Thunder. Thunder. Thunder. Thundercallers! Hooooooooo!
Thundercallers are not meant to be a frontline combatant, yet here we are. In order to make this unorthodox concept work, one needs to concede min-maxing Intelligence and Wisdom to assign at least 14 points on Constitution. The exceptional skill points and Will saves of the Bard class makes the concession tolerable.
This build goes hard for longsword optimization in anticipation for endgame acquisition of Perfection, which adds Inherent +2 to multiple stats. Piranha Strike is obtained at level 5 to inflict requisite warrior damage. Completing the Crane Style feat chain, along side medium armor proficiency, then becomes a focal point for survivability afterwards.
The spell selection include melee favorites such as greater heroism and haste; however no expense is spared to also obtain Bard support magic like communal delay poison and mass cacophonous call. Furthermore, though capable with a blade, exemplary Charisma is mandatory to maintain Thunder Call and Storm Call effectiveness.
| Starting Ability Scores |
| Strength |
11 |
Intelligence |
8 |
| Dexterity |
18 |
Wisdom |
8 |
| Constitution |
14 |
Charisma |
17 |
| Skills |
| Athletics 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 1, Knowledge (World) 1, Lore (Nature) 3, Mobility 3, Perception 20, Persuasion 20, Stealth 1, Trickery 20, Use Magic Device 20 |
| Level |
Class |
Bonus |
Class Features |
Chosen Options |
| 1 |
Thundercaller |
+0 |
Bard Proficiency, Bound to the Land, Cantrips, Detect Magic, Inspire Courage |
Feat: Dodge, Human Racial Feat: Weapon Finesse; cure light wounds, hideous laughter |
| 2 |
Thundercaller |
+1 |
Well-Versed |
Bard Talent: Weapon Focus (Longsword); remove fear |
| 3 |
Thundercaller |
+2 |
Thunder Call 1d8 |
Feat: Slashing Grace (Longsword); feather step |
| 4 |
Thundercaller |
+3 |
|
+1 Charisma; heroism, mirror image |
| 5 |
Thundercaller |
+3 |
Inspire Courage +2 |
Feat: Piranha Strike; cacophonous call |
| 6 |
Thundercaller |
+4 |
Fascinate, Incite Rage |
Bard Talent: Combat Trick (Improved Unarmed Strike); sense vitals |
| 7 |
Thundercaller |
+5 |
Bardic Performance: Move Action, Thunder Call 3d8 |
Feat: Crane Style; grease, displacement, haste |
| 8 |
Thundercaller |
+6 |
Storm Call 3d6 |
+1 Charisma; confusion |
| 9 |
Thundercaller |
+6 |
Inspire Greatness |
Feat: Crane Wing; cure serious wounds |
| 10 |
Thundercaller |
+7 |
Jack of All Trades |
Bard Talent: Combat Trick (Armor Proficiency [Medium Armor]); glitterdust, dimension door, echolocation |
| 11 |
Thundercaller |
+8 |
Inspire Courage +3, Thunder Call 5d8 |
Feat: Crane Riposte; expeditious retreat, greater invisibility |
| 12 |
Thundercaller |
+9 |
Soothing Performance |
+1 Charisma; freedom of movement |
| 13 |
Thundercaller |
+9 |
Bardic Performance: Swift Action |
Feat: Lingering Performance; communal delay poison, greater heroism, mass cacophonous call |
| 14 |
Thundercaller |
+10 |
Greater Storm Call 5d6 |
Bard Talent: Combat Trick (Combat Reflexes); invisibility, mind fog |
| 15 |
Thundercaller |
+11 |
Inspire Heroics, Thunder Call 7d8 |
Feat: Spell Focus (Enchantment); greater dispel magic |
| 16 |
Thundercaller |
+12 |
|
+1 Dexterity; cure critical wounds, brilliant inspiration, euphoric tranquility |
| 17 |
Thundercaller |
+12 |
Inspire Courage +4 |
Feat: Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment); crushing despair, overwhelming presence |
| 18 |
Thundercaller |
+13 |
|
Bard Talent: Combat Trick (Improved Critical [Longsword]); mass cure moderate wounds |
| 19 |
Thundercaller |
+14 |
Thunder Call 9d8 |
Feat: Armor Focus (Medium); ki shout |
| 20 |
Thundercaller |
+15 |
Deadly Performance |
+1 Dexterity; shield of dawn, eyebite |
| Equipment |
| perfection, singing steel breastplate, headband of alluring charisma +6, absolver’s cloak, maya’s charm, belt of physical perfection +8, ring of circumstances, great dreamer’s smile, cheatsheet gloves, manticore skin boots |
