Bard - good class?

bellock · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2002, 12:05 PM

Is a Bard good at opening locks or do you have to have a rogue?
Is a Bard a good thief character?
I am just getting started. Should I create a strongheart halfling rogue or Bard? The Bards had some good magical items in the previous games.

Groth · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2002, 01:34 PM

Just my opinion: Didn't matter how I created a bard, I just never could like him or her.

I have a strongheart rogue. I m/c him into 1 level of ranger because I wanted some 2 weapon fighting fun with at least one of my characters. He's one of my favorite characters.

I gave him low chras and only 8 wisdom (will saves take a hit, oh well). He has 16 int. though and 18 dex (has cats grace on him quite often), decent str and con. If I were to do it again, I do about the same thing.

fable · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2002, 02:12 PM

I think a bard is very useful--for once. They can handle all the diplomacy for your party (leaving your cleric free to pursue other studies), and the Lingering Song feat lets them keep a song's effects going for two rounds after they've been doing other things. Sorc-like spell picking is good, too, since your bard is free of necessary memorization.

1-800-DOCTORB · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2002, 03:06 PM

I play Infinity Engine games in a very unorthadox way. I love Bards, but I don't play them as Bards. Bards are even better in IWD2 than in previous Black Isle D&D games, but my patterns still haven't changed. I prefer to put all available bodies I have at my disposal into battle which means I don't tend to use the bard song too often. Why have a Bard then I'm sure ppl are wondering? Well they work great as an auxillery spellcaster and are much tougher then a Mage or a Sorcerer. I always use them as an archer in combat and they can be effective that way. Lets not forget how valuble they can be as your party's leader since their most effective in their spellcasting with high charisma, its a great fit.

koz-ivan · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2002, 07:11 PM

bards rock!

i've lost count of the number of times my bard has played a pivotal role in combat, as spell support, fire suppport w/ bows / darts, backup healer, party talker / shopper / leader. also makes a decent scout. and bards get some great "buff" spells. some of the bardic instruments are very handy. their ability to cast spells like a sorc gives them a flexability that wizards / clerics / druids can't match.

i do regret not having a human bard for the extra feat + extra skill points, next time.

a typical encounter starts w/ a stealthed bard, scopes out the area, and begins w/ spells that incapacitate a large number of the enemy (sleep or grease in the early game) then retreats to safety and supports w/ missles, chromatic orbs, or song.

Dazzo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 02:36 AM

Bards took a big hit when they took Tensers Transformation from them

I loved it.. In throne of bhaal my main tank was a bard with like 320 HP

Ares2382 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 06:36 AM

I love my bard, now that he can sing The War Chant of Sith he is a great addition to my party, the +2 to AC and 3 regen go a long way to help out your tanks in some of the big and long lasting fights. Plus since I have only 1 cleric those few extra healing spells are usefull as well.

Gruntboy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2002, 12:43 PM

For once, Fable?

I wouldn't play HoW without one.