D&D 5E Casting with Shield - Bard Style

[Herbalizer]

Strap a tambourine on your shield. Jingle jangle, there's your spell focus.

I could also fix a triangle inside my shield and use the tip of my rapier to play the almighty Triangle !!

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Embed small cymbals around the wooden rim of your shield and the whole thing becomes a massive tambourine. Also, a gift with which to bribe any music-loving Giants in your campaign.

 

[mrpopstar]

It's never occurred to me that the intent was for a bard to be using a musical instrument in the midst of combat.

 

[Herbalizer]

It's never occurred to me that the intent was for a bard to be using a musical instrument in the midst of combat.

From the PHB:
"Whether scholar, skald, or scoundrel, a bard weaves
magic through words and music to inspire allies,
demoralize foes, manipulate minds,"

"In the worlds of D&D, words and music are
not just vibrations of air, but vocalizations with
power all their own."

"Some bards acquire their magical music
through extraordinary means, including the inspiration
of fey or other supernatural creatures."

"Or did you attend
a college where you studied bardic lore and practiced
your musical magic"

"Your magic comes from the heart and soul you
pour into the performance of your music or oration."

If magic manifests itself through music, the Bard must produce music to cast spells ..singing could be considered "music" but that would only cover the V component of spells ...

 

[mrpopstar]

If magic manifests itself through music, the Bard must produce music to cast spells ..singing could be considered "music" but that would only cover the V component of spells ...

Your citations clearly describe the bard's ability to manifest magic through words and oration. Song and instrumentation are not required.

Musical instruments used as a spellcasting focus are best utilized outside of combat, usually in situations that call for subtlety (e.g. performing for a noble you wish to charm).

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Would it be wrong to make a ruling that Bard spells that have M components and which are shared spells with other classes, don't have a M component necessary unless the spell specifies a gp value for said M component?

Bard-only spells are few:
- Dissonant Whispers
- Compulsion
...and neither have a M component, which makes you think that for these special spells, being bardic, the designers felt that M components was wrong or unnecessary.

So maybe that's their thing. So long as they are singing, the song IS the M component. All the V components of shared spells when cast by other classes are just spoken/intoned - the Bard has to make a tune. Combining V words with M music.

Wizard: Abracadabra!
Bard: Abra, Abra Cadabra!

Or they use an instrument (read: play it) as a focus, as normal.

Unless the spell calls out a gp value. In which case, even a bard needs to go find 50gp of powdered gems for a teleport circle, and 350gp of incense and ivory for True Seeing, etc.

Would that make bards unbalanced?

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Overly complex. Edited last post.

 

[Herbalizer]

Your citations clearly describe the bard's ability to manifest magic through words and oration. Song and instrumentation are not required.

Musical instruments used as a spellcasting focus are best utilized outside of combat, usually in situations that call for subtlety (e.g. performing for a noble you wish to charm).

...Seriously ?! You got that from these quotes ?

 

[Herbalizer]

Your citations clearly describe the bard's ability to manifest magic through words and oration. Song and instrumentation are not required.

Musical instruments used as a spellcasting focus are best utilized outside of combat, usually in situations that call for subtlety (e.g. performing for a noble you wish to charm).

...Seriously ?! You got that from these quotes ?

 

[mrpopstar]

...Seriously ?! You got that from these quotes ?

Seriously! I did!
(Having engaged with the playtest, I helped shape those quotes.)


The current edition of the game is built for efficiency. Whenever you encounter something that feels particularly awkward or clunky, that's the system urging you to reconsider your understanding.
A bard juggling armor, weapon, and instrument is silly both in terms of narrative and adjudication—it's not intended.