Post/Author/DateTime	Post
satyre 02-06-07, 10:46 AM	I want to go for a Bard with a focus on ranged combat. The game I'll be playing in uses ONLY the PHB classes, with a varient rule where all classes are a gestalt of Class+Aristocrat. What would be my best options? Here's my idea... _1st - Bard 1 _2nd - Fighter 1 _3rd - Bard 2 _4th - Fighter 2 _5th - Bard 3 _6th - Fighter 3 _7th - Bard 4 _8th - Fighter 4 _9th - Bard 5 20th - Bard 16 I'm guessing Fighter for the extra feats is the best way to go. I had considered Ranger, but that really isn't as potent. Also, my character isn't the wilderness type. Thoughts? What's the best ratio... and at what levels? ps. Yekoj's awesome bard thread is gone for some reason. :(
hogarth 02-06-07, 10:52 AM	--oops, I thought it said PHB+DMG, not PHB only-- I'd consider throwing a couple of levels of Arcane Archer in there for the Imbue Arrow ability. Maybe Ftr2/Brd6/ArcArch2/Brd10.
PhaedrusXY 02-06-07, 11:35 AM	I wouldn't go beyond Fighter2. Ranger would be better, or Barbarian, for the other two levels, if you want more martial class levels. I'd suggest just going Ftr2/Bard18. However, you don't even need fighter, IMO. The Aristocrat is proficient with all martial weapons, and how many archery feats do you really need? Unless you plan on using mounted archery (which is very good, by the way), there are: Point Blank Shot (1), Precise Shot (Human), and Rapid Shot (3), which you can get by 3rd level even with a straight bard. If you do take the fighter levels, I'd take them very early, and get Mounted Combat and Mounted Archery. Something like: 1 Bard1 PBS, Precise Shot 2 Ftr1 Rapid Shot 3 Bard2 Mounted Combat 4 Ftr2 Mounted Archery
nerf_ninja 02-06-07, 11:40 AM	I guess aristocrat gives you all the skills you need, so there's no real need for Ranger; besides, most of the really great rgr spells are in the Complete * books. PHB only means your best bet probably is to push your bard caster level and songs. Martial bard: Human for the bonus feat plus the favored class: any. You don't really need more than Ftr 2, so try to keep your bard caster level up and use Heroism and Haste as your higher-level buffs. Caster bard: If you want to go pure bard, then use an elf and skip the fighter levels. Your feats are all spoken for (B1: PBS, B3: Rapid Shot, B6: Precise, ...) but the elf at least gets you the longbow and low-light vision. Focus on the bard spells for your buffs. Rogue bard: Elf with Rogue 3 instead of Ftr 2. Feats are as caster bard. Sneak attack +2d6, evasion, trapfinding, elf search ability. When you finally get improved invis, you get to add sneak attack to your rapid shot damage. Playing in 3.0 is better for the bard, since greater magic weapon stacks the enhancement bonuses from ammo and bow. Plus 3.0 haste of course. 8) I would go pure caster bard in 3.0. Edit: Oooh, aristocrat for all martial weapons? Score! No need for the elf unless you want rogue abilities.
Wizu 02-06-07, 12:24 PM	Uh, guys? Theres an easy way out of this. Bard 16/Arcane Archer 4 Okay I confess, it might not be optimal, it might not be the best... but I had fun little time playing one! Mine was more or less fighter 4/bard 4/aa 7 with ranged weapon mastery, but you oughta get the big picture. Damn I loved that amount of ab... stupid trogolytes with classlevels. >_> Wait, not even dmg prestige classes? Awww... bard 16/barbarian 4 Barbabarian! =P
satyre 02-06-07, 01:45 PM	Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think I've settled on 2 Fighter/ 18 Bard. Alternating them for the first four levels.
Surreal 02-06-07, 09:08 PM	Can you fudge the alignment restrictions and have some Paladin levels?
Nifft 02-07-07, 09:23 AM	Can you fudge the alignment restrictions and have some Paladin levels? Alternately... a couple of Blackguard levels?
Kuroi Kenshi 02-07-07, 01:08 PM	Guys, remember: PHB classes only. No PrCs from the DMG.
satyre 02-16-07, 11:48 AM	I might be able to convince the DM to give me levels in Arcane Archer if I give him a good enough reasoning. So... at level twelve, which is as high as he'll probably get: Fighter2/Bard8/ArcaneArcher2? Bard10/ArcaneArcher2? Bard8/ArcaneArcher4?
FeceMan 02-16-07, 03:42 PM	I want to go for a Bard with a focus on ranged combat. The game I'll be playing in uses ONLY the PHB classes, with a varient rule where all classes are a gestalt of Class+Aristocrat. What would be my best options? Here's my idea... _1st - Bard 1 _2nd - Fighter 1 _3rd - Bard 2 _4th - Fighter 2 _5th - Bard 3 _6th - Fighter 3 _7th - Bard 4 _8th - Fighter 4 _9th - Bard 5 20th - Bard 16 I'm guessing Fighter for the extra feats is the best way to go. I had considered Ranger, but that really isn't as potent. Also, my character isn't the wilderness type. Thoughts? What's the best ratio... and at what levels? ps. Yekoj's awesome bard thread is gone for some reason. Warning: Trying this build may make your character suck. (Just go bard 20. Use haste, blur, alter self, and greater invisibility to make yourself more viable.)