Malin Genie
First Post
When using Inspire Courage and other Bardic Music abilities, how does timing work?
(1) Some people argue that it takes a Standard action (dedicated only to singing) to "Inspire Courage" (then having spent the action the Bard waits until the next round for the effects to 'kick in'.)
The argument for this point of view tends to be that Inspire Courage is described as a (Su) ability, which (PHB p126) "is isually a standard ability (unless defined otherwise by the ability description.)"
(2) Some people argue that it takes a standard action to invoke, the bard may also perform other non-spellcasting actions during that same standard action. So for example, in the first round of combat a Bard could shoot an arrow while starting to Inspire Courage (which would only take its effect from the next round.)
People with this POV point to the fact that the description of Bardsong specifically states that a Bard may take other actions (PHB p8: "as with Inspire Courage, a bard may sing, play or recite a Countersong while taking other mundane actions, but not magical actions.") They argue that this passage fulfils the 'defined otherwise' clause of the (Su) abilities description.
(3) Others argue that the Bard may 'start to sing' at any time, just as a character may start to speak at any time. So, for example, in the first round of combat, a Bard could cast a spell, and then begin to sing while moving, or drawing a weapon, etc (just as a character could talk to his/her allies while moving/drawing a weapon, etc.) Of course, the effects would still not be apparent until the next turn.
I have put this question up for discussion on a number of rules fora but there doesn't seem to be a consensus. I personally favour the second version above, but have encountered DMs (and Bard players) with each of the three views...
Hopefully the reprinted PHB will more clearly set out how Bardic
Music works, but in the meantime...
(1) Some people argue that it takes a Standard action (dedicated only to singing) to "Inspire Courage" (then having spent the action the Bard waits until the next round for the effects to 'kick in'.)
The argument for this point of view tends to be that Inspire Courage is described as a (Su) ability, which (PHB p126) "is isually a standard ability (unless defined otherwise by the ability description.)"
(2) Some people argue that it takes a standard action to invoke, the bard may also perform other non-spellcasting actions during that same standard action. So for example, in the first round of combat a Bard could shoot an arrow while starting to Inspire Courage (which would only take its effect from the next round.)
People with this POV point to the fact that the description of Bardsong specifically states that a Bard may take other actions (PHB p8: "as with Inspire Courage, a bard may sing, play or recite a Countersong while taking other mundane actions, but not magical actions.") They argue that this passage fulfils the 'defined otherwise' clause of the (Su) abilities description.
(3) Others argue that the Bard may 'start to sing' at any time, just as a character may start to speak at any time. So, for example, in the first round of combat, a Bard could cast a spell, and then begin to sing while moving, or drawing a weapon, etc (just as a character could talk to his/her allies while moving/drawing a weapon, etc.) Of course, the effects would still not be apparent until the next turn.
I have put this question up for discussion on a number of rules fora but there doesn't seem to be a consensus. I personally favour the second version above, but have encountered DMs (and Bard players) with each of the three views...
Hopefully the reprinted PHB will more clearly set out how Bardic
Music works, but in the meantime...
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