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Cruel Lullabies: The Bard Handbook (by Litigation)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nibelung" data-source="post: 6705345" data-attributes="member: 74499"><p><strong>Originally posted by Litigation:</strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u>Artists Born, not Made: Races</u></span></p><p></p><p>Cliffs Notes version: You really can't go wrong with any race that has a Charisma bonus. <strong>Tieflings</strong>, <strong>Pixies</strong> and <strong>Satyrs</strong>, especially, are incredible for multiple Bard builds; Tieflings excel as Cunning Bards and Valorous Fake Skalds; Pixies are terrific Cunning Bards and ranged Skalds, and Satyrs also shine as ranged Skalds as well as Valorous Bards. <strong>Half-Elves</strong> are also tops among Valorous Bards, including the Fake Skald option. <strong>Dragonborn</strong> rock as especially durable Valorous Bards (but not so much Fake Skalds). Other prime Cunning Bard races are <strong>Eladrin</strong> and <strong>Gnomes</strong>, while <strong>Devas</strong>, <strong>Kalashtars</strong> and <strong>Hamadryads</strong> are the best Prescients. More superlative ranged Skalds can be found among the <strong>Halflings</strong>, <strong>Drow</strong> and <strong>Revenants</strong>.</p><p></p><p><strong>PHB</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Dragonborn</span> (PHB/E:HFK): Go with some extra Constitution to go with your natural Charisma and you'll make the most durable Valorous Bard out there, with your CON modifier adding to your healing surge value.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Dwarf</span> (PHB/E:HFL): A marginal Prescient or Valorous Bard. Only the bonus to the relevant secondary stat and the minor-action second wind keep you from being completely hopeless. Don't even think about being <span style="color: #ff0000">Cunning</span>.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Eladrin</span> (PHB/E:HFL): Well, well, welcome to the club. Now that you can opt to be charismatic instead of quick, and still have all your smarts, you're as good a Cunning Bard as anyone. Fey Step is a huge mobility asset, Trance is awesome for adventuring, the extra Will defense and racial bonus to Arcana are always welcome, and you even get a non-class trained skill for free with that Education of yours. This race also easily makes the most of Swordmage multiclassing (a practical necessity among O-Bards) thanks to Eladrin Swordmage Advance; with that feat, an Eladrin taking Skald-type powers that trigger off his MBAs will make such powers scream like no other can. And finally, with the Sun Elf variant, you can even get proficiency in orbs and staffs for free, which can be quite a boost to pure implement-based Bards thanks to their awesome Expertise feats.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Elf</span> (PHB/E:HFL): Elven Accuracy saves this race from being hopeless. And even then, an Elf should only consider being a Prescient or Cunning Bard.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Half-Elf</span> (PHB/E:HFK): Second to none as a Valorous Bard, and just a damn good Bard race in general thanks to Dilletante. Versatile Master in Paragon Tier makes the Dilletante power a true at-will. Also note that the feat Combat Virtuoso lets you select a Dilletante power that uses ANY attack stat and use your Charisma for attack rolls (not damage, though) with it.</p><p></p><p><strong>Recommended Dilletante Powers</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Astral Seal (Cleric)</span> (DP): Implement attack vs. Reflex with a +2 bonus, and on hit it debuffs all an enemy's defenses by -2 and grants CHA-based healing to the first ally who hits it. Amazing at-will that even manages to outclass a couple of Bard melee-at-wills in similar functions, but done at range. Perfect with Combat Virtuoso.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Demoralizing Strike (Ardent) </span>(PHB3): In Heroic and Paragon, this is pretty much strictly better than your own Guiding Strike, since you debuff all defenses. It doesn't get the extra [W] of damage in Epic, but that's a small price to pay. A great setup power through and through.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Dragonfrost (Sorcerer)</span> (PHB2): If you're looking for an implement-based ranged basic attack, this is the way to go. 10-square range, decent damage, and it can push the enemy a square if it hits.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Eldritch Strike (Warlock)</span> (PHBH): If you're looking for a CHA-based melee basic attack, this is simply as good as it gets. Aspiring Fake Skalds, or anyone looking to use the basic attack-triggered powers like Dimensional Step or Flash of Distraction should look no further. It even slides the enemy a square if it hits. Perfect for outfitting an MBA with fun stuff like the White Lotus feat line (D 374), Quickened Spellcasting (AP), Arcane Admixture (AP) and all the goods that feat opens up, etc. Take the Melee Training feat to tide you over in Heroic Tier, then retrain that feat for Versatile Master when you hit Lv. 11.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Sword Burst (Swordmage)</span> (PHB): Best abused by a Cunning Bard, who depending on build may not have to take Combat Virtuoso. It's one of the best AoE at-wills in the game, and certain feat combinations can increase its power even further.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Halfling</span> (PHB/E:HFL): A little personality and some quickness make for a terrific ranged Skald and a decent O-Bard as well. The Second Chance power is quite nice.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Human</span> (PHB/E:HFL): Train in one thing and one thing only: Charisma. Bonus feat is very nice if you plan on multiclassing, in particular, the bonus trained skill and defense bonuses are good, and the choice between a third at-will or a huge per-encounter bonus to an attack or save round it out. Makes for a solid, if not spectacular, Bard of any sort.