Article-At-A-Glance
- The Base Skald[1] combines melee strength with spell versatility, enhancing party support.
- Equipment and feats play crucial roles in maximizing Skald’s combat and magical effectiveness.
- Roleplaying depth is enriched by the Skald’s dual heritage and storytelling background.
- Though versatile, challenges include Multiple Attribute Dependency and limited spell resources.
Click on the level for more information
At level 1, the focus is on dealing damage and increasing combat effectiveness with Skald’s Vigor for fast healing during Raging Song, while traits boost initiative and saving throws.
Level 1 Stat Block
Skald: male, Half-Orc Skald 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (orc); HD 1d8+2; hp 10; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +0; Grp +2; Atk Battleaxe +3 melee (1d8+2/x3) or javelin +0 ranged (1d6+2); Full Atk Battleaxe +3 melee (1d8+2/x3) or javelin +0 ranged (1d6+2); SA Raging Song; SQ Fast Healing 1 (Skald’s Vigor), Bardic Knowledge; AL CN; SV Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +2; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Acrobatics +4, Intimidation +7, Perception +4, Perform (Sing) +7; Skald’s Vigor, Scribe Scroll. Raging Song: Grants allies bonuses similar to rage.
Possessions
Battleaxe, heavy shield, medium armor, javelins, adventurer’s kit.
Our level 5 Skald is a versatile melee powerhouse. With a focus on Strength and Charisma, the Half-Orc Skald prioritizes offense and utility. This character benefits from racial traits and feats that enhance combat potency and team morale. Powerful features like Skald’s Vigor and Expanded Spell Kenning transform this Skald into a formidable force, granting fast healing and access to a wide array of spells from multiple class lists each day.
Level 5 Stat Block
Skald: male, Half-Orc Skald 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (orc); HD 5d8+10; hp 37; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +3; Grp +5; Atk Battleaxe +6 melee (1d8+3/x3) or Heavy Shield Bash +4 melee (1d4+2); Full Atk Battleaxe +6 melee (1d8+3/x3) and Heavy Shield Bash +4 melee (1d4+2); SA Raging Song, Spell Kenning (once/day); SQ Bardic Performance (as Raging Song), Fast Movement; AL CG; SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +4; Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 17.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Acrobatics +6, Perception +8, Intimidation +11, Perform (Sing) +11; Skald’s Vigor, Scribe Scroll, Power Attack, Expanded Spell Kenning.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Raging Song grants allies bonuses and fast healing via Skald’s Vigor, Expanded Spell Kenning allows casting spells from bard, cleric, wizard, druid, and witch lists once/day.
Possessions
Battleaxe, Heavy Shield, best medium armor affordable, and standard adventuring gear.
This Skald build at level 10 is finely tuned for both melee combat and providing exceptional support through versatile spellcasting. With powerful abilities like Rage, Fast Healing, and even spell access from the Bard, Cleric, Wizard, Druid, and Witch lists, this build can adapt to nearly any battlefield situation. Intimidate enemies with Cornugon Smash, control battles with Shatter Defenses, and offer your allies powers like Pounce and Haste, making this a potent melee support hybrid.
Level 10 Stat Block
Skald: male, Half-Orc Skald 10; CR 10; Medium humanoid (orc); HD 10d8+30; hp 75; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +7; Grp +12; Atk Battleaxe +12 (1d8+5/×3) or melee; Full Atk Battleaxe +12/+7 (1d8+5/×3) or melee; SA Raging Song, Skald’s Vigor, Pounce (through Rage Power); SQ Sacred Tattoo, Intermediate Spell Kenning; AL CN; SV Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +8; Str 17, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 17.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Acrobatics +5, Perception +10, Intimidate +15, Perform (Sing) +15; Skald’s Vigor, Scribe Scroll (Skald Bonus), Power Attack, Expanded Spell Kenning, Lingering Performance.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
While maintaining Raging Song, grants Fast Healing to allies, has optional access to a large variety of spells through Spell Kenning.
