Best core only bard spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best core only bard spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Morrowner
05-04-07, 01:46 PM I am going to be playing a core only bard at 4th level in an upcoming game this weekend. 12 people, 4 of which have full BAB, a monk, a rogue, and a "combat-orientated" Druid. Huzzah force multiplying!
I have taken the Gnome race for campaign specific reasons, as well as flavor and I haven't played one in too long a time. I was going to go with the bow and arrow route but I didn't want to blow a proficiency on the long bow or greatbow and my attack bonus with ranged weapons isn't good enough to justify taking Point Blank Shot/Precise Shot or especially Point Blank Shot/Rapid Shot. I'm going to be the group's main face it seems, and mainly set up flanks, aids, Inspire Courage a whole lot. Thing is, I've got an 18 Charisma(Hell yeah!)
and that entitles me to, you know, actually be fairly decent at casting spells.
I'd like to know what you feel the best core only offensive spells are for Bards and be able to target both the Fortitude and Will Save. Thanks in advance!
MerlintheTuna
05-04-07, 01:54 PM Grease to hit Reflex, Glitterdust for Will, and I guess Sound Burst for Fortitude. Really, Grease and Glitterdust are the big ones to grab.
Schmendrick
05-04-07, 02:08 PM Your party rogue will adore Grease.

Sculpt Sound is like free sound stealth for the whole party.

Modify Memory is great with a little creativity.

At higher levels, Zone of Silence is the best [personal] sound stealth.
tarkin
05-04-07, 02:08 PM My favorites are bolded.

0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Prestidigation

1: Charm Person, Cause Fear, Cure Light Wounds

2. Detect Thoughts, Alter Self, Silence, Mirror Images,

3. Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Confusion

4: Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Shadow Conjuration (to get certain wizard spells)

5: Dispell Magic (Greater), Mislead, Song of Discord, Shadow Evocation (to get certain wizard spells)

6: Charm Monster (Mass), Irresitable Dance, Greater Shout
Morrowner
05-04-07, 02:28 PM Woah, Glitterdust hits the will save?
Sweet.
I've cast that spell about a hundred times and I never even realized what bloody save it targetted. I just thought the DM was rolling total crap on the bad guy's fortitude saves.
Jaxgaret
05-04-07, 03:07 PM Definitely try to boost your Inspire Courage as much as possible, particularly with such a large party.

This link will help set you up nicely: Optimization of Inspire Courage (http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:GIoQXUhtKUAJ:boards1.wiza rds.com/showthread.php%3Fp%3D12267336+%22badge+o f+valor%22+site:boards1.wizards.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us).
tyrecian
05-04-07, 04:53 PM I try to avoid using spells with saves for bard, they are already nice so i use spells to help around the house, so to speak...

Exped retreat allows a great deal of variety, especially if you are using a whip

Silent Image is a nice one for walls and such, good Battlefield control.

For 2nd level, i really like both invis (rogue loves you, although grease is nice) and Heroism. ALthough nerfed Heroism is a nice spell that allows you to become a pretty good fighter for an encoutner or two. Lasts a while too.

Silence is also a great one for those nasty casters.

Of course the cures are good, for secondary healing!!!!!!!

At third level Blink is a really nice spell, gives all kinds of benefits =) although it can be a pain every once in a while, it will save you far more than not.

Haste is a nice one... and Tiny Hut is a nice spell for a party to gain concealment while still being able to pelt an enemy with range.

Fear and Confusion are nice control spells that require a save, but still arent too terrible (remember that as a bard it can be tougher than with a wiz to raise your DCs, so monsters will typically make em, i have noticed).

course those 3rds are a ways out yet, but those 1sts and seconds give you an idea of how i play my bards.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Morrowner 05-04-07, 01:46 PM	I am going to be playing a core only bard at 4th level in an upcoming game this weekend. 12 people, 4 of which have full BAB, a monk, a rogue, and a "combat-orientated" Druid. Huzzah force multiplying! I have taken the Gnome race for campaign specific reasons, as well as flavor and I haven't played one in too long a time. I was going to go with the bow and arrow route but I didn't want to blow a proficiency on the long bow or greatbow and my attack bonus with ranged weapons isn't good enough to justify taking Point Blank Shot/Precise Shot or especially Point Blank Shot/Rapid Shot. I'm going to be the group's main face it seems, and mainly set up flanks, aids, Inspire Courage a whole lot. Thing is, I've got an 18 Charisma(Hell yeah!) and that entitles me to, you know, actually be fairly decent at casting spells. I'd like to know what you feel the best core only offensive spells are for Bards and be able to target both the Fortitude and Will Save. Thanks in advance!
MerlintheTuna 05-04-07, 01:54 PM	Grease to hit Reflex, Glitterdust for Will, and I guess Sound Burst for Fortitude. Really, Grease and Glitterdust are the big ones to grab.
Schmendrick 05-04-07, 02:08 PM	Your party rogue will adore Grease. Sculpt Sound is like free sound stealth for the whole party. Modify Memory is great with a little creativity. At higher levels, Zone of Silence is the best [personal] sound stealth.
tarkin 05-04-07, 02:08 PM	My favorites are bolded. 0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Prestidigation 1: Charm Person, Cause Fear, Cure Light Wounds 2. Detect Thoughts, Alter Self, Silence, Mirror Images, 3. Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Confusion 4: Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Shadow Conjuration (to get certain wizard spells) 5: Dispell Magic (Greater), Mislead, Song of Discord, Shadow Evocation (to get certain wizard spells) 6: Charm Monster (Mass), Irresitable Dance, Greater Shout
Morrowner 05-04-07, 02:28 PM	Woah, Glitterdust hits the will save? Sweet. I've cast that spell about a hundred times and I never even realized what bloody save it targetted. I just thought the DM was rolling total crap on the bad guy's fortitude saves.
Jaxgaret 05-04-07, 03:07 PM	Definitely try to boost your Inspire Courage as much as possible, particularly with such a large party. This link will help set you up nicely: Optimization of Inspire Courage (http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:GIoQXUhtKUAJ:boards1.wiza rds.com/showthread.php%3Fp%3D12267336+%22badge+o f+valor%22+site:boards1.wizards.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us).
tyrecian 05-04-07, 04:53 PM	I try to avoid using spells with saves for bard, they are already nice so i use spells to help around the house, so to speak... Exped retreat allows a great deal of variety, especially if you are using a whip Silent Image is a nice one for walls and such, good Battlefield control. For 2nd level, i really like both invis (rogue loves you, although grease is nice) and Heroism. ALthough nerfed Heroism is a nice spell that allows you to become a pretty good fighter for an encoutner or two. Lasts a while too. Silence is also a great one for those nasty casters. Of course the cures are good, for secondary healing!!!!!!! At third level Blink is a really nice spell, gives all kinds of benefits =) although it can be a pain every once in a while, it will save you far more than not. Haste is a nice one... and Tiny Hut is a nice spell for a party to gain concealment while still being able to pelt an enemy with range. Fear and Confusion are nice control spells that require a save, but still arent too terrible (remember that as a bard it can be tougher than with a wiz to raise your DCs, so monsters will typically make em, i have noticed). course those 3rds are a ways out yet, but those 1sts and seconds give you an idea of how i play my bards.