6th half-elf bard substitution level -- to take or not to take? [Archive] - Wizards Community

6th half-elf bard substitution level -- to take or not to take? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JulesCARV
04-27-06, 01:59 PM I originally posted this on the classes board (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=628928), but it didn't get any response, so...

I'm wondering about whether the 6th level half-elf bard racial substitution level is worthwhile. On one hand, suggestion seems like a much better ability than command. However, suggestion requires fascinate, which has a perform save, whereas command can either be issued to creatures that have been fascinated, or, more relevantly, creatures that have been subject to soothing voice, which has a diplomacy save. Now, my diplomacy is probably going to hover at around 8 higher than my perform (I'll max out both, and then my diplomacy will have +2 each from being half-elven and the synergies from sense motive, bluff, and knowledge (nobility and royalty).

So... substitute or not?
JulesCARV
04-27-06, 10:46 PM Anyone have any experience with half-elf bards?
psly4mne
04-27-06, 11:28 PM I do not speak from experience here, but it looks like a clear choice in favor of Suggestion.
The Command has duration 1 round and save DC 11+cha. The Suggestion has duration 1 hr/lvl and DC 10+lvl/2+cha.

OTOH, Command can follow Soothing Voice or Fascinate, while Suggestion can only follow Fascinate. IMO, this does not compensate for the low save DC and duration.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JulesCARV 04-27-06, 01:59 PM	I originally posted this on the classes board (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=628928), but it didn't get any response, so... I'm wondering about whether the 6th level half-elf bard racial substitution level is worthwhile. On one hand, suggestion seems like a much better ability than command. However, suggestion requires fascinate, which has a perform save, whereas command can either be issued to creatures that have been fascinated, or, more relevantly, creatures that have been subject to soothing voice, which has a diplomacy save. Now, my diplomacy is probably going to hover at around 8 higher than my perform (I'll max out both, and then my diplomacy will have +2 each from being half-elven and the synergies from sense motive, bluff, and knowledge (nobility and royalty). So... substitute or not?
JulesCARV 04-27-06, 10:46 PM	Anyone have any experience with half-elf bards?
psly4mne 04-27-06, 11:28 PM	I do not speak from experience here, but it looks like a clear choice in favor of Suggestion. The Command has duration 1 round and save DC 11+cha. The Suggestion has duration 1 hr/lvl and DC 10+lvl/2+cha. OTOH, Command can follow Soothing Voice or Fascinate, while Suggestion can only follow Fascinate. IMO, this does not compensate for the low save DC and duration.