D&D 5E Anyone else think the Bard concept is just silly?

[steeldragons]

Why does the problematic image that is repeatedly coming up seem to be with "a dude singing and dancing?"

Doesn't actually sound like a question of problem or "silliness" with the "bard concept."

 

[Henry]

An early Sean Connery role, if I recall correctly. Good stuff.

Not the same battle, but it reminded me of reading this from Wikipedia:

Jack Churchill was second in command of No. 3 Commando in Operation Archery, a raid on the German garrison at Vågsøy, Norway, on 27 December 1941.[16] As the ramps fell on the first landing craft, Churchill leapt forward from his position playing "March of the Cameron Men"[17] on his bagpipes, before throwing a grenade and running into battle in the bay. For his actions at Dunkirk and Vågsøy, Churchill received the Military Cross and Bar.

Mad Jack Churchil was one bad-ass Bard.

He was known to carry a sword into combat at times. Also the only known confirmed soldier in World War 2 to kill a German soldier with a longbow. At this rate it wouldn't surprise me if I learn he could cast spells, too...

 

[TheCosmicKid]

i don't think that is the case. I can't speak for others, but I despise traditionalism. Nothing should ever stick around just because it's a tradition, ever, IMO.

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our father.

- G. K. Chesterton​

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our father.

- G. K. Chesterton​

An interesting quote!

I like the concept. Like giving votes to our ancestors.

I really wish we would stop doing that.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

An interesting quote!

I like the concept. Like giving votes to our ancestors.

I really wish we would stop doing that.

Mostly I just want people to read more Chesterton.

 

[SmokeyCriminal]

I'm new to D&D and RPGs, so i've only seen 5 Bards in games:

A guy from Critical Role who sings parodies of Pop songs when he gives out Inspiration. He's such a great singer, and his parody is so funny that everyone either joins in singing or laughs out loud.

A girl from Rollplay west marshes who would rap a few bars when she would cast Vicious Mockery. Her rhymes are so amazing you can't help but smile at how talented and vulgar she is.

A girl who would bring a little rattle drum. She would use it when shed cast her biggest spell. I't would start slow, very slow, and speed up faster, and faster, I't would draw everyone's attention and build up the tension and the drama.

A guy who would just clap in a steady rhythm and sing eerie song in african (bunto?) when he would cast spells like dissonent whisper. And he would come up with really disturbing descriptions while he just kept that soft steady clap, which would kinda hypnotize you a little. It was so fantastically creepy, as soon as he would start clapping, everyone at the table would quiet down and brace themselves lol oh and it turns out that the creepy african songs where just kids songs sung slower and deeper. lol its genius.

And a guy who would bring around a travelers guitar, and slide. He would always play a little Blues/Folk during a rest as his Song of Rest while everyone used their HD. It would feel especially gratifying right after a hard fight, or bring comfort when we were in an especially dangerous place. I'm positive we took more rest then we actually need to lol.

The Bard is so unique of a class because it especially calls out to people with performance talents. The Bard more then any other class entices you to show and express your personal talents, which I love to witness. Other classes do it too, what Player of a barbarian hasn't thrown their hands in the air and gone "I'm going to Rage!!! GGGAAARRHHHHH" at least once after all. But the Bard is the class that gives you the excuse, and the space to go as far as the rest of your group will tolerate. "For the last time John, you can't bring your drum set to D&D night. I don't care if you have Expertise in them. I said NO!"

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

An interesting quote!

I like the concept. Like giving votes to our ancestors.

I really wish we would stop doing that.

Yeah, where we live, you reaaaally don't want to give a vote to the ancestors. Especially if you're not 'lucky' enough to be born with the right junk!

We call tradition, ''Inherited Madness''.

Actually on topic - so, we all cool now? Thread Complete - Singing, in general, is kinda daft and lovely, in combat or out, and in a world of magical people, pixies and monks, anything goes, unless your table says otherwise, and whatever way we roll its aok. Unless it isn't. But mostly, it is!

 

[KahlessNestor]

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our father.

- G. K. Chesterton​

Yes! Chesterton! Can I give 2 xp for that!

Sent from my SM-G900P using EN World mobile app

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Yeah, where we live, you reaaaally don't want to give a vote to the ancestors. Especially if you're not 'lucky' enough to be born with the right junk!

We call tradition, ''Inherited Madness''.

Actually on topic - so, we all cool now? Thread Complete - Singing, in general, is kinda daft and lovely, in combat or out, and in a world of magical people, pixies and monks, anything goes, unless your table says otherwise, and whatever way we roll its aok. Unless it isn't. But mostly, it is!

Inherited Madness! Excellent!

Ah, this has been refreshing.

 

[Alexemplar]

You appear to be contradicting yourself in your own post.

I don't see how. I would prefer a class like the One Ring RPG's Scholar/Fantasycraft Sage or Keeper to the Bard and I hope D&D releases such a class. I try to homebrew such classes.

But I'm not asking WOTC to get rid of the D&D Bard and saying nobody can ever play such. I know what they're doing and respect their right to do it and other's right to enjoy it.

I just think there are ways to do it that would result in far fewer wandering minstrels.

Kind of like how many people come up with/request unarmed warriors with less Asian flavor as am alternative to the Monk. Or a skill monkey class with less criminal flavor as an alternative to the Rogue. Or a shamn-y caster that lacks the Druid's wildshape feature.