TWC to Polearm

[Raliver]

Considering switching my bard to Polearm for TWC.

I'm planning to use tridents - searfaring bard RP - unless someone explains why this is an absolutely terrible idea. Don't think I can currently swing a lance in 5 (51 dex/agi bonus as an elf) but may give it a go and can always sing one up if the situation calls for it.

With the plan to use tridents, is it worth 1xing in shields? If I 1x in shields I can pick up an additional 5 spell ranks from where I am, giving me 30 at lvl 24 to get to 425 faster. If I don't 1x in shields, I can get 8 additional ranks (1020/413). I am currently not training in dodge as I didn't see the DS benefits at my current level with the relative ease in getting spells from Dreavenings or others.

Also, currently training in Combat Focus and Cunning Defense. I'm assuming this would still have their benefits.

Any additional thoughts or considerations would be appreciated. Current TWC skills are below. Plan is to drop OHE and TWC to add Polearms and spells, shields, or other suggested skills.

(at level 24), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Two Weapon Combat..................| 150 50
Armor Use..........................| 130 35
Combat Maneuvers...................| 105 25
Edged Weapons......................| 150 50
Multi Opponent Combat..............| 25 5
Physical Fitness...................| 105 25
Harness Power......................| 102 24
Elemental Lore - Air...............| 0 0
Mental Lore - Manipulation.........| 5 1
Mental Lore - Telepathy............| 82 18
Perception.........................| 105 25
Climbing...........................| 54 11
Swimming...........................| 25 5

Spell Lists
Minor Elemental....................| 5

Spell Lists
Bard...............................| 20
Training Points: 123 Phy 79 Mnt

Name: Race: Elf Profession: Bard (shown as: Songsmith)
Gender: Male Age: 0 Expr: 670545 Level: 24
Normal (Bonus) ... Enhanced (Bonus)
Strength (STR): 74 (12) ... 74 (12)
Constitution (CON): 75 (12) ... 75 (12)
Dexterity (DEX): 92 (26) ... 92 (26)
Agility (AGI): 94 (37) ... 94 (37)
Discipline (DIS): 73 (-4) ... 73 (-4)
Aura (AUR): 98 (29) ... 98 (29)
Logic (LOG): 73 (11) ... 73 (11)
Intuition (INT): 38 (-6) ... 38 (-6)
Wisdom (WIS): 43 (-3) ... 43 (-3)
Influence (INF): 100 (35) ... 100 (35)

[Erous]

At 45 I was able to swing a lance as an elf @5 with stat growth set to perfect with tanked INF.

[Raliver]

Just realized I can't do math and I think I would be able to swing a lance in 5 while I unencumbered. Still plan to do tridents primarily and then I can use a lance if needed.

[Enuch]

Would singing sonic weapon negate the issue of lance swing speed?

I'm not 100% but I hought one of the perks of the sonic weapon had to do with the lack of weight/encumbrance of the item

[Taernath]

Would singing sonic weapon negate the issue of lance swing speed?

I'm not 100% but I hought one of the perks of the sonic weapon had to do with the lack of weight/encumbrance of the item

Only if the increased swing time is due to encumberance.

To OP: Polearm bards are the shit, and if you can fit 1x shield in there without sacrificing other training go for it. A trident isn't -that- bad of a base though there are definitely better ones, and people have done crazier things for RP. You'll want to start working on Air Lore at some point, though.

[Raliver]

I am basically planning on doing what will the best for the next 4 months. He's a secondary character so won't be pushing too fast in that time frame. I may drop the shields to get some air lore when I'll start using it. Thanks for the insight.

[Donquix]

No, you can't swing a lance in 5 seconds. Is math that hard?

15 combined bonus per second off and it rounds normally. 8, 23, 38, 53, 68, etc. A lance is a 9 second weapon thus you need 4 seconds off.

You're 2 bonus short. According to what you said, but according to your info listing you pasted, you have a 63 combined bonus, which is sufficient for a 5 second lance swing. Unless you're still in your 30 day migration and planning on changing your stats again, in which case I dunno why you'd post your non-final stats. If the 51 combined bonus is what you are planning on ending up with, getting 2 AGIDEX bonus from enhancives is trivial so that is an option and it won't be that many levels before growth gets you the two points anyhow.

Tridents are fairly underrated, a few warriors at cap have switched to using spears, as like the trident you can GRIP them and then allows them the flexability to be bonded to a weapon they can use two handed for a bit more umph and with a shield, plus charge is pretty damn nice maneuever for turtled things (if you aren't a tiny race). Tridents really aren't that different DF wise from spears (though they are noticably worse when used two handed against plate). However they also get shield maneuvers and bonding and such so there are a lot more mechanical benefits.

I'm sure you can make it work, it may just be slow going when compared to other options. Obviously you aren't really locked into the trident unless you spent a ton of money on something like Wyrom's awesome trident at the auction.

I'm assuming you're planning getting dodge back up to 1x after you get 430/1020? The spell tanking won't last forever. Not to mention it seems a lot of attacks are being converted to use the new SMRv2, of which dodging is a primary defense factor for.

[Erous]

Would singing sonic weapon negate the issue of lance swing speed?

I'm not 100% but I hought one of the perks of the sonic weapon had to do with the lack of weight/encumbrance of the item

For Bards, the weapon type sung is equivalent to the physical weapon, so the same RT rules apply minus encumbrance.

[Whirlin]

Polearm bards will have problems with DS a few times in their careers. But, it'll all even out, and they're powerful.

However, using a Trident one handed is terrible... You may as well save yourself the TP, train one handers, and use a shield.

Bards really don't have that many additional TP to be throwing around... the 25 ranks of Telepathy, 1 rank of manipulation, Air Lore, etc... and then MOC is always nice... something will need that TP to come out of somewhere.

[Raliver]

No, you can't swing a lance in 5 seconds. Is math that hard?

15 combined bonus per second off and it rounds normally. 8, 23, 38, 53, 68, etc. A lance is a 9 second weapon thus you need 4 seconds off.

You're 2 bonus short. According to what you said, but according to your info listing you pasted, you have a 63 combined bonus, which is sufficient for a 5 second lance swing. Unless you're still in your 30 day migration and planning on changing your stats again, in which case I dunno why you'd post your non-final stats. If the 51 combined bonus is what you are planning on ending up with, getting 2 AGIDEX bonus from enhancives is trivial so that is an option and it won't be that many levels before growth gets you the two points anyhow.



No, math is not that hard. I made an error in my original post (not sure where I came up with 51 combined bonus). Which is why my later post corrected it. But thanks for the condescending remark.


In regards to using a shield with a trident, it would be only as an option if defense was needed, not as a primary form of hunting. But I understand the TP limitations.

Thanks for all the helpful comments, helps make a few decisions.