Hi there!
I've got a level 1 Oracle/4 Bard I am running in my current gaming group (Extra thanks again to everybody in the forums who helped me with the build if you're out there -- he's not without challenges, but he's a lot of fun to play) -- I have a couple of questions about progression for him, but for this thread I'll stick to feats.
About my character, so choices can play to their strengths: They are NOT good in combat. Under the best of circumstances at 5th level I have +3 BAB, +1 Size Bonus, and may benefit from inspire courage after I drop it, but I normally employ weapons only as a last resort, though I often find myself in harms way doing touch-healing, using scrolls, and buffing. My character doesn't exceed in combat and I don't expect him to -- he's a buffer, and where he shines truly is out of combat... I am a personified skill monkey and try my best to serve as a party face. So feats that give the best bang for the most skills or diplomacy/intimidate/bluff are also likely useful. I would entertain taking "Additional traits" if two additional traits could help me fill my role better than one additional feat -- I basically rock all INT based checks, but CHA might benefit from improvement...
So my Question -- what feats are cool for bards? So far I have "Extra Revelation" and "Breadth of Experience" (character is a Gnome), BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT FEATS TO GET MOVING FORWARD, at least not until 9+ level. So what feats are good for every character, or bards specifically?
Improved Performance and Greater performance seem to be about combat maneuvers and not performing musician skills... so that threw me off. I intend to save my level 9 feat (GM will allow it) to get "Discordant Voice" at level 10 (need 10 ranks in sing), and take "Divine Interference" at level 11 (Need CL 10 and don't know any ways to efficiently or otherwise raise my CL)... but no idea what to take before or after. I was thinking of taking "Dillitante" at level 7 (as I will meet the prereqs by then or before then)
Thought about Arcane strike, but that seemed too weak, Craft wonderous items is already covered by somebody else in the party. Improved initiative seems nice as it may help me drop my buffs earlier, but beyond that... ZERO IDEAS. I could go with a skill focus for diplomacy, or Intimidate, or Bluff, but I am not sure if that's the best use of a feat. Dodge for the +1 to AC seems attractive but my AC is 24 already and as I said I try to stay out of combat when I can -- not that it can always be avoided.
Something that would increase my Bard CL to get me Divine interference faster might be nice.
Your thoughts?!
-V
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I'm also playing a buffing bard, though I opted to branch out into enchantment/debuffs and took a few feats to boost those. I'm not great at feats either and just had to ask for advice myself, but here's the suggestions I got that might also be useful to you.
Improved Initiative will probably be very helpful.
Dodge and Mobility might come in handy if you find yourself ducking around in peoples' threatened areas, but otherwise probably not your best bet. You'll probably get better defense out of casting Invisibility on yourself, since you won't be attacking (assuming you're just using auditory performances).
Spellsong and Harmonic Spell let you do fun things integrating your performance and spellcasting.
If you have Versatile Performance, try Skill Focus(One Perform) or Prodigy (Two Performances) instead of skill feats for other skills, since boosting a versatile performance boosts the two related skills as well. For example, Skill Focus (Perform Oratory) effectively gives you +3 to Diplomacy and Sense Motive as well, assuming your Oratory skill is higher than Diplomacy and Sense Motive.
Nothing wrong with Improved Initiative for a build like this. Get those buffs out there early.