BS and RA:
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Rystil Arden said:
Not to start a debate
but the Rogue only loses that uniqueness in add-on books. Looking at only the core base classes, Bard is already lost among the others. Wizards and Sorcerers being similar isn't really the point--Wizard is better and Sorcerer gets trumped out (although useful for some fringe uses), but neither is blown out of the water in the arcane arts. The Bard-only spells are somewhat fun, but with all the spells available out there, the fact that they have an incredibly limited number to know helps suck some of that fun away (Particularly when so many of the cool ones are niche, like Sculpt Sound, so you have to worry about missing out on something the party needs you to cover). I won't argue against Bardic Knowledge because its cool, but I will say that some GMs can really put a crimp in it quite easily and you can pick it up as a Wizard without losing casting. Their combat competence is below that of Cleric and Druid, two full casters, and mithral chain shirt isn't hurting the rogue either
As for Inspire Courage, the Morale Bonus doesn't stack with any other morale bonuses, so the level 1 Bard is rendered over 50% useless (At level 1, to hit is more important than damage) by the Bless spell, for instance. Whee, poor bards. I feel sorry for them, I really do
It's an interesting discussion on oppinions, no problems
Their spells add to their flexability, and they're in the unique position of being a semi-full casters. But they're not as good as other classes.
I am very free with BK, generaly let it be used in place of any other knowledge skill in some fasion, as well as to know other strange or obscure things, drop hints on the party, etc. It's probably the most used skill of any character (even beyond spot) in any campaign I've played in with a bard in my group. Someone with only levels in Loremaster will loose out due to not having full progression in the skill, at least in my games.
Combat wise, they're on par with a Druid (Similar armor, though better weapon selection), and maybe lose out a bit to the cleric simply because of the armor. But they're no slouch.
And I'm talking a normal chain shirt (So beter AC), or you could go Mithril Breastplate. Plus, I think they can take feats to increase the armor they can cast in (In Complete Arcane).
Yes, but the bard can do it without wasting a spell, so the cleric can use something else (like divine might, shield of faith, ect). That's part of being a party, knowing what others do and working with their abilities, not stepping on them.
I will admit that the least fun character I ever played was a gnome bard, but I ended up playing 2 characters (the other was his brother, an illusionist). However, he had the worst stats of the entire party (GM made 25 random rolls and had us pick a number to select one, and he got screwed), and someone else decided to make their character a diplomatic rogue, and then wouldn't let the bard occasionaly negotiate (Even when he was as good if not better at it). I don't think it realy would have mattered what type of character I was playing, that game wasn't that exciting.
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