Bard Arcane Leader and gnome bards and roles

[TerraDave]

all this stuff about a skill that does magic in D&D....thats a scoop! Seriously.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

4e is a fine time to make a true bard and get rid of the arcane spells altogether.

 

[Bishmon]

These are presented in the alternative. That means that "Arcane training" is different from multi-classing. This is new information.

Prior to this, every reference to the multi-classing rules referred to taking "class training." There were no choices to be made; you either have Fighter training or you don't. This seems to suggest that there's "training" and then there's full-on multi-classing.

If I had to guess, using prior editions of D&D for the analogy, I'd guess that "training" is a bit like taking 0th level in a class without impacting the level of the class you're in. But that's pure speculation, and the 4E devs may have a more elegant solution.

I think the 'trained in Arcana' was merely referencing the character taking an extra specialization in the Arcana skill. From what I think I've read. SWSE's skill system allowed characters to designate a certain number of skills as trained.

 

[Sir Brennen]

I think the 'trained in Arcana' was merely referencing the character taking an extra specialization in the Arcana skill. From what I think I've read. SWSE's skill system allowed characters to designate a certain number of skills as trained.

Right. And skills that one selects as "trained" allow you to do other things with the skill that an untrained person can't do. It's more than a numeric boost.

 

[Bishmon]

Right. And skills that one selects as "trained" allow you to do other things with the skill that an untrained person can't do. It's more than a numeric boost.

Cool. Where have you read that?

 

[drothgery]

Cool. Where have you read that?

I'd guess he read it in the Star Wars Saga Edition core rulebook.

 

[Greg K]

4e is a fine time to make a true bard and get rid of the arcane spells altogether.

It all depends on how you see the bard. I can see a place for an
- arcane bard (bardic sage)
- divine bard (cantor)
- nature spell bard
- a shamanic bard with powers from totems
- a song magic bard
- a spellless warrior bard (skald)
- a spell less rogue bard.

 

[Greg K]

What if Rituals need a certain Arcana score to be able to cast? You could have multiple classes even Martial powered casting rituals.

I hope that's not the case. I hope anyone can *attempt* to cast rituals even if they lack the Arcana skill. Meddling with powers and rituals beyond one's control with consequences for failure deserves its place in the game (my opinion of course).