First post. Woo.
Had a couple questions about efficiency, rulings, and optimization I was hoping some of you could chime in on. My group is about to start our first 5th edition game and I have decided to play a Human Bard. Here are my raw scores:
18
15
15
15
13
9
My initial thought was to go Lore Bard and use the Human variant to take a feat at first level and take medium armor, but apparently that isn't an option as the only feat I can take is gives me an additional Dex modifier while wearing Medium armor. I would put a 15 in Dex, so I wouldn't even get the +3 modifier, and I don't have proficiency with it being a Lore Bard so the point would be moot anyway.
Now with those raw scores, it only makes sense to me to take the Human's nonvariant +1 to everything. It boosts my totally modifiers by +1 EACH STAT, with the exception of the 18. Doing that boosts my...well...everything, and is certainly better than +2 Ability, a skill, and a feat. Right?
Back to square one. Valor was an option, but I want Lore Bard because it sounds sick with the additional +2 spells from any class at 6th level and there has to be a way to pump my AC and still play Lore. I have heard rumblings of a 1 level dip in Cleric for the medium armor and shield proficiency. I'm down for this, but when and what domain? Life gives Heavy armor proficiency...which would be nice, but I don't want to lose that fancy Dex Mod so it seems redundant. I don't mind losing the Bard capstone and I'll still get all of the spell progression I need. The added healing from Cleric would be nice, and scales if I'm not mistaken.
Also, those extra spells. My thoughts are Swift Quiver, Fireball, Aura of Vitality, and Lightning Arrow (i think that's what it's called) give me flexibility in damage and healing. I'm not sure about the other slots, but I am open to suggestions if anyone has played anything like this or has some input.
Our party is squishy, Sorc, Monk, Cleric of Life, Ranger, and my Bard. I need some survivability here, but would like to retain Lore over Valor. Help, please!
I suggest basic human, those score are just begging for it.
19 Cha, 16, Con, 16 Wis, 16 Dex/Str (stealth vs AC), and 14, 10 in whatever's left.
Then take 1 level of cleric. Life domain for heavy armor, or light / trickster. Get guidance, bless, and cure wounds as your cleric spells either way. It will save your bard slots.
At level 5 (bard 4), medium armor mastery if you want to keep stealth. Heavy armor mastery for more tankiness.
At level 9 (bard 8), take +1 Cha (20), and +1 Con (17).
At level 13 (bard 12), take Resilince Con (18).
Swift quiver isn't great for lore bards because you don't have a good weapon. Though war domain can give you that.
Fireball is always useful, though sorcerers and rangers are good with multi-target stuff.
Aura of vitality is certianly nice, but might be overkill with a life cleric.
Going with the "stock" human with a +1 to all abilities, you can add the +1 to that 18 as well since ability scores can go as high as 20. 
I am currently in the process of creating my first ever Bard character, and like you, the College of Lore definitely has appeal.
So no Swift Quiver? I was planning on Rapier/Shield, and Shortbow. It's a simple weapon and as such I am proficient with it, unless I am mistaken. Am I missing a reason not to take Swift Quiver beyond not getting the extra attack form Valor?
utktrumpet22 wrote:
What would you suggest instead?
I hear counterspell is pretty good.
Animate Object for low AC targets.
Cone of Cold for multi target damage.
Animate dead for all day damage.
And there's plenty of non-damage spells to run with as well. Like dominate person, wall of stone, or hold monster.
Swift quiver isn't bad. But it's balanced around having a longbow, 20 Dex, and +2 to hit from archery style. Maybe a magic weapon too.
Indeed, it is 5th.
coldpheasant wrote:
mellored wrote:
utktrumpet22 wrote:
Well I have decided on base human so my Dex mod will be +3 putting Sorc with Dragon Bloodline at a 16 base AC with no armor or shield, though i wouldnt be gaining the proficiencies. I should stick with Cleric?
utktrumpet22 wrote:
mellored wrote:
utktrumpet22 wrote:
Tanky Monk
Ranger
Life Cleric
Dragonblood Sorcerer
utktrumpet22 wrote:
There are plenty of spells to increase survivability, I dont think it would be a huge problem.
utktrumpet22 wrote:
And a loss to every other ability modifier since I dont get the +1 to everything because of variant human (see op about my scores)? I dont think thats the best plan. Am I wrong?
utktrumpet22 wrote: