Can a bard make do with charisma?

[BartD]

I am considering a human bard with stats 8 13 10 13 10 18+2, bumping constitution once to be able to get hide specialisation and then intelligence the rest of the way.

Do you have any comments or experience with such unbalanced stats?
It seems to be the bard gets very little from secondary stats, have I missed something?

 

[Blackbrrd]

Have a Bard in my current campaign with similair stats, except with higher int (?), since he is a gnome. He is doing a great job.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I am considering a human bard with stats 8 13 10 13 10 18+2, bumping constitution once to be able to get hide specialisation and then intelligence the rest of the way.

Do you have any comments or experience with such unbalanced stats?
It seems to be the bard gets very little from secondary stats, have I missed something?

although i usually favour more balanced stats, with human defence bonus and 13 con, 13 int you have even decent defences and hp. your stats are also good enough for most critical feats, but you have to consider taking melee training if you ever want to swing a sword.

You should also begin your career in chain armor.

 

[Klaus]

I am considering a human bard with stats 8 13 10 13 10 18+2, bumping constitution once to be able to get hide specialisation and then intelligence the rest of the way.

Do you have any comments or experience with such unbalanced stats?
It seems to be the bard gets very little from secondary stats, have I missed something?

You're missing the benefits from the Virtues, and the additional effects of Virtue-related feats.

There's nothing you can do with starting Cha of 20 that you can't do with a starting Cha of 19, and if frees up a lot of points to bump up one of two stats.

 

[Nifft]

As has been said before, Bardic Virtues are worth a lot. I'd be careful nerfing that too much.

IMHO an 18 Charisma is a fine balance between attack power and class features.

Cheers, -- N

 

[DracoSuave]

You're missing the benefits from the Virtues, and the additional effects of Virtue-related feats.

There's nothing you can do with starting Cha of 20 that you can't do with a starting Cha of 19, and if frees up a lot of points to bump up one of two stats.

Except have +1 to hit and +1 to damage in levels 1-3, 8-10, 14-17, 21-23, 27-30...

...So most of your carreer, including the all important first 3 levels.

So... yeah, that's something.

 

[Klaus]

Except have +1 to hit and +1 to damage in levels 1-3, 8-10, 14-17, 21-23, 27-30...

...So most of your carreer, including the all important first 3 levels.

So... yeah, that's something.

Yes, a +1 hit/damage. In exchange for additional effects on several powers, additional benefits on allies' actions, and either extra hp/Fort or better Reflex.

 

[Turtlejay]

Dracosuave may be *technically* correct, saying 'nothing' was a poor choice of words, but I'd agree with Klaus, that you are not really holding yourself back any by taking a 1 point loss in your main stat to bump an alternate stat 2 or 3 points.

Jay

ps - I had a cleric of the sovreign host named Klaus. one of my favorites of all time. so maybe i am biased...

 

[Klaus]

Dracosuave may be *technically* correct, saying 'nothing' was a poor choice of words, but I'd agree with Klaus, that you are not really holding yourself back any by taking a 1 point loss in your main stat to bump an alternate stat 2 or 3 points.

Jay

ps - I had a cleric of the sovreign host named Klaus. one of my favorites of all time. so maybe i am biased...

Well, I only played a "Klaus" in a one-shot Ravenloft game back in 1993. Maybe they were brothers?

 

[BartD]

As a cunning bard (the virtue just looks so much more interesting) the question is whether intelligence is half as good as charisma? Consider how much charisma affects compared to intelligence:
- Charisma improves Will, attacks, damage, healing and some skills
- Intelligence improves Reflex, virtue range, about the same number of skills, and possibly AC


Here are the feats and powers I have considered for Heroic, not looking for damage at all. In Paragon (if we get that far) I know I will want Psychic Lock and maybe Hide specialisation, don't know what else. Rousing Voice looks really good and should probably be taken sooner. As you can see, nothing here requires or benefits from Int higher than 13 (for JoAT) but then I may have missed some amazing feats or powers?

Bard: Ritual Caster
Human: Jack of All Trades ... Really good with Skill Versatility, I think
Level 1: Advantage of Cunning ... Maneuvering
Level 2: White Lotus Riposte ... Mostly as a defensive measure, more interesting than boosting defenses
Level 4: White Lotus Enervation ... This should help everyone and help me set up for dailies
Level 6: Bravo ... +2 to hit for two rounds per encounter compares really well with Action Surge
Level 8: Rousing Voice ... Can you use Second Wind when resting? (Temp hps after resting)
Level 10: Ideas?

Bard at-will 1: Guiding Strike ... Reduce a defense by -2
Bard at-will 1: Cutting Words ... Pull 2
Bonus At-Will Power: Vicious Mockery ... Reduce attacks by -2
Bard encounter 1: Shout of Triumph ... Rearrange a little in close blast 3 (must be really awesome with Valor and good con)
Bard daily 1: Slayer's Song ... Help allies hitting
Bard utility 2: Moment of Escape ... Get one ally out of trouble (maybe Inspire Competence instead)
Bard encounter 3: Song of the New Dawn ... Saves
Bard daily 5: Vigorous Cadence ... Some healing whenever BBEG attacks
Bard utility 6: Insightful Warning ... Some defense
Bard encounter 7: Timely Distraction ... Help all hit
Bard daily 9: Saga of Vengeance ... Heal or save, to use vs BBEG
Bard utility 10: Savior's Song ... More saves