I'm currently playing in a 3.5 campaign and the first character I created was a Bard. I really loved the character but I simply couldn't stand the implementation of the Bard. In particular, I really couldn't stand the whole "singing magic" mechanics. Talking about it with my GM, he was of the exact same opinion. We checked out a couple of the alternatives that people have created including the Mystic Music PDF but none of them really "did it" for us. So after some time off the character is coming back with a bit different version of the class. I decided to type this up to give other people who aren't big fans of the current Bard implementation some other ideas to use for their Bards. We're going to give this one a twirl and see how it works out. If you have any questions after reviewing the class or are interested in why any decisions were made that haven't already been answered I would be happy to respond.
The purpose was to create a Bard class that has more of a feeling of a fighter/magic user/thief style much like the old-style Bard - more like a Skald actually. This Bard has a lot of skills, maybe too many but as you'll see they are very much limited as to where they can be spent. And in any case my GM loves the role-playing aspect of the game and is willing to err on the side of too many skills rather then too few.
The changes to the magic are to bring it in line with a character who has learned some magic of the "normal" type, but limiting the spells in a manner similar to how the original class limited them. Making the Bard live by the Wizard restrictions of spell books and learning spells gives the class more of a feeling of a magic-dabbling class. And in any case my GM isn't much of a fan of the Sorceror.
The hit dice/armor/weapon changes are to give more of a fighting feel (and ability) to the class.
You may want to have the regular class description in front of you since I'm not including all the "descriptive text":
Alignment: same
Hit Die: D8
Class skills: same
Skill Points at 1st Level:
Knowledge skills: (1 + Int modifier) x4.
Perform skills: (1 + Cha modifier) x4.
Any skills: 6 x 4 = 24
Skill Points at Each Additional Level:
Knowledge skills: 1 + Int modifier
Perform skills: 1 + Cha modifier
Any skills: 6
BAB, Saves and Spells per Day are all unchanged with the exception that bonus spells per day are based on Int, not Cha.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies:
Weapons as before but include Longbow.
Armor as before but include Medium armor.
A bard can cast his spells without chance of arcane spell failure if wearing light armor, but not if using a shield or wearing medium armor.
Spells:
The Bard may only cast spells that come from the Wizard/Sorceror (and Bard only) spell lists. The Bard learns and memorizes spells in the same manner as a Wizard including the use of a spell book. The Bard only has access to a sub-set of the regular Wizard spell list. This is broken down by school.
Divination: all excluding any spell having to do with undead (*)
Illusion: all (*)
Transformation: all (*)
Enchantment: all (*)
Evocation: only those spells having to do with light or darkness
Necromancy: none
Conjuration: none
Abjuration: only spells having to do with scrying and dispelling
(*) - In no case is a Bard allowed to take a spell that causes direct damage to either HP or to stats. This means the Bard does not have access to such spells as Color Spray, Phantasmal Killer and the like.
Bardic knowledge: same
Bardic Music: Removed completely
The purpose was to create a Bard class that has more of a feeling of a fighter/magic user/thief style much like the old-style Bard - more like a Skald actually. This Bard has a lot of skills, maybe too many but as you'll see they are very much limited as to where they can be spent. And in any case my GM loves the role-playing aspect of the game and is willing to err on the side of too many skills rather then too few.
The changes to the magic are to bring it in line with a character who has learned some magic of the "normal" type, but limiting the spells in a manner similar to how the original class limited them. Making the Bard live by the Wizard restrictions of spell books and learning spells gives the class more of a feeling of a magic-dabbling class. And in any case my GM isn't much of a fan of the Sorceror.
The hit dice/armor/weapon changes are to give more of a fighting feel (and ability) to the class.
You may want to have the regular class description in front of you since I'm not including all the "descriptive text":
Alignment: same
Hit Die: D8
Class skills: same
Skill Points at 1st Level:
Knowledge skills: (1 + Int modifier) x4.
Perform skills: (1 + Cha modifier) x4.
Any skills: 6 x 4 = 24
Skill Points at Each Additional Level:
Knowledge skills: 1 + Int modifier
Perform skills: 1 + Cha modifier
Any skills: 6
BAB, Saves and Spells per Day are all unchanged with the exception that bonus spells per day are based on Int, not Cha.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies:
Weapons as before but include Longbow.
Armor as before but include Medium armor.
A bard can cast his spells without chance of arcane spell failure if wearing light armor, but not if using a shield or wearing medium armor.
Spells:
The Bard may only cast spells that come from the Wizard/Sorceror (and Bard only) spell lists. The Bard learns and memorizes spells in the same manner as a Wizard including the use of a spell book. The Bard only has access to a sub-set of the regular Wizard spell list. This is broken down by school.
Divination: all excluding any spell having to do with undead (*)
Illusion: all (*)
Transformation: all (*)
Enchantment: all (*)
Evocation: only those spells having to do with light or darkness
Necromancy: none
Conjuration: none
Abjuration: only spells having to do with scrying and dispelling
(*) - In no case is a Bard allowed to take a spell that causes direct damage to either HP or to stats. This means the Bard does not have access to such spells as Color Spray, Phantasmal Killer and the like.
Bardic knowledge: same
Bardic Music: Removed completely
