Worth mentioning since Pathfinder can pretty much include whatever base classes they want.
Just wondering why a Fighter/Mage Base class never finds its way into the core classes, sure there are plenty of alternative base classes and PrC's but never an Arcane Fighter.
Is it because the the idea of a Nerdy Fighter just doesn't sit well ? well even if thats the case what about the sorcerer no study for him just raw power. So why not a Fighter/Sorcerer base class ?
And if anyone says Bard I think I'll die from laughter, because there is no way Bard = Ranger or Paladin
Surely if one existed there would be many who would play one straight to level 20
If only the duskblade were OGL. It's kind of a nice take on the fighter-wizard (or more like fighter-sorcerer, I suppose).
Bard?
Duskblade is the best 3.5 class for that. Great class for Elves, mixing melee combat and magic in an interesting way. Should fit in nicely with Pathfinder. I would hope something similar could be designed for OGL use...
I'd go with bard. The increased versatility of arcane magic over Divine means they have to take the reduced BaB.
As it stands, I -hate- the duskblade class, I think it's a poor conceapt (It pretty much boils down to a armoured warrior that can throw the occasional blasty spell)
If a arcane combatant class where to be made, I would prefer one similier to perhaps the Soulknife, a class which mixes the elements of combat and (in this case) pisonics, rahter than just "Heres a fighter without bonus feats, add a few spells and there we go".
Though there is one point I would like to make...if you want an armoured warrior who can cast spells, what not play somthing like a cleric? Thats pretty much what the class boils down to. The only mechanical difference between divine magic and arcane magic is that divine magic can be cast without penalty by someone wearing armour.
The only mechanical difference between divine magic and arcane magic is that divine magic can be cast without penalty by someone wearing armour.
Generally speaking, Divine magic is better at healing, buffing, and restoring than Arcane magic, while arcane magic is better at blowing things up, has better utility spells, and unique effects. That's not a 'mechanical' difference per se, it's more of a spell-list difference, but it still stands.
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As it stands, I -hate- the duskblade class, I think it's a poor conceapt (It pretty much boils down to a armoured warrior that can throw the occasional blasty spell)
That is nothing at all like what it boils down to. The core of the duskblade class is their Channel Spell ability, which allows them to make melee attacks that also carry touch spell effects with them. That, combined with their self-buff and swift utility spells, makes for a class that looks and plays completely differently from other fighter types and other spellcasters.
A duskblade casting blasty spells is ignoring the vast majority of their class abilities, and to no purpose. Such a character apparently overlooked the warmage class when they getting ready for chargen...
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*nods*
Shisumo speaks truth. Duskblades cast spells to buff or make their attacks more deadly, they don't cast spells as attacks.. their spells are way underpowered for that.
Hexblade would have been a good choice too, but saidly the Hexblade suffers from the fact that his spells are also underpowered.
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I agree. If i had to design a Fighter/Wizard it would be the Duskblade. I have loved it since i first saw it. One alternative i've toyed with in my games is adding a feet to allow wizards to channel their touch spells through mage weapons (Staff, dagger, club, etc) I think touch spells would see way more use that way. As it stands no caster ever uses them since it is far to dangerous. (At least in my games). Why would wizards create a bunch of spells that their weak little selves couldn't use without dieing 90% of the time anyway unless they made them for a specific type of wizard?
The duskblade is one class, offical or otherwise, that i am keeping in my pathfinder games. But i think pathfinder sorely needs to look into filling this role. Its something that has been overlooked for years and years. Just my (emphatic) 2 cp.
*nods*
Shisumo speaks truth. Duskblades cast spells to buff or make their attacks more deadly, they don't cast spells as attacks.. their spells are way underpowered for that.
Nevertheless, they have a variety of attack spells on their spell list (like Ray of Enfeeblement and Disintegrate) and not very many buff spells. Note: I'm just going by my recollection, so I could be wrong.
It sounds like someone needs to decide what a spellsword class would *do*.
Is it someone who's magic simply enhances their own martial abilities or are we talking sword in one hand, lightning bolt from the other?
