Yeah. Even If you attack that math on the basis of having a preprepared buff (heroism), the archaeologist still comes out ahead with damage and to hit.
I suspect that if you factor TWF for more sneak attacks and the variability of sneak attack rolls, the rogue has a chance to do significantly greater damage than the archaeologist, but the even further reduced to hit rolls and the sneak damage rolls make it extremely dicey.
I think the Arcane Duelist is the combat focused Bard without becoming selfish, and either goes excellent with strength, longspear, and Flagbearer. Or dexterity, a shortbow, and Ranged Trip/Relentless Shot.
The Archaeologist with strength, a longspear, and Flagbearer could be as selfish as he wants and still, almost inadvertently, contribute to the moral of the people around him, as well as being an extremely useful member of the party... ESPECIALLY if he focused on tripping/Greater Trip.
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Yeah. Even If you attack that math on the basis of having a preprepared buff (heroism), the archaeologist still comes out ahead with damage and to hit.
I considered no including Heroism, but realistically speaking, it's one of the main class features that needs to be factored in. At level 7 they're going to be able to cast it several times a day for 70 minutes each (140 if they buy an Extend rod), so it's not unreasonable to assume it's basically always on.
It's worth noting that the Bard can cast Allegro/Haste, too. I didn't include it there because it's short term and isn't just going to always be on.
I think the Arcane Duelist is the combat focused Bard without becoming selfish, and either goes excellent with strength, longspear, and Flagbearer. Or dexterity, a shortbow, and Ranged Trip/Relentless Shot.
The Archaeologist with strength, a longspear, and Flagbearer could be as selfish as he wants and still, almost inadvertently, contribute to the moral of the people around him, as well as being an extremely useful member of the party... ESPECIALLY if he focused on tripping/Greater Trip.
Can you use flagbearer with a longspear? I thought the spear was a two hander and you needed a free hand to wield the flag
Flagbearer is a feat tax to maximize The Banner of Ancient Kings. That banner gives Bards with the Flagbearer feat extra bonuses for attaching the banner to a longspear.
It's worth the feat, in my opinion. But completely unnecessary if you don't plan on getting that particular banner, unless you are OK with carrying a flag and a one hand weapon. But why would you do that when you can two hand a longspear and pick up the feat once you can afford the banner?
Maybe not a feat tax, in a literal sense. With Flagbearer, and carrying a banner of any sort, according to the rules of the feat, you always offer a bonus to your party, even outside of your performance.
With the Banner of Ancient Kings on a longspear and the Flagbearer feat, you always offer a bonus to your party, you have a two handed longspear, and your bardic performance is amplified by the banner.