D&D 5E The Bard's Combat Inspiration is Messed Up

[Jester David]

Looking at the second half of the power (page 55 of the PHB for those playing along at home).

The bard gives a creature inspiration. The creature can use it as a reaction when attacked and add the number to their AC. Buuuut, it can only do so "after seeing the roll but before knowing whether it hits or misses."

First, there's the grey area that you could "know" an attack hits/misses solely by the number on the die (i.e. a "19" or "2" is rolled) But there's the problem that you need to see the roll the DM makes. And not know if it hits or misses (i.e. make the call before the DM tells you the total). This implies:
a) The DM isn't rolling behind a screen
b) The DM doesn't roll and immediately announce an attack hits (there needs to be a pause)
c) The DM declares who is being attacked before they declare the hit
d) The group isn't playing on a VTT that calculates the attack roll and hit simultaneously.

Arguably the provision "after seeing the roll" is meant to imply "after the attack is declared but before the roll is made". But that doesn't really matter for the results.
I imagine the "see the die" requirement is for the aforementioned 2s and 19s so you can know not to waste the inspiration. But I don't see that working well in play.

Thoughts?

 

[Zaran]

I don' think it's a real issue. either you know the roll and you have a pretty good idea whether it will be useful or you don't know the roll (the gm hides the roll) and you take a gamble that you can avoid the results with inspiration.

I think the rule is there so you don't have to "make " the gm tell you what they rolled.

 

[the Jester]

What the inspired-by-bard pcs in my 5e campaign have taken to doing- although I roll in the open, I'm quick and don't usually pause before announcing a hit or miss- is before I roll, they announce that they might use their inspiration to affect the roll. (The same applies when modifying their own attack rolls.) "Don't tell me if it's a hit or miss until I decide whether to spend this d6!" It works for us.

However, I suspect that a group whose DM is less stringent about declaring each monster's or npc's actions would have more issues with this; I know that I have played under DMs, and sometimes been the DM, who just mentally chooses bad guy actions and rolls without declaring what they're doing out loud. That would obviously make it somewhat trickier.

 

[nomotog]

Just let them use it anytime after the attack is made. I don't think it really hurts to do it that way?

 

[Unwise]

Whatever speeds up the game the most. I am happy to let the bard have the extra info that it really was a hit if that means the game does not get bogged down with 4e style interrupts. They have the 3 seconds between me telling them it was a hit and me declaring the damage to use the ability. Otherwise bad luck. 4e destroyed my patience for interrupts.

 

[trentonjoe]

Just let them use it anytime after the attack is made. I don't think it really hurts to do it that way?

That's what we do. Maybe it makes the bard a little better but it's cool with us.

 

[ren1999]

That poorly worded rule is in a few places in the Player's Handbook. I don't think it matters if the players are calculating anything. It becomes a fun little game for the D.M. to shout suddenly, "The Orc is attacking you with a chair!" If the player of a Bard is paying attention, then they can say, "I spend a reaction and I play Duleandra a lovely tune." The player of Dulandra then says, "I listen and add Bardic Inspiration to my AC." So now it becomes a contest of focus. If no players speak up fast enough, I might not allow the Bardic Inspiration.

D.M.s, don't forget to make the player of the Bard sing the Bardic Inspiration song that they made up! He, he, he.

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[Henry]

Dodge, Dodge, Dodge the rampaging Orc! la lala!"

Thank you, Elan!

 

[Shiroiken]

The best way to do this would to announce the die result with no modifier (very easy if you don't roll behind a screen). In many cases, the player will have a pretty good idea, but not always. If someone rolls 3-4 less than your AC on the die, you might assume they hit, spending the Inspiration, when the attack was already a miss. It's also possible that someone rolls 8 less than your AC, you assume they miss, save the Inspiration, and get hit as a result.

 

[Hussar]

I'm in the "don't fuss it camp." Tell the players the results and let them decide. Not a big deal.