Possessions
Masterwork Battleaxe, Heavy Shield, Mithral Chainmail, and assorted adventuring gear.
The Level 15 Skald build expertly blends melee prowess and spellcasting. At this level, the character has powerful combat abilities enhanced by the skald’s Raging Song and an impressive spell list through Expanded Spell Kenning. Featuring beast totem rage powers, it grants allies additional attacks and pounce. This build’s fast healing, intimidation tactics, and superior initiative give it a commanding presence on the battlefield. Superstition bolsters defenses while expanded spell options offer powerful utility.
Level 15 Stat Block
Skald: male, Half-Orc Skald 15; CR 14; Medium humanoid (orc); HD 15d8+45; hp 120; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 22; Base Atk +11; Grp +14; Atk Battleaxe +18/+13 (1d8+5/×3) or Claw +16/+16 (1d4+4); Full Atk Battleaxe +18/+13/+8 (1d8+5/×3) and Bite +16 (1d6+2); SA Raging Song (Standard or Pounce), Skald’s Vigor (Fast Healing 4), Cornugon Smash, Dazzling Display; SQ Spell Kenning, Expanded Spell Kenning (Wizard, Cleric, Bard, Druid, Witch Lists); AL Chaotic Good; SV Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +12; Str 18, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Acrobatics +11, Perception +15, Intimidation +20, Perform (Sing) +18; Skald’s Vigor, Scribe Scroll, Power Attack, Expanded Spell Kenning, Lingering Performance, Cornugon Smash, Greater Skald’s Vigor, Weapon Focus (Battleaxe), Dazzling Display, Shatter Defenses, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Raging Song grants Pounce and Fast Healing; Superstition grants +4 to saving throws; Beast Totem grants natural attacks; Come and Get Me encourages retaliatory attacks.
Possessions
Battleaxe, Heavy Shield, +3 Mithral Chainmail.
The Skald 20 build focuses on melee and support with strong spellcasting. The Skald grants allies Rage, Haste, and Pounce while having access to an expansive list of spells from various classes. The build utilizes heavy damage dealing power attacks and offers robust saving throws and fast healing through Skald’s Vigor.
Level 20 Stat Block
Skald: male, Half-Orc Skald 20; CR 20; Medium humanoid (orc); HD 20d8+80; hp 200; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 22; Base Atk +15; Grp +23; Atk Battleaxe +23 melee (1d8+8/x3) or Slam +23 melee (1d6+6); Full Atk Battleaxe +23/+18/+13 melee (1d8+8/x3) or 2 Slams +23 melee (1d6+6); SA Raging Song, Spell Kenning; SQ Half-Orc Traits, Sacred Tattoo, Spellcasting; AL CN; SV Fort +16, Ref +15, Will +15; Str 22, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 22.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Skills Acrobatics +25, Perception +25, Intimidation +25, Perform (Sing) +30; Feats Power Attack, Lingering Performance, Greater Skald’s Vigor, Cornugon Smash, Shatter Defenses, Expanded Spell Kenning, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Greater Skald’s Vigor grants fast healing to allies, Expanded Spell Kenning allows use of spells from Bard, Cleric, Wizard, Druid, and Witch lists.
Possessions
Battleaxe, Heavy Shield, +4 Mithral Breastplate, various magical items enhancing saving throws, bonuses to charisma and strength.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: During these early levels, focus on building a strong foundation with Skald’s Vigor and Power Attack. Introducing Scribe Scroll through the Skald Bonus allows broader utility. Acquiring Expanded Spell Kenning opens the door to an extensive range of spells, enhancing versatility, though it’s limited to once daily. Lesser Beast Totem introduces the first set of beast like abilities.
- Levels 6-10: This stage amplifies combat proficiency and survivability. Gain abilities like Beast Totem and Superstition, which improve melee capabilities and saving throws. Lingering Performance extends the duration of inspiring performances, bolstering ally efficacy. By level 9, Cornugon Smash combines with Power Attack for improved debuff tactics. Key spells like Haste and Displacement diversify strategies.
