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"The Chris" <chris_barry@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:I%Jjc.776$633.681@doctor.cableinet.net...
> I have tried three starts with various mods playing up and my results were
> bard weak and hopeless - low level at least.
RCV: Bards weak and hopeless???? Say it isn't so.....
Two things first about Bards:
A: play a Blade
B: don't sing [until you have improved Bard Song anyway]
The Blade can put 3 pts into two weapon stye - do so and put the other
into L Swds. This means you have 2 att pe round, and 3 att per round while
using Offensive spin.
Memorize Stoneskins, Ghost Armor and Blur - this, along with your high
dex [it IS high isn't it?] will give you a decent AC for combat, and if
things get tough, use Defensive spin and add -1 per lvl to a max of -10 AC.
No one can tank like a Blade using Defensive Spin and Stoneskins - plus he
can still cast spells while doing so. Makes a ver effective "door blocker".
Even before getting "Use any item" as a HLA, Bards can use more stuff
than just about anyone. The ability to use Mage wands is a real bonus and
since you will be able to get them re-charged for free [by selling them and
stealing them back] you can be very cavalier about using them with gusto.
Add to that all of the Bard-only musical instruments, and the Bard has a lot
going for him.
You get your own [very nice] Chainmail you can cast spells while wearing
and a wide selection of weapons to choose from. Plus even as a Blade your
lore is superior and your pick pocket ability is nothing to sneeze at - with
the Gloves of Picking Pockets and a potion of Master Thievery or two, you
can even clean out the Copper Coronet - twice! [once before you "deal" with
the back rooms, and again after - two Lt X-Bows of Speed sounds nice...]
While the Blade will never be a "real" fighter, nor is he a "real" Mage,
he is certainly the equal of a Ftr/MU, if not superior due to his special
abilities and ability to use more items. Bards also go up levels as Rogues,
i.e. faster than anyone else, and he uses his level as casting level, so any
spells he casts which have changed effects based upon level will be
better/more powerful than anyone else with the same number of XP.
And when you get Improved Bard Song, your song is as good as any other
Bards and it WILL come in handy at times. Magic Flute is nice too -
multiple Delayed Blast Fireballs are always welcome.... Of course Use any
Item is nice too, nothing like a Blade waving Carsomyr at people!
🙂 Or,
my personal favorite, dual wielding the Scimitar that grants an extra attack
and the Monk's Ninja-To that does the same - with offensive spin that's 5
attacks per round, each with +2 damage to MAXIMUM damage per hit - pretty
sweet.....
The Blade is a character you have to have a little patience with, and
you have to make full use of your special abilities - both inate and
spellcasting - to get the most out of, but it is certainly a very powerful
character to play. Only the Kensai has a special ability, like the Blade's,
granting max damage with every hit and the Blade's offensive spin also adds
+2 damage per hit and an extra attack per round. And NO ONE can get an
additional -10 to AC, just by willing it so, as the Blade can!
And if you need money.... well nobody can "borrow" magical items from
the various Black Market thieves and then sell them at the Thieve's Guild
like the Bard can. You can get the money for the Shadow Thieves, your
casting license AND a few choice magic items after only a pleasent stroll
around town [at night of course] right after leaving Irenicus' prison. And
if you are REALLY cheesy, just steal and sell 16 +2 Maces fromm Maevar's
guild a few times in a row.... lafffs too cheesy.
Anyway, don't dismiss the Blade too quickly. His special abilities are
real winners and they don't depend upon someone failing a saving throw [like
the Jester]. Between picking pockets, combat skills, lore and waving wands
around, the Blade can be a most useful addition to the party. And their
stronghold quest is long, involved, interesting and VERY lucrative once
finished! All in all a great Jack of all trades and someone who can fill
many roles in a party. Put on a giant str belt, get out Dakkon's Zerth
Blade and Celestial Fury, put on the spin and go to town - your enemies will
be sushi in no time!
🙂
Rich
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