Prestige Bard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Prestige Bard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BlaineTog
03-04-04, 12:06 AM This one has been bugging me a little. If i'm reading this right, then this PrC is meant to be taken by Rog 4/ Wiz 1.

Well, that annoys me, so I'm curious: anyone have any ideas about a sorcerer-bard?

Here's what I've got so far:

Ranger 1/ Sorcerer 4

The key to this is take the Forgotten Realms feat Cosmopolitan (IIRC) or this Shadowfoot feat:

KNACK [General]
You are especially adept at a particular skill.
Benefit: Select any skill. This skill is always considered a class skill for you, and the maximum number of ranks you may have in this skill is equal to your character level +4.

at first level.

The only other way I could find to get this was:

Rogue 2/ Sor 1 / Rogue 3 and 4.

Of course, you have to spend your level 3 feat on "Extra Spell" from T&B to pull it off. You end up with Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, and some sneak attack (all nice), but lose 3 caster levels from the 1st build.

And thoughts?
shawnsse
03-04-04, 01:21 AM Only by the core rule:
3 level Rogue
3 level Sorcerer

This is what I gather:
CR CL BAB Knl Per* Spells Known
1---RE1---+0---2----4---2
2---RE2---+1---2.5--5---2
3---RE3---+2---3----6---2
4---SR1---+2---3.5--7---2
5---SR2---+3---4----8---2
6---SR3---+3---4.5--9---3

CR = Character Level
CL = Class Level
RE = Rogue
SR = Sorcerer
BAB = Base Attack Bonus
Knl = Knowledge Skill
Per = Perform Skill,

* From SRD = Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3.

Which means that you will not have the full progression of a Prestige Bard (upto 14 level only) if you are not playing epic rule.

I suggest to change the special requirement:
Ability to cast at least one 1st-level arcane spells from each of two schools from the following: divination, enchnantment or illusion.

Then you can have 4 level of rogue and 1 level of sorcerer to make it into the prestige bard also.
Everach
03-04-04, 09:52 AM Egads! A triple-post!
Everach
03-04-04, 09:52 AM The dreaded double-post strikes again!
Everach
03-04-04, 09:52 AM Originally posted by shawnsse
* From SRD = Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3.

Really? Where'd you find that?

If that's the case, then this is simple.

1 Rogue 1 perform(4), other skills, etc etc
2 Sorceror 1 perform(4), other skills, etc etc
3 Sorceror 2 perform(4), other skills, etc etc
4 Sorceror 3 perform(4), other skills, etc etc
5 Rogue 2 perform(8), other skills, etc etc
6 Prestige Bard

Wallah. You could use Monk instead of Rogue, BTW
BlaineTog
03-04-04, 07:46 PM Yes, but then you don't meet the BaB requirement (3). You get:

Rogue 1: +0
Sor 1: +0
Sor 2: +1
Sor 3: +0
Rogue 1: +1

Total BaB of +2.
Greyman
03-04-04, 08:43 PM Try a Rogue/ Battle Sorcerer. You get fewer spells, but better BAB and, hey, no arcane spell failure in light armor! [edit: before taking your first prestige class level, I mean. It's a minor fringe benefit.]
Xeviat-DM
03-04-04, 08:54 PM Bards already get no arcane spellfailure in light armor, it's a special gain of them. Also, you could probably use the bab varient Andy put in the book, and several of us have mentioned on the boards:

Sor 3: 1.5 BAB
Rogue 2: 1.5 BAB

Thus, totals 3 BAB.
Everach
03-04-04, 10:41 PM Originally posted by BlaineTog
Yes, but then you don't meet the BaB requirement (3).

This prestige class frustrates me. :behold:
shawnsse
03-05-04, 01:25 AM quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by shawnsse
* From SRD = Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by Everach
Really? Where'd you find that?

