue/Sorcerers focused on enchanments are needlessly complicated, though you may not realize that immediately. [/OOTS]
R3DM4G3 06-26-06, 01:02 AM	41.) Glibness!!! +30 to Bluff checks, how can you go wrong?
Dolo 06-26-06, 01:26 AM	42. Think about what you are going to say first before you roll, not after. Cause disrespecting the High Priest((Or person you are trying to get one over on)) of the Temple, then hoping the mechanic can save you from your mistake gives the DM leeway to completly ignore and bonuses you have, or worse drag the rest of the party into your oopsie.
Dolo 06-26-06, 01:35 AM	43. Remember your class is the living definition of the "Grey Area" exploit it for all its worth. Cause the less mechanics get involved the better off you are. You can Bluff someone with such a lie you dont even have to really roll, fall back on the roll when it really matters((But it requires you the player to be a BS artist of a good degree to pull this.)). 44. If the NPC is talking, you are doing good. The second you hear dice from the DM's side hit the table, the situation has the potential of heading south....prepare accordingly.
PoorHobo 06-26-06, 01:44 AM	45. Number 1. and number 2. are not mutually exclusive. 46. You will agree they suck when you realizie your first and (formerly)best class ability doesn't work in combat. Feel free to use that facinate on Number 1.
JulesCARV 06-26-06, 03:28 AM	47. If you're a half-elf, take the first racial substitution level. The 6th very likely isn't worth it, though.
Another Gnome 06-26-06, 04:33 AM	48. Grease saves lives. It too is not mutually exclusive with 1. 49. Expeditious retreat also saves lives. Especially after 1. 50. Not all bartenders' daughters are as hot as you are. It's common courtesy to bring your own paper bag.
CaoSlayer 06-26-06, 05:09 AM	51)Plain miss chances beats AC, while AC it is effective based on how good it is your oponent, a 50% miss chances works through levels 1-20 unlike AC that becomes unnable to catch bab. 51) multiple use spells are your best ones, grease it is good because can be used for triping or disarming, shatter it is good because can destroy any lock and ever any door glitterdust it is good because it is both dispell invisibility and mass blind, blink it is great because allows you to get through walls and doors.
Izodor_Shadowcaster 06-26-06, 05:40 AM	52) Never run screaming into a dark room which happens to be full of hobgoblins if your only way of dealing damage is with your rapier which deals 1d4-2 damage (yes, it is possible).
CaoSlayer 06-26-06, 06:40 AM	52) Never run screaming into a dark room which happens to be full of hobgoblins if your only way of dealing damage is with your rapier which deals 1d4-2 damage (yes, it is possible). use an illusion for that and tell the mage to prepare a fireball when the hobgoblins gathers to bash the "bard".
lordofskulls 06-26-06, 08:22 AM	53) get a whip and longsword instead of a rapier, actually just get a longbow and avoid combat altogether 54) if your cleric doesnt heal people she doesn't like, you become really useful really fast. 55) take the battle caster feat because medium armor with a miss chance makes up for the low hp 56) take the extra-slot or extra-spell feat for your favourite spell if you want to go caster 57) when the other caster is a battlemage dont take damage spells
Izodor_Shadowcaster 06-26-06, 10:15 AM	58) Never use Fascinate on yoour party members. 59) Never try to replace the figther of the group, and never join him in a fight against 6 orcs. 60) Never call your DM names, you can use all the support you can get.