If a base class fitting this description is introduced, it'd be a perfect fit for the 12th iconic.
Pokemon Trainer
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The class I'm currently working on is going to be a bit lighter than the duskblade was. The concept of a fighter/mage in anything heavier than medium armor just seemed off, to me, so I'm going for similar abilities (with a few different ones thrown in, of course), with a lighter, more skirmisher feel. The point of the Fighter/mage isn't heavy combat, after all.
Oh well... Inherent Spell or Innate Enchantment Feats, Reflex Action Feat (specialized in using a relevant spell with an attack), maybe invest in Power Words or Invocation Feats. Why reinvent the wheel?
http://www.box.net/shared/lum1u99fu5 - should cover it.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Hexblade would have been a good choice too, but saidly the Hexblade suffers from the fact that his spells are also underpowered.
To me, the Hexblade seemed a kind of "bad-luck Ranger". He got spells on the Ranger scale, and who plays a Ranger for the spells?
It would be a couple of evening's work, but I wager we could construct a variant Hexblade based off the Bard: less fighting prowess and more magic.
To me, the Hexblade seemed a kind of "bad-luck Ranger". He got spells on the Ranger scale, and who plays a Ranger for the spells?
Nobody does, just like no one plays a Paladin for the spells. But the thread is about making a Ranger/Paladin like class for arcane magic, so it makes sense to go with that progression and full BaB.
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After the Abjurant Champion came out, I was kinda hoping to see a series of School-themed Fighter/Mages. A Shadow Champion who relied on Illusions or a 'Death Knight' who combined Necromancy with the fighting arts or a 'Pokemon Trainer' who specialized in fighting alongside a Conjured Companion.
Even a Divination-themed Fighter/Mage could be pretty scary, focusing his arcane sight on his opponent to gain Insight bonuses to Attack or AC, for instance, based on his success at 'reading' them.
After the Abjurant Champion came out, I was kinda hoping to see a series of School-themed Fighter/Mages. A Shadow Champion who relied on Illusions or a 'Death Knight' who combined Necromancy with the fighting arts or a 'Pokemon Trainer' who specialized in fighting alongside a Conjured Companion.
Even a Divination-themed Fighter/Mage could be pretty scary, focusing his arcane sight on his opponent to gain Insight bonuses to Attack or AC, for instance, based on his success at 'reading' them.
Wow, that actually sounds very good.
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After the Abjurant Champion came out, I was kinda hoping to see a series of School-themed Fighter/Mages. A Shadow Champion who relied on Illusions or a 'Death Knight' who combined Necromancy with the fighting arts or a 'Pokemon Trainer' who specialized in fighting alongside a Conjured Companion.
Even a Divination-themed Fighter/Mage could be pretty scary, focusing his arcane sight on his opponent to gain Insight bonuses to Attack or AC, for instance, based on his success at 'reading' them.
That's a really interesting idea. What about a fighter variant that gives up the bonus feats for a single school's specialist abilities? SLAs have no spell-failure, so they could remain heavy-armor types, even...
Wow, that actually sounds very good.After the Abjurant Champion came out, I was kinda hoping to see a series of School-themed Fighter/Mages. A Shadow Champion who relied on Illusions or a 'Death Knight' who combined Necromancy with the fighting arts or a 'Pokemon Trainer' who specialized in fighting alongside a Conjured Companion.
Even a Divination-themed Fighter/Mage could be pretty scary, focusing his arcane sight on his opponent to gain Insight bonuses to Attack or AC, for instance, based on his success at 'reading' them.
A player in my Shackled City game has been making quite a good run as a scout/diviner. It's not nearly as stand-up fightish, but it's not far from the ballpark.
That's a really interesting idea. What about a fighter variant that gives up the bonus feats for a single school's specialist abilities? SLAs have no spell-failure, so they could remain heavy-armor types, even...After the Abjurant Champion came out, I was kinda hoping to see a series of School-themed Fighter/Mages. A Shadow Champion who relied on Illusions or a 'Death Knight' who combined Necromancy with the fighting arts or a 'Pokemon Trainer' who specialized in fighting alongside a Conjured Companion.
