Bard Spells

[Kesnit]

My mother-in-law asked me to build a back-row, buff/debuff Elf Bard for her for a game we will both be playing in. The game is low- to medium-optimization. We are starting at LVL 5.

I have everything built except picking her spells. That's where I'm stuck. I checked The Bard's Handbook ("http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/1145396) and took some of the recommended spells, but the rest don't fit what she wants.


0-level
Prestigitation
Detect Magic
Songbird
Need 3 more

1-level
Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Charm Person
Grease
Need 2 more

2-level
Glitterdust
Need 2 more

Could I get some tips on other spells to give her?

[LieblingFauk]

For first level spells, I have always been partial to inspirational boost, and instant of power. For potential use you could always pick up silent image, or one of the cure x wounds line, for a just in case moment. That of course is assuming that you could have use for a spot healer, but a bard can get along healing wise with an assortment of wands and a couple of ranks of use magic device, so her mileage may vary.

[Grod_The_Giant]

1st level

Inspirational Boost-- bolster your bardic music!
Improvisation-- flexible boost to skills or attacks
Swift Invisibility
Silent Image-- illusions are always useful
Tasha's Hideous Laughter-- save or lose against humanoids
Undetectable Alignment-- can be vital, depending on how much intrigue you're planning



2nd Level

Alter Self-- probably the single most flexible buff you'll find at the level.
Cloud of Bewilderment-- area save or lose that also blocks line of sight
Delusions of Grandeur-- it's not a particularly good spell, but it is a funny one.
Hold Person-- save or be coup-de-graced
Mesmerizing Glare-- fascinate lots of dudes
Shatter-- never gets old
Silence-- cast on an arrow, shoot at spellcaster, no more casting

[Socratov]

Ehm, could you tell us a bit about what the rest of the party looks like?

Because this is the problem and strength of a bard: it can be just about whatever you want: skillmonkey, frontline fighter, buffer/debuffer, party face and healer come to mind. However, you will need to make choices in what to do well, very well and poor. Keep in mind that in some things the bard can't out perform the specialised classes, case in point: full caster, frontline meatshield, and healbotting. The bard, however, can go a long way, and pick up some other tricks as well. The key here is knowing what general direction your mother in law wants to take her bard, and which general direction the campaign will be going. Speaking of which, what are the other aspects of the bard? What ability scores? What feats? What gear? What songs are traded away? What ACF's are used? Because then we can help you select some fun and useful spells (bards don't get many spells known so a careful selection is important).

[Kesnit]

Ehm, could you tell us a bit about what the rest of the party looks like?

Rogue/Druid (going into Daggerspell Shaper)
Warlock
Rogue/Sorc (if he's going into a PrC, I don't know what it is)

We may have 2 more players. If so, I don't know what they are building.


The key here is knowing what general direction your mother in law wants to take her bard,

She wants to stand back and throw spells.


What ability scores?

STR 10
DEX 16
CON 13
INT 14
WIS 10
CHA 16


What feats?

SO far, just Dragontouched and Dragonfire Inspirition


What gear?

+1 Longbow and +1 Chain Shirt. I haven't gotten the rest of her gear yet.


What songs are traded away?

None


What ACF's are used?

Bardic Knowledge traded out for Bardic Knack.

[Grod_The_Giant]

She wants to stand back and throw spells.
So we're looking at what, Lyric Thaumaturge into Sublime Chord?

[Kesnit]

So we're looking at what, Lyric Thaumaturge into Sublime Chord?

Unlikely. My MiL has played 3.5 before, but always with a group that takes "low optimization" to a whole new level. (This is a new group.) We're starting at LVL 5, so she won't be starting with LT. When we go to LVL 6, I can ask her whether she wants to aim for LT, or just stick with Bard. I suspect she'll want to go Bard all the way.

[Requiem_Jeer]

1st level

Inspirational Boost-- bolster your bardic music!
Improvisation-- flexible boost to skills or attacks
Swift Invisibility
Silent Image-- illusions are always useful
Tasha's Hideous Laughter-- save or lose against humanoids
Undetectable Alignment-- can be vital, depending on how much intrigue you're planning



2nd Level

Alter Self-- probably the single most flexible buff you'll find at the level.
Cloud of Bewilderment-- area save or lose that also blocks line of sight
Delusions of Grandeur-- it's not a particularly good spell, but it is a funny one.
Hold Person-- save or be coup-de-graced
Mesmerizing Glare-- fascinate lots of dudes
Shatter-- never gets old
Silence-- cast on an arrow, shoot at spellcaster, no more casting


These are mostly solid. Some other suggestions:

1st: Share Talents, Combined Talent
2nd: Heroics, Detect Thoughts