Look into http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35 under Skills I
or http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/SkillsI.rtf

page 1 under Skill Summary last sentence.
Naga_Slayer
03-05-04, 05:13 AM The battle sorcerer actually makes the most sense in this scenerio. It may be limited in spells, but it'll still gain more than a normal Bard. Also, it has the fighting ability mixed with spellcasting, combined with Rogu levels, you basically have a Bard right there. I was completely against this PrC at first glance, as I LOVE bards. However, the more I look at it with all the various options presented in UA, I am beginning to like it even more. Find a way to fit Cleric into that progression before 5th level and you'll have access to healing spells as well. But, that may be a feat not worth trying.
Xeviat-DM
03-05-04, 05:18 AM Which brings up another question. A sidebar mentions adding the class unique spells to their spell lists. But does that count the arcane healing spells of the bard, or do they loose out on them in this scenario? I'm fine with that actually, more consistancy.
Everach
03-05-04, 08:56 AM Originally posted by Xeviat-DM
Which brings up another question. A sidebar mentions adding the class unique spells to their spell lists. But does that count the arcane healing spells of the bard, or do they loose out on them in this scenario? I'm fine with that actually, more consistancy.

Fantastic Question. Does the prestige bard get healing spells?
Everach
03-05-04, 01:01 PM Originally posted by BlaineTog
Ranger 1/ Sorcerer 4

Wait a sec. You're suggesting a campaign that allows the Prestige Bard (which precludes the Bard core class), but denies the Ranger prestige class (because you're using the Ranger core)?

Why, that's genius.
BlaineTog
03-05-04, 07:18 PM Originally posted by Everach
Wait a sec. You're suggesting a campaign that allows the Prestige Bard (which precludes the Bard core class), but denies the Ranger prestige class (because you're using the Ranger core)?

Why, that's genius. Why yes it is. :D I just thought it "fit" a little better than a level of fighter, barb, or paladin (which would lose all its specila abilities anyway...).
Everach
03-05-04, 07:48 PM In blatant disregard for common sense, I've decided to build my 10th level character as a Wizard 6, Prestige Bard 4, using the Cosmopolitan Feat from Forgotten Realms. My ultimate goal is wizard 10/pr bard10.

