Bards...? [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Bards...? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
luckyskatr
09-30-05, 01:45 PM I was wondering if there were any good prestige classes for bards that would help out a group.
DrowAssassin
09-30-05, 07:24 PM I kinda like the Dirge singer in Libris Mortis cause it gives you songs that inhibit enemies.
Starlight Knight
10-01-05, 12:19 AM I've always liked the shadowdancer in the DMG.
Josheva
10-01-05, 12:28 AM How about my variant bard at this link (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7392932#post7392932)
Tedly224
10-01-05, 12:38 AM For a bard that focuses in spells, Sublime Chord from Complete Arcane is the hands down winner. An Elf bard that goes Bard 8/Arcane Archer 2/Sublime Chord is a winner.

Warchanter for bards wanting to fight with a d8 hit die, full BAB, and song progression isn't bad, but I'm not too keen on the songs the Warchanter gets in giving up the normal Bard song line. The final song is outstanding, but largely useless unless you're in a fight with a lot of allies on your side. Summoned creatures work with that last song though. This one is found in Complete Warrior.

Seeker of the Song is pretty strong and a personal favorite. No spell progression in it, but the songs you do get are pretty darned good and easy to build upon by taking the Extra Music feat a few times. This one is in Complete Arcane as well.

Fochlucan Lyrist from Complete Adventurer is a truly great class. Bardic lore progression, both druid and bardic spell level increases, d6 hit die but full BAB... The downside of the Lyrist is the first 10 levels of your career just to enter it can really leave you with a weak character for a long time.

I think there's a bard PrC from Frostburn called the Stormsinger that is definately worth a look if you're a player with some destructive tendancies. It's pretty darned good too.

At the moment, I can't recommend the Warchanter to anyone. It's better to go Bard 4 or Bard 8, grab 4 levels of Fighter, and go the rest with a PrC of your choice. Warchanter will help if you really want a fighting Bard, but it's just not worth it as is. Four levels of fighter gain you the 4 BAB you need in working towards a final BAB of 16, and nets you 3 free fighting feats. With the feats you save on fighting choices, you can use those for the Extra Song Feat or other things. It's the better choice.
Xaxor
10-01-05, 01:22 AM Straight Bards are meant to help groups. Inspire Courage is invaluable. Their buff spells are quite useful, and an extra source of healing is good too. Bard is one of the classes that can go to 20 and be useful throughout.
StormCrow42
10-01-05, 02:30 AM Another option to consider is the core class Marshall from the Minitures Handbook, a great "buff the party" class.
R-man
10-01-05, 03:37 AM The Bard like the Monk and the Druid loses a lot more to go into a prestige class then most of the more "normal" classes.

Going into a prestige class for a Bard usually entails the loss of some or many of the following; 3/4 BAB, D6hd, 6+int skill pts, Bardic knowledge, Bardic music, Bardic spellcasting.
Consiquently it frequently isn't worth it. However look over your specific character before discounting prestige classes!

A Human Bard with a 18 int can afford to go into a prestige class that loses some skill points.

A Dwarf/Gnome Bard with a 20 con and Improved Toughness doesn't need the D6 HD to continue having brutally high hps.

A Bard specializing in spellcasting and the Crossbow due to his low str and high dx doesn't need to worry about his BAB quite the same especially past 10th lvl or so when AC starts to become less relevent.

Look at your character and what your plans and goals are for the PC and make a decision based on what you want and can afford and still have a viable and fun character. Basic advice that applies to all PC's.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
luckyskatr 09-30-05, 01:45 PM	I was wondering if there were any good prestige classes for bards that would help out a group.
DrowAssassin 09-30-05, 07:24 PM	I kinda like the Dirge singer in Libris Mortis cause it gives you songs that inhibit enemies.
Starlight Knight 10-01-05, 12:19 AM	I've always liked the shadowdancer in the DMG.
Josheva 10-01-05, 12:28 AM	How about my variant bard at this link (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=7392932#post7392932)
Tedly224 10-01-05, 12:38 AM	For a bard that focuses in spells, Sublime Chord from Complete Arcane is the hands down winner. An Elf bard that goes Bard 8/Arcane Archer 2/Sublime Chord is a winner. Warchanter for bards wanting to fight with a d8 hit die, full BAB, and song progression isn't bad, but I'm not too keen on the songs the Warchanter gets in giving up the normal Bard song line. The final song is outstanding, but largely useless unless you're in a fight with a lot of allies on your side. Summoned creatures work with that last song though. This one is found in Complete Warrior. Seeker of the Song is pretty strong and a personal favorite. No spell progression in it, but the songs you do get are pretty darned good and easy to build upon by taking the Extra Music feat a few times. This one is in Complete Arcane as well. Fochlucan Lyrist from Complete Adventurer is a truly great class. Bardic lore progression, both druid and bardic spell level increases, d6 hit die but full BAB... The downside of the Lyrist is the first 10 levels of your career just to enter it can really leave you with a weak character for a long time. I think there's a bard PrC from Frostburn called the Stormsinger that is definately worth a look if you're a player with some destructive tendancies. It's pretty darned good too. At the moment, I can't recommend the Warchanter to anyone. It's better to go Bard 4 or Bard 8, grab 4 levels of Fighter, and go the rest with a PrC of your choice. Warchanter will help if you really want a fighting Bard, but it's just not worth it as is. Four levels of fighter gain you the 4 BAB you need in working towards a final BAB of 16, and nets you 3 free fighting feats. With the feats you save on fighting choices, you can use those for the Extra Song Feat or other things. It's the better choice.
Xaxor 10-01-05, 01:22 AM	Straight Bards are meant to help groups. Inspire Courage is invaluable. Their buff spells are quite useful, and an extra source of healing is good too. Bard is one of the classes that can go to 20 and be useful throughout.
StormCrow42 10-01-05, 02:30 AM	Another option to consider is the core class Marshall from the Minitures Handbook, a great "buff the party" class.
R-man 10-01-05, 03:37 AM	The Bard like the Monk and the Druid loses a lot more to go into a prestige class then most of the more "normal" classes. Going into a prestige class for a Bard usually entails the loss of some or many of the following; 3/4 BAB, D6hd, 6+int skill pts, Bardic knowledge, Bardic music, Bardic spellcasting. Consiquently it frequently isn't worth it. However look over your specific character before discounting prestige classes! A Human Bard with a 18 int can afford to go into a prestige class that loses some skill points. A Dwarf/Gnome Bard with a 20 con and Improved Toughness doesn't need the D6 HD to continue having brutally high hps. A Bard specializing in spellcasting and the Crossbow due to his low str and high dx doesn't need to worry about his BAB quite the same especially past 10th lvl or so when AC starts to become less relevent. Look at your character and what your plans and goals are for the PC and make a decision based on what you want and can afford and still have a viable and fun character. Basic advice that applies to all PC's.