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Tiefling</span> (PHB/E:HFK): Along with the Gnome and Eladrin, a top Cunning Bard race. Double-stat synergy on top of some incredible feat support, particularly for Charmers, make this race hard to beat. For that matter, you can opt for Constitution instead of smarts to be a fine Valorous Bard; you're especially a grand choice for a Valorous Fake Skald/War Chanter if you MC Paladin and take Wrath of the Crimson Legion.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>PHB2</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Deva</span> (PHB2): With a choice of Charisma in play, on top of innate Wisdom, you're all of a sudden arguably the best Prescient Bard out there. Memory of a Thousand Lifetimes is an amazing racial power, and level-scaling necrotic and radiant resistance and extra defense against bloodied enemies certainly don't hurt, either.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Gnome</span> (PHB2): One of the best Cunning Bard races. Where to begin? Hits the books and can choose to win the friends. Fade Away. Racial bonus to Arcana. The total package here. Just take a multiclass feat that lets you train in Stealth and you'll be set for life.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Goliath</span> (PHB2): You <em>might</em> be able to pass as a Valorous or Prescient Bard. <em>Might</em> being the operative word.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Half-Orc</span> (PHB2/E:HFK): Yeah, you're so not cut out for this. Please don't hurt me.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Shifter, Longtooth</span> (PHB2): Longtooth Shifting, with its extra damage and regeneration, keep you afloat, mostly as a Prescient Bard thanks to being wise.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Shifter, Razorclaw</span> (PHB2): Quick and wise just like an Elf, but without anything else. Also worse for the job than your Longtooth counterpart.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>PHB3</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p>Githzerai (PHB3): A passable Prescient Bard if you decide to be smart in addition to your innate wisdom, much like the Deva. Iron Mind is a solid defensive power. You're not good for <span style="color: #800080">any other Virtue</span>, though.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Minotaur</span> (PHB3): Uh, no.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Shardmind</span> (PHB3): Wait, crystals can sing? However they do it, this is another great Cunning Bard race, with the brains and the personality. Living Construct is a great set of adventuring benefits, Telepathy is neat and potentially useful, and Shard Swarm is a solid racial encounter power. Easily up there with the Gnome and the Tiefling.</p><p></p><p>Wilden (PHB3): You can pass as a Prescient or Valorous Bard with the relevant secondary stat for both and some pretty good racial powers. You're likely to favor Voyage of the Ancients for your Nature's Aspect.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Other rulebooks/Dragon</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Changeling/Doppelganger</span> (EPG): You're naturally charismatic, which means I like you already. You can pick up the extra smarts if you want to be Cunning, or extra reflexes if you want to be a ranged Skald. Changeling Disguise is a whole lot of fun (make sure you train Bluff).</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Drow</span> (FRPG/E:HFK): Amazing as a ranged Skald if you go for the personality on top of your quickness. Lolthtouched powers, Trance and Darkvision are all very solid benefits for all Bards.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Genasi</span> (FRPG): Might fit in as a Cunning or Valorous Bard, but hardly spectacular at it.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Gnoll</span> (D 367): Just no synergy at all.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ccff">Hamadryad</span> (HotF)</strong>: This female-only fey race's innate Wisdom and option for Charisma work out perfectly for Prescient Bards. Racial bonuses to saves against the three heavy hitters (daze, dominate, stun), a solid racial power that can be used to gain combat advantage or resist damage and a Trance-type feature round it out.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Kalashtar</span> (EPG): Naturally charismatic, you've always been a prime candidate for the Virtue of Prescience with some extra wisdom on hand. You can also now choose to be smart, rather than wise, and be a fine Cunning Bard. The solid Bastion of Mental clarity, telepathy and the ability to save against dazed and dominated at the start of your turns are all very welcome abilities.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ccff">Pixie</span> (HotF)</strong>: It's almost unfair how godly a Cunning Bard this tiny little critter can be. It's no slouch as a ranged Skald, either, if you choose quickness over brains. You've got a fly speed, and did I mention that you can make an ally fly for a turn as well every encounter? One particular racial utility (at Lv. 10) even lets you make the whole party take to the skies for a round. A couple of its racial feats are also quite appealing.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Revenant</span> (D 376): With some Charisma on top of your innate Dexterity, you're a prime choice for a ranged Skald, and a good choice for a Bard in general. The biggest sell is the ability to swipe another race's feat support, and even their racial powers via racial Soul feats, which can have some very interesting results. And then there's the insane survivability tricks of this race.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ccff">Satyr</span> (HotF)</strong>: This male-only fey race makes for a brilliant Valorous Bard (if choosing sturdiness) or ranged Skald (if sharpening those fast-twitch muscles). A racial power that slides an enemy you hit every encounter is quite nice for positional setups, and Pleasant Recovery is a neat thing to have when resting.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Shadar-Kai</span> (D 372): Shadow Jaunt is a solid encounter power, and the choice of INT is good for a Cunning Bard, but other than that you don't have a whole lot to offer.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Shade</span> (HoS): I don't care if you can have perfect stat bonuses for a Cunning Bard. The loss of a healing surge and the quite frankly wretched racial power are irreconcilable differences, plain and simple. Just a failure of a race through and through.