Any suggestions for a new bard?

[Nonlethal Force]

How many perform skills are common for a bard?

I try to get the feat Versatile Performer (C. Adv.). This gives you a +2 bonus on combined perform checks - and you get to pick a number of Perform abilities equal to your INT mod and treat them as if you had ranks in them equal to your highest legitimate Perform category. It's like free skillpoints. All you need is an INT 14 and you get 2 free Perform categories and a +2 bonus when you can use more than one at a time. Very handy feat - and it frees up skillpoints for other areas. Can't get it at 1st level, but something to consider for 3rd level feat!

I was thinking of taking Performs for that, a guitar, and just singing for when I'm without an instrument. Is that a pretty viable combination?

I'd go with percussion-buckler, dance, sing personally. If you do guitar and drum ... you'll never be able to use them in conjunction. But if you do drum, dance, and sing - you can mix and match any of those based on your situation. Especially important if you go with the Versatile Performer feat.

What about the old Virtuoso from the 3.0 Song and Silence? It seems to be the inspiration for the 3.5 bard PrCs.

There is a Virtuoso in C. Adv ... but I don't know if it is the same. Found on p. 89-92.

Oh, what about bladesinger? Did they update that from the Tome and Blood version to 3.5 anywhere?

There is a bladesinger in C. Warrior, but again I don't know if it is the same. found on p. 17-19

Hope this helps.

 

[diaglo]

suggestions: don't play a bard

take lvls of 5-7 lvls of fighter and multiclass for 5-9 lvls of rogue and then the remaining lvls as a druid.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

suggestions: don't play a bard

take lvls of 5-7 lvls of fighter and multiclass for 5-9 lvls of rogue and then the remaining lvls as a druid.

And this helps the original poster precisely how?

I understand that combination may be useful, but it isn't really the flavor the original poster seems to be going for.

 

[Legildur]

suggestions: don't play a bard

take lvls of 5-7 lvls of fighter and multiclass for 5-9 lvls of rogue and then the remaining lvls as a druid.

Shouldn't that be dual-class instead???

 

[Herobizkit]

suggestions: don't play a bard

take lvls of 5-7 lvls of fighter and multiclass for 5-9 lvls of rogue and then the remaining lvls as a druid.

Hmmm... Diaglo, that sounds suspiciously like the Bard class from AD&D1... did you finally update your OD&D books?

 

[morez]

Much fun with bard

I play now quite new a 3rd level bard and have much fun with him!
He is going to be a Bard 8 / Arcane Archer 10 / Fighter 2 build (at 20th level - well i dont know if he ever will reach it )

I highly recommened to use ranged weapons. An elf makes an excellent bard. (well i had to be an half-elf)

My bards stats: (Consider i am not goint to get more than 8 bard lvls)

Str: 10
Dex: 16
Con: 12
Wis: 10
Int: 14
Cha: 14

with an high dex and tumble score (opponents only gets a single attack and no AoO) he is great in ranged combat (as a bard ) and at social activities mostly the best. (my DM often let me use my skills)
Considering our party consists of monk / rouge / wizard / 2 fighters and my bard - i am the only one who can cast cure wound spells (dont laugh about that weak party )

actually i also thought first the bard sucks but i have a lot of fun with him

I'M A BARD: http://www.deadgentlemen.com/media/tgdr/G2E_teaser_medium.mov

 

[RigaMortus2]

I always thought a Bard/Marshal would make a cool character concept. Of course, you have that alignment restiction to work around...

 

[LordVyreth]

Hmm, maybe I should get Complete Adventurer after all. I think I'll have to wait a while before I make a decision. The DM is really big on variant and house rules, including the Wound/Vitality system and various new races and classes, so I think I'm going to see what he's making available before making a decision.

 

[FEADIN]

Hmmm... Diaglo, that sounds suspiciously like the Bard class from AD&D1... did you finally update your OD&D books?

Now there is the Flohluclan lyrist to convert those good old bards from 1st edition, it keeps a progression in the bard music and spells, also druid spells.
Prerequisite are numerous: evasion feature, speak drudic, bardic music, 13 rank in perform (stinged instruments) and 7 ranks in 5 others skills...you can be rogue 2, bard 4, druid 4 to start this PrC.
Trying to convert my old character from add1 will give something like, fighter 2, rogue 2, bard 2, druid 5 (for the wild shape), FLyrist 7 = lvl 18 with spells as a 9 lvl bard and 12 lvl druid, +14 BAB.

 

[nittanytbone]

Much depensd on your stats and desired role in the party.

I had a great set of stats which made a nice warrior-bard build (at 6th level):

Rogue 1, Bard 4, Fighter 1

Feats:
1 - Dodge
1 - Mobility
3 - Combat Expertise
6 - Spring Attack
Ftr 1 - Whirlwind Attack

The next feat of choice is of course "exotic weap prof -- spiked chain" which could be gotten rapdily with another level of fighter or by front loading something like ranger (so that it can be gotten at first level). "Weapon Finesse" or "Improved Trip" might also be on the "to get" list. The idea is to maximize your strengths (mobility due to light armor, good dex or str) and minimize your weaknesses (low HP, desire to stay out of direct melee so you can switch up to an instrument if desired).

The level of rogue is totally optional and could be easily replaced with another of bard if desired. However, it gets you in the door for trapfinding and gets you another few skill points as well as access to some skills you might want to have (open locks, disable device, and search come to mind), plus precision sneak attack damage which is always nice.
A lot depends on your focus -- as others have mentioned, bards can be very flexible if multiclassed a bit, but you have to decide how much spell casting progression you're willing to give up for added combat power (or whatever else).

As far as perform skills go, I would only use two. I would keep one maxed out with an instrument. The masterwork +2 to your checks as well as the potential to use magic instruments means that effects which have a saving throw DC based on your perform check will be very potent. I would have few ranks in an oral only skill though so that you can chant inspiring poetry while engaged or stripped of your instrument. Remember, only one of the skills needs to be maxed out in order to use your nifty bardic abilities, so I would just get the secondary skill to a point where you have a nice round number (15 or 20) if taking 10 so that you can reliably earn money or impress people with it.