My Sound Striker Dirge Bard is imminently becoming 5th level (in Carrion Crown, if that matters), and I've got no idea what feat to take. This is tricky because of the concept build I'm using--I pretty much don't fight with weapons at all.
I'm trying to be as much support as possible--I've used my sling three times in 4 levels and whiffed once with a whip attacking a spider, and that's it. I'd much rather buff the party or debuff the enemy than deal weapon damage. Generally, I use my first action to begin Inspire Courage, then cast spells until clean up time.
There are some character creation houserules in place affecting this, so just trust that the things I have are legal--but they were only different at creation, so they won't affect my future feat choices.
Level 4 Human Sound Striker Dirge Bard
Str 10, Dex 14, Con 16, Wis 10, Int 14, Cha 21
HP: 40, AC: 17, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +4
Key skills (I'm not listing them all): Diplomacy +17, Knowledge: Religion +16, Perform: Dancing +12, Perform: Keyboards +12, Perform: Singing +12, UMD +12
Traits:
Making Good on Promises (+2 saves vs. Fear), Two World Magic (Disrupt Undead--I used it a lot, since this is Carrion Crown)
Feats:
Skill Focus: Knowledge(Religion), Lingering Performance, Flagbearer, Fast Learner, Eldritch Heritage: Arcane (Thrush Familiar)
Spells:
0th--Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Ghost Sound, Light, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation
1st--Chill Touch, Grease, Liberating Command, Silent Image, Saving Finale
2nd--Cacophanous Call (holy crap, I can't say enough good things about this spell!), Glitterdust
Masterpieces:
Triple Time
Bard Stuff:
Bardic Knowledge
Haunted Eyes (I get a bonus vs. Necromancy effects)
Secrets of the Grave(I can use Mind-Affecting spells on Undead and I get extra Necromancy spells added to my known spells every so often)
Inspire Courage +1 (set to become +2 at level 5)
Countersong (I used it once!), Distraction, Fascinate, Wordstrike
My only magic item is a Wand of Cure Light Wounds. I typically carry my banner in my buckler hand, and leave the other open for casting or once or twice, my sling/whip. I considered a net, but I don't really want to get that close to the front lines if I can help it.
I really have no need for magic weapons and I've let the armor go to those on the front lines (I've only been attacked twice anyway). I'd be perfectly happy if I got nothing except a Banner of the Ancient Kings.
Now, at level 5, I'm set to get Haunting Refrain, which lets me use my Perform: Keyboards in place of Intimidate and gives me a bonus to it equal to half my level, plus enemies have a -2 to saves against my fear effects. It's pretty nice, and I can start Demoralizing enemies pretty reliably.
At 6th, I'll never need a weapon again because I'll have Weird Words.
At level 7, I intend to take Improved Familiar, at 11 I'll take Discordant Voice, and at 13th, I'll probably grab Improved Eldritch Heritage. However, I have no idea what to do with my 5th level feat (or my 9th for that matter).
I've been thinking about a few ideas, but all have fell kind of flat.
Spellsong won't really do anything in this game (due to the way the GM runs spells like Charms and the fact that there are very few Concentration spells). Harmonic Spell is not really necessary--I've switched performances once, ever, and I never run out of performance rounds. Dazzling Display requires I hold a weapon, and I basically never do (plus it takes two feats, and Weapon Focus essentially won't help me). Arcane Strike probably won't work with Weird Words (I'll ask the GM, but even then, it's a back up plan at best). There's not really any Metamagic feats that seem worthwhile (I like the one that sickens, but it's too many levels and requires my spells deal damage, and almost none of my spells do that). I wish I had built this character with the Helper trait and gone for Combat Reflexes/Bodyguard earlier, but I think it's too late to bother (plus I stay out of the front lines anyway).
Evolve Familiar for a +8 racial bonus to UMD or Reach seems cool (my bird has delivered its fair share of Chill Touches), but there are so few wands dropping this game so far and they've not been especially good.
The best idea I could come up with was Antagonize, actually. The diplomacy version seems pretty good, since it can apply a fairly long duration -2 penalty to enemy attacks and when I stay in the back, they'll have a tough time circumventing my party's melee to get at me.
