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Nobility Support Build - Bard
Bab - Medium
Good Saves - Reflex & Will
Hit Dice: d8
Skill Points: 6+Int Bonus
Feat's (General)
1- Noble Scion (Scion of the Arts)
3- Toughness
5- Skill Focus (Perform - Oratory)
7- Persuasion
9- Alertness
Traits
Campaign Trait of Choice
(Social)- Rich Parents: You were born into a rich family, perhaps
even the nobility, and even though you turned to a life
of adventure, you enjoy a one-time benefit to your initial
finances—your starting wealth increases to 900 gp.
(Faith)- Focused Disciple: When weaker wills falter, you keep
a clear mind. You gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws
against charm and compulsion effects.
Weakness Trait
Family Ties: Your family is extremely important to you,
and you feel disheartened when you can’t do what
they ask. When a family member makes a request
of you, you must fulfill that request or take a –2 penalty on
all Wisdom- and Charisma-based ability checks and skill
checks until you either do what was requested or
succeed at a DC 20 Will saving throw,
which you can attempt once per day at the
start of each day. You can’t take this drawback if
you have no family. If you ever lose your family or lose
contact with your family, exchange this drawback for the
Doubt drawback.
Is there a question associated with this?
Are you looking for specific advice on that build?
Are you looking for other peoples' nobility support build ideas?
Nobility can be expressed in various ways... access to education, money, reputation...
Could be a Cleric or Wizard, since your family can get you into the proper church/school.
Could be a Magus or Swashbuckler, since your family can afford the training.
Charisma-based classes seem like a natural fit, though. And I gravitate towards Bard to really capture the nobility flavor. Although Panache definitely has a nice nobility vibe to it.
I made a Dandy Ranger Vampire that is quite noble when he isn't doing gross Vampire stuff. Not much of a support character, though.
Could also be a Rogue pretending to be nobility... Cawn can be anything he tells you he is, and there are very few people capable of calling him on his BS... so lying is always an option with the proper investment.
Finally, anything involving the Old Spice Gentleman class...
I have a Paladin of Shelyn who has a nobility background
Is there anything more noble than a Drow?
I like the Contemptuous or Poison Connoissuer for traits, both can be quite fitting. But Poison Connoissuer conflicts with Voice of Solid Things to put Craft of Charisma... which you are going to want, because you are a Sorcerer.
Noble Drow's FCB for Sorcerer is they add 1 spell known with the curse, evil, or pain descriptor, and the obvious caveat that it has to be at least one level below the highest spell level they can cast.
Your Champion of Dark Powers alternative racial feature gives you a +2 to DC's of spells with the Evil descriptor. And your Seducer alternative racial feature gives you a +1 to DC's of the Enchantment school... perfect if you want to embrace your Fey Bloodline and capitalize on its Arcana.
As a Tattoed Sorcerer, you get Varisian Tattooes, further bolstering your evil charms. Your Varisian Tattooes will help hide your Penumbra Tattooes, if for some reason you didn't choose to take the Surface Infiltrator alternative racial feature to get rid of your light blindness.
Just your generic/basic Noble Drow Tattooed Fey Sorcerer... nothing to see here except a 41RP race, and a +5 to the DC's of Evil Enchantments at level 1...
I have a Paladin of Shelyn who has a nobility backgroundHow detailed did you go with the character creation of the nobility for the build?
I took skill ranks in Nobility (Background Skills) and the Face Skills, and that was it.
For full clarity he was head servant to a noble family who was left to tend to the estate until a successor can be found. He then pretended to be from that family to bring in capital to preserve the estate (The artwork).
The build was a Musket Master (Learnt from going on the hunts with his Lord)/ Virtuous Bravo
Noble. Rich and privileged. Your standard-issue cavalier fits, on a well-bred horse with expensive and shiny armour. Similarly a samurai in a slightly different milieu.
In a place which doesn't have separation of church and state so does a cleric. Possibly something like the cardinal archetype if they're used to having other people do the fighting for them. In Glantri a noble is most likely a wizard for similar reasons.
A good musical education is something the wealthy can get more easily than the poor, so your bard fits too.
Nobility is just one background element. You need more to inspire a character IMO.
How about a 9HD Aristocrat NPC with Persuasive, Power Attack, Hurtful, Intimidating Prowess, and Cornugon Smash? Could even make them smarter than they are pretty with the Bruising Intellect trait...
Or a 5th level Arrow Champion Swashbuckler that has forsaken his life of luxury and privilege, took 4 levels of Kata Master Monk as they laid low in a monastery figuring out their next move... venturing back out into the world for an 11 level career of Hooded Champion Ranger... you can actually stack Sky Stalker with Hooded Champion to pick up a Hippogriff companion (Boon Companion bringing your effective Druid level to 14, considering the "elite" Sky Stalkers use their Ranger level -1 as their EDL for their Hippogriffs)... Panache with light/1H piercing weapons, bows, and unarmed strikes... Ki Pool that is somewhat interchangeable with your Panache Pool... Deeds from Swashbuckler, Monk, and Ranger... noble as $#!+ with your Panache and your fancy Hippogriff...
