Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Raven_Strongbow 04-30-07, 06:12 PM	Hi I just started playing a few months ago and we are about to start a new campaign. My first character was kinda of a female version of Legolas (Raven Strongbow). My boyfriend and the other players kinda helped me to piece her together. Now that I more familiar with the game I want to make a character that really isn't based on something I've seen. I personally don't want to be a fighter type. I like quick and nimble characters; I'm on our school's track team. Also I'm not really an outdoors type person so I don't think I could get into a Ranger or Druid. I kinda wanted to play a monk but I'm afraid she'd turn out to be to much like Buffy or something. I have had thought on playing a Bard, but nobody played one in the last campaign and I have no idea how to play one. Are Bards hard to play? Are they a good choice for someone who is outgoing? One of the guys said I could be "Face" or "The Face" I'm not sure what he meant. Any help would be great.
darkneolink 04-30-07, 06:34 PM	Well let me tell you something about bards They rock (n roll too) I mean... you have morale bonusses that works for you and your teammates so it's a +2 to roll You also have healing AND combat spells so you can support both your cleric and wizard (or if you have lack of them they can take their role pretty well) lots of skill points so you can do a lot of stuff And your spells are charisma based so you'll have plenty of RP in your future You have quick acces to the whip so you can trip from 15 ft (so no AOO for the monster) and once it is tripped it's easyer for your fighter to kill it you can get some easy SP for your Perform skills... also you have bardic knowledge that can really help to take the plot forwards I mean the bard is the BEST class for RP... and you base it on your instincs not on your mere strengh (be it magicall or physical) But on the downside he is not as good as healing as the cleric... not as good as crowd control as a wizard/sorcerer... weaker than the ordinary fighter... less skill points than the rogue... It's the best support character and if you invest enough Ranks in Diplomacy you could easily be the one who negotiates withyour NPC (that is what he means that you're the face... the palladin and/or cleric also works well this way) I mean 16 charisma =+3 5 ranks in bluff/sense motive/knowledge nobility and royalty= +2 each 5 ranks in diplomacy = +5 Total = d20+14 so you'll be having from 15 to 34 in your diplomacy check so you'll have to roll a 11 to change your monster from hostile to indifferent (both the lvl 1 orc barbarian as the epic wizard) but not many DM's use this rule as far as I know but I mean is just awesome n_n YAY BARD
Raven_Strongbow 04-30-07, 07:47 PM	I like the idea of being a "Jack of all trades" but is there a way a bard to be a "Jack of all trade and a master of some(or one)" rather then a "master of none"? I guess that would be based on how I build the character.
AffableDoomwalker 04-30-07, 08:01 PM	You're a master of social situations as a bard. Thats it really. Being the face (as the above poster mentioned) means you're the designated "talker person thingy", you're very much a skill monkey like a rogue, but your skills involve diplomacy, intimidation, bluff, singing, support, and thats about it (though, you do have access to open lock, disable device, hide, move silently and the like, and they are helpful skills, you just won't ever outdo a rogue who makes it a point to specialize in them). The singing is awesome, you can use it to make money, to enthrall enemies, encourage allies (morale bonuses in battle, inspire competence/confidence while they use their skills) and generally you can get free drinks or a free stay (or at least a discount) at an Inn if you can convince the innkeeper to let you perform for free stuff. Plus you get both divine and arcane spells, and access to every knowledge skill available. Basically, the RP potential, as well as the mechanical support potential... but... you're a combat dud unless your d20 is made of all 20s. Still, you can help out, take lingering song, sing one turn, then go nuts with your shortbow/light crossbow the next. If you decide to play a bard: go for a high Charisma, Intelligence, and Dexterity. In that order.
Lady_Death 04-30-07, 08:05 PM	If you like quick and nimble characters, I would suggest a rogue. I have found them to be a lot of fun. But, it is up to you. :D Just make sure you have fun.
Raven_Strongbow 04-30-07, 08:06 PM	You're a master of social situations as a bard. Thats it really. Being the face (as the above poster mentioned) means you're the designated "talker person thingy", you're very much a skill monkey like a rogue, but your skills involve diplomacy, intimidation, bluff, singing, support, and thats about it (though, you do have access to open lock, disable device, hide, move silently and the like, and they are helpful skills, you just won't ever outdo a rogue who makes it a point to specialize in them). Well that's basically what I want to be. My first character was really deadly with her bow and woodlore but that was about it. I wanted my new character to be something different then a skilled combatant. Beside our DM is really in to role-playing (according to the group) and the Bard seems like the perfect choice. I think I'll have some reading to do later tonight.
