Base class: Skald

[brehobit]

I've been playing around with a bardic barbarian model for a few years. Want a wise man/woman for a barbarian society but don't want the spell casting or anything like it. I'll keep it simple as a merger between a bard and a barbarian.

d8 hit die, 6 skill points, Medium BAB, good Fort/Will saves.

Skill list is the sum of bard and barbarian.
Prof. with all martial weapons, shields, and light and medium armor.

Misc abilities:
Bardic lore (as bard)
Bardic songs (as a bard), but only inspire courage, inspire greatness, inspire heroics
Fast movement (as barbarian)
Rage (as a barbarian 1 level lower. Whole thing including rage per day, greater rage, etc.)


I feel this is a bit weak (compared to a bard you gain one step in hit die, a slightly better skill list, fast movement, rage and weapon/armor prof. but you lose your spells and some of your songs which I think is more of a loss than a gain.)

I'm thinking of adding:

Level 3: skill focus: Any knowledge.
Level 5: +1 attack bonus with any type of axe.
Level 7: +1 damage bonus with any type of axe (doesn't stack with weapon specialization)
Level 10: Slippery Mind
Level 13: Bonus figher feat
Level 16: Skill focus: Any knowledge
Level 20: Bonus figher feat

Thoughts? Too powerful with the "additions" at the end? Too powerful to begin with? Too weak?

 

[Evilhalfling]

Have you compared it to non-spell casting bard varients? I think there are some in UA - along with a savage Bard.
Rage seems like a staight trade for spells. esp since you allow all the improvements.

 

[Nifft]

Give full (normal) Barbarian Rage -- why not? He won't be able to compete with other melee dudes otherwise.

I'd drop all the specials and concentrate on the music.
Add more songs with the right flavor.

1st level: Countersong, Inspire Courage +1
3rd level: Inspire Potential (1 ally / 3 levels gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Str, Dex or Con)
6th level: Drums of War (demoralize opponents as if using the Intimidate skill, but all opponents remain demoralized for the duration of your performance)
8th level: Inspire Courage +2
9th level: Inspire Greatness
12th level: Song of Freedom
14th level: Inspire Courage +3
15th level: Inspire Heroics
18th level: Drums of Panic (like Drums of War, but opponents are demoralized two levels instead of one)
20th level: Inspire courage +4

Cheers, -- N

 

[brehobit]

Have you compared it to non-spell casting bard varients? I think there are some in UA - along with a savage Bard.
Rage seems like a staight trade for spells. esp since you allow all the improvements.

I'll look at UA (Don't own it, but have access to it.)

I'd claim that the spells are much more powerful than the rage. A bard is a full caster (although a weak one.) Not sure if others would agree though....

Thanks!