Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bait the Bard 11-26-03, 03:54 AM	I am going to take the feat, as it was part of my original character storyline (its going to be his brother). However, I was just wondering what character class his bro should be ( no psionics). I current party consists of: 1 Cleric (drow) 1 TWF foghter (elf) 1 paladin/sacred fist 1 monk 1 wizard 1 silver dragon (another cohort) 1 ranger 1 paladin We will be soon decending into the Underdark. So, my question to you is: what class should this dude be, and why? - the annoying bard
hammertyme 11-26-03, 04:04 AM	I find that Clerics make the best cohorts. They have decent hps and good Ac, and they free up your main cleric's healing duties. The new cleric could be the downtime healer, And when you get higher level he can be the Backup healer for the people who are only slightly wounded in combat. The Cleric has many great spells aside from healing and freeing your main cleric to use these spells instead of spontanously casting heals will open many options. As a final plus he can use healing wands and scrolls. Always a plus. My 2 cents
AramTheDM 11-26-03, 04:10 AM	Yeah well, a cleric is wonderful and all, but you do not have a rogue . A party needs that. Who will warn you about the drow's stupid traps while in the 'dark? Who will haggle with the duergar over the price of adamantine? Who can do those things? The rogue. Second possibility would be a multiclassed rogue/bard, as bardic knowledge and a few spells is nice. but single-classed rogue with good sneak attack kills enemies when teamed up with fighter-types(flanking). IMHO, of course;)
CaoSlayer 11-26-03, 04:15 AM	umm, in the underdark the rogue´s sneak attack will be quite useless, in the dark, you cant sneak attack, and drows love to beging a fight using the darkness spell. You need someone able to detect traps, so I would recomend a Rogue1/bard X, the songs will be great with such large party.
AramTheDM 11-26-03, 07:12 AM	then take a dwarven rogue, who can see in the dark. Darkness can be countered or dispelled, especiallty with such a large party. or if your brother must be part human, take a tiefling or aasimar, both can counter/dispell darkness using spell-likes, and possess darkvision. A bard is actually a pretty bad idea as far as songs go, as the underdark is a place with a lot of echoes and songs are pretty...loud. you don't want that kind of attention. other idea with so large a party, if you can compensate rogue in some way, would be a Marshal, great for boosting large groups in combat, and a good natural diplomat and okay fighter.
Midnight Lurker 11-26-03, 07:39 AM	I'd go with the bard. He's a tag-along little brother who just has to tell everyone of the heroic feats of his idol: big brother! He'll sing songs about him, clean his saddle, polish his armour... just about anything so big bro will take him along on his adventures!
Leagle 11-26-03, 08:16 AM	I'd just like to point out that with a cohort, it'll be a 9 person party. It might be a little tedious, even if your combat sessions go well. That aside, bards are great and you don't have a rogue. I would say fighter, but while you only have one, you have lots of secondary warrior types, so no. I say bard. While a rogue or a sorcerer might be good, he's your little brother, not some dashing rogue/scumsucking filth, or tortured magic type! Make him a bard.
krichaiushii 11-26-03, 08:24 AM	I'll cast my vote for the bard, as well. The constant praising and idol worship of big brother is something that a good DM shouldn't pass by. His songs and ability to use (certain) wands make him very useful. Failing that, another wizard. After all, many wizards that share an adventuring party share spells, as well. And what better way to boost both wizard's repertoires than via a cohort? A bit metagamy, yes, but still. Out of curiosity, which character (and race) is the one taking the cohort?
haste9 11-26-03, 01:03 PM	I would go with a wilderness type: druid or ranger (preferred). They can be invaluable in the underdark with some of their spells and abilities. Magical beast abound as do aberrations in the UD, so ranger has some benefit here if he takes those as favored enemies. Druid has an animal companion for scouting and searching without the party as well as being able to change into creatures that often go unnoticed nearly anywhere. Its all a matter of background and what you really need and want him to be.
eudas 11-26-03, 03:35 PM	Originally posted by Bait the Bard I am going to take the feat, as it was part of my original character storyline (its going to be his brother). However, I was just wondering what character class his bro should be ( no psionics). I current party consists of: 1 Cleric (drow) 1 TWF foghter (elf) 1 paladin/sacred fist 1 monk 1 wizard 1 silver dragon (another cohort) 1 ranger 1 paladin We will be soon decending into the Underdark. So, my question to you is: what class should this dude be, and why? - the annoying bard Speaking purely from an analysis standpoint, you've got 1 cleric/2 paladins/1 ranger; this is some healing ability but with such a large party, the cleric is going to be drained from the demands of so many people requesting healing. Another cleric would help take care of this issue; however, if the paladins and ranger are able to cast cure spells, then the issue is not as super-critical as it might otherwise have been (if they were fighters, for example, instead of pal/rang). Also from an analysis standpoint, you have no rogue. This is very important to have in many situations. If you do not attract one as a cohort, you may want to just out-and-out hire one. Speaking from a RP standpoint, the adoring little brother bard mentioned by others is hilarious ( :) ) and can also offer some interesting capabilities; he can be a 2nd arcane caster (you only have 1 in your party right now) and also backup healing (bard arcane cure light spells). The bard can also serve in a relatively decent capability as the party's rogue, though he may have to take some skills as cross-class (disable device, for example, possibly). All in all, I think Bard makes the best choice, from the RP standpoint and also from the statistical party role standpoint.. he can serve as secondary support in many capabilities, and that is totally what the bard is all about. eudas
da chicken 11-26-03, 04:01 PM	If you have the Minatures Handbook, I'd give then a Healer. Otherwise, I'd say a Bard.
