Bards without Spellcasting

[Crazy Eights]

Pardon me if I've missed these somewhere else on the boards, but does anyone know of any bard variants that don't involve spellcasting progression? I know about Monte Cook's bard variant with spell notes and chords, but I was looking for something that doesn't really have or resemble spellcasting at all.

Alternatively, can anyone make any suggestions for things to give the bard class in exchange for its spells?

Thanks!

 

[The Thayan Menace]

The Quick & Easy Path

Just take ranks in Perform with any non-spellcasting class.

-Samir​

 

[Nifft]

I'll suggest some alternate classes instead:

Warblade (Tome of Battle): Focused on White Raven stances and maneuvers.

Dragon Shaman (PHB-2): Take Double Draconic Aura (from Dragon Magic) at 12th level.

Dragonfire Adept: Use a Silverbrow Human, and spend many of your feats on Draconic Auras, and take Double Draconic Aura at 12th level (all from Dragon Magic).

Cheers, -- N

 

[Aus_Snow]

One of the most common suggestions you'll come across for a replacement is bonus feats, often given as 1 at each class level at which spellcasting of a new spell level would normally have been gained.

But anyway, yes, there are a number of magic-free bards floating around. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the search function on EN World, but I'll try googling the site anyhow and see what turns up. . . hang on a sec.

One that springs to mind unbidden is the Dark Sun 3e Bard class. It's more of a poisoner/assassin/expert/performer um. . . thing. Very Dark Sun, and all that (linkage here).


edit --- some links to enworld threads (not sure how much use they'll be):

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=152054
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=79495
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=157794
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=70768

 

[Crazy Eights]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will check out the Dark Sun bard class, and I'll take a closer look at the shaman and the adept too. Also, thanks for the linkage.

 

[trav_laney]

Pardon me if I've missed these somewhere else on the boards, but does anyone know of any bard variants that don't involve spellcasting progression?

I'd say go with a rogue, and soak a lot of points into the Perform skill. If you wanted the character to still be a little bit "bardy," trade Sneak Attack for Bardic Music.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Be a barbarian with the Kiai Shout feat chain.