Bard is spoiled!

[Cadfan]

Just to make sure its clear for people without subscriptions, this was a preview of one build out of two. This was the "Virtue of Cunning" bard, as opposed to the "Virtue of Valor." Good money at this point puts the cunning bard as the ranged combatant, and the valorous bard as melee. There seems to be a subtle theme of "conducting" the battle- the bard has a lot of powers that slide allies, for example. This is almost the same as allowing an ally to shift, but is slightly different in that the bard gets to decide where the ally goes. The ally can refuse to move at all, but cannot agree to move and then choose his own destination.

 

[lexoanvil]

Just to make sure its clear for people without subscriptions, this was a preview of one build out of two. This was the "Virtue of Cunning" bard, as opposed to the "Virtue of Valor." Good money at this point puts the cunning bard as the ranged combatant, and the valorous bard as melee. There seems to be a subtle theme of "conducting" the battle- the bard has a lot of powers that slide allies, for example. This is almost the same as allowing an ally to shift, but is slightly different in that the bard gets to decide where the ally goes. The ally can refuse to move at all, but cannot agree to move and then choose his own destination.

i would also guess that the valor build will likely have more buffs while cunning has more de-buffing their foes.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Friend of mine showed me the Bard snippet last night.

Only took a glance at them, but the 4e bard certainly seems to be a mixed bag of tricks. The multiclassing thing is an interesting nod to 1st edition bards (where IIRC you had to multiclass like mad to become one in the first place; been quite a while since I played 1e). Certainly looks to be good for someone that wants more of a generalist character instead of the more focused/specialized classes that we've currently got.

Doubt I'd ever play one (I seem to have too much of a preference for Martial-based characters), but would be interested in hearing how it plays.

 

[Zsig]

the bard has a lot of powers that slide allies, for example. This is almost the same as allowing an ally to shift, but is slightly different in that the bard gets to decide where the ally goes. The ally can refuse to move at all, but cannot agree to move and then choose his own destination.

Don't forget also that Slide, differently from Shift, ignores difficult terrain. That's a significant advantage.

 

[amysrevenge]

Don't forget also that Slide, differently from Shift, ignores difficult terrain. That's a significant advantage.

Also ignores whether the target is prone or not...

 

[deleteme123456]

Just to make sure its clear for people without subscriptions, this was a preview of one build out of two. This was the "Virtue of Cunning" bard, as opposed to the "Virtue of Valor." Good money at this point puts the cunning bard as the ranged combatant, and the valorous bard as melee. There seems to be a subtle theme of "conducting" the battle- the bard has a lot of powers that slide allies, for example. This is almost the same as allowing an ally to shift, but is slightly different in that the bard gets to decide where the ally goes. The ally can refuse to move at all, but cannot agree to move and then choose his own destination.

One of my players responded "I slide the Dwarf next to the Dragon as a sacrifice and run for my life!"

 

[cdrcjsn]

Is nobody else bothered by the fact that Constitution is one of the primary attributes?

My concept of bards would have them be more cunning (Wis) or nimble (Dex) than having great endurance.

I understand the mechanical advantages of Con, but I'm really bothered by the flavor of it.

I can see infernal/star warlocks channel fel/alien magic through their bodies...but I have a hard time thinking of bards doing the same.

 

[Zsig]

Is nobody else bothered by the fact that Constitution is one of the primary attributes?.

Answering your question quoting someone from the other thread:

Having spent years of my youth involved in musical performance, I'd say that Constitution is pretty dead-on for a bard character, since it takes a lot of stamina to play or sing for an extended period of time.

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Cadfan]

Also, good money is that the valor bard is a melee class.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Also, good money is that the valor bard is a melee class.

god I hope so. One of my fav things about the Advanced players handbook were those cha Vs AC weapon powers for troubadour