yes, i am actually asking for advice (bard)

[Amergin]

after playing through a few times as paladins, sorcerers, wild mages, but mostly fighter/thieves, i have decided to use all 20 tokens and see how good i'll look in psychedelic chain.

i've read about all the different bonuses for the different bard kits, but i'm really looking to have a poor man's fighter/mage. i don't want to gimp my lore so blade is out, and i'd much prefer to be in most fights rather than hanging at the back fondling my lute so i'm not concerned with song effects much (at least not until ToB where i hear they get a nice boost). still, a kit or standard?

not too concerned with weapon, but weapon style is an issue. granted the various elven chains end up as good as the best thief armor, but my f/t's all had decent hp's (high CON and 8 hp/lvl). this guy won't. are there any bucklers in the game that would make sword/shield style worth it? i've only seen the +1 one. next preferred is single style mostly for the AC bonus. failing any endorsements for that i'd go with dual except that so many precious points will have to spent just to make it usable (thief THAC0 with any penalties is pointless, literally).

spells. with the cap at 6th level, what role would he be best at? backup mage, casting the greater malisons and non-caster-level-dependent-effect spells like chaos? personal buffs (as with my fighter/mage) like protections and boosts? other?

fyi, i would answer this post with a snide "play the game and find out for yourself", but if you have any bard tips post that, too.

[Helspanth]

Use single weapon or two handed weapon.
Ther eare not any usable skills untill you get the use any item ability
As for dual wielding the penalties would be too much.
With the 6th level spell cap I mostly use buff spells.Tenser's Transormation is a killer.If you fight stoneskin is good as well.
Also use spells that are level depending.For example if you are 14 level and cast skull trap that will do 14d6 damage!
Go for true class or if you like Jester.That guy can be too powerfull sometimes(confusion at will)

Go for the skald. I'm playing as one and he rocks. his bonuses are awesome, his bard song at really high levels makes you immune to the mind flayer charm and all the symbol spells, he really rocks.
TIPS: For Haer Dalis quest, when you go to the other (Spoiler) plane, get that chain mail for bards. really good mail, and you can cast spells.

No more worriering about identify, bards are your identifiers.
Make your bard have some sort of ranged weapon (i prefer the crossbow) and a melee weapon,(i go with the spear)
Use your bard song for really tough battles, it helps.

[Nifft the Nimble]

Go with the Blade anyway. You're not really skimping much on lore, and if you have decent Int (eg: 18) you'll be able to ID everything important pretty early anyway.

Blades are wonderful replacements for Fighter/Mage/Thieves. One Blade will make up for Imoen's shortcomings as a thief, and will be an able fighter. Far better than a Skald or any other kind of Bard, due to their Offensive Spin. That ability allows them an extra attack and all attacks do maximum damage... it's like a Kai Shot, but it lasts 4 rounds. Offensive Spin coupled with a Crossbow of Speed or the Tungian Bow will make you a force of destruction.

Don't bother with a shield. If you have ToB or the Bonus Merchants patch, get Dakkon's Zerth Blade (a +2 Katana) for your off-hand. +1 AC and bonus spells, one each level 1-4. Your on-hand could weild Malakar, Celestial Fury or any of several non-Katana weapons. The downside to this strategy is that you forfeit most missile weapons. You'll still have access to Melf's Minute Meteors, though.

If you're more missile-inclined (as my Blade is), just go for Shortbows or Crossbows and Quarterstaves. As tools for summoning help or for poking an opponent from behind the front lines, Quarterstaves rock. Of course, Firetooth +4 (crossbow) and Tasheron's Bow +3 (shortbow) rock more

-- Nifft