Help me design a level 2 bard

[comareddin]

Hi all
We are starting a new game soon at level 2. I want to play a human bard.
The stats I rolled are 18, 18, 16, 12, 12, 11. (Yes I really rolled those)
What skills and feats would you advise me to take. BTW we are allowed to use only WotC products. I was thinking of
STR:11
DEX:16
CON:12
INT:18
WIS:12
CHA:18
I would also like some advice on skills and feats. I mainly wish to make him a bard really effective on the social scale. I do not need any equipment really. I am going to buy a masterwork instrument and spend the rest on expensive clothing. Thanks in advance.

Comareddin

 

[cmanos]

Dump max points into Diplomacy, Bluff, Sense Motive, Perform, Gather Information

Feats: Trustworthy(SaS), Street Smart (FR), Spell Focus (Enchantment) (PHB), Smooth Talk (FR), Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Sense Motive), Skill Focus (Bluff), Skill Focus (Perform), Recognize Imposter(ECS), Persuasion (SaS), Open Minded (CV), Alluring (SaS), Charlatan(SaS), Deceitful(PHB), Force of Personality(CV), Investogator (PHB) are all good social skills. At L1 I'd probably go with Smooth Talk, and if you are human, Skill Focus (Diplomacy). With max ranks in Diplomacy and Sense Motive that would give you a +16 bonus on your Diplomacy checks almost guaranteeing you sway peoples attitudes to your side of the argument.

Yes...Uber Cheese, but not all creatures you encounter will give you the 10 rounds needed to talk your way out of the situation.

 

[Quez The Lame]

As you'll get 11 skillpoints per level i'd suggest to take Able Leaner from Races of Destiny.

Races of the Wild offers some nice elven swords. Such a charismatic guy will need a weapon with style and grace.

If you have the books take a look into Complete Adventurer and Races of Destiny. There should be some nice feats for your musician.

Greets, Quez

 

[Thanee]

As you'll get 11 skillpoints per level i'd suggest to take Able Leaner from Races of Destiny.

Have you ever looked at the bard skill list? They have plenty to choose from already.


I would probably get Dex 18 and Int 16 to be more useful outside social circles, too.

(Greater) Spell Focus (enchantment) works well for bards and is also useful in social situations.

As for skills... just max out the more important social skills (and keep an eye on synergy effects) and you are good to go. The remaining skill points can be used on Hide, Move Silently, Listen and other nice-to-have skills.

Bye
Thanee

 

[FreeXenon]

What skills and feats would you advise me to take. BTW we are allowed to use only WotC products.

Skills
Diplomacy 14 (5, +2 syn Bluff, +2 Syn Sense Motive, +2 Know (Nobility..) +4 Stat Mod)
Gather Info 11 (5, +2 syn Know (Local) +4 Stat Mod)
Sense Motive 6 (5 +1 Stat Mod)
Bluff 9 (5 +4 Stat Mod)
Perform 9 (5 +4 Stat Mod)
(Oratory or something else)

Know (Local) 9 (5 +4 Stat Mod)
Know (History) 9 (5 +4 Stat Mod)
Know 9 (5 +4 Stat Mod)
(Nobil and Royalty)

*Forgery 9 (5 +4 Stat Mod)
*Disguise 11 (5 +4 Stat Mod, +2 Sy from Bluff)

Bardic Lore 12 (Level 2, +2 syn Know (Hist), +4 Obscure Lore (Feat) +4 Stat Mod

You take knowledges early (now) so you can maximize all of your synergy bonuses. Not only that but having knwoledge skills is essential. If you are going to be talking to a priest it is good to have knowledge religion and so on. After second level you can take other Knowledges or pickup other needed skills such as Use Magic Device, Hide, Move Silently, Spot, Listen, other Languages and so on - depending on you group's needs.

I chose Disguise and Forgery to make you the ultimate face man. Can go anywhere and be anyone... well almost - good luck with the halfling impersonations - thank the gods for spells!! Drop those as you see fit.

Feats:
Obscure Lore (Complete Adventure - +4 to Bardic Lore checks)
Skill Focus (Sense Motive) or Spell Focus (Enchantment or Illusion)

I tend to shy away from the +2/+2 feats and Skill Focus feats as they tend to not scale well, but if you want to max your skills out now and not worry about later so much - short adventure of campaign - that is definitely the way to go. You might want to consider taking Skill Focus (Sense Motive) to catch it up with the rest of your skill. Having a low Sense Motive makes the rest of your social skill not worth as much because your opponent can lie through his teeth and you wil be like - "Yea, sure dude - you da'man!".

The other feats he mentions are a good idea. Spell Focus Enchantment or Illusion is good most likely Enchantment.

Hope this helps..