is there anything good to do with rogue/bard

[Shadowdancer]

I think this would be an awesome character to play in the right campaign. An urban campaign and/or a swashbuckling campaign, it would be a fun character to play. A charmer and seducer of women, then steal their jewelry and escape out the window.

 

[JoeBlank]

We always see the "take one level of bard" suggestion, as you can use Bardic Music, and it scales with your Perform skill. However, I can't imagine taking only that one level of Bard, and stopping short of 2d level, where you get 1st level spells. Maybe others have better access to scrolls and wands than in my campaigns, so being able to actually cast the spells is not that important. But if I were doing a Bard1/RogueX, or Bard1/AnythingX, I would probably make it a Bard2/AnythingX.

 

[Sinjin the Rogue]

If your group is heavy into roleplay:

You could use a bard/rogue to pull off the "Music Man" scam, if your party is low on cash.

Just have the character go to a village or small town. (Preferably one where a gambling house exists or where the adolescents of the town have a lot of free time) Once he gets there, have him start talking to parents about what pitfalls may lie ahead for their children who are engaged in gambling or some frivolous activity. What they need is an activity that is constructive, and music is just the thing to do it. Fortunately, your PC can save the children by teaching them to play musical instruments. What? The town does not have anyone who can make instruments? Well, your PC is a good friend of [Insert fictional name here] a craftsman of fine instruments in [insert the name of the largest nearby city]. You can get a discount on instruments from him, if the members of the town are willing to buy horns and lutes and drums etc. In fact, perhaps the mayor or some rich patron might be interested in donating to such a worthy cause! Of course, you first have to prove that you are a capable musician, which may not be too difficult. You'll get a chance to use those charisma based skills like bluff, disguise and diplomacy, and use your bard skills to pull off a nice heist. Once you convince the town of your integrity and purpose, allow them to give you the money they need to buy instruments, sheet music and music stands (and uniforms for the band if necessary) and then simply disappear. (Using a disguise helps because you'll be a wanted man in the area for some time, but you might be able to grab some decent coin, without killing anyone.

In addition, once you have succeeded, you might earn the respect (or the ire) of the local thieves guild, who may come looking for you to take a percentage of the heist and offer to allow you to join them, or they may simply want to kill you. (which offers you more adventure).

You can pull this stunt in many towns, whenever the need for cash arises. Of course it might take a couple of weeks to lay down all the ground work, but it is a nice change of pace from hack and slash, and it allows your rogue an opportunity to do more than the usual "search for traps, disable device, and sneak attack.)