Opinion Time ...

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Okay, I've been role playing for near 10 years now, everything from Ultima, to Dungeons and Dragons, to Diablo.

Never had a bard. I usually play Paladins, Fighters, Or straight out mages.

If anyone has a Highly Successful Build for a Bard, Plz Post it for me.. Thanks much!>.

 

Bards are totally different in development under 3ED rules than they were in the past, especially 1st ED.

The build is more like other classes--you emphasize key stats (on my favorite rogue/bard build, that's dex and char). Here's an 80 point build--

Str 10
Dex 18
Int 12
Con 10
Wis 12
Cha 18

That is, you dump everything left over from those other stats into Wisdom. It really stinks to fail saves based on wisdom.

I level to rogue 4, taking non-fighting feats and skills. I then go Bard for 11 levels, until you get the War Chant of Sith and access to Power Word Silence, a very good battle spell for your bard. Since he's the talker, he's often right on top of a situation just as folks turn red. How convenient that the bad guys can't do spells so early in the fight!

I continue gathering feats and skills that are personally defensive (bluff and diplomacy count in that group) and choose spells that are party-aid focused. Sure, those spells often do not increase with level. But magic circle, cat's grace, emotion hope, increased invis--my bard IS my pre-fight buff machine. For emergency back-up spell caster, I also carry Magic Mis, horror, dispel. Whatever else is your call. I picked healing spells.

After that, it's your call. I went back to doing rogue levels after Bard 11.

As far as weapons, I chose Sulu's hook and the dagger of blocking thingy--I use mage daggers that either enhance my stats or add to my defense. My bard has 1% of the kills in the party, so he's not interested in fighting. He just equips and quips.

I only wish he had a taunt like Morte!

bgp

 

BGP:
Can you suggest a race for that build? I guess it would be plain human but not sure.

 

Human or Halfling--not Ghostwise (Barbarian favored), but plain halfling or Strongheart.

Remember to go at least level three rogue so you get evasion and uncanny dodge.

The only question I have is if you start out halfling, favored class rogue, do you suffer a 20% experience penalty for multi to bard?

My character was Aasmar, of all things. I knowingly took the 20% in exchange for starting with a 20 charisma.

 

BGP:
If one of the classes is favored class of a MC, you won't be penalized. So, halfing rogue/bard will not be penalized too.
Aasimar? How did it work? Are you satisfied or did that %20 XP penalty hurt you?

 

If i go Bard/rogue, i'd hafta get at least 10 rogue, just for the improved evasion. Thanks for the helps guys, Honest.

Think a Tiefling would be decent too? (Tiefling, Halfing, or Straight Human)

Sounds like a pretty good plan, THanks much!!

 

A good build depends on what role you want the Bard to play. The only really necessary skill for a Bard is Concentration, but they do have a good skill set that provides a great diversity. Personally, I like Bards as leaders, so a good build would be:
Human
STR:12 DEX:14 CON:10 INT:16 WIS:8 CHA:16
Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Concentration, Knowledge:Arcana, Alchemy, Spellcraft
Feats: Courteous Magocracy, Lingering Song

Of course, what skills and feats you take depends on what else is in your party and how skills and roles are distributed. If you don't want the Bard to be a leader, drop INT a bit and raise DEX or STR, or take different skills (like Hide and Move Silently) and feats (any Bard will want Greater Spell Focus:Enchantment eventually).
Also, if you have it in your head that Bards can't fight, get rid of that notion. A Bard is as good a combatant as a Cleric or Rogue, and will the right buffs is a force to be reckoned with. Bards need a lot of attention and micro-management to really work, but they're worth the efforts. I'm always surprised by what the class can accomplish.