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Vryloka</span> (HoS): The penalty to healing surge value when bloodied is annoying in early Heroic Tier but almost inconsequential after. Makes you wonder why it's there in the first place. With that out of the way, there's a lot to like here. The Charisma bonus is naturally welcome, the speed 7 is sweet and you get a potent and versatile encounter racial utility that can give you extra mobility, a THP buffer or a boost to attack rolls. Solid choice, particularly for a ranged Skald.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Warforged </span>(EPG): Might be able to pass as a Cunning Bard if you choose brains over brawn. Living Construct and Unsleeping Watcher at least help your case to stay alive.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Monsters (at DM's Discretion)</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Bladeling</span> (MOTP): Blech. Another poor-man's Elf.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Bugbear</span> (MM): lol</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Bullywug</span> (MM2): Nope.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Duergar</span> (MM2): A Dwarf with twisted morals, a crappy racial power, and none of the redeeming qualities.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Githyanki</span> (MM): Sorry.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Goblin</span> (MM): Goblin Tactics is awesome, and you've also got some personality. You'll do well.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Hobgoblin</span> (MM): Just like a Half-Elf, you can win friends and you're durable. But you don't have Dilletante. Still, you're good enough.</p><p></p><p>Kenku (MM2): An interesting choice thanks to Mimicry. Personality helps you a lot.</p><p></p><p>Kobold (MM): At-will minor-action shifting is awesome. A passable Valorous Bard.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Orc</span> (MM): No.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u>Setting Your Story Straight: </u></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u></u></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u>Recommended Themes</u></span> </p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Devil's Pawn</span> (NWCS)</strong>: Hellfire and Brimstone is a very handy encounter power for debuffing the attacks and the defenses of enemies within 2 squares of you. Fire resistance at Lv. 10 is nice, too.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Fey Beast Tamer</span> (HotF)</strong>: You get a level-scaling beast companion that has half your maximum hit points. And at Lv. 5 said companion grants combat advantage to enemies next to it automatically, flanking or not. A strong and flavorful theme.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ccff">Guardian</span> (D 399)</strong>: Guardian's Counter lets you play Defender once per encounter, taking a hit meant for an ally and responding with a basic attack (this can be melee or ranged) against the perpetrator. The basic attack part is of particular importance if you're packing the encounter powers that trigger off of those. Potentially enabling out of turn is truly a beautiful thing.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Harper Agent</span> (NWCS)</strong>: Gives you a Harper Pin with an encounter power letting use one of three blessings, all of which are pretty sweet (correcting a missed attack roll, reducing the damage of a hit against you by a nice level-scaling amount, or rerolling a failed save). You basically choose the order in which you get them for your first 10 levels.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Iliyanbruen Guardian</span> (NWCS)</strong>: For Eladrin only, this one lets you do nice things like take an ally with you when you Fey Step and, at Lv. 10, you can even do this as a minor action. <strong><span style="color: #00ccff">Melee Cunning Bards</span></strong> who MC Swordmage, take Eladrin Swordmage Advance and load up on Dimensional Step powers will want to consider this one a lot more strongly.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ccff">Noble Adept</span> (DSCS)</strong>: Gain a psionic power point, which you can use on the awesome encounter power you get from this theme to provide a prodigious boost to your or an ally's attack, save or skill check. Perfect for a Leader such as yourself.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Order Adept</span> (D399)</strong>: The ability to take Wizard utilities freely can work out nicely. The +1 power bonus to Will at Lv. 10 is welcome, too.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u>Skill is Power: Skills</u></span></p><p></p><p>You're automatically trained in Arcana. You should definitely reserve one of your trained choices for Perception. After that, you've got some leeway.</p><p></p><p><strong>Class Skills</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #ff9900">Arcana</span>: This skill is a required part of the trade to learn, so it doesn't matter what I think of it (although it's obvious that, for Bards, I do think very highly of it). It's used in rituals and knowledge checks.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Acrobatics</span>: Helps you escape grabs and restraints, balance, reduce fall damage. Very versatile skill.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Athletics</span><span style="color: #0000ff"> </span>: Also helps you escape grabs, as well as climb, jump and swim.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Bluff</span>: Can be flat-out essential depending on your build or race, in which it helps certain powers function. Other than that it's great for conversations. You're guaranteed to be good at it because of your high Charisma.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Diplomacy</span>: Between being eminently winsome, which you must be to be a Bard in the first place, and having a class feature power that works with this skill, you're likely to be the party face. So this one is kinda important.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080">Dungeoneering</span>: Low on the totem pole in the grand scheme of things. Only consider it at all if you're Prescient.