Continuing the trend, here is another thread for sharing characters with the new UA. This one is for Bards.
Full disclosure, I don't like bards. They are probably my least favorite class. So I decided to try a different kind of build for this one, to see how flexible they can be. And I'll be checking out some of the more talked about Feats again.
Here is my Orc Combat Medic Bard. He's designed for maximum mobility, survivability, and decent melee potential, at least at the levels I will play him. With high Strength and his Powerful Build, he should be able to pick up both of his friends if needed. And run out of danger with Adrenaline Rush. Relentless Endurance and high AC should keep him alive decently well, while he buffs and heals the team on the front lines.
I'm taking the Lightly Armored feat because there was some discussion over whether or not it is a must have for a full caster. Honestly I would have probably chosen Healer or Magic Initiate any day, but let's see how this works. Can't know without trying!
So here's my Bard build, planned for levels 1-5:
Orc Bard, custom background
AC 18 (scale mail and shield, will upgrade as soon as I can afford)
HP each level - 10 / 17 / 24 / 31 / 38
Stats and skill proficiencies (Using Standard Array):
Strength 17 (18 at level 4) - Athletics +5 (+ expertise at lvl 2)
Dexterity 14 - Stealth +4 (to keep up with Ranger and Rogue)
Constitution 14
Intelligence 8 (3 subclass skills at level 3)
Wisdom 10 - Medicine +2 (+ expertise at lvl 2), Insight +2
Charisma 12 - Intimidation +3
Weapons - Mace or Handaxe (depending on monster), Light Crossbow
Spell Levels 1- 3 - Since Charisma doesn't affect really anything on the Bard anymore, outside of spell attack bonus and save DC, I didn't make it very high. I also don't care about the social skills for him, other than intimidation for fun. I plan to flavor his Viscious Mockery and Cutting Words as a form of Intimidation. For the rest of the spells I'm avoiding ones that rely on Charisma as much as I can. It will only really hurt Healing Word, which is sad for the theme, but the other stats were more important for the goal. Mostly I want him to be durable and mobile, and buff the team. Some spells that I figure will get regular rotation:
1 -Healing Word, Hex, Identify, Jump, Longstrider, Sleep
Continuing the trend, here is another thread for sharing characters with the new UA. This one is for Bards.
Full disclosure, I don't like bards. They are probably my least favorite class. So I decided to try a different kind of build for this one, to see how flexible they can be. And I'll be checking out some of the more talked about Feats again.
Here is my Orc Combat Medic Bard. He's designed for maximum mobility, survivability, and decent melee potential, at least at the levels I will play him. With high Strength and his Powerful Build, he should be able to pick up both of his friends if needed. And run out of danger with Adrenaline Rush. Relentless Endurance and high AC should keep him alive decently well, while he buffs and heals the team on the front lines.
I'm taking the Lightly Armored feat because there was some discussion over whether or not it is a must have for a full caster. Honestly I would have probably chosen Healer or Magic Initiate any day, but let's see how this works. Can't know without trying!
So here's my Bard build, planned for levels 1-5:
Orc Bard, custom background
AC 18 (scale mail and shield, will upgrade as soon as I can afford)
HP each level - 10 / 17 / 24 / 31 / 38
Stats and skill proficiencies (Using Standard Array):
Strength 17 (18 at level 4) - Athletics +5 (+ expertise at lvl 2)
Dexterity 14 - Stealth +4 (to keep up with Ranger and Rogue)
Constitution 14
Intelligence 8 (3 subclass skills at level 3)
Wisdom 10 - Medicine +2 (+ expertise at lvl 2), Insight +2
Charisma 12 - Intimidation +3
Weapons - Mace or Handaxe (depending on monster), Light Crossbow
Tools - Herbalism Kit
Feats - level 1 Lightly Armored, level 4 Charger or Shield Master
Spells -
Cantrips - Message, Viscious Mockery, Prestidigitation (level 4)
Spell Levels 1- 3 - Since Charisma doesn't affect really anything on the Bard anymore, outside of spell attack bonus and save DC, I didn't make it very high. I also don't care about the social skills for him, other than intimidation for fun. I plan to flavor his Viscious Mockery and Cutting Words as a form of Intimidation. For the rest of the spells I'm avoiding ones that rely on Charisma as much as I can. It will only really hurt Healing Word, which is sad for the theme, but the other stats were more important for the goal. Mostly I want him to be durable and mobile, and buff the team. Some spells that I figure will get regular rotation:
1 -Healing Word, Hex, Identify, Jump, Longstrider, Sleep
2 - Blur, Enlarge/Reduce, Invisibility, Knock, Lesser Restoration, Levitate, Rope Trick, Spider Climb
3 - Fly, Gaseous Form, Haste, Mass Healing Word, Water Breathing