How useful is the Bard Past Life?

[Myrrae]

So, I'm currently collecting 3 Sorc PLs with the intent to end up as either as Sorc or FvS. I already have one wiz PL. Reading the forums there was mention of the enchantment DCs and a Bard PL, and it made me wonder if I should think about running one or more Bard lives.

In terms of usefulness, is it really worth collecting Bard PL x 3?

What about a single Bard PL?

Is a first Bard PL more useful than the second Wiz PL? (Or should I be looking at Barb for more hps? I like blowing things up though)

Also, would it be more useful if I ended up sorc than FvS? Greater Command is cool and all, but I can see where maybe the disco ball + the other options available to an arcane might make the extra enchant DCs more useful.

[RabidApathy]

I would say don't bother. You can CC eHard without it, and as a sorc/fvs you won't really be doing any CC on eElite even with it. It's a victim to the huge chasm between the two difficulties. The only classes I would consider it for are enchantment focused wizards and bards (and perhaps more exotically as a source of songs to power Fatesinger twists).

[DarkForte]

Bard PL is only useful if you have enough feats to take it. I really really doubt you have enough on anything that isn't a wizard, and even that is pushing it.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Ive got one already and I'm thinking I'll eventually put it to use to make use of a Fatesinger twist or two without having to take the "extra song" twist.

In general though, no, it's not useful except on a wizard who could take it instead of spell focus: enchantment or in addition to.

For a sorcerer, not particularly useful though it would let you twist Fatesinger songs, give +1 UMD and +1 enchantment DC. If I was going to do a secondary spec on my Sorc it'd be much more plausible to do enchantment spells than necromancy spells I think but you'd have to do the math it's effectiveness in EE (massive spell pen and DCs needed).

[Myrrae]

Yeah, the spell pen + DC math is where I'm weak on it. It seems like there's more reason to go enchantment vs necro on the sorc, but I'm not sure what DCs I'd need vs spell pen etc. Also, for some reason I was thinking the Bard passive gave a boost to your enchant DCs... but pffft, who would want that over the extra bonus to your saves!

I gather that web is still awesome even without any cleric PLs for the passive boost to Conjuration DCs? It does help that there's no spell pen for web!

Thanks for the responses to my noob questions. It sounds like really I should only worry about Bard if 1) I decide to go Completionist on this character some day or 2) I find myself twisting in Fatesinger and really want those extra songs.

[firemedium_jt]

Not much. Non of them really. 2 years and I have not TR'd yet. I take my time with this, so I don't ruin it or my life.

Now with the stone xp I got all kinds of lvl16+ on different accounts. I am fine cause I know how to play a cleric well and that gives me the exp to play just about any other. The other players that don't will spool up quick I bet in the next month.

[Tenlaar]

I know how to play a cleric well and that gives me the exp to play just about any other.

That's certainly an...interested theory.