</p><p></p><p>Heal: You may or may not need this. If you're the only ritual caster in the party, you'll be more likely to need it. A <span style="color: #0000ff">Prescient Bard</span> makes the best use of it.</p><p></p><p>History: Knowledge skill. Worth a look from a Cunning Bard.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Insight</span>: Counters Bluff, which can save you. Especially good if you're Prescient, but worthy of training regardless.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Intimidate</span>: The combat application is arguably broken. You'll definitely be good at it, and aside from that it's also used in conversations a lot.</p><p></p><p>Nature: Knowledge skill, used in some rituals. Best used by a Prescient Bard, or any Bard who fancies himself the Celtic sage of yore.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff9900">Perception</span><span style="color: #00ccff"> </span>: Counters Stealth, which is kinda important. Also just generally useful. Consider this one essential.</p><p></p><p>Religion: A Cunning Bard might learn the ways of the divine if no Divine characters travel with him. Counts as a knowledge skill and is used in a lot of rituals.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Streetwise</span>: Often comes in handy in skill challenges, and you're naturally good at it.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Other skills</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Endurance</span>: Helps you get over diseases and generally survive in a lot of adverse conditions. Easily picked up with a multiclassing feat of Fighter, Ranger, Warlord or Barbarian.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Stealth</span>: Some of your invisibility powers affect you, so you may want to train this. Especially if you're a Gnome. Avenger, Ranger and Rogue all have multiclass feats that train this.</p><p></p><p>Thievery: Can come in handy.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u>Instruments of Choice: </u></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u></u></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px"><u>Weapons and Implements</u></span></p><p></p><p><strong>Weapons</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p>Bards are very particular about their weapons. They prefer weapons that hit often, since they like to make sure their party-starting powers work in combat, and if they can somehow fold implement usage into them, even better.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>Dagger</strong></span>: Perhaps THE best choice for a ranged Skald, and a fine choice for Prescients as well. +3 proficiency and a range of 5 (which perfectly coincides with the coverage of the Skald's Aura). As it's a light blade, it gets awesome feat support that helps it hit even more accurately, such as Nimble Blade and (for Skalds) Deft Blade. And finally, you can use this one as an implement if you take the Arcane Implement Proficiency feat or a Swordmage multiclass feat. Or if you're just that cheap for feats, Songblades are also available in dagger form.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Longbow/Shortbow</span>: Prescients tend to default to this one. It's not optimal (+2 proficiency), but since Bards start automatically proficient with these, it's worth mentioning. Shortbows are for the small races; Longbows are for everyone else. Songbows, which can be used as implements for Bard class and Bard paragon path powers, come in this weapon type.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Longsword</span>: A prime choice for a Valorous Bard, especially since you're not automatically proficient with the rapier. You get that all-important +3 proficiency bonus, important for your role as a Leader so you get the maximum party favors from your attack powers. Songblades come in this type of weapon, or you can easily use any one of these as a general implement with a Swordmage multiclass feat or Arcane Implement Proficiency. You're automatically proficient with the longsword. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Shortsword</span>: This is the best melee light blade with which you're automatically proficient, and as such it is, hands-down, the weapon of choice for a melee-focused Skald. You're only one die size down from the rapier, which you shouldn't sweat too much since you're not a primary Striker. The shortsword has a +3 proficiency like all good light blades do, and it benefits from the likes of Nimble Blade and Deft Blade. And, yes, it is open to AIP and Swordmage multiclassing for implement usage.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Superior Crossbow</span>: If you're a Prescient or a ranged Skald who wants to spare the proficiency feat and the Speed Loader feat to use it, it's a damn good one for sure. +3 proficiency and as much range as a longbow (and in the Skald's case, they'll appreciate the large damage die vis a vis the dagger). Songbows also come in this weapon type.</p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p><strong>Implements</strong></p><p>[sblock]</p><p><span style="color: #00ccff">Dagger/Longsword/Shortsword</span>: Skalds and Valorous Bards may want to pick up the occasional implement-based attack, and what better to use as their implement than their weapon? It reduces MID -- and your expenses -- to go this route. You can multiclass Swordmage or take AIP to use any blade for all implement powers. (Or, if you're cheap for feats, use a Songblade.) Really a good option for any Bard looking to use a variety of spells, both weapon- and implement-based.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Longbow/Shortbow/Superior Crossbow</span>: Generally the choice of Prescients and a few ranged Skalds (through Songbows), but not without their limitations. Bows cannot be subject to AIP, thus making multiclassing more difficult for those Bards.</p><p></p><p>Musical Instrument: Musical instruments double as a focus for your rituals, so early on this helps reduce MID. The highest-level Bard rituals only require a 1,000 gp instrument (Lv. 5 item), however, so that reason falls off around late Heroic Tier. That said, some of the higher-level instruments have some pretty good daily powers that are enhanced by your Song of Rest, so it's not a total waste to stick to them.