The Bard/Skald

[Cristian]

just created a bard kit Skald and im just wondering what equipment i should have

[Cristian]

help please!

[Minchandre]

Well...traditional Viking weapons, most likely. Two-handed swords (though I'm pretty sure bards can't use them), battle axes, longs swords, maybe a short bow...

Probably sword and shield proficiency, as Vikings often used shields when using one handed weapons, and bards have low AC. Of course, can't use many shields...

[Pirengle]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking. :? Do you want the bestest uber-powergaming gear ever or what a Norse skald would have as gear?

Powergaming-wise, I don't suggest building a skald as a primary fighter. Skalds sing. Blades battle. The only skald I've played I've used with crossbow, wands, and the bard song.

[Faceman]

I think it's safe to assume that our fellow Cristian wants role-playing advice AND items that keep his PC from getting killed.

I suggest Bladesinger chain later on and some robe for the start. Some nice rings and amulets (there are no real restrictions and I'm sure you know what you like). Maybe use some northern equipment like the Boots of the North?
As for weapons: Aren't bards restricted like Rogues?
If that is the case i would go with dual wielding Bastard swords (dual because you can't have a shield as a skald and Bastards because they should be impressively big for a northener) or Longswords.
If not I could imagine axes but not hammers (I just think that warhammers should be twohanded anyway). I also oppose to dual-wielding mixed weapon types but not because of the Skald but because I always do (it just hurts my eyes to see someone with a Flail in the left and a Dagger in the right)

[Minchandre]

I'm relatively certain that bards can't use bastard swords...

Also, I don't think Vikings ever dual wielded...they were more twohanded/sword and shield dudes...

[Faceman]

well no shields for a skald so if Vikings don't dual wield there's only single weapon style left.

[Stratos]

Hmm...
Correct me if I'm wrong here but isn't the Skald (or any bard) able to use any weapon except composite longbow? Been a long time ago since I played one.

[Raistlin Majere]

Originally posted by Stratos: Hmm... Correct me if I'm wrong here but isn't the Skald (or any bard) able to use any weapon except composite longbow? Been a long time ago since I played one.

i believe your right. the only weapons they cant use are weapons restricted to a class or alignment(well, an alignment they are not). and thats only until they gain *ToB Spoiler*
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* the ToB high level ability of Use Any Item.

[SixOfSpades]

Correct, the Composte Longbow is the only weapon that Bards cannot use. In stark contrast is their Armor limitations: Bards are apparently allergic to wearing Helmets and all types of Shields except Bucklers. (And the selection of Bucklers in the game is so pitiful as to be practically nonexistent.)

SO: Ideally, we're looking for a guy who likes to sing lusty tunes of mead, wenches and looting (Ideally, looting some wenches who like to brew mead), while wearing Chain Mail, a Norse helmet, and using a Long Sword and/or Spear in conjunction with a Medium Shield. Sadly, though, that ain't gonna happen. Quite apart from the fact that no Viking has EVER been known to cast Spider Spawn, Bards are simply prohibited from wearing most Viking-Raider-ish gear.

Give up on the Viking angle--instead, roleplay a Skald: One who likes to take the "Army of One" idea to its fullest extent by buffing his Summons to the point on invincibility.