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

[nightwind1]

So a lot of people find that idea silly.

And just as many don't.

 

[Derren]

This- bagpipes, drums, bugles, rams horns...

Were all played before the combat. Not during.

 

[Aldarc]

Were all played before the combat. Not during.

So just like with the 5e bard?

 

[Brandegoris]

So just like with the 5e bard?

Possibly! LOL
And therein lies the problem for some of us.
I think mechanically the Bard is a decent class.
The visualization of a dude Playing or singing IN combat has been a problem somewhat.
I think I have determined that it isn't necessarily a D&D flaw or mechanic problem, its finding players that Play the bard in a way that doesn't degenerate into a combat seeming somewhat comical?
Some people don't mind that at all and that's cool,
But for me It was always just a little silly

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Were all played before the combat. Not during.

No. They were definately played during battle as well.

more importantly, IRL music can't make people lose their will, make allies ignore wounds, physically hurt people, etc. so...even if you were right (you aren't), so what?

No one went into battle weaponless yelling at people to kill them, either, but...ya know, every spellcasters class.

 

[thewok]

No. They were definately played during battle as well.

more importantly, IRL music can't make people lose their will, make allies ignore wounds, physically hurt people, etc. so...even if you were right (you aren't), so what?

No one went into battle weaponless yelling at people to kill them, either, but...ya know, every spellcasters class.

Indeed. Until the advent of portable radios, musical instruments were how major orders were given to armies.

Much like a flag-bearer, these instrument players also served to shore up morale during combat.

The bard serves as the smaller-scale version of that.

Sent from my SM-G935V using EN World mobile app

 

[nightwind1]

Indeed. Until the advent of portable radios, musical instruments were how major orders were given to armies.

Much like a flag-bearer, these instrument players also served to shore up morale during combat.

The bard serves as the smaller-scale version of that.

Sent from my SM-G935V using EN World mobile app

Plus, at least since WWII, some have gone into battle playing rousing music from speakers on their tanks, helicopters, etc.

 

[Celebrim]

This is one of those questions where the only real response is, "Go read the Kalevala, and then we'll discuss it."

Bard is unfortunately really disconnected from the tradition that inspired it.

One of the few mostly well done scenes in Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' - because it was mostly lifted directly from the books - is the Théoden speech before the Rohirrim charge the Pelanor fields. But there is one aspect of that scene that was not copied, which is, as they charge, they all break out in a battle song - think maybe the theme of Skyrim - and "slew as they sang". That idea of warriors singing as they slew their foes seems really incongruous and even ridiculous to modern viewers/readers, but it was very much essential to the way Northern Europeans viewed warfare in antiquity and the early dark ages. Their war gods were also gods of music. The two went hand and hand. The battle pipers of Scotland are one of the last remaining legacies of that, though you might consider a modern tankers preference for heavy metal when charging into battle to be the modern equivalent.

But step back a bit. While it's true we no longer associate soldiers with singing as they slay, no one would think of having a massive battle scene without a grand symphonic score. That's the magic of music that the ancient Bards were tapping into.

 

[Brandegoris]

This is one of those questions where the only real response is, "Go read the Kalevala, and then we'll discuss it."

Bard is unfortunately really disconnected from the tradition that inspired it.

One of the few mostly well done scenes in Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' - because it was mostly lifted directly from the books - is the Théoden speech before the Rohirrim charge the Pelanor fields. But there is one aspect of that scene that was not copied, which is, as they charge, they all break out in a battle song - think maybe the theme of Skyrim - and "slew as they sang". That idea of warriors singing as they slew their foes seems really incongruous and even ridiculous to modern viewers/readers, but it was very much essential to the way Northern Europeans viewed warfare in antiquity and the early dark ages. Their war gods were also gods of music. The two went hand and hand. The battle pipers of Scotland are one of the last remaining legacies of that, though you might consider a modern tankers preference for heavy metal when charging into battle to be the modern equivalent.

But step back a bit. While it's true we no longer associate soldiers with singing as they slay, no one would think of having a massive battle scene without a grand symphonic score. That's the magic of music that the ancient Bards were tapping into.

Agreed. Music can be cool cinematically. I'm not even saying people may not have sang ( I do have my doubts that it was a COMMON occurance ir that they got beyond the first line before the Blood curdling screams began!) but Even if it happened I think its silly! LOL
That's all I was saying here is that I find it silly and I was seeing if anyone else also had the same issue. It doesn't mean that if you DON'T find it silly you are some type of effeminate Turd Burglar or something! LOL
I was just curious how many others had the same hang up.
Luckily it sounds like folks on this thread may know better how to play a Bard than my players and that is encouraging!

 

[Brandegoris]

Side Note: I appreciate everyone keeping on point and mostly polite with one another. That has helped this be constructive and more informative like I was hoping it would be!