I was thinking about throwing myself into something new, and the Bardadin build looks really interesting. I have a few questions about the mechanics related to some of the feat- and skill-choices of the Cookie Cutter build though. I've posted the build here so people don't have to look it up themselves if they want to contribute.
Attributes (6 Str, 1 Cha on level up):
STR 18 (16 + gift) --> 24
DEX 8 --> 8
CON 14 --> 14
INT 14 --> 14
WIS 8 --> 8
CHA 17 (15+gift) --> 18
Race: Human
End Bard 20/Fighter 6/Paladin 4
1 Bard: Expertise + Improved Expertise
2 Bard:
3 Bard: Curse Song
4 Fighter: Weapon Focus
5 Fighter: Power Attack
6 Fighter: Blind Fight
7 Fighter: Weapon Spec
8 Bard:
9 Bard: Toughness/knockdown
10 Paladin:
11 Paladin:
12 Paladin: Divine Shield
13 Bard:
14 Bard:
15 Bard: Still Spell
16 Bard:
17 Bard:
18 Paladin: Divine Might
19 Bard:
20 Bard:
21 Fighter: Epic Weapon Focus
22 Fighter: Epic Weapon Spec
23 Bard:
24 Bard: Improved Critical
25 Bard:
26 Bard:
27 Bard: Armor Skin
28 Bard:
29 Bard:
30 Bard: Lasting Inspiration
Skills: Discipline (33), Perform (33), Spellcraft (33), Taunt (33), Tumble (30), Concentration (20), Heal (17), UMD (7).
So questions are the following:
- Concentration (20): I understand that this is to better resist things like taunts. But will 20 be enough for that to properly help against it? I get that the bard song will raise this by +8, and Con modifiers will help. How often is this used to merit diverting 16 points from let's say Heal?
- Still spell: Having never played a bard before, I am unsure what the use of this is. I understand that this would essentially allow you to cast your spells one spellslot higher while wearing armor (idea being you can do it in battle). Considering how "few" spells the Bard can cast per day, I thought most spells would be used preparatory, and especially coupled with only 20 concentration, how usefull is it to be able to cast spells in combat? Also, this does not affect level 6 spells, since they are the last tier of spells (so no Mass Hastes without removing armor and shield, which you can't do during battle). I thought perhaps Extend Spell (or another combat feat), would have more use here? But I am sure there is something I am missing.
- Toughness/Knockdown: In the build notes it states that the Knockdown feat can be gained through the Ring of the Ram. I find knockdown incredibly useful, and I was just wondering if it is reliable to count on using the ring for most of the game (if you can acquire one). Not knowing the specific properties of the ring, this probably means less Str, Con or Cha since I imagine it will be hard to enchant with anything other than what it comes with. The build definetely seems light on HP considering it is a tanky build, so Toughness would be great, but I am unsure how viable this build strategy is.