Bard Love [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Bard Love [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tage
01-07-06, 05:47 PM I had a startling revelation the other night when a bard character I made in jest ( r d r r ) managed to subdue both a paladin and a barbarian of the same level single-handedly. It got me to thinking that perhaps bards are not the useless pseudo-thiefs I had always felt they were, which was a sentiment shared by my friends and a number of others.

How many of you have played bard characters, serious bard characters, and what were your experiences with them? Also, are there any really zany bard builds in existence?

This is the unofficial bard appreciation thread!
Ultimus
01-07-06, 06:27 PM Im currently playing a bard and I like them ;D ( although its the second class I've ever played...the other was a ranger )

and I must say that I've been improving and started to become useful ^__^

I think that people shouldn't complain about them and just accept the fact that every class as its flaws...and I play a bard knowing it isnt a power house class or a arcane mighty ass whooping ! ;D

go bards \o/
Apollo's Lyre
01-07-06, 09:07 PM I'm currently playing a bard 6/dragon disciple 3. The rest of the party consists of a druid/MoMF, paladin, NPC cleric, dread necromancer/homebrew necromancer PrC, monk, and wizard.

And you know what? My bard is widely considered to be the most powerful character in the party. It's HILARIOUS. Of course, the campaign I'm in has a lot of social interaction, so I guess that helps a little.

Even in combat, though, bards own if you play them right. Fascinate is just a sick ability; I regularly get DCs well into the 40s for the will save to resist the effect. And after someone's fasinated, you can use Suggestion without wasting a Bardic Music use EVERY ROUND until whatever you're fascinating succumbs.

Anyone who says bards are underpowered has obviously never used the fascinate ability. Or had to be in a social situation in-game.

Bards are wonderful.
Nephlite
01-07-06, 09:47 PM I'm currently playing a bard 6/dragon disciple 3. The rest of the party consists of a druid/MoMF, paladin, NPC cleric, dread necromancer/homebrew necromancer PrC, monk, and wizard.

And you know what? My bard is widely considered to be the most powerful character in the party. It's HILARIOUS. Of course, the campaign I'm in has a lot of social interaction, so I guess that helps a little.

Even in combat, though, bards own if you play them right. Fascinate is just a sick ability; I regularly get DCs well into the 40s for the will save to resist the effect. And after someone's fasinated, you can use Suggestion without wasting a Bardic Music use EVERY ROUND until whatever you're fascinating succumbs.

Anyone who says bards are underpowered has obviously never used the fascinate ability. Or had to be in a social situation in-game.

Bards are wonderful.

YOu could only start that fascinate if you go surprise round or you go first; but yeah they can be good if you have good iniatitive.

I've only played a few bards. I liked them though lastm time was in 3.0 (haven't tried yet in 3.5, I want to someday).
Knails
01-07-06, 11:48 PM Most people dont like the bard class because they are expecting an insane direct class that kills things very well, like every other base class does, even the cleric when used correctly. BUt the true strength in the bard, as most people either dont realize or dont understand, is their ability to gain knowledge, and more importantly, their amazing ability with inspire courage and inspire competence to give all allies bonus of up to something close to +5 to attack rolls, saving throws and other checks, and +2 or 3 to damage and AC.
TLStarfighter
01-09-06, 04:53 PM Bard: Excellent Saves, Good Skills, Medium BaB, No Arcane Spell Failure in Light Armor, Excelelnt Buffing/CC of Bardic Music... what's not to love?

Personal build recommendation: Bard 8, Ranger 2, Eldritch Knight 10. 18 BaB, 17th Level caster, 8th level music abilities, all core so can be used in any game.
syntaxerror37
01-10-06, 12:21 PM Ah, so I'm not the only one who thought the ranger-bard up. I was even thinking of going into EK, once I got my caster level up.