Even a Divination-themed Fighter/Mage could be pretty scary, focusing his arcane sight on his opponent to gain Insight bonuses to Attack or AC, for instance, based on his success at 'reading' them.
It sounds cool. But is 11 fighter feats equal to 11 spell-like or supernatural abilities? Especially when you consider the later abilities (elemental immunity, weird, wish, etc.)
Brian
To me the Duskblade does NOT answer the desire to have a true Fighter/Wizard combination. The Duskblade is an interesting take on how to use magical effects and swift spells to be a different type of melee combatant.
I'd want a hybrid so I could do both. I *might* cast some stuff that affects my fighting. I might also just fight, or just cast a non-combat arcane spell like Planar Shift or Arcane Eye or Scry.
I think the Monty Cooke (or is it Cook?) Mage Blade is the best I've seen. You get some minor stuff that does let you have your arcane and melee side interact a bit, but otherwise you are a medium progression combatant with arcane spells that top out at 7th level spells, and your armor rating is lower and you dont get a lot of fighter feats.
I like the Mage Blade for a true hybrid ... a hybrid which blends the goals of both sides, rather than using the mechanic of one to bolster the other.
Lewis
Bard?
DING DING DING
Give this man a prize! And the OP a copy of the core book to read before he asks questions!
Bard?DING DING DING
Give this man a prize! And the OP a copy of the core book to read before he asks questions!
Well, if you read a little further down in the OP post, you just made him laugh. And I have to admit, the concept of the bard as a "fighter / wizard" *is* funny. Not really enough of either there for that, is there?
Warmage with best BAB progression. My $.02
My like the Battle Sorcerer from Unearthed Arcana, but it's not the arcane equivalent of a Paladin or Ranger like the original poster is talking about. The paladin and ranger have interesting class features, with a teensy bit of spellcasting thrown in as an afterthought. The Hexblade is supposed to be the arcane equivalent, in that sense (although I'm not crazy about the hexblade's class features).
If you just use the normal classes and PrC's from the Complete series, you can get a fighter/mage with a caster level of 18 and a BAB of 17 at level 20. What more do you want? ;)
That character would be a Human Duskblade 1/Wizard 6/Eldritch Knight 8/ Abjurant Champion 5. Take one level of Eldritch Knight after the first seven levels to qualify for Abjurant Champion, then all five level of Abjurant Champion, then the rest Eldritch Knight.
Voila. Cheesy as hell, IMO, but quite possible. Yes, sometimes you can have your cake and eat it, too.
If you just use the normal classes and PrC's from the Complete series, you can get a fighter/mage with a caster level of 18 and a BAB of 17 at level 20. What more do you want? ;)
That character would be a Human Duskblade 1/Wizard 6/Eldritch Knight 8/ Abjurant Champion 5. Take one level of Eldritch Knight after the first seven levels to qualify for Abjurant Champion, then all five level of Abjurant Champion, then the rest Eldritch Knight.
Voila. Cheesy as hell, IMO, but quite possible. Yes, sometimes you can have your cake and eat it, too.
Uh, well some people would probably like a less convoluted route that doesn't make use of stuff some of their games might not have... and yeah, it's cheesy as hell too :)
I guess another way you could take the duskblade which might give a little more latitude with spell variety at the expense of armor/weapons would be a sorceror/monk style of class.
Basically monk unarmred quick brawly style, ki stuff replaced with sorc style of magic channeling arcane power through melee strikes but with a much wider variety of affects. Sleep, Slow, Daze, Stun, Burn, Freeze you name it as as touch attacks. Add in mage armor etc for defense or perhaps just have persistent defense options, (1/less spell per day for +X to AC for 24hrs.
As an example this guy would be the one throwing punches with hands made of cold iron KO'n people left and right. Not some holy mystic fighter but a dirty brawler who happens to have raw energy at his fingertips.
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Hexblade would have been a good choice too, but saidly the Hexblade suffers from the fact that his spells are also underpowered.To me, the Hexblade seemed a kind of "bad-luck Ranger". He got spells on the Ranger scale, and who plays a Ranger for the spells?
