Bard 14 or Bard 13/ Fighter 1?

[Litz]

Debating on taking a level of fighter for my 14th level. I know the pro's of doing it. I'd get another feat, alot of wepon profeciences, and a tad bit more hp. Can someone explain what I'd be loosing? I'm a CC, finese, human 32pt build bard.

[pastor_dex]

assuming your Char is high, you could splash 2 pally lvls, get good saves ect.

[EinarMal]

Debating on taking a level of fighter for my 14th level. I know the pro's of doing it. I'd get another feat, alot of wepon profeciences, and a tad bit more hp. Can someone explain what I'd be loosing? I'm a CC, finese, human 32pt build bard.

I would not recommend it unless you are fighting two handed, you already have prof in the best finesse weapon (rapier) so that doesn't do you a lot of good. So, really all you get is 1 extra feat which is probably not worth the loss.

Things you lose:
-1/-1 to Inspire Courage
1 Min or 6s off of buffs (2 mins or 12s extended)
1 Spell slot
25 sp plus one level of bonus sp
1 song
-1 to SR checks

I am a big fan of splashing a level of fighter for a two handed build to get something like greataxe/greatsword (all martial weapons) and power attack. I think in that case it is worth it but not for a finesse fighter.

[Impaqt]

assuming your Char is high, you could splash 2 pally lvls, get good saves ect.

Except for the fact that Bards Cant be Lawful Good

As far as the Fighter level at 14... WHy? Do you need the Proficencies and Extra Feat? Doesnt sound like your a COmbat bard.

[Litz]

Well what I was going for would be to get a "Improved Critical Piercing or Ranged" feat. That way I could proc my banishers and disruptors more often.

[Freeman]

If you are going to take a Fighter level for some reason(You didn't say why you wanted to), take it before 14th level. Otherwise, you will lose out on some of your skills.(You'll still take a hit, but you can max out more if you take bard at 14th.

As for whether you should, I wouldn't. You already have access to the better one-handed(non-exotic) weapons as a bard. You would only get +4 hit points over a pure bard. When the level cap is raised again, only pure bards will get access to 6th level spells also. Unless you have a definite reason, you probably shouldn't multi-class, particularly not that late in your career.

[GramercyRiff]

Dont do it. You'll lose a caster level and have slower access to spells and enhancements. If you CC, you'll want every last caster level possible to be at optimal strength. Pure bards can melee just fine without the Fighter level. And if you concentrate on CC...let the dedicated melee knock down what you set up. Stay away from the Fighter level and take Spellsinger or Virtuoso.

Also keep in mind that things that can be banished will be immune soon. Elite Elementals in the Reaver Raid already are. Banishers will be useless at high level.

The only time I'd take a Fighter level is if you're going Warchanter and are a STR based 2 handed build. Bards are a feat starved class and need that extra feat to help qualify.

[CSFurious]

i did the same thing, i.e., 2 levels of fighter for weapon finesse & rapid reload

i decide how i want to fight, i.e., cc-spells, shield & rapier, or my light crossbows which include a banisher, paralyzer, and other good ones

i have played many other pure bards, & this roll is my best one yet & the most fun to play

Well what I was going for would be to get a "Improved Critical Piercing or Ranged" feat. That way I could proc my banishers and disruptors more often.

[Shrazkil]

Debating on taking a level of fighter for my 14th level. I know the pro's of doing it. I'd get another feat, alot of wepon profeciences, and a tad bit more hp. Can someone explain what I'd be loosing? I'm a CC, finese, human 32pt build bard.

If you are finesse, the bonus's for taking fighter is much lessened. For dex based bardm i would personally pass.

[hazur]

Greetings,

At that point, as a CC bard you would just be diluting yourself. The +DC, spell slot, etc. you lose as a 14 bard is helpful to your CC goals. Fighter is more for the warchanter types.

Regards,
Booser

[hannika]

Except for the fact that Bards Cant be Lawful Good

yup that's what i was thinkin too. to bad though, a bard/pally would be awesome, stupid allignment restrictions :P

[MysticRhythms]

Stay pure.

Qualify for a good Bardic specialty and focus on being a Bard.

One feat does nothing for you. Don't bother.

[A_Sheep]

Yeah, I was just trying to think about his feats:

???
1 Extend
3 Finesse
6 Spell Focus Enchant
9 GSF: Enchant
12 Improved Crit Pierce/Heighten
???

Just a guess. The extra feat would allow Other of Improved Cirt/Heighten/Toughness Feat, so there are some benefits, but I'd doubt it'd really be worth it.