Lets Talk About Something Spoony --- Bards

[Sekket]

Okay... looking at bards they seem to be rogue Casters (rogue in the sense of its definition, not the class).

Arcane Tricksters seem to be much better at that, though.

So quick question. Do Bards serve a purpose?

They arent nukers, they arent good in melee, thier spell casting abilities is second rate (no, third rate, sorc's are better...), rogues have better skills, thier special abilities are largely useless, inspire courage doesnt stack with certain things a wizard or a paladin could easily provide the party with...

Is there any reason to play a bard aside running around like a fruit with a lute? (sorry, but it rhymed... no way I couldnt say it ) Are there any nice bard prestige classes, or are you doomed to suck if your primary class is bard? (Ive read most of the books, its just that when I see a bard class, I look at that and think its part of a different game altogether... now Dervish, on the other hand...)

 

[Thanee]

You see it from the wrong direction.

The Bard's spellcasting is vastly superior to a Rogue's and the Bard's skills are also vastly superior to those of the Sorcerer or Wizard.

Also Bards have better BAB, HP and saves as Sorcerers or Wizards.

Besides, Bard's are only fifth rate spellcasters, since Clerics, Druids, Sorcerers and Wizards are better at it.

Still Bard's are not bad with their spells, their enchantments are actually about as powerful as those of a Sorcerer or Wizard of the same level!

Bye
Thanee

 

[nobodez]

Jack of All Trades… Master of None

No, anyone can do some thing better then a bard, but, a bard can do any thing better then someone.

That's what you have to remember, a bard is a support class, and when you understand that, it makes sense. It's got moderate spells, but what it has, it doesn't need the really high level slots for. The bard can do healing, which wizards can't, and they can buff. Heck, in my home game, my bard inspires the first round of every combat (and since it's an FR game, it's +2 to attacks and damage with the Harmony Spell).

Bards have the second best skills in the game, behind the rogue, and tied with the ranger. Bards have the second best spells in the game, with zero through sixth level spells, whereas the rangers and paladins only have first through fourth level spells. Bards have the second best BAB, ahead of wizards and sorcerers. Bards have better reflex saves then wizards and clerics, and better will saves then fighters and rogues. They have the largest (or second largest) skill list, and the only class with speak language as a class skill (not counting prestige classes).

With their moderate spells and BAB, they qualify for warrior classes faster then mages, and can qualify for spell classes, though after mages.

Once you get over the fact that they aren't the best at anything, but they aren't the worst at anything either, you can understand the beauty that is the bard.

They qualify for Arcane Archer at 8th level, a full 4 levels before a full classed wizard.
They make better assassins then wizards or fighters, qualifying at 5th level, rather then 15th.
They make better blackguards then mages.
They are one of only two classes to qualify for Dragon Disciple.
They qualify for Duelist only one level after pure fighters.
A bardic Dwarven Defender is a sight to behold.
As is a bardic Horizon Walker.
They qualify for Loremaster as the same time Mages do.
They qualify for Mystic Theurge the same time Sorcerers do.
Shadowdancer Bard with Modify Memory, "You didn't see me"

Heck, they're the only class that can cast Modify Memory. There's nothing quite like re-writing five minutes of someone's life.