Pure class solo Bard

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I remember reading on the boards that the game can be soloed with a Bard. I'm thinking about giving it a try (although I know it's not going to be a walk in the park). I will use IWD2 with some elements from Ease of Use (especially "Always Get Some XP Per Kill" and "Include Forgotten Armor and Shields" which should make things a lot easier) but I won't play Tal Rasha's Tactics mod (no way I'll play that without a Cleric anymore -lol).

I'm thinking of playing a Drow (the problem is getting blinded but MR and stat bonuses are just too good).

The problem is that I'll be needing many many abilities. High CHA, DEX and CON for a start. Then INT and STR should be rather good for this character to be able to fend for himself. I'm thinking of dumping WIS (not too low either, when soloing Hold Person means Game Over).

Something like this:
STR 10 DEX 16 CON 16 INT 13 WIS 5 CHA 20
or maybe this:
STR 18 DEX 16 CON 10 INT 12 WIS 4 CHA 20
or more DEX based:
STR 12 DEX 20 CON 12 INT 12 WIS 4 CHA 20

Which means that i'll get only a few skillpoints.
Concentration +, Diplomacy, Alchemy (?), Hide & Move Silently, Spellcraft, Pickpocket, Knowledge (not sure I'd like to waste a first level slot for that spell) they seem like the ones I should put a few points in.

Picking feats is going to be tricky... Lingering Song is the only way to make the Bard song useful. Armored Arcana wouldn't be such a bad idea to be able to use some shield or armour. Spell focus is going to be a lifesaver (Enchantment). Rapid Shot perhaps (won't be that useful at the start unless I put more points in DEX).

I'm considering CN or CE (Evil would help avoiding some spell effects as well... Unholy Blight anyone?)

I can't really make up my mind. I'm set on playing a Drow (it's fun and I'll be able to relate to Nym lol) and I want a pure class Bard (no MC).
So if you have any idea or advice, thanks.

 

Dump wisdom to 3. Since you are soloing you'll be levelling much faster and gain MR so fast that you won't even have to make a will save (which wouldn't be a problem either).


I wouldn't put a single point into talking skills, besides the fact that the little dialogue option bonusses are useless you start with a +5 modifier because of 20 cha which is enough for the prologue and it will soon get much better because of stat raises at levelling and "eagle's splendor".
With high dex and no armor you can easily sneak around without spending skill points for this.

I'd put a point into the knowlege skills since they are "trained only", also one into "open lock" and "pickpocket" and "disarm trap". More than one point in pickpocket isn't neccessary, you have high dex and can reload, there are also potions.

I wouldn't take "armored arcana" at all, I'd take "dash" at the beginning. "Rapid shot" is a "must have" at higher levels, but at the beginning crossbows are better.
"Heroic inspiration" is also a good feat.

 

Drow is the right race for that.
I would probably set wis to 3 and put those points to strength (using your version 1). Maybe even change some dex to strength to get stats something like 14 14 16 13 5 20. Bards get quite good will-saves from lvl ups.
As for alignment I would make him evil.

Try to learn shadow conjuration and shades to get some allies.
BTW. Why is grater shadow conjuration and shades at the same spell lvl for bards? Don't shades do the same job but with higher HP for the monsters?

For identifications you'll have enough money to let NPCs do that since you only have one to equip.

 

Thanks for the ideas.

I went with 14 16 10 14 6 20 and it went rather smoothly so far. Actually it is a lot easier than soloing a Rogue or a Fighter.

I put skillpoints in all trained rogue skills (1 each) so I'll be able to use them, with 4 points at every level up he should be comfortably set. I maxed Concentration (since I chose to dump CON, reluctantly but I was stuck and so far he is quite good at avoiding blows).

I took Dash (he was so slow), Lingering Song (otherwise the songs are pretty useless) and Dodge (had doubts about this one but I plan to take Expertise next). I thought about taking Rapid Shot but for now it's rather pointless (later on especially in the Ice Temple with magical arrows, darts and bullets it's going to be helpful).

I've been thinking about Spell Focus and I wonder which one I should take (Necromancy?) also what do you think about feats like Spirit of Fire, Aegis of Rime, etc. Should I bother about these feats or should I concentrate on Spell Focus?

I kept as much money as I could to get shiny items (rings and one spell a day items like the ring of Mage Armour or the Pipes of the Wheezing Dragon) since they can help turn the tables in a tight spot.

