Bard Archer

[Chrysoula]

Hi there.

I'm working on a new character, an aasimar bard. I also want this character to be an archer. I'm trying to decide between the Monte bard and the PHB bard. Has this been discussed somewhere already, or does anybody have some thoughts on which of the two classes would lend itself better to being an archer, and why?

Thanks!

 

[Berk]

I'd personally go Monte bard cuz the PHB bard sucks IMHO. As for an archer bard, don't think it would really matter much, whichever version you like best would be good. Prolly the PHB version actually if you want the arcane spells that the bard gets.

 

[shilsen]

I haven't checked out Monte's bard myself, but I believe it changes the spell list. The PHB bard has access to some spells that are very well-suited to helping out an archer both defensively and offensively, esp. Cat's Grace, Haste, Mirror Image, Improved Invisibility, and the essential Greater Magic Weapon. So the PHB one is probably the way to go.

 

[mmu1]

I haven't checked out Monte's bard myself, but I believe it changes the spell list.

I think we have the Understatement of the Day here

The Monte version changes the bard so that he doesn't cast spells, he casts "notes", "chords" and "melodies", from a very different list. The major difference is that "notes" can be cast as a move equivalent action, chords as standard, and melodies as full-round.

 

[Skullfyre]

If you have a chance, check out the bow in the Bastion Press book Arms and Armor.
With a successful perform check you can fire an arrow and play music at the same time... although the actual check eludes me...

Here it is:

Harp Bow

+3 mighty composite shortbow(+2 Strength bonus) with multiple strings that can be played like a harp. Anyone proficient with harps recieves a +7 enhancement bonus to their Performance skill when playing this harp. A successful Performance skill check(DC 10, the +7 bonus does not count towards this roll) allows the wielder to play the harp and fire arrows from it simultaneously.
Caster level: 11th; Prereqs Craft Magic Arms and Armor,emotion; Market price : 10,325 gp; Cost to Create 5,328 gp + 400 xp.

 

[Ran]

The DM's Haven site had a supplement (Bard's Companion) with PrC for bards, one was an archer, they are nice, more colofull than powerfull...

 

[Shin Okada]

I will go for pure single class PHB Bard. Full caster level for support spells such as Greater Magic Weapon will help you much.

 

[Chrysoula]

There's a sorcerer in the party already planning on taking GMW and Haste, for reference.

Hey, while I'm at it, does anybody know if Masterwork arrows can be used with magical bows? I found the section in the DMG on bow and arrow bonus-stacking ambiguous.

 

[Apok]

The major difference is that "notes" can be cast as a move equivalent action, chords as standard, and melodies as full-round.

Another difference is that you can break them down by the follwing formulae;

5 spellnotes = 1 spellchord
3 spellchords = 1 spellmelody
1 spellmelody = 15 spellnotes

These formulae work both ways, which give the Monte Bard amazing flexability with his spellcasting. The only downside is that there aren't many spellsongs given in the BoEMII so there are several holes in the Bard's magic repetoir (ie, lots of charm-type effects, no illusions, and very few buffing effects). On the upside, the Monte Bard has more spells that are purely offensive in nature.

For your archer, I'd use the PHB Bard.

 

[Nidome]

There's a sorcerer in the party already planning on taking GMW and Haste, for reference.

Hey, while I'm at it, does anybody know if Masterwork arrows can be used with magical bows? I found the section in the DMG on bow and arrow bonus-stacking ambiguous.

As far as I am aware you add the bonuses for the bow and arrow together, However it is solely the bonus on the arrow that is used when trying to overcome DR.