Low on Lore?

[Dancing Virginia]

I just created a new bard using the stats NobleNick set out in a long-ago post. Here are the stats:

Str-15
Dex-18
Con-15
Int-16
Wis-8
Cha-15

Was surprised to see that her lore only came out to 30! I thought Intelligence affected lore. With an Int of 16, I thought her lore would be much higher. Comments? Suggestions on amping up this character?

Thanks,
Cary

[Aerich]

Intelligence does affect lore. Raise the Int if you want more. Wisdom also affects lore, but to a lesser extent. A Wis of 8 results in a penalty to lore because it is lower than "average".

For the character, here are my suggestions:

1) Drop the Str to 12. Str 15 allows you to use composite longbows and carry more stuff, but neither function is critical for a bard. Str 12 still allows you to use longbows and wear chainmail, and gives you three stat points to use elsewhere.
2) Bump up the Con to 16, giving you the non-warrior maximum of +2 HP per level (up to lvl 10). A little more durability never hurt a bard.
3) If you plan to use this bard long-term, take 18 Int for maximum casting effect (spell learning, level of spell) and lore. I think you need at least 17 Int to cast lvl 8 spells, but I'm not certain.
4) Bump Wis to 10 if lore is an issue. Not absolutely necessary, because you will gain lore with every level-up.

Dex and Cha are fine. Buy and cast Friends to maximize your buying power at shops.

Edit: 30 lore for a lvl 1 character isn't bad. I have a mc cleric/mage with double-digit levels in both classes and max Int and Wis; her lore is 58. Bards have hands-down the best lore potential in the game, so don't worry about it.

There's a significant bard-only item that needs 13 Wis to use. If you have the stat points to spare you could bump up the Wis, but your bard will be just fine even without the item.

[ 04-17-2006, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: Aerich ]

[Klorox]

Bards fly up in levels. There should be few, if any items you can't identify with that character.

If you can't ID something, it's probably cursed anyway.

[Aerich]

There's more than you might think, if you're not playing HoF. However, just invest 8 hours to memorize Identify in multiple slots.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Besides, there is always Identify.

[Klorox]

Just realized: I play on insane mode, and since my characters are earning twice the XP, they will be of a higher level, and therefore have a better Lore to ID stuff.

IOW, my statement might not hold true for you.

[Roboghost]

The WIS is the problem:
A WIS of 7, 8, or 9 drops lore 10 points and 20 points if less than 7!

A bard gains 10 points of lore per level

A fair bard roll would be {89}:
12
18
16
18
10
15

A good bard roll would be {92}:
13 (a certain ring could get it to 14 for more carry capacity)
18
17 (see WIS - it will go to 16 using method below)
18
11 (a combo of 3 potions gets this to 13 to use a HoW item - late)*
15
*this requires THREE (3) random potions - feeling lucky?

A great bard roll would be {97} - depends on who's your CHA character:
14 (a certain ring could get it to 15 if you want to use a CLB)
18
16 (not worrying about the 3-potion WIS trick)
18
13 (use the HoW item)
18 (if he/she is to be your shopper - can get it up to 25 w/ spell/items)*
*another good ways to get a good CHA characters (if you want to just roll a 94-point bard):
1. cleric + 18 CHA + amulet (buy) - then add a certain head item (24 CHA)
2. mage + 18 CHA + spell - then add a certain head item (24 CHA)

If you go higher then 97 [I never have] - add points to STR...

[Dundee Slaytern]

Having CHA greater than 15 is pointless for a Bard, since 20 is the maximum for sales discount. Unless you are roleplaying of course.

[Ultra Marine]

What's the problem with lore? Identify spell?

Besides that, if you play the game more than once, you can memorize what you find by hard.

[Roboghost]

CHA and shopping:

20 CHA is the max for best prices? I did a www search, but came up empty. I have a game in progress and when I get a CHA item [Severed Hand], I'll try to test this to double check. Of course, my current party needed to neglect the CHA in order to get a good STR, so that only left my bard to "lead the way" ; )

Note that after you're all equipped up, the best thing to buy in stores - and is expensive - is ammo. When your only archer is a M/T, the ammo in his/her short bow better be top "notch" during nasty-battle-zones (I like to fly a couple of arrows between spells during the "re-charge" period.)