Has anyone used BoEM2's bard variant?

[Wippit Guud]

And how well did it work?

Just started one in a face-face compaign, started off by shooting myself in the foot with stats: 7's in str and dex, but 16 int and 18 cha (rolled statsm btw).

Character sheet


With spell prodigy, he can cast 8 spellnotes a day, but only knows two spells: inspire courage and momentary charm. With no str or dex, he has pretty much no combat value. But he's stacked for skills, focusing on Cha skills (although I took the three movement dex skills, just to have them trained).

Any ideas where I should take this guy? Current thought is stick to spellcasting stuff, cause bad on physical side, try for Songmage from BoEM2, but don't know if that's the best course of action.

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

that would be a challenge.

well, i would concentrate on ranged attack regardless of your dexterity until you can get more spells.

your best bet at low levels are to increase your utility by using your skills to the fullest.

without an overview of the campaign or the dm's style, it's really hard to say.

 

[Darklone]

Uhm... Have one planned: Bbn2/Rgr1/bard...

But this guy HAS strength and dex.

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

really, i think your best bet is to tell your dm that the character as rolled does not fit your concept and is unplayable.

then roll up a new bard.

 

[Darklone]

I don't think that character is unplayable. Just get yourself some good friends that help you and take some damaging spells of Boem2 for bard... songstrike and so. You have enough slots to waste some guys and Inspire Courage is always nice for a group. And be sure to take Deflect Blow.
Depending on your group, spellnotes such as Off balance or Stun(with your high DC) are very useful too. The fighter/rogue archers will love you.

 

[Darklone]

Get some good armour. Breastplate and large shield. It won't slow you down too much anyways

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

gawd, can you imagine the armour check penalties for a 7 dex/7 str character? heavier armour is not the way to go.

as i said, it greatly depends on your group and the dm style. if you are an urban focused campaign with lots of interaction, then bard might be the way to go. if it's a dungeon crawl, then i can't imagine the bard would be able to add as much to the party.

regardless, the other characters are going to have to support you until you build up spell power. i would also look at the minor healing (?) spell, which heals 1d6 damage. it would greatly increase your utility while doubling or tripling the party healing capacity at low level.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Armor and gear is an issue, and encumberance is enforced... even as little as I have, he's above medium.

Campaign Is based on LotR and... if the series called Fire and Ice? Never read it, so I don't know for sure... bascially, big evil that most people forgot is rising again.

Plan thus far is to take mostly magic-enhancing feats, also going to beanch into knowledge skills, be somewhat of a loremaster with some unique spells.

 

[ForceUser]

With stats like that I'd play him up as brilliant and gifted, but frail and clumsy. Avoid physical combat at all costs. My suggestion - take the Leadership feat and get a big, tough cohort to do your fighting for you.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Well, the short verson of his backstory: He's the runt of the generation, only 5'1, 100 lbs, and always picked on by others his age. A bard that frequently travels through the town noticed a gift within him (in the form of a high charisma), and taught him that you can be stong with your wits, and how to... not manipulate people, but change circumstances to your own favor with your mind instead of your body.

Mind you, I was hoping for 9's in stats, not 7's