Bard Advice: how much can I dump combat stats?
- Thread starter TaranTheWanderer
- Start date
Quartz
Hero
So you can use Spell Secret to pick up something other than Shield. Or you could use it to pick up the Guidance cantrip.
UngeheuerLich
Legend
You can drop combat stats as much as you are comfortable with.
You will be able to have AC 11 easily with those stats not good but no drama.
I really would take resilient constitution or combat caster.
If you really want to take resilient constitution you could change around some stats to not have an odd con. But combat caster has its merits too as you can now do meaningful opportunity attacks and have your hands full when casting spells. (You don't have to put away your lute for some spells).
Shield spell is more or less a waste. You have cutting words to lower an attack roll against you or someone else. In your case barkskin might be a useful spell but concebtration is hefty. Rather take mirror image and later improved invisibility. Those two spells should allow you to disencourage enemies enough.
You will be able to have AC 11 easily with those stats not good but no drama.
I really would take resilient constitution or combat caster.
If you really want to take resilient constitution you could change around some stats to not have an odd con. But combat caster has its merits too as you can now do meaningful opportunity attacks and have your hands full when casting spells. (You don't have to put away your lute for some spells).
Shield spell is more or less a waste. You have cutting words to lower an attack roll against you or someone else. In your case barkskin might be a useful spell but concebtration is hefty. Rather take mirror image and later improved invisibility. Those two spells should allow you to disencourage enemies enough.
UngeheuerLich
Legend
A question: if those stats were point buy: maybe I am wrong but I think you lowered you 10 to 8 and increased 12 to 14. Which is not allowed since you need 3 points to go from 12 to 14.
I calculated warcaster over resilient: warcaster is increasing your odds to keep concentration from 60% to 84%. Resilient only increases it only to 80%.
If you however indeed miscalculated your stats, warcaster increases odds from 55% to about slightly undet 80% and resilent does about the same bit also increases hp by 10 and does so much more.
I assumed 13 con and 9 str (every point of srength helps a lot when you need to carry loot or wear armor).
I calculated warcaster over resilient: warcaster is increasing your odds to keep concentration from 60% to 84%. Resilient only increases it only to 80%.
If you however indeed miscalculated your stats, warcaster increases odds from 55% to about slightly undet 80% and resilent does about the same bit also increases hp by 10 and does so much more.
I assumed 13 con and 9 str (every point of srength helps a lot when you need to carry loot or wear armor).
TaranTheWanderer
Legend
You are correct! I was using an on-line point-buy calculator and it gave me the wrong numbers until I refreshed the page and then told me I over-spent. After using a different one, I found I could only get my CON to 13 and had one point left over.
I don't want to raise STR over 8 because it's part of the point of playing the character. He's too feeble to carry loot (or lute?) and wear armour. So, I asked the DM and he let me drop STR to 7! and use the extra points for that to raise CON to 14.
That said, there still might be a good reason to take resilient CON. I could always raise CON again at 12th. I think the party will be leveling to 11th fairly soon, so it's not a far reach. I haven't even looked at what spells I'm going to take yet but I assume there'll be lots of concentration spells. Leadership Feat is still in the running though.
I think keeping CHA at 20 is the way to go...dunno....story-wise, I can probably find a good reason to drop it to 18 and then raise it again at 12th. He was supposed to be a famous Bard in his youth.
Mirror Image is a good idea...
Sorcerers Apprentice
Hero
I think for a 10th level character you'll be fine. Your AC is horrible, but bards often have mediocre AC anyway and the difference isn't that significant. For casters in 5e the best defensive tactic is usually to try to avoid getting targeted in the first place!
DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
First off, nice character concept!
One suggestion would be if you are using multiclassing, start with levels in another spellcasting class, such as sorcerer (his "old" life), and he became a bard when he went into hiding.
As far as his feats go, you might want to consider War Caster. With low AC you are likely to get hit and you will probably be concentrating often. Advantage will help. Also, since you aren't proficient in Con saves, taking Resilient for Con would help in concentrating as well.
One suggestion would be if you are using multiclassing, start with levels in another spellcasting class, such as sorcerer (his "old" life), and he became a bard when he went into hiding.
As far as his feats go, you might want to consider War Caster. With low AC you are likely to get hit and you will probably be concentrating often. Advantage will help. Also, since you aren't proficient in Con saves, taking Resilient for Con would help in concentrating as well.
TaranTheWanderer
Legend
Thanks
nah, I want to go full bard with no multi-classing and have 5th level spells. Plus, I'm abandoning a paly-sorcerer combo and want to avoid the sorcerer. Writing plays as satires against the anti-magic establishment and embellishing them with magic was plenty enough to get a death-warrant on his head.
I wonder if I could just go 18 charisma, Inspiring Leader, and Resilient(CON). Then go 20 charisma at 12th. Resilient will boost my CON to 15... aaaah! so many choices! It's too bad point-buy doesn't let you raise stats past 15.
I don't find blade ward to be all that useful since you need to know an attack is coming. You're usually better using your action to get the heck out of dodge.
Instead, take an attack cantrip like fire bolt. At 10th level you'll do 2d10 damage, increasing to 3d10 when you hit 11th level. That's not too shabby. Vicious mockery is cool but the damage is pretty low, so having a decent attack cantrip will give you something to do on turns when the best move is to just pour damage on the enemy.
I also love Inspiring Leader, especially with a topped-off Charisma. I don't think Resilient (Con) is that great for you -- it helps with concentration, but not getting hit will help more.
UngeheuerLich
Legend
Problem is: you will be hit eventually. And resilient con helps a lot as does warcaster. I would refrain from using a feat or a magical secret on an attack cantrip. 3d10 is pitiful to what you can do with an action and an actual spell.
Inspiring leader of course is a nice and thematic ability. Will help everyone a lot.
Inspiring leader of course is a nice and thematic ability. Will help everyone a lot.
