Bard Multi-Classing

[Haffrung Helleyes]

With a bard, you need to focus your feats and your prestige class choices augmenting either your fighter role or your caster role.

I chose the caster role approach.

Take the Fey Heritage feat chain -- this gives you spell like abilities that are useful at the level you get them (you can get Charm Monster and Deep Slumber at character level 6 , for example). Then go for the Lyric Thaumaturge prestige class , which increases spells known and spells per day _faster_ than straight bard, AND gives you Captivating Melody as a bonus feat, which helps your save DCs considerably.

Finally , pump your Use Magic Device skill and get a wand of magic missiles or scorching ray.

If you do all this you will be an effective caster -- not as effective as a straight wizard or sorcerer, but capable of pulling your own weight.

Ken

 

[Darklone]

If all you want is a bard that pulls his own weight, go bard archer. One level of warblade for the swift singing option, rest bard and get Rapid Shot and boots of speed (or the haste spell later). Get a good str and dex and you'll do fine.

 

[Mistwell]

I'm still going to suggest Melodic Casting (Complete Mage, pg 44). While it's true that lingering song allows Bardic Music to last longer than normal, with Melodic Casting, there's no need to even stop performing, and that means you can keep the music going without needing to waste another performance.

Plus, using perform in place of concentration frees up skill points.

In all honesty, it's a better use of a feat than Lingering Song.

I entirely agree. It's a good feat for bards.

 

[Nifft]

I entirely agree. It's a good feat for bards.

Yep yep yep, same here.

Warblade + Song of the White Raven would be my first choice.

Melodic Casting would be my second.

Cheers, -- N

PS: I prefer Warblade to crusader for two reasons: first, Warblade is easier for a first-time Initiator; and second, Warblade feels more Skaldish in flavor.

 

[Shallown]

I have a 12th level bard and anyone in the group will tell you he is anything but useless.

I inspire for +5 which they love.

I only slightly abuse UMD which has been covered above.

The only thing not suggested is using the Whip in combat. With your dex you can wpn finesse and pick up combat expertise and imp disarm.

When I disarm I do so at a +18 to the roll. This often beats the opponents I face and with the whirling blade spell I can disarm and entire 60 line of opponents. I once disarmed 8 fighters charging toward me and forced them to stop and grab weapons up and basically put them out of the fight for a round or two which helped.

Just a thought

 

[Darklone]

PS: I prefer Warblade to crusader for two reasons: first, Warblade is easier for a first-time Initiator; and second, Warblade feels more Skaldish in flavor.

Yeap. Singing and hacking has fluff, singing and tanking not so much... I don't like to play whining martyrs.

 

[roguerouge]

As a bard, you get reams of "save or lose" spells from first level onwards, you're the party's face with the powerful Diplomacy skill, and you make everyone in the party better. Players love you, bar maids and waiters fall in love you, and the DM's jailed humanoid villains curse the day charm person was ever invented.

The problem may be the DM, frankly. If you like classes that use enchantments and illusions, you need to talk with the DM about whether he will really let you shine. Some DMs will never let an illusion work, no matter how creative you get, because they think that's cheating the rest of the party somehow. But they don't bat an eye at Finger of Death. Some DMs will say they're fine with enchantments then stuff their campaigns with things that can't be charmed in the interests of "balance." Yes, combat's where the blasters and fighters should get their whacks in, but there should be something to do in most combats in a well-run campaign.

Is the problem the build or is the problem that you're playing a bard in the wrong campaign?