Thundercallers are not meant to be melee combatants; yet here we are. Though I frown upon using 8’s on starting attributes, in order to make this unorthodox concept work one needs min-maxing to assign at least 14 points towards Constitution. Any lesser amount would be early level hit point suicide and the exceptional baseline skill points and Will saves of a Bard makes sacrificing Intelligence and Wisdom tolerable concessions. Strength 11 to comfortably wear armor and gear without weight penalty.
This build goes hard for longsword optimization in anticipation for endgame acquisition of Perfection, which adds much needed Inherent +2 to multiple stats while equipped. Piranha Strike is obtained at level 5 for the requisite damage of a would-be warrior. Completing the Crane Style feat chain, along side medium armor proficiency, then becomes a focal point for survivability afterwards. Spell selection includes melee favorites such as greater heroism and haste; however various support magics such as communal delay poison and mass cacophonous call are also included to maintain the Bard’s trademark flexibility.
| 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 |
Chaotic Good Human, 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); invisibility |
| 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; dispel magic |
| 10 |
Thundercaller |
+7 |
Jack of All Trades |
Bard Talent: Combat Trick (Armor Proficiency [Medium Armor]); sense vitals, dimension door, greater invisibility |
| 11 |
Thundercaller |
+8 |
Inspire Courage +3, Thunder Call 5d8 |
Feat: Crane Riposte; touch of gracelessness, freedom of movement |
| 12 |
Thundercaller |
+9 |
Soothing Performance |
+1 Charisma; echolocation |
| 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); glitterdust, 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 |