Author Topic: Help me build a Totemist/Bard  (Read 3797 times)

Offline TravelLog

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 371
  • Gunslinger, Descendent of Eld
    • View Profile
Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« on: June 08, 2013, 11:25:23 PM »
Alright, first is char gen rules:
Quote
Level: 10th(minimum of 3 as a Bard, varients allowed)
Rulebooks used: Core, all Completes(arcane, mage, psionic, divine, champion, scoundrel, warrior, adventurer), Dragon Magic, Drconomicon, Libris Mortis, Magic Item Compendium, Eberron Campaign Setting(although the game is not set in eberron), Races of Dragon, PHB 2, DMG 2, MM 2, Fiend Folio, unearthed Arcana, Manual of the Planes, Hero Builder's Guidebook, Book of Vile Darkness and Book of Exalted Deeds.
stats: 4d6v1r1
starting gold: 49,000 gp

This is an all-bard game, so I'm planning on handling the melee stuff, and will be using this class: Totem Chanter, unless someone has a superior melee bard PrC class (homebrew included).

I was thinking about a Draconic Dragonborn Lesser Aasimar for race, but I'm happy to entertain any and all alternatives.
Too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.
--Miguel de Cervantes

Offline Sinfire Titan

  • Hustler 3
  • Retired Admin
  • *****
  • Posts: 1443
  • You have one round to give a rat's ass.
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2013, 02:59:28 AM »
If you are going to be theurging it up, I have to recommend against using the Dragonic template. Especially on a Meldshaper/Bard hybrid.

Dragonfire Inspiration is a must-have. You will murder things in short order with that ability. Snowflake Wardance would also be good, but it unfortunately isn't in the list you posted. Since you are going Dragonborn, a decent idea would be to invest in Entangling Exhalation. It would give you a couple of free rounds to set up DFI, and debuff enemies so your Totemist attacks would be more efficient.

Also, a couple of grafts are within your budget. Consider them, as grafts are an excellent way to "double-up" on chakra binds (they don't count against an item slot like other magic items do).
Concerned about how moderation works here? Please PM this account.

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2013, 09:09:49 AM »
Valorous Lieutenant could work for you, especially when mixed with Wardancer.
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline TravelLog

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 371
  • Gunslinger, Descendent of Eld
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2013, 03:28:11 PM »
Yeah, I will definitely be taking DI and Snowfalke Wardance. Entangling Exhalation could be great, good call on that. Grafts are also an interesting idea. Which would you recommend.

SirP, unfortunately I need actual Bard levels, so Wardancer is a no. It's a solid suggestion though.

1: Dragonfire Inspiration
1F: Cobalt Inspiration (Feat for the Totem Chanter class)
1F: Multiattack
3: Snowflake Wardance
6: Doomspeak
9: Expanded Soulmeld Capacity

Later:
12: Double Chakra (Totem)

Does anyone have alternate feat suggestions?

I will probably also go with the Savage Bard variant and picking up Bardic Knack rather than Bardic Knowledge since it is a full party of bards, too. Thoughts?
« Last Edit: June 09, 2013, 04:20:08 PM by TravelLog »
Too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.
--Miguel de Cervantes

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2013, 04:08:02 PM »
I meant bard / wardancer / valorous lieutenant...
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline Jackinthegreen

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 6176
  • I like green.
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2013, 04:09:27 PM »
Based on your levels for feats, I assume you're using the PF feat progression?

And do remember that Words Of Creation is awesome for Bards.

Offline TravelLog

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 371
  • Gunslinger, Descendent of Eld
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2013, 04:21:42 PM »
Brain fart. Normal 3.5 feat progression. My bad. And yeah, I had forgotten Words of Creation. Hmm...what to swap it out for.
Too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.
--Miguel de Cervantes

Offline Jackinthegreen

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 6176
  • I like green.
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2013, 10:19:04 PM »
Considering it requires Base Will Save +5, the earliest you could take it single-classed is 6th level.  You'd have to take 3 classes with Good Will progression to get it down to 3rd.

It looks like your best bet is to nix Expanded Soulmeld Capacity.

Offline Sinfire Titan

  • Hustler 3
  • Retired Admin
  • *****
  • Posts: 1443
  • You have one round to give a rat's ass.
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2013, 08:49:27 AM »
Grafts are also an interesting idea. Which would you recommend.

Fiendish: Stinging Tail, Flexible Arm, Grappling Tentacle, Long Arm.
Maug: Spike Stones is really the only one I'd recommend.
Illithid: Goring Horn, Raking Tentacles, Weapon Graft.


The fiendish ones are the best, and easiest to get, but their drawback may or may not matter to you (it's easily avoided though). Planar Bind a Sibriex and get them for dirt-cheap prices!
Concerned about how moderation works here? Please PM this account.

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7639
  • classique style , invisible tail
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2013, 07:34:20 PM »
Q:  does the "Hero Builder's Guidebook" have anything in it?


Bard 3 / Totemist 2 / Stuff to qualify for / Sub Chord 1 (or 2) / Soulcaster X as much as possible
Isn't a Singing Slashing Wizard a better melee combatant.
idk if a Foch Lyrist can have Totemist 2 in the early going = ~maybe.
Your codpiece is a mimic.

Offline TravelLog

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 371
  • Gunslinger, Descendent of Eld
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2013, 09:04:54 PM »
A: Sadly, it's not a sourcebook with which I am familiar. I couldn't tell you.  :(
Too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.
--Miguel de Cervantes

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7639
  • classique style , invisible tail
    • View Profile
Re: Help me build a Totemist/Bard
« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2013, 04:55:08 PM »
Alright, first is char gen rules:
Quote
Level: 10th(minimum of 3 as a Bard, varients allowed)
Rulebooks used: Core, all Completes(arcane, mage, psionic, divine, champion, scoundrel, warrior, adventurer), Dragon Magic, Drconomicon, Libris Mortis, Magic Item Compendium, Eberron Campaign Setting(although the game is not set in eberron), Races of Dragon, PHB 2, DMG 2, MM 2, Fiend Folio, unearthed Arcana, Manual of the Planes, Hero Builder's Guidebook, Book of Vile Darkness and Book of Exalted Deeds.
stats: 4d6v1r1
starting gold: 49,000 gp

This is an all-bard game, so I'm planning on handling the melee stuff, and will be using this class: Totem Chanter, unless someone has a superior melee bard PrC class (homebrew included).

I was thinking about a Draconic Dragonborn Lesser Aasimar for race, but I'm happy to entertain any and all alternatives.
Bolding is mine; hence the question.
Hey maybe there's no there there.
Your codpiece is a mimic.