Droma 04-30-07, 10:11 PM	How many players are in your group? If you have only the standard 4 bard may slow the party down a bit if your DM likes lots of dungeon crawls. You mentioned your DM doesn't though so you should be ok even with only 4 people. If your playing with 5 or more people bards are really fun to play then because your not hampering anyone when combat breaks out because the other 4 people should have it covered. That lets you excel in what bards do best, out of combat stuff. Bard rules of thumb- 4 player role play = bards are great 4 player dungeon crawl = bards not so great 5+ player = bards are great
Kouk 05-01-07, 02:39 AM	Get some more specific input from the other players in your group, so the character has synergy with them. It is quite possible they will want to make the entire character themselves but it is yours so don't let em. When (if) you are high enough level to get multiple attacks you may do well with a heavy repeating crossbow, if you have no strength score.
MrSpaceBear 05-01-07, 03:05 AM	I would recomend starting as a bard and multiclassing as a rogue. Bard then rogue bard rogue every time you level. You will enjoy being good at everything and haveing knowledge and magic on the side. I always thought it was cool to have a lady bard step out the the shadows draw a few notes on her violin (or equivilent) and all the orcs, who didnt see her approach from the dark, grab their ears and panic as the magic sets in!!! AWSOME!!!
danielinthewolvesden 05-01-07, 03:52 AM	What are the other guys running?:confused:
Pie 05-01-07, 05:51 AM	If you don't know what to play I would reccommend the completely random method! I've used this method a few times to generate some random characters that have all be real fun playing! Basically what you do is this: Firstly you number all the races, list all the races allowed and number them, culling out those you would definetly not play [so usually I cut out gnomes and somtimes dwarves because I really dislike those two races]. Now roll a die equal [or more than] to the amount of races you have. So if there are 7 races in your list, roll a D8, reroll on an 8. Next you do the same with all the classes you are allowed. This process requires more culling because generally there are many more classes you can/want to play than races. So cancel out those you really dislike [for example I remove the wizard and sometimes the bard, once again because I dislike those classes]. Once again you roll a die equal or above the number of classes! Finally you make your character as normal with your new random race and class!!! And of course if you don't like what you rolled, roll again! You might want to roll a few times and select the one you like the most, or randomise that too! :D Works a treat, and can generate some really 'interesting' characters!
Luis_Dragunov 05-01-07, 09:04 AM	What about a.... NINJA? It's kind of like a rogue, but with supernatural abilities. You can do some really awesome stuff and, while you won't be a true front-line fighter (more of a sneaky backstabber and, as you progress, able to pull out some incredible stunts) but it sure is fun to play!
Papa_duval 05-01-07, 09:54 AM	Play a bard Strengths: Master of social situations, situational magical use, excellent party booster (songs and spells to buff the party), free whip proficiency makes for a master of the tripping strategies (never underestimate a free exotic wpn proficiency, and lots of skill points. Fantastic roleplaying character, with lots of tactical abilities. Weaknesses Not a front line fighter, primarily a tactical opponent (disable, disarm, trip, hold up - low dmg output), weak against opponents attacks (low health, likely low AC).
Papa_duval 05-01-07, 09:56 AM	To expand. Play a bard, focus on your strengths (social situations, buffing the party) and make your combat technique focus on the use of whips to trip the opponent, disarm, and generally make life annoying for the enemy and helpful for your allies. Use a dagger in your off hand and anyone who gets close gets stabbed, whilst you back off.
Potato Weasel 05-01-07, 10:03 AM	For a 'quick and nimble' character, you might think about a scout from the book 'complete warrior'. Very movement based, has lots of skills and replaces a rogue well, though is a bit outdoorsy and you dont want that.