Except that his Hex's don't even come close to equaling that of a Ranger. A ranger has far superior melee and ranged options then a Hexblade. His spell progression is so crappy that the spells he does learn he might as well channel his spells into the arcane feats from that book.
Even with the PHB2 class alternative, the shadow companion thing plus his hex aren't enough to drop anything's saves to make any of his spells really stick.
Anyway, I still think Duskblade is the best sword and sorcery option. It's a shame Bladesinger ended up being such a terrible prestige class.
Well, if you read a little further down in the OP post, you just made him laugh. And I have to admit, the concept of the bard as a "fighter / wizard" *is* funny. Not really enough of either there for that, is there?
If youve ever seen a Bard (16 Dex) with a chain shirt, heavy shield and a rapier, hold his own while singing and fighting defensively against 3+ orcs you probably wouldnt laugh that much as his armor class is better than some of the fighters who cannot afford to stay in defensive fighting due to accuracy issues.
On several occasions my one friend, who apparently likes bards, has been known to hold an entire flank of monsters while the fighters are defending the other 3 flanks. Also of note... we dont have any magic items other than scrolls and potions still at level 5.
Yes, we still point and laugh at him because he sings while he fights, but he is a very very viable tank with the correct setup.
Well, if you read a little further down in the OP post, you just made him laugh. And I have to admit, the concept of the bard as a "fighter / wizard" *is* funny. Not really enough of either there for that, is there?If youve ever seen a Bard (16 Dex) with a chain shirt, heavy shield and a rapier, hold his own while singing and fighting defensively against 3+ orcs you probably wouldnt laugh that much as his armor class is better than some of the fighters who cannot afford to stay in defensive fighting due to accuracy issues.
On several occasions my one friend, who apparently likes bards, has been known to hold an entire flank of monsters while the fighters are defending the other 3 flanks. Also of note... we dont have any magic items other than scrolls and potions still at level 5.
Yes, we still point and laugh at him because he sings while he fights, but he is a very very viable tank with the correct setup.
How so? I do the Bard as a Mage/Fighter but it really doesn't work.
Uh, well some people would probably like a less convoluted route that doesn't make use of stuff some of their games might not have... and yeah, it's cheesy as hell too :)If you just use the normal classes and PrC's from the Complete series, you can get a fighter/mage with a caster level of 18 and a BAB of 17 at level 20. What more do you want? ;)
That character would be a Human Duskblade 1/Wizard 6/Eldritch Knight 8/ Abjurant Champion 5. Take one level of Eldritch Knight after the first seven levels to qualify for Abjurant Champion, then all five level of Abjurant Champion, then the rest Eldritch Knight.
Voila. Cheesy as hell, IMO, but quite possible. Yes, sometimes you can have your cake and eat it, too.
Why not just take Duskblade to level 20 and just play the broken, overpowered class all the way out? Duslblade is the fastest way to make a Fighter and/or Wizard in your party feel like they really dont need to be there. A single class, should not replace any one of the core classes, let alone two of them at the same time. Those who argue this, please then explain why it was banned in Living GreyHawk play for me?
This IS the reason the Bard is your Hybrid for Fighter/Mage... He does not attack like a fighter, but can certainly hold his own in combat. He will usually be Dex based for AC and Finesse, not power. Sorry, you'll just have to grab a level of a "martial class" or a "feat" to get that greatsword/greataxe. He does not cast the variety of the Wizard or the Quantity of the Sorcerer, but he has a combination of Arcane & Divine, which no one else has without multiclassing. Both of those reasons AND... AAAAANNNNNDDDD he spews party buffs with absolutely no effort through singing.
'nuff said.
How so? I do the Bard as a Mage/Fighter but it really doesn't work.Well, if you read a little further down in the OP post, you just made him laugh. And I have to admit, the concept of the bard as a "fighter / wizard" *is* funny. Not really enough of either there for that, is there?If youve ever seen a Bard (16 Dex) with a chain shirt, heavy shield and a rapier, hold his own while singing and fighting defensively against 3+ orcs you probably wouldnt laugh that much as his armor class is better than some of the fighters who cannot afford to stay in defensive fighting due to accuracy issues.
