I'm currently playing a half elf Bard, level 6 college of Lore, and we are running Tomb of Annihilation. We also have a ranger, paladin, wizard, barbarian, and rogue scout. However, we don't really have anyone to disarm traps or kind of a "skill monkey". I was thinking that the next three levels, I might take Rogue and archetype Thief to be able to help with traps, locks, etc.
So my thought is that next level I take Rogue for the Expertise (Stealth and Thieves Tools), the Sneak Attack wouldn't be a big thing unless I got up close and used my rapier (which I do sometimes). Then the cunning actions would allow me to get out of trouble when needed. Then do archetype thief for the ability to disarm or pick locks as a bonus, or even use potions as a bonus. The thieves cant and second story work aren't huge benefits, but can certainly help in some of the dungeons or climbing trees in the forests of Chult.
So by "9th" level I would be Bard 6/ Rogue 3. I'm thinking of doing this now because Bard 7,8,9 are added spells and ability scores, but I think the disarm and lock pick abilities would be more beneficial to the group, and also being able to be a stealthy bard might not be a bad thing. After the 3 levels of Rogue, I'd simply go back to Bard for the rest of the levels.
If you stay Bard until level 9 you are only 1 level away from 10 and getting your other 2 expertise as Bard, you could then take expertise in Stealth and Sleight of Hand (or Thieves' Tools if you take the Skilled feat at level 8). It would take a little bit longer to get there but would have to weaken your caster class by multi-classing. At 8th level you could even take the Skilled feat and pick up Thieves' Tools and 2 other things you feel you need. It might not be quite as quick as multi-classing into Rogue, but overall not too much difference in those areas.
Plus if you stay Bard you get 4th level spell slots at 7th level, and 5th level spell slots at 9th level... quite a power jump.
Thanks for the input both of you. I think you're right, I'm gonna adjust my plan. Stay with Bard the whole way, get the Actor feat at 8 for 20 Charisma and additional deception techniques, plus the 4th and 5th level spells, probably go Polymorph and Dimension Door, then Geas. Then you're right at 10 I get the additional expertise, 2 more magical secret spells, and another 4th and 5th level spell. So I think you both talked me out of my original idea, thanks.
Besides, the ultimate skill monkey build should start half-elf rogue (2 extra skills as base class, but only +1 multiclassed) take scout at level 3 (2 free proficiencies/expertise), take skilled feat at level 4, and go to level 6 for more expertise, then lore bard for 14 levels, taking prodigy at some point. 16 proficiencies, 11 of which are expertise, (half proficiency for the remaining 2,) and can add a d10 to any ability check.
But only 4 extra proficiencies (and 6 expertise) are gained from rogue, the rest are bard, race, and feats.
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I'm currently playing a half elf Bard, level 6 college of Lore, and we are running Tomb of Annihilation. We also have a ranger, paladin, wizard, barbarian, and rogue scout. However, we don't really have anyone to disarm traps or kind of a "skill monkey". I was thinking that the next three levels, I might take Rogue and archetype Thief to be able to help with traps, locks, etc.
Here is my current character so you can see what I have going so far. https://ddb.ac/characters/12111700/G5en2c
So my thought is that next level I take Rogue for the Expertise (Stealth and Thieves Tools), the Sneak Attack wouldn't be a big thing unless I got up close and used my rapier (which I do sometimes). Then the cunning actions would allow me to get out of trouble when needed. Then do archetype thief for the ability to disarm or pick locks as a bonus, or even use potions as a bonus. The thieves cant and second story work aren't huge benefits, but can certainly help in some of the dungeons or climbing trees in the forests of Chult.
So by "9th" level I would be Bard 6/ Rogue 3. I'm thinking of doing this now because Bard 7,8,9 are added spells and ability scores, but I think the disarm and lock pick abilities would be more beneficial to the group, and also being able to be a stealthy bard might not be a bad thing. After the 3 levels of Rogue, I'd simply go back to Bard for the rest of the levels.
Does this make sense? Thoughts?
If you stay Bard until level 9 you are only 1 level away from 10 and getting your other 2 expertise as Bard, you could then take expertise in Stealth and Sleight of Hand (or Thieves' Tools if you take the Skilled feat at level 8). It would take a little bit longer to get there but would have to weaken your caster class by multi-classing. At 8th level you could even take the Skilled feat and pick up Thieves' Tools and 2 other things you feel you need. It might not be quite as quick as multi-classing into Rogue, but overall not too much difference in those areas.
Plus if you stay Bard you get 4th level spell slots at 7th level, and 5th level spell slots at 9th level... quite a power jump.
Just take the prodigy feat at level 8.
"No skill monkies"? You realize you have 8 proficiencies, 2 expertises, and Jack of all trades.
Thanks for the input both of you. I think you're right, I'm gonna adjust my plan. Stay with Bard the whole way, get the Actor feat at 8 for 20 Charisma and additional deception techniques, plus the 4th and 5th level spells, probably go Polymorph and Dimension Door, then Geas. Then you're right at 10 I get the additional expertise, 2 more magical secret spells, and another 4th and 5th level spell. So I think you both talked me out of my original idea, thanks.
Besides, the ultimate skill monkey build should start half-elf rogue (2 extra skills as base class, but only +1 multiclassed) take scout at level 3 (2 free proficiencies/expertise), take skilled feat at level 4, and go to level 6 for more expertise, then lore bard for 14 levels, taking prodigy at some point. 16 proficiencies, 11 of which are expertise, (half proficiency for the remaining 2,) and can add a d10 to any ability check.
But only 4 extra proficiencies (and 6 expertise) are gained from rogue, the rest are bard, race, and feats.