Help with a Sublime Chord... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 CantripN Sep 29, 2008 10:44:53	I'm playing a Bard in a campaign, and I'm going to become a Sublime Chord next level. We're only allowed to take a 2nd PrC if we finish the 1st one, so I'm saving up for Sublime Chord (otherwise, I'd have taken Virtuso 1...) Build goes like so, more or less: Strongheart Halfling Bardic Sage 9 / Warblade 1 / Sublime Chord 1 / ...Sublime Chord 9 (later). :D Maneuvers: White Raven Tactics Iron Heart Surge Wall of Blades Stance: Bolstering Voice Stats (not PB): STR 13 DEX 18 CON 17 INT 16 WIS 14 CHA 24 Songs: Songs: 3d10+3xCon Mod Temp HP, +3 Attack (Competence), +2 Fort (Competence) +7 Attack (Morale), +6 Damage (Morale), +6 on Saves vs. Fear/Charm (Morale) +7d6 Sonic Damage +31 Countersong +14 HP healed with any [Healing] spell(s)
#2 widow Sep 30, 2008 0:17:19	First on the feat front, Practiced spellcaster does not increase you sublime chord caster level. The sublime chord level is determined by its level plus the level in another spell casting class (not caster level). Since you are taking words of creation, nymph's kiss might be another exalted feat of interest to you. This will give you another +2 to all cha based checks, one extra skill point per level, and +1 to saves verse spells. Also a fun bard feat, although not necessary, is versatile performer. This lets you use your highest perform skill for every perform check you make. Likewise in the item department, the cheap circlet of persuasion (4,500gp) gives another +3 to all cha based skills. If you have access to the DMGII, the feycrafted template is also very useful. A light weapon crafted with it will allow you to attack off of your dex instead of str. You can also add it to armor to reduce the weight by 10% and knock off another 5% spell failure (lets you move up to a large mithril shield if it is worth it to you). The shiftweave from the Magic item compendium is also neat (RPG thing). It is 5 sets of clothes in one that you can shift between with a standard action. Be prepared for every ball or breaking and entering expedition. A few spells of note that I would suggest is: 4th Inner Beauty (Books of Exalted deeds) 6th Nixie's Grace (Spell Compendium) Nixie's Grace is just like sirine grace minus the perform bonus, but with higher stat bonuses. Inner beauty lasts 10 min/level and gives a +4 sacred bonus to Cha and Dex. Mix with your +4 caster level song from sublime chord and extend spell (if you can fit it in, or get a rod) and 3 castings will last 18 hours at level 14. 7th Arcane Spell Surge (Dragon magic) 8th Celerity Greater (PHBII) This makes all standard spells swift actions and full round spells stand actions. This is nice if you have to concentrate on another spell or bard song. Celerity gives you a hole extra set of actions that round, and you are dazed the following round. 9th Dimensional Jumper Greater (Complete Mage) Swift action to teleport 60 feet each round. Not needed, but increases mobility. 4th Greater Luminous Armor (Book of Exalted Deeds) If you want to drop the physical armor, this nets you 8 points and gives a -4 to people attacking you in melee. Other spells I would suggest are lower level party buffs like Haste, Good Hope, and Elation but those slots are already filled. Only the first two I listed are really necessary spells, more Cha the better.
#3 CantripN Sep 30, 2008 8:56:25	I see. I was sure there was some flaw in my use of Practiced Spellcaster... I don't really see how I need CHA checks, nor Perform checks for that matter, though (only Fugue is of any use...). I don't like Celerity, but I'll check out the others, thanks!
#4 Senevri Sep 30, 2008 9:19:17	You'll want to make the check for that... +4, I believe, you can get from.... Song of Arcane Power from SubChord. Also, didn't SubChord get something like "Do perform check damage, use one song?" Melodic Casting, and wasn't there a feat in ToB that allows use of Music as a swift action?
#5 CantripN Sep 30, 2008 9:23:40	There is that feat, Song of the White Raven, but truth be told, using Swift Actions for Songs is bad (Inspirational Boost comes to mind). Plus, it requires a Crusader/Warblade level. EDIT: Actually, I'll be able to start 3 Songs in a single round... I like this! :D Maybe I'll take a Warblade level at level 10 instead of bard, though, and get that as well as a few maneuvers? I don't need the Perform boost to make the DC, usually, since I have +26 now... Also, I can't cast Greater Luminous Armor since I'm a Spontaneous caster...