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff">Wand</span>: We like to call them conductor batons in our trade. If you're looking to turn your implement-based attack powers up to fortissimo, this is as good as most of you will have by default. Battle Song Expertise works with wands, giving your forced movement powers from your class (and there are quite a few) an extra square. And only wands benefit from Bard Implement Expertise in Epic Tier for expanded crit range if you want that. If you're purely implement-based, you'll want to get an Accurate version as well.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>Orb</strong></span>: Requires most of you to multiclass Wizard (a common MC). If you're an Eladrin (Sun Elf), congratulations, you get this for free, and it's an upgrade over wands thanks to its better Expertise feat, which adds an extra square of forced movement to ALL applicable attack powers (whether from your class or not). Like with wands, you'll also want to get an Accurate version.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>Staff</strong></span>: Requires an MC feat, being a Sun Elf Eladrin or taking White Lotus Dueling Expertise. This one is another upgrade over the default wand thanks to its amazing Expertise feat, which prevents all enemy OAs for using your ranged and area powers in the thick of a melee. And if you want to pick up the odd melee power in your repertoire, congrats, your staff is also a reach weapon with the Expertise. Again, you'll want an Accurate version.</p><p>[/sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nibelung, post: 6705345, member: 74499"] [b]Originally posted by Litigation:[/b] [CENTER][SIZE=6][u]Artists Born, not Made: Races[/u][/SIZE][/CENTER] Cliffs Notes version: You really can't go wrong with any race that has a Charisma bonus. [b]Tieflings[/b], [b]Pixies[/b] and [b]Satyrs[/b], especially, are incredible for multiple Bard builds; Tieflings excel as Cunning Bards and Valorous Fake Skalds; Pixies are terrific Cunning Bards and ranged Skalds, and Satyrs also shine as ranged Skalds as well as Valorous Bards. [b]Half-Elves[/b] are also tops among Valorous Bards, including the Fake Skald option. [b]Dragonborn[/b] rock as especially durable Valorous Bards (but not so much Fake Skalds). Other prime Cunning Bard races are [b]Eladrin[/b] and [b]Gnomes[/b], while [b]Devas[/b], [b]Kalashtars[/b] and [b]Hamadryads[/b] are the best Prescients. More superlative ranged Skalds can be found among the [b]Halflings[/b], [b]Drow[/b] and [b]Revenants[/b]. [b]PHB[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Dragonborn[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFK): Go with some extra Constitution to go with your natural Charisma and you'll make the most durable Valorous Bard out there, with your CON modifier adding to your healing surge value. [COLOR=#800080]Dwarf[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFL): A marginal Prescient or Valorous Bard. Only the bonus to the relevant secondary stat and the minor-action second wind keep you from being completely hopeless. Don't even think about being [COLOR=#ff0000]Cunning[/COLOR]. [COLOR=#00ccff]Eladrin[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFL): Well, well, welcome to the club. Now that you can opt to be charismatic instead of quick, and still have all your smarts, you're as good a Cunning Bard as anyone. Fey Step is a huge mobility asset, Trance is awesome for adventuring, the extra Will defense and racial bonus to Arcana are always welcome, and you even get a non-class trained skill for free with that Education of yours. This race also easily makes the most of Swordmage multiclassing (a practical necessity among O-Bards) thanks to Eladrin Swordmage Advance; with that feat, an Eladrin taking Skald-type powers that trigger off his MBAs will make such powers scream like no other can. And finally, with the Sun Elf variant, you can even get proficiency in orbs and staffs for free, which can be quite a boost to pure implement-based Bards thanks to their awesome Expertise feats. [COLOR=#800080]Elf[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFL): Elven Accuracy saves this race from being hopeless. And even then, an Elf should only consider being a Prescient or Cunning Bard. [COLOR=#00ccff]Half-Elf[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFK): Second to none as a Valorous Bard, and just a damn good Bard race in general thanks to Dilletante. Versatile Master in Paragon Tier makes the Dilletante power a true at-will. Also note that the feat Combat Virtuoso lets you select a Dilletante power that uses ANY attack stat and use your Charisma for attack rolls (not damage, though) with it. [b]Recommended Dilletante Powers[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Astral Seal (Cleric)[/COLOR] (DP): Implement attack vs. Reflex with a +2 bonus, and on hit it debuffs all an enemy's defenses by -2 and grants CHA-based healing to the first ally who hits it. Amazing at-will that even manages to outclass a couple of Bard melee-at-wills in similar functions, but done at range. Perfect with Combat Virtuoso. [COLOR=#00ccff]Demoralizing Strike (Ardent) [/COLOR](PHB3): In Heroic and Paragon, this is pretty much strictly better than your own Guiding Strike, since you debuff all defenses. It doesn't get the extra [W] of damage in Epic, but that's a small price to pay. A great setup power through and through. [COLOR=#0000ff]Dragonfrost (Sorcerer)[/COLOR] (PHB2): If you're looking for an implement-based ranged basic attack, this is the way to go. 10-square range, decent damage, and it can push the enemy a square if it hits. [COLOR=#00ccff]Eldritch Strike (Warlock)[/COLOR] (PHBH): If you're looking for a CHA-based melee basic attack, this is simply as good as it gets. Aspiring Fake Skalds, or anyone looking to use the basic attack-triggered powers like Dimensional Step or Flash of Distraction should look no further. It even slides the enemy a square if it hits. Perfect for outfitting an MBA with fun stuff like the White Lotus feat line (D 374), Quickened Spellcasting (AP), Arcane Admixture (AP) and all the goods that feat opens up, etc. Take the Melee Training feat to tide you over in Heroic Tier, then retrain that feat for Versatile Master when you hit Lv. 11. [COLOR=#00ccff]Sword Burst (Swordmage)[/COLOR] (PHB): Best