- Levels 11-15: Here, development focuses on even greater battlefield dominance. Acquiring Greater Skald’s Vigor enhances healing capabilities significantly. Access to feats like Weapon Focus (Battleaxe) and Dazzling Display add depth to combat maneuvers. Completing the Beast Totem line with Greater Beast Totem provides unparalleled offensive capabilities through bonuses and access to Pounce.
- Levels 16-20: Reach the pinnacle of this Skald build, combining unmatched spell versatility with combat superiority. Collect feats like Improved Initiative to secure early action, capitalizing on abilities like Shatter Defenses to exploit enemy weaknesses. Rage Powers like Come and Get Me emphasize high risk, high reward strategies. The vast array of spells, including Heroic Finale and Sonic Form, allows the Skald to adapt to any challenge.
Core Abilities & Features
The Base Skald[1] build in Pathfinder 1E exemplifies versatility merging melee prowess with potent spellcasting. Choosing a Half-Orc race and prioritizing Charisma with a Sacred Tattoo yields a robust character with formidable saves. The Skald class offers excellent blend of martial and arcane capabilities, capable of empowering allies through song while engaging enemies directly in combat.
Feats significantly enhance this build. Skald’s Vigor is essential, granting fast healing during Raging Song, which scales dramatically with Greater Skald’s Vigor. Power Attack synergizes well with our strength focus, ensuring impactful melee presence. Expanded Spell Kenning offers unparalleled flexibility, extracting spells not just from bard, cleric, or wizard lists, but also including Druid and Witch spells, making the spell options extensive and varied.
The chosen Rage Powers further bolster combat abilities, providing both personal and party-wide benefits. The Beast Totem line leads to granting allies natural attacks and Pounce, a gleaming boon for melee dominators. Superstition power enhances saves, crafting an even more resilient character. This synergy between tactics and character design builds a Skald that stands out in any adventuring party, making them indispensable as both a source of damage and support.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Masterwork Battleaxe | A masterwork battleaxe provides a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls due to its superior craftsmanship. Essential for a strength based Skald to maximize damage output early on. |
| L6-10 | +1 Battleaxe | Upgrading to a magic weapon adds a +1 to both attack and damage rolls, ensuring that the Skald remains effective in melee. |
| L11-15 | Celestial Armor | Provides +8 armor bonus and comes with the freedom of movement spell once per day. Optimal for defense and granting powerful mobility effects. |
| L16-20 | +3 Holy Battleaxe | This upgrade adds +3 to attack and damage rolls and deals an additional 2d6 damage against evil foes, exponentially increasing threat against endgame adversaries. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- During dungeon crawls, leverage your Skald’s Inspire Rage ability to enhance your party’s combat prowess. Use Detect Magic to uncover hidden magical traps, while your Fast Healing from Skald’s Vigor keeps everyone healthy during extended battles. Make sure to prepare Expeditious Retreat to cover ground quickly when navigating through tight underground passages.
- Open Fields:
- In open fields, take advantage of your Beast Totem Rage Powers to grant Pounce to your allies, enabling swift and overwhelming charges against opponents. Using Haste and Clarion Call can turn the tide of battle. Coordinate with your team for optimal positioning, using your increased mobility and initiative from Reactionary and Improved Initiative.
- Ambushes:
- When facing ambushes, maintain vigilance with Perception and stay prepared to cast Mirror Image to increase your survivability. Immediately initiate Raging Song to rally your allies. Consider using Cause Fear to disperse attackers or Shatter Defenses after a successful Intimidation to weaken their resolve.
- Defensive Stands:
- In defensive scenarios, set up with your heavy shield for added defense, and use Perform(Sing) to incite a Raging Song, fortifying your allies’ combat effectiveness. Cure Moderate Wounds should be ready for emergency healing, while using Hold the Line tactics with your Beast Totem powers to create a formidable frontline.
