spells for the bard...and playiing w/o a full mage

[StarVid]

(I'm not just starting a thread for the hell of it...ok, maybe so...)

*no spoilers please*

Ok, I'm wondering about what people choose for their bard spells. As a supporting mage, they strategies are a lot different. For example, I'd probably choose skull trap over fireball because there's no limit on the damage (1-6/level, unlike the FB which caps at 10d6). Anywhos, I'm just curious as to what people choose.

Also, does anyone play without a full mage? If I play as a bard, then I won't have a full mage until I rescue Imoen, whenever that is. Which means no access to higher level spells. I'll have breach, which is important, but not much else. Until I can rescue Imoen, I'll probably be using Jan. I could use Nalia, but her thief skills bite and her attitude is worse...

[Dundee Slaytern]

I played as a Blade, ended up having the 2nd highest kills...

40%, Anomen had 42%... ...

Well, Stoneskin is a must, add Melf's Minute Meteors for 5 attacks per round and make your attacks ranged, and Dual-wield a weapon, believe it or not, you can transform your off-hand weapon into a ranged weapon when you are using MMM. During battles, I cast Misled, the Misled illusion then sings the Bard Song, very potent in ToB when you get the Upgraded Bard Song. Throw in Offensive Spin for a sixth attack and to deal maximum damage for each attack all the time for four rounds.

During desperate times, I cast Contingency and store Tensor's Transformation, condition set to trigger when enemy is sighted. Doubles your life, but nullifies your spells, including Offensive Spin, use wisely.

What my Bard has, when he maxed out in ToB, starting from the highest priorty.

Lvl 1:

5 Magic Missiles

Lvl 2:

1 Resist Fear
1 Detect Invisibility
1 Mirror Image
1 Blur
1 Melf's Acid Arrow

Lvl 3:

1 Dispel Magic
4 Melf's Minute Meteors

Lvl 4:

1 Minor Spell Sequencer
2 Stoneskin
2 Wizard Eye

Lvl 5:

1 Spell Immunity
2 Cone of Cold
2 Sunfire

Lvl 6:

1 Contingency
2 Misled
1 Tensor's Transformation
1 Protection from Magical Energy

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If not a Sorcerer casting total oblivion, then a Paladin meting out justice. Otherwise, I think I will just be a bard and torture my enemies with, "My Heart Will Go On".

Platinium Sorcerer of ALSB, Aerie Loving Sacred Band! She's MeowRrrr, and more!

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Baldur's Gate Item Mart

[IrishHound]

You can get buy without a full mage, just make sure you have a druid for that wonderful insect spell that reduces mages to whimpering fodder. I've never played a bard but I would choose spells that help the party, ie... slow, confusion.



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To quote the pestering peasant, Neeber, of tradesmeet: "I killed a rabid rabbit! I'm experienced, now!"