My bard has just freed Sabrina and he is now level 6 (Chromatic Orb, Identify -arguably not the best choice I could have made but less hassle-, Charm, Prismatic Colours -iirc-, Mirror Image, Cat's Grace, Eagle's Splendor... Not sure I made the right choices but I can still pick up Bull's Strength later and Sleep won't be useful after Shaengarne Bridge).

It's rather easier than I thought and I doubt there'll be any challenge when I'll get the best spells.

Soloing a heavily multiclassed character would definitely be harder.

[ January 20, 2007, 12:34: Message edited by: Caradhras ]

 

I wouldn't bother about elemental feats like "spirit of flame". The 5 extra resistance is nice but you don't benefit from the extra damage. You also have to waste 8 points into spellcraft in order to be able to take them.

Taking SF necromancy early just for one level8 spell is a bit of waste, "mass domination" and PW:blind are the better level 8 spells and the powerful lower level enchantment spells like "confusion" or "dominate person" also benefit from GSF enchantment.

 

10 points in Spellcraft actually (but it's not like I haven't got skillpoints to spare -shouldn't have taken Identify).

Sound advice kmonster, I'm not sure yet about the next feats, I just happen to like a lot Wail of the Banshee and making it a lot more effective is not such a dumb move IMHO (but level 26 is still a long way ahead and I would have to take Horror to make it worth while -lol- not such a good idea after all). Perhaps Evocation instead (although it would only boost Shout, Great Shout, Prismatic Spray and Chromatic Orb). So you're definitely right, Enchantment would be a better choice for spell focus.

My bard is level 9 now and Expertise is very handy, it allows him to sing in the middle of a melee and to dispose of stunned/held foes without bothering about getting hit.

 

Drow is a powerful race, I like it too. And I agree with choosing SF:Enchantment for a Bard.

By the way, did anyone solo the game with a pure monk. Is it possible?

 

@Rasha:
I solo'd BGII with a monk, if that helps. I wouldn't recommend it though for IWD2-- it wasn't so much that it was difficult as it was boring. IWD2 is a far more combat-oriented game, and to play it all the way through with a very monotonous character type would be tedious, to say the least. At least with a bard you have some variety in the combat...

On topic:
Caradhras, if you want to maximize your efficiency, then focus on summoning spells. That way, you can get the most out of your party-oriented bard songs.

 

Well my bard is level 10 (Spell Resistance begins to look really good) and he is at the Horde Fortress, so he huffs and puffs and buffs...

I never liked summons that much (guess that's why I don't like HoF) but BlckDeth has a point, the Bard song would be nice to make them more effective. I won't bother about lower summons though.

For now I use Expertise, sing and let Lingering Song work while I hack and slash. Most enemies can only hurt him with a crit so he is faring rather well (I keep some potions, scrolls and items if my spells run out in the middle of a battle, resting too often is boring).

This character can defend himself rather well but lacks offensive power (need a better weapon and maybe Power Attack as well). I got Shout which is not a powerful spell but it can be cast very quickly and makes it hard for enemy mages.

I made a mistake and took Improved Invisibility (I forgot how cheesy it was in that game which is why I never bother about it usually, it's a pity it doesn't work like in BG2) anyway I plan to use it to scout safely and to retreat if I get cornered (there was too many level 2 spells that I really would have missed to have bothered about regular Invisibility). Yes I didn't take Dominate, I wanted to be stealthy and a second Evocation spell... I have to take it though.

So far it's a rather enjoyable game and the fact that I didn't multiclass (I like multiclassing too much for my own good) makes this character very effective. Being able to use plenty of different items (I always liked Bard only items) and scrolls opens a whole range of different strategies (although in the end it's still hack and slash). In any case it's much different from soloing a Sorcerer because you can't just nuke everything around you. I like it a lot so far.

I wonder if I could have soloed Tal Rasha's Tactics Mod 4IWD2 though... all the undead summons would have been a real pain). On the other hand Undead Targos would have made the game easier since I would have a +2 Mace (instead of the Short Sword of Kara Tur or the Sure Striking Sword that I have right now).

 

@Tal Rasha
I soloed the game with a DG monk through regular and HoF campaigns. HoF took 12 years in-game time...sooo much cheese, sooo many reloads.

 

@nunsbane
Oh my! It sounds terrible. I'd better not do that.

@Caradhras
I tried to solo my own mod with a drow wizard, but I gave it up in Chapter 2. I really don't recommend to solo Tactics4IWD2.