Bard build advice

[Gan Mondragone]

I have never played a bard before and don't know exactly how to make them. First I know that CHA should be my highest stat, and that I am mostly perficient with whips. So should DEX or STR be important and I suppose that a high INT would also be advisable.
So as far as skills and feats go what should I focus on.

[spalding]

What do you want to do? For a bard charisma can easily be a secondary stat. It really depends on what you want your bard to do.

[Martiln]

Allow me to direct you to this guide, which helped me make my first bard, and made them my all-time favorite class to play.

[Gan Mondragone]

Bards are not great at combat, but I plan on him make everyone else better. Tossing in the occasional heal, but mostly in non-combat situations using skills to gather information, and help plan and lead encounters, if that makes sense.

[Odraude]

Indeed. If you wish to focus more on buffs rather than save-or-suck spells, you'd only really need enough Charisma to cast your spells. I personally like the Strength Bard and am playing one now. I took Arcane Strike and Dodge (I'm a human) to bolster my damage as well as my AC. From there, I took some spells here and there that would help with that. Anticipate Peril for Initiative, Mirror Image and Blur for more defense, and Minor image and Timely Inspiration for utility. My Charisma is good enough for save-or-suck spells, so I also have Charm Monster and Pyrotechnics. A Dex bow build would be good and probably less dangerous than a Strength build.

[Odraude]

Gan Mondragone wrote:

Bards are not great at combat, but I plan on him make everyone else better. Tossing in the occasional heal, but mostly in non-combat situations using skills to gather information, and help plan and lead encounters, if that makes sense.

That's not completely true. With the build I have above, I can do some decent damage, especially with the Bardic Performance. While you're no fighter or barbarian (which you really shouldn't be), you can add some decent damage. I tend to use Power Attack two handedly while using Arcane Strike. Arcane Strike is pretty much free damage that gets better as you level. And your Bardic Performance does make up for the minus to attack with Power Attack. All in all, you can do decently in combat. You will get hit a bit and you play a bit more like a skirmisher, even with Mirror Image and Blur. But those spells are very helpful.

As for healing, while Cure Light Wounds is good, I wouldn't bother getting the other cures unless you are the only person capable of healing. And even then, I'd hesitate to get it.

Also, here is an updated Bard guide, complete with the new feats and spells.

[Big Lemon]

High Charisma is needed for get those bonus spells per day, though. If you really wanted to be as good as possible at casting and being the face of the party, max out your charisma. High Int would be good for high Knowledge rolls, Wisdom for noticing things the rest of the group misses.

Basically, focus on the mentals, with Dex as your only real concern for physical stats.

[Martiln]

Big Lemon wrote:

High Charisma is needed for get those bonus spells per day, though. If you really wanted to be as good as possible at casting and being the face of the party, max out your charisma. High Int would be good for high Knowledge rolls, Wisdom for noticing things the rest of the group misses.

Basically, focus on the mentals, with Dex as your only real concern for physical stats.

Bonus spells per day are overrated unless you're a primary caster. Bards aren't primary casters, they're support characters with spells attached. That being said, if you want more spells per day, rings of wizardry are way more useful to a bard than starting with a 20 Charisma.

[Atarlost]

There are basic four ways to play a bard:

1) "striker" strength primary, con/cha secondary. Get a two handed weapon (longsword works if you can't pick up a good racial) and power attack. Use illusions for defense.

2) "tank" dex priary, con/cha secondary. Get a finesse weapon and arcane strike. Your damage will lag, but you'll have better defenses than a striker bard. Unless you're an archetype that gets scimitar proficiency you may as well use a light shield and maybe pick up the first TWF feat and improved shield bash. Possibly get the whip chain. People should want to kill you to stop you from buffing your party.

3) "archer" dex primary, str/cha secondary. Get yourself a composite shortbow and the usual archery feats and arcane strike. Do tremendous damage.

4) "caster" cha primary dex/con secondary. Use intimidate to knock down saving throws and then charm/dominate/nauseate/stun your enemies. Use dirge of doom instead of intimidate when you get it. Play a Samsaran if possible to get some reflex targeting spells besides grease.