Hey everyone,
Could you please help me with my first character for the release?
I'd like to have as many options as possible to resolve situations. Not always peacefully, though - if there is a real bastard to be punished, it is better to prevent a 'bigger evil' in the future.
So thinking about 'skill monkey' - but still relatively competent in combat.
So I'm thinking about 2 options:
1. Rogue 1 / Bard (Valor)
Starting with Rogue for skills, mostly
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 11 (I know that it is highly recommended - but I intend not to be hit), Int 12, Wisdom 14, Charisma 16
Race: wanted to go Human, but with attributes nerf for them - Wood Half-Elf for darkvision, stealth, and faster movement
Pros: lots of skills + expertise, sneak attack, freedom of choices, faster Bard progression
Cons: no heavy armor (helmets/gloves), no fighting style, no Smite
I want to use medium armor, a rapier and shield
2. Paladin 2 / Bard (Lore)
Starting with a paladin for better save throws
Race & attributes are the same
Pros: much more resilient, especially at the start. More spells, smite, fighting styles
Cons: less expertise/skills to be proficient, slower bard progression, restrictions based on Oath (as far as I read - not working as expected in many situations)
I would appreciate your advice!
Thanks
Thoughts that apply to both:
I think you are off by a point. Your spread based on your higher numbers would be:
14 (16), 14, 13 (14), 12, 12, 8
Regardless, don't neglect Con. it doesn't matter that someone can't hit you with a stick if your important caster save is a flat 0. You are only one Thunderwave away from losing concentration and half you HP. I'd take 3 points from Wis to put Con at 14.
You actually end up with the same amount of spell slots with both builds, you just lose out on spells to cast them with. (Maybe? Larian has made it sound like you get the spells if you have the slots).
Choosing one over the other:
If you want to be up close and personal, you are going to want multi-attack. So I would suggest your Rogue Valor bard if you just want a dip.
Paladin 2 is a good dip for melee classes (or subs) that are going to get multi-attack anyway, but on pure casters it isn't as great. You'd want a 5 or 6 Paladin if you want to play a punchy Lore bard.
