Flavorful SwordBard

[De Molay]

Recently I've been toying with the idea of Bardblade or, to be more precise, SwordBard - Bard/Swordsage hybrid utilizing Undersong spell to give Diamond Mind maneuvers a nice momentum. The idea is by no means new (though I haven't seen any good guides on the matter; are there?).

Usually, though, Perform (Weapon Drill) is taken and the char gets the ability to gracefully slash fireballs in two with his sword or to shield from mind attacks behind a curtain of steel.

My thoughts went in a slightly different direction flavorwise, which I haven't yet seen discussed on the boards. What if we take Perform (Pantomime)? We are getting a mime, who shields himself from the same fireballs with an imaginary wall, attacks enemies as though attacking them, etc. In that case we can take Unarmed Swordsage, probably some Monk, Marshal since Perform is class for them. If only DM strikes could be made ranged.

I have no actual build yet, though. Any thoughts, advice and suggestions?

[Rebel7284]

Bloodwind spell allows you to make natural attacks at range.

[sirpercival]

The reason Weapon Drill is usually used is because you get 1/2 your BAB as a bonus.

Anyway, Lord of the Dance.

[De Molay]

On the Bloodwind spell: that seems perfect. Will look into it immediately, thanks!

For now - a wonderful picture I forgot to put into the original post:

(click to show/hide)

Speaking about Weapon Drill: yes, I know that reason to use it. Just wondered about the alternatives. Thanks for the link!
Upd: oh, it turns out I read the topic you linked to just today. Will ponder on it more, though.

Also, am I right that being a 1-level spell with CL 2 and duration 10mins/lvl Undersong can be quite cheaply incorporated into a magic item as a continious/at will effect? Nevermind, found it in the abovementioned topic. I am right.

Also, by RAW Bloodwind won't allow to strike with maneuvers at a distance. But being a 3.0 spell (at least as I understood) anyway it's a subject to be discussed with DM and then - who knows.

[Rebel7284]

Wasn't it reprinted in SpC? Away from books.

[De Molay]

Actually yes (I had only mobile Internet and dndtools when I posted previous reply), but it still states "can use a full-attack action to use all natural weapons or unarmed strike as if it were thrown weapons". So by RAW it feels like maneuvers won't work. But that, I think, in my case at least can be regulated with the DM.

[Rebel7284]

Actually yes (I had only mobile Internet and dndtools when I posted previous reply), but it still states "can use a full-attack action to use all natural weapons or unarmed strike as if it were thrown weapons". So by RAW it feels like maneuvers won't work. But that, I think, in my case at least can be regulated with the DM.

Well boosts and such that modify your normal attack do work. Standard action strikes is, of course, a different story.  There is also Bloodstorm Blade, but that one is very Iron Mind dependent if I recall correctly and may have the same problem.

[Gazzien]

I could have sworn that Perform (Weapon Drill) had a line saying it couldn't be used for Bardic Performances in the first place?

[linklord231]

I could have sworn that Perform (Weapon Drill) had a line saying it couldn't be used for Bardic Performances in the first place?

This is correct, but he's not using it for Bardic Music.  He's using it in place of a concentration check (via Undersong), in place of a saving throw (via the Diamond Mind boosts).  If he wanted to, he could toss 3 ranks in any other Perform in order to be able to use Inspire Courage, and then trade away the other Bardic Musics that require Perform ranks via ACFs. 

[Gazzien]

I could have sworn that Perform (Weapon Drill) had a line saying it couldn't be used for Bardic Performances in the first place?

This is correct, but he's not using it for Bardic Music.  He's using it in place of a concentration check (via Undersong), in place of a saving throw (via the Diamond Mind boosts).  If he wanted to, he could toss 3 ranks in any other Perform in order to be able to use Inspire Courage, and then trade away the other Bardic Musics that require Perform ranks via ACFs.

Ah, right-o then. Missed that bit.

[De Molay]

All right, back to the Arcane Mime (or whatever).

The concept being chosen and looked from different angles at, I'm starting to assemble an actual build to play. Thus I'm asking for your help again. Or advice at least.

First of all: what is allowed. Mostly everything; exceptions are: Unearthed Arcana and Dragon Mags: they are not outright banned, but treated cautiously, so everything from there is to be discussed and judged. The same thing is, I believe, with stuff published in setting-specific books. Generally, it is allowed if it is not too setting-specific itself. Also we don't usually use psionics and incarnum but it is by no means banned.

Now to what we have already.

We start at 5th lvl. I think I'm going to be Bard 4/Unarmed Swordsage 1 (unarmed being -armor proficiency, +monk's unarmed damage progression and Improved Unarmed Strike).

Stats are either 32pb (could anyone suggest/link to a guide on point buying?) or "we'll try to roll in case it's better" (DM). We haven't rolled yet.

Obviously, Perform (Mime) is maxed out. I'm planning to be a party-face, so social skills are maxed as well. I'm not planning to be stealthy, so Hide, Move Silently and the like are dismissed. Any advice what to invest into?

Moving on. I'm a NG Human, so I have 3 feats right now. Later on (next level) I'm planning to take one more level of Swordsage and Ascetic MAge feat, to get CHA bonus to AC. But what should I take now? The role I'd like to play is party-face/controller/debuffer (w/ Inspire Awe ACF for starters).

Finally, on equipment. I have usual 9k of which 6 I'd like to spend on an item of Constant Undersong.
DM allowed Blood Wind to be also enchanted on an item as a constant effect, but for now I don't have enough gold. Note: DM homeruled that it is possible to use strike maneuver as ranged via Blood Wind (as a full-round action, obviously).

So, the questions:
- feats
- notable skills
- development (I have no idea how long the campaign will last so I'd prefer the build to be playable at every lvl; anyway, specific-level builds are also welcome)

Sorry if the post is a bit messy, feel free to ask any questions so that I can clarify the matters and learn to state more structured requests. Thanks!

[Jackinthegreen]

Here's a point buy calculator: http://emrilgame.netau.net/Dmstuff/pointbuy.html