To build a Bard... [PFS]

[bluedove]

I've been arguing with myself about some decisions on the new Bard I'm building for Pathfinder Society and thought I'd seek some input from folks on the boards.

I mean for her to be a classical bard and want to maximize her ability to aid her allies with her vocal performance. This is what I have for her thus far, just a starting point really.

Build so far:

AZURA ~BLUEDOVE
Female Human Bard 1
None Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +4,

DEFENSE
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex, )
hp 9 (1d8)+1
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +2

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Special Attacks Distraction, Fascinate,
Known Bard Spells (CL 1st, concentration +5):
1st (2/day) - cure light wounds (DC 15) , sleep (DC 15)
0th (at will) - dancing lights , detect magic , prestidigitation (DC 14) , read magic (DC ) , resistance (DC 14)

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feats Extra Performance, Lingering Performance
Skills Acrobatics +2, Appraise +1, Bluff +4, Craft (Untrained) +1, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +4, Escape Artist +2, Fly +2, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (Local) +6, Knowledge (Local/Art & music) +8, Knowledge (Untrained) +2, Perception +4, Perform (Dance) +8, Perform (Sing) +9, Perform (Untrained) +4, Ride +2, Spellcraft +5, Stealth +6, Use Magic Device +8,
Languages Common
SQ Armored Casting, Bardic Knowledge, Bardic Performance, Bonus Bard Spell, Bonus Feat, Cantrips, Countersong, Inspire Courage, Skilled, Weapon and Armor Proficiency,

I'm not sure on several choices though, I'll detail my thoughts below:

Race?
I think I will probably try her as both human and Aasimar, with the

Azata-Blooded (Musetouched) template:

Azata-Blooded (Musetouched)

The musetouched epitomize freedom and joy, and travel the world to liberate less fortunate individuals.

Ancestry Azata

Typical Alignment Cg
Ability Modifiers +2 Dex, +2 Cha
Alternate Skill Modifiers Diplomacy, Perform
Alternate Spell-Like Ability Musetouched gain glitterdust as a spell-like ability.

before she moves to level 2. I prefer the character flavor of the Musetouched and there are some strong benefits to a musetouched bard. Glitterdust as a SLA and I could have her +2 Inspire Courage as early as 4th level and her +3 by 8th (normally have to wait for 11th!)
Hmm, now that I did that math, the extra feat, skill points and bonus bard spells from the human are looking less and less attractive.

Archetype?
Probably leaning toward a pure bard, but I do keep eyeing the Songhealer. The Enhanced Healing looks like it could really help with getting your money's worth out of cure wands, etc. I'm just not sure it's worth giving up Versatile Performance, especially if I go with Musetouched.

Traits?
So far was leaning toward Shelyn focused traits like Ear for Music and Inner Beauty, but then I really like the Helpful (Halfling via Adopted) benefit of providing a +4 from an Aid Another. A musetouched aasimar raised by halflings... interesting fluff, great background for a halfling sympathetic Andoran Freedom Fighter.
Then of course there is Maestro of the Society for more performances, but assuming I take the Lingering Performance feat, does that place too much focus on the Bardic Performance?

Feats?
These choices are usually the hardest. She's built to be a Caster/debuffer Bard, but would she be more help early on if I focus the feats on her ranged attack to start? Bow or crossbow seems most effective, though I'm not really decided on her weapons yet. I don't need her to be a strong damage dealer, as I'm happy to act in supportive roll.
So it looks like (if I take the musetouched) it becomes a choice between Spell Focus, Point Blank Shot, and Lingering or Extra Performance.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance for any input.

[Rusk Bell]

If I remember correctly the bard does not need that high of a charisma to get the highest spells on the list, so I would drop the charisma to 15 make the con 14 and put the rest in strength. That way if you do need to pull out a sword and start hitting things it will be less nail biting. When you get the stat increase at level 4 put that into charisma. If you have a dedicated healer on your team I would drop cure light wounds and pick up grease instead,if you want to cast cure light wounds, pick up a wand.

[XMorsX]

The Musetouched Aasimar is the best choice, followed by Human. They both have great alternate favored class bonuses.

