[PF] Dirge Bard archetype

[Zubrowka74]

Did any of you guys ever achieved anything with the Dirge Bard archetype ? I was thinking a fear / debuff kind of controller but Haunting Refrain requires Perform (Percussion) or Perform (Keyboard). The first is not one of the best option and the second is just too unpractical unless your campaign has keytars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keytar) or something...

[Waker]

Never tried it, though it seems like a decent archetype. As for the percussion instruments, you could carry around a small set of drums to play with your hands, or you could ask your DM if you could substitute stomping, slapping your thigh (with a palm or a small object like a book) and banging together two objects such as a sword against a shield.

[jaybird]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytU6dUQrIfU/S-Qb5KijxXI/AAAAAAAACDA/6hZG0qTIr6g/s1600/full_dresden3.jpg

Go for a polka suit :smallcool:

[RndmNumGen]

Just wear the skulls of your enemies around your waist, and play them as drums. Works just fine for Perform (Percussion), and is in-theme with the archetype as well!

Better yet, grapple your enemies and use their heads as drums while they're still alive :smallbiggrin: How's that for an Intimidate check.

[avr]

There's a few magic drums around, and the depths of the mountain (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/bard/archetypes/paizo---bard-archetypes/masterpieces/the-depths-of-the-mountain-percussion-wind) is a fun high level option. Percussion instruments take a free hand to play but, well, string and wind instruments take both. What's your problem with them exactly?

[Feralventas]

Two weapon fighting with a pair of juggling clubs. Scare your enemy with stealth and illusions before bludgeoning them to death in time with a jaunty tune. Take a bunch of debuffing spells and feats based around intimidate.

Basic plan is to approach your enemy where they do not expect to be approached, then unsettle them, scare them, drive them into a corner and then, once you've hit them with every penalty to their combative abilities you can muster, move in for the kill and beat them to death.

If you're taken unawares, consider crit-fishing for that intimidate-check on a crit feat; if this is 3.5 instead of PF, I apologize. Burning Invective spell might also work as a good way to start off.

[Socratov]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytU6dUQrIfU/S-Qb5KijxXI/AAAAAAAACDA/6hZG0qTIr6g/s1600/full_dresden3.jpg

Go for a polka suit :smallcool:

yup, that was an awesome scene in that book, and certainly one of the most awesome things Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden has ever done :smallcool:

As a matter of fact I don't think he has done anything as cool since :smallconfused:

On topic:

I think fear effects etc. can work for a while, but soon everything sensible (aka high level) gets some form of fear immunity, or worse, mind affect immunity, Leaving you with a couple of useless class features. YMMV since PF might have a way of mitigating fear immunities...

[Feralventas]

I think fear effects etc. can work for a while, but soon everything sensible (aka high level) gets some form of fear immunity, or worse, mind affect immunity, Leaving you with a couple of useless class features. YMMV since PF might have a way of mitigating fear immunities...

At 2nd level, a dirge bard gains a bonus equal to half his bard level on Knowledge (religion) checks made to identify undead creatures and their abilities. A dirge bard may use mind-affecting spells to affect undead as if they were living creatures, even if they are mindless (though spells that affect only humanoids do not affect them, even if they were humanoids in life). In addition, he may add one necromancy spell from the spell list of any arcane spellcasting class to his list of spells known at 2nd level and every four levels thereafter.

This ability replaces versatile performance.

[Socratov]

At 2nd level, a dirge bard gains a bonus equal to half his bard level on Knowledge (religion) checks made to identify undead creatures and their abilities. A dirge bard may use mind-affecting spells to affect undead as if they were living creatures, even if they are mindless (though spells that affect only humanoids do not affect them, even if they were humanoids in life). In addition, he may add one necromancy spell from the spell list of any arcane spellcasting class to his list of spells known at 2nd level and every four levels thereafter.

This ability replaces versatile performance.

Cool, I'm not entirely familiar with the powerlevel of the traded classfeatures, but it woudl give him at least a hold over undead. Even though enemy paladins and other fear immune non undead creatures woudl still be a bust. Luckily there is spellcasting to make up for it... :smallbiggrin:

I can see it being a worthwile variant with lots of roleplaying opportunities.

[CTrees]

Antipaladin 3 gives you Aura of Cowardice, which negates immunity to fear.

[Zubrowka74]

Well, thanks to all for the brainstorm, it has given me ideas for at least two character concepts.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

This build (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252815#4).

Also, the Fear Handbook (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:qSC3gMHQuuIJ:brilliantgameologists. com/boards/index.php%3Ftopic%3D3809.0+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us).

[Zubrowka74]

This build (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252815#4).

Also, the Fear Handbook (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:qSC3gMHQuuIJ:brilliantgameologists. com/boards/index.php%3Ftopic%3D3809.0+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us).

PF ? As in Pathfinder ? Of course I'm aware of all the fear inducing goodness in 3.5 but my goal is to build a PC in Pathfinder. Options are a bit different.

[Socratov]

PF ? As in Pathfinder ? Of course I'm aware of all the fear inducing goodness in 3.5 but my goal is to build a PC in Pathfinder. Options are a bit different.

well, the line of what you can use between 3.5 and 3.P is fuzzy at best, especially according to many DM's. so plase tell the collective hivemind what resources of metagame knowledge you are about to use (or in short: which books/documents?)

[Zubrowka74]

Everything PF or almost. The splat levels have not reached 3.5 awesomeness yet so it's safe. I'd leave behind 3rd party though.