D&D (2024) Playtest 6: Bard

[Kurotowa]

I find it interesting that the Bard always has the option to take Vicious Mockery, and Vicious Mockery is a bard exclusive spell, but they don't get it automatically. I find that strange, and kind of off-putting, but I do like the improved damage. (I guess it had to be competitive since it now competes against all cantrips)

I think it's because VM is signature but not essential. Eldritch Blast is essential for Warlocks because it's just that much better than any other option. VM is unique, but not that much better. It doesn't outshine other cantrips, much less subclasses like Dance or Valor that want to make melee attacks. It's nice to have VM as an option no matter which spell type you pick, but it isn't required like EB is.

 

[bedir than]

We've always known that dance improves one's AC.

You can dance if you want to
You can leave your friends behind
'Cause your friends don't dance
And if they don't dance
Well, they're no friends of thine

 

[Parmandur]

College of Dance:
Punch Bard? Shared Evasion? Granted Movement (albeit could be executed better)? Hell. Yes.

College of Glamour:
Primal Spell List + Cottage Core Aesthetic + Performance: Spoken Word Poetry = You yourself got a witch, baby!

I always thought College if Glamour 8n Xanathar's had a strong classic musical Disney Princess vibe.

 

[Parmandur]

I love that the Valor Bard can use their weapon as a Spell Focus.

 

[Yaarel]

In the context of the Bard class, the divine magic should probably focus on the themes of "Fate", rather than the themes of "Holiness" per se.

In this bardic context, uplifting poems of praise can facilitate the Bless spell, while witty poems of satire can Inflict Wounds. Etcetera.

All of the divine spells become more about foreseeing and altering the threads of Fate.

 

[Mistwell]

Do people play bards past level 7 or so? Their cool stuff becomes spells, and I just multi class at that point....

yes they definitely do

 

[Mistwell]

Still Spell prep. Non-starter.

Choosing a spell list was a good idea, but doesn't make up for having to do homework every rest to play the class.

Nevermind we both had the same misunderstanding for what the "new" term was for "prepared" spells.

 

[Parmandur]

yes they definitely do

Insofar as anything gets played Level 7. Multiclassing is more rare than High Level play, at least.

 

[Mistwell]

I have wanted a college of dance since 2014. This is perfect.

Yeah I am definitely making an Irish Dancer bard

 

[Yaarel]

I already love the 5e 2014 Bard. When this UA becomes the 2024 Bard, I am love it even more.

My only difficulty so far, is the mechanic for the Bardic Inspiration.

Because I generally play casters, the Bardic Inspiration is normally worthless for my characters.

The Bardic Inspiration can only cause "success". It cannot cause failure.

For other players it can mean their sword hits. But for my characters it means nothing. I need the Inspiration to cause the target of my spell to fail its saving throw.

Likewise, the power of both weal and woe − both praise and satire − is a deeply bardic theme. My spellcaster needs to be able to use the Bardic Inspiration to either buff myself or debuff my foe.