Bards getting extra skill points

[DDK]

I tinkered with the skill amounts because I felt that having an extra few skill points could only enhance the game by making the characters more diverse and interesting through their skill selections.

Anyhow, previously I had already upped the bard's skills to 6 but now that everyone else has gotten a +2 increase, I'm wondering if a further jump to +8 per level is entirely justified. I felt that in the standard system they were definitely getting ripped off but I'm not so sure I should up them now just because everyone else has been upped as well.

So, if you had a skill system in D&D that had +4 for wizards, sorcerers, clerics, fighters and paladins; +6 for monks, druids, rangers and barbarians; and +10 for rogues, would you put bards at +6 or +8?

 

[MarauderX]

If I did run a higher skilled campaign, I would still put the Bard at +6 mostly because the bard has magic skills already. There would be 1 point put into the 'Performance' slot per level, and 5 other points to be spread around for the other bard essentials. But having 8 points would make the bard into the back up rogue, not that 2 points would make all the difference, but I think it's a little much.

 

[trentonjoe]

Using your system I would put Bards at +8

 

[Nifft]

I'd either give Bards +10, because they automatically lose 2 skill points per level (Concentration and Perform), or give them +8 and automatic maximum ranks in Concentration and Perform.

-- Nifft

 

[Merlion]

I'd go 10. in those circumstances. Bards should always be no more than a step behind rogues skills wise IMO

 

[Dr. Zoom]

I increased the skill points per level for bards and rangers to 6. But if I were to give all the classes +2, I would not increase the bard to 8.

 

[Merlion]

8, 10, 37 NINE BILLION! all the same!
Ok 8 then

 

[Andion Isurand]

I'm a fan of testing small changes, one at a time. I would give the bard (6 + int) if you are iching for more skill points.

 

[willpax]

I upped skill points by +2 across the board a while back in my campaign. Then I gave the bards some extra feats (I think one per five levels or so) that they could use for skill focus (+3 or +2/+2 IMC), contacts, or other socially-oriented feats. I haven't found the bard to be too underpowered that way.

I'm not sure if this experience can be generalized, because I have also radically changed the magic system in my campaign, making bardic magic not so much of a balance issue.