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nysisobli
2009-05-13, 02:54 AM
Im building a bard, i have no idea where to start =( i can use a la +1 race, and the spell comp. players handbook 1-2. I want to make a healing illusion bard, level hasnt been decided yet.

Looking to add a prestige class at later levels, trying to make an elan type character.

Darrin
2009-05-13, 07:57 AM
Im building a bard, i have no idea where to start =( i can use a la +1 race, and the spell comp. players handbook 1-2. I want to make a healing illusion bard, level hasnt been decided yet.


Do you mean you can play a LA +1 race without paying for the level adjustment? If so, then Aasimar (MM1, +2 Wis/+2 Cha) or Feytouched (FF, +2 Dex/+2 Cha/-2 Con) would probably be best.



Looking to add a prestige class at later levels, trying to make an elan type character.

You'll have to be more specific about which books are allowed. For example, if you can use Complete Arcane, then you'll want to consider Sublime Chord to get access to sorcerer illusions.

As far as an Elan type character... Dashing Swordsman (homebrew) might be worth a look:

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29882

If you're looking for something more official, then Arcane Duelist... well, kinda stinks (no caster levels at all), but for a 2-level dip you can get your Cha bonus to AC. Available for free online:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/re/re20030224a

A one-level dip into Battle Dancer (from Dragon Compendium) would do the same thing, and has full BAB. But if you want to go into the whole "stab people while making really bad puns" direction, that's more of a gish thing, which is in a much different direction than casting healing/illusion spells.

Another option might be Swiftblade, also available on the WotC site:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070327

Zergrusheddie
2009-05-13, 08:51 AM
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=816095 is always helpful when making a Bard. Giving the party +6 attack and damage would make the team like you a whole bunch.

Aasimar's are a decent way to go for a Bard, considering that it buffs your casting stat and a stat that is probably low to begin with. If you are playing a Level Adjustment character, be sure to ask your DM if you can reduce it using the SRD: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/race/reducingleveladjustments.htm

You can also go for a Silverbrow Human (From Dragon Magic). They are like normal Humans but lose their +skill points and gain the Dragonblood Subtype. This would let you pick up Dragonfire Inspiration, though that is a little off the Elan character concept.

ShneekeyTheLost
2009-05-14, 10:09 AM
May I suggest, as a race, Changeling? It's a +0 LA, so you don't have to buy it off later on, and gives you access to some really nifty stuff. Check out the link on the Joker Bard for details.

Really, you are looking at three different roles for your Bard to play: Healer, Illusionist, and Gish. As you may note, Elan does all three... but does all three poorly. Hopefully, your goal will to not suck as bad as Elan generally does. With that in mind, may I point some things out:

1) Bard has a 3/4 BAB, just like Rogues and Swordsages. This isn't bad, although you will definately want something to boost your attack power. There is no real need to keep boosting your BAB a whole lot. A 2-level dip in Arcane Duelist should fit you fine. It nets you a +1 on attack and damage that explicitly stacks with other bonuses, and Charisma to AC.

2) Bards really aren't that good at healing. You are better off grabbing Wands of Cure Light Wounds than trying to be the 'party healer'. Scrolls of various 'fix it' spells are also handy (neutralize poison, remove curse... that kind of thing). Since they are on your spell list, you can use them without needing to UMD them.

3) Illusions are a lot of fun, until your GM starts raining all over your parade. Still, it's not bad for a Bard to play with. You get a decent selection, although there's not a whole lot to boost them, unless you want to go ShadowGnome Cheeze...