Build for Sword Bard
Most Valor advantages can be achieved by picking the right race (half-elf for shields or glaives, elf for long bows, gith for greatswords), so Swords seems like a better option.
For DEX builds Swords Bard is a better version of Eldritch Knight – bards are full casters. Add a level of Wizard and you can cast haste and summon elementals.
Add 2 levels of Paladin and you can smite like crazy. Switch focus from DEX to INT and you get a skill monkey full wizard in mail that can sing and heal.
Good builds for Swords Bard:
- 1) 2 Paladin, 8/9/10 Bard, 0/1/2 Wizard (STR focus)
- 2) 6/8/10/11 Bard, 1/2/4/6 Wizard (DEX/INT focus)
If you want Lore Bard:
- 3) 10/11 Bard 1/2 Wizard (CHA focus offensive caster)
Sword bards make for great… everything honestly. Versatility is the name of the game with them. Their flourishes work for both ranged and melee combat making them able to pick/choose whats needed at any given moment.
Get a good finesse weapon, and a good ranged weapon, and your bard can handle whatever it needs at nearly any moment.
That’s on top of the perks of being a bard in the first place with their exceptional out of combat abilities with their skills.
Yeah they get some utility spells, but they are mostly just that.. utility / out of combat.