abused by a Cunning Bard, who depending on build may not have to take Combat Virtuoso. It's one of the best AoE at-wills in the game, and certain feat combinations can increase its power even further. [/sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Halfling[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFL): A little personality and some quickness make for a terrific ranged Skald and a decent O-Bard as well. The Second Chance power is quite nice. [COLOR=#0000ff]Human[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFL): Train in one thing and one thing only: Charisma. Bonus feat is very nice if you plan on multiclassing, in particular, the bonus trained skill and defense bonuses are good, and the choice between a third at-will or a huge per-encounter bonus to an attack or save round it out. Makes for a solid, if not spectacular, Bard of any sort. [COLOR=#00ccff]Tiefling[/COLOR] (PHB/E:HFK): Along with the Gnome and Eladrin, a top Cunning Bard race. Double-stat synergy on top of some incredible feat support, particularly for Charmers, make this race hard to beat. For that matter, you can opt for Constitution instead of smarts to be a fine Valorous Bard; you're especially a grand choice for a Valorous Fake Skald/War Chanter if you MC Paladin and take Wrath of the Crimson Legion. [/sblock] [b]PHB2[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Deva[/COLOR] (PHB2): With a choice of Charisma in play, on top of innate Wisdom, you're all of a sudden arguably the best Prescient Bard out there. Memory of a Thousand Lifetimes is an amazing racial power, and level-scaling necrotic and radiant resistance and extra defense against bloodied enemies certainly don't hurt, either. [COLOR=#00ccff]Gnome[/COLOR] (PHB2): One of the best Cunning Bard races. Where to begin? Hits the books and can choose to win the friends. Fade Away. Racial bonus to Arcana. The total package here. Just take a multiclass feat that lets you train in Stealth and you'll be set for life. [COLOR=#800080]Goliath[/COLOR] (PHB2): You [i]might[/i] be able to pass as a Valorous or Prescient Bard. [i]Might[/i] being the operative word. [COLOR=#ff0000]Half-Orc[/COLOR] (PHB2/E:HFK): Yeah, you're so not cut out for this. Please don't hurt me. [COLOR=#800080]Shifter, Longtooth[/COLOR] (PHB2): Longtooth Shifting, with its extra damage and regeneration, keep you afloat, mostly as a Prescient Bard thanks to being wise. [COLOR=#ff0000]Shifter, Razorclaw[/COLOR] (PHB2): Quick and wise just like an Elf, but without anything else. Also worse for the job than your Longtooth counterpart. [/sblock] [b]PHB3[/b] [sblock] Githzerai (PHB3): A passable Prescient Bard if you decide to be smart in addition to your innate wisdom, much like the Deva. Iron Mind is a solid defensive power. You're not good for [COLOR=#800080]any other Virtue[/COLOR], though. [COLOR=#ff0000]Minotaur[/COLOR] (PHB3): Uh, no. [COLOR=#00ccff]Shardmind[/COLOR] (PHB3): Wait, crystals can sing? However they do it, this is another great Cunning Bard race, with the brains and the personality. Living Construct is a great set of adventuring benefits, Telepathy is neat and potentially useful, and Shard Swarm is a solid racial encounter power. Easily up there with the Gnome and the Tiefling. Wilden (PHB3): You can pass as a Prescient or Valorous Bard with the relevant secondary stat for both and some pretty good racial powers. You're likely to favor Voyage of the Ancients for your Nature's Aspect. [/sblock] [b]Other rulebooks/Dragon[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Changeling/Doppelganger[/COLOR] (EPG): You're naturally charismatic, which means I like you already. You can pick up the extra smarts if you want to be Cunning, or extra reflexes if you want to be a ranged Skald. Changeling Disguise is a whole lot of fun (make sure you train Bluff). [COLOR=#00ccff]Drow[/COLOR] (FRPG/E:HFK): Amazing as a ranged Skald if you go for the personality on top of your quickness. Lolthtouched powers, Trance and Darkvision are all very solid benefits for all Bards. [COLOR=#800080]Genasi[/COLOR] (FRPG): Might fit in as a Cunning or Valorous Bard, but hardly spectacular at it. [COLOR=#ff0000]Gnoll[/COLOR] (D 367): Just no synergy at all. [b][COLOR=#00ccff]Hamadryad[/COLOR] (HotF)[/b]: This female-only fey race's innate Wisdom and option for Charisma work out perfectly for Prescient Bards. Racial bonuses to saves against the three heavy hitters (daze, dominate, stun), a solid racial power that can be used to gain combat advantage or resist damage and a Trance-type feature round it out. [COLOR=#00ccff]Kalashtar[/COLOR] (EPG): Naturally charismatic, you've always been a prime candidate for the Virtue of Prescience with some extra wisdom on hand. You can also now choose to be smart, rather than wise, and be a fine Cunning Bard. The solid Bastion of Mental clarity, telepathy and the ability to save against dazed and dominated at the start of your turns are all very welcome abilities. [b][COLOR=#00ccff]Pixie[/COLOR] (HotF)[/b]: It's almost unfair how godly a Cunning Bard this tiny little critter can be. It's no slouch as a ranged Skald, either, if you choose quickness over brains. You've got a fly speed, and did I mention that you can make an ally fly for a turn as well every encounter? One particular racial utility (at Lv. 10) even lets you make the whole party take to the skies for a round. A couple of its racial feats are also quite appealing. [COLOR=#00ccff]Revenant[/COLOR] (D 376): With some Charisma on top of your innate Dexterity, you're a prime choice for a ranged Skald, and a good choice for a Bard in general. The biggest sell is the ability to swipe another race's feat support, and even their racial powers via racial Soul feats, which can have some very interesting results. And then there's the insane survivability tricks of this race. [b][COLOR=#00ccff]Satyr[/COLOR] (HotF)[/b]: This male-only fey race makes for a brilliant Valorous Bard (if choosing sturdiness) or ranged Skald (if sharpening those fast-twitch muscles). A racial power that slides an enemy you hit every encounter is quite nice for positional setups, and Pleasant Recovery is a neat thing to have when resting. [COLOR=#800080]Shadar-Kai[/COLOR] (D 372): Shadow Jaunt is a solid encounter power, and the choice of INT is good for a Cunning Bard, but