Super simple Halfling Opportunist build(s)...
Halfling
20pt buy (w/ racials):
15,14,14,10,12,10
Aid Another focused...
Disciple of the Pike Cavalier
1. Bigger They Are
1. Challenge 1/day
1. Order of the Dragon
1. Tactician (standard action)
... Harrying Partners
1(level): Combat Reflexes
2. Order Ability
... Aid Allies +3
3. Pike's Charge
3(level): Bodyguard
4. Stat Bump: Str +1 (16)
4. Challenge 2/day
4. Monster Hunter
5. Weapon Training +1/+1
... polearms
5(level): Weapon Focus
6(class): Defensive Combat Training
7. Challenge 3/day
7(level): Weapon Trick
8. Stat Bump: Str +1 (17)
8. Order Ability
... Aid Allies +4
... Strategy
Halfling Opportunist
9. Exploitive Maneuver
9. Trap Spotter 10'
9. Excellent Aid +5
9(level): Power Attack
10. Exceptionally Lucky +2
10. Sneak Attack 1D6
10. Improved Trap Spotter 20'
11. Fit In
11. Excellent Aid +6
11(level): Improved Bullrush
12. Stat Bump: Str +1 (18)
12. Exceptionally Lucky +3
12. Sneak Attack 2D6
13. Excellent Aid +7
13. Opportunity Attacker
13(level): Rhino Charge
At 13:
BAB +11
Base Saves +8/+5/+5
Sneak Attack focused...
Disciple of the Pike Cavalier
1. Bigger They Are
1. Challenge 1/day
1. Order of the Blossom
1. Tactician (standard action)
... Precise Strike? Tandem Trip? Wall of Flesh?
1(level): Combat Reflexes
2. Order Ability
... Sneak Attack 1D6
3. Pike's Charge
3(level): Weapon Focus
4. Stat Bump: Str +1 (16)
4. Challenge 2/day
4. Monster Hunter
5. Weapon Training +1/+1
... polearms
5(level): Weapon Trick
6(class): Defensive Combat Training
7. Challenge 3/day
7(level): Dirty Fighting
8. Stat Bump: Str +1 (17)
8. Order Ability
... Sneak Attack 2D6
... 3/day: animal messenger, enthrall, hideous laughter, or suggestion
Halfling Opportunist
9. Exploitive Maneuver
9. Trap Spotter 10'
9. Excellent Aid +3
9(level): Improved Trip
10. Exceptionally Lucky +2
10. Sneak Attack 3D6
10. Improved Trap Spotter 20'
11. Fit In
11. Excellent Aid +4
11(level): Great Trip
12. Stat Bump: Str +1 (18)
12. Exceptionally Lucky +3
12. Sneak Attack 4D6
13. Excellent Aid +5
13. Opportunity Attacker
13(level): Accomplished Sneak Attack 5D6
At 13:
BAB +11
Base Saves +8/+5/+5
Another Noble Drow... this one an Eldritch Scion Magus with the Fey Bloodrager Bloodline... wielding an Agile/Keen Rapier... takes Noble Scion of War at level 1 to put Initiative on Charisma... possibly enters the Noble Scion prestige class and uses Dilettante Scholar to pick up their spellcasting...
Is a Noble Drow Eldritch Scion with Noble Scion of War going into the Noble Scion prestige class noble enough?
We can explore the 9HD Aristocrat further... it can be any race or gender, although it may help to be specific depending which direction you take the build...
At 9:
BAB +6
Base Saves +3/+3/+6
Five feats available
36+Int skill ranks
Simple/Martial Weapons
All Armor/Shields
Nobles seem like they should be charismatic, pretty, and groomed... let's start with Persuasive at level 1. It's an Aristocrat NPC, after all, not a combat veteran.
As they advance, let's add some combat value to this character that can possibly benefit from Persuasive's benefits... I'm thinking Weapon Focus going for Dazzling Display (@5) to affect more than one enemy at a time... plus Weapon Focus helps, not hinders, accuracy. Another viable option would be Power Attack, Hurtful, and Cornugon Smash... a Human could end up with all of it, if they wanted to.
Could also easily go with Weapon Finesse... having Martial Weapon Proficiency opens up Elves/Half-Elves and their sweet Elven Curveblade... or a Combat Reflexes/Branched Spear build.
Not that you have to use Weapon Finesse to benefit from racial weapon proficiencies counting as Martial... a well-dressed Half-Orc with an exquisite Orc HornBow immediately comes to mind...
