Mapping out a bard for the future

[MarauderX]

I am playing a bard in a cool campaign (we are staying with 3.0), and he is at 3rd level and most likely going to be 4th soon. He is a back-line ranged support PC, with feats to match, and has picked whip as his bardic weapon. He is also becoming the 'face' of the party with high diplomacy and non-combat skills, and is the only arcane caster in a party with 4 melee types.

What I need is a plan for his future, what direction he should take next as a PC. I am thinking of multiclassing or preparing for a PrC, but would like to hear something about pluses and drawbacks to doing so, and when it would be most advantagous to multiclass so that by level 10 he would be able to hold his own and have an array of cool abilities. Any ideas?

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

With four melees in the party, you have to face a couple of certain facts: you're never going to be dealing out the most damage and you'll never be able to handle the most punishment.

So we should be looking at some PrCs. Don't even bother to multiclass. You haven't mentioned needing a rogue so either you're fine in that department or the DM isn't big on traps and locks. And unless you want to commit yourself to sorceror, there isn't much of a niche for you to exploit other than the one you currently occupy.

I'd crack open Song and Silence and take a long look at the Virtuoso. You're giving up your ability to hold your own in a fight and gaining some new songs/abilities instead. That suits your needs (as I percieve them) well. As a bard, one of your jobs is to to enhance the abilties of your party (the other is to be the 'face' as you noted). This PrC will handle it well.

There's another more recent one on the WotC site, but it's meant for the Forgotten Realms, are you playing in that setting.

If you want to get a little grittier and give up your bardic ways, you could also take a look at Tome and Blood. The Spellsword might suit you. But, again, you won't be expolring new ground here. The other guys have that turf covered.

Also, I don't know how you are for a cleric/druid, but don't neglect the occasional heal spell. A bard is a poor healer, but if it means the difference between being at 8 hit points versus being at -2, there is no one who will complain!

 

[MarauderX]

With four melees in the party, you have to face a couple of certain facts: you're never going to be dealing out the most damage and you'll never be able to handle the most punishment.

So we should be looking at some PrCs. Don't even bother to multiclass. You haven't mentioned needing a rogue so either you're fine in that department or the DM isn't big on traps and locks. And unless you want to commit yourself to sorceror, there isn't much of a niche for you to exploit other than the one you currently occupy.
...
Also, I don't know how you are for a cleric/druid, but don't neglect the occasional heal spell. A bard is a poor healer, but if it means the difference between being at 8 hit points versus being at -2, there is no one who will complain!

There is a party rogue that has multiclassed into fighter, a cleric who loves to mix it up on the front lines. I like having the extra healing, but it really doesn't go that far when I am using up spells for a battle.

I'd crack open Song and Silence and take a long look at the Virtuoso. You're giving up your ability to hold your own in a fight and gaining some new songs/abilities instead. That suits your needs (as I percieve them) well. As a bard, one of your jobs is to to enhance the abilties of your party (the other is to be the 'face' as you noted). This PrC will handle it well.

I like that PrC too, but wasn't sure if going 'all-out bard' was a good option for the higher levels. I was considering sorcerer as it would match with his already high CHA, but it might be kinda weak for the first few levels.

There's another more recent one on the WotC site, but it's meant for the Forgotten Realms, are you playing in that setting.

Nope, it's a cool homebrew. I saw that one too, but haven't taken the time to develop it since it didn't hold my interest that much.

If you want to get a little grittier and give up your bardic ways, you could also take a look at Tome and Blood. The Spellsword might suit you. But, again, you won't be expolring new ground here. The other guys have that turf covered.

Yeah, I didn't even look at Tome and Blood since I would be making the front lines more crowded than they already are.
Thanks for your help!

 

[The Sigil]

*shameless plug*

May I humbly recommend the Enchiridion of Mystic Music? (Here is a link). It has a veritable plethora of ideas for your bard. Lots of new muses for your bardic music ability, a half dozen Prestige Classes, and a few Feats that might catch your eye... among other things.

--The Sigil