Arcane Boosted Barbaric Bard

[kelabb]

I saw another post today that splashed sorc in a bard build and it inspired me...

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Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(2 Barbarian \ 2 Sorcerer \ 16 Bard) 
Hit Points: 270
Spell Points: 807 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 12
Will: 14

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             15                 20                   21
Dexterity            14                 14                   14
Constitution         14                 14                   16
Intelligence         12                 12                   12
Wisdom               12                 12                   12
Charisma             12                 12                   14

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               2                  2                    2
Bluff                 1                  2                    2
Concentration         2                  3                    3
Diplomacy             1                  2                    2
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                  2                    2
Heal                  1                  1                    1
Hide                  2                  2                    2
Intimidate            1                  2                    2
Jump                  2                  5                    5
Listen                1                  1                    1
Move Silently         2                  2                    2
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                  1                    1
Search                1                  1                    1
Spot                  1                  1                    1
Swim                  2                  5                    5
Tumble                n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a               n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Rage
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Rage
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Enhancement: Barbarian Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Barbarian Toughness I


Level 2 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Charm
Feat: (Automatic) Fascinate
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat
Enhancement: Bard Extra Song I
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Spell (1): Mage Armor
Spell (1): Shield
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic I


Level 4 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (1): Remove Fear
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I


Level 5 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Competence
Spell (1): Focusing Chant
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Constitution I


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Heroism
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Bard)
Spell (1): Cause Fear
Spell (2): Cure Moderate Wounds
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music II


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Automatic) Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I


Level 9 (Barbarian)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Damage Reduction
Feat: (Automatic) Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Barbarian Extend Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Extra Rage I
Enhancement: Barbarian Constitution I


Level 10 (Sorcerer)
Spell (1): Nightshield
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II


Level 11 (Bard)
Spell (2): Cat's Grace
Spell (3): Displacement
Spell (3): Haste
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage II
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Inspire Courage
Spell (3): Good Hope
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack II


Level 13 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Greatness
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I


Level 14 (Bard)
Spell (3): Remove Curse
Spell (4): Freedom of Movement
Spell (4): Neutralize Poison
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song III


Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Spell (4): Dimension Door
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music III
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery II


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Automatic) Song of Freedom
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III


Level 17 (Bard)
Spell (4): Cure Critical Wounds
Spell (5): Mass Cure Light Wounds
Spell (5): Greater Heroism
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music IV


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Spell (5): Mass Suggestion
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage III
Enhancement: Bard Song Magic II


Level 19 (Bard)
Feat: (Automatic) Inspire Heroics
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song IV


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Spell (1): Detect Secret Doors
Spell (5): Summon Monster V
Spell (6): Otto's Irresistable Dance
Spell (6): Mass Cure Moderate Wounds
Enhancement: Barbarian Power Attack I
Enhancement: Bard Lyric of Song I
Enhancement: Bard Improved Spell Penetration I

This is nothing like the other post I mentioned above, but would love some feedback.

I have a +2 Cha and +2 Con tome available, but haven't included them in the build. I have a selection of +1 and +2 stat gear too for the early levels.

[Hjarki]

I saw another post today that splashed sorc in a bard build and it inspired me...

Why would you take 2 levels of Sorcerer rather than 2 levels of Favored Soul? You get the same SP either way, but the Favored Soul also gives you +8 hp and +2 Reflex/Fortitude saves over what the Sorcerer gives you.

For that matter, Cleric would likely be a better choice. You get a lot fewer SP, but you get Divine Vitality I which - when combined with your Charisma - gives you a fairly significant number of SP you can direct towards the actual casters in your party.

[kelabb]

Why would you take 2 levels of Sorcerer rather than 2 levels of Favored Soul? You get the same SP either way, but the Favored Soul also gives you +8 hp and +2 Reflex/Fortitude saves over what the Sorcerer gives you.

For that matter, Cleric would likely be a better choice. You get a lot fewer SP, but you get Divine Vitality I which - when combined with your Charisma - gives you a fairly significant number of SP you can direct towards the actual casters in your party.

Thanks for the input. I don't have Favoured Soul, so that may explain not even thinking along those lines...

As for Cleric, I've never got one past level 2 so I don't know much about what a splash in that direction may entail. Having said that, the whole idea of Sorc was to give ME the SP...

I can't say I'm inclined to rush out and purchase Favoured Soul to use it like this, and I'm not into healing so haven't been inclined to run a Favoured Soul anyway. However for those who do have it, your point is well made, I think. If I did have it already, I'd likely take your advice. Thanks.

[cyadra]

What do you hope to gain from 2 levels of sorc? Some crappy level 1 sorc spells? A little more sp? No reason to splash 2 levels of sorc into anything. Instead of sorc take 2 levels of rogue for evasion and UMD or 2 levels of fighter for free feats.

[Artos_Fabril]

What do you hope to gain from 2 levels of sorc? Some crappy level 1 sorc spells? A little more sp? No reason to splash 2 levels of sorc into anything. Instead of sorc take 2 levels of rogue for evasion and UMD or 2 levels of fighter for free feats.

Bards already have UMD as a class skill, but evasion is still nice.