Thanks!Okay so im in and eberron campaign and im planning to go bard 3/crusader 17, or whatever we get to, and i was wondering if there was a prestige class i should take, also i need a sixth level feat, im thinking snowflake wardance or leadership. Im in a two-man party and my partner is a barbarian/sorcerer, help would be much appreciated
Prestige classes?
No...
Are you married to the bard?
Because there are better alternatives.
Are you married to the build itself?
Bard/crusader makes for a good evangelist. Or teller of heroic tales, but you can do that without a class. Gather information and perform is all you need. If even that. If they are your stories, all you need is some time.
Both of the builds are mechanically unsatisfactory.
The bard/crusader makes the mistake of picking the bard class first.
That destroys your hit points, bab, and a slew of other things.
Instead, Warblade 1/Crusader1/ factotum 1/Bard 2/ Crusader 5/Dervish 10.
Take Able learner at first level.
You get bardic music, all skills as class skills, and a bunch of sword-dance related class abilities.
Also, Level 17 warblade progression, and level 17 Crusader progression.
Buy some slippers of battledancing to get Charisma to hit and damage.
Greatsword for the lulz.
I don't know where the barbarian is going... I just hope it takes the Stalward battle sorcerer instead of the regular.
At least keep your attack and BAB at a decent level.
Just suggestions though.
Also, leadership.
Is there a particular style of character you're wanting to play, or just have fun with Snowflake Wardance?
A really fun bard route would be picking up Dragonfire Inspiration and if you can swing it, Words of Creation for huge damage buffs to your partner (and followers with Leadership). Those, coupled with a Badge of Valor and a harmonizing weapon would essentially allow you to fight without any hinderance as well.
some errors in your example build, IIRC
Level 13 Crusader initiator level, level 10 Warblade initiator level... because you only count half of the other class levels for your martial adept initiator levels, but if you don't take the warblade level last, or a crusader level last, its just initiator level, you cant change what stances/maneuvers you know.
@OP: Your partner, /sigh, barbarian/sorcerer is just about the worst combintation of classes you could ever multiclass with... barbarians dump charisma and sorcerers dump strength... sorcerers can't cast spells without spell failure while wearing leather or hide or mithral chain shirt nor can they cast spells while raging, and barbarians are all about getting in close and killing with brute strength... whereas most (not all) sorcerers would rather sit back and play G.O.D.
@DMVerdandi
some errors in your example build, IIRC
Level 13 Crusader initiator level, level 10 Warblade initiator level... because you only count half of the other class levels for your martial adept initiator levels, but if you don't take the warblade level last, or a crusader level last, its just initiator level, you cant change what stances/maneuvers you know.
@OP: Your partner, /sigh, barbarian/sorcerer is just about the worst combintation of classes you could ever multiclass with... barbarians dump charisma and sorcerers dump strength... sorcerers can't cast spells without spell failure while wearing leather or hide or mithral chain shirt nor can they cast spells while raging, and barbarians are all about getting in close and killing with brute strength... whereas most (not all) sorcerers would rather sit back and play G.O.D.
You are right.
I completely agree about the sorc/barb though.
AS for being married to the bard, yes i kind of am, but im a silverbrow human and i have draconic inspiration. At this point im unsure of if my DM will let me take Words of Creation, but im hoping yes, because 12d6 extra sonic damage would be nice. And for my partner, suggestions for a fighter/caster build? Thats his main shtick. Thanks again guys! EDIT: We will probably only get to like 10th level, so short term more then the 20 level end build. And suggestions for a different dip for crusader other than bard?
And for my partner, suggestions for a fighter/caster build? … We will probably only get to like 10th level …
Well, at low level, there's nothing wrong with battle sorcerer.
If he's just looking for Fighter/Caster then there's any number of Gish build on the CO forums he can take a look at. Most of them use Fighter instead of Barb.
For 6th level feats, in this group, go Leadership. See if you can get a marshal (can actually make the followers worthwhile and contribute from the back ranks, but is generally too weak for a PC class except as a dip) or a divine caster (perhaps a favored soul - cleric is probably too strong for a cohort, but favored soul gets the same spells and requires less bookkeeping). They would fit with your character's support theme in different ways. Another option is to go full-out expert here - rogue, scout, or similar - since a bard dip just won't cut it most of the time. Another option is artificer - they can frequently overshadow the party if they focus on direct assault, but a heavy crafting support artificer is perfect for cohorts, since you'll get exactly the equipment you want at discount rates, and there won't be a player behind him thinking he's being stuck in the limelight. Plus, if he's forced to fight, he can more than hold his own.
For your friend, I suggest either battle sorcerer or Duskblade. Duskblade in particular should appeal to your friend - it is a single-class fighter-mage that does quite well in both roles, albeit not to the standards of the fuller casters, and works just fine as a gish all on its own (i.e. Duskblade 20). Its main problem is that it focuses too heavily on damage spells rather than buff spells. Beguiler in PHB2 is another option - it's less up front about the attacks, but can nonetheless dance between targets that are too busy being dazed, confused, nauseated, and flat-out surprised to be able to fight back.
Another option is to also go into the Tome of Battle and combine, say, Warblade and either of those casting classes. You'll get a lot of Intelligence synergy there (both are spontaneous intelligence-based casters; the duskblade does blasty spells and arcane channelling, the beguiler does enchantment and illusion with a lot of stealthy skill points. Both classes are also wonderful to take all the way to 20, btw, but the beguiler is less combat-focused than I think your friend wants.). Furthermore, if you really want to mess around, you can pick up Martial Study feats or a splash of swordsage at the right level (remember: Your first STANCE is locked at 1st level, but your first level MANEUVERS are not - [Anyclass 4]/Swordsage 1 opens up with 6 2nd level maneuvers, for instance) and aim for Jade Phoenix Mage, which is itself a wonderful gish class if done right.
These are just quick back-of-the-envelope things - I don't usually play fighter/mages so I can't provide tailored responses - but they sound like they'd fit in well.
As for me, im still unsure the bard/crusader is my type. I am dead set on the crusader, and while a bard dip is plausible, its not optimal. Anything good for a crusader to dip into? Thanks again Pido
