Post/Author/DateTime	Post
eRaz0r 08-02-05, 05:22 PM	I've been looking at this build : Bard 7 / Marshall 2/ Virtuoso 10/SC 1 I'm trying to work out why Marshall here ? I realize I could get a major aura that adds Charisma to Charisma Checks (i.e. I get Charisma twice to skills) Is that the one I should be taking? I guess that's for a primarily "Face" character. Any reason specifically not to take Bard 9 intead of Bard 7/Marshall 2 ?
UMiskatonic 08-02-05, 06:01 PM	I would go bard 8/marshal 1. Bard 8 gives you +2 with inspire courage, and your marshal aura stacks with that. While helping out yourself is nice, helping all allies within 60 ft. is better. Consider helping your allies with something else besides the charisma bump, which you shouldn't really need. Marshal also gives you all weapons and all armor, which ain't so bad. Maybe you could counter with why you think bard 9 is worth taking?
Phaxi 08-02-05, 06:18 PM	I've been looking at this build : Bard 7 / Marshall 2/ Virtuoso 10/SC 1 I'm trying to work out why Marshall here ? I realize I could get a major aura that adds Charisma to Charisma Checks (i.e. I get Charisma twice to skills) Is that the one I should be taking? I guess that's for a primarily "Face" character. Any reason specifically not to take Bard 9 intead of Bard 7/Marshall 2 ? The point of having a level of marshal in a bard build is often because of the synergy with the half-elf bard subsititution level and the minor aura called motivate charisma, aswell as the skill focus (diplomacy) you get. Thats +6 to diplomacy in one level if you got 16 cha, or rather +6 DC to your soothing voice. If you get a second level of marshal, that'll also increase your "boosting" ability.
Caelic 08-02-05, 08:08 PM	Well, I certainly think that Bard 9's worth taking. You can do a LOT of interesting things with Inspire Greatness.
eRaz0r 08-02-05, 08:30 PM	I think that tears it for me. I'd rather have Inspire Greatness and the extra 2 CLs to add to SC (and Virtuoso), notably because he won't be a half-elf, and I don't think Diplomacy will be this characters main strength (we don't use regular diplomacy rules in our game, so it's unlikely I can instantly turn enemies to friends in a few seconds just by having a high modifier in this skill)
SigmaJargon 08-02-05, 08:53 PM	Diplomacy isn't the only skill Motivate Charisma affects - the other two bigs ones bards should use are Perform and UMD. High perform is for higher fascinate DC (or soothing voice DC, if half-elf) and possibly other perform effects, such as the damaging class feature of the Sublime Chord (I forget the name). UMD speaks for itself in greatness. Never underestimate the bard or rogue who wields a staff.
Rocco 08-02-05, 09:19 PM	Marshall is nice, but not a must. You could also opt for something like: 1 Fighter 8 Bard 1 Eldritch Knight 2 Sublime Chord 8 Eldritch Knight Snowflake Wardance (FrostB) and Words of Creation (BoED) ensure pretty good melee stats. But it's a MAD character, don't play it with pb 32.