I was hanging out in this thread here http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rq7c?Disgusting-PC#15 when I made what was, to me, an amusing comment.
For those of you who don't want to look, I stated that to me, all druids are hippies, and that one day I will make a druid-bard multiclass named Phish.
Can...can that be a viable option?
I would love to say I'd take the hit and play it no matter what, but my inner optimizer would punish me hard if it sucked in gameplay, like it did the time I played a non-dawnflower, non-dervish bard. Oh, he punished me so much for that.
How can I make a dirty, stinky, jam-rockin', Jon-Lennon-glasses-wearing (why else would I buy smoked goggles? For gaze attacks? Pssh), animal-rights loving, hippie, druid-bard that doesn't make me cry for and want to shower away the stink of failure every time I play him for his lack of viability?
For relevance, the group I usually play with uses a 15-point buy, and our GM ruled that slashing grace works with light weapons, so, yeah, dumping strength is totally an option (though I do like the "don't waste 3 feats, have the option to add 1.5x bonus associated with Str-based builds). All hardcover books are good, but the other stuff usually takes GM approval...though he's usually pretty cool when it comes to most stuff. But I'd like to stick to hardcover unless it's essential to pulling this off.
TL; DR - How can I make a viable Druid-Bard multiclass?
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Run 3.5 material and go Fochulan Lyrist and Sublime Chord?
Jokes aside, a smaller dip in Bard is probably all you need. I wouldn't try to go MT. I think Wild Shape druids can manage fine without all their spells and benefit from Bard buffs.
What about Skald? I guess opposite of Phish, but might mix better with a strength druid.
F. Lyricist and the Sublime Chord were already on my mind, but 3.5 and 3rd party are a no-go.
Skald would probably mesh with a shifting-focused druid, but it seems a bit too metal for the hippie concept. Still, the medium armor casting and rage abilities would definitely mesh well...
I was saying to my wife a month or two back, that it's too bad nobody has yet come up with any good synergy, feats-wise, etc., for a druid who sings to the animals like in a Disney cartoon or some such.
I was saying to my wife a month or two back, that it's too bad nobody has yet come up with any good synergy, feats-wise, etc., for a druid who sings to the animals like in a Disney cartoon or some such.
Actually, that reminds me of a pretty good idea...if only there were feats that continued to progress bard song like how shaping focus and boon companion continue to progress druid abilities...I was thinking of becoming a literal songbird
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There is a Shelyn feat that progresses bardic performance for clerics and oracles, but there isn't one that does the same thing for druids. On the other hand, you could be a bard 1/nature oracle X and still have a druidic feel...
Hmm
Edited to add: Found it! Take a look at the feat Divine Expression. I've been eyeing that one with the idea of creating a bardacle for PFS -- just not sure what mystery I want to play with, though nature is really tempting.
If you like wildshape, you might want to look at lunar mystery as well, though dark tapestry is kind of interesting as well for its many forms revelation.
Hmm
I'd lean towards good on utility through skills and spells, but definitely weak on save DCs and straight combat. Go buffer primary, maybe an animal companion to help in melee and possibly Eldritch Heritage for an improved familiar if you really want to cheese action economy (i.e. ask your GM). Half-elf will give you Skill Focus for this, as well as a great number of options on FCBs, primarily half elf for low bard levels, plus human spells known if you advance more. Elf's A.C. when wildshaped is somewhat tempting, but I can see wanting human's druid bonus if you want to use that charisma (and perhaps versatile peeformance...keyboard?) or half-elf's domain spamming if you just dabble on that side and want to go more casty and don't want to allot for Boon Companion. I'd also ask your GM about your ability to perform while wildshaped, and build accordingly. Archaeologist may be your go-to build otherwise. A Menhir Savant Archaeologist sounds basass (and Place Magic generically buffs "caster level": also check your GM's ruling on that). But we're getting thoroughly away from John Lenon here.
Yhere's also Animal Speaker from Ultimate Magic for the whole Cinderella feel. But for what you're thinking...I'm leaning towards Urban Druid/Celebrity Bard. Pump Charisma and go Diplomancer. Buff everything in sight and let security handle your problems while you maintain the veneer of a pacifist.
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@OP I can't think of any way to make an actual druid/bard work well, mechanically. They are both great classes, but they do not seem to synergize well at all. I doubt there's any way your inner optimizer will ever be happy with a multi-classed Druid/Bard. A one level bard dip won't hurt much, but a one level dip does not a true bard make. Hmm suggested a Nature Oracle. Nature Oracle is at least as druid-hippy as is the actual druid class. Make the character mechanically a Nature Oracle, flavor as a Druid, and add incense of meditation. Instant Phish face! Dip one level of Bard & take the Divine Expression feat Hmm just linked. As you advance in Oracle levels your Inspire Courage buff is full strength! This would give you a solid chassis for an optimized 'druid'/bard worthy of the name Phish. I hope an animal companion can be 'Jerry'.
I like the character concept, but it is indeed a tricky one ... out of the top of my head, I would suggest focusing on making the most out of the Bard's supporting ability; How about...
Aasimar Bard 4 / Druid (Pack Lord) 3 [Favored Class : Bard]
7str 14dex 14con 12int 18wis 16cha
Lv1 Lingering Performance
Lv3 Boon Companion (Roc)
Lv5 Boon Companion (Stegosaurus)
Lv7 Boon Companion (Giant Chameleon / Giant Scorpion)
You get (Without taking any gear/magic items in consideration);
- 3 Animal Companions Treated as if you were a Lv5 Druid
- Inspire Courage +2 (Fav Class Bonus), Countersong, Distraction, Fascinate, Inspire Competence +2
- Versatile Performance, Well-versed
- Lv2 Bard and Lv2 Druid Spells
- Good Saves (Fort + 6 / Ref + 7 / Will + 11)
- Druid Goodies
- Aasimar Goodies and resistances
This is just a starting point, but the character seems kinda viable, he can support the party, cast spells well enough, and he is good with skills as well, and the companions can be quite effective in combat as well, specially when flanking and/or with the help of inspire courage/support spells.
You could probably find a Bard Archetype that fits better if you search, and maybe fix the fact that this character does nothing in combat when he is not starting a performance or casting a spell.
You could probably find a Bard Archetype that fits better if you search, and maybe fix the fact that this character does nothing in combat when he is not starting a performance or casting a spell.
That's a good idea. I would suggest looking at the Voice of the Wild archetype (from the ACG). You get some nature-focused skills, up to six druid or ranger spells, and a performance that duplicates the Hunter's animal aspect ability.
A Bard/Druid hybrid class was at the top of my wish list for the Advanced Class Guide, but this archetype was the closest that they got.
Paizo has pretty much completely given up on multiclassing as a system, and is now publishing hybrid classes as a substitute. So, they really don't want you to be a bard/druid; they want you to be whatever the bard/druid hybrid is in Ultimate Classes VIII.
dYeah, Hmm, it seems to only advance number of rounds and the action to activate; the bonus itself does not increase.
I do think that Magda and others who share her opinion are correct; this particular combination of classes is just going to be subpar no matter how I hash it out.
The concept can be done, granted, for a hippie musician, using a few of the combos presented, I suppose. But the actual class combo, not so much.
Gio, I appreciate the build, but my GM already feels stretched when players have a single pet; I very much doubt he'd be keen to have three for one player running around.