This Rogue and Ranger business is giving me hives.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BlaineTog 03-04-04, 12:06 AM	This one has been bugging me a little. If i'm reading this right, then this PrC is meant to be taken by Rog 4/ Wiz 1. Well, that annoys me, so I'm curious: anyone have any ideas about a sorcerer-bard? Here's what I've got so far: Ranger 1/ Sorcerer 4 The key to this is take the Forgotten Realms feat Cosmopolitan (IIRC) or this Shadowfoot feat: KNACK [General] You are especially adept at a particular skill. Benefit: Select any skill. This skill is always considered a class skill for you, and the maximum number of ranks you may have in this skill is equal to your character level +4. at first level. The only other way I could find to get this was: Rogue 2/ Sor 1 / Rogue 3 and 4. Of course, you have to spend your level 3 feat on "Extra Spell" from T&B to pull it off. You end up with Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, and some sneak attack (all nice), but lose 3 caster levels from the 1st build. And thoughts?
shawnsse 03-04-04, 01:21 AM	Only by the core rule: 3 level Rogue 3 level Sorcerer This is what I gather: CR CL BAB Knl Per* Spells Known 1---RE1---+0---2----4---2 2---RE2---+1---2.5--5---2 3---RE3---+2---3----6---2 4---SR1---+2---3.5--7---2 5---SR2---+3---4----8---2 6---SR3---+3---4.5--9---3 CR = Character Level CL = Class Level RE = Rogue SR = Sorcerer BAB = Base Attack Bonus Knl = Knowledge Skill Per = Perform Skill, * From SRD = Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3. Which means that you will not have the full progression of a Prestige Bard (upto 14 level only) if you are not playing epic rule. I suggest to change the special requirement: Ability to cast at least one 1st-level arcane spells from each of two schools from the following: divination, enchnantment or illusion. Then you can have 4 level of rogue and 1 level of sorcerer to make it into the prestige bard also.
Everach 03-04-04, 09:52 AM	Egads! A triple-post!
Everach 03-04-04, 09:52 AM	The dreaded double-post strikes again!
Everach 03-04-04, 09:52 AM	Originally posted by shawnsse * From SRD = Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3. Really? Where'd you find that? If that's the case, then this is simple. 1 Rogue 1 perform(4), other skills, etc etc 2 Sorceror 1 perform(4), other skills, etc etc 3 Sorceror 2 perform(4), other skills, etc etc 4 Sorceror 3 perform(4), other skills, etc etc 5 Rogue 2 perform(8), other skills, etc etc 6 Prestige Bard Wallah. You could use Monk instead of Rogue, BTW
BlaineTog 03-04-04, 07:46 PM	Yes, but then you don't meet the BaB requirement (3). You get: Rogue 1: +0 Sor 1: +0 Sor 2: +1 Sor 3: +0 Rogue 1: +1 Total BaB of +2.
Greyman 03-04-04, 08:43 PM	Try a Rogue/ Battle Sorcerer. You get fewer spells, but better BAB and, hey, no arcane spell failure in light armor! [edit: before taking your first prestige class level, I mean. It's a minor fringe benefit.]
Xeviat-DM 03-04-04, 08:54 PM	Bards already get no arcane spellfailure in light armor, it's a special gain of them. Also, you could probably use the bab varient Andy put in the book, and several of us have mentioned on the boards: Sor 3: 1.5 BAB Rogue 2: 1.5 BAB Thus, totals 3 BAB.
Everach 03-04-04, 10:41 PM	Originally posted by BlaineTog Yes, but then you don't meet the BaB requirement (3). This prestige class frustrates me. :behold:
shawnsse 03-05-04, 01:25 AM	quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by shawnsse * From SRD = Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Everach Really? Where'd you find that? Look into http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35 under Skills I or http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/SkillsI.rtf page 1 under Skill Summary last sentence.
Naga_Slayer 03-05-04, 05:13 AM	The battle sorcerer actually makes the most sense in this scenerio. It may be limited in spells, but it'll still gain more than a normal Bard. Also, it has the fighting ability mixed with spellcasting, combined with Rogu levels, you basically have a Bard right there. I was completely against this PrC at first glance, as I LOVE bards. However, the more I look at it with all the various options presented in UA, I am beginning to like it even more. Find a way to fit Cleric into that progression before 5th level and you'll have access to healing spells as well. But, that may be a feat not worth trying.
Xeviat-DM 03-05-04, 05:18 AM	Which brings up another question. A sidebar mentions adding the class unique spells to their spell lists. But does that count the arcane healing spells of the bard, or do they loose out on them in this scenario? I'm fine with that actually, more consistancy.
Everach 03-05-04, 08:56 AM	Originally posted by Xeviat-DM Which brings up another question. A sidebar mentions adding the class unique spells to their spell lists. But does that count the arcane healing spells of the bard, or do they loose out on them in this scenario? I'm fine with that actually, more consistancy. Fantastic Question. Does the prestige bard get healing spells?
Everach 03-05-04, 01:01 PM	Originally posted by BlaineTog Ranger 1/ Sorcerer 4 Wait a sec. You're suggesting a campaign that allows the Prestige Bard (which precludes the Bard core class), but denies the Ranger prestige class (because you're using the Ranger core)? Why, that's genius.
BlaineTog 03-05-04, 07:18 PM	Originally posted by Everach Wait a sec. You're suggesting a campaign that allows the Prestige Bard (which precludes the Bard core class), but denies the Ranger prestige class (because you're using the Ranger core)? Why, that's genius. Why yes it is. :D I just thought it "fit" a little better than a level of fighter, barb, or paladin (which would lose all its specila abilities anyway...).
Everach 03-05-04, 07:48 PM	In blatant disregard for common sense, I've decided to build my 10th level character as a Wizard 6, Prestige Bard 4, using the Cosmopolitan Feat from Forgotten Realms. My ultimate goal is wizard 10/pr bard10. This Rogue and Ranger business is giving me hives.