More bard stuff

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I was trying to set up a tough-to-play group for the challenge but I think I stumbled on an oddly effective team.

My PC is a male jester (yes, I know) and the NPCs are all females. Right now, I have Mazzy, Jaheira, Aerie, Viconia and Nalia (though I'm on my way to trade her in for Imoen). I thought I'd have trouble because I tend to like a fighter-intensive front line (which I obviously don't have with this team), but man do they pack an outstanding magic punch.

I took out Firkraag (I know - the spelling is butchered) last night without cheating (unless you cry foul for summoned critters)and with barely a scratch to my team. I had him surrounded by two fire elementals and three aerial servants and my team formed another ring a bit farther out. Everyone was stoked up and protected from fire and so forth, but with the elementals bum rushing him and everyone else either casting missiles or shooting arrows (after three or four breach shots) he actually died very quickly.

I realize the jester is a lame fighter (you don't need to quote the numbers), but he hits often enough with Celestial Fury that he holds his own in hand to hand contests. His bardic armor and mage-oriented protection spells make him reasonably tough to hit, so he rarely ever takes big damage. I use pickpocket all the time (to shoplift stuff) and the fact that he can cast adequately (about as well as any of the m/c mages) and that he can use wands makes him okeydoke in my book. Not that I'd want to solo him, of course.


[This message has been edited by Trunculo (edited May 25, 2001).]

 

I'm curious, as I never have played a Bard before: Where do you place his harp?
I mean, he has the harp ability by himself, but there are about 3 new harps in the game, and where do you place them? In your quick item slots or something?

Da Punisher

 

Bards can be extremly fun to play with, even though they might not be specialised in some things. They r cool all-round characters... But the Jester is (probably, in my oppinion) the worst bard of all!
You should have chosen the skald since you´d get good combat bonuses and so on. But it´s your choise, not mine

 

Hey Trunculo, I tried something very similar to this and had the same surprise. Admittedly my character was a sorcerer so I expected him to do better than a Jester but the all women thing is very effective. I thought that the lack of tanks up front would cause too much trouble but they handle it ok with all of the magic potential and summoning of monsters. I also found Jaheria and Viconia made great 'hold the line' fighters later on in the game. Their THACOs were never fantastic compared to a true fighter but they had great AC and Jaheria also benefitted from IronSkins.

For more details have a look at:
http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001701.html

Although the topic does generate quickly.

 

Finally, someone speaks warmly of the Bard class. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (and all that )...

Anyway, the "external" harps you find here and there are indeed placed in a Quick Item slot, and you use them like you would use any other item.

 

what is the Bard stronghold anyway?

 

@Praetor - it's the playhouse, below the Five Flaggons Inn.

 

Da Punisher, your question means you never took Haer'Dalis in the party. Shame on you. Get him.

 

Melkhior -

I know the Skald is a much better bard (and I think the Blade is a good bit cooler as well) but I'm kind of playing a theme party in honor of a great friend who is getting married at the end of June. I told him that I needed to finish this party before then or I'd have to dual-class my character to something else more appropriate. Are there any plans for a eunuch class?

Jester seems to fit my buddy's personality to a tee, plus I have to admit that I like having pick-pocket and lore as high as possible. Also, in line with my buddy (who I guess I'm roll-playing) I have him making moves on Aerie as she seems to be the dippiest of the romance prospects.

Slappy - as to the tank choices, I agree about Jaheira and Viconia are ok up front, but I've got Mazzy's AC down to -10 and she's a freak (I mean that in the nicest possible way) with that short sword of hers.


[This message has been edited by Trunculo (edited May 25, 2001).]