Crusader(Warblade)/bard? optimized? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Crusader(Warblade)/bard? optimized?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
propheticplatypus
May 16, 2008 13:51:33 So, I have a character idea, and I need some input. I haven't played D&D for a while, so I'm not exactly totally up to date. However, I've read through Tome of Battle, and I want to make a warblade or crusader/ bard. Which of these would be better?

The concept: a skirmish fighter, not a total tank, with backup magic. I want minor healing and illusion/enchantment type abilities. The concept is a sort of crusader for music on a spiritual level. Prime attributes are probably dex/cha.

How can I make this a decent character? Would warblade or crusader work better, and would focusing on the martial or bard side be better?

Thanks for your help!
#2
sinfire_titan
May 16, 2008 13:56:18 Crusader 2/Bard 4/Sublime Chord 3/Jade Phoenix Mage 10 is ok.Works better than Swordsage or Warblade and Wizard.

But try a variation of the Bard of Death, mixing in Crusader levels for Devoted Spirit and White Raven.

A straight Warblade 20 is very solid with the right maneuvers and feats. Some people often dip Swordsage for 2 levels to offset the Warblade's bad stance progression.

There are a number of handbooks lying around, check the Handy Links thread for Tome of Battle for Dummies. IMO, it is the most accurate one.
#3
Dictum_Mortuum
May 16, 2008 13:57:29 crusader for charisma synergy.
#4
CantripN
May 16, 2008 14:09:07 Five words - Song of the White Raven. Why choose, when you can have the best of both?

Dragonfire Inspiration uses Inspire Courage for power, so boost it as high as possible and rip foes to shreds.

Example:
Silverbrow Human Crusader 2/Warblade 8/Savage Bard 6/Paladin 4

Feats:
Words of Creation
Draconic Aura
Devoted Performer
Song of the White Raven
Snowflake Wardance
Dragonfire Inspiration
Draconic Heritage (Battle Dragon)
Extra Music
#5
operation_shoestring
May 16, 2008 14:29:31 A simple bard6/crusader14 is decent enough, with Song of the white raven.
#6
Wyvernhand
May 16, 2008 14:54:08 Crusader does get cha synergy, but Warblade actually has more damage synergy. The Tiger Claw school, particularly the Xing Mongoose boosts and things like Pouncing Charge and Diamond Mind's Time Stands Still give you tons of attacks while TWFing with a pair of short swords or daggers. Stack on mega damage per hit from Dragonfire Inspiration(Dragon Magic) and a little optimized Inspire Courage (from the thread of the same name on this forum), and you'll make tons of attacks with mega bonus damage that'll pretty much roast anything not immune to fire. Even the fire immunity can be gotten around by having draconic heritage in Steel or Battle dragons with sonic breath weapons. Adding +9d6 or more damage per hit is pretty baddass.

For more info, search the thread Bardic Badass by JanusJones. Lots of info there.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 propheticplatypus May 16, 2008 13:51:33	So, I have a character idea, and I need some input. I haven't played D&D for a while, so I'm not exactly totally up to date. However, I've read through Tome of Battle, and I want to make a warblade or crusader/ bard. Which of these would be better? The concept: a skirmish fighter, not a total tank, with backup magic. I want minor healing and illusion/enchantment type abilities. The concept is a sort of crusader for music on a spiritual level. Prime attributes are probably dex/cha. How can I make this a decent character? Would warblade or crusader work better, and would focusing on the martial or bard side be better? Thanks for your help!
#2 sinfire_titan May 16, 2008 13:56:18	Crusader 2/Bard 4/Sublime Chord 3/Jade Phoenix Mage 10 is ok.Works better than Swordsage or Warblade and Wizard. But try a variation of the Bard of Death, mixing in Crusader levels for Devoted Spirit and White Raven. A straight Warblade 20 is very solid with the right maneuvers and feats. Some people often dip Swordsage for 2 levels to offset the Warblade's bad stance progression. There are a number of handbooks lying around, check the Handy Links thread for Tome of Battle for Dummies. IMO, it is the most accurate one.
#3 Dictum_Mortuum May 16, 2008 13:57:29	crusader for charisma synergy.
#4 CantripN May 16, 2008 14:09:07	Five words - Song of the White Raven. Why choose, when you can have the best of both? Dragonfire Inspiration uses Inspire Courage for power, so boost it as high as possible and rip foes to shreds. Example: Silverbrow Human Crusader 2/Warblade 8/Savage Bard 6/Paladin 4 Feats: Words of Creation Draconic Aura Devoted Performer Song of the White Raven Snowflake Wardance Dragonfire Inspiration Draconic Heritage (Battle Dragon) Extra Music
#5 operation_shoestring May 16, 2008 14:29:31	A simple bard6/crusader14 is decent enough, with Song of the white raven.
#6 Wyvernhand May 16, 2008 14:54:08	Crusader does get cha synergy, but Warblade actually has more damage synergy. The Tiger Claw school, particularly the Xing Mongoose boosts and things like Pouncing Charge and Diamond Mind's Time Stands Still give you tons of attacks while TWFing with a pair of short swords or daggers. Stack on mega damage per hit from Dragonfire Inspiration(Dragon Magic) and a little optimized Inspire Courage (from the thread of the same name on this forum), and you'll make tons of attacks with mega bonus damage that'll pretty much roast anything not immune to fire. Even the fire immunity can be gotten around by having draconic heritage in Steel or Battle dragons with sonic breath weapons. Adding +9d6 or more damage per hit is pretty baddass. For more info, search the thread Bardic Badass by JanusJones. Lots of info there.