Skald
The Skald is a prestige class of A Dawn of Heroes: a melee fighter that has Bard Song and no spellcasting.
| Type | Prestige class |
| Hit die | d10 |
| Skill points | 4 + Intelligence modifier per level |
| Attack progression | 3/4 of your level |
| Strong saves | Fortitude and Will |
| Armour | Medium, granted at level 1 |
| Spellcasting | None |
| Maximum level | 30 |
| Alignment | Any non-lawful |
Requirements
- Alignment: any non-lawful
- Attack bonus: +5
- Discipline: 8 ranks
- Concentration: 8 ranks
- Lore: 5 ranks
- Feats: Toughness, Luck of Heroes, Weapon Proficiency (exotic)
Level progression
| Level | Gain |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bard Song, Armor Proficiency (medium) |
| 2 to 20 | +1 use of Bard Song per day at each level |
| 3 | Ambidexterity |
| 6 | Two-Weapon Fighting |
| 9 | Improved Two-Weapon Fighting |
| 10 | +1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1 Charisma |
| 11 | Epic Skald |
| 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 | bonus feat |
| 15 | Damage Reduction 1, +1 natural armour, Valkyrie's Cry |
| 20 | Damage Reduction 2, +1 natural armour, +1 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1 Charisma |
| 25 | Damage Reduction 3, +1 natural armour, Battle Hymn |
| 30 | Damage Reduction 4 |
Bard Song
Bard Song is granted at level 1, with +1 use per day at each level up to 20.
Bard Song power scales with your level and your Perform skill together. You reach a tier only when you meet both of its numbers.
| Tier | Level | Perform |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | 6 | 9 |
| 4 | 9 | 12 |
| 5 | 12 | 15 |
| 6 | 15 | 18 |
| 7 | 20 | 24 |
| 8 | 26 | 60 |
| 9 | 30 | 90 |
The level used is the higher of your Skald level and your Bard level, not the sum of the two.
Tier 9 is the highest tier. Above it there is only a stronger version of the singer's own buff, at level 40 and Perform 109. A Skald has at most 30 levels, so only a pure Bard reaches it.
Perform 90 at level 40 can be reached from 43 ranks, +3 from Skill Focus, +10 from Epic Skill Focus, your Charisma modifier, and up to +50 from items and spells.
The singer's own version of the buff is 1.5 times as large (rounded down) on attack bonus, damage, saving throws, Armor Class, skills and temporary hit points. Its damage bonus is magical damage instead of physical.
Valkyrie's Cry
Granted at level 15. Uses per day: 5 + 1 per 5 Skald levels. It does not work while you are silenced.
| To enemies nearby | positive energy damage: 1d6 per point of Constitution modifier, minimum 1d6 |
| To allies nearby | +50 temporary hit points per 5 Skald levels |
| +5% damage immunity to bludgeoning, slashing and piercing | |
| Duration of the ally effect | 2 rounds (12 seconds) |
You take no damage from your own cry. The effects granted cannot be dispelled.
Battle Hymn
Granted at level 25. Uses per day: 2 + 1 per 5 Skald levels. It does not work while you are silenced.
| To allies nearby | +2 attack bonus |
| To you | +10% damage immunity to bludgeoning, slashing and piercing; +5 pure damage per hit |
| Duration | 1 turn (1 minute) + 1 turn per point of your base Constitution modifier |
The duration uses your base Constitution score, so a Constitution buff does not lengthen it.
Epic levels
The class becomes epic at level 11. A bonus feat is granted at levels 13, 16, 19, 22, 25 and 28, chosen from:
Armor Skin, Blinding Speed, Curse Song, Devastating Critical, Epic Damage Reduction, Epic Prowess, Epic Skill Focus, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Extra Music, Lasting Inspiration, Lingering Song, Overwhelming Critical.
Class skills
Concentration, Discipline, Heal, Listen, Lore, Parry, Perform, Pick Pocket, Ride, Taunt, Tumble, Craft: Harvesting, Craft: Mastery, Craft: Speed.