Offensive Bards

[paragondragon]

melee bard

I don't see how a bard can be a good blaster, but as for a melee character, you could technically pull that off with the snowflake dance feat (frostburn) and other buffing spells to increase your stats. Makes for good hit chance and damage bonuses, combined with your inspirational boost, you could be a mean melee'er, but you'll need to get your AC up if you want to tank.

 

[Darklone]

I don't see how a bard can be a good blaster, but as for a melee character, you could technically pull that off with the snowflake dance feat (frostburn) and other buffing spells to increase your stats. Makes for good hit chance and damage bonuses, combined with your inspirational boost, you could be a mean melee'er, but you'll need to get your AC up if you want to tank.

Tank isn't good for a bard, not even for a bard with good str and con. Spring attacking with a polearm though rocks. One level barbarian, one buff spell and you can always use full Power Attack without too many problems to hit.

Bbn1/bard5 or a friend had str 18, glaive as reach weapon, Feats: Power Attack, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack.
To hit bonus +11: +4 str, +2 rage, +1 bards song (perhaps higher with Insp Boost), +1 MW, +2 bulls strength, +1 Bless from the groups cleric. Full Power Attack for 1d10+21.

He could have used Combat Reflexes and Cleave instead of the Spring Attack chain for a more defensive design. Extra Rage is needed sooner or later.

Standing right next to the cleric and Shield Other helps this char to survive pretty well.

 

[krissbeth]

Good old "charm person" worked splendidly for me last night.

Bad guy: "Attack them!"
Me: "We're friends now."
Bad guy: "Don't attack them!"

 

[DungeonMaester]

If Arcane Strike is houseruled to work with ranged weapons, there's hardly anyone who can compete with a bard archer

Especially not if there are one or more additional archers in the group.

Yeah. Arcane strike is the best for making spell caster melee artist. Also, Ask if Wraith Strike can be on a bard's spell list.

---Rusty

 

[Mistwell]

Get a crystal echoblade from Magic Item Compendium. Putting the Harmonizing special ability on it (a +1 ability) would be helpful as well. Then get some things to boost your Inspire Courage, like a badge of courage (MIC), vest of legends (from DMG II), and learn the spell Inspirational Boost from Spell Compendium. Take the feat that lets you wear one heavier grade armor while spellcasting (from complete arcane I think), and you can wear mithril platemail. Should be all set to hack into melee combat as a bard, while singing.

 

[Darklone]

Yupp: Battle Caster.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Should be all set to hack into melee combat as a bard, while singing.

"All agree
they can see
mayhem lives
twixt me and thee...

I'm a bard
I'm a bard
I'm a bard
I'm a BAAAAAARD....

I'm a bard and I'm kicking your BUUUUUUUTT!"

 

[wildstarsreach]

Yeah. Arcane strike is the best for making spell caster melee artist. Also, Ask if Wraith Strike can be on a bard's spell list.

---Rusty

Wraithstrike is a problematic spell, be weary of asking for this for if the enemies get it PC's start dying.

 

[wildstarsreach]

"All agree
they can see
mayhem lives
twixt me and thee...

I'm a bard
I'm a bard
I'm a bard
I'm a BAAAAAARD....

I'm a bard and I'm kicking your BUUUUUUUTT!"

LOL, I do something like this with my bard because it strikes the poetic nature in me.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

More tunes for martial bards:

"Here in this package
wrapped in red paper
I give you something
for your next caper...

Its your a$$! Its your a$$! its your a$$!"