D&D 5E Bard Arcane Trickster?

[The Grassy Gnoll]

How about the musical instrument is actually whistling? That whole "nothing to see here" casual whistle shtick but actually working as a spell. The wolf whistle as charm person. Might be fluffular for the character.

 

[Mistwell]

That is a good question. The Arcane Trickster doesn't get a spell focus normally, but in this case I think he should. What do you think?

Any reason to not do it through the background?

 

[AverageCitizen]

Any reason to not do it through the background?

Well, case by case, not really, no. But, for a formal variant I think creating and maintaining a conceptual space is important. I don't think musical instrument proficiency is a balance factor as much as it is flavor. Using spell components works fine for a wizardly dabbler, and the Arcane trickster would look funny with a wand, I think. But to really get a good piece of the Bard flavor I feel like the dabbler has to have some music aptitude in there, and if it doesn't come with the sub-class, it might not come at all.