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<blockquote data-quote="Humanophile" data-source="post: 1970041" data-attributes="member: 1049">I'm going to have to break from the pack here.&nbsp; They're very good suggestions for a player character, but NPC's have different needs.&nbsp; Your goal is going to be backup, so make a definate point of not stepping on anyone's shoes.Grabbing a healing spell every level you can is a horrible option for PC bards, but for an NPC it lets him be great at the thing every player appreciates.&nbsp; After heals, look at buffs.&nbsp; After buffs, look at spells that hinder enemies, and spells that control the battlefield after that.&nbsp; My reasoning being that when you're running all the enemies, you probably won't be able to put as much thought into bardic tactics, so play something simple while conspiciously avoiding the impression that your bard can outdo the real stars of the show.&nbsp; If you have the head for it and want your players to think more tactically, feel free to make battlefield control spells a higher priority.&nbsp; (Take healing spells even though you have a cleric.&nbsp; Let the player feel good using useful spells, while you cover most of the unglamorous patching up.)With a monk and a rogue, have some sneaking skills so you don't give the party away.&nbsp; After that, look at what skills the party doesn't have.&nbsp; Knowledges the wizard doesn't cover (plus history, of course).&nbsp; Social skills if nobody else has those.&nbsp; Listen is always good, as it gives the party yet another chance to avoid an unpleasant surprise.&nbsp; And of course, perform is vital.&nbsp; Feel free to give use magic device a pass; despite how much some people seem to like it, you already have a cleric and a wizard in the party to use items specific to those classes.&nbsp; Unless you plan on using a lot of race/alignment specific items, let actual player characters with guarenteed ability to use the items take precedent.And for those times when the enemy just doesn't warrant using expendable resources, a bow and a blade are always handy.&nbsp; I do suggest precise shot if you do this, though.&nbsp; You're probably going to be sniping from the edge of the battlefield, best to have a good chance to hit whoever looks closest to going down.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Humanophile, post: 1970041, member: 1049"] I'm going to have to break from the pack here. They're very good suggestions for a player character, but NPC's have different needs. Your goal is going to be backup, so make a definate point of not stepping on anyone's shoes. Grabbing a healing spell every level you can is a horrible option for PC bards, but for an NPC it lets him be great at the thing every player appreciates. After heals, look at buffs. After buffs, look at spells that hinder enemies, and spells that control the battlefield after that. My reasoning being that when you're running all the enemies, you probably won't be able to put as much thought into bardic tactics, so play something simple while conspiciously avoiding the impression that your bard can outdo the real stars of the show. If you have the head for it and want your players to think more tactically, feel free to make battlefield control spells a higher priority. (Take healing spells even though you have a cleric. Let the player feel good using useful spells, while you cover most of the unglamorous patching up.) With a monk and a rogue, have some sneaking skills so you don't give the party away. After that, look at what skills the party doesn't have. Knowledges the wizard doesn't cover (plus history, of course). Social skills if nobody else has those. Listen is always good, as it gives the party yet another chance to avoid an unpleasant surprise. And of course, perform is vital. Feel free to give use magic device a pass; despite how much some people seem to like it, you already have a cleric and a wizard in the party to use items specific to those classes. Unless you plan on using a lot of race/alignment specific items, let actual player characters with guarenteed ability to use the items take precedent. And for those times when the enemy just doesn't warrant using expendable resources, a bow and a blade are always handy. I do suggest precise shot if you do this, though. You're probably going to be sniping from the edge of the battlefield, best to have a good chance to hit whoever looks closest to going down. [/QUOTE]

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