Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Goofy 12-06-05, 02:16 AM	Hi, I'm planning on playing a Bard for our next campaign and I cant seem to find any instruments for my 7th level ministrel. I've found some instruments in complete adventurer bur they are all "activated by a dc15 perform" check.. I want something that scales wit the perform check so that the skill points used to increase the ranks beyond 15 is not a waste!! Any price range would be helpful.. We're playing 3.5 Goofy
Someone 12-06-05, 01:18 PM	A bard needs 18 ranks to inspire heroics. A bard needs 21 ranks to instill a mass suggestion. What do you mean, "ranks beyond 15 is a waste"? That and you need an instrument to use the particular perform skill at all. A drum/gong/bell/tambourine for Perform (percussion), a lute/fiddle/guitar for Perform (string), a flute/tromboune/kazoo for Perform (wind instruments), etc. Or are you one of those singing/chanting/speachwriting bards?
JLP 12-06-05, 04:37 PM	Also, think about how you want your bard to operate, by which I mean what will his tactics be during combat? Is he just going to be primarily a buff-bot? For this I find using an instrument like a violin to be a good choice, as you start a second bardic effect while maintaining another, for a total of two effects at once. I believe a lute can do this as well. A pipe-organ (or my favorite, a steam calliope) can start and sustain up to three. Then again, with "Lingering Song" this becomes less important. Other instruments have other effects; drums adding to morale bonuses to attack, etc. Other uses for your perform skill depend on your campaign. My campaign's tilted heavily on the side of role-playing, and my max ranks in perform: oratory have swayed many a roomful of nobles to my cause, while max ranks in perform: strings (violin) once held a battlefield in awe and brought the two sides to the bargaining table (where max ranks in diplomacy ended the war. ;)) Bards ftw.