Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 gecko85 Feb 06, 2015 15:53:42	I have a (currently) 3rd level Valor Bard. At 4th level I'll get to either improve my ability scores or choose a feat. I've been going back and forth, and can't decide!   Pro's for ability score improvement: I use primarily ranged weapons, so +2 to Dex would help a lot...or... +2 to Cha would raise my spell DC. Pro's for choosing a feat: Sharpshooter feat would be perfect since I'm a ranged attacker. No disadvantage at long range (not sure how often I'd use that, particularly once I pick up a long bow...even the normal range of the long bow is pretty long). Ignore half and three-quarter cover on ranged attacks. Can choose to take -5 to hit in exchange for +10 on damage.  Crossbow expert: Ignores loading property (so can get extra attacks at 6th level), no penalty if enemy is within 5 feet, Can use an off-hand hand crossbow as a bonus action when attacking with a one-handed weapon (rapier) in my main hand. I'm primiarly ranged, but this could be nice when I'm forced to fight up close. I don't know if either feat is really as good as either always having a better chance to hit with a ranged weapon (Dex bump) or always having a better chance a spell (that needs a save) will work (Cha bump).    Torn...   Thoughts?
#2 alienux Feb 06, 2015 16:42:14	Personally, I like the feats (in general) a little better than the ability score improvement, simply for the fact that they provide more variety rather than just improving existing abilities. But, having said that, there are times I would take the ability score improvements, but it would really depend on the character and the campaign.
#3 Nevvur Feb 06, 2015 17:36:13	Sharpshooter will give you more overall damage, but not much else. It's nice to have early on, as +10 damage is pretty deadly to low CR mobs, so if you want it to be part of your build at 20, I would get it now. No comment on crossbow expert.   You already know the combat and casting bonuses DEX and CHA provide, but don't forget skills. If you're the scout and lock/trap guy, or the face man of the party, those stats have greater weight. CHA will also provide an additional use of Bardic Inspiration.   Another consideration (some might say the most important) is what makes sense for the character as you imagine him to be? Is he supposed to be an eagle eyed archer that can make those impossible shots? If so, sharpshooter makes a lot of sense. Does he like the visceral sound of firing an arrow in his enemy's skull at point blank? Crossbow expert. Does he get a kick out of manipulating people? Go +CHA.
#4 gecko85 Feb 06, 2015 18:40:31	Thanks for the replies.   Well, I've always envisioned him as a dashing musical ranger-type. Being a half-elf, I have lots of skills, and got some expertise when I hit 3rd level. I may go sharpshooter because it fits with how I envision the character, then take an ability score increase at 8th level.
#5 QwertyAzerty Feb 07, 2015 16:42:23	put it this way:   Sharpshooter: - Extra range: when was the last time that you had a clear line of sight on a creature further then 150ft? great if your longbow can shoot at 300ft, but if there is fog and your target get full concealment 50ft away, you still cannot attack it. I know in my game they often turn around a corner, over the hill, or the trees give total cover, fog give total concealment, my darkvision reach only 120ft (for drow). So unless you often fight on long 300ft empty flat land in the middle of the day without any fog, sand storm etc...   - ignore cover, this mean that SOMETIME you'll ignore a -2 or a -5 on the target, or you could target a different target and let the sorcerer cast a spell using a saving throw (or magic missile) which already ignore cover anyway.   - +10 damage is great, but -5 to hit in a bounded accuracy system is HUGE, unless your team is there to help you out (casting bless, giving you advantage, etc...) If facing zombie with 8 AC this is great, if facing goblin with shield with 15 AC a -5 at level 4 might be very ditrimental.   Crossbow expert: -ignore loading: I though you were using a longbow for the insane long range? -shoot in melee, do you expect to be in melee often? can you survive melee combat? shoudl you disengage and run away instead? -the off hand use your bonus action, do you need that bonus action for anything else? giving inspiration to your friend? and untill you find a magical hand crossbow this only add an aditional 1d4+dex   +2 Dex: +1 AC at all time +1 to hit with range and finess weapon +1 damage with range and finess weapon +1 Dex saving throw at all time +1 in  3 skills (stealth, acrobatic, sleigh of hand) at all time and if using the skill variant maybe on other skills (that normally use other stats, but if you explain it it could use Dex instead) +1 Initiative   +2Cha: +1DC onyour spell using DC: do you often use spell with DC? what happen if the target succeed his save? does NOTHING happen making you WASTE a turn? does he take half damage? +1 to attack with spell attacks. How many of your spell are spell attack? +1 3 skills (Deception, Persuassion, Intimidate   So what do you want, situational feat that can be usefull in particular situation, or bonuses that you'll use all the time?
#6 mellored Feb 08, 2015 10:36:17	+cha also gives an extra insperation die. and generally you will be using more spells and less bows as you level. but i suggest inspiring leader, assuming no one else in the party will take it. it adds alot of HP over the course of the day.
#7 gecko85 Feb 08, 2015 14:52:06	Hadn't really thought about Inpiring Leader...looking more closely, it does seem to be a nice way to buff the party. Will have to think hard between that and either Dex or Cha bump (although CHA bump is looking a little nicer than Dex, given the extra Inspiration die.)
#8 Eggnogfool Feb 08, 2015 16:57:23	gecko85 wrote:
#9 gecko85 Feb 08, 2015 17:58:44	Eggnogfool wrote:
#10 Nevvur Feb 08, 2015 21:05:36	Yes, Heroism is a concentration spell.   Though I still suggest choosing a feat/ASI which reflects your concept of the character, the great thing about the bard is their versatility, so another important consideration is to identify your party's weakest area and improve on that. Give us a description of your party, and the people here can offer more insight.
#11 gecko85 Feb 08, 2015 22:17:04	Barbarian, cleric, rogue are the other 3 party members. Rogue is a ranged fighter like me, cleric and barbarian are melee.
#12 mellored Feb 09, 2015 5:56:50	gecko85 wrote:
#13 gecko85 Feb 09, 2015 9:03:05	mellored wrote:
#14 DemoMonkey Feb 09, 2015 13:04:39	I think characters should have at LEAST to feat. If they are human and get a bonus one at first level, they can stand on it and kick with the other two like a kangaroo.