Otherwise, I've really got nothing. Is there anything good I'm missing? I'd really like to enhance my Intimidation abilities, but there doesn't seem to be any option other than Dazzling Display. Should I just take something boring like Improved Initiative, Dodge, or Toughness? Spell Focus (not that I'd know what school to choose)?
There seems to be number of houserules.
To give the best advice, please list them.
Seriously, it's just bonus feats at character creation, like I said. Otherwise, it's just Carrion Crown with, what has so far been extremely limited money and loot (and he rolls randomly for what's available for sale).
I like the character concept you've got going. There's always Improved Initiative. If you get desperate how about Dodge? Can't have too good of a touch A.C. There's a feat in Ultimate Magic that lets spontaneous casters know more spells, but I don't have access right now.
I don't see your race listed.
Also, what is the party make-up?
Oops, I forgot to list race--I'm human, though.
The party:
Half-Orc Two-Handed Weapon Fighter/Barbarian
Half-Elf Inquisitor with an Elven Curve Blade (but not Finessing it, just using it for the crits)
Human Rogue (dual wielding with finesse, like every other Rogue)
Aasimar Ancester Oracle (also primarily fights with a big weapon)
Halfling Empyreal Sorcerer/Cleric going for Mystic Theurge
Gnome Detective Bard who has only divination spells with essentially non-combat uses and a light crossbow
They are...not very optimized...except for the Inquisitor and Oracle (both of which I made, though the Oracle is played by a very inexperienced player). They all have absurdly high stats, though--the GM did 4d6 reroll 1s, and I actually have the lowest point buy equivalent in the bunch, so we get by alright.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Flagbearer feat. I am a big fan of the feat on bards, especially one who uses no weapons. throw a banner on a long spear and call it a day.
Flagbearer feat. I am a big fan of the feat on bards, especially one who uses no weapons. throw a banner on a long spear and call it a day.I have Flagbearer, actually, and it is awesome. I just carry the flag in one hand, though--I figured I wasn't really going to attack with the Longspear, and this way, I can still make ranged weapon attacks with a sling and benefit from a buckler while holding the flag. At level 6, it won't matter anymore, though, since Weird Words will become my ranged attack of choice.
quickdraw
so you can switch between your various situational accoutrements as the situations arise. you are investing in UMD. fits your flexibility concept.
Unfortunately, Quickdraw only works on weapons, and I'm not really looking to fight more.
Thing that may help:
Ability Focus(Weird Words) feat.
Can you take Ability Focus in an ability you don't have yet?
Bow with the Conductive enchantment.
I'm not really sure how this would help me? Are you suggesting I could use Weird Words through it? I'm not sure that's worth it--I'd have to hit with a normal attack rather than a touch attack, which I'm not so great at, and it'd essentially only add 1d6 + my Inspire Courage bonus in damage. Also, I also couldn't hold my flag and a bow at the same time, which is why I have a sling as my back up weapon.
Point Blank Shot, and Precise Shot feats(works with Ranged Touch Attacks).
Yeah, I suppose this can't hurt--I might go for this, but I wish there was a better option.
A Gauntlet, or Armor Spikes(to threaten).
I guess I should for those surprise situations--it can't hurt to threaten more often. So far, if I do end up going into melee (for example, to Aid Another), I can usually just draw my whip or rapier, but a gauntlet isn't a bad idea.
|
You could later get a Wizard Hook, and get it enchanted with the Transfomative property.
You will be able to turn it into any light weapon, and be proficient with it. You can add the Conductive property as well.
Good weapon choices are the Pistol Dagger, and small Sword Cane Pistol.
Also, nab a Net.
Item creation feats might be worth looking into. Craft Wand would make your UMD more worthwhile. Craft Arms/Armor would stretch your the weapon budget of your Melee fighters, allowing them to maybe get better weapons sooner.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
|
Point Blank Shot, and Precise Shot feats(works with Ranged Touch Attacks).
This, for Weird Words. That's an awful lot of ranged touch attacks. Precise Shot is important for those.
Antagonize has been mentioned. My wife is playing a sound striker geisha bard in Jade Regent and she has made some hay with this feat, mainly the Diplomacy debuff version rather than the Intimidate aggro grab.
Forget Dazzling Display; just take blistering invective. It's like a faster (standard vs. full-round action) version of Dazzling Display that also does fire damage.
I would normally say Prodigy has good synergy with versatile performance, but dirge bard loses versatile performance.