A noob question.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

A noob question.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mycosynth Golem
09-12-04, 11:29 PM Hey all, I`m new to D&D, however it`s interested my cousins and I so we bought the rules manuals. We are beginning to learn how to play. One of my cousins is actually a player from a while back who`s teaching us how to play, and picking up on new rules as he goes along. I`m just wondering, I`ve decided on a Gnome Bard, with decent stats everywhere except for strength (Only 10), what weapons and armor would be wise to use? Sorry is I came off as a complete noob, I just recently started (also I`m sorry if this is the wrong place to post). Any pointers would be great, thanks in advance, I`ll try and get back to you.
BlaineTog
09-12-04, 11:39 PM What level are you starting at? That'll give us an idea of what you can afford.

If you're starting at level 1, I suggest a either Chain Shirt or Leather armor and a Shortbow for your weapon. When you get to higher levels, try to get a Mithral Chain Shirt (although you you don't mind taking a penalty to some physical skills, you can use a Mithral Breastplate or Chainmail just as well).
The Souljourner
09-12-04, 11:54 PM Fine place to post. Character Optimization is another good board for this. I'm going to over-explain stuff, since I don't know how much you know, I hope you don't mind.

Let me just say that the bard is the number one most fun character to play, in my opinion. Play him up as much as you can... over the top playacting is a hell of a lot of fun, and it'll make any game session more interesting.

First, I would suggest trying to get a decent score in strength. Sacrifice wisdom if you have to... Bards get a decent attack bonus, and with the right defensive spells, they make fairly decent backup fighters.

However, if you can't get a decent strength score (and it's tough, with that -2 for being a Gnome), then that's ok.

Armor is easy - a chain shirt is the best light armor you can get (armor is classified as light, medium, or heavy... light is the least restrictive for movement and skills, medium and heavy reduce your movement by 1/3 and have a hefty penalty on many skills). Since you're a Bard, you can cast spells in light armor, so you don't need to worry about it interfering with your spells.

Another option would be masterwork studded leather. Masterwork means it's really well made, and reduces the armor check penalty by 1. This makes studded leather's armor check penalty 0, which of course is the magic number. The armor check penalty applies to a bunch of skills that require unrestricted movement, namely Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble. Each different kind of armor lists its armor check penalty in a table in the PHB (Player's Handbook).

Weapons - well, with 10 strength you're probably not going to be super effective in combat. My suggestion is to take ranged weapons, and try not to get into melee. Keep a longsword on you just in case, and grab a light crossbow or a shortbow and use it whenever you aren't stuck in melee.

For spells - 0th level doesn't have much power, but it has some fun - Ghost Sound and Prestidigitation are almost required for any good bard.

When you get there, Disguise Self and Tasha's Hideous Laughter are great picks for first level spells.

I highly suggest you take a look at your bardic abilities and try not to duplicate them with spells you pick... you'll eventually have way more bardic music uses per day than you can use, but your spell selection is always going to be limited. I also recommend that if you have a cleric in your group, don't take healing spells. You can use healing wands without actually knowing the spell, and the cleric should be the one throwing around healing spells.. .you have better things to be doing with your spells.

Again.. the best thing about bards is that they're a ton of fun. They can be useful in pretty much every situation.

-The Souljourner
Mycosynth Golem
09-13-04, 03:44 PM Thanks alot. I`m starting at level 3 since it`s my first time playing. There is a cleric in the group. I took a light repeater crossbow, however I may exchange it for another bow. I will definitly take into consideration what you said about armor, it helped alot. Thanks, any other tips are appreciated.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mycosynth Golem 09-12-04, 11:29 PM	Hey all, I`m new to D&D, however it`s interested my cousins and I so we bought the rules manuals. We are beginning to learn how to play. One of my cousins is actually a player from a while back who`s teaching us how to play, and picking up on new rules as he goes along. I`m just wondering, I`ve decided on a Gnome Bard, with decent stats everywhere except for strength (Only 10), what weapons and armor would be wise to use? Sorry is I came off as a complete noob, I just recently started (also I`m sorry if this is the wrong place to post). Any pointers would be great, thanks in advance, I`ll try and get back to you.
BlaineTog 09-12-04, 11:39 PM	What level are you starting at? That'll give us an idea of what you can afford. If you're starting at level 1, I suggest a either Chain Shirt or Leather armor and a Shortbow for your weapon. When you get to higher levels, try to get a Mithral Chain Shirt (although you you don't mind taking a penalty to some physical skills, you can use a Mithral Breastplate or Chainmail just as well).
The Souljourner 09-12-04, 11:54 PM	Fine place to post. Character Optimization is another good board for this. I'm going to over-explain stuff, since I don't know how much you know, I hope you don't mind. Let me just say that the bard is the number one most fun character to play, in my opinion. Play him up as much as you can... over the top playacting is a hell of a lot of fun, and it'll make any game session more interesting. First, I would suggest trying to get a decent score in strength. Sacrifice wisdom if you have to... Bards get a decent attack bonus, and with the right defensive spells, they make fairly decent backup fighters. However, if you can't get a decent strength score (and it's tough, with that -2 for being a Gnome), then that's ok. Armor is easy - a chain shirt is the best light armor you can get (armor is classified as light, medium, or heavy... light is the least restrictive for movement and skills, medium and heavy reduce your movement by 1/3 and have a hefty penalty on many skills). Since you're a Bard, you can cast spells in light armor, so you don't need to worry about it interfering with your spells. Another option would be masterwork studded leather. Masterwork means it's really well made, and reduces the armor check penalty by 1. This makes studded leather's armor check penalty 0, which of course is the magic number. The armor check penalty applies to a bunch of skills that require unrestricted movement, namely Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble. Each different kind of armor lists its armor check penalty in a table in the PHB (Player's Handbook). Weapons - well, with 10 strength you're probably not going to be super effective in combat. My suggestion is to take ranged weapons, and try not to get into melee. Keep a longsword on you just in case, and grab a light crossbow or a shortbow and use it whenever you aren't stuck in melee. For spells - 0th level doesn't have much power, but it has some fun - Ghost Sound and Prestidigitation are almost required for any good bard. When you get there, Disguise Self and Tasha's Hideous Laughter are great picks for first level spells. I highly suggest you take a look at your bardic abilities and try not to duplicate them with spells you pick... you'll eventually have way more bardic music uses per day than you can use, but your spell selection is always going to be limited. I also recommend that if you have a cleric in your group, don't take healing spells. You can use healing wands without actually knowing the spell, and the cleric should be the one throwing around healing spells.. .you have better things to be doing with your spells. Again.. the best thing about bards is that they're a ton of fun. They can be useful in pretty much every situation. -The Souljourner
Mycosynth Golem 09-13-04, 03:44 PM	Thanks alot. I`m starting at level 3 since it`s my first time playing. There is a cleric in the group. I took a light repeater crossbow, however I may exchange it for another bow. I will definitly take into consideration what you said about armor, it helped alot. Thanks, any other tips are appreciated.