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

CantripN

Sep 29, 2008 10:44:53

I'm playing a Bard in a campaign, and I'm going to become a Sublime Chord next level. We're only allowed to take a 2nd PrC if we finish the 1st one, so I'm saving up for Sublime Chord (otherwise, I'd have taken Virtuso 1...)

Build goes like so, more or less:

Strongheart Halfling Bardic Sage 9 / Warblade 1 / Sublime Chord 1 / ...Sublime Chord 9 (later). :D

Maneuvers:
White Raven Tactics
Iron Heart Surge
Wall of Blades

Stance:
Bolstering Voice

Stats (not PB):
STR 13
DEX 18
CON 17
INT 16
WIS 14
CHA 24

Songs:

Songs:
3d10+3xCon Mod Temp HP, +3 Attack (Competence), +2 Fort (Competence)
+7 Attack (Morale), +6 Damage (Morale), +6 on Saves vs. Fear/Charm (Morale)
+7d6 Sonic Damage
+31 Countersong
+14 HP healed with any [Healing] spell(s)

widow

Sep 30, 2008 0:17:19

First on the feat front, Practiced spellcaster does not increase you sublime chord caster level. The sublime chord level is determined by its level plus the level in another spell casting class (not caster level). Since you are taking words of creation, nymph's kiss might be another exalted feat of interest to you. This will give you another +2 to all cha based checks, one extra skill point per level, and +1 to saves verse spells. Also a fun bard feat, although not necessary, is versatile performer. This lets you use your highest perform skill for every perform check you make.

Likewise in the item department, the cheap circlet of persuasion (4,500gp) gives another +3 to all cha based skills. If you have access to the DMGII, the feycrafted template is also very useful. A light weapon crafted with it will allow you to attack off of your dex instead of str. You can also add it to armor to reduce the weight by 10% and knock off another 5% spell failure (lets you move up to a large mithril shield if it is worth it to you). The shiftweave from the Magic item compendium is also neat (RPG thing). It is 5 sets of clothes in one that you can shift between with a standard action. Be prepared for every ball or breaking and entering expedition.

A few spells of note that I would suggest is:

4th Inner Beauty (Books of Exalted deeds)
6th Nixie's Grace (Spell Compendium)

Nixie's Grace is just like sirine grace minus the perform bonus, but with higher stat bonuses. Inner beauty lasts 10 min/level and gives a +4 sacred bonus to Cha and Dex. Mix with your +4 caster level song from sublime chord and extend spell (if you can fit it in, or get a rod) and 3 castings will last 18 hours at level 14.

7th Arcane Spell Surge (Dragon magic)
8th Celerity Greater (PHBII)

This makes all standard spells swift actions and full round spells stand actions. This is nice if you have to concentrate on another spell or bard song. Celerity gives you a hole extra set of actions that round, and you are dazed the following round.

9th Dimensional Jumper Greater (Complete Mage)

Swift action to teleport 60 feet each round. Not needed, but increases mobility.

4th Greater Luminous Armor (Book of Exalted Deeds)

If you want to drop the physical armor, this nets you 8 points and gives a -4 to people attacking you in melee.

Other spells I would suggest are lower level party buffs like Haste, Good Hope, and Elation but those slots are already filled. Only the first two I listed are really necessary spells, more Cha the better.

CantripN

Sep 30, 2008 8:56:25

I see. I was sure there was some flaw in my use of Practiced Spellcaster...

I don't really see how I need CHA checks, nor Perform checks for that matter, though (only Fugue is of any use...). I don't like Celerity, but I'll check out the others, thanks!

Senevri

Sep 30, 2008 9:19:17

You'll want to make the check for that... +4, I believe, you can get from.... Song of Arcane Power from SubChord.
Also, didn't SubChord get something like "Do perform check damage, use one song?"

Melodic Casting, and wasn't there a feat in ToB that allows use of Music as a swift action?

CantripN

Sep 30, 2008 9:23:40

There is that feat, Song of the White Raven, but truth be told, using Swift Actions for Songs is bad (Inspirational Boost comes to mind). Plus, it requires a Crusader/Warblade level. EDIT: Actually, I'll be able to start 3 Songs in a single round... I like this! :D

Maybe I'll take a Warblade level at level 10 instead of bard, though, and get that as well as a few maneuvers?

I don't need the Perform boost to make the DC, usually, since I have +26 now...

Also, I can't cast Greater Luminous Armor since I'm a Spontaneous caster...