I suggest the Chelish Diva archetype for a caster/ supporter bard. You can eventually cast in heavy armor, you have bonuses to your social skills according to your fame, you can increase the saving throw of your performances and you can send one enemy frightened with no attack roll, intimidate check or saving throw. Very powerful archetype overall.

For feats you certainly want Lingering Performance at 1st lvl and Discordant Voice at 11th lvl. Other good choices include Flagbearer and Harmonic Sage. After these, you can take Spell Focus: Enchantment and Greater or Point-Blank Shot / Precise Shot for a bow. If you go with Chelish Diva (which I recommend) you will need more Str for the heavier armor, so going melee is a nice possibility. A longspear for reach is a great choice. If you could combine it with Power Attack and Combat Reflexes it is even better, but it is not necessary. For such a build, Angelkin Aasimars make for the best choice.

You could go like this for a longspear wielding chelish diva:

Angelkin Chelish Diva

Traits: Ear for Music, Mastro of the Society, Reactionary (choose 2 of them)

STR 16
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 8
CHA 18

1 Lingering Performance
3 Combat Reflexes
5 Power Attack
7 Flagbearer
9 Harmonic Sage
11 Discordant Voice

This way you can combine the best of both worlds, you will be a great caster and be able to deal damage and control the battlefield when you run out of casting too.

I ignored Arcane Strike, as you are going to use your swift actions for altering performances from the mid lvls onwards.

[Timebomb]

I personally love me some Thundercaller, being able to throw down some sonic AoE/CC can really help out in a pinch. Plus you only give up the, in my opinion, lackluster performances in exchange for great blasty ones.

Lingering performance is certainly a must at first level, being able to triple your daily usages for a slight hit to the action economy is very much worth it.

Also look a little into the masterpieces, I particularly like "Triple Time". It is basically Mass Longstrider that you can use performance rounds to fuel.

[Malag]

@bluedove

Hey bluedove,

Your bard concept seems really cool and workable option. There is number of ways that can be achieved so I will list some ideas that might help as well as general tips for bards (altho I don't have much experience at high level play with them).

General Tips:

- Bards don't need high stats array, so having 16 Charisma is completely fine to have. If played as casters they resolve mostly around debuffing and manipulation tactics.
- Know your performances well. Read them 50 times if you must, but knowing what you can counter with your Countersong and Distraction performances might be good, altho a chance of something like this coming up is fairly rare.
- Check out the bardic masterpieces. They might provide additional flavor and abilities that suit your bard. One of the really good ones is obtainable already at level 3 and grant's your allies additional +10 to move speed for 1 hour. I believe it's name is Triple Time.
- Know what you want your bard to do in combat besides casting spells and using performances. This choice will help you decide what to take at higher levels.

Build Ideas & Tips:

- Versatile Performance is really good, so if you plan on giving it up I would go for 14 Int to compensate it.
- I wouldn't take Lingering Performance immediately, but I would take Maestro of the Society at start. Check through the levels if you are running out of bardic performance rounds fast; if you are, take the feat then.
- If you plan to go pure caster, you will have problems with spells always (bard can't compete with pure spellcasters that much). Did you consider a Magician archetype for additional firepower?
- Helpful trait from Halflings of Golarion is great trait for a helpful bard.

Lastly and no less important, check what books you own and check them out. I always tend to figure out a new idea that way.

This is all I could muster at the moment,

Malag

[bluedove]

Rusk Bell wrote:

If I remember correctly the bard does not need that high of a charisma to get the highest spells on the list, so I would drop the charisma to 15 make the con 14 and put the rest in strength. That way if you do need to pull out a sword and start hitting things it will be less nail biting. When you get the stat increase at level 4 put that into charisma. If you have a dedicated healer on your team I would drop cure light wounds and pick up grease instead,if you want to cast cure light wounds, pick up a wand.

I really don't want a Str bard, personally. That seems to be the preferred build, but it just doesn't appeal to me. Plus I've never understood undercutting Cha for a Bard. Your number of performances, spells you can cast daily and their respective DC's all depend on Cha. I might see the value of some bonus to Str with a Composite Shortbow down the road, but I'd rob Wisdom and bump it to 12 at most, I think.