I love bards. They are so underated and miss understood by the masses. Even in a pure hack 'n' slash game they rock. Buffing the party either through spells or bard song frees up spell slots from the other casters. Having a back-up healer is great for when the cleric goes down. And then there is UMD, for all kinds of scroll and wand goodness.
Saxis
01-10-06, 12:43 PM You definitely gotta respect the buffers... Here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=8040439#post8040439) is a Bard buffer that I created that uses Archivist, Fochlucan Lyrist and Master Thrower. He gives some pretty insane bonuses at 20th level. In the neighborhood of +15 to attack and +10 to damage!
CaoSlayer
01-10-06, 12:43 PM ummm, EK it is in my opinion a very wrong option for a bard player...

the only thing you get from the EK it is good bab, you in exchange you gives at least two caster levels, 10 levels of bardic music and knowledge and 40 skill points... the cost of the eldritch knight isnt worth an extra attack..

if you are still wanting to be an EK the only good way it is to take eldritch knight at the last levels, this way you can end with something like:
Fighter-barbarian-ranger-paladin(requires feat) 1/bard 16/eldritch knight 3

with this build you ends with bardic music 16(17 with divine performer), spellcasting 18 and bab 16.
Saxis
01-10-06, 12:59 PM if you are still wanting to be an EK the only good way it is to take eldritch knight at the last levels, this way you can end with something like:
Fighter-barbarian-ranger-paladin(requires feat) 1/bard 16/eldritch knight 3

with this build you ends with bardic music 16(17 with divine performer), spellcasting 18 and bab 16.

Might have problems with alignment goin paladin. The Cha to Saves looks nice, but Lawful Good and Any non-lawful don't mix too well!
Pandaemoni
01-10-06, 01:05 PM Might have problems with alignment goin paladin. The Cha to Saves looks nice, but Lawful Good and Any non-lawful don't mix too well!

If you take the "Devoted Performer" feat from (Complete Adventurer), you can be a LG bard.
Braids
01-10-06, 01:26 PM Bards are great, quite powerful if you know how to use them.

