Talk:Bard/@comment-178.24.220.185-20180115233720

I'm comparing the Skald song with the new and improved unkitted Bard song that comes with a luck bonus now. I was wondering if that has made the Skald kit somewhat redundant.

The Skald song does give bonus to AC, which luck doesn't give. But luck lowers damage from all sources based on dice except base weapon damage. I suppose the AC lowers incoming damage more overall, but it is offset by this feature of the luck status given by the unkitted song. And I think, although I'm not sure, that +2 luck and +3 luck would lower the sides of the damage die by 2 (xd6 becoming xd4) and 3 respectively.

Then there's the attack and damage bonus and the Skald song gives twice as much there (until lvl 20). Or does it? According to the luck status page, if there are more than one die involved then the luck bonus is added once for each die. Meaning if your weapon deals 2d4 like the Morning Star or Bastard Sword, the unkitted song is giving an equal bonus to damage (almost because it can't go above maximum damage). Meaning, depending on your weapon choices, at level 20 the unkitted Bard song might be giving more damage (indeed more than the Enhanced Bard Song).

Finally there're the immunities. Fear immunity is massively useful. Sure, the Skald song gets it eventually but if you're playing through the Bhaalspawn Saga from BG1 then that is a long, long time without it. At lvl 20 the Skald song does gain awesome additional immunities. It basically becomes a slightly nerfed Enhanced Bard Song and so possibly freeing you to choose other High Level Abilities. But this whole exercise is only relevant if you use the bard song. If you're using your Bard to sing, wouldn't you take the enhanced version? Why would you be choosing the Skald anyway? For the nerfed Pick Pockets?