An Essentialized Bard

[Quickleaf]

The 2nd part is potentially obscenely overpowered at high levels. And it would be pretty easy to stick an immobilize or something with it, so moving away wouldn't really be an answer.

How about:
Enemies that end their turn in the aura take a -2 penalty to saving throws and take damage equal to your charisma modifier whenever they fail a saving throw.

Yeah you're totally right. I like the extra damage but it doesnt seem like control to me even if the enemy has a choice about whether or not to save. Maybe a high amount of damage would make it an effective dorm of soft control but usually ending a condition is more important.

One thought I had for creating bards for Essentials is to simply create a unique build that uses the essentialized rogue as the starting point. Or perhaps, bard could be built, simply, as a theme that could be added to any character.

Just a thought...

Interesting. Why did you choose the thief? It's a striker and it focuses on movement tricks for itself. Are you suggesting this build would basically do something similar with move actions but for it's allies?

 

[Knightfall]

Interesting. Why did you choose the thief? It's a striker and it focuses on movement tricks for itself. Are you suggesting this build would basically do something similar with move actions but for it's allies?

You know, I really thinking about roles or powers. I was simply thinking that it might be easier to build a bard character as a "thief/bard" build or as a theme instead of essentializing the bard class. (Also, I got rid of my copy of PHB2 when I "switched" to Essentials. Too many books.)

Note that I always liked the Blade Bard from 2e, so I could see a "fighter/bard" build as well. However, several bard builds would be redundant. That's why I thought of redoing the bard as a theme instead of as a build. That way you could add "bard" to any class.

I could see doing the same thing for the sorcerer.

 

[Quickleaf]

You know, I really thinking about roles or powers. I was simply thinking that it might be easier to build a bard character as a "thief/bard" build or as a theme instead of essentializing the bard class. (Also, I got rid of my copy of PHB2 when I "switched" to Essentials. Too many books.)

Sort of an OD&D bards without the perquisite levels in fighter, thief, and Druid? Yeah I like themes and it would fit the bard feel pretty well...but our current game is not using themes, so for me to would be an "unfair advantage."

I am not planning on creating many powers, nothing beyond what I need to play. Writing up bard knacks has been fun! I'll post later today when I'm back home.

Note that I always liked the Blade Bard from 2e, so I could see a "fighter/bard" build as well. However, several bard builds would be redundant. That's why I thought of redoing the bard as a theme instead of as a build. That way you could add "bard" to any class.

Wait the blade 2e kit? The one where you were really good at making people think you knew how to fight?

I could see doing the same thing for the sorcerer.

Ya know I was thinking the same thing, sorcerer would make a great simple blaster style caster.

 

[Knightfall]

Sort of an OD&D bards without the perquisite levels in fighter, thief, and Druid? Yeah I like themes and it would fit the bard feel pretty well...but our current game is not using themes, so for me to would be an "unfair advantage."

I am not planning on creating many powers, nothing beyond what I need to play. Writing up bard knacks has been fun! I'll post later today when I'm back home.

Well, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread, regardless.

Wait the blade 2e kit? The one where you were really good at making people think you knew how to fight?

That's the one. And I always played/DMed that kit in a way that allowed the bard-blade to be a flashy warrior type with with a bit of a dark side.

Ya know I was thinking the same thing, sorcerer would make a great simple blaster style caster.

Definitely.

 

[Quickleaf]

I just updated the first post with my work to date on this build, mainly bardic knacks. Whadda think?

 

[Rune]

I like the bardic arts, but some seem redundant (espionage and master of disguise, for instance).

Here's another:

Storyteller=during short rest, make history check (DC moderate?) to grant +Cha mod bonus (improved morale) to each party-member's first save during next encounter.