Well prepared bard build for campaign playing.

[Legacy_simanoi140]

               Hello.
I'm new there so if I  placed this topic in wrong subforum just move it please.

I'm going to play campaign co-op with my buddy. He's got really awesome build for meele damage dealer and he can tank as well. I would like to play a bard, but I'm not quiet sure what should I add (if we are talking about abilities, spells, character and the rest of this things, including even strenght, charisma, intelligence etc.). I'd like to play support role for my team instead of being able to crush everything by myself. I don't know if the subclass is necessery there and if it is, which one should i choose. If you are able to prepare a little guide about character creating (including what should I add on each level) and gameplay I would be really satisfied. 

Also sorry for my poor english, hope its clean enough and you know what I mean.

Thanks for all responds.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par simanoi140, 24 février 2012 - 03:25 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Vampir Drache]

               A Bard's spells are based on charisma. Your CHA needs to be 10 + spell level to cast a spell of that level. Example to cast a level 2 spell, CHA needs to be 12. Here's a command to improve your CHA:
##DebugMode 1
##dm_modifyCHA X X=1, 2, 3, etc
##DebugMode 0
For a support character, healing spells would be good.
 
The command is part of a list that I got from jmlzemaggo.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Vampir Drache, 24 février 2012 - 09:16 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_simanoi140]

               Well, I know the basics about spells, modifiers, D&D rules and the other things you wrote about. I just don't know how to build a successful bard which wont be like my last, when i couldn't finish 1st act because he was bad prepared at all and enemies were too strong to counter them. Even more, I don't want to become cheater. I'll level up my character normal way and then add charisma points.

Anyway thanks for respond!
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_simanoi140]

               Maybe it's not like my 1st post is clean for you. In example, I would like you to help me this way

Add charisma on lvls x, y, z, s, r, u, it will be fine. You can add extra points in xxxxx at lvl z, x to improve your xxxxxxxx.
Basically, you need combat magic, it's really helpful. There are another abilities that you should add on the next levels: magic penetration, curse song, xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxx... You can mix your bard with RDD for better <something and something>.

Max: Use Magic Device, Healing, Persuade, Spellcraft. You can add some extra points in x, y, z.
Spells that I can advice for you are:
1st lvl - z, y, x
2nd lvl - x, y, z

That was an example, it could be really helpful for me if you construct something like that with true informations and tips.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par simanoi140, 24 février 2012 - 09:48 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_simanoi140]

               Thanks for help, this forum sucks
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Magical Master]

               To be fair, it's been 10 years and few people play the original campaign.

So you're starting at level 1 in the Prelude and going all the way through?

What kind of weapon do you want to use?  Ranged?  Sword and board?  2H?  Dual-wielding?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               

simanoi140 wrote...

Thanks for help, this forum sucks

You can search for a build you like or put in a build request at the ecb guild site.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par WhiZard, 27 février 2012 - 01:53 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_simanoi140]

               Soz but I didnt find any build via searching. I'd like to become ranged supporter (xbow, bow, idc really) with good buffs for my mate. It can be a multiplayer character for RPG.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               

simanoi140 wrote...

Soz but I didnt find any build via searching. I'd like to become ranged supporter (xbow, bow, idc really) with good buffs for my mate. It can be a multiplayer character for RPG.

There are two routes to this layout, both with the caveat that increasing your ranged attack potential will result in less buffs.

First is the arcane archer route (typically bard and fighter for the other two classes).  This does solid reliable damage and can penetrate high armor class.

Second is the sneak builds centered around rogue or assassin.  These builds can achieve a huge amount of damage simply from flanking a target with ranged shots.  The drawback here is that anything immune to crits (e.g. undead) or immune to flanking (e.g. dwarven defender) will take only a minor amount of damage.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_cds13]

               If you wish to stay pure bard you could try a elf bard in order to better redistribute your points between DEX: 16 and CHA: 16 from the creation of the character. Focused ability: Perform. You could then focus on longbow and take feats like "point blank shot" and "rapid shot". By being elf you automatically become proficient in bows without adding new classes (you get proficiency in rapiers and longsword too, just in case you have to switch on close combat).
I don't know if you are playing vanilla NWN or have some expansions, some nice feats come from there.
If you play a human bard (some more feats available) you could focus on heavy xbows even if nice light xbows can be found during the game. Feats like "rapid reload" could help nut only if you have the expansions.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               For a bard archer you would likely want the below feats

Essential feats:
Blind fight (good against concealment)
Called Shot
Weapon focus
Improved critical
Curse song
Rapid reload (only if going crossbow)
Extend spell or Silent spell (used to cast a spell more times at a higher slot)

Helpful:
Rapid Shot (often very good, but of marginal benefit in perma-haste worlds)
Lasting Inspiration (requires bard 20, but does make for long lasting songs)
Weapon Specialization (extra damage for just 4 fighter levels)
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Magical Master]

               

WhiZard wrote...

Rapid Shot (often very good, but of marginal benefit in perma-haste worlds)

What?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               

Magical Master wrote...

WhiZard wrote...

Rapid Shot (often very good, but of marginal benefit in perma-haste worlds)

What?

The haste attack is at full BAB but the rapid shot falls in line at -5 of its usual, then all the attacks are decreased by 2. 
Compare the difference

Combat mode    Not-Hasted                   Hasted
None                   +20/+15/+10/+5          +20/+15/+10/+5/+20
Rapid Shot        +18/+13/+8/+3/+18     +18/+13/+8/+3/+18/+13
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               Actually the below table may give you a better detailed look at how RS (when hasted) needs a really high AB in order to squeeze a considerable advantage out of it


Assumptions: Maximum attacks per round and hasted (5 APR)
The roll to hit is calculated based on the first attack’s attack roll (when not using rapid shot).  Effect to hit is the average number of additional hits generated after 20 combat rounds.
Roll needed to hit     RS effect on hits
20                                       +1
19                                   -1
18                                         -3         
17                                         -3
16                                         -3
15                                         -3
14                                         -4
13                                         -5
12                                      -4
11                                      -3
10                                         -2
9                                           -2
8                                          -2
7                                           -1
6                                            0
5                                           +1
4                                           +1
3                                           +1
2                                           +2 to +19
Note: when barely able to get the first attack to hit on a two, rapid shot still doesn’t measure up to weapon focus in the chance of getting a hit.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par WhiZard, 06 mars 2012 - 03:16 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_simanoi140]

               And if I prefer to stay with my xbow as just a bonus to my character, and focus on singing, casting buffs and using scrolls instead of shooting, what should I do? And I can't get what are this numbers about generally. It's like rapid shot isn't useful or? By the way, I've got both bonus expansions.

@WhiZard - about Your first reply, I found nice-looking build for this 'arcane archer'. It's Bard/Red Dragon Disciple/Arcane Archer. Seems good but could You write something more about this rogue flanking class? I have to say that I prefer rogue than assassin because death attacks apply even rather than flank attacks. But maybe I'm wrong? And what about str and dex, both of them focus on dex? I heard that death attacks are linked with strenght by some very strange way but I can't say if it's true.

Once again thanks for responds, it really helps. Just 1 non-patient post and this topic lives!