other than that you don't have a whole lot to offer. [COLOR=#ff0000]Shade[/COLOR] (HoS): I don't care if you can have perfect stat bonuses for a Cunning Bard. The loss of a healing surge and the quite frankly wretched racial power are irreconcilable differences, plain and simple. Just a failure of a race through and through. [COLOR=#0000ff]Vryloka[/COLOR] (HoS): The penalty to healing surge value when bloodied is annoying in early Heroic Tier but almost inconsequential after. Makes you wonder why it's there in the first place. With that out of the way, there's a lot to like here. The Charisma bonus is naturally welcome, the speed 7 is sweet and you get a potent and versatile encounter racial utility that can give you extra mobility, a THP buffer or a boost to attack rolls. Solid choice, particularly for a ranged Skald. [COLOR=#800080]Warforged [/COLOR](EPG): Might be able to pass as a Cunning Bard if you choose brains over brawn. Living Construct and Unsleeping Watcher at least help your case to stay alive. [/sblock] [b]Monsters (at DM's Discretion)[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#ff0000]Bladeling[/COLOR] (MOTP): Blech. Another poor-man's Elf. [COLOR=#ff0000]Bugbear[/COLOR] (MM): lol [COLOR=#ff0000]Bullywug[/COLOR] (MM2): Nope. [COLOR=#ff0000]Duergar[/COLOR] (MM2): A Dwarf with twisted morals, a crappy racial power, and none of the redeeming qualities. [COLOR=#ff0000]Githyanki[/COLOR] (MM): Sorry. [COLOR=#0000ff]Goblin[/COLOR] (MM): Goblin Tactics is awesome, and you've also got some personality. You'll do well. [COLOR=#0000ff]Hobgoblin[/COLOR] (MM): Just like a Half-Elf, you can win friends and you're durable. But you don't have Dilletante. Still, you're good enough. Kenku (MM2): An interesting choice thanks to Mimicry. Personality helps you a lot. Kobold (MM): At-will minor-action shifting is awesome. A passable Valorous Bard. [COLOR=#ff0000]Orc[/COLOR] (MM): No. [/sblock] [CENTER][SIZE=6][u]Setting Your Story Straight: Recommended Themes[/u][/SIZE] [/CENTER] [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Devil's Pawn[/COLOR] (NWCS)[/b]: Hellfire and Brimstone is a very handy encounter power for debuffing the attacks and the defenses of enemies within 2 squares of you. Fire resistance at Lv. 10 is nice, too. [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Fey Beast Tamer[/COLOR] (HotF)[/b]: You get a level-scaling beast companion that has half your maximum hit points. And at Lv. 5 said companion grants combat advantage to enemies next to it automatically, flanking or not. A strong and flavorful theme. [b][COLOR=#00ccff]Guardian[/COLOR] (D 399)[/b]: Guardian's Counter lets you play Defender once per encounter, taking a hit meant for an ally and responding with a basic attack (this can be melee or ranged) against the perpetrator. The basic attack part is of particular importance if you're packing the encounter powers that trigger off of those. Potentially enabling out of turn is truly a beautiful thing. [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Harper Agent[/COLOR] (NWCS)[/b]: Gives you a Harper Pin with an encounter power letting use one of three blessings, all of which are pretty sweet (correcting a missed attack roll, reducing the damage of a hit against you by a nice level-scaling amount, or rerolling a failed save). You basically choose the order in which you get them for your first 10 levels. [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Iliyanbruen Guardian[/COLOR] (NWCS)[/b]: For Eladrin only, this one lets you do nice things like take an ally with you when you Fey Step and, at Lv. 10, you can even do this as a minor action. [b][COLOR=#00ccff]Melee Cunning Bards[/COLOR][/b] who MC Swordmage, take Eladrin Swordmage Advance and load up on Dimensional Step powers will want to consider this one a lot more strongly. [b][COLOR=#00ccff]Noble Adept[/COLOR] (DSCS)[/b]: Gain a psionic power point, which you can use on the awesome encounter power you get from this theme to provide a prodigious boost to your or an ally's attack, save or skill check. Perfect for a Leader such as yourself. [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Order Adept[/COLOR] (D399)[/b]: The ability to take Wizard utilities freely can work out nicely. The +1 power bonus to Will at Lv. 10 is welcome, too. [CENTER][SIZE=6][u]Skill is Power: Skills[/u][/SIZE][/CENTER] You're automatically trained in Arcana. You should definitely reserve one of your trained choices for Perception. After that, you've got some leeway. [b]Class Skills[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#ff9900]Arcana[/COLOR]: This skill is a required part of the trade to learn, so it doesn't matter what I think of it (although it's obvious that, for Bards, I do think very highly of it). It's used in rituals and knowledge checks. [COLOR=#0000ff]Acrobatics[/COLOR]: Helps you escape grabs and restraints, balance, reduce fall damage. Very versatile skill. [COLOR=#0000ff]Athletics[/COLOR][COLOR=#0000ff] [/COLOR]: Also helps you escape grabs, as well as climb, jump and swim. [COLOR=#00ccff]Bluff[/COLOR]: Can be flat-out essential depending on your build or race, in which it helps certain powers function. Other than that it's great for conversations. You're guaranteed to be good at it because of your high Charisma. [COLOR=#00ccff]Diplomacy[/COLOR]: Between being eminently winsome, which you must be to be a Bard in the first place, and having a class feature power that works with this skill, you're likely to be the party face. So this one is kinda important. [COLOR=#800080]Dungeoneering[/COLOR]: Low on the totem pole in the grand scheme of things. Only consider it at all if you're Prescient. Heal: You may or may not need this. If you're the only ritual caster in the party, you'll be more likely to need it. A [COLOR=#0000ff]Prescient Bard[/COLOR] makes the best use of it. History: Knowledge skill. Worth a look from a Cunning Bard. [COLOR=#0000ff]Insight[/COLOR]: Counters Bluff, which can save you. Especially good if you're Prescient, but worthy of training regardless. [COLOR=#00ccff]Intimidate[/COLOR]: The combat application is arguably broken. You'll definitely be good at it, and aside from that it's also used in conversations a lot. Nature: Knowledge skill, used in some rituals. Best used by a Prescient Bard, or any Bard who fancies