Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Retarded_Disfigured_Clown 09-09-05, 04:44 PM	I'm thinking about Barbarian 6/Bard 4/DD 10. I know I saw a good build on here at one point, but I can't find it for the life of me. Anyone have advice on spells, feats, skill selection? How best to take the levels? Bard first or Barb first? I'm a Sylvan Elf (Dex +2, Int -2), starting at level 2. Mostly core-only, possible non-core stuff from WotC.
Khazra Reborn 09-09-05, 04:58 PM	Its an ok build....but, if you could take hexblade instead of bard it'd be better. You can't cast spells in rage so your feeble casting won't matter. With hexblade you get more use for cha, better HD & better BaB. Hexblades in CW BTW.
rilem 09-09-05, 05:04 PM	You mean Wild Elf? That's the only Core Elf with +2 Dex, -2 Int. And it's a bad idea, as the favored class is Sorceror, not Bard. I'd lower the Bbn levels. You really like Trap Sense +2, huh? Regarding Khazra's comment: Hexblade is a good option, certainly, though I prefer bard levels for the skills and the chance to contribute a bit more out of combat. I'd prefer going Bard8 and lowering DD to 8 to keep BAB+16 and get 3rd level spells, but with Bard 4, core-only: Bard4/Bbn2/EldritchKnight4/DragonDisciple10 BAB +16 Saves 15/8/12 3rd level spells or Bard8/Bbn1/EK3/DragonDisciple8 BAB: 16 Saves: 13/9/13 4th level spells noncore: Bard8/Fighter1/Spellsword3/DragonDisciple8 BAB +16 Saves: 13/9/15 4th level spells
Retarded_Disfigured_Clown 09-09-05, 06:17 PM	I'm not as concerned with spellcasting as I am getting better rages and such. Like I said, Barb 6/Bard 4 was just off the top of my head, I hadn't looked at specific stuff. Bard 4 was for 2nd level spells, and DD 10 was to get the most out of the PrC...by going 8, I lose out on Blindsense, +4 str, +2 cha, best breath weapon, +4 natural armor, better darkvision, immunity to sleep and paralysis, and immunity to an energy type at level 10, and wings at level 9. Level 8 is only +2 int, not a necessary bonus for my Bardbarian, so if I were going to cut off DD early, it would be at 7, which is an even BAB level as well. The Sylvan elves used in my campaign are favored enemy ranger, so I kinda wanted to keep the levels within a few of each other to prevent XP penalty. Maybe I can go Barbarian 5/Bard 4/Fighter 1/DD 10? Still, XP penalty. I'm in a group of elves, so that's why the race is what it is. The reasons for Barbarian/Bard are thematic as well. What I'm looking for advice on is not only level builds, but feat suggestions, spell choices that are tasty at low levels to buff a Strength-based melee fighter on the Bard spell list, weapon possibilities beyond 'Carry a greatsword and a mighty composite longbow', and so forth. Advice on how to use low-level song and rage to the fullest combined with the great bonuses of DD. Also, are there any ways to boost the number of times/day that you can use your breath weapon, as a DD? Once per day really sucks. Edit to add: 84 point build, as in an 18 costs 18 points, so attr-spread would be nice, too. So far I've got 18 str 16 dex 16 con 10 int 10 wis 14 cha Edit again to add: Suggestions on color/type? I'm chaotic-good aligned.
michael_noah 09-09-05, 06:24 PM	You mean Wild Elf? That's the only Core Elf with +2 Dex, -2 Int. And it's a bad idea, as the favored class is Sorceror, not Bard. I'd lower the Bbn levels. You really like Trap Sense +2, huh? Regarding Khazra's comment: Hexblade is a good option, certainly, though I prefer bard levels for the skills and the chance to contribute a bit more out of combat. I'd prefer going Bard8 and lowering DD to 8 to keep BAB+16 and get 3rd level spells, but with Bard 4, core-only: Bard4/Bbn2/EldritchKnight4/DragonDisciple10 BAB +16 Saves 15/8/12 3rd level spells or Bard8/Bbn1/EK3/DragonDisciple8 BAB: 16 Saves: 13/9/13 4th level spells noncore: Bard8/Fighter1/Spellsword3/DragonDisciple8 BAB +16 Saves: 13/9/15 4th level spells eww! advancing bard with EK is a nasty idea. You lose everything and gain... 1 point of BAB and a couple hit points? I guess if you absolutely need 4 attacks at level 20 it might be worth it - but I'd recomend heavily against it.
Retarded_Disfigured_Clown 09-09-05, 07:23 PM	Yeah, I didn't like EK either. I'm in Bard more for the song than the spellcasting, even though it'll be pretty low level. Any suggestions for feats? I ended up making the char already, he's a Bard 1/Barbarian 1, Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14. Took Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, Dancing Lights, and Mage Hand (not that I'll really be casting them until I get a little higher, because I'm wearing a Breastplate), and I'm thinking of using War Chants as my Perform. My feat is Power Attack, figured it was a nice safe feat to take, since I'm using a Greatsword for now (carry a greatsword, a Mighty +4 composite longbow, a heavy mace (will use a heavy shield while wielding that) and a spear (since it was themely), will switch out when needed. Still open to suggestions for feat trees, skill choices, and general advice. Current plan is Barbarian 5/Bard 4/Fighter 1/DD 10.
rilem 09-09-05, 11:08 PM	I almost never advance bard with EK. But this is core-only and the guy plainly wanted a martial type, which means +16 BAB. Feats/spells depend heavily on sources. Extra rage takes care of your rage/day issue; there are great bard feats in Cadv. and Eberron.
FrozenChrono 09-09-05, 11:29 PM	In the Unearthed Arcana you can take upto 3 levels of half-dragon paragon. At level 3 you get your breath weapon increased to 3 times per day. It doesn't count against your multiclass XP penalty, and you might be able to convince your DM to let you apply sorc blood to bard levels. The class also gives you a full BAB, and d12 HD. Since you get the Half Dragon template at level 10 of DD you should qualify for it. As far as strategy, obviously you're going to want the start up your inspire courage as soon as you get going, then with your huge HD and natural armor you'll probably just want to rage and charge into battle as fast as you can. I'll try thinking up some more complex strats after looking it over and thinking about it a bit.