Advice on an Archaeologist Bard build please

[Danse Macabre]

Hi everyone. My group is wrapping up Curse of the Crimson Throne and will be playing The Mummy's Mask next. I've decided to go with a halfling with the Adaptable Luck racial trait Archaeologist Bard. I hope to capitalize on the luck bonuses with the Fate's Favored trait and the Adaptable Luck feats, but also want to explore other ways to support the party as well. I'm not terribly concerned about being an effective combatant. While I have no problem min-maxing, I prefer playing themed characters, which I find to be more challenging and fun than simply decimating the opposition.

My idea is that the halfling is a tinkerer, historian and a bit of a jack of all trades. We're using a 15 point buy, and thus far my stats are as follows: Str 14 (-2) Dex 7 (+2) Con 12 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 16 (+2). I know, Dex is terrible. I wasn't sure how I was going to flesh out her personality while I was coming up with build ideas until I felt like a clumsy halfling would make for an interesting character. To offset the hit to Dex, I'd take a level of Lore Oracle with Sidestep Secret and Lore Keeper as an Extra Revelation for Cha to knowledge checks, which seem to fit the theme rather nicely, with Tongues as the Oracle's Curse. And Divine Favor is a first level Oracle spell.

I have a few questions. Beyond the luck bonuses, what other support can I provide? I know there are spells like Good Hope with its morale bonus and Moment of Greatness to double a morale bonus, plus the courageous weapon property, but those come online later in the build, especially if I multiclass beyond Oracle (I'll get to that in a moment). I've considered boosting Aid Another with the Helpful Trait, but my heart is leaning toward Magical Knack instead to boost the CL of Oracle for an additional +1 luck bonus with Divine Favor. Would Additional Traits be worthwhile to pick up Helpful? Or are there other ways to boost Aid Another? I know of the Bodyguard feat/Benevolent armor combo but feats are a precious commodity.

That leads me to the multiclassing issue. I imagine my halfling wielding a pick (she is an archaeologist, after all). But that means either grabbing Martial Weapon Proficiency or dipping Fighter. Two levels of Lore Warden will net me Combat Expertise, which would be a nice AC boost. However, I've also considered the Mysterious Stranger Gunslinger. Gunslinger also gives me MWP, and the idea of using a pistol makes me think of Brendan Fraser in The Mummy movies. A pistol would get me Cha to damage with a firearm as long as I have at least one grit point, though my Dex is terrible, so I don't know. Plus, the level two ability gives a luck bonus to will saves, keeping that lucky halfling idea going. If I do go Gunslinger, how many levels would be practical? I don't want to lose out on too many bard levels and Archaeologist's Luck increases.

Lingering Performance and Extra Revelation feats are essential, plus Fortunate One and Adaptive Fortune later on. I've considered Arcane Strike (with Gloves of Arcane Striking, helping Aid Another for AC). Beyond that, I'm not sure. The Well Prepared halfling feat, furthering that jack of all trades vibe?

Lastly, the Pathfinder Chronicler PrC looks like it fits the theme also. Has anyone played one, and if so, how was your experience?

Thanks in advance to all of you, I look forward to your suggestions!

[Name Violation]

Personally, i say take 1 level of gunslinger mysterious stranger.
Use cha for damage, tinker and make guns. Take arcane strike and the feat spell cartridges.

[Shorticus]

Firstly, on luck bonuses, there's a really cool way to increase your ability to dole out good ones:

Chaldira Zuzaristan has a handy Deific Obedience that at later levels will increase the power of the Luck Bonuses you provide with your spells. Straightforward, that!

But onto spells!

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I have a few questions. Beyond the luck bonuses, what other support can I provide? I know there are spells like Good Hope with its morale bonus and Moment of Greatness to double a morale bonus, plus the courageous weapon property, but those come online later in the build, especially if I multiclass beyond Oracle (I'll get to that in a moment).

