Author Topic: Virtuoso Bard  (Read 2657 times)

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Generic_PC

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Virtuoso Bard
« on: September 08, 2009, 09:06:44 PM »
I am looking to make a bard. A good one. You know, Sublime Chord...

But, I'd like to focus on Inspire Courage and the bard songs the most. I'd love to fit sublime chord in there, but not at the expense of bard. Here was my general idea....

Bard 5/Mindbender 1/Virtuoso 2/Bard 2/Sublime Chord 2/Virtuoso 8.

However, I would like to remove Bard 2 from the build and replace it with something more useful. I'm sure there are ways to get rediculous amounts of bardic singing, I just want to know how. Especially with feats. Currently, my ideas are...

Versatile Performer. All perform skills means I can function with or without an instrument, no matter what I actually put ranks in.
Forceful Personality. Dumping wisdom? Now it's easier.
Subsonics. Quiet=Good
Disguise Spell. Casting while singing is also good.
And... thats about it, so far.

Now, like I said, I've seen ways of getting rediculous bard songs. where are they? This build gives me 9th level bard spells and 100' telepathy at the expense of 2 Effective Bard levels, which I think is a good trade. Is there a way to get it better? (or, alternately, feats and such which increase the effectiveness of being a buff-bard?)
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wotmaniac

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2009, 09:48:17 PM »
from dragon mag. #326:
-- chaos music -- add up to +4 to bard level (must be chaotic, and gives you chaotic aura)

from dragon mag. #338:
-- focused performer -- use perform to concentrate on maintaining spell
-- focused performance -- different uses of music

from ECS:
-- song of the heart  -- makes everything better

from CArc:
-- melodic casting.

[spoiler]
If you stop ignoring 289 pages telling what the intent is to stretch "more power" in your own god complexion of your interpretation trumps all to cover ability adjustments from aging then I will ignore a quarter page of rules that exist within a sidebar.
I think in this case the grammar is less important than whether the Str and Dex bonus provided to your created undead scales.

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Generic_PC

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2009, 10:38:40 PM »
Unfortunately (and this is my fault, I think) All of those sources other than CArc are not going to be allowed.
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Negative Zero

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2009, 12:26:47 AM »
Melodic Casting is actually from Complete Mage.

Generic_PC

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2009, 12:51:59 AM »
Which would explain why I couldn't find it. I'll go look at it now.

That is good. A little... circuitous, but good. Is there a feat that makes concentrating a standard move or swift action? How about something that lets me concentrate on a spell and something else?
« Last Edit: September 09, 2009, 12:57:25 AM by Generic_PC »
Witty sayings? Nah, not right now. Currently playing Dwarf Fortress and League of Legends. I really recommend League of Legends.

Dusk Eclipse

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2009, 01:02:48 AM »
There is the skill trick in complete scoundrel that lets you concentrate as a swift action, it is called swift concentration it has prerequisites concentration12 ranks, and cost 2 skill points

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2009, 01:07:29 AM »
There is the skill trick in complete scoundrel that lets you concentrate as a swift action, it is called swift concentration it has prerequisites concentration12 ranks, and cost 2 skill points
It doesn't specify that you can cast another spell while concentrating on it, though. So technically you can't, because the description of duration (concentration) specifically prohibits it. It is still a nice skill trick, though. You can do anything else you want, like attack someone, or even use a magic item (I think).
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

wotmaniac

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2009, 01:14:50 AM »
Which would explain why I couldn't find it. I'll go look at it now.

That is good. A little... circuitous, but good. Is there a feat that makes concentrating a standard move or swift action? How about something that lets me concentrate on a spell and something else?
extraordinary concentration (either CAdv or CArc) -- need 12 or so ranks.  it's an actual feat, so you get it more than just once per encounter; it's a concentration check -- if you pass, spell concentration is a move action; if you pass it my 5+ (i think), then it's a free action; can still only concentrate on one spell at a time (but you could cast another spell that doesn't use concentration).

also, there's a 1st level bard spell in SC called "sonorous hum" -- maintains bardic music concentration after you have stopped playing; lasts 1 rd/lvl.

there's also Lingering Song (CAdv); but I don't know if it's worth a feat.

[spoiler]
If you stop ignoring 289 pages telling what the intent is to stretch "more power" in your own god complexion of your interpretation trumps all to cover ability adjustments from aging then I will ignore a quarter page of rules that exist within a sidebar.
I think in this case the grammar is less important than whether the Str and Dex bonus provided to your created undead scales.

Greenbound Summoning RAI
Expanded Gestalt
More Savage Progressions[/spoiler]
Report any wrongs I have done here.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2009, 01:18:44 AM »
Hmm... what's the name of the 3rd level spell that concentrates on a spell for you? I thought that was Sonorous Hum...

There is also a Familiar Concentration feat somewhere...
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Negative Zero

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2009, 01:29:56 AM »
Quote from: Spell Compendium
Sonorous Hum
Bard 2, Clr 3, Sor/Wiz 3
After you cast this spell, the next spell you cast within the duration that requires concentration to maintain is maintained for you until the sonorous hum spell expires. This effect allows you to cast other spells, even another spell that also requires concentration.
Wotmaniac, you must have misremembered.

wotmaniac

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2009, 01:33:02 AM »
Hmm... what's the name of the 3rd level spell that concentrates on a spell for you? I thought that was Sonorous Hum...

There is also a Familiar Concentration feat somewhere...
that's what I get for trying to quote stuff that I never use from memory (20 gigs of this stuff on my harddrive, and I gotta be lazy about it  :nonono )

BTW: yes, sonorous hum concentrates on your spells for you, but it is only 3rd lvl for wiz/sorc.  for bards, it is a 2nd lvl spell.
the 1st level spell I was thinking of is inspirational boost (+1 to IC).


EDIT: yeah, thanks Zero -- I got it.   :embarrassed

[spoiler]
If you stop ignoring 289 pages telling what the intent is to stretch "more power" in your own god complexion of your interpretation trumps all to cover ability adjustments from aging then I will ignore a quarter page of rules that exist within a sidebar.
I think in this case the grammar is less important than whether the Str and Dex bonus provided to your created undead scales.

Greenbound Summoning RAI
Expanded Gestalt
More Savage Progressions[/spoiler]
Report any wrongs I have done here.

Generic_PC

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2009, 02:06:04 AM »
Sonorous Hum looks like the winner. I'll have to be patient.

Does anyone have a link to a bard handbook? I'm sure one has been made, but with Gleemax... problematic... I might need other sources.
Witty sayings? Nah, not right now. Currently playing Dwarf Fortress and League of Legends. I really recommend League of Legends.

wotmaniac

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Re: Virtuoso Bard
« Reply #12 on: September 09, 2009, 02:14:42 AM »
Sonorous Hum looks like the winner. I'll have to be patient.

Does anyone have a link to a bard handbook? I'm sure one has been made, but with Gleemax... problematic... I might need other sources.
try these:

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19870498/The_Bards_Handbook

http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19869994/Bard_Inspire_Courage_Optimization

[spoiler]
If you stop ignoring 289 pages telling what the intent is to stretch "more power" in your own god complexion of your interpretation trumps all to cover ability adjustments from aging then I will ignore a quarter page of rules that exist within a sidebar.
I think in this case the grammar is less important than whether the Str and Dex bonus provided to your created undead scales.

Greenbound Summoning RAI
Expanded Gestalt
More Savage Progressions[/spoiler]
Report any wrongs I have done here.