Offensive Bards

[Nuclear Platypus]

Give the bard an accordian or a kazoo as his instrument of choice.

But thinking of accordians makes me think of Weird Al while the kazoo reminds me of when Edge and Christian played Kurt Angle's theme for him.

 

[Nifft]

IMHO anything to boost Inspire Courage bonus (inspirational boost and the others from an earlier post) plus archery.

Archers get more full attacks, and often more attacks per full attack. Inspire Courage gives you bonus damage (which is multiplied by your number of attacks). Synergy! Be an Elf, or take a level of something that gives you proficiency. Fighter is nice for the bonus feat, Barbarian is fantastic (speed + Rage if you are forced into melee). Don't neglect Strength too much -- a nice Strength bonus on your Composite Longbow will also be multiplied by your copious full attacks.

Once you get haste, you are awesome.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Darklone]

Once you get haste, you are awesome.

Cheers, -- N

... can't resist to pimp bard archers...

The bard archer itself (with UMD) is already a pretty good damage dealer with mediocre str and good dex (str 14 and dex 18 and you rock even if you play classics). First of it's main advantages compared to many other archers: The bard does not have to be stuck within 30ft of the opponent, all he loses for longer distances is PBS. Second advantage: Almost all these nice buffs the bard is using to keep himself dangerous will boost the party as well.
First round of any battle: Inspire Courage.
First round of final battles: Haste, next round Inspire Courage.

If you want to multiclass:
- one level barbarian: Nifft explained it, it's my favorite.
- 2 levels ranger: Way to get Rapid Shot and Track without spending feats and Favored enemy humanoid (human) is nothing to frown at. You don't need PBS anyhow.
- ftr: four levels are most interesting, you'll be looking at Ranged Weapon Mastery+WS later. Your spellcasting will be worse but you won't rely on magic/music to dish out a lot of damage. BAB+16 when heading into epic levels.
- Rogue/Scout. One level is enough for trapfinding, sneak attack is nice for archer, even if it's just one d6. Two levels rogue give you evasion... something most bards want.

Don't forget the Crossbow sniper option from PHB2 for halfling bards with str 10 and huge dex scores. Rapid Reload and you're ready to go as singleclass bard.

Drop all your cash into a Badge of Courage (MIC) and spend all the rest on a magic bow, at least +2 before you add energy enhancements to protect you against Sunder. Gloves of Storing against Disarm.

Don't worry about your to hit bonus, nothing beats the bard archer (except for a full fighterclass fighting next to a bard archer!).

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

Core suggestions...

Glitterdust (an underused spell, imho)
Charm Monster
Confusion
Crushing Despair (esp. combined with Prayer or Recitation)
Good Hope
Slow
Haste
Shout
Dominate Person
Hold Monster
Song of Discord
Mass Suggestion
Irresistible Dance
Eyebite
Greater Shout

 

[brehobit]

2 levels of crusader can really be handy in making a tank bard. Take the Bo9S feat that lets you use inspire courage as a free action and you're off.

Mark

 

[Nifft]

2 levels of crusader can really be handy in making a tank bard. Take the Bo9S feat that lets you use inspire courage as a free action and you're off.

Very true. IMHO Warblade has better synergy, but Crusaders are solid awesome in their own way, particularly if you intend to get into melee.

Adding your Charisma to your Will saves makes you very tough to sway.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Patlin]

Man, and from the title I was hoping the topic would be singing rude songs about the nobility!

 

[Artoomis]

2 levels of crusader can really be handy in making a tank bard. Take the Bo9S feat that lets you use inspire courage as a free action and you're off.

Mark

It's a Swift Action, not a Free Action, and it requires you be using a White Raven stance. I do not know enough about the Crusader to know if it is likely you'd be using a White Raven stance or even have one White Raven manuever as needed to qualify for the feat.

You might be better off using a Belt of Battle to get an extra action and use the feat for something else.

 

[Nifft]

I do not know enough about the Crusader to know if it is likely you'd be using a White Raven stance or even have one White Raven manuever as needed to qualify for the feat.

It's quite likely. Crusaders have access to three schools, and one of them is White Raven.

Cheers, -- N

 

[brehobit]

It's a Swift Action, not a Free Action, and it requires you be using a White Raven stance.

Yep, you are 100% correct. And the difference can be quite significant. Especially if you have the 1st level spell that increases the bonuses you give (also a swift action...)

I do not know enough about the Crusader to know if it is likely you'd be using a White Raven stance or even have one White Raven manuever as needed to qualify for the feat.

You might be better off using a Belt of Battle to get an extra action and use the feat for something else.

Eh, starting nearly every fight with a swift action giving everyone +2 (or better) to attack and damage is pretty handy. For a combat bard past level 5, the issue isn't if burning the song is worth it, it's all about the standard action. In long/tough fights it's generally a clear call until somewhere around level 14 (where fights start getting very short and deadly with lots of save or lose effects floating around), but how long the fight will run is often unclear...