11th lvl Bard, looking for advice

[Lord Morte]

Need a new character for a subterranean campaign and I was thinking of playing a secondary fighter/support Bard. We have a scout (Rogue/Ranger), a frontline fighter/tank, and a Mystic Theurge handling spell-casting.

I was thinking Weapon Finesse, Spring Attack (and pre-reqs), Improved Feint (and pre-req), a rapier and plenty of ranks of Bluff, Perform (sing) and Tumble. Maybe add a level of Fighter. But I was wondering if any one had any interesting and/or effective ideas for a build. We're using dice to generate attributes, and I'll probably be eleventh level.

As I said we're underground, effectively permenantily, so archer types are of only limited usefulness. We're been limited to WOTC books and the DM prefers to review any optional rules before allowing them.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I'd drop the bard and go for a full spellcaster. Sure, the MT knows a buttload of spells, but he doesn't know the highest level ones, and his caster level isn't probably that great (unless he took Practiced Spellcaster. Twice).

If you were tempted by putting your bard into harm's way (ie, getting into fights), you'd be (and your party too) better off with a cleric.

AR

 

[aco175]

Yeah, maybe a cleric would work out fine. A bard has some healing and some buff magic with some other buffing special abilities.

Maybe a dwarf for the darkvision, make him a first level ftr and 10th bard, or even 2/9 just to get some fighting feats and save room for bard stuff. The bardic knowledge should come in handy with new magic, throw ranks in use magic devise.

From your description though, you sound like you do not want a dwarf though.

 

[Scion]

Looks like you are missing a party face, would it be useful?

The marshal has a host of interesting abilities plus I have a prc made for a character that used to be in the group which really makes it a great face/party buffer. Take leadership to fill out the roll even farther, it works amazingly well in my experience.

If you like the idea I can send you the prc to peruse and see if it fits your liking.

Otherwise, with bard there are so many incredible bard things out there now it isnt even funny I just got a bunch of new books so havent had time to assimilate it all, but there were so many random bard things it was incredible. Pick a specialty and you can do it.

 

[Jdvn1]

I tend to think Bards make better archers. Low HD, so you don't want to get in the thick of melee. Jack up the Dex and you're good at a variety of Bard stuff -- it helps a lot of your skills, your attack, your AC... Oh, and look at the Bard PrCs from Complete Arcane.

 

[Thanee]

With Sublime Chord in Complete Arcane, you can be both, a Bard and a full-scale spellcaster later.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Lord Morte]

Thanks for the responses, sorry about taking so long to get back.

Yeah, maybe a cleric would work out fine. A bard has some healing and some buff magic with some other buffing special abilities.

It would work well, but my last character in this campaign was a druid. I was hoping to play something different.

Maybe a dwarf for the darkvision, make him a first level ftr and 10th bard, or even 2/9 just to get some fighting feats and save room for bard stuff. The bardic knowledge should come in handy with new magic, throw ranks in use magic devise.

From your description though, you sound like you do not want a dwarf though.

I have considered a dwarf, but I've got to roll stats and may not get that many high ability scores. A penalty to Charisma is VERY unattractive in those conditions.

Looks like you are missing a party face, would it be useful?

The marshal has a host of interesting abilities plus I have a prc made for a character that used to be in the group which really makes it a great face/party buffer. Take leadership to fill out the roll even farther, it works amazingly well in my experience.

If you like the idea I can send you the prc to peruse and see if it fits your liking.

Thanks, but we don't have the minatures handbook, so no marshal. A party face could be useful... but I'd have to talk to the DM. We've been RP most social encounters lately.

With Sublime Chord in Complete Arcane, you can be both, a Bard and a full-scale spellcaster later.

Spell-casting wasn't a large concern, but Sublime Chord could work

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I would not choose a Bard with that party mix.

The ranger/rogue is going to get chewed up on the front line. If you are going add a character to the party who is shy about going toe-to-toe, you better have some real offensive punch -- that spells Wizard, Sorceror, or a top notch archer.

The simplest route is to build someone who can slug it out. I am not necessarily talking tank. A straight Ranger with a good Con. A Fighter/Rogue.

If you roll up some above average stats, I think there are some very promising builds of FighterX/Cleric3 or FighterX/Cleric1 that you may like. You have good number of feats to build your offense. If you happen to have a decent Cha you can exploit Divine feats in ways that will make Paladins green. Your most important saves will be strong, and you can use spells to blend in a little extra offense or defense as need. Do not overlook Domain abilities -- many are feats or as good as feats. And consider taking a Domain that gives you access to True Strike. BTW, a Fighter/Cleric could make a fine archer, and still be able to brawl.

As a party, you are going to be lagging with respect to higher level spells. A Bard will exacerbate the problem.

A Druid or Cleric would rock. But they always rock. A party can never have too many Druids or Clerics.

 

[Evilhalfling]

I was going to suggest a Seeker of the song, they can use bardic music offensivly, but considereing the lack of pure casters, go with the sublime cord. This class makes me want to play a bard. At 13th lvl you get 6th lvl bard and wizard spells - whee! Cord of disintegration here I come.