I can see the Chelish Diva has some definite benefits, but I think I'll pass since it's got a character flavor I wouldn't care for. (Funnily enough, I was a performer in my younger life and I think I met a few Chelish Divas...*shudders* XD)

Good advice to look at the masterpieces, that helps to plan ahead.

As for what else I want to do in combat, I had thought of an idea that I like, but it seemed too feat intensive to pull off, but I'll ask about it and see what you all think.

Could I build a Dexterity focused Helpful Bard and take Combat Reflexes and Bodyguard feats and then use a spear in melee to consistently boost my (adjacent) allies AC? If I succeed, it would give a +4 to their AC... seems like a great potential there, but could a Bard do it effectively?

I had thought use a Shortbow for ranged support in combat, but in truth I'd rather use throwing blades of some kind except they lose out on range.

[bluedove]

Ok, here's the build to test out a Bodyguarding Bard.
Went with Human since it's the only way to have the feats at level one, but I'll test the Musetouched Aasimar before level 2 and see which I like better before finalizing the build. Welcome any input on the following.

Bodyguarding Bard:

Female Human Bard 1
NG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +3,

DEFENSE

AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, )
hp 9 (1d8)+1
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +1

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee longspear (two handed) +2 ((two handed) 1d8+3/x3)
Melee whip +2 (1d3+2)
Melee dagger +2 (1d4+2/19-20)
Ranged dagger (thrown) +2 (1d4+2/19-20)
Ranged shortbow +2 (1d6/x3)
Special Attacks Distraction, Fascinate,
Known Bard Spells (CL 1st, concentration +5):
1st (2/day) - cure light wounds (DC 15) , sleep (DC 15)
0th (at will) - dancing lights , daze (DC 14) , flare (DC 14) , prestidigitation (DC 14) , resistance (DC 14)

STATISTICS

Str 14, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 18
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Bodyguard, Combat Reflexes
Skills Bluff +4, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +4, Heal -1, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (Local) +5, Knowledge (Untrained) +1, Perception +3, Perform (Dance) +8, Perform (Sing) +8, Perform (Untrained) +4, Sense Motive -1, Spellcraft +4, Stealth +4, Survival -1, Use Magic Device +8,
Languages Common
SQ Armored Casting, Bardic Knowledge, Bardic Performance, Bonus Bard Spell, Bonus Feat, Cantrips, Countersong, Inspire Courage, Skilled, Weapon and Armor Proficiency,
Possessions longspear; chain shirt; entertainer's outfit; arrows (20) (x2); whip; dagger; Shortbow ;

Traits:
Adopted(by Halflings): Helpful
You see nothing wrong with letting others achieve greatness so long as the job gets done. Whenever you successfully perform an aid another action, you grant your ally a +4 bonus instead of the normal +2.

Maestro of the Society
The skills of Golarion’s greatest musicians are at your fingertips, thanks to the vast treasure trove of musical knowledge in the vaults beneath the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Studying this knowledge gives you the ability to use your bardic performance an additional 3 rounds per day.

[Malag]

Well, it's possible. The problem is only that you are putting a relatively squishy character on the front-line and you have to be adjacent to an ally. From ally's perspective tho, they might prefer flanking bonus, along with +4 from aiding another.

But, it should be workable option.

[dwayne germaine]

Another way to boost your allies AC in combat would be to take the Cautious fighter and Blundering Defense feats for Halflings from the Advanced race guide. With these two feats you can fight defensively to give yourself +4 to AC and your adjacent allies +2 to ACs or you can Go total defense for +6 to your AC and +3 to your adjacent Allies ACs. This can be further increased by eventually taking crane style feat (and allocating at least 3 ranks into acrobatics) so that you eventually get +6 to your AC and adjacent allies get +3 AC, while you only take a -2 penalty to hit from fighting defensively.

[Magda Luckbender]

Here's the after-action report from someone who played a very similar bard from 1 through 15. Summary: fun to play & surprisingly effective at melee combat.