D&D 5E Bards, Violins and Crossbows

[rgoodbb]

I will be using a violin for my bard’s instrument and focus

While weaving arcane magic through the music of my violin, I skew the music with a rendition of Bane to put my attackers off their game. But then I want to take a shot at an enemy with my light crossbow. Does the music stop as I scrabble to exchange one item for another? I then cast Thunderwave through a horrible screeching distortion of my violin. I need to pick that back up while dropping the crossbow.

Do I have to stop playing and put the violin down?

Is that what the verbal only component of Vicious Mockery is actually intended for?

I can’t get my head round the actions needed. The violin is obviously going to be 2 handed but the light crossbow 1 handed to fire, but 2 handed to reload

I am not a Variant Human and so will not be spending any ASI’s on any feats, so things like Crossbow Expert are definitely out.

What is rules legal and is it a case of just suspending disbelief? (Something I am happy to do), or I choose one and not the other.

By the way, the violin is non-negotiable. If proving inefficient, the crossbow will have to go.

It seems strange that other casters have items that only use one hand. Some can have symbols worn thus taking no hands to use, but the bard has to use both hands for the majority of instruments. (I’m well aware that finger cymbals, mini drums attached to the body etc. offer one handed options.)

Can anyone clarify if the action economy can let me use the crossbow as intended above or it is totally inefficient/not doable?

Many thanks for any replies.

 

[Herobizkit]

*Technically* Bards need only hold their instrument in one hand. Also, casters still only get one free stow/draw item in their action economy.

How often do you plan to swap from musical instrument to crossbow? I mean, it's the same as switching from one type of weapon to another - either take the time to draw/stow or drop it on the ground.

Maybe your DM is cool and will let you make a hybrid violin/crossbow type gadget. Or maybe you can throw daggers.

 

[rgoodbb]

*Technically* Bards need only hold their instrument in one hand. Also, casters still only get one free stow/draw item in their action economy.

How often do you plan to swap from musical instrument to crossbow? I mean, it's the same as switching from one type of weapon to another - either take the time to draw/stow or drop it on the ground.

Maybe your DM is cool and will let you make a hybrid violin/crossbow type gadget. Or maybe you can throw daggers.

Thanks for the reply

I thematically like the idea of playing while casting too much to only hold it in one hand.

Besides, I couldn't drop my Strahd-a-various!

Yeah I was wondering about daggers instead or just going straight VM from 1st.

Thanks for clarifying for me.

Cheers.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

A strap around the instrument seems viable.

 

[rgoodbb]

A strap around the instrument seems viable.

I might talk to my DM about something like that.

 

[Kobold Stew]

So your idea is great, but is coming up against both the rules and their awkward action economy and verisimilitude, which you admit matters less.

The rules for the Bard's instrument are a hobby horse of mine. They're badly written, even if they are clear.

To the points in your question:
* You are right that vicious mockery doesn't involve instruments (it can be case without somatic gestures, and so by someone with a sword and shield in hand).
* by the rules, you would need to put the violin down and stop playing to use a two-handed weapon like a crossbow. This is barely possible using the one-free-interaction-per-turn, but the result is deeply unsatisfying for the player if the DM insists on following the rules strictly, and strains credulity in any case.

If you are prepared to sacrifice the crossbow, a stronger combat cantrip can be worked into the bard build: either through the Bard's Magical Secrets or as part of Magic Initiate [I know you said no feats; Warlock has Eldritch Blast, which also keys off of Charisma], or by being a High Elf.

That would let you keep the violin playing throughout the combat, while still doing effective damage that would scale with level.

Hope this helps.

 

[rgoodbb]

Jessabelle Diddle. She's a Tabaxi actually. Cat and the Fiddle kind of stuff

Additional Magical secrets at 6th will provide other options as you say but by then I will hopefully have plenty to keep me going.

I am leaning towards ditching the crossbow, and just using VM with my concentration Bane spell during combat and chucking out the occasional verbal Inspiration/healing word. That kind of sits right with me at 1st level. I have saved my 2 other spells known for non-combat. Disguise self and Charm Person. I think I can get away with that.

Cheers for clearing that up folks

 

[Bupp]

...Maybe your DM is cool and will let you make a hybrid violin/crossbow type gadget...

A bard in my group plays a battle axe guitar.

 

[Bupp]

Now that I look around, I found this:

 

[Ancalagon]

You need a mouth instrument. Maybe a jaw harp, or a kazoo