Bardic Inspire Courage

[Nightchill]

The way the SRD reads, a Bard seems to be able to keep singing (and Inspiring Courage) whilst doing anything non-vocal related. This obviously excludes spell casting, talking and activating command word items.

However, I'm a little weary at the thought of a Bard singing an inspiring song whilst attacking Orcs with her rapier. The game seems to allow this but I'd certainly be distracted if I did both. I know, I know, don't attempt to mix realism with d&d. I spoke to the bard and she agrees it seems odd. We were considering a blanket -2 to Attack Rolls whilst singing and attacking simultaneously.

Any thoughts? Or have I missed something obvious?

 

[two]

The way the SRD reads, a Bard seems to be able to keep singing (and Inspiring Courage) whilst doing anything non-vocal related. This obviously excludes spell casting, talking and activating command word items.

However, I'm a little weary at the thought of a Bard singing an inspiring song whilst attacking Orcs with her rapier. The game seems to allow this but I'd certainly be distracted if I did both. I know, I know, don't attempt to mix realism with d&d. I spoke to the bard and she agrees it seems odd. We were considering a blanket -2 to Attack Rolls whilst singing and attacking simultaneously.

Any thoughts? Or have I missed something obvious?

I don't think I know of anyone that believes the bard overpowered as written.

(singing and attacking is completely legal in the core rules).

Penalyzing the bard for their classes main power seems a little over the top.

You don't want to further relegate the bard to "lame second-tier buffer" class by further penalizing them for doing what they do best. A -2 to hit is very significant, particularly at lower levels.

It's the equivalent of saying "when rogues sneak attack it takes a lot of their concentration, so they get -2 to AC any round they sneak attack." i.e. it's something that makes a not-particularly-overwhelmingly-strong class even more unattractive to play.

 

[the Jester]

Leave the poor bard alone. She's got it tough enough as it is.

 

[Nightchill]

Fair enough, I'll leave off

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Scion]

It's the equivalent of saying "when rogues sneak attack it takes a lot of their concentration, so they get -2 to AC any round they sneak attack." i.e. it's something that makes a not-particularly-overwhelmingly-strong class even more unattractive to play.

"when the barb is in his rage he gets a -2 to attack and damage rolls if he attempts to tell friend from foe"

I have had dm's try to pull something like that..lol.. talk about trying to make a core class useless

 

[Darklone]

Ever seen Cyrano de Bergerac? Singing while fighting is very funny and stylish. You don't like Swashbuckling heroics, eh ?

 

[Rabelais]

Eeeeep!

I know you already said you weren't going to incorporate your "Let's Nerf the Bard" idea... however, allow me to pile on just one more statement

ARE YOU INSANE!


There, I feel much better now.

 

[Gort]

I agree, the bard needs to be nerfed. I suggest removing their spells.

 

[The Spectrum Rider]

I certainly agree that the bard should be able to fight unhindered while singing.

But here's a question: what interferes or interrupts the singing? It's listed as a (Su) ability, so the answer seems to be "almost nothing" (unless, like Hold Person, it prevents the bard from doing anything at all). The idea that a bard can continue singing, without so much as a Concentration check, while taking damage, being grappled, etc., gives me pause. Does anyone use Concentration checks in any of these instances?

The Spectrum Rider