Fochluchan Lyricist--opinions?

Christian

Explorer
Saw a mention of this prestige class (from Complete Adventurer) in another thread attached to an adjective phrase along the lines of 'extremely powerful'. And said to myself, " :confused: ". (I speak English, but I think in Smiley.) I was looking at that as a path for a bard I was considering playing in my current game. And while it's not why I chose a different character, I have to say that this class does not look especially powerful, even compared to a plain vanilla multi-caster PrC like the Mystic Theurge. I'm just curious, has anyone seen one in play? Is there anything about the druid/rogue/bard combo abilities that turn this pussycat into a tiger?
 

log in or register to remove this ad

worthless...

this is a :):):):):):) version of the mystic thuerge from dm's guide. bardic knowledge and druidic as a language being the only big difference.
 

Never seen one in play, although I'd love to play one. It's an attempt to recapture a bit of the feel of the 1st edition AD&D bard for 3E. Some people look at the abilities of the PrC (such as the BAB) without considering what it takes to get there (levels in 3 different subpar BAB classes), and have pronounced it overpowered, but it certainly doesn't look that way to me.
 

I would almost say quite the oposite of being over powered.
Bard and Druid levels are required, Evasion can be had by other routes. The mandatory multi classing into 3/4 bab classes basicaly means the +1 bab helps replace the damage done, you lose out on most of the best Druid abilities, and take a hit on Bard abilities because of the multi class.

I would try to use the Druidic Avenger option from UA, if planing to go into this class. I had a dagger throwing Bard from ole 1e days and toyed with a build using the Master Thrower PrC to take care of the Evasion Requirement.
 

I don't think it's overpowered at all.

satori01 said:
I would try to use the Druidic Avenger option from UA, if planing to go into this class. I had a dagger throwing Bard from ole 1e days and toyed with a build using the Master Thrower PrC to take care of the Evasion Requirement.

I did something like this for an NPC, but also combined it with the Swift Hunter option later in the chapter. I also used a version of the bard that uses curses, rather than boons. Stealthy, sneak-attacking scary character!
 

It can be overpowered once you get there, but the first 10 levels are a pain. I've made one conventionally, and it's not too terrible, but I'm working on a variant wizard/cleric entry that's required careful planning since level 4.

Rogue 2/ Wizard 5/ Loremaster 2/ Cloistered Cleric 1 / Fochluan Lyrist 10

It sucks to get into, but it will eventually be hideously broken. If you swap out the second level of Loremaster for one level of UA Prestige Bard, it gets even more broken.

But the traditional entrance to the class is fairly balanced.
 

Xath said:
It sucks to get into, but it will eventually be hideously broken. If you swap out the second level of Loremaster for one level of UA Prestige Bard, it gets even more broken.
Why is it hideously broken?
 

Hmm it seems like its just a MT class that lets you stack FL levels with your bard levels for bard abilities.

So between having really crappy spellcasting(due to multi-classing between a divine and arcane class, and then rogue levels for evasion), you now get full BAB, even though you wont get to use it anyway because you are spending too much time either :

-Casting divine spells

-Casting arcane spells

-Using a bard ability
 

Problem is Xath, your build does not qualify for the class.
the Lore abillity of the Loremaster while functionaly equivalent to the Bardic Knowledge ability is still not Bardic Knowledge.

Going from memory here isnt the only way to learn to speak Druidic is to take a Druid level. I know Druidic is not able to be learned as a bonuses language selection. I'm not sure it is an option to learn by spending a skill point on Speak Language, though I could see a pretty good arguement re: having the Loremasters bonus language class ability be able to select Druidic.

I sorta see what you are going for here, a Mystic Theurge PrC that gives bigger HD, better saves and more skill points. Thematicaly it is kinda all over the board. With Wiz and Cloistered Cleric levels the extra BAB is completely unneccesary, you will not be melee-ing, and your total BAB score will be behind anyway.

The oath relaxing aspect of the class is completely wasted, as ASF will apply to the wizard side, and Cloistered Clerics are not proficient with armor if memory serves correctly. You also get no value out of the increase to Bardic music the PrC grants.

I would instead of Closistered cleric take a level in UA Divine Bard instead, this way your build is more into the spirit of the class, and you get some advantage from the increase of Bardic Music. You are still going to have ASF from the Wizard casting levels.
 

I love the feel of the Fochlucan Lyricist class, and I definitely DO NOT think it is overpowered. The hits suffered by the PC for all the multiclassing requirements are more than enough to balance it out.
 

Pets & Sidekicks

Remove ads

Top