So I've been thinking about making a 'bard' character but I'm not really sure what I would focus on in terms of skills.

Any suggestions?

Funny, I just posted a similar thread!

I was thinking about placing more emphasis on Speechcraft, Lockpicking, and Light Armor, skills that don't necessarily involve combat.

lets see.

Speech - obviously
Sneak
Pickpocket - So you can add/take things from enemies pockets
Alchemy - Make posions and reverse-pickpocket them to kill guys


And prehaps conjuration so you have an out in those tricky situations.

Illusion so you can inspire people with Courage. And remember to carry around a Lute or a Flute.

In game npc bards have all non-combat skills. Sven who is a bard is skilled in smithing, enchanting, alchemy and speech. That would be a tough route to follow and survive

Are lutes and flutes functional in anyway?

Nope. The sad part is that I actually carried around a Lute until about halfway through the game. I thought I would learn how to play it in the Bards College.

Possibly specialize in shouts for more offence? I just don't know what kinds of items reduces shout times.

Don't pack up your lute just yet, I bet playable instruments will be one of the first mods

Illusion and Conjuration would both be great skills to have as a bard- you could calm your audience, illustrate your songs with magical creatures as you sang, and be a legendary performer! Plus, both of those would be really handy when your character finds out they're destined to save the world and all that.

That'd be awesome if you could learn to play an instrument and play on the street or in taverns. The benefit of this could be not only to earn gold, but influence NPCs and gain their trust to reveal information. Of course, that's just a pipe dream.

If you want to be a traditional game definition of a bard you would be a dual wielder with skill in Alteration and illusion. Bards are know for immobilizing groups of enemy's and offering songs to bolster skills and dual wielding swords.

Yep, PS3 player here...

Speech, One-Handed, Block (with sword), Archery, Illusion, Alchemy, Alteration.

I wouldn't presume a Bard would sneak, but it's up to you if you'd like.

Honestly the first thing that comes to mind when I think of a bard succeeding in a combat situation would be either through strong Illusion Magic or that they were secretly an Assassin x_o

That's an awesome roleplay idea, a spy! You could spy for either the Stormcloaks or the Imperials and report back things you hear in taverns and towns.

Well I think it depends on whether you want to go for a more traditional bard(i.e. roguish) or more of a Nordic Skald(this could easily be a light armored warrior using a little illusion magic, etc.)

If I get more time I will go into detail but have to go right now.

Either way you go Speechcraft is your foremost skill. I think Illusion could and should be used by both.

The Roguish Bard would then focus on Sneak, Pickpocket, and Lockpicking and if he is leaning more to the assassin side, alchemy for poisons.

For the Nordic Skald, I would go more the warrior route, as Skalds were renowned Warrior/Poets. As such I would focus on either 1h or 2h weapons and light armor. Smithing and Enchanting would also make decent skills though I would think their priority would be far down the list.

Another option is the court jester type of bard, in which case I think you would still start with a base of Illusion and Speechcraft, then add Conjuration and Sneak and probably Pickpocket.

Each would have to rely more heavily on certain skills for combat, ie the Bard would rely heavily on Sneak attack, the Jester on Sneak attack or Conjuration, and the Skald on his warrior abilities. Illusion would be more heavily used by the Bard and Jester than the Skald but I think all three would use this skill in combat. Obviously Speechcraft while fitting rp has little use in combat and there are not nearly enough persuasion and intimidate check in the game, but hopefully as others have said that will be addressed somewhat in a DLC.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it no matter which path you follow.