Bard multiclass?

[GreyVulpine]

What would be a good multiclass/PrC for a new player who's playing a bard to go into? He would be making a new character at level 8, planning on being a bard. He doesn't know a whole lot about DnD, so it needs to be fairly simple.

Our party contains a paladin (tank), cleric (healbot), wizard(blaster) and ranger(ranged). We have a rogue who's missing, but may come back in the future. It would be nice if the bard could take up some of the rogue's skills, but also synergize nicely if the rogue were to come back.

I'm looking at a maximum of 2 classes, Bard x/class y, anything from the complete books, PHB I and II, compendium books, and the races books. Prefer not to use anything from Bo9S or BoED. As a race, he's picked spellscales from Races of the Dragon.

Thanks,
-GV

 

[Nebten]

If he's new to D&D, I would stick with just bard. Make it simple so he's not overwhelmed. If he wants to catch up his character later on, I would recommend allowing him to do so after he knows what he wants.

 

[udalrich]

I agree with Nebten. Bard already feels like a multiclass to me. It can do some casting, some skills and sort of fight. Providing even more options for a new player will only lead to decision paralysis.

 

[FEADIN]

Bard is already versatile, if he wants a bit more hp and fighting go for 2 levels of fighter, good synergy with rogue levels too you can go arcane trickster later.
Ranger levels (2) for better hp, saves, some abilities.
Druid levels to go Folchuclan Lyrist later.
Without multiclassing there are some options from Unearthed Arcana to go divine bard and others variations.

 

[Shin Okada]

Frankly speaking, I do not recommend bard class to a new player. It is rather hard for a newbie to make and play an efficient bard. Also, for typical dungeon delving, a bard cannot be an alternative to a rogue. A bard cannot find nor deal with traps.

If he want something different from Rogue and yet different from Rogue, I recommend him to play either Scout (Complete Adventurer) or Beguiler (PHB 2).

 

[Starbuck_II]

What would be a good multiclass/PrC for a new player who's playing a bard to go into? He would be making a new character at level 8, planning on being a bard. He doesn't know a whole lot about DnD, so it needs to be fairly simple.

Our party contains a paladin (tank), cleric (healbot), wizard(blaster) and ranger(ranged). We have a rogue who's missing, but may come back in the future. It would be nice if the bard could take up some of the rogue's skills, but also synergize nicely if the rogue were to come back.

I'm looking at a maximum of 2 classes, Bard x/class y, anything from the complete books, PHB I and II, compendium books, and the races books. Prefer not to use anything from Bo9S or BoED. As a race, he's picked spellscales from Races of the Dragon.

Thanks,
-GV

Could do Bard/Rogue so Bard can do trapfinding. Plus, 2 levels = evasion (always useful).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'd build on the PC's strengths and find another Cha-based class to work with.

1. Sorcerer adds a lot of spellpower, and the Wilder adds psi in much the way the Sorc ads spells.
2. Battle Sorc or WarMage adds significant spellpower and some martial ability.
3. Marshall adds Auras and martial ability.
4. Warlock adds some at-will abilities and a boost to UMD...plus a lot of role-play potential.
5. Favored Soul adds divine spells and some martial power.

Certain spells, psionic abilities or magic devices can sub for a rogue's contributions.

 

[Thanael]

Our party contains a paladin (tank), cleric (healbot), wizard(blaster) and ranger(ranged). We have a rogue who's missing, but may come back in the future. It would be nice if the bard could take up some of the rogue's skills, but also synergize nicely if the rogue were to come back.

I'm looking at a maximum of 2 classes, Bard x/class y, anything from the complete books, PHB I and II, compendium books, and the races books. Prefer not to use anything from Bo9S or BoED. As a race, he's picked spellscales from Races of the Dragon.

Thanks,
-GV

You're obviously missing a skill-monkey and face then. Plus utility and support.

Is the newbie up to the roleplaying part? If he is still shy abuot it, bard is probably the wrong class, as it depends much on creativity and roleplaying. My advice: Don't worry too much about optimization and go with his input and build something moderately useful that fits with his ideas.

Does the newbie favor a certain race or archetype ? Ruathar is a nice flavourful 3 lvl PrC from Races of the Wild, someone who learns to ‘be an Elf’-friend, usually by helping them.

Are the other PCs prestige-classed? Or optimized much? What's the setting like? Do you adventure in urban settings or go dungeon delving?

Generally I'd say Rog2/Bard6, Ftr2/Bard6 or straight Bard8. Perhaps even Druid2/Bard6. Bard6 gives you suggestion which is quite iconic and useful, Bard 8 gives inspire courage for support.

As for bardic PrC options there's the War Chanter from Complete Warrior. Bard6/War Chanter2 is a slightly more martial bard. (Think Skald)

Crystal Keep - D&D and d20 System has a very useful index of PrCs complete with PrC requirements, the first few levels of each PrC and tables of what is accessible to whom at what level.

These two books provide some advice on playing, building and multiclassing a bard:
The Grand OGL Wiki: The Quintessential Bard
The Grand OGL Wiki: The Quintessential Bard II (Check the mutliclassing chapter)

Even if you don't allow the optional rules the advice is sound and makes for an interesting read.


Edit: I see he picked the spellscales race from Races of the Dragon. Spellscales have Sorcerer as a favoured class, so most of the multiclass options above will incur an XP penalty. Either go for an even split of levels or think about a Sorc/Bard multiclass (see the Soulsinger concept in Quint Bard II) and/or go prestige. Does he like one of the PrCs from Races of the Dragon? How about the Spellscale Bard Substitution Levels (RDr, p 110) ?

Spellscale Bard Substitution Levels (RDr, p 110):
1st level: Draconic Bardic Knowledge (bonus on bardic lore checks involving dragons)
3rd level: Inspire Arcana (music gives +1 caster levels), no inspire competence
6th level: Superior Suggestion (higher DC's with suggestion)

Oh and I agree on not making it too complicated. Let him pick from core and maybe one or two other books. (Perhaps one race and one class book)

 

[Voadam]

If he has a high charisma marshall is pretty nice and synergises with the bard's buffing role. The auras are straightforward, easy to use, and useful.

Rogue as stated will give nice continuation of skills, trapfinding, and if level 2 evasion.

 

[NewJeffCT]

I would go with Rogue and give them 2 levels of Rogue so they can get Evasion, or else Sorcerer, as it is also a CHA-based class and you won't have to worry about being less effective in another class from having a lower prime stat (i.e., if you have an 18 CHA as a bard, it's unlikely you'll have an 18 in STR to be as effective a fighter as possible...)