For a Bard, halfling or drow

[Kyleron]

I wanted to combine two things I have not played before, one being a bard class no multi-class with one of the races I don't have much experience playing. I am going to focus on buffing other characters not fighting as much, so am fine with a lower strength. I like the Heroic Companion as it goes with my build idea, which is a plus for the Halfling. However the Drow has bonuses in the stats that I value (CHR, Dex, int).

Now I know that neither of these races may be optimal, I am only trying this just for entertainment value. Any thoughts on which race is better?

[psykopeta]

I wanted to combine two things I have not played before, one being a bard class no multi-class with one of the races I don't have much experience playing. I am going to focus on buffing other characters not fighting as much, so am fine with a lower strength. I like the Heroic Companion as it goes with my build idea, which is a plus for the Halfling. However the Drow has bonuses in the stats that I value (CHR, Dex, int).

Now I know that neither of these races may be optimal, I am only trying this just for entertainment value. Any thoughts on which race is better?

drow!!they're just soooooo sexy!! and can get only the cores and focus on the bard trees XD

[unbongwah]

If you're going CHA-based pure Spellsinger: definitely drow for +4 CHA and +1 Enchantment DCs. If you're going melee-based, it's a toss-up between drow racial weapon bonuses and halfling sneak atk bonuses; I'd probably lean halfling, though. Or if you wanted to be healing-focused, you could do Dragonmarked halfling for extra healing oomph (mostly Gtr / Heal DM), altho that's less useful if you're going for the SS capstone, which grants Heal as a lvl 6 spell.

Otherwise, I'm not sure it matters which race you pick for bard.

[Chai]

Drow, can have a more competitive crowd control DC.

[voodoogroves]

If you're going CHA-based pure Spellsinger: definitely drow for +4 CHA and +1 Enchantment DCs. If you're going melee-based, it's a toss-up between drow racial weapon bonuses and halfling sneak atk bonuses; I'd probably lean halfling, though. Or if you wanted to be healing-focused, you could do Dragonmarked halfling for extra healing oomph (mostly Gtr / Heal DM), altho that's less useful if you're going for the SS capstone, which grants Heal as a lvl 6 spell.

Otherwise, I'm not sure it matters which race you pick for bard.

Halfling sneak is likely stronger DPS.

Plus, you know, the entire Drow tree is pretty borked.

[Steevye]

Halfling sneak is likely stronger DPS.

Plus, you know, the entire Drow tree is pretty borked.

I like my drow SS bard. But yes, the drow tree generally sucks. I effectively used it only for the +2 cha and the enchantment DC. Outside those minor features, I don't waste any APs in that tree. Good news: it allowed me to spend all my APs in the two bard trees, and I'm pretty happy with the way U19 changes affected the class overall (but WC is still "meh" imho). Not that it's terrible, I've just personally never seen the advantage to running a WC over a SS with my playing style.

Halflings are still my favorite race, though, and I do have a halfling bard that is quite fun to play.