Level 10 bard needs damage reduction

[aboyd]

Is there any way for a bard -- on his own -- to acquire damage reduction? Preferably 3+ points for at least a few rounds (until he croaks). He's level 10, which I believe gives him up to level 4 bard spells.

I need a little DR so that he'll be able to solo in battle against 6th-level PCs for an extra round or two. I also have him set to do Mirror Image as a pre-combat buff, which should buy him 1 round (there are 6 PCs, so the action economy suggests that his Mirror Image spell will be defeated in a single round).

 

[Dandu]

Ironskin Chant

I also recommend Snowflake Wardance combined with Two Weapon Fighting, Song of the Heart, Inspirational Boost (SpC spell) and a Badge of Valor (MIC item).

If you're fighting a large group, might I suggest the Pyrotechnics spell combined with a hooded lantern?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Adamantine armor, obviously. Also look at the Ironward Diamonds in MIC, they're armor augment crystals. Least gives DR 1/-- for up to 10 points of damage reduced per day, Lesser is DR 3/-- up to 30, and greater is DR 5/-- up to 50. On top of the normal requirements for augment crystals (masterwork, +1, and +3 item needed, respectively, to use each type), they require heavier armors for the better versions, though.

If he were just a few levels higher, he could just have the Stoneskin spell by going into Sublime Chord and obtaining 6th level spells (it gives bards progression up to 9th level spells, but can't be entered till level ~11, so it takes a little time to catch up). That said, he should have an amazing use magic device check, just use a scroll of stoneskin.

 

[Empirate]

Actually, nobody needs damage reduction. The amounts you can get at reasonable expenditure of resources (gp, feats, spell choices, etc.) are generally not worth it. At level 10, you're probably gonna see most enemies do around 20-30+ HP of damage per attack. DR 5/whatever doesn't cut it there. Consider casting Mirror Image instead so you're not hit at all.

Bottom line: it's usually much easier to reduce the enemies' chances of hitting you at all, than getting non-trivial amounts of DR.

http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Ironskin_ChantI also recommend Snowflake Wardance combined with Two Weapon Fighting, Song of the Heart, Inspirational Boost (SpC spell) and a Badge of Valor (MIC item).

Snowflake Wardance requires you to wield a one-handed slashing weapon and nothing in the other hand.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

You can always do the TWF trick with a one handed weapon and armor spikes? Hurray cheese!

EDIT: Wait, the text says "you add your Charisma modifier to your attack rolls with any slashing melee weapon you wield in one hand." That doesn't mean you're limited to one melee weapon, it says later on what restricts useage of the feat: "You cannot use this feat if you are carrying a shield, wearing medium or heavy armor, or carrying a medium or heavy load."

 

[Empirate]

Who am I to come between a man and his gouda?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I editted while you replied. It's not even cheesy, by RAW you can just dual wield. Feat seems like a natural combo with Dervish to go to town dancing around with two scimitars like a homicidal Drizz't clone.

 

[Dandu]

As was mentioned, it does not actually say that you must leave one hand empty.

 

[Empirate]

Hmm... rereading, you seem to be right. And since it's a free action to activate, you could just spend two music uses to gain the benefit for both weapons. OK, Snowflake Wardance just moved up in my appreciation - always thought it was an overrated feat, but now it seems quite OK.

 

[Dandu]

Why would you spend two uses of the feat if you are TWFing?