Bards, bad or good characters

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The aren´t spelcaster, fighters,or scouts, what they can do?

[ January 23, 2003, 23:18: Message edited by: Rekiller ]

 

Bards aren't about being powerfull. They are one of the most versatile classes in the game. They are jacks of all trades, yet masters of none. They can cast arcane spells, sing songs which help your party, melee, arch, pick pockets, hide and all that. Sure, they won't be as powerfull in spells as a sorcerer, or as powerfull in melee as a barbarian, but that's because the Bard has his skills spread out over a wide area. It's a very good support class. Somewhat like a flying brigade. Have him stand back with the spellcasters, flinging his own spells, and when something comes near your spellcasters, or the fighters aren't holding out in melee, have him help out there by drawing a blade.

You conclude your post in saying he's usefull, and I'm inclined to agree with you. However, you might want to throw a rank or two into the typing/grammar feat.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Take it easy, it's only a game. But, multi classed bards are better, sorcerer, rogue, fighter, ranger all make good options.

Think about it...

My friend had a killer bard/rogue that could easily put up the dukes, with spells like mirror image (this spell should be called immunity to almost everything...)

 

My bard is great for buffing/healing the party, and lingering song makes him very useful.

After level 11 I'd suggest M/C to something else as discussed above.

I'm taking figter levels now to stop him being ambushed with little protection.

Still he's been invaluable support all-round for the current campaign.

Let's just say, a bard can come again.

[ January 20, 2003, 14:14: Message edited by: Viking ]

 

Why? Although I've never used one before I'm using a bard now(she's lvl 3 so i don't know if she dies in ice temple)I love bards,after level 11 i'm planning to dual to a rogue and she will be my primary rogue.I think bards are versatile,also don't forget their songs,which make them powerful,i'm sure sorcerer is better than bard but bard is not in spellcaster pool,it's in rogue pool.Also if you look at roleplaying a bard would be cool in a group.Also i think you're behaving too aggressive,man calm down it's a game you may not like it but don't forget omeone(me?) likes it.

 

ok, and sorry about the the first post I´m new in forums.

 

there isn't a class in the game that is useless. Whenever someone come up with a topic "XXX class is useless", i can assure that there will be replies describing how useful XXX class is or how to develop XXX to be useful. i think a half-elve Ranger has globally recognized as the mother of all uselessness but i am sure there are people who can stand out and prove how kick ass their half-elve ranger can be.

Essentially, the only thing that makes you think that a particular class is useless is because the class doesn't fit into you playing stlye.

[ January 20, 2003, 21:18: Message edited by: teekc ]

 

I've never liked bards either because they do seem too underpowered and in a video game format, which is more like a Disneyland ride on rails than true roleplaying, a bard's abilities don't play out that well. If you want a bard you have to know what you're getting into and be willing to accept the marginal contributions he/she will make just because you want a bard. However there are some powerful items in these games specifically designed for bards that no one else can use, this helps balance their feebleness.

 

I always take a bard.

The first time through the real Icewind, I didn't. I didn't realize anything about bards.

Then I took one through Heart of Winter and the Icewind.

Since then I'm hooked. Bards seriously rock for two reasons.

Dialogue choices. And in IwD2, I remember a couple that were bard specific.

Spells. I have my bard casting Wail all that time.

If I wasn't cheating, there would be more than just a couple of times when that combat bonus stuff would come in really handy. Like when you're surrounded by enemies in chapters 4 and 5, and can't seem to hit JACK.

If you're using your bard as a fighter, or as a mage, then you're using him wrong. He's like a cleric; his function is support.

Support everyone else.

 

I've just cleaned up in Battle Square, and it would have been 5 times as difficult if my bard hadnt been hiding behind the doorframe out of sight of the golem singing the Tale of Cuirran Strongheart. My drow bard is the man; I use him for all the spells which are handy now and again but which I wouldnt want to waste a wizard's spell slot on. When he's not casting spells, he's singing, shooting his bow, smooth-talking or even fighting in melee (mirror image, moonblade of selune; both of these are helpful). Wouldn't swap Bernard for the world...

 

I'm just starting out a bard, but I realize he won't be a powerhouse, fiendslaying, butt-stomper. But I'm using him for the songs he gets. I don't see much use for a party over 5 members, but my bard is my 6th member. He can sit back with a bow and arrow to give fire support, sing some songs while I'm fighting, maybe heal some people since I don't have a cleric (just a pally.) He's my party leader so I get the dialogue options. I'm not out of Targos yet, but I already know I've come across two dialogue options that I've yet to see in the previous four times I've gone through Targos.

Yeah, he can't go toe to toe with a bugbear, and he couldn't outcast even a loser like Phaen of the Rags! He can still be nifty at times though. But boy am I missing my pure rogues. Alas, we all make sacrifices to try new things. If you don't like the bard, use a rogue or a sorcerer and leave the bard back in Luskan where he belongs.

Maybe if you've ever seen G4TV, you might see this commercial where a fighter/knight looking guy is talking with a priest. He tells him "Sorry Padre. The rogue, the lizard man, and I were talking and we've decided to go with another cleric." Think of the priest as a bard and tell him you're going with a specialist and that he can piss off.

 

I am just about to start a bard. This will be my fourth run through the game and I want to play with something different. Maybe I can get some clues about these guys from you.

 

I don't like bards honostly. In my first time through I took one along, but he is very disappointing. I have him using a bow or dual small blades. Also for some minor summoning. And every once in a while I remove fear with him, but that's it. Maybe I don't use the bard correct, but he just doesn't fit into my playingstyle. I'm not saying it's a bad character though.

 

does anyone know that a level 1 bard is the best minions summoner of all classes?

Take a sorcerer, with limited CON, huge INT, you might maxed you concentration. Then you attempt to summon your minions, take Animate undead for example. Your sorcerer, no matter how many level can only summon one minion at a time, expecially those high level ones, correct? Your sorcerer, no matter how many level, still need some duration for a spell to fully cast and the minion to appear, correct? Your sorcerer, no matter how many level, still has a chance to fail the concentration check and lose your spell before you can finish it, correct?
But, a bard, a lvl 1 bard can use a horn that you've gotten from the werewolf merchant in western pass foothill can summon 3~6 barbarians in no time. Useful? Crucial?

 

Three to six barbarians? And how usefull are they near the end of the game?

 

Useful? Didn't i mentioned crucial? Yes, even at the end of the game in HoF mode.

No one expect these barbarians to withstand a single battle. But, due to the fact that it require no time at all to cast so many barbarians, they are instant meat shields. It is so instant that these barbarians can laugh at how not instant those Japanese instant noodles are.

3~5 barbarians is for the horn you found in normal mode, 4~6 is for the horn you found in HoF mode.

 

Interesting. Guess I'll have to include a Bard in my next party

 

My line of thinking for IWD II is if you have a six person party, the sixth slot should be a bard. Anything less than that and a bard becomes less useful, because they SUPPORT less people. Human bards really layer on the feats and skills, and allow for no xp penalty when you hit lvl 11 and want to MC to either a rogue, sorcerer, or both.

 

Do a single class bard, beyond level 11, have anything more to offer? Or should I MC him immediately?