danielinthewolvesden 11-26-03, 04:04 PM	Originally posted by Leagle I'd just like to point out that with a cohort, it'll be a 9 person party. It might be a little tedious, even if your combat sessions go well. Yes- I think NO cohort is the best- unless it is a mount or something. I agree a bard would be good for this party- as well as a rogue. But then you'd be taking too much "me time" in such a large table. IF you MUST- do "Healer" from the Minitures Handbook, as "da fowl" :D said. Note that a Shade/rogue will run rampant through the underdark, backstabbing all them nasty drow like crazy.
Bait the Bard 11-26-03, 04:33 PM	Out of curiosity, which character (and race) is the one taking the cohort? ATM I am playing the human monk, so the whole idea with the adoring brother/ bard dosn't really work with the whole sheltered life/ ethics thing. Neither does a rouge :D However, there is going to be a cohort, it was part of his story, so stop debating that one. I think the cleric would fit in nicely, but as people were saying we seem to mange the healing nicely already. - the annoying bard PS- I do :love: bards, and if anyone could find a way to fit him into the storyline, he would be greatly apprecciated. I was the bard in the party before, and yes I was annoying and thats where my name comes from.
AramTheDM 11-26-03, 04:46 PM	why can't a rogue work as your brother? It's not like he has to be a walking stereotype. A fighter/rogue, or even just a melee-oriented rogue could be effective without being unethical. Not every rogue is a kleptomaniac or a compulsive liar. So are simply canny warriors with a few extra tricks up their sleeves.
danielinthewolvesden 11-26-03, 07:44 PM	Originally posted by Bait the Bard However, there is going to be a cohort, it was part of his story, so stop debating that one. Sure, I can see your brother being a part of the story line, but he could also be a non-adventuring NPC. Your table is full- it is simply not fair for you to want to play two characters in a 7 player party. Note- same for the guy who plays the silver dragon. Note that your DM can forbid use of that Feat. However, the Healer still works, and he can be a part of your Order, too.
Willie the Duck 11-26-03, 08:02 PM	Well, the Ghaele from Savage Species is the best cohort ever. Spells as a cleric of his level and by 7th level, can cast cure light wounds 1/round at will. Downtime healing is never an issue. Kind of hard to work in as your brother though. have you considered a rogue? obviously if you've made it this far, the DM doesn't throw alot of traps at you, but still, all these combatants would give alot of flanking opportunities:D
Midnight Lurker 11-27-03, 01:33 AM	Originally posted by Bait the Bard ATM I am playing the human monk, so the whole idea with the adoring brother/ bard dosn't really work with the whole sheltered life/ ethics thing. Um... how does an adoring little brother who grows up as a bard not work with the sheltered life/ethics thing of a monk? I don't understand how that affects your brother's class, and the ethics would only strengthen his admiration and stories of your heroic deeds.
Bait the Bard 11-27-03, 01:41 AM	I just think that the monk wouldn't like some person making great tales about him and going around doing all his stuff for him. The DM and players don't mind the extra people, and have come to enjoy them. Also, we have met quite a few traps, until recently the TWF guy was the rouge (until a dragon ate him). We have survived an onslought of magic traps only by the fact that the wizard weilds spellfire, and can absorb some of it. - the annoying bard
pjackson 11-28-03, 11:13 AM	Unless your brother has a level as a monk, presumably he stayed at home when you entered the monastry. One or two levels of monk with the rest in some other class could be the result of him following you into the monastry, but not fitting into the life as well as you did. Monk 2 / Cleric x could be that he moved into the relgious side of monastry life. Monk 2 / Bard x could be that he joined the choir Monk 1 / Rogue x could be that he semi-rebelled and became a follower of a master from a more ninja like tradition. I think from what I have read in this thread that the monk/bard would be my choice. Maybe not as powerful as a pure bard, but that is not so bad in a supporting character, and the better saves and evasion would help keep him alive.
da chicken 11-28-03, 04:58 PM	Can't be a Monk/Bard by core. At least not without making your DM's head explode.
Dinue 11-30-03, 06:20 PM	The Bard is the best bet from all angles. he doesnt have to be all adoring of you maybe he is the slacker of the family and decided to become a bard because it was fun, kind of making him the antithesis to your monk. he decided to join you to show you that he really is talented at something even though you think all that singing and bard stuff is frivolous. could make for a nice scene someday when his songs save your but and you walk over an embrace him.