AmpsterMan
First Post
I'd be giving up my 10th level spell then, no? Alas, I don't even have anyone to play this game with xD. I am just doing this for my own amusement tbh.
If your going for standard stat allocation mine will look like this for a half elf bard. I will be sticking to finesse weapons obviously.
Str:8
Con:12
Dex:15
Int:14
Wis:10
Cha:17
Just flip the dex and cha if you go valor. I dont know if I would take any feats for my lore bard. I may consider spell sniper to pick up Eldritch Blast, letting me pick up something else when I hit the level 6 lore feature, but to be honest achieving +4 cha and +3 dex is a higher priority for me. If you are a more perceptive, investigative bard rather than a brainy knowledge bard you can flip the int and wis. Strength is ignored because only one skill depends on it and can often be a combined skill check.
Valor bard is a bit MAD if you plan on using medium armor. If you roll stats and get a lot of 14+ the class is a lot better. The valor bard stinks at damage even with that extra attack at level 5 as it gets no spells that add to damage like hex, no fighting style, and doesn't get to steal any spells until level 10 and it kind of needs the warcaster feat. It can be a good buffer with the shield master feat as it an use expertise on athletics. Without better scores than the default start as a fighter and multiclass in the valor bard at level 2. If you want a dex based valor bard you do noot get a lot of stat buffs to use on dex and cha and you want both. And now you are a dex based melee combatant with meh scores , meh damage and not doing much of anything. dex based ranged valor bard is a bit better but you lack feats to make the archer good or if you get the feats your dex is going to be lacking and you will stink at being an archer compared with fighter/ranger and there is not much until level 10 to make you any better at archery.
The fighter level gives you proficiency in con saves, heavy armor, a fighting style and reduces MAD so fixes most of the problems the valor bard has. Lore bard has less MAD (cha/dex with tertiary in con) and can usually hide behind people and failing that can still has a d8 hit dice and can steal spells form other classes at level 6 to help out in that regard.
I was trying to build a character that could cover a lot of party roles.
I came up with a Bard (College of Lore) who dips one level into Cleric (Life). You get better healing, you get Heavy Armor (if you want it), and simple weapons (be an elf or dwarf if you want more weapons). Lots of skills too.
I haven't actually played this character. I hope he's a fun and versatile as I'm thinking he will be.
I would love to see your sample Lore Bard build. Either straight-up, or with some multi-classing. I am thinking of playing a Bard in an upcoming Horde of the Dragon Queen campaign.