Bards have a plethora of handy spells already. I'll link a few:

Liberating Command - good for escaping grapples.
Moment of Greatness - situational, but if you're providing good Morale bonuses from another spell, you can double them. Not so useful at the start, I think, but useful later on when you get Good Hope and Heroism. Speaking of Heroism...
Heroism - A 2nd level spell, meaning it's available pretty early on, and it lasts WAY longer than Good Hope. Throw it on whoever makes a ton of attacks, or on someone that needs more saving throw bonuses.
Saving Finale - Handy spell. Immediate action > reroll a failed save. It cancels your song, but sometimes that's worth it. Good vs. nat 1s.
Gallant Inspiration - Doesn't stack with Inspire Courage, but it works well for what it does. +2d4 to attack isn't something to sneeze at when you need to hit something RIGHT NOW. It can turn a below average roll that would miss for your martials into a thwacking. (It works well when you use an archetype that gives something other than Inspire Courage.)
Glitterdust - I mean, it's good on wizards and it's good on you, too. With 16 CHA... you should do fine with this.
Silent Image / Major Image / blah blah - Amazing utility stuff and highly recommended from me if you can squeeze it onto your build.
Versatile Weapon - Personally, I'd bring a scroll rather than have it as a spell, but it's a handy option if you're worried about DR.
Haste - Again, it's good on wizards and it's good on you.

...and generally you get a lot of buffs in a similar vein. Really dig through the bard spell list. You have some great ways to support your team, sometimes as swift actions.

There is one spell I want to point out to you, because it's one of my favorites in the game now:

Shared Training - For whatever reason it's not listed on the bard spell list page, but on this page it clearly says "Bard 2." It's an INCREDIBLY handy spell that does the job of a cavalier better than a cavalier, IMO. 10 mins/level, share teamwork feats with the team... If you want to be a team player, this is one way to do that.

If you decide to go for Helpful, there's lots of ways to boost the effects of your Aid Another attacks. But that takes some dedication, honestly. However, you could take the Harrying Partners teamwork feat to make those Aid Another bonuses last a full round. However, since you only have 7 DEX you won't be able to go the Combat Reflexes / Bodyguard route, so this may not be a good option for you.

Halflings get some unique stuff available to them. If you want to support better, you can do funny things with Blundering Defense. However, this again takes considerable investment; but if you dip Fighter 2 it could be worth trying. But... it's not a role for everyone, especially since you need to stand near people.

(Honestly, I think Blundering Defense is a bit gimmicky. I'm trying it on my own Halfling Bard for Mummy's Mask, but it requires sticking to your allies like glue, putting you near the melee. Given that you have 7 DEX... I REALLY don't recommend that.)

As a bard, you can play multiple songs at once. There's plenty of research out there on how to do this; plenty of spells to cast to make it work. Do some Google-Fu and you'll see how. More songs = more buffs!

Don't forget that you can use a Cure Light Wounds wand as well as anyone, no UMD required. It's on the bard spell list.

Speaking of UMD, you might want some. Put that CHA to use. Get condition removal items later on in case the divine caster (if you have one) gets turned to stone or something.

Finally, since you're expressly using a pick, that suggests you're entering melee. Set up flanks for anyone that uses Sneak Attack if you can. It's obvious, I know, but just keep in mind all the ways you can support people mechanically.

[Heather 540]

If you plan to be in melee at all, may I suggest a quick dip into Swashbuckler? You get the martial weapons proficiency and picks work with panache. You'll take a minor hit on the attack roll when parrying anything bigger than you, but it's a chance to negate a hit and you've got a good supply of panache points due to your Cha.

[keerawa]

You might want to consider a whip. Even from a distance, you can aid an ally's attack or AC. If you do end up taking 'Helpful Halfling', which I think is well worth it, you'd make excellent use of it.

Saving Finale doesn't work for archaeologist bards, which is very sad, BUT ... the Discordant Voice feat still works at level 11, boosts party damage whenever you are using your luck, and since your 'bardic performance feature' is now affecting your allies, I believe that it would make Saving Finale work as well!

If you decide to go for that level in swashbuckler, you might consider Mouser for a truly unique playstyle, stepping into enemy squares with Underfoot Assault to provide flank and defensive bonuses to everyone near you.

[EldonGuyre]

Be prepared to not get daily spells back.

I detest that adventure path, when it looked like it would be a blast.

[Danse Macabre]

Wow, thanks! Shorticus, those are some great options. Chaldira's boons look great for my character, but if I understand correctly, Deific Obedience only grants Evangelist boons? Unless you take Diverse Obedience after, requiring another feat investment.