Plus since they do a little of everything I wont get bored of my character when my fickle nature decides it wants to play another class.
Vaalingrade Ashland
01-10-06, 02:49 PM If you take the "Devoted Performer" feat from (Complete Adventurer), you can be a LG bard.
Or you can just get a DM worthy of the title and play one without the feat.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tage 01-07-06, 05:47 PM	I had a startling revelation the other night when a bard character I made in jest ( r d r r ) managed to subdue both a paladin and a barbarian of the same level single-handedly. It got me to thinking that perhaps bards are not the useless pseudo-thiefs I had always felt they were, which was a sentiment shared by my friends and a number of others. How many of you have played bard characters, serious bard characters, and what were your experiences with them? Also, are there any really zany bard builds in existence? This is the unofficial bard appreciation thread!
Ultimus 01-07-06, 06:27 PM	Im currently playing a bard and I like them ;D ( although its the second class I've ever played...the other was a ranger ) and I must say that I've been improving and started to become useful ^__^ I think that people shouldn't complain about them and just accept the fact that every class as its flaws...and I play a bard knowing it isnt a power house class or a arcane mighty ass whooping ! ;D go bards \o/
Apollo's Lyre 01-07-06, 09:07 PM	I'm currently playing a bard 6/dragon disciple 3. The rest of the party consists of a druid/MoMF, paladin, NPC cleric, dread necromancer/homebrew necromancer PrC, monk, and wizard. And you know what? My bard is widely considered to be the most powerful character in the party. It's HILARIOUS. Of course, the campaign I'm in has a lot of social interaction, so I guess that helps a little. Even in combat, though, bards own if you play them right. Fascinate is just a sick ability; I regularly get DCs well into the 40s for the will save to resist the effect. And after someone's fasinated, you can use Suggestion without wasting a Bardic Music use EVERY ROUND until whatever you're fascinating succumbs. Anyone who says bards are underpowered has obviously never used the fascinate ability. Or had to be in a social situation in-game. Bards are wonderful.
Nephlite 01-07-06, 09:47 PM	I'm currently playing a bard 6/dragon disciple 3. The rest of the party consists of a druid/MoMF, paladin, NPC cleric, dread necromancer/homebrew necromancer PrC, monk, and wizard. And you know what? My bard is widely considered to be the most powerful character in the party. It's HILARIOUS. Of course, the campaign I'm in has a lot of social interaction, so I guess that helps a little. Even in combat, though, bards own if you play them right. Fascinate is just a sick ability; I regularly get DCs well into the 40s for the will save to resist the effect. And after someone's fasinated, you can use Suggestion without wasting a Bardic Music use EVERY ROUND until whatever you're fascinating succumbs. Anyone who says bards are underpowered has obviously never used the fascinate ability. Or had to be in a social situation in-game. Bards are wonderful. YOu could only start that fascinate if you go surprise round or you go first; but yeah they can be good if you have good iniatitive. I've only played a few bards. I liked them though lastm time was in 3.0 (haven't tried yet in 3.5, I want to someday).
Knails 01-07-06, 11:48 PM	Most people dont like the bard class because they are expecting an insane direct class that kills things very well, like every other base class does, even the cleric when used correctly. BUt the true strength in the bard, as most people either dont realize or dont understand, is their ability to gain knowledge, and more importantly, their amazing ability with inspire courage and inspire competence to give all allies bonus of up to something close to +5 to attack rolls, saving throws and other checks, and +2 or 3 to damage and AC.
TLStarfighter 01-09-06, 04:53 PM	Bard: Excellent Saves, Good Skills, Medium BaB, No Arcane Spell Failure in Light Armor, Excelelnt Buffing/CC of Bardic Music... what's not to love? Personal build recommendation: Bard 8, Ranger 2, Eldritch Knight 10. 18 BaB, 17th Level caster, 8th level music abilities, all core so can be used in any game.
syntaxerror37 01-10-06, 12:21 PM	Ah, so I'm not the only one who thought the ranger-bard up. I was even thinking of going into EK, once I got my caster level up. I love bards. They are so underated and miss understood by the masses. Even in a pure hack 'n' slash game they rock. Buffing the party either through spells or bard song frees up spell slots from the other casters. Having a back-up healer is great for when the cleric goes down. And then there is UMD, for all kinds of scroll and wand goodness.
Saxis 01-10-06, 12:43 PM	You definitely gotta respect the buffers... Here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=8040439#post8040439) is a Bard buffer that I created that uses Archivist, Fochlucan Lyrist and Master Thrower. He gives some pretty insane bonuses at 20th level. In the neighborhood of +15 to attack and +10 to damage!
CaoSlayer 01-10-06, 12:43 PM	ummm, EK it is in my opinion a very wrong option for a bard player... the only thing you get from the EK it is good bab, you in exchange you gives at least two caster levels, 10 levels of bardic music and knowledge and 40 skill points... the cost of the eldritch knight isnt worth an extra attack.. if you are still wanting to be an EK the only good way it is to take eldritch knight at the last levels, this way you can end with something like: Fighter-barbarian-ranger-paladin(requires feat) 1/bard 16/eldritch knight 3 with this build you ends with bardic music 16(17 with divine performer), spellcasting 18 and bab 16.
Saxis 01-10-06, 12:59 PM	if you are still wanting to be an EK the only good way it is to take eldritch knight at the last levels, this way you can end with something like: Fighter-barbarian-ranger-paladin(requires feat) 1/bard 16/eldritch knight 3 with this build you ends with bardic music 16(17 with divine performer), spellcasting 18 and bab 16. Might have problems with alignment goin paladin. The Cha to Saves looks nice, but Lawful Good and Any non-lawful don't mix too well!
Pandaemoni 01-10-06, 01:05 PM	Might have problems with alignment goin paladin. The Cha to Saves looks nice, but Lawful Good and Any non-lawful don't mix too well! If you take the "Devoted Performer" feat from (Complete Adventurer), you can be a LG bard.
Braids 01-10-06, 01:26 PM	Bards are great, quite powerful if you know how to use them. Plus since they do a little of everything I wont get bored of my character when my fickle nature decides it wants to play another class.
Vaalingrade Ashland 01-10-06, 02:49 PM	If you take the "Devoted Performer" feat from (Complete Adventurer), you can be a LG bard. Or you can just get a DM worthy of the title and play one without the feat.