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The Arrowsong Minstrel archetype gives a Bard effectively full BAB progression for combat feats and prestige classes. I guess this is mainly done to qualify for Arcane Archer and bow feats earlier, but say I want to go a different route. What prestige classes and/or combat feats would be fun/good to have early access to (preferably things that don't require a bow, as I already have an Arrowsong Minstrel and I'd rather not copy that build)? This is a hypothetical build for PFS, so keep that in mind. It also doesn't need to be super-optimised, but also not absolutely suck.
Sadly, most archetypes require 5 skill ranks, so it's hard to cheat early entry, but you can get earlier entry as a Bard, which is something I like.
The first that comes to mind is the Battle Herald, which can be entered with, say, one level of Cavalier, and four of Bard (rather than the other way around). Hell, maybe even delay for one level so Inspire courage bumps to +2, but still. This means probably more skill points at the cost of some BAB and HP. But as of yet, I can't really see how this would give a practical benefit.
A different, more impractical idea would be to go into Scar Seeker at level 6. It's mostly meant for Paladins, as you get their Lay on Hands bonus, but it could be a quirky build for a Bard to take.
Arcane Trickster could work as well with one level of Rogue, Ninja, or Snakebite Striker and Accomplished Sneak Attacker, but I don't think the class is very good.
A Bardic Crimson Templar would also be funny, although a bit murderhobo-y.
Student of War and Hellknight would apply, but both cost quite a number of feats. Also, I probably won't make use of that Hellknight armour, as I still have arcane spell failure.
Devoted Muse would be perfect. It won't be a very heavy hitter, but it's a cool build.
I thought an Asavir would be very cool. Maybe not very practical, but still. A Bard on a mount is a very unique sight. I though Boon Companion would help increase its levels, but it sadly doesn't.
Do you have any cool ideas? Thanks!
Maybe the Hellknight Signifier? Off the cuff I don't remember the prerequisites.
I guess there's cheating your way into the TWF line or Vital Strike line early. For the latter be a half-elf, take ancestral arms to get a good big weapon, and maybe cast paragon surge for an extra feat from 7th level - bards don't get relevant bonus feats after all. For the TWF - hmm. Arrowsong minstrels lose inspire competence. Maybe that isn't a good idea. Heroism, arcane strike & piranha strike might work with it though. You could occasionally use arrowsong strike with one of the TWF weapons if it's throwable.
If you want to use thrown weapons, Martial Focus & Ricochet Toss would give you better-than-returning weapons from 7th level. That style makes use of the free precise shot the archetype gives without being the archer bard that you don't want to play.
Wow... That's one weak-ass archetype. oO
Wow... That's one weak-ass archetype. oO
Actually it makes a decent archer and an excellent entry to the arcane archer PrC. Not especially strong if you're trying to avoid that fate, but weak-ass isn't a good description of the intended use.
I guess it's decent if you just want an stepping stone into Arcane Tricks... Other than that, though, loses way too much for way too little.
AVR, thanks, I'll mull over that!
Tabernero, I'm quite happy with how effective my build is. I mean, he's not as effective as a Fighter for instance, but I'm a pretty competent (and consistent) damage dealer. The archetype loses a few things most other archetypes lose, Inspire Competence is maybe a big loss but I don't really care for it, and a spell per level per day. That's a big one, but I'm mostly firing in combat, not casting spells, so I just have some support spells left. Also, I get to steal spells from the Wizard list. A Bard throwing around Fireballs, Scorching Rays, and Telekinetic Charge is fantastic.
I'd say my level 11 character is roughly 75% of a "normal" archer in effectiveness, but in addition to that I still have most of the tricks a regular Bard can do. I pick off stragglers the others didn't manage to kill, but I'm mostly also a force multiplier for the rest of my team. For a damage-dealing Bard, I think it's a pretty great archetype.
Well, if you like it, that's all that matters. It's your character, after all.
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Exemplar Brawler + Cavalier + Battle Herald = full BAB
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@ Houngan: Bonus points if you VMC Cavalier instead, so you can get more Brawler features.
Big thing with this is that it only refers to Bard levels stacking, and not anything else that grants Performance. So, Evangelist Cleric and Exemplar Brawler would technically be out, per RAW.
Also, I get to steal spells from the Wizard list. A Bard throwing around Fireballs, Scorching Rays, and Telekinetic Charge is fantastic.
I'd say my level 11 character is roughly 75% of a "normal" archer in effectiveness, but in addition to that I still have most of the tricks a regular Bard can do. I pick off stragglers the others didn't manage to kill, but I'm mostly also a force multiplier for the rest of my team. For a damage-dealing Bard, I think it's a pretty great archetype.
Your having fun with it but I just can't agree that it's fantastic mechanically, I agree with Taberno that it's weak. Your an 11th level 2/3rd caster with diminished spellcasting. Listing good spells doesn't change the fact that you have so few.
It's combat focused bard archetype that runs out of steam very quickly.
@ Houngan: Bonus points if you VMC Cavalier instead, so you can get more Brawler features.
Big thing with this is that it only refers to Bard levels stacking, and not anything else that grants Performance. So, Evangelist Cleric and Exemplar Brawler would technically be out, per RAW.
The stacking language is in the Exemplar description.
Not an Archetype I'd use for a non-bow Bard. If I was going to build a really martial Bard, I'd probably go dual-wield Dawnflower Dervish and be a whirlwind of slashing attacks. Personal +6 Inspire Courage by level 10 is one fierce buff. And it combos seamlessly with personal Haste (Allegro) and +2 from Heroism.