Bard alternatives

[The Last Question]

Do you guys have any interesting/fun bard alternatives that don't follow the traditional STR full bard or EDM bard/cleric route?

I've seen a bard/thaumaturge suggestion in a recent post and it got me thinking about unusual class paths.

I think there was a crossbow bard build somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

[Valefort]

Crossbow, longbow, DEX/INT bard/swashbuckler, CHA bard with epic inspiration. All of this can be done quite easily, add a fighter 4 dip for crossbow and longbow for the feats, SB 5 for DEX/INT bard and simply pump CHA as high as you prefer for the CHA bard, better with a cleric dip for divine shield but not necessary, 14-16 base STR or DEX to use melee and/or ranged weapons ..

Feats are the classical ones, extend, lingering, curse, requiem and hymn, the rest varies with each build and every option is pretty strong. Messing a bard is about as hard as messing a cleric

An unused combo, to my knowledge, would be crossbow sniper + epic inspiration, playing on the slow aura + haste to hit and run anything to death.

[chad878262]

Drow DEX/INT/CHA bard/SB/Duelist FTW... DEX at 14 or 16, CHA anywhere from 16 to max, INT from 16 up to max. Not a 'caster' bard since it can be dispelled, but not many dispels in the underdark. Also, it makes the most use of the Drow having three stats that gain +2.

Also, if you wanted you could drop duelist and just go B25/SB5 so you wouldn't need to worry over dispels.

[Theodore01]

never, ever seen the slow aura trigger with epic inspiration on with my bard, (maybe the range is to small).

[The Last Question]

Bard/swashbuckler/duelist? That's new to me! How would that work?

On a quick search, I was able to find this: http://nwn2db.com/build/?37520 , but I'm not sure if that's what you had in mind.

[Valefort]

never, ever seen the slow aura trigger with epic inspiration on with my bard, (maybe the range is to small).

It's the same range as all your inspirations.

[Theodore01]

Can't test it anymore.
Nwn2 Wiki states 'All enemies that come within 20 feet of the bard....', but only at Slowing/jarring a range is mentioned.
What is the range of inspire courage?

[chad878262]

Bard/swashbuckler/duelist? That's new to me! How would that work?

I hadn't given it that much thought so I threw one together real quick. It's not the greatest thing in the world and I wouldn't want to play it with the XP penalty and all, but it is unique and would be a flavorful way to play a bard IMO.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?276712

Issues:
- 20% XP penalty with a ECL 2 Race (OUCH slow leveling)
- have to decide how you want to play.... regardless of the bonuses it's still impossible to maximize 3 stats. However, you can reach a decent middle ground.
- Final Caster Level is only 24 (dispels are not as prevalent in the Underdark, but could still cause problems).

Bonuses:
- It's not a STR Bard, but will still do decent damage (though crit immune may cause issues).
- 20 CHA (with +3 items) will give some bonus spells to keep buffs up.
- Even in clothing AC should be decent enough. (10 + 7[dex] + 5 [int] + 16 [armor/dodge/deflection/natural] + 3[Tumble] = 41 (wand of shield or maybe +4 small shield can get to 45/46, song/chorus of heroism is +4 dodge for 10 rounds, etc.)
- It's unique! (maybe?)

[Flasmix]

Full support bard!
22 Bard/5 Dissonant Chord/3 Shadowdancer

Grab Lingering Song and Chorus of Heroism for added fun. The Hips will let you hide close to your allies and give them song buffs and not be focused.

[Sun Wukong]

I think there was a crossbow bard build somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?158716 Did you mean something like this? It is much easier to dispel thesedays.

So you could just drop the Dodge and Mobility feats alongside with the Shadowdancer, and get Crossbow Sniper Master and Practised Spell Caster.

[Sun Wukong]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?276742 <= Here is something different.

[V'rass]

Bard/Warlock might be fun.

[Sun Wukong]

Bard 26/Warlock 4? Hideous Blow, Dark One's Own Luck, Darkness?

[Storm Munin]

Lets see:

INT based bard26/guild thief4 -> fiercest haggler. (might use cleric4 with trade domain instead) - tested fun
Originally bard19/guild thief4/whirling dervish3/divine seeker4, then the new dispel system hit but that might still be fun doing the chest explorer/haggler route.

EDM true, but it is a different build (with lowish BAB):
Bard6/palemaster10/stormsinger10/blackguard4 - tested awesome fun.

Low CL ok on archer?
Bard16/arcane archer9/EA5 - tested as fun but got bored.

Medium/High CL wanted on EDM archer?
Bard26/Blackguard4
Add arcane archer if you want but that drops CL

HP-Save beast bard?
CON-based dwarf build as in bard26/fighter4 - tested as fun.

Bardish elemental swordmage?
Bard4/stormsinger10/bladesinger10/wizard6 - so far, so good.


Any class can be played quite differently, the question is what you want your bard to do?

/M

[The Last Question]

Lets see:

INT based bard26/guild thief4 -> fiercest haggler. (might use cleric4 with trade domain instead) - tested fun
Originally bard19/guild thief4/whirling dervish3/divine seeker4, then the new dispel system hit but that might still be fun doing the chest explorer/haggler route.

That seems a hell lot of fun actually! I'm tempted to try the second option, but how exactly would an INT bard work? Do you know any examples of that build I can get some inspirations?

Thanks!