Goblin Bard Build?

[Claxon]

So I had an idea for Goblin character who grew up in the sewers/streets of Absalom and ended up becoming a bard. He would scavenge in the streets to survive and eventually took to general buffoonery to try to make money and survive. At this same time he also needed to develop his Deception and Diplomacy skills (along side Performance). Eventually a Cleric of Shelyn found him and encouraged his art. He developed into Puppetry on the streets, becoming a popular children's performer, and eventually became a serious actor.

Aside form focusing on Deception, Diplomacy and Performance and being a Goblin how do I build this little guy?

Looking through the classes, it feels less straightforward to build any of the casting classes compared to the likes of Fighter or Barbarian.

[Wheldrake]

There are several backgrounds that could correspond to this little backstory (acrobat, entertainer, street urchin...). Choose one and go with it.

Also, please post your stat block here when you've finished.

[Kyrone]

I think that the Irongut heritage for the scavenging part of the growing up in the sewers concept and the goblin song for his musical interests.

[Xenocrat]

He sounds like a maestro muse, which is the most straightforward for class feats.

1: Lingering Composition
2: Inspire Competence
4: Inspire Defense
6: Harmonize
8: Inspire Heroics
10: Free choice
12: Inspirational Focus
14: Free choice
16: Free choice
18: Eternal Composition
20: Symphony of the Muse

Only 1, 8, 12, 18, and 20 are absolutely mandatory for optimization if you want to concentrate on buffing offense alone, although by 18 you should pick up at least one extra composition cantrip.

[Siro]

It would kind of depend what you are aiming for, in terms of mechanically what you are aiming for. For the beginning Muse, I would go Maestro Muse for Lingering Composition, as your not focusing on Occultism for Bardic Lore, and a vast majority of what you gain through Versatilet Performance is cover through Diplomacy and Deception (though never underestimate the use of ‘Demoralize’, and it as some pretty good feats for Spellcasting Bards down the line.). Basically I could see him being a buffer/spell focus Bard, while being the face.

From there, I would probably focus on the more Compoitional feats. Inspire Competence can be a real boon both inside and out of battles for your allies (remember, You can Aid attack rolls.). Inspire Defence can be life saving, for the added AC and Saves, and damage resistance for you and your allies. Allegro is a one action cantrip that gives a friend Haste for a turn, which is always good, and Dirge of Doom gives enemies around you the Frightened 1 condition. (Scary sock puppets)

Other notable feats would be ‘Harmonize’ which lets you have more then one Composition up at a time, Inspire Heroics which improves the bonuses of Inspire Courage and Inspire Defence based on your Performance check, Eternal Composition to gain an additional action for Composition cantrips, and Symphony of the Muses for Harmonize on steroids for a cap stone ability. As being the face of the group, and the center of attention during social encounters, Melodious Spell can let you cast spells without others knowing you are casting a spell (kinda of like to envision during a conversation, he just pulls out a random sock puppet, and everyone loves him for it, both from the Perfromance check, and because he as Charmed everyone in the room.).

For spells, the classic line up of Fly, Haste, Heroism, invisibility and Soothe for a support bard is never wrong. Summon spells can also be useful, as they to benefit from your Compositions, and support the team by take hits and flanking, and some illusion spells for battlefield control (basically becoming a puppeteer of the battlefield.). Add in some nasty debuffing spells, and one or two blasts, to round out the list.—— On a side note, ‘Illusory Creature’ Spell gives you the ability to Puppeteer more then one thing a turn,and it’s also fun for outside battle use. If you are finding your spending the vast majority of combat on buffing Composition and general support, and controlling creatures to attack for you, Sanctuary can be a awesome spell as well.

[Xenocrat]

Siro wrote:

Inspire Competence can be a real boon both inside and out of battles for your allies (remember, You can Aid attack rolls.)

While you can as a general rule Aid attack rolls, Inspire Competence has a specific limitation to skills. You can still boost a combat maneuver, though.

[Siro]

Looks like Xenocrat and me had the same idea :p (Opps, and I did mean maneuver rolls with Inspire Competence, Thanks for the catch. Need.....coffee)

[Claxon]

So I had this built before I asked the question, but I wasn't sure it was any good.

Quote:

Ak Tor

Male goblin bard 20 Core Rulebook 386, 386
Common, CG, Small, Goblin, Humanoid
Perception +26; darkvision
Languages Common, Gnomish, Goblin
Skills Acrobatics +26, Arcana +26, Deception +34 (+36 vs a target that failed to Lie to you or you successfully used the Seek action against.), Diplomacy +34 (+36 vs a target that failed to Lie to you or you successfully used the Seek action against., When you Request something, you treat a critical failure as a failure.), Intimidation +28 (+30 vs a target that failed to Lie to you or you successfully used the Seek action against.), Medicine +22, Occultism +26, Performance +34 (+36 vs a target that failed to Lie to you or you successfully used the Seek action against., +36 when making a performance of type Acting., +36 when acting, orating, performing comedy, or singing.), Religion +22, Society +26, Stealth +26, Theater Lore +26, Thievery +24
Str 16 (+3), Dex 20 (+5), Con 18 (+4), Int 18 (+4), Wis 10 (+0), Cha 22 (+6)
Other Items +3 major resilient leather armor, +2 greater striking rapier, dagger, sling (20 sling bullets), backpack, bandolier, bedroll, belt pouch, belt pouch, chalks (10), flint and steel, hat of disguise, greater, musical instrument, handheld, persona mask, greater, rations (1 week)s (2), rope (foot)s (50), sheath, soap, torchs (5), waterskin, purse (39,004 gp; 2 sp)
--------------------
AC 41; Fort +31; Ref +29; Will +31 (When you succeed at a saving throw, treat the outcome as a critical success.); +4 vs a spell you had Critical Success in identifying.
HP 246 Focus Points 3 Hero Points 1; Resistances fire 10
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Speed 20 feet
Melee [1] +2 greater striking rapier +31 (deadly d8, disarm, finesse), Damage 3d6+5 piercing
Melee [1] dagger +29 (agile, finesse, thrown 10 ft., versatile S), Damage 1d4+5 piercing/slashing
Ranged [1] dagger +28 (agile, finesse, thrown 10 ft., versatile S), Damage 1d4+5 piercing/slashing
Ranged [1] sling +28 (propulsive, range increment 50 feet, reload 1), Damage 1d6+3 bludgeoning
Occult Bard Occult Spellcasting DC 16; 9th (3 slots) unfathomable song, weird 5th (3 slots) synesthesia 1st (3 slots) soothe Cantrips (10th) detect magic, mage hand, prestidigitation, read aura, sigil
Feats Allegro, Charming Liar, Confabulator, Dirge Of Doom, Effortless Concentration, Eternal Composition, Glad-hand, Goblin Scuttle, Goblin Song, Group Impression, Harmonize, Impressive Performance, Inspire Defense, Inspire Heroics, Legendary Negotiation, Legendary Performer, Lengthy Diversion, Lie To Me, Melodious Spell, Quickened Casting, Recognize Spell, Scribe Scroll, Shameless Request, Skittering Scuttle, Slippery Secrets, Symphony Of The Muse, Untrained Improvisation, Very Sneaky, Very, Very Sneaky, Virtuosic Performer
Other Abilities irongut goblin, greater resolve, resolve, signature spells

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I'm now going to look at the advice Xenocrat gave.