Battle Bard - Looking for Build Advice

[BoBoDaClown]

Don't take 'empower' over extend on a splashed build.

Bard nuke damage is weak at the best of the time.

Extend is very useful, especially on someone with sub 2 minutes hastes and displaces and with the toon mainly being their to collect the pastlife- i.e. extending a level 10 haste is nice.

I'd take Extend over Empower Healing (if you already have maximise) over Empower.

[Sirgleno]

Don't take 'empower' over extend on a splashed build.

Bard nuke damage is weak at the best of the time.

Extend is very useful, especially on someone with sub 2 minutes hastes and displaces and with the toon mainly being their to collect the pastlife- i.e. extending a level 10 haste is nice.

I'd take Extend over Empower Healing (if you already have maximise) over Empower.

Great advice, hadn't factored in that the haste/displace would be shorter on a splash - definitely want extend. I'm planning on keeping maximize. Regarding quicken, I think it sounds like a winning idea on this build, but any other input on this would be appreciated.

Cheers,

[fco-karatekid]

Building my first bard, so watching this thread closely as y'all discuss.

Mine's first-life half elf without the two fighter levels thus far - but otherwise closely matching the build in this thread.

My intention is to be a buffer and backup healer (not uber, since I'm skipping the capstone).

Why are you guys taking the 2 fighter levels? Not being snarky, I mean it as a legit question.

[karl_k0ch]

Why are you guys taking the 2 fighter levels? Not being snarky, I mean it as a legit question.

There are no Tier 3 Prestige enhancements for bards, which means 14 bard unlocks all the enhancements you'd possibly want to have.
Also, level 14 provides the penultimate bonus to inspire courage.

Level 16 bard grants access to level 6 spells (2 spells to be precise), of which only 4 are really useful: Mass Cure Moderate Wounds; Hero's Feast; Otto's Irresistable Dance; Charm Monster, Mass.
There is currently little reason to go beyond 16 bard once it's clear that you are not going to get to 20, which is why 16/4, 16/2/2, 15/3/2 and similar builds are so popular nowadays.

2 Fighter offers high base HP (+4 per level over Rogue and Bard), a Toughness enhancement, a +1 Str enhancement, tower shiled proficiency and full bab.

The upcoming enhancement revamp might change this.

[fco-karatekid]

There are no Tier 3 Prestige enhancements for bards, which means 14 bard unlocks all the enhancements you'd possibly want to have.
Also, level 14 provides the penultimate bonus to inspire courage.

Level 16 bard grants access to level 6 spells (2 spells to be precise), of which only 4 are really useful: Mass Cure Moderate Wounds; Hero's Feast; Otto's Irresistable Dance; Charm Monster, Mass.
There is currently little reason to go beyond 16 bard once it's clear that you are not going to get to 20, which is why 16/4, 16/2/2, 15/3/2 and similar builds are so popular nowadays.

2 Fighter offers high base HP (+4 per level over Rogue and Bard), a Toughness enhancement, a +1 Str enhancement, tower shiled proficiency and full bab.

The upcoming enhancement revamp might change this.

OK, VERY helpful info (got some perspective). I also assume the two extra feats is another driver?

+1 str, toughness, full BAB and tower shield I get - but (again, seriously asking) that HP benefit is only 8 HP, yes? i.e. the hit die only apply to the two fighter levels?

Regardless, the other benefits have now made me re-think - I had intended 18 bard/2 rge because I was building in flexibility in case the enhancement redux to follow the update will introduce another prestige tier at 18. Now I am wondering if that's worth the gamble when I can always re-roll another (not a big TR'er, if that's a word).