UngeheuerLich
Legend
The ranger one lasts for two rounds of attacks, the warlocks only for a single hit... a big difference...
Maximizing Bard damage?
- Thread starter Ryujin
- Start date
JohnSnow
Hero
Check out the Arcane Archer article in Dragon #374 for an alternate take on how to build a bard. They recommended Drow to get the +2 Cha/+2 Dex you need for proper stats (of course, then they wasted it by taking a 13 DEX - the way they built it, you want a CHA/WIS race). I'm pretty sure you can do that with a changeling. 
If your group is using a point-buy 3 higher than average, you're making tragic mistake trying to go for a couple really high scores. Those extra 3 points can really make the difference in some of your secondary scores. With 3 extra points, you can get shore up weaknesses. That would allow, for example:
STR 13 CON 11 DEX 15 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 18
Picking up the multiclass ranger feat isn't about Hunter's Quarry; it's about the multi-attack powers you can get from that class. Don't get me wrong, the extra damage from Hunter's Quarry is nice, but if you're going the archery route, you want access to the Ranger's powers. Stick with Prescient Bard and you're going to do some serious damage. Now, there's ways to fiddle with this. You can lower your strength to 12 and wait until 4th level (when you boost it to 13) to take the Ranger feat, but then you're waiting until 6th to take Novice Power. Which seems dumb to me.
Jinx Shot (Arcane Power) and Vicious Mockery make good at-wills. For encounters, the best choice is Firemetal Shot, despite your low CON. And of course, for dailies, either Arrow of Warning or Saga of Rivalry is a great choice.
For rituals, take your pick. Trained skills? For a Changeling Bard, I'd suggest Arcana, Bluff, Acrobatics, and Perception, and, oh, Heal for that Leader-y stuff. Warrior of the Wild (Ranger multiclass feat) gets you Hunter's Quarry 1/encounter and Stealth trained.
At Second level, you want Bow Expertise as your feat. The Essentials version adds a damage bonus to isolated enemies in addition to the attack bonus. Both useful.
There's plenty of ways to make a Bard into an Arcane Archer damage monkey - and still have him do all the things he needs to. I've even whipped up a pretty good Half-Elven one.
If your group is using a point-buy 3 higher than average, you're making tragic mistake trying to go for a couple really high scores. Those extra 3 points can really make the difference in some of your secondary scores. With 3 extra points, you can get shore up weaknesses. That would allow, for example:
STR 13 CON 11 DEX 15 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 18
Picking up the multiclass ranger feat isn't about Hunter's Quarry; it's about the multi-attack powers you can get from that class. Don't get me wrong, the extra damage from Hunter's Quarry is nice, but if you're going the archery route, you want access to the Ranger's powers. Stick with Prescient Bard and you're going to do some serious damage. Now, there's ways to fiddle with this. You can lower your strength to 12 and wait until 4th level (when you boost it to 13) to take the Ranger feat, but then you're waiting until 6th to take Novice Power. Which seems dumb to me.
Jinx Shot (Arcane Power) and Vicious Mockery make good at-wills. For encounters, the best choice is Firemetal Shot, despite your low CON. And of course, for dailies, either Arrow of Warning or Saga of Rivalry is a great choice.
For rituals, take your pick. Trained skills? For a Changeling Bard, I'd suggest Arcana, Bluff, Acrobatics, and Perception, and, oh, Heal for that Leader-y stuff. Warrior of the Wild (Ranger multiclass feat) gets you Hunter's Quarry 1/encounter and Stealth trained.
At Second level, you want Bow Expertise as your feat. The Essentials version adds a damage bonus to isolated enemies in addition to the attack bonus. Both useful.
There's plenty of ways to make a Bard into an Arcane Archer damage monkey - and still have him do all the things he needs to. I've even whipped up a pretty good Half-Elven one.
Forget trying to maximize your damage. Let the strikers maximize their damage, and give them as many free basic attacks as possible. Every single basic attack they do because of you counts as YOUR damage.
Remember, if you can grant free basic attacks to the Striker then you are doing Striker level damage and still get all the nifty benefits of being a Leader.
Remember, if you can grant free basic attacks to the Striker then you are doing Striker level damage and still get all the nifty benefits of being a Leader.
Ryujin
Legend
Unfortunately not, if the Strikers don't do anything to improve their MBAs.
Neonchameleon
Legend
Honestly? I'd run a few sessions with another PC - probably a striker. And then watch someone fall. Ask them if that's still what they want.
Next time the topic comes up, you open PHB2 on page 66, throw a Forrest Gump voice and read aloud: "Role: Leader. Your spells inspire and invigorate your allies. Your spells also include significant control elements, making controller a natural secondary role."
If they still insist, play dumb and say: "Sorry, it doesn't say anything about maximizing my damage in here."
If they still insist, look them straight in the eye, make your voice deep and threatening and say: "WHAT PART OF ROLE: LEADER DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!"
If they still insist, play dumb and say: "Sorry, it doesn't say anything about maximizing my damage in here."
If they still insist, look them straight in the eye, make your voice deep and threatening and say: "WHAT PART OF ROLE: LEADER DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!"
Cormacolinde
First Post
The cunning bard in our campaign runs around with Staggering note, cutting words and uses blunder a lot (Resourceful Magician PP lets him regain it, and the like). With the right setup, there is often more damage done during his turn than during the striker's turn. The key to this is the presence of a polearm gambler in the group. It makes a world of difference.
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