Is this an alright Archivist build?

[Minigiant]

I am trying to help a friend with a Bard build and am looking for feedback on this. It is intended for the Giantslayer AP

OUTLINE

Race: Human
Class: Bard
Archetypes: Archivist

Stats
Str: 10
Dex: 14
Cons: 14
Int: 14+2
Wis: 10
Cha: 16

ATTRIBUTE INCREASES
4,8 - INT
12,16 - CHA

TRAITS
Curator of Mystic Secrets
Arcane Temper*
Magical Lineage (Good Hope)*

FEATS

Level 1 - Bard - Human (Focused Study) - Skill Focus (KN: Arcana)
Level 1 - Bard - Level - Additional Traits
Level 3 - Bard - Level - Eldritch Heritage (Arcane): Arcane Bond
Level 5 - Bard - Level - Encouraging Spell
Level 7 - Bard - Level - Improved Initiative
Level 8 - Bard - Human (Focused Study) - Skill Focus (KN: Nature)
Level 9 - Bard - Level - Improved Familiar
Level 11 - Bard - Level - Discordant Voice
Level 13 - Bard - Level -
Level 15 - Bard - Level -
Level 16 - Bard - Human (Focused Study) - Skill Focus (KN: Religion)

[Azothath]

there are the Class Guides at ZG
The ability scores are a bit flat distribution but net a lot of bonus at 25pts. I'd lower Con 2 and bump Str 2 or Cha 1.
If you go Samsaran (pick up Wiz spells or Witch spells) or half-elf or aasimar. If there's a ratfolk in the party, they operate best as teams.
In the bard arena Archeologist and Chelish Diva are options, Skald too.
As a support type, a dip into Clr 1, or Orcl(war)1 {picking up healing and divine item use}, or maybe Pal 2, or Monk 2 {+3 all saves, IUS, flurry, weapons}.
I personally don't care for familiars as they move into being a liability past 10th level.

[Azothath]

besides the Class Guides at ZG

some bard threads on this topic (old threads really)
PFS human Archivist Ranged & Melee 2014
PFS catfolk Archivist & melee 2015
PFS halfling Bard-Dervish 2014
Evangelist option as advice 2014

I think it is hard to beat the basic traits that grant +1 to a save. There's the two metamagic cost reduces and Magical Knack for multiclass dips. While the Additional Traits feat is nice, standard Feats are usually more important so I'd only take it with Exemplar trait or if the build had an extra Feat or two... with Ranged you'll need Point Blank and Precise, a low Str Bard will also need Wpn Finesse. Those are not in your build and they need to be early adoptions!

and
Items that can save you 2019

[Azothath]

Minigiant wrote:

I am trying to help a friend with a Bard build and am looking for feedback on this. It is intended for the Giantslayer AP

nope - not that good.

IMO Giantslayer is a bit of a martial slog. You might need to hit something at some point.

[Azothath]

Bard (can also go into archetype)
Ability scores
 basic blocks at 25 pts: HtH[14,14,10,14,10,16] Rng[10,16,10,14,10,16] Fcs[10,14,10,13,10,18]. I prefer not to go below 10 unless needed
Race
 Samsaran:[0,0,-2,+2,+2,0](preset Con->12,Wiz->8) MythicPL(Cha 18): Wiz(InfrnlHeal:C1, MagArmr:C1, Shield:A1, GravBow:T1, BldSentinel:T3 OR RstEnrg:A2). Lang:Common, Samsaran, Giant OR Draconic.
OR Aasimar or Azata: [0,0/+2,0,0,+2/0,+2]. gotta luv some abil bumps & SLA/(Sp). Lang:Common, Celestial, Dwarven OR Draconic.

Trait: Deft Dodger(Cmbt) +1 Rflx OR Resilient(Cmbt) +1 Fort, Canon of Coin(Fth) +1(+2) Will OR Indomitable Faith(Fth) +1 Will, Giantslayer:Giantslayer Scion no pnlty on Intmd & +1 [fear] OR Vexing Defender +1/+4 Acro.

Feat: HtH:Combat Expertise or Rng:Point-Blank Shot.
F3: HtH:Wpn Fcs or Rng:Precise Shot.
F5: Wpn Fnss.
F7: Arcn Strike or Wpn Fcs or Dervish Dance(Wpn Fnss, Scimitar),
F9: Slashing Grace(Wpn Fnss & Wpn Fcs).

You can pick up some feats early but it's a good roadmap. I wouldn't worry too much past 10th level as the campaign & party composition may change the plan. As Pal is Multi-Ability Score a dip into Pal 2 would boost martial abilities & defenses.

[Mysterious Stranger]

How big is the party? Your bard has no real combat ability besides buffing the party. Unless the party is large and already has enough combatants to take care of combat buffing is not going to be enough. With a 10 STR and 14 DEX and no investment in combat feats your combat ability is nothing. Bards can use spells in combat but with only a 16 CHA and nothing to boost the saves your spells will also be too easy to overcome.

If this is for an NPC it will probably be ok, because it will give some help to the party but is unlikely to overshadow any PC. If this is a PC for a standard size party, it looks to be too weak.

[Minigiant]

Mysterious Stranger wrote:

How big is the party? Your bard has no real combat ability besides buffing the party.

We have a Barbarian, Warpriest, Lunar Oracle with Animal Companion, and said Bard.

The build is based on the Buffer Bard. Master and Grand Master Performer is not an option so focused on Encouraging Spell with Good Hope instead.

[Mysterious Stranger]

Looking at the build it seems to be very specific and some of the things it is based on you do not have or are not available. The build also relies on using mid-level spells and abilities. Good Hope is a 3rd level spells which means you don’t get it till 7th level and then you only gain 2 per day. The build also relies on casting haste and slow which are also 3rd level spells. At 7th level you are granting your party +5 to attack and saves and +2 AC twice a day for 7 minutes. After that the bonus drops down to +2 to attack and save for any remaining bardic performance you have left. Once you get to 9th level and have more resources it starts to become a bit more useful. This build is definitely a late bloomer and for the first 6th levels is going to be painful and does not really come fully online until about 9th level.

[Azothath]

Minigiant wrote:

Mysterious Stranger wrote:

How big is the party? Your bard has no real combat ability besides buffing the party.

We have a Barbarian, Warpriest, Lunar Oracle with Animal Companion, and said Bard.

The build is based on the Buffer Bard. Master and Grand Master Performer is not an option so focused on Encouraging Spell with Good Hope instead.

yeah - not the best from 2014 and discussion thread. I'll note that the bard spells clearly have verbal components so the joke about "dancing a spell" makes no sense without class abilities/feats which don't exist in PF1 that I'm aware of (but I get the attempt at humor and the trope it pokes fun at). Rappan Athuk is an AD&D campaign which, ummm, is many many pages.

[pad300]

You're an archivist bard and intend to be a buffer type? I'd suggest the flagbearer feat at Lvl 1. I'd also look at lingering performance at lvl 3. You want your buffing to be available in just about all the fights...

I'd also note that you are the only arcane support in the party, as well as the only Knowledge monkey. You might need to lean into those aspects as well. (Also, your party doesn't seem to have much that could qualify as a sneak. That might be an issue).