Help optimising a metalhead bard! - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Help optimising a metalhead bard!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
heliomance
Jul 11, 2008 15:00:23 I'm in a slightly odd game at the moment. It uses D&D rules, but is in a modern setting. This is my character at the moment, wondering where I should head n the future. Current build is non-negotiable; the game's already started.

Level 10 tiefling (1 LA bought off)

Bard 5/Disciple of Metal 5

STR 13
DEX 20
CON 16
INT 17
WIS 9
CHA 14

Feats:
Toughness
Weapon Focus (Greataxe)
Craft Magic Arms and Armour
Monkey Grip

Items of note:
Gloves of dex +2
Large keen masterwork greataxe (it's my guitar)
Large assault rifle, 4d6, 20/x4
Armour: Chain shirt (max dex 5, ACP 0 due to class ability)

Where should I go from here? I want to keep on with the metalhead theme, RP wise, and I think DoM is the best for that. As for allowed source material, it's case by case. No stinky cheese will be allowed though.
#2
gyorscalfneh
Jul 11, 2008 17:29:00 Why did you choose toughness? You're posting on an optimization forum, and you chose toughness as a feat. That doesn't really make sense to me.
#3
heliomance
Jul 11, 2008 17:30:20 Prereq.
#4
gyorscalfneh
Jul 11, 2008 17:31:13 Sorry, never mind then.

edit: "Children of the Grave" looks potentially abusable, since I'm assuming it would allow you to bypass the usual (hefty) material component costs for animate dead. I'm guessing that your bardic caster level would determine how many undead you could create/control. (trying to add something constructive to make up for a useless post, since these forums already seem to be having serious server issues)
#5
malkavon
Jul 12, 2008 7:10:09 Just so you know, Improved Toughness counts as Toughness for the purpose of meeting prerequisites. So do a lot of the other "alternate" base feats, like the Dodge-based feats. Just future info, or if your DM will let you retrain Toughness, as Imp. Toughness is better than it past level 3.

Also, that's an awesome PrC. Good choice on going Tiefling too, even if it hurts your music a tad.

As to maintaining your "metalness", I'd say dip into Warblade and grab the Song of the White Raven feat. Warblade snags you both White Raven Tactics and Iron Heart Surge, which are some of the best utility manuevers available (IHS also has the advantage of continuing your Metal theme). The Iron Heart discipline uses Concentration for a number of effects, and the spell Undersong (Bard 1, SpC) lets you replace any Concentration check with a Perform check, and also contains the saving throw replacement manuevers (you get to sub Conc. instead of a Fort save, and thus sub Perform). You rock so hard you don't even feel it! Requiem, from Libris Mortis, allows you to affect Undead with your Bardic Music, so you can buff the undead you raise with Children of the Grave (it also fits the "theatrical" nature of Metal by hearkening back to Classical themes).

Erm ... that's about all I can think of right now.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 heliomance Jul 11, 2008 15:00:23	I'm in a slightly odd game at the moment. It uses D&D rules, but is in a modern setting. This is my character at the moment, wondering where I should head n the future. Current build is non-negotiable; the game's already started. Level 10 tiefling (1 LA bought off) Bard 5/Disciple of Metal 5 STR 13 DEX 20 CON 16 INT 17 WIS 9 CHA 14 Feats: Toughness Weapon Focus (Greataxe) Craft Magic Arms and Armour Monkey Grip Items of note: Gloves of dex +2 Large keen masterwork greataxe (it's my guitar) Large assault rifle, 4d6, 20/x4 Armour: Chain shirt (max dex 5, ACP 0 due to class ability) Where should I go from here? I want to keep on with the metalhead theme, RP wise, and I think DoM is the best for that. As for allowed source material, it's case by case. No stinky cheese will be allowed though.
#2 gyorscalfneh Jul 11, 2008 17:29:00	Why did you choose toughness? You're posting on an optimization forum, and you chose toughness as a feat. That doesn't really make sense to me.
#3 heliomance Jul 11, 2008 17:30:20	Prereq.
#4 gyorscalfneh Jul 11, 2008 17:31:13	Sorry, never mind then. edit: "Children of the Grave" looks potentially abusable, since I'm assuming it would allow you to bypass the usual (hefty) material component costs for animate dead. I'm guessing that your bardic caster level would determine how many undead you could create/control. (trying to add something constructive to make up for a useless post, since these forums already seem to be having serious server issues)
#5 malkavon Jul 12, 2008 7:10:09	Just so you know, Improved Toughness counts as Toughness for the purpose of meeting prerequisites. So do a lot of the other "alternate" base feats, like the Dodge-based feats. Just future info, or if your DM will let you retrain Toughness, as Imp. Toughness is better than it past level 3. Also, that's an awesome PrC. Good choice on going Tiefling too, even if it hurts your music a tad. As to maintaining your "metalness", I'd say dip into Warblade and grab the Song of the White Raven feat. Warblade snags you both White Raven Tactics and Iron Heart Surge, which are some of the best utility manuevers available (IHS also has the advantage of continuing your Metal theme). The Iron Heart discipline uses Concentration for a number of effects, and the spell Undersong (Bard 1, SpC) lets you replace any Concentration check with a Perform check, and also contains the saving throw replacement manuevers (you get to sub Conc. instead of a Fort save, and thus sub Perform). You rock so hard you don't even feel it! Requiem, from Libris Mortis, allows you to affect Undead with your Bardic Music, so you can buff the undead you raise with Children of the Grave (it also fits the "theatrical" nature of Metal by hearkening back to Classical themes). Erm ... that's about all I can think of right now.