I'm rebuilding a level 1 going to level 2 character into a buff/debuff-focused bard, and would like to seek some advice. He would focus his early rounds of combat buffing and debuffing and only after that then make some contributions to the fighting. Want to try my hand at a primarily support class. Some thoughts so far:
- Intimidate: Thinking of pushing this as high as possible, so that after inspire courage in round 1, he would attempt to demoralise the enemy. It would give him a non-spell option in combat, considering bards have relatively fewer spells per day. Unfortunately, he would only be able to get dazzling display at level 5 (after weapon focus at level 3), but between then, he could still demoralise individuals.
- Race: Decided on a half-elf so as to take skill focus on performance (keyboard), primarily to push up intimidate but also beneficial for diplomacy and day jobs. Seems better than half-orc's +2 racial bonus to intimidate.
- Cha: Thinking of pushing this to start at 18 so as to increase intimidate checks, raise DCs of debuff spells, and (minor) increase duration of bardic performance. Not sure how worth it is, though, especially since a bard doesn't have that many spells per day anyway. (But precisely since he has fewer, each one must count!)
- Combat role: As a support character, he won't frontline and I've have decided to focus on reach weapons (i.e. longspear) rather than bow and arrow, partly because I have another archer build, and also as it is less feat intensive. Also, less MAD for abilities. But the potential damage for archery builds in the long run is tempting (precise shot, rapid shot, many shot, arcane strike, deadly aim).
- Feat: Deliberating between Improved Initiative (to get off the buffs and debuffs early to make a difference) or Combat Reflexes (to complement the reach attacks). Leaning towards the former.
- Stats: Can't decide between Str:16 Dex:12 Con:10 Int:12 Wis:7 Cha:18 or Str:14 Dex:14 Con:12 Int:12 Wis:7 Cha:18. The former makes him slightly more effective in attacks but the latter makes him more well-rounded.
Comments, suggestions, critiques? Nothing is really cast in stone yet.
edit: The stats above include half-elf racial bonus of +2.
My general philosophy is try for at least 14 con whenever possible. It adds so much survivability to the character.
I think 8 wisdom can work (and it's a decent dump stat for a bard) if you have a trait to offset it. Will saves are very important in general.
I would recommend something like what was mentioned above, except switching Int and Wis.
Yes, would definitely take the trait that grants +1 to will save. A bit wary about dumping Int too much, as part of the draw of playing a bard is the breadth of class skills available! :)
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take a look at thrown weapons. Even if they are just clubs. that way you can use a heavy shield (+2 AC), and still effect things at reach.
Also, pick up a Master Work tool for Intimidate (or more than one) - if you are going with the "demoralize the enemy" angle.
And wands. a shortage of spells can be made up for with wands - just try to avoid ones that give the enemy a save. So maybe avoid the attack spell wands. (I would also pick up a MW tool for UMD for wands, and push up UMD).
I personally prefer to push my CHA as high as possible - but that path is not as popular (and I get flamed on the board for suggesting it, and want to avoid that now... see other treads on this subject). My favorite bard had the following stats at first level (I am going to regret posting this I know):
Str 12, Dex 12 ,Con 10, Int 13, Wis 7, Cha 20
but then I went with human to get the extra feat (and skill points) to be able to disarm enemies with a whip.
Wit archetype bard would fit into this concept.
It's a core character, so no archetypes, unfortunately.
Thrown weapons would still need precise shot (and hence point blank shot) to avoid penalties when attacking into melee, right? So it would still be feat intensive like archery.
What wands are good for bards? I've got the clw and longstrider (to activate using UMD).
Thought of the whip build but I worry that the lower BAB progression might not keep up with CMD.
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It's a core character, so no archetypes, unfortunately.
Thrown weapons would still need precise shot (and hence point blank shot) to avoid penalties when attacking into melee, right? So it would still be feat intensive like archery.
What wands are good for bards? I've got the clw and longstrider (to activate using UMD).
Thought of the whip build but I worry that the lower BAB progression might not keep up with CMD.
wand of True Strike for the whip? It raises some eye-brows when your PC get's the CMB+20 on a disarm check. Early on you might consider goodberry (or Unseen Servant or even magic missile or magic stone (the last for when you are fighting undead.) OH! and comprehend languages, which will get used over your PC lifetime. I normally start early with a scroll, but I have been amazed by the times I needed the spell twice in a scenario. I also like Endure Elements, as well as all the partial charged wands I can lay my hands on.
Also, I use an Unseen Servant (duration is hour/level) with the standing order to "bring me any weapons dropped within 30' of me"... so I'll disarm the enemy and the servant goes and retrieves the weapon.
Agreed, shooting into a melee is hard, but many of the people I adventure with will take a 5' step out to give the archers a clear shot - so often the -4 doesn't apply. And I know the rule about "shooting at the part of the monster that is 10' from a friend" that many people overlook. Combined with the fact that I only really use thrown weapons as a fall back. Perhaps using alchemical items that require touch attacks.