Manic Man 05-01-07, 10:08 AM	Is your game very much hack and slash? If so, the bard may not be such a good idea. I recommend the beguiler. Its in the PHB2, its not too difficult to play and you get pretty good skills. Its also better poised to handle a hack and slashy campaign
Cromag 05-01-07, 10:32 AM	If you like skills, high movement, and an outdoors type all while being nimble and lithe- be a scout they have all those abilities and even some combat strength. I think it would be right up your alley, plus it's not Buffy :P
DrMorganes 05-01-07, 11:01 AM	I personally don't want to be a fighter type. I like quick and nimble characters; I'm on our school's track team. Also I'm not really an outdoors type person so I don't think I could get into a Ranger or Druid. I kinda wanted to play a monk but I'm afraid she'd turn out to be to much like Buffy or something. Quick and nimble types include the obvious bards and rogues. You have a host of other character classes to choose from, however. Options include Scout. A mix of rogue and ranger, minus spellcasting, who excels at hit-and-run combat Ninja. A stealth-focused class with devastating surprise attacks and some neat class features Spellthief (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050107a). Has limited spontaneous arcane casting, and can steal spells, spell effects, and magical abilities on a successful Sneak Attack. Psychic Rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b). A rogue with psionic powers. Some DMs don't care for psionics, however, so you'd definitely need your DM's approval on this one. Complete Adventurer has too many sneaky-type prestige classes to list here as well! Complete Scoundrel is another sneaky-type sourcebook. In addition to adding some new base and prestige classes, CS focuses on the concept of the "scoundrel" as a way of thinking that's independant of character class. Self-serving rule-bending types can be found in members of all classes ;) Incidentally, nearly all classes of "sneaky types" have either 6 or 8 skill points per level. Being good at lots of stuff is a hallmark of such classes. One of the guys said I could be "Face" or "The Face" I'm not sure what he meant. The "face" of the party refers to the character with the highest Charisma and best social skills. He's the one who steps up to haggle with the shopkeepers, smooth this over with the angry farmer, or convince the skeptical nobleman to offer his aid. Face, however, was also the code name of a character in the 1980s TV series The A Team. Face fit the role of the party's face, but was also a master infiltrator and master of disguise. Depending on the age of the person making the comment, this may have been the reference. (OK, I've just dated myself...) So... in choosing what "quick and sneaky" class to play, you have a massive list of options. Your best bet is to find out what sort of game your DM will be running and pick a character to fit. As noted earlier, playing a character focused on social skills won't do you much good in a dungeon crawl. Likewise, that uber trap-finding, lock-opening, Use Magic Device-to-pretend-I'm-the party's-wizard rogue won't be of much use in a game focused on social intrigue. The good news is that there is a quick and sneaky type to fit each of those roles and more! Feel free to send me a Private Message if you have any specific isses, and welcome to the game!
DrMorganes 05-01-07, 11:02 AM	For a 'quick and nimble' character, you might think about a scout from the book 'complete warrior'. Very movement based, has lots of skills and replaces a rogue well, though is a bit outdoorsy and you dont want that. Scouts are in Complete Adventurer.
ZiggZagg 05-01-07, 11:13 AM	I would say either Rogue, Swordsage, or a multiclass of the two. Both classes are highly mobile, increadibly agile, and insanely lethile. Swordsage is better in melee than the Rogue, generally, but the Rogue gets more skill points and more skills. Multiclassing them could be tricky, as they both work incredibly well single class, but multiclassing with a focus on the Shadow Hand Discipline and possibly Desert Wind could be a potentially deadly combination. All the skill points and social skills of the rogue with the combat potential that comes with any partial adpet...yeah, good stuff.
Raven_Strongbow 05-01-07, 11:28 PM	Wow. So many great suggestions. Looks like I'll have to read a little more then I thought.
DarkflameX 05-01-07, 11:52 PM	rouge or maybe a swashbuckler. dont be afraid to look outside the players hand book!
Nephlite 05-02-07, 12:24 AM	I personally don't want to be a fighter type. I like quick and nimble characters; I'm on our school's track team. Also I'm not really an outdoors type person so I don't think I could get into a Ranger or Druid. I kinda wanted to play a monk but I'm afraid she'd turn out to be to much like Buffy or something. A Druid doesn't have to be an outdoors person (he has to respect nature, but that is it). Just think of the yourself learning that nature is alive. And through this knowledge you can cast magic. And you get a friendly animal to help you out. You can live in the city instead of the woods: the important fact is you know that nature is alive. Also Druids are the true "Jacks of trade" and master of some also.
Bob Loblaw 05-02-07, 01:10 AM	This is the approach I take when creating a character: 1) Concept. What do I want my character to be good at? I list 3-5 things. I keep in mind the DM and possibly the adventure if known. 2) What feats/skills do I need? I list as many as I can. I will go through and get rid of the ones that don't add what I want later. 3) What class abilities will help? I list every class and the level I get the ability I want. 4) What racial abilities will help? This is usually the easiest part for me. 5) I start to take the best parts of steps 2-4 and work on the character. Rarely do I start with the class. I find that it forces me in directions I may not want to go. For example. A friend of mine wanted my help in creating his character. He wanted a bounty hunter type of character that focused on humans. We are going to be level 7. He created a human ranger/fighter/bloodhound and sent it to me so I could give it "the Bob treatment" as he calls it. I am nearly done, but I completely redid everything. He is now a half-elf with the half-elf paragon/human paragon/duskblade/scar enforcer. He has the same abilities he wanted, only more. Sometimes you may be able to create the character you want without having to use the standard classes to pull it off. The "Face" of the party does not need to be a bard. While the bard is an excellent choice, it is far from the only choice.