My original party was going to be an Unchained Monk, Archery Feral Hunter, and a Bloodrager. So my thoughts were to cover our weak points by having a party face, someone knowledgeable in skills, and the option for spell diversity so I went with a Fated Champion Skald. The Bloodrager couldn't make it but we picked up a sword and board Paladin instead. We're currently at 3rd level.
The theme around the build was THE HYPE MAN. He wants to be the greatest poet (rapper) of all time and gather a squad memorable enough to live in infamy.
STR 18, DEX 12, CON 13, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 16
20 point buy. My GM let me take the variant ability to trade my spell-like ability, so I went for +2 STR (which Alter Self practically does). Low DEX because we have a ranged character, I have medium armor, and Reactionary/Fated Champion bump my Initiative. INT because we needed a knowledge guy. I was gonna raise CON at 4th level. I also didn't want my Will or Wisdom checks at a penalty.
Traits: Community Minded (Morale Bonuses you grant last 2 rounds longer), Historian (+1 Bardic Knowledge Checks), Indomitable Faith (+1 Will Save), Reactionary (+2 Init)
Drawbacks: Foul Brand (-1 penalty on Disable Device, Disguise, and Sleight of Hand checks), Fear of Loneliness
My GM is a fan of traits and forced us to have a phobia for an extra trait, so that's why I have that many.
Feats: Deific Obedience: Irori, Scribe Scroll, Skald’s Vigor
Skald's Vigor was my first feat because I eventually want Greater Skald's Vigor, and worshiping Irori bumps my knowledge and helps me with my skill points (and being the GOAT).
1st Level Spells: Cure Light Wounds, Grease, Saving Finale, Heightened Awareness
Not much to say here. Me and the Hunter provide heals, Grease for utility/debuff, Saving Finale for the fear checks my GM imposes (and for saves in general), and Heightened Awareness to know the things/ possibly cast on the Monk (who can take 10 on Perception with a Trait).
Lesser Spirit Totem is my rage power. I'm calling out the S Q U A D (thinking about naming them the B-Boys), and it's a free extra attack.
So yeah that's Triple Bars, The Bardiche-wielding Barbarian Bard. I want to focus more on support and being THE HYPE MAN, because having a Monk and Paladin reduces the need for me to be more combat focused.
For my 5th Level feat I was thinking about taking Battle Cry, because why not get more HYPE? Also I can actually give a bonus to hit for the archer Hunter, and it helps with the fear checks the GM will impose on us. I'm also considering Craft Wondrous Item because Spell Kenning helps me out, and who doesn't like cheaper gear.
I know I can dip Bloodrager for that absurd STR/CON boost, familiar, Skald's Vigor, etc. But I'd like to stay pure Skald and not overwhelm my GM haha. I know I can also take Power Attack and Arcane Strike, but I'd rather support more.
Honestly my 7th and 9th Level Feats are not too important to me because I want to retrain them to Discordant Voice and Greater Skald's Vigor at 10th level (if we get that far haha). I was thinking maybe Combat Advice and Barroom Brawler.
I'm thinking about picking up Scent for a Rage Power at 6th, because the Hunter can use Pheromone Arrows.
Any advice on upcoming feats and spells? Rage Powers? Good Spell Kenning spells? Thanks in advance.
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How about Flagbearer and Banner of Ancient Kings to tack onto your polearm weapon? Hype the party by leading them into battle flying the partys flag!
As for spells, my skald took World Serpent totem and spirit for the ability for allies to bypass all alignment DR. The spirit totem is nice but honestly 1d4+4 or 5 is not fantastic, and that's contingent on allies remember to use the ability and for it to actually hit.
Spells you'd want in a support role would be unbreakable heart and calm emotions; they are the only two low level spells that stop/cure confusion. Calm emotions is concentration based, so even if you cast it you can drop the spell and go back to using raging song om the same turn.
Flexible Fury is a good spell to have on hand too. A friend was playing an intrigue scenario in which no one was allowed to have their weapons in the party room. When a fight broke out, a quick casting of Flexible Fury allowed every one to get claw attacks for the fight.
I was actually thinking about retraining Battle Cry for Flagbearer, when getting the Banner of the Ancient Kings would be possible.
Ah, World Serpent ain't bad, but alignment DR doesn't come into play until well into the game, yeah? I could always retrain. Also I wrote post it notes for all the crap I give during Raging Song, haha.
Good call on those spells. I'll keep that in mind. Flexible Fury is also really nice. That and Haste seem like good picks for my first 3rd level spells.
Thanks!
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If you know you're mostly going against creatures with DR bypassed by good, you could instead get Lesser Celestial Blood rage power, which would be nice and doesn't require two dedicated rage powers. It also is a good choice with flexible fury. However it won't help your archer hunter as it only affects melee attacks.
Ah man the Blood rage powers, there's some good ones there too! Which is why I'm asking for advice on rage powers.
I feel kinda bad for the Hunter, as most of the time he probably doesn't wanna accept my song to cast or whatever. But if i took Scent, it would give him more incentive to accept the song...
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Keep in mind this:
Skald songs allow the player to choose when they accept the song at two points. 1) when you first start the song, and 2) at the start of their turn, before they take any actions.
So if you go, and start your raging song, your Hunter can accept the song until the start of their turn. That's helpful as there's a buff to will saves and at that point the only downside is a penalty to AC. If they're a smart archer, they're not too worried about a single point in AC lost. Then, at the start of their turn, they can accept the song and get the bonus to damage (assuming an adaptive bow) and any rage powers you have going too. If they want to cast a spell they still can, and can choose to go in and out of benefiting from the song while you maintain it.
As nice as Scent is, the part of being able to locate squares of nearby enemies while they're hidden/invisible don't require survival checks. It's automatic unless they have something like negate aroma. and unless you have a LOT of rounds of raging song, you're not going to be singing while also trying to track someone.
Also as a feral hunter they can animal focus to gain scent as needed.
You right, you right.
But you're missing out on what Scent + Pheromone Arrows can really do. Hunter tags dude with Pheromone Arrow, everyone gets +2 hit and damage against that guy under Raging Song. The invisibility/tracking thing is a nice bonus. It'll free up the Hunter's choice of focus too. HYPE