OK, I'm looking for a Bard that ends around 25-ish.

Here's what I'm looking for strategy-wise:
- Bard Song
- Curse Song
- Buffing Spells
- Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment - using spells like: Hold Person, Mind Fog (then perhaps, fear or curse), confusion, Tasha's, etc.

I don't really care whether or not it is strength or dexterity based (although Dex-based might fit better with the spellcasting aspect).

I thought about putting Harper Scout in to boost spell DC's (Eagles splendor spell and potion stacking), but it is both feat and skill draining.

Has anyone tried a build like this? I've tried fleshing out the bare bones of if, but it is hard to fit all the feats, and skill requirements together in a way that would level easily.

Here's the *rough* draft of a Dex-based version, but I'm obviously not sold on it.
Elf
Str 12
Dex 18 (25)
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 14 (16)

1 Bard (1) - Alertness
2 Bard (2)
3 Bard (3) - Weapon Finesse
4 Bard (4) - Dex 19
5 Bard (5)
6 Bard (6) - Iron Will
7 Bard (7)
8 Bard (8) - Dex 20
9 Harper Scout (1) - Empower Spell, Curse Song*
10 Harper Scout (2)
11 Harper Scout (3)
12 Harper Scout (4) - Spell Focus: Enchantment, Cha 15
13 Bard (9)
14 Bard (10)
15 Bard (11) - Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment
16 Bard (12) - Cha 16
17 Bard (13)
18 Bard (14) - Extra Songs
19 Bard (15)
20 Bard (16) - Dex 21

21 Harper Scout (5) - Great Dexterity I, Great Dexterity II
22 Bard (17)
23 Bard (18)
24 Bard (19) - Great Dexterity III, Dex 25
25 Bard (20)

So, would it be effective?

I know that the spell DC's won't match a dedicated spellcaster, but I was hoping that the Harper Scout abilities would make up for it.

Any thoughts?

Is the concept viable, or am I daft? Very nice, good use of HS levels. The build concept is quite interesting, I considered such a build reading G_u_s's post about caster Bards on the NWN General Discussion forum. Never got around doing it, though... Well anyway, I'd make him CHA based with a level (or three, even four ) of Paladin for the obvious benefits. I'd keep HS, so maybe Bard 16/HS 5/Paladin 4. I don't think you'll be able to get enough Perform for higher level Bard Songs at level 25. Just and idea anyway.
_________________
The world is grey, the mountain's old
The forge's fire is ashen and cold
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls
The darkness dwells in Druin's halls...

~ Summoning - Khazad-Dúm You'll probably find Extra Songs of little use when taking 20+ levels of Bard. I'd opt for something else more critical to the build, that you may have a need for.

Maybe delay HS until epic levels to preserve BAB also.

Need to time your 20th Bard level to coincide with a feat selection so that you can pick Lasting Inspiration as well.

Epic Skill Focus: Perform would be of necessity if going for 21 or higher Bard levels, otherwise your song may never reach its full potential.

Edited By I...Samphus on 03/01/06 16:54

Quote: Posted 03/01/06 16:52:13 (GMT) -- I...Samphus

Maybe delay HS until epic levels to preserve BAB also.

Bard 16/HS 4 gets 15 BAB as does Bard 20.

Like I said, though, I suggest you use the HS5 bonus feat for Great Cha and boost your CHA as the primary ability. Bard 12/HS 4/Paladin 4 pre-epic, get Divine Shield/Might or either of those plus Extra Turning.
_________________
The world is grey, the mountain's old
The forge's fire is ashen and cold
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls
The darkness dwells in Druin's halls...

~ Summoning - Khazad-Dúm Thanks for the replies...

Quote: Posted 03/01/06 16:52:13 (GMT) -- I...Samphus

You'll probably find Extra Songs of little use when taking 20+ levels of Bard. I'd opt for something else more critical to the build, that you may have a need for.

Need to time your 20th Bard level to coincide with a feat selection so that you can pick Lasting Inspiration as well.

Epic Skill Focus: Perform would be of necessity if going for 21 or higher Bard levels, otherwise your song may never reach its full potential.

Good point on the Extra Songs. I had originally thought to take it to help out at early levels, but by lvl 18 their isn't much need. Perhaps Blindfight or Toughness would be better.

I was worried about the higher level Perform requirements and thought about taking a skill focus, but I the main reason I was taking 17+ levels of Bard was for the 6th level spells and spell duration. I suppose I could drop a skill focus in place of Extra songs, though. But the point of diminishing returns seems to be Bard song lvl 16 (Perform req. 30). I should be able to hit that with normal Cha bonuses and Perform levels and perhaps some gear.

Good food for thought. Thanks

Quote: Posted 03/01/06 16:45:17 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

Very nice, good use of HS levels. The build concept is quite interesting, I considered such a build reading G_u_s's post about caster Bards on the NWN General Discussion forum. Never got around doing it, though... Well anyway, I'd make him CHA based with a level (or three, even four ) of Paladin for the obvious benefits. I'd keep HS, so maybe Bard 16/HS 5/Paladin 4. I don't think you'll be able to get enough Perform for higher level Bard Songs at level 25. Just and idea anyway.

I like the idea of the Paladin Charisma save boost (and AB boost). I'm not sure how easily I can switch alignments, though, which makes me a little hesitant to build it in. And of course the XP penalty. I could go human, though my initial AB might suffer with a lower Dex. Perhaps Strength-based Human. The extra feat would cover Still spell.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll try a test build in a leveler and see what happens.

Cheers.