Quick question about inspire greatness...

[Archimago]

The PHB description states that those affected by this bardic song gain two temporary HD.
Here's the exact line that I am concerned with:

These extra Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining effects such as the sleep spell.

Does this mean, (a) these HD are regular in that they grant BAB, saving throw bonuses associated with gaining HD, and the example they give is the HD's effect on the sleep spell, or (b) do they mean this HD bonus is only a hit point bonus with the only extra affect being spells dependent on the target's HD are affected by this, or (c) some other combination that I'm not considering?

I'm inclined to believe b, but it seems fairly weak for an ability gained at level 9 and that only affects one person until more ranks in perform are gained. OTOH a seems a bit strong, bonus BAB is amazingly powerful.

 

[hong]

(b). Notice how the ability already explicitly grants you bonuses on attack rolls and saves.

 

[Crothian]

It's B and it's a pretty good ability. I use it on our raging Barbarian. Those 2 extra HD get con bonuses so he gets many more HP. And in song and silnece certain instruments allow you to do more then one Bard song at a time. So, I like to use Insopire Courage for all my allies, and Inspire Greatness on the guy who is really in the thick of things.

 

[Fenes]

My bard has the lingering song feat. Even without those instruments she can inspire courage one round, affecting the whole group, then inspire greatness on the main melee fighter while the courage remains for 10 rounds. In 3 levels she will be able to inspire the whole group with both courage and greatness in 3 rounds, leaving them inspired by both for 7 rounds by using 3 bardic music attempts, and still be able to shoot her bow, or swing her sword while singing the courage inspiring song - which will linger for 10 more rounds should she be forced to drop it to cast a cure spell. Pretty neat, if I do say so.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

And that`s why bards are so nice.
And if you don`t want to fight (low hit points and bab), get a herald`s trumpet and give your best friend (the melee fighter?) a total of +4 to his attack rolls, +2 to to damage, +2d10+con hit points, and +1 to fortitude saves. (Did I miss something).

And, since we are talking about "powergamer`s wet dreams", how about having a barbarian in melee and raging (extra rage and extended rage seems to me the most useful feats ).
+6(or +7) to attack, +4 (or +5)to damage, +2d10+con+4(or+6) hit points, +3(or +4) to fortitude saves. (Again: Did I miss something?)

(How to make friends and create long lasting friendships, and end enemies lives...
"Join the army, visit interesting countries, learn new people, and kill them, before they kill you"... )

 

[Fenes]

Well, all powergamers I have known would not want to play a bard, but to have a personal cheerleader for their melee killing machine. Thee is not much glory to be had in buffing and healing the party, at least not the kind of glory some people want.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

That`s the problem the people have with the bard, I think.