Skald Builds

[StevenStag25]

Does anybody have a good PFS legal skald build?

[Melkiador]

Not a complete build but a concept. Use the spell warrior archetype to give your party keen weapons. Then give everyone the daemon totem rage power so everyone's criticals inflict negative levels. You will obviously use a high critical chance weapon yourself.

[ekibus]

Half orc with a level of bloodrager.. take amplified rage and get a familiar. At level 2 you would have +8 str/con and your familiar would have +6.. take power attack at 3 and crush your enemies.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Even without Amplified Rage, I highly recommend getting a familiar. They're pretty effective secondary combatants with your Skald buffs going, and Mauler Archetype, or improved familiar.

The main question is how concerned you are about getting PFS groups in your area where the Rage buff won't get much use. If you're really concerned, I'd look at Spell Warrior Skald. If not, Skald's Vigor and Greater Skald's Vigor are both *awesome*.

I played the Amplified Rage build initially: BR 1/Skald 4/Holy Tactician Paladin 3. But explaining Amplified Rage to everyone was kind of hassle. I've spent most of my prestige retraining at various points.

I initially ran with Lesser Spirit Totem, which was lot of fun, but doesn't scale great. I've been using Strength Surge and Raging Dirty Trick for the last few levels. Blind+Stagger+Damage, with a +6-9 bonus from Strength Surge is great.

My current (Seeker) build:
Fighter (Eldritch Guardian) 2/Skald 12
Str 20 Dex 10 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 7 Cha 16

Traits: Tusked (1d4 bite, so I threaten adjacent while wielding a reach weapon)
Community Minded (This is basically Lingering Performance for Rage Song)

Feats: Discordant Voice, Skald's Vigor, Greater Skald's Vigor, Improved Familiar, Power Attack, Outflank, Extra Rage Power (Flesh Wound)

Rage Powers: Strength Surge, Raging Dirty Trick, Unexpected Strike (crazy good for a group buff), (I haven't decided on the last one, just hit Skald 12.)

My familiar started as a Goat, but is now a Fire Mephit. Eldritch Guardian gives him all my combat feats, he gets Small size for good reach, and Martial weapon proficiency as an outsider. We both wield Furious Bloodsong Fauchards.

[Carla the Profane]

Markov Spiked Chain wrote:

Even without Amplified Rage, I highly recommend getting a familiar. They're pretty effective secondary combatants with your Skald buffs going, and Mauler Archetype, or improved familiar.

The main question is how concerned you are about getting PFS groups in your area where the Rage buff won't get much use. If you're really concerned, I'd look at Spell Warrior Skald. If not, Skald's Vigor and Greater Skald's Vigor are both *awesome*.

I played the Amplified Rage build initially: BR 1/Skald 4/Holy Tactician Paladin 3. But explaining Amplified Rage to everyone was kind of hassle. I've spent most of my prestige retraining at various points.

I initially ran with Lesser Spirit Totem, which was lot of fun, but doesn't scale great. I've been using Strength Surge and Raging Dirty Trick for the last few levels. Blind+Stagger+Damage, with a +6-9 bonus from Strength Surge is great.

My current (Seeker) build:
Fighter (Eldritch Guardian) 2/Skald 12
Str 20 Dex 10 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 7 Cha 16

Traits: Tusked (1d4 bite, so I threaten adjacent while wielding a reach weapon)
Community Minded (This is basically Lingering Performance for Rage Song)

Feats: Discordant Voice, Skald's Vigor, Greater Skald's Vigor, Improved Familiar, Power Attack, Outflank, Extra Rage Power (Flesh Wound)

Rage Powers: Strength Surge, Raging Dirty Trick, Unexpected Strike (crazy good for a group buff), (I haven't decided on the last one, just hit Skald 12.)

My familiar started as a Goat, but is now a Fire Mephit. Eldritch Guardian gives him all my combat feats, he gets Small size for good reach, and Martial weapon proficiency as an outsider. We both wield Furious Bloodsong Fauchards.

How do you boost your familiar's level up to your own?

[Gjorbjond]

I've got a helpful halfling Urban Skald. Controlled rage is not as awesome, but no one has any reason to not take it. With the Spirit Totem line of rage powers, everyone in the party has a little spirit wisp that attacks adjacent enemies.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Quote:

How do you boost your familiar's level up to your own?

Normal Familiars always get their BaB, Saves, HD, Skills and HP based on your full character level, not effective Wizard level. (Sage archetype gets skill point based on your Effective Wizard Level.)

So he's only effective Wizard level 2 (meaning no Deliver Touch Spells) but has my Level 14 BaB. Because of the (stupid IMHO) way the Improved Familiar pre-requisite is written (Arcane Spellcaster Level X) and the way the FAQ clarified things (You *can* use Effective Wizard Level to qualify for the pre-req), Skald 12 qualifies as Arcane Caster Level 7+ to pick a Mephit.

And, of course, Eldritch Guardian Fighter Archetype is what gives him all my combat feats (Power Attack and Outflank.)