Don't underestimate the Bard

[Stalker0]

Let's also not forget that you have 7 players!! The more players, the better the bard gets. If you had a 3 person party, it would be a different story.

I like the bard, but not for every campaign.

 

[Kestrel]

Without taking the time to do the math, myself, may I ask how much this factor figures into the equation?

Sorry, its just Song of the Heart, which increases the attack/damage bonus by +1.

 

[Kestrel]

Let's also not forget that you have 7 players!! The more players, the better the bard gets. If you had a 3 person party, it would be a different story.

I like the bard, but not for every campaign.

Another good point, in a larger group you have more room for non-standard classes

 

[kenobi65]

Sorry, its just Song of the Heart, which increases the attack/damage bonus by +1.

The swift spell inspirational boost (in Spell Compendium, and I think Complete Adventurer) has a similar, if not identical, effect.

 

[Mistwell]

Bah, you can crank that bonus way up!

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=185372

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Bards rock!

There, I said it. Thank you, and goodnight.

(Tee hee. I once played a bard whose signature Inspire Courage song was Bad to the Bone.)

 

[Fishbone]

Don't forget the Badge of Valor and masterwork drums for an extra +2 to attack and damage. No bonus to fear saves, though.

 

[BryonD]

I'm fine with bards.

But I think a large party is a bad example.
This is because it covers the bard's weaknesses and at the same time enhances the bard's strengths.

In a four character party the bard is replacing something and there is probably a gap. In a big party the basics are all covered and there isn't a coverage cost of the bard.

At the same time, in a four character party the bard's boosts impact three other characters. In a seven character party they get a force mutliplier by enhancing six other characters.

I'm not saying they are bad in a four character party (though I would still put them a bit lower on the class scale). But the value in a larger party is quite different.

 

[kenobi65]

In a four character party the bard is replacing something and there is probably a gap. In a big party the basics are all covered and there isn't a coverage cost of the bard.

I've read, more than once, that a bard makes a great "fifth", once your party has the other iconic bases covered.

 

[The_Gneech]

Teamwork sucks! I want all glory for MYSELF, baby!!!

-The Gneech ;P