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<blockquote data-quote="Kalendraf" data-source="post: 2055308" data-attributes="member: 3433">The current campaign I'm running features 2 bards (one is an NPC), and the last one I ran had one as well.&nbsp; Based on what you've mentioned, here's what I'd recommend:As Mekabar says - Avoid dwarf.&nbsp; The charisma penalty is a no-no for a bard.&nbsp; As for gnome vs. halfling, I'd probably go with gnome.With 30 pt point buy, I'd probably do something like this:STR 12 (dropped to 10 by gnome penalty) 4ptsDEX 14&nbsp; 6ptsCON 14 (bumped to 16 by gnome bonus)&nbsp; 6ptsINT 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 2ptsWIS 10&nbsp; 2ptsCHA 16&nbsp; 10ptsFor skills, it's really a campaign-dependent kind of thing.&nbsp; I would recommend the same ones that Mekabar mentions:&nbsp; Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Info, and I'd also take a look at putting some points in a few Knowledge skills and perhaps Spellcraft.&nbsp; Concentration can be useful as well.For feats, it really depends on whether you want to be more of a combat character, a spellcaster or a skills master.&nbsp; I've seen bards try each of those paths to varying degrees of success.The can be suprisingly versatile casters, especially with the right spell selection.&nbsp; Tasha's Hideous Laughter is a 1st level spell for them, and is one of the strongest in their arsenal.&nbsp; I highly recommend it.&nbsp; If you decide to go for enchantment type spells like that, it may be worth taking the feats of Spell Focus (Enchantment) and then Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment) in order to make the DC's extra hard for the enemy to overcome.&nbsp; At higher spell levels, there are other enchantment spells (Hold Person, Confusion, Hold Monster) all of which can benefit from the Spell Focus (Enchantment).&nbsp; They can also be adequate in combat, though they'll never be as powerful as fighter types are.&nbsp; The archer route is an option, but at higher levels, you may find it to be overly weak.&nbsp; But if you want to try that, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot &amp; Rapid Shot are worth investigating.&nbsp; Just remember that as a gnome or halfling you will do less damage with the smaller weapons.The skill mastery route is very campaign dependent.&nbsp; If you roleplay a lot, then taking feats to boost skills may be worthwhile.&nbsp; I don't recommend it unless that is your style.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Kalendraf, post: 2055308, member: 3433"] The current campaign I'm running features 2 bards (one is an NPC), and the last one I ran had one as well. Based on what you've mentioned, here's what I'd recommend: As Mekabar says - Avoid dwarf. The charisma penalty is a no-no for a bard. As for gnome vs. halfling, I'd probably go with gnome. With 30 pt point buy, I'd probably do something like this: STR 12 (dropped to 10 by gnome penalty) 4pts DEX 14 6pts CON 14 (bumped to 16 by gnome bonus) 6pts INT 10 2pts WIS 10 2pts CHA 16 10pts For skills, it's really a campaign-dependent kind of thing. I would recommend the same ones that Mekabar mentions: Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Info, and I'd also take a look at putting some points in a few Knowledge skills and perhaps Spellcraft. Concentration can be useful as well. For feats, it really depends on whether you want to be more of a combat character, a spellcaster or a skills master. I've seen bards try each of those paths to varying degrees of success. The can be suprisingly versatile casters, especially with the right spell selection. Tasha's Hideous Laughter is a 1st level spell for them, and is one of the strongest in their arsenal. I highly recommend it. If you decide to go for enchantment type spells like that, it may be worth taking the feats of Spell Focus (Enchantment) and then Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment) in order to make the DC's extra hard for the enemy to overcome. At higher spell levels, there are other enchantment spells (Hold Person, Confusion, Hold Monster) all of which can benefit from the Spell Focus (Enchantment). They can also be adequate in combat, though they'll never be as powerful as fighter types are. The archer route is an option, but at higher levels, you may find it to be overly weak. But if you want to try that, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot & Rapid Shot are worth investigating. Just remember that as a gnome or halfling you will do less damage with the smaller weapons. The skill mastery route is very campaign dependent. If you roleplay a lot, then taking feats to boost skills may be worthwhile. I don't recommend it unless that is your style. [/QUOTE]

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