How should i use a bard?

[Bazaku Ambrosuis]

Hello everybody

I´m about to start a campaign and i want to roll a bard(ONLY CORE RULEBOOK) but i have a few questions
I dont want to use a bow, and i cannot use archetypes cause is only core. So how sould i make him?
I have read that some use whip build with bards, and focus on trip builds, it´s worth? in that case what should do when an enemy comes next to me and i have the whip? If i move he will punish me and i cant stay in melee too long with this build cause bards dont have high ac or hp..
How about the finesse rute? With high dextery, a light armor and a shield i can have a decent ac without no arcane failure.
He have some spells but they are limmited, i cant cast all day...
What about multiclassing him?
Its 20 points build

Something i forgot to say, is a undead heavy campaign

[Neils Bohr]

Dexterity builds with a chain shirt, or lighter depending on how high your dexterity is, can get you a respectable AC.
If you finesse a rapier and pick up arcane strike you can still get a reasonable damage, or build towards fencing grace to get dexterity to damage.

Edit: I forgot to address the whip, trip bulbs can work, but if you have a lot of huge monsters its usefulness goes down. You can wear a spiked gauntlet while you use your whip to deal with closer enemies.

[Nohwear]

Dex build with a chainshirt. I would pick a shortsword over a rapier because most undead will have some sort of protection against piercing, or at least needing either slashing or bashing to get past their DR. Since it is Core only, I would worry more about buffing.

[Neils Bohr]

Nohwear has a good point, I forgot about the undead in the campaign.

[Bazaku Ambrosuis]

Hmm good point, zombies have dr- Slaying for example... So a light mace and a rapier if i fight something without dr?

[Neils Bohr]

You can always use cure spells to damage the undead as well. You may want to pick up a wand for that. Since it serves a dual purpose it would be a good investment.

[Nohwear]

As for race, I personally have a soft spot for half elves. While Halflings have good stat bonuses for your build, there are certain headaches that come with being small if you are not good at math.

[Neils Bohr]

I quite enjoy my halfling, but half elves, humans, half orcs, and elves could all work well, that being said if you want to play a different race you can make it work.

[PCScipio]

Here's my suggestion for a strength build.

Race: Half-Orc

Str 16+2
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 8
Cha 14

You could switch Dex and Cha if you wanted, planning to pick up a Cha headband by 7th.

Feat: Arcane Strike
Weapon: Greataxe to start, switch to Falchion later

You'll be fragile until you get Mirror Image at 4th.
Optionally, you can go Dragon Disciple after Bard 7 or 8.

[Bazaku Ambrosuis]

I like halflings too but the damage (already low) will be lower... 1d4 seems almost laughable.
Humans get extra spells and the feat will be welcome i gess
Something like

Something like this will work?
Str 10
Dex 18 (+2 here)
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 14

[Neils Bohr]

Halflings are a bit lower on damage, it isn't a big deal if you want to use one, but it is preference.

That stat array will work, and humans are an excellent choice. The extra feat is pretty huge.

[Nohwear]

Do you want to focus on being better at fighting yourself, or casting and buffing? Your stats as is, are geared toward fighting yourself. If you wanted to focus more on buffing and spellcasting, then I would put the plus two on your charisma.

[Davor]

I say go moderate strength/dexterity, reasonable Charisma (14-ish), a reach weapon, and Combat Reflexes. It makes up for your action economy early on, pairs well with arcane strike, and makes it easier to stay out of harm's way.

[ngc7293]

I would suggest taking toughness. Your favorite second level spell would be mirror image. If you fear getting hit there is always 5foot step.

Note with a 10 strength good luck on carrying anything as your armor weighs 25lbs and with a carrying capacity of 33 you better hope some will carry your stuff for you. Why not a Strength build so you can carry your stuff?

[Djelai]

For the DEX route, I suggest investing in EWP (elven curved blade) to deal decent damages.

Spoiler:

Human
Str 14, Dex 17(15+2), Con 14, Int 10, Wis 08, Cha 14
1. Weapon finesse, Arcane Strike
3. EWP (elven curved blade)
4. +1 Dex
5. Power Attack
And my favorite 2nd-level spell is Heroism. ;)

I personally consider the whip as a backup: draw as a move action, trip/disarm/whatever as a standard action, then drop the whip as a free action.
Anyway, as a bard, you can already trip/disarm with the Grease spell.

[Qaianna]

How do you use a bard? Well, tip well, buy him or her a few drinks, and if all goes well ... oh, right.

I'd love to experiment with the combat applications of a whippy trippy bard (with that spiked gauntlet as backup, as it's core only). As far as focus ... the idea is mainly support: when you're not doing support with magic, you're relieving foes of things like weapons and balance with the whip.

I'd lean against multiclassing. Then again I can't remember ever doing it in any game anyway. Besides, bard abilities can get fun later on.

I tried putting together a bard just for fun as a dex-based whipper, with her first feat to get that dex to attack on the whip (and it would also affect the gauntlet). That should also help on trips and disarms. The downside is of course bye-bye feat. Still, there are finessable weapons for all of your bardic bashing needs.