- Urban Encounters:
- For urban encounters, utilize your social skills like Intimidation for crowd control. Umbral Weapon and Song of Discord can confuse foes in crowded settings. Keep a low profile with Blink if needed, and use Prestidigitation and Mending for subtle assistance in recovering or concealing evidence.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Multiple Attribute Dependency | Artifact of Charisma boost like Headband of Charisma to supplement Charisma needs. |
| Vulnerable while maintaining Raging Song | Use Mirror Image or Blink for defensive spells. |
| Can be out of spell resources quickly | Balanced spell selection and use of Scribe Scroll feat to store spells. |
| Relies on melee combat | Equip with Ghost Touch battleaxe to tackle incorporeal foes. |
| Limited ranged capabilities | Carry enchanted throwing axes for ranged options. |
Roleplaying
The Skald’s fusion of ferocity and performance offers a vibrant canvas for immersive roleplaying. As a Half-Orc, channel the raw emotions of your character’s dual ancestry. The inner struggle between civilized existence and primal urges can surface in unguarded moments, perhaps triggered by stress or threat. Use this tension as a driver for decision making and interactions, showing both combat instinct and charisma.
A Skald’s song is more than mere inspiration; it’s an embodiment of ancestral might. Paint a vivid history of your character’s lineage through tales and ballads. Maybe your songs are stories passed down, each word echoing ancient battles and triumphs. This narrative depth can enrich emotional connections with NPCs and party members. Ground your character in history, making each performance a connection to a storied past.
How does a Base Skald improve party dynamics in combat?
The Skald uses Raging Song to boost allies’ attack and damage. This ability taps into the potential of the entire party, maximizing their effectiveness. With Beast Totem and Pounce, your team can outmaneuver and overpower combatants. Adding Haste further increases your team’s attacks and movement, compounding the advantage over foes. Sharing spells like Displacement ensures your party stays resilient against enemy offenses.
What are the best spells for a Base Skald to learn and use?
Expanded Spell Kenning provides exceptional spell flexibility, allowing access to vital spells from various lists. Prioritize Haste and Displacement for battle tactics and defensive maneuvers. Heroic Finale is effective for boosting allies at crucial moments in combat. Consider Mirror Image for personal evasion against targeted attacks. Sonic Form offers an innovative approach to combat scenarios with its utility.
How should a Base Skald allocate their ability scores?
Prioritize Charisma as your primary ability, crucial for spellcasting and Raging Song. Strength is vital, enhancing your melee capacities for frontline engagement. Constitution boosts your endurance, keeping you effective under sustained pressure. Dexterity improves reflex saves, though often you may need magical support to compensate. Intelligence and Wisdom contribute but are secondary for most Skald builds.
How can a Base Skald compensate for its vulnerabilities?
Moderate Attribute Dependency (MAD) demands gear, like a Headband of Charisma, for balance. Low Dexterity issues are remedied with items like a Belt of Physical Might. Manage spell exhaustion through careful spell choice and using Scribe Scroll. Defensive spells like Mirror Image significantly reduce Raging Song risks. Superstition enhances saves, addressing magical vulnerability.
How does the Skald shine in roleplaying scenarios?
A Skald’s dual nature of ferocity and performance offers rich narrative potential. Explore the conflict between your character’s savage and civil worlds in difficult moments. Use your songs to tell your history, deeply connecting to others at a personal level. Elaborate on your character’s orc heritage, exploring cultural ties and inner struggles. Songs transform stories, spanning battles and victories, influencing decisions.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Base Skald!
Experience the exhilarating dynamics of a Base Skald in your next campaign. Could the Base Skald[1] be the ultimate Pathfinder 1E build? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on Stellar Dragons Discord.
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Skald – The Base Skald – Pathfinder 1E ( The Base Skald )
Categories: Pathfinder 1E Character Builds, Pathfinder 1E Skald Builds
The Base Skald
A classic Skald build that one would expect, versatile yet clearly melee focused.
