Wait what... (Composite Longbow + Bards = nope???)

TheArtisan

Ok, so first of all, I have no idea where a thread like this is supposed to go, but...

Wth, so deciding to play a bard that isn't a Blade for once, I decided to roll a skald with 18 Strength. Start the game, build up the gold to purchase a composite bow and... 'Not usable by: Bard' @_@

I'm frankly confused here. Is this a PnP thing? If so I can't find it anywhere, albeit there's a lot I can't find based on ADnD rules. Seriously? Considering Bards are the only non-warrior class able to wield any type of weapon, not being able to use a comp. longbow but a normal longbow is just bizarre. It's not going to be a big deal later in BG1, but I was looking forward to that +2 bonus damage for the early game. Can someone tune me in as to whether this is right? If so I'll be very sad.

I suppose I should be more shocked that I haven't realized this despite over a decade of playing this game. Fie on me.

sarevok57

i guess they dont want bards to be too versitile

Nimran

That's what bards are for, though...

Wowo

There's the Eagle Shot Longbow from the bandit camp iirc that'll be the best bow for a bard. It has +3 att, +2 dam compared to a comp long now +1 with +2 and +3.

So, not a big deal.

Klorox

This rule really pissed me off.

Bards can use any weapon in AD&D 2E. The composite long bow is no exception.

GoodSteve

Wowo said:

There's the Eagle Shot Longbow from the bandit camp iirc that'll be the best bow for a bard. It has +3 att, +2 dam compared to a comp long now +1 with +2 and +3.

So, not a big deal.

That's actually the Longbow of Marksmanship +2 that is found in the bandit camp. The Eagle Bow is a shortbow.

FinalOgre

I too find this very annoying... can anyone clue us in on why the developers decided a class that supposed to be able to use any weapon can't use just this one?

the_spyder

Isn't there an unreasonably high STR restriction on composite bows as well?

And is it really that big a deal given everything that Bards get anyway? Spell Casting, thieving, (almost) any weapon and a relatively decent chance to hit with them, AND songs? Boo hoo.

Nimran

the_spyder said:

Isn't there an unreasonably high STR restriction on composite bows as well?

And is it really that big a deal given everything that Bards get anyway? Spell Casting, thieving, (almost) any weapon and a relatively decent chance to hit with them, AND songs? Boo hoo.

It requires 18 STR, and the bard in question has that STR.

FinneousPJ

Which is quite an unreasonable STR restriction.

This thread should probably have gone in general discussion. Anyways, someone can probably give you instructions how to remove this restriction. @CrevsDaak?

Wowo

GoodSteve said:

Wowo said:

There's the Eagle Shot Longbow from the bandit camp iirc that'll be the best bow for a bard. It has +3 att, +2 dam compared to a comp long now +1 with +2 and +3.

So, not a big deal.

That's actually the Longbow of Marksmanship +2 that is found in the bandit camp. The Eagle Bow is a shortbow.

Right, that one. So with that longbow you're basically equivalent to a comp long bow and it's early enough in the game for my tastes anyway.

kcwise

It makes perfect sense when you think about how overpowered bards are already...