On several occasions my one friend, who apparently likes bards, has been known to hold an entire flank of monsters while the fighters are defending the other 3 flanks. Also of note... we dont have any magic items other than scrolls and potions still at level 5.
Yes, we still point and laugh at him because he sings while he fights, but he is a very very viable tank with the correct setup.
Also note this could be first level.
16 Dex: +3 AC
Chain Shirt: +4 AC
Heavy Shield: +2 AC
Fighting Defensively: +2 AC / -2 to hit
Total: 21 AC
16 Dex: +3 AC
Chain Shirt: +4 AC
Heavy Shield: +2 AC
Full Defense: +4 AC / -4 to hit
Total: 23 AC
I think I might have the bonuses for defensive fighting incorrect, but I am not near a PHB to check. Also Im not sure what our current bard is wearing, but he is cracking 30 AC at level 5. Im thinking leather armor and a higher dex, but he is human, so Im not sure as we have little to no magic items at all.
And if anyone says Bard I think I'll die from laughter, because there is no way Bard = Ranger or Paladin
You're right. It's better, if you know what you're doing (though really, all you have to do is understand fascinate and suggestion as they relate to the class).
But the Bard isn't really intended to be a fighter, so it doesn't fill the niche anyway (though Arcane Strike goes a long way to making him fill that niche). So you're right: there isn't a base class Fighter/Mage, and there should be, though it would probably require its own slew of spells and feats.
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The full defense means no attack and with his high tumble score he has a +6 AC, though the numbers aren't all that far off he is a bit higher than those shown by Griffon.
As for the Dusk Blade, even if it were core, I would ban it from my game. Without changes it makes the wizard and the fighter at the same time ask the question why wouldn't I just play that instead?
I agree that the bard is not the fighter/mage, he is in essence more and less than a rogue/mage. I also agree that a viable Fighter/Mage class would be a welcomed addition, provided it doesn't become as good a fighter as the fighter or mage as the mage. (Something that I will argue to my grave that the Duskblade does)
The key is that the armored spellcaster, whether it is a feat or chain of feats, or an ability of the character, has to be offset and thats usually where classes get in trouble. Either they are penalized to much or they aren't penalized enough for the effect.
A true Fighter/Mage (Or even fighter/sorc) class that matches up to what the paladin and ranger do has to be able to take punishment, through ac and hp, dish damage, and still keep its theme. It would have to have the top BAB progression, or fighting at high levels is pointless. But it would have to forgo the top of the line damaging spells a straight mage could look forward to at high level.
I want to see a class that can deliver "Touch" type spells through the weapon with a regular, not a touch, attack. Stack the damage onto the weapon. But allowing them to do it is tricky. Some builds over the years let them do it at will (ie every attack) Some only once or twice a day (ie the first fight and then lets rest!)
There really needs to be a balance that keeps it in line, they should be a little later than the fighter for peak lvl performance, but sooner than the mage.
If youve ever seen a Bard (16 Dex) with a chain shirt, heavy shield and a rapier, hold his own while singing and fighting defensively against 3+ orcs you probably wouldnt laugh that much as his armor class is better than some of the fighters who cannot afford to stay in defensive fighting due to accuracy issues.
Yes, we still point and laugh at him because he sings while he fights, but he is a very very viable tank with the correct setup.
Also note this could be first level.
16 Dex: +3 AC
Chain Shirt: +4 AC
Heavy Shield: +2 AC
Fighting Defensively: +2 AC / -2 to hit
Total: 21 AC16 Dex: +3 AC
Chain Shirt: +4 AC
Heavy Shield: +2 AC
Full Defense: +4 AC / -4 to hit
Total: 23 ACI think I might have the bonuses for defensive fighting incorrect, but I am not near a PHB to check. Also Im not sure what our current bard is wearing, but he is cracking 30 AC at level 5. Im thinking leather armor and a higher dex, but he is human, so Im not sure as we have little to no magic items at all.
I have my PHB and Rules Compendium nearbye...
