Paladin / Bard Charisma and Passive buffs build

[Antiinc]

Hi all,

I'm playing a new game with some friends and one is playing a paladin for the first time. One idea he has had is to try to build a Charisma focused paladin/bard who is has a great deal of stacking passive abilities to make us all awesome. Are there any ideas out there for enhancing his auras in particular and possibly songs? Mostly, the flavor he is going for is an inspiring, singing knight, so paladin primary builds would be the first choice.

Also, the DM we are playing with prefers to stay within RAW, so homebrew classes probably won't be allowed.

Thanks for any help!

[JosMartigan]

Dex is going to be a big deal due to the armor restrictions bard imposes on spellcasting.

Is this a reach character? Will it be getting into combat at all?

[Antiinc]

That's the idea, but the main thing is the boosts. As good as bard spells are, the main idea is to see if we can stack passive auras, so I'm thinking armor is still on the table, especially because we want to go for the "singing knight" feel. I'm not against the idea of reach at all.

[Louise Bishop]

There is also a Archetype called Grey Paladin that lets you choose other Alignments besides LG. If you chose say CG you could very well Make a Desna Worshiping Paladin 2/Lore Oracle 1/Bard X. Trade off Versatile Performance and Grab Way of the Shooting Star. Cha to Attack and Damage with a starknife. But it IS a way to make a character who relies on CHA for damn near everything.

Cha to AC, Attack, Damage, Reflex saves, Divine Grace.

Add in Level 1 feat of Scion of War and you get CHA to initiative as well.

[Castilonium]

No need for bard levels. Just go straight paladin with Oath of the People's Council and Warrior of the Holy Light. Now you have full progression bardic performance, a buffing aura instead of spells, all paladin auras minus Aura of Faith, and can wear full plate.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Flagbearer, and eventually a Longspear with a Banner of Ancient Kings, is a solid passive buff.

[Antiinc]

Good advice everybody! Thanks.

[Cavall]

I may actually recommend Skald over bard. Songs aren't "passive" but eventually they won't take much to start and are a free action to maintain.

More importantly you'll have medium armour casting. With heavy proficiency (from paladin) and mithril you'll be set.

Some skalds actually give weapon buffs instead of are boosts (spell warrior) This would stack with your Saladin weapon buffs. (Still cap at 10).

I do think trading out the spell casting of the paladin is smart. You won't need them and the archetype already given is a fast way to just use and move.

If that's not your cup of tea, try the diva bard. They pick up heavy casting eventually.

[AldantheRighteous]

Dotting

[Lemartes]

Half-Elf level bonus increases your aura size.