Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Anyone know of any decent bard guides? I just recently started rcr'd one and would like to learn more about the mechanics, play styles, ect. Thanks in advance.

Strength based Bard 26/Fighter 4 tends to be the most cookie cutter bard build you can have on the server. You will have enough charisma for spells, 13 or 16, you get Curse Song and Lingering Songs pre-epic, and Song and Hymn on Requiem during epic levels. You hit hard, your songs work lovely, etc... etc...

Another possible route is Bard26/Rog4 or SD 4. Gaining Evasion/Hips,maybe Exp.W.
Can also be combined to Bard 24/SD3/Fig3; for a CL of 28,HIPS and bard dmg/buff.
Focus is on STR and wants PA from an item or IPA from feats. Steadfest D. is also a nice choice as bards can get +10 to saves selfbuffed.

Also Bard 26/BG4 is a nice route. aiming for EDM/DS, maybe even Epic Inspiration(req. 25 CHA).

Some say Bard21,22/Ass8,9 is the way to go for crossbow archery with DEX focus and typical archery feats (including Crossbow Mastery).

Wanna play a Merchant char? try Bard24/Cle3(with Trade Domain)/GT3 focus INT, get Silver Tongued and SF Appraise.

A drow Bard can combine Bard/SD/BG and get EDM.

Bard is also a very usefull class dip for most builds.(classskills access+inspire courage)

As Bard you usually can buff youself with spells for +4 to one of STR,DEX,CON. So you can end on an even score for STR.

Here's a helpful BG thread from a few months back: viewtopic.php?f=64&t=61803

And here's an overview posted on NWN2DB. It's not BG specific and doesn't meet our 3-before-20 rule, but the description at the bottom offers some good insights for those unfamiliar with the class: http://nwn2db.com/build/?164142

Essentially you cast your buffs and then go swing your sword at enemies... Key long term buffs (ie Min/level or longer) off the top of my head:

Level 1: Inspirational Boost
Level 2: Bull's STR, Mirror Image
Level 3: See Invisibility, Weapon of Impact (if using Blunt weapons)
Level 4: Shadow Conjuration (Mage Armor), Freedom of Movement
Level 5: Energy Buffer, Greater Heroism
Level 6: Energy Immunity, Nixie's Grace, Superior Resistance

In addition, for boss fights you'll want the following short term buffs and/or situational spells:

1: Grease, Joyfull Noise, Expeditious Retreat, Amplify
2: Silence, Sonic Weapon, Heartfire
3: Haste, Displacement
4: War Cry
5: Ethereal Visage
6: ?

That's all I can think of, but the wiki probably has them all broken down for you so you can read up. In general you just cast your long term buffs and then use a wand of Death Ward in some area's and you're going to be pretty well protected so long as you have decent equipment for your level. Note that you have very limited casts per day so a few rings/helms/gloves that give bonus spells per day, especially level 4, 5 and 6 will be really beneficial for a strength bard. Even with all that, you want extend spell which will allow you to keep Haste up for a decent amount of time, but outside of that you want to save your spell slots for boss fights.

Awesome advice. Thank you all!

Level 6 (or is it 5 for bards?) you want Programmed Image as an additional tank for boss fights.

My drow Bae'qeshel (Bard 27/BG 3) has Mislead (5th level), which can be an awesome dump & run spell in PvP and PvE if the proverbial schnitzel hits the fan. She also has Gaseous Form at 6th for some interesting RP/DM event possibilities. Had I known what I now know about Programmed Image, though, I'd have chosen that one instead. It's a seriously fab spell for one simple reason: mobs that attack it are not attacking you, and they can take a few boss spells in your stead at times as well.