Any race with an alternative racial feature granting Use Magic Device aa a class skill could go a long ways if you don't give NPC's traits. Conveniently, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and UMD are all Charisma skills. Fey Thoughts is pretty common as an alternative racial feature, and Half-Elves can get Arcane Training to use wands of a chosen arcane class without UMD... sadly replaces the same thing as Fey Thoughts, so you have to choose one or the other.
Rogue, possibly with the Rake archetype, taking lots of rogue talents that boost Diplomacy and Bluff. This would be the "spoiled rich brat" build, as in "I'm nobility. I can do whatever I want to you common folk and nobody will stop me, so I'm going to play nasty pranks on all of you."
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Another Noble Drow... this one an Eldritch Scion Magus with the Fey Bloodrager Bloodline... wielding an Agile/Keen Rapier... takes Noble Scion of War at level 1 to put Initiative on Charisma... possibly enters the Noble Scion prestige class and uses Dilettante Scholar to pick up their spellcasting...
Is a Noble Drow Eldritch Scion with Noble Scion of War going into the Noble Scion prestige class noble enough?
O.o and with that, we've created the new one queen of all the underdark X3
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Nobility is just one background element. You need more to inspire a character IMO.
True enough, but I was going through another mental build practice, and thought "If I played a Noble, how would I bring that to the forefront without just Roleplaying"
Thus went with feat selections and traits. The one above is a more "naive and innocent" of the grand game that nobles play, likely 3 or 4th born, thus adventuring.
I did a similar build with an Arcane bloodline Sorcerer with word-casting.
His noble bearing and strength made him a magical prodigy that could create spells as needed, Was the concept and it seemed to flavor war of the crown for my wife quite a bit.
A Wyrmwitch Familial Lich... the basis of this character relies on acquiring mass wealth and continuing your bloodline... money and lineage are the foundation on which nobility is built.
"If I played a Noble, how would I bring that to the forefront without just Roleplaying"
Vigilante would also be a great way to do this; many of their Social Talents fit well as representing the various kinds of influence nobility can wield.
Imagine the nobility filling the halls of the Kitharodian Academy...
If you want a noble support Bard, then you probably want a Grand Master Performer. The Master Performer/Grand Master Performer feats grant a +2 increase to the bonuses granted by your performances. Legit.
Flagbearer and the Banner of Ancient Kings gives a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, and saving throws against fear and charm effects to yourself and all allies within 30'. And, you count as 4 levels higher for your Inspire Courage.
A Dervish Sikke increases your Inspire Competence and Inspire Courage bonuses by +1 each. It adds 5 virtual Bard levels to your Bardic Knowledge.
The Discordant Voice feat adds 1D6 sonic damage to the attacks of yourself and all allies affacted by your performance.
So, at level 13, we have:
1. Combat Reflexes
3. Bodyguard
5. Extra Performance
7. Flagbearer
9. Master Performer
11. Discordant Voice
13. Grand Master Performer
BAB +9
Base Saves +4/+8/+8
CL 13, 5th level spells
With the Banner of Ancient Kings, a Dervish Sikke, Flagbearer, and Grand Master Performer your Inspire Competence is +7, Inspire Courage is +7... Discordant Voice adding 1D6 sonic damages, too.
Your "Generic & Basic" Vanilla Bard can be almost broken as far as support goes...
The aforementioned level 13 Bard with Grand Master Performer can start their Inspire Courage performance as a swift action, adding a +7 competence bonus to attack and damage... which stacks with the constant +2 morale bonus to attack and damage from Flagbearer/Banner of Ancient Kings... for an impressive +9/+9 to all allies within 30'... plus allies affected by your performances get the additonal 1D6 sonic damge from Discordant Voice... for a swift action (and 1rnd of Performance).
Then you use your standard action to cast Haste. Now all your inspired allies get an additional attack with all your bonuses...
Remember, their damage is actually your damage. You did that. You made that happen.
Just flying the Banner of Ancient Kings from an Impervious, Whipwood +1 Longspear with the Flagbearer feat is equivalent to having Good Hope as a constant 30' aura effect. And Good Hope is, like, THEE spell Bards are known for... that's literally their thing.
Sure, that all costs 23505gp (5+500+2000+3000+18000)... but it's, like, 20% of your WBL... and you will find that it is quite worth it. Probably close to 25% of WBL spent once you consider the 10000gp Dervish Sikke.
A Human could use their bonus feat for Arcane Strike, and a mere 5000gp gets you the Gloves of Arcane Striking... so you add your +3 Arcane Strike damage bonus to your normal +2 Aid Another bonus... making Bodyguard even better. Those gloves also turn your spear damage into area effect damage, which is neat... although none of that is necessary... and it is not worth trading any of the other feats for Arcane Strike if you don't want to be Human to get it as a bonus feat.
The Bard is, or can be if they choose to be, affected by the Bard's Performance(s)... and all the cheese about counting as one's own ally.