Next life will be a bard

[Kylric]

Hello folks, I have a build question. I’m about to start a bard life, and I’ve been looking forward to it since swashbuckler came out. However, I’m thinking of doing something a bit different and though I would ask some opinions.

I’m thinking of going Half-elf with Paladin dilettante feat. I’m thinking this would help with some extra healing and saving throws, and just something different. I’m also thinking Bard 15/Fgt 3/Bard 2. I’ve not had a chance to plan it out yet, but please feel free to toss out some general opinions.

Thank you in advance!

[Makkuroi]

Imho there are 3 different options for swashbucklers:

1. go full swashbuckler for coup de grace, str based, moderate cha (dcs are still ok). 15/3fi/2rogue or 16/3fi/1fvs, free choice of race

2. go dwarven defender parody, con based dwarf for con to damage, still full swashbuckler. 12/6/2 rogue, full swashbuckler, high stalwart

3. go freezer build, cha based, still swashbuckling stance but tier5 warchanter, needs to be PDK for cha to damage. probably 15/3/2, too.


half-elf pally dilletante would only work on the first option, but bard self-heals are pretty nice already, and the extra saving throws dont seem as attractive as the bonuses from drow (better stats, bonuses with shuriken and shorswords) or PDK.

Barb levels would work in the first variant, too, especially ear smash+coup de grace seems interesting. But bard got enough options to utilize coup de grace, so i wouldnt say its a big advantage over the other builds. If barb run speed stacks with bard run speed, youd be pretty fast (like +25% faster than non-monks)

[N-0cturn]

3. go freezer build, cha based, still swashbuckling stance but tier5 warchanter, needs to be PDK for cha to damage. probably 15/3/2, too.

PDK is not the only possibility to get a working DC. I currently run a Warchanter/Harper that favors Int to Charisma. With Know the Angles the freeze DCs work great. This would work with Half-Elf as well.
And of course you can use Charisma for damage while swashbuckling anyway. Your DC will be lower compared to a PDK, but for most content it should be fine. Some people (like me :P) just won't run a PDK for visual reasons. Oh right we were talking about Helf...


Regarding the OP:
15/3/2 is a common and solid split. However with WC T5, Swash as fighting style, defense stance and Helf tree, I doubt there would be enough AP to get KTA from the Harper tree.
So swash might work better. It really a matter of personal playstyle. The DPS from swash is better, but the freeze abilities can be a lot of fun.

[unbongwah]

I’m thinking of going Half-elf with Paladin dilettante feat.

Unfortunately, the pally dilly has been on the Known Issues list for a while: "The Paladin's Improved Dilettante does not add up to three points of the character's Charisma bonus to increased Saving Throws." Which makes it hardly worth taking if you can't evenbump up the +saves. Better off playing a halfling or dwarf for their inherent saves bonus.