Does anyone like bards? How do you get the best out of them?

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Userunfriendly: i believe according to 3rd edition rules, or something like that (I don't play pen and paper) bards can cast spells like a sorceror, without having to fill up slots, that would make bards worth it for me... as it is, i would much rather take jan...

Yes, they do cast spells like sorcerers in 3rd edition. However, their spell list is different than a sorcerer (they lose the major attack spells like fireball and magic missile, but gain healing spells and a few other spells off of the cleric list). Thus, they are better at "subtler" forms of magic.

[Pirengle]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades: I, personally, heve never liked Bards. They'd make a fun roleplay, I suppose, but only if you never really had to depend on them for anything.

Sadly, that is the case. I play a PnP bard, and Damiar's talents aren't battle-related at all. Now, if BG2 gave perks to the bard song like PnP D&D...

[Dundee Slaytern]

If BG2 Bards had the perks of IWD Bards, people would worship them, cheese or no cheese.

[ryaldin]

What are the perks of an IWD bard vs. a SoA bard? I played through IWD when i first got into the BG engine games, and i just played with one of everything (a fighter, ranger, thief, mage, cleric and bard) and I don't remember anything particularly useful about them, other than some minor spells, which were occasionally helpful in eliminating your odd troll.

[Dundee Slaytern]

5 words.

"The War Chant of Sith"

[ryaldin]

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: 5 words. "The War Chant of Sith"

7 words.

What is the War Chant of Sith? [img]graemlins/confused2.gif[/img]

[Xen]

Originally posted by ryaldin: quote: Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: 5 words. "The War Chant of Sith"

7 words.

What is the War Chant of Sith? [img]graemlins/confused2.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]IIRC it is one of their songs.

[Dace De'Briago]

Originally posted by Xen: IIRC it is one of their songs.

Well I'm very glad that you pointed that out to us

[Xen]

Originally posted by Dace De'Briago: quote: Originally posted by Xen: IIRC it is one of their songs.

Well I'm very glad that you pointed that out to us [/QUOTE]OK! let me elaborate for you guys:

War Chant of Sith - 11th level. Allies get +2 bonus to AC, +10% res. to
slashing, piercing, crushing and missile attacks, plus
regenerate 2 HP per round.

[SixOfSpades]

HOW I'D DESIGN A BARD:

There are many types (say, 15 or so) of Bard Songs to choose from--right-clicking the Bard Song Icon lets you select which song you want to sing next.
All Bard Songs start out at Level 1. As the Bard gains levels, he gets Practice Points which he can invest in any of the songs, making them more effective. Certain Bard kits may start off with bonuses in certain Songs and be capped (or forbidden entirely) in others.
Bards have the same THAC0 progression as a Cleric--but since Bards gain levels faster, their THAC0 is better.
At each level, Bards gain Skill Learning points: They can use those points to learn the tricks and trades of other classes, but only if a representative of that class is present in the party.
Fighter/Paladin/Ranger: Ability to put up to 3 stars in a weapon, wear Helmets, and carry up to Plate Armor and Meduim Shields
Cleric/Druid: Ability to add Priest spells to their spellbook (which is normally limited to Wizard spells)
(another) Bard: Ability to put more points into the Songs
Thief: Ability to put 10% per level into any Thieving skill
Mage: Ability to start learning higher levels of spells
Sorcerer: Ability to add spellslots to already-known spell levels (up to 6 spells per level)
Of course, these Skill Learning points are absolutely worthless to a Solo Bard, which is fitting: Bards cannot earn their living with no one to entertain, and they cannot learn new skills with nobody to learn from.

Is this in any way how Bards are implemented in IWD?