Bard Questions...

[Wumpspawner]

The composite longbow was a 6' monstrosity, stiffer than hell, not the modern compound bow you can buy in any sporting goods store. But while it did require some strength to pull, one didn't have to have superhuman strength. If that was the case, I'm sure it would have never hit on so good. So yes, that rule is pretty unrealistic. But, in a world where men can throw flame from their hands, and survive an axe cleave from a 20' tall humanoid, or better yet, where a 5 ton reptile can fly and spew flame or acid or other such abrasive stuff from it's mouth, who needs realism, you know?

Archaelogists can recognize the skeleton of a professional longbowman by the unnatural twist to the spinal column caused by the strain of pulling back the bowstring a few thousand times. So maybe you'd need an 18 strength to prevent back injuries.

[InsaneBane]

A common longbow were made of solid yew wood (or other hard wood such as ashwood). It required many years of training to be able to hit hard and precise with such a bow. Actually kids were brought up to be longbow men.

The composite bow was working much the same way as the common longbow. It was not made by solid wood though. Some of the best compound bows of the middle age were made in Asia. They made compound bows of three layers: The inner layer (the part of the bow that is squeezed, when drawn) was made of horn, the outer layer (the part that is stretched) was made of sinew and the middle part was made of wood.

A compound bow is a modern bow, where tackles are used to reduce the force that must be maintained while the string is fully drawn. On the longbow and the composite bow the force required to pull the string is bigger the more the string is pulled.

[img]graemlins/greenbounce.gif[/img]
Insane

[Midget Gems]

I just finished a game with a Bard and I had stats that were quite similar to yours. I was going to do solo but it was just a bit too hard, so I used two Bards instead. One thing I noticed was that having 18 INT was of no real benefit. I would have been better off putting a couple of extra points into STR and CON. And just to put a different idea, you don't always have to use a party of six, if there aren't enough Neutral NPC's for a balanced party, then play with less.

[pritchke]

If you will be playing with DSotSC you will pick up some interesting items, including armor designed especcially for Bards. If not you may be better off almost naked using amulets, and rings.

[Wumpspawner]

Early on, the armor spell will be your saviour. I learned that soloing a fighter/mage/thief through IWD. Which, I might add, was a LOT of fun.

[D*Ranged]

Originally posted by pritchke: If you will be playing with DSotSC you will pick up some interesting items, including armor designed especcially for Bards. If not you may be better off almost naked using amulets, and rings.

No. I don't have DSotSC.

[D*Ranged]

Originally posted by Wumpspawner: Early on, the armor spell will be your saviour. I learned that soloing a fighter/mage/thief through IWD. Which, I might add, was a LOT of fun.

I realise that, really. For ALL people who are at least part - mage.

[madjim]

The bard and his armor: I havent tried in in a while, but I seem to remember that the Drizzt's chain could be worn and it would allow the casting of spells - but only in the unpatched version.

[Flaming Fist Enforcer]

Originally posted by madjim: The bard and his armor: I havent tried in in a while, but I seem to remember that the Drizzt's chain could be worn and it would allow the casting of spells - but only in the unpatched version.

Ummm... you might want to scroll to 3. post on this topic and read what it says. Then read Spades' answer. And it can't be worn in unpatched version either.

[Vedran]

powergaming...
I see what you imply, but powergaming is sooo laaame nonetheless IMNSHO.

random stats...
Of course it is my opinion, but I am pretty sure that D*Ranged asked for our opinions [img]tongue.gif[/img] .

reroll...
Some people consider cheating even using debug console for debugging. Others think that there can be no cheating versus AI.

Having 18/18/18/...
In our world. However, IMO that Forgotten Realms world is very earth-like, even considering magic, pantheon and monsters from every single source.
18 strength implies:
carrying 55 kg (110 pounds) and moving at the same speed as carrying nothing (some people could);
lifting 127.5 kg (255 p) over one's head (some people could).
18/00 strength implies:
carrying 167.5 kg (335 pounds) and moving as carrying nothing (a bit too much);
lifting 240 kg (480 p) over one's head (I think that the world's record is around 200-230 kg. Do you know the exact record?).
Inteligence of 18 enables the character to learn seven languages, apart from his native one.
Other abilities have no such universal indicators.
More than 18 in STR, WIS or CHA and 19 in CON, DEX or INT can be obtained, but only by extraordinary (magical) means.

chop your post to pieces...
I am not angry, you're a good fellow anyway.