Fighting defensively is +2 to AC, but -4 to hit. +3 to AC if tumbling 5+ ranks. Can be stacked with Combat expertise feat defensively. If you're going to use Bardic Music and a standard action attack, that's all you'll be doing. No multiple attacks for you (or movement beyond 5'), even when the Bard gets them.
Total Defense is +4 to AC, but no attack. +6 to AC with tumbling 5+ ranks. No attacks of opportunity. Can't be stacked with fighting defensively, can be stacked with Combat Expertise feat defensively.
Note the chain shirt gives a 20% chance of arcane spell failure and limits DEX bonus to +4 and has a -2 armor check penalty. Annoying if you have to cast your regular arcane spells.
The heavy shield makes spells with somantic components impossible (unless you sling it). Presumably you're not trying to cast in the line of battle anyway. It has a -2 armor check penalty as well.
Bardic music is a standard action, no spells etc. usable in the same round (it requires concentration). IMO, if you get hit, there goes the concentration btw. Remember the Bard has to make Performance (presumably sing in this case) checks to do Bardic Music. And, I'd be assessing armor check penalties for trying to skip around and sing / chant Bardic Music with that weight on you in the middle of a fight...
Fighting renders several Bardic music abilities unusable btw. Namely fascinate and suggestion.
To get to AC 30 at 5th level... let's see, Human, say DEX 18 +4, Total Defence with 5+ ranks tumbling +6, Combat Expertise +3 (can't exceed BAB), chain shirt armor (no magic you said...) +4, shield heavy +2, nothing in their 1st / 2nd level spells I think... I make his best AC at about +29. If he has at least an 18 DEX score and does nothing but defend himself. No Attacks of Opportunity, so anybody could slide right by him without fear of that.
You can hold a spot in the line as a Bard, the problems are simple. Your hit points are low and your melee attacks weak. If you're good, or lucky, you may not buy the proverbial farm, but your friends might not get that lucky... I'd say a stopgap / emergency fighter at best. The Rogue has combat abilities on par or better I'd say. I see the Bard as a kind of rogue / wizard combo with some interesting abilities, not as a front line combatant or a main caster type. He's a compromise.
Anybody else have their books handy, let me know if I've goofed up. I haven't had a lot of Bard PCs lately.
*edit* Goofed on the Combat Expertise, it can't exceed BAB, cut it down to +3 for a 5th level bard above...
I have my PHB and Rules Compendium nearbye...
Fighting defensively is +2 to AC, but -4 to hit. +3 to AC if tumbling 5+ ranks. Can be stacked with Combat expertise feat defensively. If you're going to use Bardic Music and a standard action attack, that's all you'll be doing. No multiple attacks for you (or movement beyond 5'), even when the Bard gets them.
Total Defense is +4 to AC, but no attack. +6 to AC with tumbling 5+ ranks. No attacks of opportunity. Can't be stacked with fighting defensively, can be stacked with Combat Expertise feat defensively.
Note the chain shirt gives a 20% chance of arcane spell failure and limits DEX bonus to +4 and has a -2 armor check penalty. Annoying if you have to cast your regular arcane spells.
The heavy shield makes spells with somantic components impossible (unless you sling it). Presumably you're not trying to cast in the line of battle anyway. It has a -2 armor check penalty as well.
Bardic music is a standard action, no spells...
Thank you for taking the time to look up the numbers R_Chance, much appreciated. I had forgotten about the tumble and various synergy bonuses. Yes, plug a hole would probably be a better term, but they are damn good at it. I also agree with Brutesquad07 that the Bard is more a Rogue/Mage than a Fighter/Mage. I suppose the whole point was that while we all laugh at the Bard occasionally, he is and can be a useful asset to a team other than singing and looking pretty. I do believe the Bard is holding the current slot for "fighter/mage" as a hybrid though, even if hes not that great at the fighter portion of it.
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Note the chain shirt gives a 20% chance of arcane spell failure and limits DEX bonus to +4 and has a -2 armor check penalty. Annoying if you have to cast your regular arcane spells.
Bards ignore arcane spell failure from light armor. With the feat armored caster(?) from complete arcane, they can do the same in medium armor.
