Assassins and spells

[Hellefire]

OK, under assassins in the DMG, it states that they cast spells like bards. Bards cast arcane spells, spontaneously. Great. What about the bard ability to ignore ASFC in light armor? That is listed on bards under armor/weapons, and is not listed under assassin there. So, do assassins suffer normal ASFC while in light armor?

Aaron

 

[werk]

What about the bard ability to ignore ASFC in light armor? That is listed on bards under armor/weapons, and is not listed under assassin there.

I'd say no, for the reason you've listed above.

 

[Shazman]

Since assassains cast just like bards, they also ingore the ASFC in light armor.

 

[Deset Gled]

Since assassains cast just like bards, they also ingore the ASFC in light armor.

Nope. As the OP got correct, the ability to cast in armor has absolutely nothing to do with a bard's spellcasting. Rather, they have an exceptional proficiency with light armor. "Casting as a bard" simply means that they cast spontaneously, rather than preparing spells.

The relevant text:

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A bard is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, and whip. Bards are proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). A bard can cast bard spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. However, like any other arcane spellcaster, a bard wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component (most do). A multiclass bard still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

 

[IcyCool]

If you really want to mess with your head, all Bard spellcasting requires a Verbal component. A Verbal component must be "spoken in a loud, clear voice." So, your sneaky assassin gets screwed on that issue too.

 

[Infiniti2000]

OK, under assassins in the DMG, it states that they cast spells like bards.

There's two ways to look at this problem, both leading to the same conclusion IMO.

1. The text on casting like a bard is descriptive and doesn't strictly mean "in all ways except as explicitly stated here." In other words, the casting is spontaneous, applying metamagic is a full round action, etc., but not the arcane spell failure.

2. The text is not descriptive and really does mean "in all ways except as explicitly stated here." Thus, the assassin does not suffer from spell failure. Additionally, "Every bard assassin spell has a verbal component (singing, reciting, or music)."

Edit: Rats. IcyCool beat me to it by mere seconds.

 

[Mouseferatu]

If you really want to mess with your head, all Bard spellcasting requires a Verbal component. A Verbal component must be "spoken in a loud, clear voice." So, your sneaky assassin gets screwed on that issue too.

Actually, they don't.

The first (and maybe second) printings of the PHB say all bard spells have a Verbal component. The third and all subsequent printings changed that to "most bard spells." I wish they'd get around to updating the SRD to match. :\

 

[Mouseferatu]

While the RAW argument is certainly up for debate, I tend to interpret it as meaning assassins can cast in light armor, simply because it makes the most sense for the class as presented, IMO.

 

[IcyCool]

Actually, they don't.

Well I'll be. My mistake.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Well I'll be. My mistake.

Easy one to make, especially if you're using a 1st printing of the PHB.

Only reason I even know about the conflict between printings is because someone tried to call me on the fact that some of the new bard spells in Complete Mage lack a V component, and it was only through actually comparing printings that I was able to make my case that I was not, in fact, breaking the rules with those.