Ultimate Captain / Leader

[Cathulhu]

I am getting the chance to play with a somewhat large group of players, several of whom are new to the game. Most of them are playing martial characters. Since i am the most experienced player, I want to make a build that helps the others. Since they look to me as a de facto leader, I figured I would play to it and make a character that also fits that role.

Basically, what Bard build makes the most out of Inspire Courage? How high can I get my Inspire Courage, and what is the msot effective way to do so?

[Rynjin]

Hwell, lessee.

Flagbearer Feat is probably a must.

Combine with the Banner of the Ancient Kings for full effect.

Community Minded Trait for a bit of insurance if you need to drop the flag for some reason.

...Now let's find something that might work for Bardic Performance itself.

Lingering Performance is of course a must for most Bard builds.

And uhhh, hm. I don't think there's anything else I know of that increases morale or competence bonuses easily like that. Tell everyone to buy a Courageous weapon?

At the very least, the Flagbearer things gives you another always on buff.

What I'm saying is I dunno how to make Inspire Courage better, but I do know something else that accomplishes a similar effect.

[Cathulhu]

well, I also noticed the Aasimar Bard favored class bonus... treat level as +1/2 higher when determining one performance... Dunno if its worth it though.

[Timebomb]

Aasimar bards can use their favored class bonus to treat themselves as +1/2 lvl higher for a inspire courage (so at 4th lvl you would have +2 inspire courage, and possibly starting it specifically as a move action at lvl 5, I'd need a rules layer to look at the action cost), and Banner of the Ancient Kings boosts it by 4, Shoanti War Paint gives a temporary +1 boost, those are the only ways I can think of offhand to get a higher than normal inspire courage.

Thundercaller or Sound Striker archetypes can give your character a little more bite.

The masterpiece "Triple Time" is basically Mass Longstrider for the cost of 1 round of perform and one of your spells known.

A Goblin Fire Drum and Lyre of Building are fun magic items designed for use by bards.

Thorn Arrows are fun for your shortbow.

Lingering Performance is your first lvl feat.

Look to a Periapt of Health if you are concerned about how "well traveled" the bar maiden/princess is ;)

[ashern]

I would heartily suggest the Guide to the buffer bard. I've been playing around with buffing bards after seeing the impressive power of a vanilla half elf one in RotRL and most of my favorite tricks are included. I don't agree with 100% of the guide, but it's a great collection of things to help you figure out what to add where. Take a look and put something together and we can help you tweak it.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b1hq_xhfCFjtAyjJMKrdtxRbtDEC1kNm6ZYfvS6 HqIw/edit?pli=1

Also the aasimar bonus is absolutely worth it. It vaults them into the best bard race by far, because many of your performances not only scale in number of effects, but also in DC according to your level. For example, bump 12 levels into your inspire courage, and as a 12th level bard you have maxed out your bonus, and could take the rest of your levels in something besides bard and still receive the maximum bonus.

[williamoak]

If you want to go for a slightly more martial bard, there's alway the "battle herald" prestige class (if the level is high enough). You can go bard 4/cavalier (flagbearer) 1/battle herald X. You get inspire courage & inspiring commands (which are much more combat-focused).

Hmm. You've given me the desire to make a mercenary company led by a battle herald.