Bardic Rant

[Belen]

Ugh....Bards will stink in 3.5 just as they did in 3e. The new abilities are a joke and will continue to remain nearly useless. The Bard gets zero combat spells, which is a joke.

And can you actually see anyone using Mass Cure Moderate wounds? As a sixth level spell!? That is pathetic to the extreme. A measily 2d8+5 at like 15th level will be worthless for any combat.

As we can see, the Bard is basically a specialist wizards illusionsist, except that they get crap for spell progression.

Why does WOTC persist in making the Bard a support character aone? Unfortunately, it's obvious that the designers cannot find the tail end of a Hippo where the Bard is concerned.

I have not met anyone who will USE the PHB bard, even in 3.5. I know that my group is sticking with Monte's version. THAT bard has flavor and can be a full member of the party.

Why is it that the PHB bard lacks any and all options for a character? Other classes get options, yet Bards in 3e HAVE to be an illusionist.

Nuts!

 

[RigaMortus]

We've had several people play Bards in our games throughout the years... When one of our players decides to play a Bard, they do so with the intention that it is going to be a roleplay centric character, not necessarily a combat oriented one. If you want magic to blow things up, play a Sorcerer/Wizard.

Obviously a munchin/power gamer isn't going to play a Bard...

 

[Eternalknight]

Obviously a munchin/power gamer isn't going to play a Bard...

Our group is a mix of power gamers / role players. The role players quite often take bards, and they are one of my favourite classes. The power gamers have never taken a bard that I can recall.

Bards can be a powerful class; like everything, you just need to work them properly.

 

[Belen]

However, RP opportunity depends on the GM, whereas all GMs run combat, many have no clue how to run RP encounters. Since every other class is balanced according to combat, then why do PHB Bards suck so badly?

It is a fallacy to call someone a powergamer/ munchkin for wanting to play a balanced class. Every class should be able to both shine and hold its own. And, if Bards were so great as an RP class, then they should be somewhat better than rogues, which they are not.

Bards rarely have the stats to place into strength, so they cannot melee, even with bows, the lack of Mighty power causes them to fall behind. A Bard is class that cannot truly contribute past the support stage.

The reason that they increased the abilities of clerics in 3e was that people hated playing band aids. No one wants to play a support character ALL the time.

If they could not actually create a unique SONIC-based spell list for a bard, then they should have thrown in some combat spells. Making them strictly, POOR pansy illusionists is a crock.

etc, etc ad nauseum.....

 

[Snapdragyn]

I have not met anyone who will USE the PHB bard, even in 3.5. I know that my group is sticking with Monte's version.

Is Monte's version available on the web? I'm very interested in the concept of the bard for RP reasons, but I want to be able to pull my own weight in combat (currently thinking I'll need to multiclass to achieve this, which just dilutes the 'bardishness' of the char IMO).

 

[Belen]

I do not think it is available on the web, but you can purchase the Book of Eldritch Might II for $5 dollars as a PDF download. I think it is a must for Bard players.

 

[Tsyr]

I don't actualy have a problem with the bard class...

 

[ajanders]

Bards are illusionists?

I think either I'm getting bad information on what the bard is or you are.
I'm seeing very few of the big name illusion spells like the silent image series. It's mostly enchantments and conjurations, with a side order of transmutations and divinations.
Also, the bard is perfectly combat-worthy, you just have to play them as a bard.
If you try to make them a fighter, you will fail.
If you try to make them a sorceror, you will also fail.
You have to use your magic, your weapons, and your class abilities together in your best combined arms fashion to hold your own in combat, just like any other class.

aja

 

[Morbidity]

I currently play a bard in one of the campaigns I have going. Yes I can’t deal the same damage in combat that the others can, but have saved the party on many an occasion. Bards are great fun to play and I’ve never really been into the hack and slash anyway. I guess it depends on what you’re into. My bard has created most of the amusement for the party over time and I’m of the belief that you are there to enjoy yourself not just kill as many nasties as possible. In terms of power … I think they used to be the fastest route to arcane archer. Though no doubt someone will immediately jump in and correct me on that point.

 

[Zogg]

I'm currently running a cleric of Sune/bard and I'm hoping to eventually progress her Cleric to 9th level and her Bard to 11th. She will specialize in enchantment spells and will be able to charm, hold, or dominate most anyone by the time she gets powerful. Will she be able to blow people up with 1497698509 damage? No. But I find that to be really boring. She would rather make them SUBMIT and do her bidding like the ugly foul creatures they are.

Chopping the heads off your foes may show your power, but making them submit to your will humiliates them.