As an archaeologist bard, I don't get traditional bardic performance but instead get luck bonuses x rounds/day. However, "Archaeologist’s luck is treated as bardic performance for the purposes of feats, abilities, effects, and the like that affect bardic performance." If I'm reading that right, Keerawa, Saving Finale should work as it's an effect, although I'm not sure about Discordant Voice since the description says specifically, "Whenever you are using bardic performance to create a spell-like or supernatural effect," and Archeologist's Luck is extraordinary.

Shorticus, remember, I'm also taking a level of Lore Oracle to get Cha to AC and reflex saves. It doesn't help my initiative, CMD, Dex skills and like however. :P So the Combat Reflexes/Bodyguard idea is not viable, as you mentioned.

I do like the idea of the Harrying Partner/ Shared Training route, plus Cautious Halfling/ Blundering Defense, though you're right, it's an investment and I'd need to commit to one path or another.

I like the idea of a Gunslinger dip, though with my Dex so low and no room for ranged feats, would it be worth it? Or as Heather 540 and Keerawa mentioned, dipping swashbuckler for MWP. Is the Picaroon archetype (for firearm proficiency) a solid choice?

The Mouser sounds fun, though I'm going to stay away from whips. I want to avoid a Halfling Indiana Jane trope. Plus, our previous AP was Strange Aeons where I played a whip wielding Kensai Magus debuffer. Loads of fun and gave our GM a constant headache.

Also, any thoughts on the Pathfinder Chronicler?

Thanks again for all the great suggestions, I appreciate any more you can offer. I'll post a build once I get something concrete worked up.

[Melkiador]

Why are you going for archaeologist bard if you plan to dump dexterity and multiclass so much? Are you just trying to make the “luckiest” character?

[Shorticus]

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Wow, thanks! Shorticus, those are some great options. Chaldira's boons look great for my character, but if I understand correctly, Deific Obedience only grants Evangelist boons? Unless you take Diverse Obedience after, requiring another feat investment.

Actually, you get the Exalted boons:

"If you have no levels in one of these prestige classes, you gain the boons marked as exalted boons."

This means you do get access to Fortunate Spells, which reads:

"2: Fortunate Spells (Su) When you create an effect that adjusts the luck of your allies, your devotion to Chaldira turns their luck even more strongly in their favor. Increase luck bonuses provided by spells or spell-like abilities you cast by 1. This ability stacks with other effects that increase a luck bonus, such as the Fortune’s Child sentinel boon, but not with other uses of this boon."

Remember that you are your own ally! But it wouldn't affect your Archaelogist bard song, unfortunately. For that you would need to get Diverse Obedience and take Fortune's Child. But still, either a 1 feat or 2 feat expenditure can reap some big rewards.

But speaking of spell-like abilities and such that would be affected by Fortunate Spells, remember that you'll get 3/day uses of Divine Favor by going Exalted, and that IS something that would be affected by Fortunate Spells. Your bard song is better, however.

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I do like the idea of the Harrying Partner/ Shared Training route, plus Cautious Halfling/ Blundering Defense, though you're right, it's an investment and I'd need to commit to one path or another.

Very much so. It's something I would consider very carefully before committing, because it IS a commitment.

[Shorticus]

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Also, any thoughts on the Pathfinder Chronicler?

I would skip it, personally.

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Why are you going for archaeologist bard if you plan to dump dexterity and multiclass so much?

I'll admit that dumping DEX hard on this character doesn't quite mesh with the Indiana Jane angle you're shooting for, OP! Oh, you said AVOIDING it. Misread!

Regardless, I think you've got a few ways to build the character. The Lore Oracle dip should help your AC considerably.

Also, if you DO go with Deific Obedience for Chaldira, don't forget about the +1-2 attack per day you can get! It's a nifty boon. Her favored weapon is a shortsword, but it can be used with any weapon.

EDIT: One more thing - there's a cool trait available specifically to worshipers of Chaldira Zuzaristan... Rerolling a bad save 1/day isn't a bad deal.

[Danse Macabre]

Oh cool, Exalted boons! That's much better than what I thought the feat provided, at least as far as Chaldira is concerned.

As far as multiclassing, I don't think 2-3 levels dipping into a couple other classes is "so much." It might not be optimized, but that's okay. And it makes it a little less MAD.