[3.5] Bard/Ranger optimization advice

[Fhaolan]

Disclaimer: As I've repeatedly metioned in other threads, I'm an *awful* optimizer. This is mainly because I can't keep various editions and game systems straight in my head long enough to really wring the best out of a single game system. But I like reading optimization threads because they sometimes trigger off interesting ideas for me.

Hi all,

Some multiclass combinations have odd feats and tricks that make the difference between 'bleh' and 'meh'. I was wondering if there was any advice anyone could offer for a Bard/Ranger character.

Mechanical Info: Any WotC 3.5 sources (and 3.0 sources that are still 'valid' for 3.5). It's for a PbeM (Play by eMail, for those not familiar) game that the DM has said will involve a lot of 'running really fast and far away from things.'

Here's the fluff so far, in case it matters: The character is from a nomadic desert culture whose religion puts high value on lots of lore being passed on through rote memorization and wild music. Also it's a status symbol in that culture to have a pet that would be considered dangerous or bizzare to other people.

I wanted the character to be a minor priest on walkabout. I know a Druid refluffed an extremely minor amount about could do it 'better', but I don't feel like playing a Druid. (plus the character's personallity so far feels very Chaotic Good to me, which drops the Druid.) I was considering using the Divine Bard variant for the priestly aspects, and picking up Ranger for the more nomadic rough-and-tumbleness plus the animal companion boosts for the 'pet'... whatever that ends up being.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Little synergy. Also, your AC will be weak because 1. you are a ranger, and 2.you've multiclassed into bard.

Perhaps just a bard with the Wild Cohort feat?

[Fhaolan]

Perhaps just a bard with the Wild Cohort feat?

*hits self in head* Yeah, told you I sucked at this kind of thing. I was concentrating so hard on the the books that I forgot about the official material released via web enhancements. Wild Cohort didn't make it into any of the physical books, did it? (Doesn't really matter to be honest, but I like dead trees. )

[Ecalsneerg]

Fey Bard gets animal companion and wild empathy

[Pluto]

Fey+Savage Bard probably does what you're after.
Both are in Unearthed Arcana. Add the Track and Knowledge Devotion (CChampion) feats and you've got a character who does the same thing with much less effort.

Or you could make some sort of tricksy build with Complete Adventurer's Fochlucan Lyrist. Those sorts of builds don't really come together until higher levels.

Or some sort of Divine Bard/Prestige Ranger. Both again from Unearthed Arcana.

None of these are exactly powerhouses on their own, but they get the job done.




If you wanted to powergame the concept, a Bard/Virtuoso/Sublime Chord with two weapons, 2-4 levels Warblade and a focus on the Tiger Claw school would probably be the way to go.

[Coidzor]

Fey Bard gets animal companion and wild empathy

Wouldn't all of that mean that the bard no longer fulfilled the musical part of being a bard? keeps suggestion, fascinate, countersong, song of freedom, and the capstone of mass suggestion...

[erikun]

Wild Cohort didn't make it into any of the physical books, did it?

As far as I can tell, it is web-only content.

I did actually ask a similar question, about creating a Ranger/Wizard for 3.5e. You can look through that thread; not everything will apply in your case, but it should give you a few more options to consider.

Someone already linked to the Fey Bard, which probably does exactly what you are looking for (except perhaps minus Bardic Lore). Divine Bard/Prestige Ranger is another option.

Depending on what you are looking for, one to three levels of Ranger splashed into an otherwise pure Bard might work out well - you just get a few abilities of the Ranger, but can have maximum skill ranks in Ranger skills while leveling as a Bard. The Able Learner feat (Races of Destiny, Human or Doppelganger) lets you buy cross-class skills for 1 point each, rather than the usual 2 points, so a Ranger 1/Bard X with Able Learner can maintain full ranks in Spot, Search, Hide, and so on just like a full-classed Ranger.

(if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum rank equals your total character level + 3)

[Thurbane]

How about Bard with a dip into Beastmaster, and the Natural Bond feat?

[Amphetryon]

Human Mystic Ranger (Dragon 336, available on Crystal Keep)5/Prestige Bard is another potential option. It'll require the Apprentice (Entertainer) feat from DMG2 and a somewhat generous DM's reading of the Southern Magician feat from Races of Faerun. I'd take the Wild Cohort feat to max out flavor if that's important to you.