Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nameneeded 02-07-06, 09:59 PM	Here's the scoop. My character just got dead so a new one is in order. I'm thinking a Bard. I have a total of 16 levels to play with including racials and prestiges. I am limited to Dwarf, Human, Derrow, Troglodyte, Minator and possible any other race that would be living in underground caves. (Doppleganger was tossed around for a while) The party is evil and has a Werewolf Archer/Ranger, a Fiendish Human Black Guard and a Human Rogue/ Sorcerer/ Arcane trickster. (I had a Stone Giant Fighter/ War Hulk) I am also limited to DMG, PH, Com Arcane, Adventurer and Warrior. Also Book of Vile. I am looking for something fun to play and that is able to keep up with the rest of characters in the party. (The sorcerer/ rogue can do sneak attack scorching rays for like 12d6 dmg!) Any ideas? smiles kinder
Pandaemoni 02-07-06, 11:49 PM	Well...I assume that you are not trying for pure "flavor", as that's really tough to do on these boards. For "power" a lot of people like (shortening it to 16 levels): Bard 7/Virtuoso 1 (C.Adventurer)/Bard 2/Sublime Chord 2 (C.Arcane)/Virtuoso 4 You use the last 4 levels (of Virtuoso to improve your Sublime Chord casting...which means you are effectively a 6th level Sublime Chord for spell casting purposes (which gives you 7th level spells), plus extra songs from Virtuoso 5. When you get to level 19 you'll even have 9th level spells. (You also have song of arcane power from Sublime Chord 2...letting you add up to +4 to your caster level as a move action.) To be honest, I wouldn't allow that in my campaign, or play it myself, but it seems to be legal under the RAW. As for race, I have less insight, as I tend to only play "core" races.
Mith_The_Godling 02-08-06, 12:19 AM	Try for human, since bards need cha and int to use their abilities well. Or a drow if you cna play one.
JulesCARV 02-08-06, 12:25 AM	What do bards need high int for?
Save-vs-DM 02-08-06, 01:58 AM	I'd go with one of the following builds myself: The Mindtaker This build focuses on a poor kobold who was the runt of the clutch but manifested powers of mind control. This build involved dominating as many people as you can to serve as your "minions" and protection. For the most part this character creates a diversion during a fight, hides, then using his bardic music to influence and buff his minions. Race: Kobold: -4 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con Build Progression 1: Bard 1 | Spell Focus (Enchantment) 2: Bard 2 3: Bard 3 | Improved Diversion 4: Bard 4 5: Bard 5 6: Bard 6 | Chat of Fortitude 7: Mindbender 1 8: Mindbender 2 9: Mindbender 3 | Subsonics 10: Mindbender 4 11: Mindbender 5 12: Mindbender 6 | Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment) 13: Mindbender 7 14: Mindbender 8 15: Mindbender 9 | Lingering Song 16: Mindbender 10 Spells: Load up on charm and compulsion spells such as Charm Person, Charm Monster, Fascinate and the like. Singing and Spell Slinging Swordsman This build is sort of a bardic gish build. You'll eventually end up with a +16 BAB, 9th level spells and some good bardic music. If you can afford it pick up some Mithral Full Plate Race: Dwarf (Gold Dwarf if it all possible to avoid the Charisma hit) Build Progression 1: Bard 1 | Battle Caster 2: Fighter 1 | Combat Expertise 3: Bard 2 | Extra Music 4: Fighter 2 | Improved Trip/Disarm 5: Bard 3 6: Bard 4 | Lingering Song 7: Bard 5 8: Bard 6 9: Bard 7 | Ironskin Chant 10: Bard 8 11: Sublime Chord 1 12: Sublime Chord 2 | Lyric Spell 13: Eldrich Knight 1 | Mobile Spellcasting 14: Eldrich Knight 2 15: Eldrich Knight 3 | Extraordinary Concentration 16: Eldrich Knight 4 Spells: Take personal combat buff type spells like Haste, Bull's Strength, and others. When you start getting Sublime Chord spells take a few good attack spells, this build even gets one 7th level sorcerer spell. Tensers Transformation makes an excellent choice to improve your combat beef. It'll even give you 4 attacks a round at level 16. Thats' all I have. Cheers, Save vs DM
nameneeded 02-08-06, 02:04 PM	Thanks for the tips....gonna have to read up on some of these classes Sublime Chord etc. Anyone else?
nameneeded 02-12-06, 01:15 AM	bump
Sender_Jon 02-12-06, 01:36 AM	Seriously, play human and load the character with bard levels. Take some levels in rogue if you must. The KEY to playing a bard well is all in the skill set. Bard is my favorite class and it is waaaaay underestimated by most players. There are very few prestige classes that work well with the class (though shadowdancer, good ol' shadowdancer, is actually quite good) so really don't be afraid to play it straight.
Ralphius_Maximus 02-12-06, 02:06 AM	While not quite as strong as some of the massively multied builds abov, straight Bard 10 / Sublime Chord 6 is a good plan. It's simple and has the spellcasting beef to hold up your end, plus the bardic skills and songs. I tend to look at the dominate-type spells, with the odd polymorph on the side. Direct damage is available if you want it also.