Right now, I am loving the Bard class. It can effectively replace a Cleric, a Rogue, and a Wizard.
But my one problem is they are so squishy. With just light armor proficiency (no shields even), They're going to struggle in AC, in ways almost no other classes do. Other squishy classes usually get things like Mage Armor to help them out - not so much for the bard.
So how would you improve the Bard AC? Moderately Armored feat (which gets a Dex/Str boost, and Medium armor, and Shields)? Mage Initiate: Sorcerer feat to pick up Mage Armor (and two cantrips)? Multiclassing? Wait until the Additional Magical Secrets ability at 6th level (Lore Bard) and pick up a defensive spell like Mage Armor? Any other ideas?
Really I'd ideally like their AC to be around 18 at lower-medium levels. It is unlikely I can get a Dex 20 any time even vaguely early, given it's not even my primary stat.
which college i would think college of valor, if you're this concerned with AC.
if so, moderately armored seems like a sensible way to go for the +1 stat bump. i think MCing only makes sense if there are extenuating circumstances and you're more than just taking 1 level, in which case pally or ranger make sense since they're half-caster levels.
Lore bard can get mage armor.
Valor bard get's medium armor.
Or simply take 1 level of cleric. You can pick up bless and guidance while your there.
mellored wrote:
IxidorRS wrote:
Magic Initiate for mage armor only get's you +1 AC.
blake_marlowe wrote:
mellored wrote:
mellored wrote:
Mistwell wrote:
mellored wrote:
I wouldn't spend a feat or magical secrets on mage armor. A 1-level dip in cleric does a lot for the bard, though, and it's likely going to be one of those top splash classes in many builds once charops gets rolling full tilt.
If you really want to cover skills (you don't really have the rogue combat abilities so that's different than replacing a rogue 
) then lore bard is still the better way to go because of eventually getting peerless skill and the 3 bonus skill proficiencies. I have the blindness spell and the bane spell on my list because they add defense to the group by taking away offence, and bane is nice to lower enemy saving throws anyway. Bane is a CHA save and the equivalent of +1d4 AC in facing anyone it's affected. Cutting words works similarly can can use your reaction to lower attacks rolls so it's effectively bonus AC using it that way, but limited.
I don't go strictly for AC as a numerical goal when I can use debuffs. That method has it's pros and cons.
Mistwell wrote:
Mistwell wrote:
mellored wrote:
Mistwell wrote:
mellored wrote:
Another option is to reactivly heal really well instead of proactivly be harder to hit.
Lore bard can get Aura of Vitality at bard 6. A cleric 1 dip with life domain gets you good armor and makes aura of vitality's healing go from 70 HP to 170ish.
Dwarven bard?
You could bring a pony with you everywhere and stand on different sides of it to get the +2 AC bonus from cover.
Just use avoidance tactics with Misty Step?
Mind_Flayer_Monk wrote:
Mistwell wrote:
Irithil wrote:
Irithil wrote:
mellored wrote:
Irithil wrote:
mellored wrote:
I thought it would be fun to make a great escape with Misty Step. Then Mistwell could have...Misty Stepped Well...
dwgautier wrote:
Hypnoitc patter is also quite impressive at level 3.
dwgautier wrote:
Mistwell wrote:
Can you make a halfling Bard and hide behind another player after your action?
Can you use Expeditious Retreat as your concentration, move in 30 feet to combat, do your thing, and then use a bonus action to move 30 ft away?
You could find some way to fly, such as taking the Paladin's Find Steed spell and then selecting a griffon or a giant eagle.
The Dwarf Bard has some suboptimal stats but its fairly easy to start with a 14 STR and then take Heavy Armor as your 4th level feat, that takes you up to 15 STR and allows you to wear plate (you should have the money for it by then). You give up a +1 in two of your other stats (wis/dex/int). Also if you do decide to multiclass into fighter/paladin, you will meet the STR requirements easily.