Quote:
Originally posted by Mezu:
Just curious, are bards worth having? what do their songs do? i see no noticeable stat change when they are crooning.. I'm at the stage of freeing Har'dalis or whatever his name is, and i'm considering dumpin off someone to nab him, but I don't see any major benefit from having a bard. I don't really see any postings on them, so my initial thought is, they aren't vital or useful much.
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According to the manual, bard songs from a generic bard (a bard without a kit) raise party morale and luck. This makes party members less likely to flee in terror, and the luck part decreases enemy attack rolls and damage. The higher the bard's level, the higher the luck. When a bard's using his or her song, he or she
can't attack. They're too busy playing music.
Bards can also cast wizard spells. Depending on the bard's intelligence, bards can potentially get 6th level wizard spells. I find it easier giving the bard a lot of party and personal protection spells and giving my mages the offensive ones. My BG1 bards are usually playing music instead of attacking, and it's no problem getting them to stop for a second to cast something.
Bards also get 10 points of lore per level. A character with a high lore rating can identify stuff in their inventory by simply right-clicking on it. At the beginning of the game, a PC-created bard has ~90 lore. By the time you're in chapter 3, the bard can identify just about anything. No more identify scrolls!
Bards also have a pickpocket ability, and can drink potions of mastery thievery to increase it. (Or, at least, they could in BG1.)
Bards must also be human or half-elven, must be of some neutral alignment (NG, LN, TN, CN, NE), can't use a shield or helmet, and can't wear armor heavier than chainmail. (Also can't cast spells in anything other than elven chainmail.)
Bards have three kit options:
Blade: Blades get an offensive and defensive spin that allow them more attacks per round (offensive) or a high AC to defend someone (defensive). Blades only get 5 points of lore per level, 1/2 pickpocket percentage, and their bard song doesn't increase with levels. To me, a blade is so much like a regular fighter with little nifties that you're better off with an actual fighter.
Jester: The only thing different about a Jester is that his song confuses enemies instead of providing morale and luck bonuses.
Skald: Skalds get +1 to hit and damage. Their bard song acts like the BG1 bard song, as it gives attack and save roll bonuses to allies. Their only penalty is a 1/2 pickpocket percentage. This is my choice for a BG2 bard.
Haer'Dalis: Good ol' H'D is a blade, which means he sucks. (Kidding.) But it kinda stinks that the only NPC bard in the game took a kit that isn't very bard-like. That being said, I was tempted to pick him up. He comes to your party versed in short swords and two-weapon style, and by the time you get him you'll find several nice swords and a harp for him, plus with a little more rooting around you can uncover elven chainmail, just perfect for a warrior spellcaster. Plus, H'D has some great party interactions. Anomen is
not fond of Haer'Dalis. Somehow, all the women in the party like him, and all the men don't.