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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Prism" data-source="post: 6855112" data-attributes="member: 9501">Well they kind of did. The core bard does not get proficiency with shields. The core bard including the lore bard subclass and possibly other future subclasses plays an instrument like a lyre in combat and on occasion draws a weapon to make an attack. It works just like you describe.You are referring to the valor bard which specifically changes that behaviour to a weapon user rather than a lyre player (in combat at least). It does that by encouraging you to use a shield and weapon, but even that is entirely optional. This kind of bard is not designed to play music in battle - at least easily. I really cant see any way around that since as you say, a bard should play their instrument I believe rather than simply hold it. The only way it would work could be for the valor bard to have some quick draw kind of power letting them stow and swap easily. But why should the bard get that and no other character be able to do similar. Having said that, the rules don't say you cant just hold it. The rules support the style you want but you don't like it. I don't either. I also agree that I don't like dropping weapons, and instruments around you feet.If you want your bard to use an instrument in combat why are you using a shield I have to ask. Many other classes can use shields but lots of characters don't actually do so. Its only an option. For your character I would drop the shield and you will be able to play in combat easily.One more thing relating to the history of the class. In all the editions up to and including 3.5e the bard was designed to use spell components to cast spells and possibly singing as a verbal component. They did not cast using an instrument. They played music with an instrument. The old bard is very much like the valor bard I would say. In 4e they created the idea of using a focus and instrument to cast spells. That 4e version is very much like the lore bard of 5e. They then created another 4e bard which was not supposed to use an instrument but was weapon focused. That's the valor bard again. The history of the bard suggests that using an instrument in combat is not a typical thing to do. At least it is possible (just not easily with a shield)</blockquote>

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