Why is INT important to Bards? - Page 2

Tennessee Ernie Ford · 02-07-2002, 02:00 AM

IMO, INT is overrated as a bard stat. Yes, it helps various skills increase at a faster rate. But those skills (except for lockpicking) do just fine w/o much INT, items or no.

IMO, stamina is much more in demand for musicians than INT or perhaps even than DEX. (INT is key, however, for spellcasters--I consider powercast to be just about essential for magic users.)

I recommend putting points into STR, DEX, and VIT and perhaps PIE, with the order of importance being a matter of style.

Strength helps characters with stamina and parties carry stuff (instruments are heavy!)
Dexterity helps Bard skills increase and is useful for archery (you can probably skip it if you don't need the pickpocket or the bow)
Vitality helps with stamina and carrying capacity.
Piety helps with Stamina

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: Tennessee Ernie Ford ]

Clear Thought · 02-07-2002, 05:13 PM

what is the significance of Lvl 18?

GenXCub · 02-07-2002, 05:30 PM

Level 18 is significant to Bards and spellcasters.

For Bards, at level 18, you can play any of the instruments that you find in the game... that's the minimum, and if you change classes at that point, you're still a level 18 bard.

For Spellcasters, at level 18, you can learn every spell in the book (if you have the skill point minimum), so you often see a level 18 mage/alchemist/psionic turn into a Bishop. Then you can still pick from your old spells you didn't know, and can concentrate on a new school of magic... and you'll also get the dispel undead ability.

For instance... at Level 19, you decide to turn your bard into a Ranger... you'll then be a level 18 bard and a level 1 ranger. Now you can basically be as much of a bard as you were before, but now you can have Ranged Criticals like a Ranger. I'd only recommend this if you maxed out your music skill since that won't go up after you change class.

elbarono · 02-07-2002, 10:29 PM

I definitely agree with pumping DEX and SEN on a bard. After you get to 75-80 INT there is really no reason to go any higher, and there is no reason not to multiclass your bard at level 18, since they can play all of the instruments by that level. I had my bard playing with a bow through most of the game and when I multiclassed her to ranger (at lvl 20) she started getting criticals left and right because her SEN was already so high.

--Adam

02-07-2002, 02:00 AM	#11
Tennessee Ernie Ford Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: October 9, 2001 Location: North America Posts: 39	IMO, INT is overrated as a bard stat. Yes, it helps various skills increase at a faster rate. But those skills (except for lockpicking) do just fine w/o much INT, items or no. IMO, stamina is much more in demand for musicians than INT or perhaps even than DEX. (INT is key, however, for spellcasters--I consider powercast to be just about essential for magic users.) I recommend putting points into STR, DEX, and VIT and perhaps PIE, with the order of importance being a matter of style. Strength helps characters with stamina and parties carry stuff (instruments are heavy!) Dexterity helps Bard skills increase and is useful for archery (you can probably skip it if you don't need the pickpocket or the bow) Vitality helps with stamina and carrying capacity. Piety helps with Stamina [ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: Tennessee Ernie Ford ] __________________ <b>Tennessee Ernie Ford</b><p>TEF is the <i>nom de web </i> of the author of RPG guides, such as <br />[url]\"http://members.aol.com/tenernie\" target=\"_blank\">TEF\'s Guide to Enroth</a>. <br />No relationship is intended or claimed to the fantabulous gospel singer of the same name.

02-07-2002, 05:30 PM	#13
GenXCub Drow Warrior Join Date: January 30, 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 251	Level 18 is significant to Bards and spellcasters. For Bards, at level 18, you can play any of the instruments that you find in the game... that's the minimum, and if you change classes at that point, you're still a level 18 bard. For Spellcasters, at level 18, you can learn every spell in the book (if you have the skill point minimum), so you often see a level 18 mage/alchemist/psionic turn into a Bishop. Then you can still pick from your old spells you didn't know, and can concentrate on a new school of magic... and you'll also get the dispel undead ability. For instance... at Level 19, you decide to turn your bard into a Ranger... you'll then be a level 18 bard and a level 1 ranger. Now you can basically be as much of a bard as you were before, but now you can have Ranged Criticals like a Ranger. I'd only recommend this if you maxed out your music skill since that won't go up after you change class. __________________ \"I\'m sure I\'d be quite upset if I weren\'t under such heavy sedation.\" - David St. Hubbins

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02-07-2002, 05:13 PM	#12
Clear Thought Welcomed New User Join Date: February 7, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 1	what is the significance of Lvl 18?

02-07-2002, 10:29 PM	#14
elbarono Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: January 4, 2002 Location: Pacifica, CA Posts: 33	I definitely agree with pumping DEX and SEN on a bard. After you get to 75-80 INT there is really no reason to go any higher, and there is no reason not to multiclass your bard at level 18, since they can play all of the instruments by that level. I had my bard playing with a bow through most of the game and when I multiclassed her to ranger (at lvl 20) she started getting criticals left and right because her SEN was already so high. --Adam

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