|
That is a tall order on 15 point buy.
Maybe dip a level in Swashbuckler to get both free Weapon Finesse and the ability to pick up Combat Expertise (for Disarm) without Int 13? You won't want to dump Int but it's nice to save the 3 points between Int 10 and 13. Mysterious Avenger isn't a bad idea since it would let you use a Whip with finesse, which is a pretty handy weapon for a combat maneuver bard. Your three feats will get you Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, and Weapon Focus - then aim for Slashing Grace and the Whip Mastery line if desired.
Stats could be Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14 before racial mods.
Human will give you +2 Dex, another feat (Slashing Grace to start is a very good plan), and skill points. If you want something more unusual, halflings, catfolk, ifrit, and kitsune, rakshasa-spawn tieflings, and azata-blooded aasimar all give you +2 Dex and +2 Cha with either -2 Str or -2 Wis. Of these I'd go aasimar for no stat penalty and +2 Diplomacy. Then the 4th level stat increase could go to Dex.
End up with Str 8 or 10, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8 or 10, Cha 14 or 16.
Without the swash dip you'd shave a little off Str, Wis, and/or Cha for the 13 Int, and you'd be down a feat. I'd definitely go aasimar or human in this case.
I personally wouldn't want to try strength based with this point buy since you need a good Dex for AC and Disable Device. That said, Treantmonk thinks it would work fine given really heavy Wis dumping (see the "Melee Bard"). For a strength build your race choices are probably human (or half-human) or angel-blooded aasimar; there aren't many races that give you a strength bonus without penalizing Int or Cha.
Here's another guide to check out.
I should point out I know very little about Rise of the Runelords, so I can't say whether this combat style is a good one for that AP. Combat Maneuvers in general and particularly Disarm tend to work much better with smaller and humanoid enemies.
|
When I first spotted this I thought you meant disarming as in the combat maneuver, but looking over your post it looks like you mean it in terms of disarming traps.
You're correct that the Archeaologist Bard is probably your best bet for being able to cover all the roles you need to.
Given this, I'd recommend Weirdo's stat recommendations, but go with for archery instead of melee. Given that you're starting at 6th level, I'd say go for flavor in terms of race selection, as you'll be able to pick up your Archery Essentials of Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Shot.
Make sure your character has Silver and Cold Iron Arrows, Bludgeoning arrows, and an Oil of Bless Weapon along with Ghost Salt. Have a magic shortbow, and you'll be able to handle most kinds of DR.
Pick up some Adamantine arrows as you continue and eventually the feat Clustered Shots to help out with any niche DR you can't get around.
For spell selection I'd take Heightened Awareness and Heroism as essentials, and pick up Haste once you get to 7th level.
|
|
Oh, yes, trap disarming makes more sense.
If you don't need Combat Expertise then definitely don't bother with the Swash dip - for melee you'd still be able to take Weapon Finesse and either Dervish Dance or Weapon Focus + Slashing or Fencing Grace.
Archery is a good style, though if you take investigator you'll want Ranged Study, which will delay you from getting Rapid Shot for a level unless you're human.
+ Dex + Int races are elf, ratfolk, sylph, tiefling (vanilla or daemon-spawn), and wayang. Daemon-spawn gets a racial Disable Device bonus. Elf gets you longbow proficiency instead of shortbow.
Stats would be similar, except swapping Int and Cha and then with Clever Wordplay you could drop Cha below average for a slightly higher Str or Wis (or Con, if you take a race with a Con penalty). Note that for archery at least a small Str bonus is nice because it gives you a damage bonus with a composite bow.
There are a few investigator guides as well.