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Help me with good RP/Optimization balance for Half-Elf (probably)Valor Bard (archer?)
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<blockquote data-quote="OlegRu" data-source="post: 7601588" data-attributes="member: 6995253"><p>So from reading all of the replies, here are my follow-up ideas/questions for you guys - @<em><strong><u><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=6716779" target="_blank">Zardnaar</a></u></strong></em>, @<em><strong><u><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=205" target="_blank">TwoSix</a></u></strong></em>, @<em><strong><u><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=2525" target="_blank">Mistwell</a></u></strong></em>, @<em><strong><u><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=996" target="_blank">Tony Vargas</a></u></strong></em>, @<em><strong><u><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=55582" target="_blank">Treantmonklvl20</a></u></strong></em></p><p></p><p>I'll format this to go by topic:</p><p></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Is there <strong>something you'd recommend outside an archer bard</strong> that would fit my char's style (maybe some simple-type multiclass I mentioned in the OP or something else)? Also, is a ranged bard preferable to keep him safer due to lower defense/HP and for spell concentration?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Ability Scores:</strong> Cool so I'll probably take the STR10 DEX16 CON12 INT10 WIS12 CHA16 then. (I care about strength as I'd like to have decent athletics score and wisdom, again, for the skills) Although, I'm a bit worried regarding the CON - I've seen a lot of talk that it's important - for concentration I think?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">So <strong>in order to avoid issues casting</strong>, I should equip just a sword if I'm not using ranged at the moment, not the shield? (and keep shield around just in case, but I'm not sure when I'd use it)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>For armor</strong>, yeah I don't want penalties to stealth as I'd like my char to be able to sneak around in the wilderness camouflaged or hide places, so I guess the best option is breastplate and then lighter armor if I get a 20 DEX.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Feats/ASIs:</strong> So increasing attack stuff (DEX), i'll be sacrificing magic power (CHA)... hmmm.... so I'm going to talk about ASI/Feats here. From what I understand, the popular valor bard archer build is based on getting the Sharpshooter feat (and often-times Elven accuracy) plus Warcaster is quite popular - helps not lose concentration and can cast with weapons/shield in hand (from what I understand). I guess this means either 20 DEX/20 CHA and Sharpshooter or 18/20 20/18 (not sure which is preferable) and Sharpshooter, Warcaster or 19/18 and Sharpshooter, Warcaster, Elven accuracy.I'm too much of a n00b to know which is better and/or if there are better combos out there for what I'm trying to do.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">I guess as I play I could do some things tentatively - see what I enjoy doing more in combat (attacks/spells/both) and decide the order to take the ASI's and Feats as I go. But what would generally be the preferred order? Sharpshooter ASAP, then boost CHA, then others?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Spells:</strong> I've read that a bard can't change his cantrips once selecting them, but that he can change up his spells each level - is this accurate? Can he change his spells from magical secrets? What are the most recommended cantrips and spells for this build? (I know if I go with valor bard archer, swift quiver is a must).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Skills:</strong> I'm a huge fan of skills. I was thinking to take Athletics (I want to be a good swimmer/climber etc.), Stealth, Perception, Survival, Persuasion, Deception, and Acrobatics or Animal Handling(I want to be able to ride mounted at high levels without getting tossed). No sure what to waste my expertise on - the 2nd pair of skills comes at later levels so I could see what I use most as I go, but the 1st one is around the corner. I know having a boss CHA-based skill is a good idea, but I also wanted to boost my athletics, stealth, perception - not sure which to do.</li> </ol></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="OlegRu, post: 7601588, member: 6995253"] So from reading all of the replies, here are my follow-up ideas/questions for you guys - @[I][B][U][URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=6716779"]Zardnaar[/URL][/U][/B][/I], @[I][B][U][URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=205"]TwoSix[/URL][/U][/B][/I], @[I][B][U][URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=2525"]Mistwell[/URL][/U][/B][/I], @[I][B][U][URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=996"]Tony Vargas[/URL][/U][/B][/I], @[I][B][U][URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=55582"]Treantmonklvl20[/URL][/U][/B][/I] I'll format this to go by topic: [LIST=1] [*]Is there [B]something you'd recommend outside an archer bard[/B] that would fit my char's style (maybe some simple-type multiclass I mentioned in the OP or something else)? Also, is a ranged bard preferable to keep him safer due to lower defense/HP and for spell concentration? [*][B]Ability Scores:[/B] Cool so I'll probably take the STR10 DEX16 CON12 INT10 WIS12 CHA16 then. (I care about strength as I'd like to have decent athletics score and wisdom, again, for the skills) Although, I'm a bit worried regarding the CON - I've seen a lot of talk that it's important - for concentration I think? [*]So [B]in order to avoid issues casting[/B], I should equip just a sword if I'm not using ranged at the moment, not the shield? (and keep shield around just in case, but I'm not sure when I'd use it) [*][B]For armor[/B], yeah I don't want penalties to stealth as I'd like my char to be able to sneak around in the wilderness camouflaged or hide places, so I guess the best option is breastplate and then lighter armor if I get a 20 DEX. [*][B]Feats/ASIs:[/B] So increasing attack stuff (DEX), i'll be sacrificing magic power (CHA)... hmmm.... so I'm going to talk about ASI/Feats here. From what I understand, the popular valor bard archer build is based on getting the Sharpshooter feat (and often-times Elven accuracy) plus Warcaster is quite popular - helps not lose concentration and can cast with weapons/shield in hand (from what I understand). I guess this means either 20 DEX/20 CHA and Sharpshooter or 18/20 20/18 (not sure which is preferable) and Sharpshooter, Warcaster or 19/18 and Sharpshooter, Warcaster, Elven accuracy.I'm too much of a n00b to know which is better and/or if there are better combos out there for what I'm trying to do. [*]I guess as I play I could do some things tentatively - see what I enjoy doing more in combat (attacks/spells/both) and decide the order to take the ASI's and Feats as I go. But what would generally be the preferred order? Sharpshooter ASAP, then boost CHA, then others? [*][B]Spells:[/B] I've read that a bard can't change his cantrips once selecting them, but that he can change up his spells each level - is this accurate? Can he change his spells from magical secrets? What are the most recommended cantrips and spells for this build? (I know if I go with valor bard archer, swift quiver is a must). [*][B]Skills:[/B] I'm a huge fan of skills. I was thinking to take Athletics (I want to be a good swimmer/climber etc.), Stealth, Perception, Survival, Persuasion, Deception, and Acrobatics or Animal Handling(I want to be able to ride mounted at high levels without getting tossed). No sure what to waste my expertise on - the 2nd pair of skills comes at later levels so I could see what I use most as I go, but the 1st one is around the corner. I know having a boss CHA-based skill is a good idea, but I also wanted to boost my athletics, stealth, perception - not sure which to do. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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Help me with good RP/Optimization balance for Half-Elf (probably)Valor Bard (archer?)
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