himself the Celtic sage of yore. [COLOR=#ff9900]Perception[/COLOR][COLOR=#00ccff] [/COLOR]: Counters Stealth, which is kinda important. Also just generally useful. Consider this one essential. Religion: A Cunning Bard might learn the ways of the divine if no Divine characters travel with him. Counts as a knowledge skill and is used in a lot of rituals. [COLOR=#0000ff]Streetwise[/COLOR]: Often comes in handy in skill challenges, and you're naturally good at it. [/sblock] [b]Other skills[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Endurance[/COLOR]: Helps you get over diseases and generally survive in a lot of adverse conditions. Easily picked up with a multiclassing feat of Fighter, Ranger, Warlord or Barbarian. [COLOR=#0000ff]Stealth[/COLOR]: Some of your invisibility powers affect you, so you may want to train this. Especially if you're a Gnome. Avenger, Ranger and Rogue all have multiclass feats that train this. Thievery: Can come in handy. [/sblock] [CENTER][SIZE=6][u]Instruments of Choice: Weapons and Implements[/u][/SIZE][/CENTER] [b]Weapons[/b] [sblock] Bards are very particular about their weapons. They prefer weapons that hit often, since they like to make sure their party-starting powers work in combat, and if they can somehow fold implement usage into them, even better. [COLOR=#00ccff][b]Dagger[/b][/COLOR]: Perhaps THE best choice for a ranged Skald, and a fine choice for Prescients as well. +3 proficiency and a range of 5 (which perfectly coincides with the coverage of the Skald's Aura). As it's a light blade, it gets awesome feat support that helps it hit even more accurately, such as Nimble Blade and (for Skalds) Deft Blade. And finally, you can use this one as an implement if you take the Arcane Implement Proficiency feat or a Swordmage multiclass feat. Or if you're just that cheap for feats, Songblades are also available in dagger form. [COLOR=#0000ff]Longbow/Shortbow[/COLOR]: Prescients tend to default to this one. It's not optimal (+2 proficiency), but since Bards start automatically proficient with these, it's worth mentioning. Shortbows are for the small races; Longbows are for everyone else. Songbows, which can be used as implements for Bard class and Bard paragon path powers, come in this weapon type. [COLOR=#00ccff]Longsword[/COLOR]: A prime choice for a Valorous Bard, especially since you're not automatically proficient with the rapier. You get that all-important +3 proficiency bonus, important for your role as a Leader so you get the maximum party favors from your attack powers. Songblades come in this type of weapon, or you can easily use any one of these as a general implement with a Swordmage multiclass feat or Arcane Implement Proficiency. You're automatically proficient with the longsword. [COLOR=#00ccff]Shortsword[/COLOR]: This is the best melee light blade with which you're automatically proficient, and as such it is, hands-down, the weapon of choice for a melee-focused Skald. You're only one die size down from the rapier, which you shouldn't sweat too much since you're not a primary Striker. The shortsword has a +3 proficiency like all good light blades do, and it benefits from the likes of Nimble Blade and Deft Blade. And, yes, it is open to AIP and Swordmage multiclassing for implement usage. [COLOR=#00ccff]Superior Crossbow[/COLOR]: If you're a Prescient or a ranged Skald who wants to spare the proficiency feat and the Speed Loader feat to use it, it's a damn good one for sure. +3 proficiency and as much range as a longbow (and in the Skald's case, they'll appreciate the large damage die vis a vis the dagger). Songbows also come in this weapon type. [/sblock] [b]Implements[/b] [sblock] [COLOR=#00ccff]Dagger/Longsword/Shortsword[/COLOR]: Skalds and Valorous Bards may want to pick up the occasional implement-based attack, and what better to use as their implement than their weapon? It reduces MID -- and your expenses -- to go this route. You can multiclass Swordmage or take AIP to use any blade for all implement powers. (Or, if you're cheap for feats, use a Songblade.) Really a good option for any Bard looking to use a variety of spells, both weapon- and implement-based. [COLOR=#0000ff]Longbow/Shortbow/Superior Crossbow[/COLOR]: Generally the choice of Prescients and a few ranged Skalds (through Songbows), but not without their limitations. Bows cannot be subject to AIP, thus making multiclassing more difficult for those Bards. Musical Instrument: Musical instruments double as a focus for your rituals, so early on this helps reduce MID. The highest-level Bard rituals only require a 1,000 gp instrument (Lv. 5 item), however, so that reason falls off around late Heroic Tier. That said, some of the higher-level instruments have some pretty good daily powers that are enhanced by your Song of Rest, so it's not a total waste to stick to them. [COLOR=#0000ff]Wand[/COLOR]: We like to call them conductor batons in our trade. If you're looking to turn your implement-based attack powers up to fortissimo, this is as good as most of you will have by default. Battle Song Expertise works with wands, giving your forced movement powers from your class (and there are quite a few) an extra square. And only wands benefit from Bard Implement Expertise in Epic Tier for expanded crit range if you want that. If you're purely implement-based, you'll want to get an Accurate version as well. [COLOR=#00ccff][b]Orb[/b][/COLOR]: Requires most of you to multiclass Wizard (a common MC). If you're an Eladrin (Sun Elf), congratulations, you get this for free, and it's an upgrade over wands thanks to its better Expertise feat, which adds an extra square of forced movement to ALL applicable attack powers (whether from your class or not). Like with wands, you'll also want to get an Accurate version. [COLOR=#00ccff][b]Staff[/b][/COLOR]: Requires an MC feat, being a Sun Elf Eladrin or taking White Lotus Dueling Expertise. This one is another upgrade over the default wand thanks to its amazing Expertise feat, which prevents all enemy OAs for using your ranged and area powers in the thick of a melee. And if you want to pick up the odd melee power in your repertoire, congrats, your staff is also a reach weapon with the Expertise. Again, you'll want an Accurate version. [/sblock] [/QUOTE]
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