D&D (2024) Playtest 6: Bard

[Henadic Theologian]

Re the Bard Spellcasting feature.

Its Spellcasting Focus is a musical instrument. But the College of Dance would use neither the musical instrument nor the material spell component in this magical context. Other Bard noninstrumental concepts such as singer, orator, or actor would eschew them as well.

Instead, the feature should read something like:

"
Spellcasting Focus. A verbal or somatic component can serve as your Spellcasting Focus for the spells you cast with your Bard features. Alternatively, playing a musical instrument can replace all spell components.

"

Folks have suggested spell lists should come with the apprioate spell focuses for that list.

 

[mellored]

The problem is the Bardic Inspiration is worthless to other players who play a caster.

It works for casters just fine.
Firebolt or thorn whip are attacks.

Works best for the rogue though. Turning a missed sneak attack intoa hit is more than turning a single monk attack into a hit.

 

[Yaarel]

It works for casters just fine.
Firebolt or thorn whip are attacks.

Works best for the rogue though. Turning a missed sneak attack intoa hit is more than turning a single monk attack into a hit.

Wasting an Inspiration on Firebolt or Thorn Whip is less than "fine".

 

[mellored]

Wasting an Inspiration on Firebolt or Thorn Whip is less than "fine".

2d10 is more than1d8+4.

 

[Chaosmancer]

The problem is the Bardic Inspiration is worthless to other players who play a caster.

Currently, even the Bard can use Inspiration to make the Bards own sword attack a successful hit.

The problem is becoming worthless to other players. There fails to be "support" here for characters who are casters.

Well, I think worthless is overstating it.

Right now you can spend it on ANY d20 roll you make within the next hour. So... saving throws? Are your spellcasters going to make a concentration save within the next hour? If so, that's a good use for the bardic inspiration. Yes, it doesn't help them offensively, but defensively is another story.

 

[TwoSix]

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

Why would you stop playing a full caster just when their best spells start coming into play?

 

[TwoSix]

Magical Discoveries loses a little bit of its bite with the way Magical Secrets gives every Bard access to every spell. Guess it's two additional spells known prepared at least.

It loses a lot of bite, considering that the class-specific spells are no longer available, which was like 90% of the fun of magical secrets.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

This allows some really cool new builds, like a Necromatic Bard, that doesn't have to use magical secrets to get necromancy spells.

 

[fuindordm]

This allows some really cool new builds, like a Necromatic Bard, that doesn't have to use magical secrets to get necromancy spells.

Hmm, necromantic dancing bard with red leather armor?

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Hmm, necromantic dancing bard with red leather armor?

It can be any colour you want.