A lazy Sunday afternoon, making pancakes on the stove, prepping steaks for dinner. There has never been a better time to let you know why every party should have a Bard!
Now I know what you are most likely thinking, that Bard’s are the annoying, tights wearing, lute wielding cannon fodder that every party dreads. Personally, I love Bards. I love playing them and having my players be them. There is the country bumpkin Bard that everyone has come to loath, with their annoying voice constantly ringing in your ears. However, there are much more that can be done with this class other than make your party members want to throw you to the wolves. As arcane casters, in D&D 3.5 Bard’s get a wide variety of spells that when used inventively can be the difference between life and death of a party. This is also such a case in 4.0 and the Bard’s abilities seem to be more effective.
As for character backgrounds, there is so much choice to be had other than the court Jester. Cross-class into rouge to gain extra damage and sneak attack and be the grizzled old scout who it always entertaining his companions with stories of legends and adventures of the ages. Have your cleric cross class with Bard and you can be the devout that leads everyone in sermons on each and every holy day. I have played Bard’s many a time in the past and had a blast playing them. The trick is to play how YOU want to, now how your party wants you to.
If you have never played a Bard before, I strongly encourage you to make your next character one!
On a slightly different note, a story next post!
