Bard Song Action Type

[Kalendraf]

This seems really simple, but in all my searching thru the PHB, DMG, various FAQs and online sites, I have still not found it. So here is my question:

What type of action (free action, partial action, standard action, full round action, etc) is the initiation of a Bard's Song (inspire courage, etc)?

Note: I understand that the bard can keep singing, thus extending it thru several rounds, and that the effect takes a full round of hearing it, etc. I'm trying to figure out what part of the bard's turn the initial activation of the song requires.

FYI, I was originally ruling it as a standard action. This prevents the bard from trying to sing a bard song and cast a spell. However, after further thought and debate w/ some of the players, I've change my mind. Singing a song in addition to an attack and move seems like something a bard could be able to do. So I have turned bard songs into a free action as long as no other vocal actions (ie spellcasting or other bard songs) occur in the same round. This allows the bard to be a bit more active in the 1st round (firing an arrow, charging to attack, etc). But I'd really like to get an actual ruling on this.

 

[Spatula]

This seems really simple, but in all my searching thru the PHB, DMG, various FAQs and online sites, I have still not found it. So here is my question:

What type of action (free action, partial action, standard action, full round action, etc) is the initiation of a Bard's Song (inspire courage, etc)?

If you read the text of each song you'll note that some of them, at least, already tell you what kind of action they are. The suggestion song, for example, is a spell-like ability and thus takes a standard action.

 

[Christian]

PH p. 126, Use Special Ability:

The casting time of a spell-like ability is 1 action, making its use a standard action, unless the ability description notes otherwise ... Using a supernatural ability ... is usually a standard action (unless defined otherwise by the ability description) ...

All of the bardic music effects are listed as spell-like or supernatural abilities; since there is no text to the contrary, starting the song is a standard action.

 

[MarauderX]

The bard song for adding the +1 to attacks & damage, +2 to saves is a free action. There is no "start-up" time of 1 round before taking effect; the bonuses as soon as the bard begins singing. She can keep singing as long as she wants as a free action but cannot cast spells unless she wants to stop singing, at which time the bard enhancements will end 5 rounds after.

 

[Spatula]

Inspire Courage: A bard with 3 or more ranks in Perform can to inspire courage in his or her allies. To be affected, an ally must hear the bard sing for a full round. The effect lasts as long as the bard sings and for 5 rounds after the bard stops singing (or 5 rounds after the ally can no longer hear the bard). While singing, the bard can fight but cannot cast spells, activate magic items by spell completion (such as scrolls), or activate magic items by magic word (such as wands). Affected allies receive a +2 morale bonus to saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 morale bonus to attack and weapon damage rolls. Inspire courage is a supernatural, mind-affecting ability.

Emphasis added. Also, supernatural abilities typically require a standard action to use.

 

[niteshade6]

There are plenty of supernatural abilities that do not require a standard action to use though, and it does specificaly say you can sing while you are performing other actions.

My interpetation is that singing is not an action at all. It's just sort of an ability that you can turn on while you are taking other actions. Kind of like hiding isn't an action, it's just something you can do while moving.

 

[MarauderX]

Whoops... thanks Spatula, I think. guess we have been playing it wrong the whole time after learning it from another group. Now I must reluctuantly tell my DM...

 

[Ysgarran]

There are plenty of supernatural abilities that do not require a standard action to use though, and it does specificaly say you can sing while you are performing other actions.

My interpetation is that singing is not an action at all. It's just sort of an ability that you can turn on while you are taking other actions. Kind of like hiding isn't an action, it's just something you can do while moving.

Unless it is explicitly stated in 3.5 that bard song is a free action (similiar to the other supernatural abilities you mention) I'm going to have to with the standard interpretation. Does anyone know how 3.5 describes bard song?

Ysgarran.

 

[Conaill]

I just got the following answer from Andy Collins over on the Wizards board:

Typically a standard action to activate. The PH clarifies all of this.

 

[Darklone]

Just like Divine Might. The DotF book clarifies this.