Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mrpopstar 11-19-04, 09:41 AM	What spells are the most effective spells to select for the Bard? Taking into account what the Wizard and the Sorcerer are bringing to the table, what are the most appropriate choices? I've heard Expeditious Retreat thrown around a lot. Is Summon Monster I worth the slot? Cure Light Wounds seems like a throw away since the Bard can be loaded with scrolls. ??
Jason Snyder 11-19-04, 10:51 AM	As you point out, CLW can be cast from scrolls. But so can all other spells. You have to ask yourself what spells are you going to need to cast most often. Comprehend Languages is handy, but are you going to need it every day? No. Healing, though, is always handy. Depending on your party, CLW can be a real life-saver at low levels. Or even at high levels - I sat down and did the math one day and found that a lvl 20 bard could heal roughly 50% as well as a lvl 20 cleric (only using cure spells, not the Heal line, since that is so variable). Of course, if your party is all clerics, druids and paladins, and no arcane casters, then skip it. I would recommend: Expeditious Retreat Grease CLW Charm Person (has multiple uses, including interrogating prisoners) Tasha's Hideous Laughter There are a number of threads on bards. Here is a good one: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=62ab1ba6a4733571fe9c3d7 %20%20313b57eb1&threadid=99884
Jason Snyder 11-19-04, 10:53 AM	Oh, and Summon Monster 1 is probably not worth it - at least not as one of the first lvl 1 spells you get. They only last for 1 round/level so they aren't going to help out much in combat at low levels. They _are_ handy as something to set off traps, so if you are going to use them for that purpose, definitely get SM1 rather than SM2-SM6.
Keenath 11-19-04, 11:45 AM	I've always found the minefield monkey to be a particularly cruel use of SM spells. As for the rest: Jason has an excellent list there. I would additionally mention that your spell selection has a lot to do with your role in the group. Bards tend to be best in a group that has more or less than 4 members. In a 4-member class, they tend to run into somebody else's job title. In a smaller group, you can straddle two or more roles (such as a rogue/healer or caster/fighter), while in a larger group you can specialize in casting (or singing) buffs and impeding other casters. If you're doing the former, you'll want to spread out your selection -- a few enchantments, a few blast spells (such as Sound Burst, Eyebite, or Shadow anything), some buffs and debuffs, and so on. If you're playing a more specialized character, you probably will need lots of buffs and debuffs, some enchantments, and so on. Confusion is a nice one, for instance... At any rate, as a bard you will largely select your spells to fill in the gaps in everyone else's list. Got a cleric who likes buffs? Go for enchantment. Have an enchanter wizard? Take buffs and healing.
Lord Schpungus 11-19-04, 12:31 PM	There's a spell in Song and Silence called Joyful Noise. Bard 1, as long as you concentrate, it negates Silence around you. Really nice.
J_Riley 11-19-04, 11:03 PM	Cantrips: Flare: dazzles one creature (-1 to hit) for one minute = 10 rounds Pretty doggone good for a lowly cantrip! Ghost Sound: very useful when coupled with the first level spell Silent Image Lullaby: great for giving Deep Slumber a better chance of being effective (-2 on will saves vs. Sleep) (Bard only spell) Summon Instrument: Bard is never without his instrument (Bard only spell) 1st level spells: (what was asked for) Charm Person: Make the enemy fighter your ***** - 'nuff said. Cure Light Wounds: can never have enough healing - can replace when no longer efficient Grease: good for controlling battlefield Silent Image: Illusion that scales with your level. Couple with Ghost Sound