Playing a Bard...

[RJKrik]

Hi there all,


In a 3e DnD game about tos tart I will be playing a Bard. (No... im not kidding.) I like the neat ways to use the class for good Roleplaying oppurtunties. Theres a small problem however... I've never played one in 3e (or 2e for that matter) So, I was just wondering if you could give me ideas on how to go about playing a bard.

(Here is some info on the character, 5th level made with 25 point buy+1 ability score up at 4th level)

Name: Gregory Patterson
Allignment: Chaotic Neutral
Race: Human
Class: Bard

Stats:

Str. 10 (9+1)
Dex. 12
Con. 10
Int. 14
Wis. 10
Chr. 16

Feats: Skill Focus: Perform, Point blank shot, Precise Shot.

Skills. Bluff 8 Ranks, Concentration 6 Ranks, Dechiipher Script 8 ranks, Diplomacy 8 ranks, Gather Information 8 ranks, Listen 2 Ranks, Perform 8 ranks, Sense Motive 8 ranks.

Bard extra Weapon Proficeincy: Composite Longbow

Gear (A small sampling thereof): Backpack, Bedroll, Flint and steel, 2x Torches, 2x Trail Rations, Musical insturment (not sure which one to pick...), Composite Longbow, Dagger, Chainmail Shirt.

Spells:

Cantrips: Dancing Lights, Daze, Flare, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation.

1st: Charm Person, Cure Light Wounds, Mage Armor, Silent Image.

2nd: Cure Moderale Wounds, Levitate, Suggestion.

Short Background: Greg came from a rather wealthy faimly. Upon his 18th birthday a group of Bards was hired to entertain the people at the party. Greg, being an adventerous person, did not want to be stuck doing the mundane things that would have been his task had he stayed in his life. So, he went along with the Bards. For years he travelled with them and learned their ways. ALthough, some of the bards he came into contact with were prone to steal or otherwise harm their fellows, Greg never found the need.

After 4 years with the group of Bards he left them and went out on his own to see what the world was like. Since he has traveled far and wide looking for new stories and songs to pass on to the common folk.


Well... thats a rough draft as it is, and not very descriptive, but thats the general idea. While he does good at times, he doesnt really feel and pressign need to do it ALL the time (hence CN not CG) Also, he definetly isnt a fighter, so thats why I have the Achery related feats. Keeps back and gives support to the front line fighters. With an arrow here and there for good measure. Also, likes money but usually spends it/gambles it away.


Now, as for what I'm actually asking about. "What kind of performaces should I take?" I get 8 of them, so its kinda hard to choose. "how would you play this character?" just any suggestions you can make.


Thanks for any help/comments you can give me.

RJKrik

 

[BiggusGeekus]

BiggusGeekus da l33t powergamer sez:

Singing, chanting, or anything that leaves your hands free.

BiggusGeekus the elitist roleplayer sayeth:

Traditionally in olden days, the harp was the intrument of the nobility and the lute was the intrument of a trubador. Both of which a wealthy man could "respectfully" play. Horns, flutes, trumpets, drums, and the like were instruments of the lower-born. So it depends on if Gregory learned music from his family or from the wandering bards (who would at least know how to play the harp and the lute because they were performing for his family).

BiggusGeekus the raving loonie moos:

Be a mime; chicks dig mimes.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

First, what instrument(s) does he play? This can make a big difference. For example, a bard playing the flute can not sing at the same time.

For performance, what did your bard learn during his years with the bardic group? What sorts of Performance would have earned money during his years with the other bards? Salty sea shanties or romantic ballads? That should give you at least a couple of choices for Perform types.

I play a bard in a pbem game, and here's the Perform skills he has taken thus far (currently 4th level): Epic, Comedy, Storytelling, Ballad, Psaltery (a small stringed instrument), Flute, and Poetry. As you can see, a wide variety and some that are not exclusive. He could compose an epic ballad or recite a comedic poem.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Torque]

Since you have 8 choices, try to have at least something for every occasion. For example, you might have a harp for upper class events, a lyre or lute for playing around the campfire, singing or story-telling for when you need your hands free, comedy for some situations, some sort of physical performance like juggling, etc.

Also, from a character design point of view, you might want to consider two things that might help you be more effective, though if they are integral to your character concept feel free to ignore my advice. First, you might want to consider starting with a 10 str and a 15 cha, and putting the level bump into cha. This saves you 1 building point that you can put elsewhere. Also, between maxed out ranks and cha bonus, your perform is probably going to be as high as it needs to be. You might consider swapping skill focus for spell focus (enchantment).

 

[Shadowdancer]

I also play a bard. I agree that you should take the spell focus: enchantment rather than the skill focus: perform feat. And change one of your first-level spells -- probably silent image -- for a sleep spell. That will be your most useful spell. The spell focus feat then would make your sleep spell and your charm spell very difficult to save against.

And whatever musical instruments you do settle on, if you are 5th level, they need to be masterwork instruments. And that will give you a +2 synergy bonus on your performance skill checks. That will make up for not having the skill focus: perform feat.

And I have a question -- why the composite longbow? The reason for learning to shoot a composite longbow is so you can eventually get a mighty composite longbow and take advantage of your character's strength bonus. But your character doesn't have a strength bonus. So a regular longbow would work just as well. In our campaign, as a house rule, you can't even draw a composite longbow unless you have a +1 strength bonus.

 

[Ravellion]

And I have a question -- why the composite longbow? The reason for learning to shoot a composite longbow is so you can eventually get a mighty composite longbow and take advantage of your character's strength bonus. But your character doesn't have a strength bonus. So a regular longbow would work just as well. In our campaign, as a house rule, you can't even draw a composite longbow unless you have a +1 strength bonus.

The range perhaps? Anyway, I disagree with the sleep spell, the 2d4 HD means it will eventually be uselss. Quite soon already, actually, since he's already 4th level.

Rav

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

You still miss one very important skill: Use Magic Device.
(If you max it out now, you would have a +11 on it. On an average roll you could already use a 1st level Wand of any source - including a Wizards Wand of Shield or Magic Missile )

You should not have to many Cure Spell, and especially not "so near" ones. (Cure Light & Cure Serious is okay. Or only Cure Moderate)

I don`t know if you`re allowed to use additonal Material, but you should consider feats like "Lingering Song" (doubles the Duration of your songs). Look in "Song & Silence".

Magic Items that you might want: Cloak of Charisma, Circlet of Persuasion (starting at 5th level you have 9.000 gp, right? So you will probably only be able to buy one.)

For Spells:
1st lvl: Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease are nice spells. (Grease can be a good "combat" spell)
2nd lvl: A Bard is very useful if he can "bump up" others, so I would go (i did go with my Elven Bard) for Bull`s Strength and Cat`s Grace.
Glitterdust can be very helpful against invisible foes (it might even be better than See Invisibility).
Suggestion is also nice, though you might prefer using your Bardic Songs for it...

 

[StealthyMark]

Cure Light Wounds

Cure Light Wounds is always good to know, on all levels of play. You'll have every day a few 1st level spell slots left. If you happen to know Cure Light Wounds, you can use these slots.

If you have a fellow cleric, you don't need to know cure spells above 2nd level. For example, on 9th level, your fellow cleric can cast 3-4 Cure Critical Wounds plus some 5th level spells. A 9th level Bard could cast 3 Cure Serious Wounds and no other spells of your highest spell level. Spells like Haste, Dispel Magic or Greater Magic Weapon.

IMO, Sleep is in city adventures often good. Especially if combined with Spell Focus (Enchantment).