Bards, how should they be used?

[Salles]

Unleashing a Bard's magic.

Hola.

Despite being a total newb to the whole AD+D scene, I think I've been doing a decent job of learning as I go, but I just can't seem to figure out how to master our musical mates like young Garrick.

In typical vB forum fashion, a search proved absolutely useless.

First and foremost, how do i coax a bard into casting his memorized spells? They appear as if they can be selected, but are black instead of their normal red and blue, and can not be cast. Don't get me wrong, he's does a bang up job of firing bolts at infidels and singing the latest chart toppers, but a few magic missiles or stinking clouds originating from his hands could be a bit of a help

Secondly, I know that the bard song motivates the party, therefore increasing their fighting skills.... but, by how much?

And finally, though this is more of a literary query than anything else, does anyone know what exactly 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends!' means and/or directly refers to?

Cheers,
Salles.

[Galuf the Dwarf]

[QUOTE=Salles]Hola.

Despite being a total newb to the whole AD+D scene, I think I've been doing a decent job of learning as I go, but I just can't seem to figure out how to master our musical mates like young Garrick.

In typical vB forum fashion, a search proved absolutely useless.

First and foremost, how do i coax a bard into casting his memorized spells? They appear as if they can be selected, but are black instead of their normal red and blue, and can not be cast. Don't get me wrong, he's does a bang up job of firing bolts at infidels and singing the latest chart toppers, but a few magic missiles or stinking clouds originating from his hands could be a bit of a help

Secondly, I know that the bard song motivates the party, therefore increasing their fighting skills.... but, by how much?

And finally, though this is more of a literary query than anything else, does anyone know what exactly 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends!' means and/or directly refers to?

Cheers,
Salles.[/QUOTE]

I'll break this up into increments based by paragraph.

1) Is your bard wearing armor? Like, say, a Fighter/Mage, a bard cannot cast spells in armor (except with certain armors late in BG2). If this is the case, you're best off with high Dexterity (18, I'd suggest) and wearing one of the Bracers of Armor that you find throughout the game.

2) As much as a Luck spell does. The descriptor for the spell will tell you. I would, but, unfortunately I never really used that spell, and I don't have the manual on me. Sorry.

3) Not really sure myself. Garrick is the best (and only one of two) NPC Bards that you'll find, but if the class fascinates you enough, you may consider making a Bard of your own. I've heard rumors of the origin of this quote, possibly being from either a book or movie. Someone else will likely know.

[Skuld]

Welcome, and I'm glad to see another Garrick supporter out there. I usually use my bards as secondary casters & ranged weapon users equiped with Bracers of Defense AC:8 to start and as the game progresses AC:6. I also opt to have him wear a Ring of Protection +1 to start and later on +2. So his AC will be 3(Bracers AC:8, RoP +1) then 1(Bracers AC:6, RoP +1) then 0(Bracers AC:6, RoP+2) as you progress through the game, and this is asuming an AC of 18 which I highly recommend. I don't recall ever using the Bard Song successfully being as the Bard must refrain from all other activities in order to keep the song going, and he's usually busy gunning down foes or casting spells. And if you're gonna go with Garrick I highly recommend the Light Crossbow of Speed. Another perk of having a Bard is it saves you from ever having to put points towards PickPocket for your Thief. Good luck and enjoy. If you like Garrick try making your own PC Bard. They can be quite powerful with the right stats. And another favorite option for my bard later in the game is throwing axes because you'll find one that returns. Just think of the posibilities.

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Suggested build for a Bard.

If you are looking to make your own, as Skuld has suggested, I'd advise to go with these stats (with notes along side of them):

15 Strength - If he's going to carry a lot of stuff OR be used for some melee later on, use this for minimum.

18 Dexterity - Trust me. You must have this much if you wish to survive! Also, it raises your Bard's capability to pick pockets.

16 Constitution - This amount will allow him to have maximum hit points (Non-warrior classes stop gaining hit point increases after 16 Constitution in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.).

18 Intelligence - This will guarantee that they'll get the maximum amount of spells. Note: Be careful if you ever make a Bard or Sorceror in any D&D/Forgotten Realms games that use 3rd Edition D&D or higher rule sets (Example: Icewind Dale 2, Neverwinter Nights, or The Temple of Elemental Evil.). Since 3rd Edition, Sorcerors and Bards use Charisma as their spellcasting stat.

10 Wisdom - After you upgrade your stats (Just being cautious in case you're not looking for a spoiler on stat upgrades yet.), you should be able to get the minimum requirements of this statistic for a certain quest in Baldur's Gate 2, if you wish to progress a Bard character you make into that game.

18 Charisma - Bards have a rather high Charisma requirement as is, so why not go with maximum. Besides, you'll guarantee yourself some good quest rewards at certain points (along with decreased shop prices) in the game.

Suggested Equipment: (With some credit to Skuld.)
Weapon (Melee): Longsword, or War Hammer. You'll find powerful versions of either weapon throughout the game. Note: Try to make sure that your NPCs (if you have any) are as well-equipped as possible.

Weapon (Ranged): Light Crossbow. Definitely go for the Light Crossbow of Speed. Three points to Skuld for that suggestion!

Armor: None. If you want to cast spells, don't go for it. (Don't worry. I'm not trying to rub it in.)

Shield: I'd advise against using shields, especially if you're using a crossbow. Besides, a Bard can only wield a Buckler, which really don't do much good for you in most cases.

Hands/Wrists: Bracers of Armor. 'Nuff said.

Head: N/A. There's nothing that a Bard can equip for headgear in this game.

Belt: Which ever belt you see fit. Try to go with one that reduces the most annoying damage that your Bard takes (Example: Slashing, piercing/arrows, bludgeoning, etc.)

Boots: I'd say the Boots of Avoidedness (sp?). Missile weapons may become bothersome, so these boots will improved your Bard's survivability against missile/ranged attack damage. You might wish to go with a belt that covers a different type of damage than missile weapons, in that case.

Rings: As Skuld suggested, a Ring of Protection.

Amulet: Your choice.


So, what do you think, Salles?

[Curry]

Bards are also good pickpockets and they have relatively high lore so you don't have to waste spells/money if you need to identify items.

[Xandax]

[QUOTE=Salles]<snip>
And finally, though this is more of a literary query than anything else, does anyone know what exactly 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends!' means and/or directly refers to?
<snip>
[/QUOTE]

It is taken from Shakespeare's Henry V.

[JackOfClubs]

Act 3, Scene 1 to be precise:
[INDENT]Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'[/INDENT]

[Salles]

As always, you guys have given me everything I needed to know, and then some
Many Thanks.