Definitely viable..... to bard is to buff!
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Your build is definitely viable. If you want to specialize in buffing here is something ive been working on. Assuming this is not PFS, consider
Extra Performance (prerequisite) -> Master Performer (+1 on inspire courage) -> Grand Master Performer (another +1 on inspire Courage)
Make your primary weapon a longspear, instead of using dervish dancing and picking up banner of the ancient king (pair it with flagbearer feat). If you really want to do the buffing thing. Worship milani and go Bard 5/Evangelist (Prestige class) 10. At level 11 Milanis obedience gives the party +1 sacred bonus to hit and damage as long as you are conscious.
Lets look at the totals:
Here is an example build using the above suggests at 12.
Bard 5/Evangelist of Milani 7
Feats: Extra Performance, Master Performer, Grand Master Performer, Deific Obedience, Discordant Voice, Flagbearer
Inspire Courage (competence) = +6 (16 levels, counts as 15 with banner of the ancient king, with an additional +2 from the master performer feats)
Flagbearer (morale) +2 Hit and Damage (double due to banner of ancient king)
Milanis Boon (sacred) +1 hit and Damage.
When all are active you are looking at +9 hit and damage (and 1d6 sonic damage), overkill I know. Even if you have a support character who isnt focused on combat, it still makes you viable in melee if you need to be.
This is a build I am using for a buffing bard myself. Let me know what you think. Sorry if it isn't what you are looking for!
Martial weapon proficiency gives you proficiency with one martial weapon. I assume it is the scimitar in your case - alternatively you can go with half elf for racial proficiency, or get WF rapier and fencing grace. Mind you, half-elf bards really get a lot of mileage out of SF Perform for their main perform mode. Also, you cannot take discordant voice at that level, unless you have any early access options. It requires 10 ranks in a skill, which in pathfinder means level 10.
The thing with bard is that usually, your performances either focus on buffs or debuffs, and you compensate with spells for the missing part. For example, the court bard is a great debuffer, but you must use spells to buff your allies. The standard bard is a very good buffer, but your performances aren´t that good when it comes to debuffing.
If you want to debuff with spells, spell focus and greater spell focus for the schools you most use can be worthwhile. Likewise, persistent spell and spell penetration may be very useful. Also, look for ways to intimidate your enemies - this is not just a physical debuff but also weakens their saves and is usually keyed off charisma.
I'd even go so far as to suggest a Halfling with the Helpful trait. Aid Another is one of the best ways to provide bonuses, and it's easy to pump up. Best part is, it stacks with your Performance!
From what I can tell, the Point Buy is pretty good. The strength penalty is okay, you don't really need too much anyway, as you aren't there to deal damage. I'd suggest taking Perform (Oratory) for your performance, so you can acquire Discordant Voice. Also, you'll have enough Performance Rounds to deal with enemies at level 1, meaning Extra Performance isn't a great feat. 8 rounds is a little under 3 Combats, which only gets higher with Bard levels (and Evangelist levels). If rounds are a real concern, consider Lingering Performance as a feat instead.
Now let's take our Bard character. You'll need to spend 3 feats, they are Arcane Strike, Combat Reflexes, and Bodyguard. You'll also want Gloves of Arcane Striking, as well as Benevolent Armor and Weapons (with as many Enhancement +'s you can apply to them).
So, for round 1 we'll start our performance and be in position related to the next person most likely to be attacked, utilizing our Arcane Strike feat. When someone attacks your ally, and you are in the proper position, you will be able to use your Aid Another to provide them a +4 AC, straight off the gate. With a +X Benevolent Armor, you'll add X to that bonus. With Arcane Strike, you'll add the damage bonus you acquire from that to that bonus as well. With Combat Reflexes, you would be able to Aid up to 5 attacks made against your ally. By level 12, you're looking at a conservative +8 to AC. This can be higher depending on your Arcane Strike bonuses, your Benevolent Enhancement bonuses, etc.
Round 2, you'll proceed to use Aid Another on your ally's Iterative Attack with a Readied Action, utilizing your Arcane Strike before that happens. This shores up an ally's Iterative, making sure he hits with both attacks. For that attack, you'll be adding your Weapon's Benevolent Enhancement Bonus in addition to your base to the To-hit roll, and your Arcane Strike Damage Bonus will be added to the damage roll for that ally. Conservatively speaking, this ramps up to +6 to-hit, and a +2 damage bonus; this can be higher, depending on how the Evangelist scaling works in conjunction with caster levels and other class features.
This will all stack with your Bardic Performance benefits of Inspire Courage, which should give you approximately another +2 or +3 to hit and damage, and any buffs you cast on your allies before the fight, such as Heroism and Haste. You could also throw out some debuffs to your enemies with your spells as well instead of aiding to-hit. Spells like Dispel Magic, Touch of Gracelessness, Silence, etc. are great ways to debuff and control the battlefield.
Again, these numbers can easily be higher depending on the Evangelist cleric interpretation. The only downside to this is the 3 feat cost, but an Arcane Duelist Bard can shore this up with his bonus feats.
Your build is definitely viable. If you want to specialize in buffing here is something ive been working on. Assuming this is not PFS, consider
Extra Performance (prerequisite) -> Master Performer (+1 on inspire courage) -> Grand Master Performer (another +1 on inspire Courage)
What is master performer out of?
What is master performer out of?Your build is definitely viable. If you want to specialize in buffing here is something ive been working on. Assuming this is not PFS, consider
Extra Performance (prerequisite) -> Master Performer (+1 on inspire courage) -> Grand Master Performer (another +1 on inspire Courage)
The unfortunately out-of-print Faction Guide. Great book, IMO. However, for some reason, PFS has outlawed Master Performer. If you are not PFS, then you should be fine.