Bard spell recommondations:

[Klorox]

Any "must have" Bard spells? What do Bard spellbooks commonly look like?

[Claudius]

I know mirror image is one.

[Aerich]

Bard spellbooks look weak.

Here's a link to the choices. Links to each spell level are on the right-hand side.

A bard's spellbook is essentially buffs, enchantment spells, and summons. Utility spells, really. There's a few attack spells, mostly having something to do with sound or illusion, but not many.

Aside from Mirror Image, I wouldn't say there's any "must" spells. When I play a bard at all, which is rarely, I take spells that fit in with what the rest of my party has - e.g. a party short on clerics may take a couple healing spells, and one with plenty of arcane support will focus on buffs. I also like enchantment spells with bards because, frankly, not many of their spells other than enchantments (and the higher level summons) have much potential to contribute significantly in battle.

[Crucis]

Aside from Mirror Image, I wouldn't say there's any "must" spells. When I play a bard at all, which is rarely, I take spells that fit in with what the rest of my party has - e.g. a party short on clerics may take a couple healing spells, and one with plenty of arcane support will focus on buffs. I also like enchantment spells with bards because, frankly, not many of their spells other than enchantments (and the higher level summons) have much potential to contribute significantly in battle.

While bards always seem to be the ultimate jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none characters, if there was a "must have" spell for bards, I'd be very tempted to call Mirror Image one of them. OTOH, there are a number of very nice buffing spells at bard level 2, i.e. Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, and Eagle's Splendor. Still, I'd probably take MI before all but Bull's Strength.

[Klorox]

I've got Charm Person, Grease, and Armor so far on my 3rd level Bard. I plan on taking Chromatic Orb next.

His main role will be as a buffer, so level 2 will have Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Eagle's Splendour, and Mirror Image (for when he gets targetted!)

Level 3 will have Confusion, Slow, and I'm not sure what else (Dispel Magic? any of the "Emotion" spells?)

Level 4 will have Dismissal, Dominate Person, and Spirit Armor. It's too bad I can't work in Improved Invisibility.

Thanks for that link, Aerich!

[Aerich]

You're welcome. How come you can't work in Improved Invisibility?

Note that Dismissal is of limited value for this character because it subtracts the caster's level from the saving throw but adds the creature's hit dice. I'm fairly sure that it's the caster's level in the casting class, so this spell will be of limited use for a bard that only goes to lvl 11. Your cleric would be a superior caster of this spell.

I'd take an Emotion spell at the 3rd lvl, preferably Hope or Despair.

[Claudius]

Emotion: Hope is very good

[Klorox]

Thanks for the help. Dismissal is out, and Improved Invisibility is in. Sounds like Emotion:Hope made the cut as well.

kmonster pointed out to me (different forum) that maybe I should save Bull's Strength for my Cleric to cast, and choose another 2nd level spell. I think that's some sound advice to take as well.

I'm glad I'm asking, because with a Sorcerer and Bard in my party, I don't want to choose spells that have limited value or that can be cast by other party members.

Thanks!

[Aerich]

Yes, that's a good call by kmonster. Bull's Strength loses utility by about the mid-game, because Champion's Strength (lvl 5 cleric spell) is superior, although of lesser duration. Cat's Grace and Eagle's Splendor are useful throughout the game.

[silverdragon72]

.

Champion's Strength is a little bit better, but just lasts 10 min per caster level and is a cleric L5 spell!

Bull Str is an arcane L2 spell a nd last 1 hour per caster level, so from my point of view this is always the better choice cause:


- you can cast it after resting and it will last until next rest
- you should have tons of arcane L2 spells
_ on L5 there are quite better cleric spells, so why waste one or even more spell slots with Champion's Strength?!

- ok, I also keep one or two, but all party members get bulls strength anyway after resting!

.

[Aerich]

Hmm. I sense a difference in play styles here. I typically only give a Str buff to my first two characters unless I anticipate a running battle, and I often have two clerics. Using Champion's Strength instead of Bull's Strength isn't that much of a sacrifice for me. If you happen to have a Battleguard of Tempus, Champion's Strength is a domain spell - although considering the other choice is Chaotic Commands, it's not always best to take CS.

Anyway, it's a sound choice to skip Bull's Strength with the bard, since the cleric can cast it, and focus on Cat's Grace and Eagle's Splendor with the bard. CG and ES cannot be cast by clerics, and it's doubtful to say a sorc should pick one. Since Klorox's party (assuming it hasn't changed since the last time I looked ) has a deep gnome illusionist/tank as the only wizard character, those two spells won't be readily available unless the bard takes them.

Dire Charm and Hold Person are also good options for the bard, assuming it has/will have GSF: Enchantment. So you probably don't want to just focus on buffing with the bard.

[kmonster]

I used both spells together. Bull's strength always active and chamopion's strength as bonus when neccessary.

A level 13 cleric with 22 wisdom gets 7 normal level 2 spells per rest, so there's no need for other sources. 13 hours are a long time, so those spells are usually still active after one resting and even 3 level 2 slots are sufficient for providing everyone with bull's strength.

The cleric's level2 are sufficient even far earlier if you also consider that the crossbow using sorcerer or the singing bard can live with unbuffed strength for some time and there are also strength increasing items