What do you make of this party's composition?

[Ry]

If it were my campaign, I'd say that if the PC doesn't want to retrofit, he can "buy" the feat switch for 1000 xp.

Also, if you REALLY want to explore ptolus long-term, consider slowing progression after about 6th. There's a few different methods I could recommend (highest on my list would be the extra-feat-instead-of-level style slowdown). The extra feats will be fun for your guys and you'll be able to show off more of the city - and that's exactly how I'd sell it to the players.

 

[Remathilis]

What's Lyric Thaumaturgist like?

Its a pretty easy PrC to gun for (bard5 can meet all pre-reqs)

Its bab is med, good ref and will. Its 1:1 casting and six skill points. You continue to get uses of bardsong/day.

At 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th level, you get a bonus spell slot.
At 3rd, 6th, and 9th, you get a bonus spell known. It can be from the bard or Sorc/Wiz list.
At 2nd level, you get a bonus feat Captivating melody (which trades a bardic music use for a +2 to the DC of an illusion or enchantment spell)
At 5th, you can add 1d6 sonic damage to any sonic spell that deals damage with one use of a bardic music.

Also, you might want to consider some reserve feats for the casters. They will never be great effects, but Touch of Healing will help bring the PCs back from low hp (which without a tank, could be often) and Clap of Thunder deals decent sonic damage. If he goes LT and takes an energy spell (acid arrow, lightning bolt, fireball) than the appropriate energy damage reserve feat will MORE than make up for his lack of blasting and he can take cool bard spells as well.

 

[darkbard]

Hmmm. Food for thought. I'll have to have the player look into Lyric Thaumaturge. Thanks!

 

[Voadam]

A little weak on blasting and tanking but should do fine. Could go for a very sneaky oriented party operation mode successfully that is tough with clanking tanks.

Bard should take enchantments to handle meaty opponents with weak will saves so they don't need to be fought directly.