Class
Skald 20
Race
We will pick Half-Orc, put that floating +2 into Charisma as we will need it as a fairly MAD class, and we will be taking the Sacred Tattoo Alternative Racial Feature.
Ability Scores
Round up Strength if odd, then everything in Charisma.
15Point-Buy
Str 14/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 16
20Point-Buy
Str 15/Dex 11/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 17
25Point-Buy
Str 15/Dex 13/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 18
Traits
Fate’s Favored double our Sacred Tattoos luck bonus to all saving throws, which is just a massive yes. Reactionary gets us a neat +2 to Initiative and going first means we get the show rolling faster.
Favored Class Bonus
We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our melee companions, we will need more HP.
Skills
Acrobatics to better maneuver across the battlefield, Perception as it is the most rolled skill in the game, Intimidation because we are a Half-Orc Skald and Perform(Sing) as we need to inspire our allies with words of enragement.
Feats by Level
1-Skald’s Vigor
Skald Bonus-Scribe Scroll
3-Power Attack
5-Expanded Spell Kenning
7-Lingering Performance
9-Cornugon Smash
11-Greater Skald’s Vigor
13-Weapon Focus(Battleaxe)
15-Dazzling Display
17-Shatter Defenses
19-Improved Initiative
Power Attack is a no-brainer for a strength based melee character, and since Raging Song counts as Bardic Performance for feats, Lingering Performance is another must. Skald’s Vigor and its Greater version give you (and eventually your allies) Fast Healing while you maintain your Raging Song which is absolutely bonkers. Expanded Spell Kenning requires some explanation. See, starting level 5, Skald gain an ability called Spell Kenning, which 1/day(and more as we level) we can cast any spell on the bard, cleric or wizard spell list.
This. Is. Wildly Overpowered. Sure it doesn’t happen often, but any spell on these lists is completely and utterly ridiculous. So how is Expanded Spell Kenning playing into this? Oh well it only adds to the lists you can pluck a spell from both the Druid and the Witch Spell Lists.
So, once per day, you can pretty much cast any spell in the damned game. Congratulation. This feat is broken. Oh yeah and since we are using Intimidation and Power Attack, might as well go grab Cornugon Smash and Shatter Defenses as if we needed more methods to obliterate the system.
Rage Powers
3-Lesser Beast Totem
6-Beast Totem
9-Superstition
12-Greater Beast Totem
15-Come and Get Me
18-Animal Fury
So, not only are you granting all your allies claw attacks and a bite attack, you can grant your entire party friggin Pounce. Your melee combattant allies will want to kiss you on the mouth. Add to that Superstition for extra saving throws and this build is already completely and utterly ridiculous and we haven’t even touched on spells yet.
Spells
1-Read Magic, Mending, Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, Cause Fear, Cure Light Wounds
2-Spark, Weaponwand
3-Open/Close, Expeditious Retreat
4-Heroism, Mirror Image
5-Cure Moderate Wounds
6-Shatter
7-Clarion Call, Haste, Displacement
8-Blink
9-Cure Serious Wounds
10-Sound Burst, Dimension Door, Break Enchantment
11-Feather Fall, Cure Critical Wounds
12-Freedom of Movement13-Crushing Despair, Archon’s Trumpet, Greater Bladed Dash
14-Umbral Weapon, Song of Discord
15-Release the Hounds
16-Mass Ghostbane Dirge, Dance of a Thousand Cuts, Greater Shout
17-Fear, Heroes Feast
18-Overwhelming Presence
19-Music of the Spheres
20-Heroic Finale, Sonic Form
Equipment
A Battleaxe, a Heavy Shield and the best medium armor you can afford.
Final Thoughts on the Build
This build is so strong. It does a little bit of everything and with Spell Keening whatever you cannot do as well you can get very close to becoming an expert due to just how vast your spell repertoire becomes with this ability. That, with the ability to give downright insane combat bonuses to all your team (yourself included) like Rage, Haste, Pounce and Fast Healing almost all at once. Yeah, this build is downright broken.
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