Mithril makes armor count as 1 category lighter. Thus, when it can be afforded by middle levels, a bard with this feat can wear mithril full plate with no arcane spell failure. At low level, you can wear all of the medium armors with just one feat.
If you use arcane strike, they can feed their spells into extra damage just like any other arcane caster.
The point I am trying to make, is without going to obscure books or prestige class combos, a bard can be a servicable fighter mage.
EDIT: the feat is called Battle Caster. THe only prereq is the ability to ignore spell failure chance from armor. Thus bards qualify level 1.
Thank you for taking the time to look up the numbers R_Chance, much appreciated. I had forgotten about the tumble and various synergy bonuses. Yes, plug a hole would probably be a better term, but they are damn good at it. I also agree with Brutesquad07 that the Bard is more a Rogue/Mage than a Fighter/Mage. I suppose the whole point was that while we all laugh at the Bard occasionally, he is and can be a useful asset to a team other than singing and looking pretty. I do believe the Bard is holding the current slot for "fighter/mage" as a hybrid though, even if hes not that great at the fighter portion of it.
I agree, he's useful. I just wouldn't plan om sticking him out front too often. Could be bad for his health. And yeah, there is no fighter / arcanr caster handy.
I agree, he's useful. I just wouldn't plan om sticking him out front too often. Could be bad for his health. And yeah, there is no fighter / arcanr caster handy.
lol, there's an interesting story behind Bards and having them be out front. I'll shorten it up a bit and give the basics. Mind you this is the same guy in our group that has made several Bards and likes doing the Total Defense tactic.
DM - You see an orc with a doubleaxe.
Bard - I pull out my shield and brace for the charge!
Orc - Charges, rolls a 20 and confirms.
Bard - Dead.
Bard Player - Speechless.
Party - Speechless.
DM - Speechless.
Being as we are a fun group and our DMs are usually not hell-bent on just mopping the floor with us, it was cause for a "DO-OVER", but man was that funny as hell! :D
"I pull out my shield and brace for the charge!" - Me, mocking Bard player.
Bards ignore arcane spell failure from light armor. With the feat armored caster(?) from complete arcane, they can do the same in medium armor.
Mithril makes armor count as 1 category lighter. Thus, when it can be afforded by middle levels, a bard with this feat can wear mithril full plate with no arcane spell failure. At low level, you can wear all of the medium armors with just one feat.
If you use arcane strike, they can feed their spells into extra damage just like any other arcane caster.
The point I am trying to make, is without going to obscure books or prestige class combos, a bard can be a servicable fighter mage.
EDIT: the feat is called Battle Caster. THe only prereq is the ability to ignore spell failure chance from armor. Thus bards qualify level 1.
You're right about the light armor, missed that. The shield is still a problem (15%), but just taking it off the arm should cure that. Mithril decreases spell failure by 10% only (even though it lowers the weight class) according to the DMG. So I'm not sure how the Mithril plate would work out... I'd lower the chance from medium, but still have a chance (probably 15%). Arcane Strike is good if you have good spells. +1 to hit / +1d4 per spell level. But you need a +4 BAB so you have to be a 6th level + Bard and then your bonuses are low due to the lower level (than a wizaed) spells a bard has at that level (2nd level at 6th, 3rd at 7th -- if you have bonus spells for CHA at that level). Still, custom expensive armor, feats from 2 different splatbooks to get a mediocre combatant with pretty limited spell selection by mid level. Of course, any combo class is going to have similar problems or be unbalanced. It's "doable", but I suspect your bard would be better off, as a bard, putting the feats and stuff in other areas.
I want to see a class that can deliver "Touch" type spells through the weapon with a regular, not a touch, attack. Stack the damage onto the weapon. But allowing them to do it is tricky. Some builds over the years let them do it at will (ie every attack) Some only once or twice a day (ie the first fight and then lets rest!)
I suspect the spell slot use would be enough of a (built-in) limit that it would be fine to let them use a normal attack whenever they want. That said, it could be a good idea to give them a bunch of special spells of their very own.