Help me! I'm a bard! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help me! I'm a bard! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aremthis
12-27-04, 09:02 AM I need help with a bard, in my positoin, it seems useless. I got some pretty cool rolls, but the spells are horrible. I'm in a campain with another bard, a barbarian,(Who is amazing), A druid, a palidan, and a scorceress. But because the other bard is better then I am, I'm usless.
BloodGod
12-27-04, 10:21 AM Your Druid, Paladin, and the other Bard all have healer spells. But, nothing beyond a few "Cure" spells. Get a lot of ranks in "Use Magic Device". Buy scrolls. Simple as that. You'll be the only one in the group who has the ability to 'cast' Raise Dead, Implode, Heal, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Harm all in the same combat.

Does the other bard use his tunes effectively in combat situations or in other situations of importance? If not, then you need to start up your tunes as soon as combat starts.

-BG
CzarGarrett
12-27-04, 10:45 AM Well, multiple bards in a party can work wonders.

If the other bard is busy with Inspire Courage or the like, you can use another music ability. Or use some buff spells and all to get your party ready to go.
Save-vs-DM
12-27-04, 01:04 PM Can you give me a bit more background on your bard? I could help you a bit more if I had more detailed information.

What spells did you choose, for one? You'd be suprised just how useful some of the spells may be.

Well, you have another bard in the party, so this is good. Bards are incredidely versitlie. What is the role of the other bard? Is he combat support, diplomacy, stealth? Find what roll the other bard has taken and start to fill another one.

Your barbarian seems to be filling the damage dealing role, the paladin seems to be a healer type, and I am guessing the other bard fills this role as well. The sorceress is probably also a straight up damage dealer.

If I were you, I'd start concentrating on stealth. You have the skills and abilties to make an excellent advanced scout. Bards have plenty of illusion spells that aid in stealth, and hide and move silently as class skills.

Remember, that at 5th level you can start replacing spells every three levels. If you've made a poor choice, at 5th level you can start correcting your choices. This is very helpful.

I would suggest perhaps cross classing into rogue, perhaps. You might be able to pick up a role as the parties "Trap and stealth" man. Even one level of rogue lets you detect traps. Even if you don't have the skill to disarm hard ones, at least you know where they are.

You have plenty of options here. If I could get a little more about your character and the party, I could help better.

Cheers,
SvD
PaTRiXXX
12-27-04, 02:19 PM Check this two posts from CO board (not updated to Complete Arcane)

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140225
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?threadid=99884

Both are very extensive and explain how to use best your bard.
spasheridan
12-27-04, 03:09 PM I need help with a bard, in my positoin, it seems useless. I got some pretty cool rolls, but the spells are horrible. I'm in a campain with another bard, a barbarian,(Who is amazing), A druid, a palidan, and a scorceress. But because the other bard is better then I am, I'm usless.

Pick a role to fill. Multi-class to fill it if you have to. A rogue / bard makes a good mix. So does a fighter / bard. Or you could PrC into a dragon disciple. I think the stealth / skill use route would work best in this party though.
Invarus
12-27-04, 09:23 PM Paladin is covering the healing indeed. Even a -bard- is better at healing than a paladin, and I'm a long time supporter of the "bards are crap" position. Possibly the worst thing a bard is useful for is filling a single role. Essentially the only reason to be a bard is to fill a number of roles, because that's what they're designed to do. Two bards is probably a bad idea, since they overlap eachother in so many fields without actually stacking, hence somebody's got to suffer. Yep, yer in trouble alright. The last suggestion is probably the best one, multiclass. If you can qualify for one of the two complete arcane bardic prestige classes, you should be back in the action (if a little late).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aremthis 12-27-04, 09:02 AM	I need help with a bard, in my positoin, it seems useless. I got some pretty cool rolls, but the spells are horrible. I'm in a campain with another bard, a barbarian,(Who is amazing), A druid, a palidan, and a scorceress. But because the other bard is better then I am, I'm usless.
BloodGod 12-27-04, 10:21 AM	Your Druid, Paladin, and the other Bard all have healer spells. But, nothing beyond a few "Cure" spells. Get a lot of ranks in "Use Magic Device". Buy scrolls. Simple as that. You'll be the only one in the group who has the ability to 'cast' Raise Dead, Implode, Heal, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Harm all in the same combat. Does the other bard use his tunes effectively in combat situations or in other situations of importance? If not, then you need to start up your tunes as soon as combat starts. -BG
CzarGarrett 12-27-04, 10:45 AM	Well, multiple bards in a party can work wonders. If the other bard is busy with Inspire Courage or the like, you can use another music ability. Or use some buff spells and all to get your party ready to go.
Save-vs-DM 12-27-04, 01:04 PM	Can you give me a bit more background on your bard? I could help you a bit more if I had more detailed information. What spells did you choose, for one? You'd be suprised just how useful some of the spells may be. Well, you have another bard in the party, so this is good. Bards are incredidely versitlie. What is the role of the other bard? Is he combat support, diplomacy, stealth? Find what roll the other bard has taken and start to fill another one. Your barbarian seems to be filling the damage dealing role, the paladin seems to be a healer type, and I am guessing the other bard fills this role as well. The sorceress is probably also a straight up damage dealer. If I were you, I'd start concentrating on stealth. You have the skills and abilties to make an excellent advanced scout. Bards have plenty of illusion spells that aid in stealth, and hide and move silently as class skills. Remember, that at 5th level you can start replacing spells every three levels. If you've made a poor choice, at 5th level you can start correcting your choices. This is very helpful. I would suggest perhaps cross classing into rogue, perhaps. You might be able to pick up a role as the parties "Trap and stealth" man. Even one level of rogue lets you detect traps. Even if you don't have the skill to disarm hard ones, at least you know where they are. You have plenty of options here. If I could get a little more about your character and the party, I could help better. Cheers, SvD
PaTRiXXX 12-27-04, 02:19 PM	Check this two posts from CO board (not updated to Complete Arcane) http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140225 http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?threadid=99884 Both are very extensive and explain how to use best your bard.
spasheridan 12-27-04, 03:09 PM	I need help with a bard, in my positoin, it seems useless. I got some pretty cool rolls, but the spells are horrible. I'm in a campain with another bard, a barbarian,(Who is amazing), A druid, a palidan, and a scorceress. But because the other bard is better then I am, I'm usless. Pick a role to fill. Multi-class to fill it if you have to. A rogue / bard makes a good mix. So does a fighter / bard. Or you could PrC into a dragon disciple. I think the stealth / skill use route would work best in this party though.
Invarus 12-27-04, 09:23 PM	Paladin is covering the healing indeed. Even a -bard- is better at healing than a paladin, and I'm a long time supporter of the "bards are crap" position. Possibly the worst thing a bard is useful for is filling a single role. Essentially the only reason to be a bard is to fill a number of roles, because that's what they're designed to do. Two bards is probably a bad idea, since they overlap eachother in so many fields without actually stacking, hence somebody's got to suffer. Yep, yer in trouble alright. The last suggestion is probably the best one, multiclass. If you can qualify for one of the two complete arcane bardic prestige classes, you should be back in the action (if a little late).