I'm a big fan of Timely Inspiration, Gallant Inspiration, and Saving Finale. Love that action economy.
Hmmm, I think. What if I got me some heavy armor (via feat or multiclass), and only cast immediate action spells? Later on, a rod of quicken could be pressed into service. Hell, those spells let me dump CHA somewhat!
So that's my thought. Arcane Duelist with heavy armor and the ability to hand out a bunch of rerolls. Probably go the shield TWF rout, cause why not?
Course once I hit level 6 or 7, not sure what to do with it. Maybe prestige out (Red Mantis? Battle Herald?) maybe keep on keeping on with the Bard, but try to stick to stilled utility spells for the remainder of my spells. Perhaps try to get my dispell up.
Is a build this odd viable?
Depends on your definition of "viable". Yes, such a bard can be played and since bardic performance it not hampered by armor, it might work out decently.
HOWEVER, without heavy meta magic usage (feat or rod) you lose the ability to cast most of your spells. Is being unable to cast haste in combat whenever you need it really that great for action economy?
Such a build an work and be "viable" but its far from using everything the Bard has to offer. Which is a waste, if you ask me.
Blave wrote: Depends on your definition of "viable". Yes, such a bard can be played and since bardic performance it not hampered by armor, it might work out decently.
HOWEVER, without heavy meta magic usage (feat or rod) you lose the ability to cast most of your spells. Is being unable to cast haste in combat whenever you need it really that great for action economy?
Such a build an work and be "viable" but its far from using everything the Bard has to offer. Which is a waste, if you ask me.
I see you point, though I would poitn it that it's not like I'm giving up much of my spellcasting for nothing - heavy armor has it's uses after all.
Haste is a great point, though. Perhaps I'll see about picking up a wand.
Note that for the price of a wand of haste, you could buy a a + 2 National amulet and a ring of protection + 2 for 4 extra AC. That with a chain shirt + 1 and those, that's basically full plate.
Arcane duelist can eventually wear heavy armor and can cast on it.
Sarcastro wrote: I see you point, though I would poitn it that it's not like I'm giving up much of my spellcasting for nothing - heavy armor has it's uses after all. It does. But as a Bard I'd personally prefer adding defense by using Mirror Image or similar magic.
Oh, and it's not like you couldn't get a pretty good AC without heavy armor, anyway. After all, you can use a shield without suffering casting penalties. As for body armor, Celestial Armor is VERY good and if tha's not available or to expensive, an enchanted Mithral Breast Plate will do the trick as well. Add a shield, and maybe a feat or two (dodge, shield focus) and you'll have good AC. And you can still get out of trouble with Mirror Image. Or Vanish. Or Invisibility.
Quote: Haste is a great point, though. Perhaps I'll see about picking up a wand. Haste is one of the more painful spells to miss out on, but hardly the only one. Bards are by no means full caster, but being unable to use like 90% of your class' spell list for just a few points of additional AC seems wastful. You can't use Good Hope to buff your party, can't cast Grease to help your grappled fighter esacpe, can't use Glitterdust to reveal invisible foes. The list goes on.
It's your game, but giving up all this for what? like +3 AC (full pate over breast plate)? I wouldn't do it.
Blave wrote: Sarcastro wrote: I see you point, though I would poitn it that it's not like I'm giving up much of my spellcasting for nothing - heavy armor has it's uses after all. It does. But as a Bard I'd personally prefer adding defense by using Mirror Image or similar magic.
Oh, and it's not like you couldn't get a pretty good AC without heavy armor, anyway. After all, you can use a shield without suffering casting penalties. As for body armor, Celestial Armor is VERY good and if tha's not available or to expensive, an enchanted Mithral Breast Plate will do the trick as well. Add a shield, and maybe a feat or two (dodge, shield focus) and you'll have good AC. And you can still get out of trouble with Mirror Image. Or Vanish. Or Invisibility.
Quote: Haste is a great point, though. Perhaps I'll see about picking up a wand. Haste is one of the more painful spells to miss out on, but hardly the only one. Bards are by no means full caster, but being unable to use like 90% of your class' spell list for just a few points of additional AC seems wastful. You can't use Good Hope to buff your party, can't cast Grease to help your grappled fighter esacpe, can't use Glitterdust to reveal invisible foes. The list goes on.
It's your game, but giving up all this for what? like +3 AC (full pate over breast plate)? I wouldn't do it. Once again, strong points. You've got me convinced. My quirky build idea is just too much quirk not enough work.
Ah, well. Straight up arcane duelist it is!
You could see about using the glamer armor enhancement to make it look like you have heavy armor.
It's not what it's meant to do, but it's similar.
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