D&D (2024) Grade College of the Moon, Green, Yellow, Red?

[Henadic Theologian]

Grade College of the Moon, Green, Yellow, Red?

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Red. I thought this subclass steps too much on the toes of other Bard subclasses. It says it's the Fey bard subclass? We already have that, it's called College of Glamour. They record history and channel folktales with their bardic inspiration? Wow, they just stepped on the toes of the College of Lore and College of Spirits in a single sentence. They get the ability to debuff enemy saving throws using their bardic inspiration? Yeah, that's the College of Eloquence's Unsettling Words but buffed.

I just am not a fan. I don't think it is distinct enough from other subclasses to earn its own niche. They could just say "Bards are common on the Moonshae Isles, with close ties to the spirits and legends of the fey. Most bards from the Moonshae Isles are members of the Lore, Glamour, Spirits, and Eloquence Colleges" and I think that would suffice. Or completely redesign most of the lore and mechanics of the subclass. A druid-themed subclass for Bards could be interesting. I just don't think this one is.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Red. Tale of Mirth is extremely powerful and the only Level 3 ability that would ever get used (seriously, an Action to switch between them? Why!). Also see post above about how it's not distinct from other Bard subclasses. Thematically it's boring, and mechanically it has one overpowered ability with a bunch of useless mechanics.

I could see this being a good 3-level multiclass dip for Tale of Mirth but that's about it

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yellow. I like the concept of taking the bard back to its Druidic roots, but this isn’t Druid enough.

 

[pukunui]

What the others have said – plus “College of the Moon” sounds too much like “Circle of the Moon”. Could get confusing.

I’d rate it orange (in between yellow and red).

 

[Kobold Avenger]

Probably should use "Fochlucan Lyrist" (a Bard/Druid prestige class from 3e) somehow in the name, since that's what the intentions of the subclass remind of. I think it's abilities are mostly good, though there could be another stronger push to the Druid, and yes Tales of Mirth does step on the toes of the Lore Bard.

 

[mellored]

Red
Makes no sense that a folktale is an action to tell. Tell a tale over a short rest and pick some bonuses (THP, +5 speed, advantage on their next save).
Level 14 can even be everyone gets a bardic inspiration after a short rest.

Alternatively, give them wild shape or some druid spells (goodberry, speak with animals).

 

[THEMNGMNT]

No offense to anyone at WotC, but Moon Bard is everything I hate about subclass design. It's a jumble of mechanics that don't match the flavor text. If the flavor is meant to be the "druid bard" then give me druid spells, a pet, or even wildshape. That would be awesome. But this? Not awesome.

PS: Where is my Harper subclass? Seems like a great opportunity to rework the Whispers bard...

 

[pukunui]

No offense to anyone at WotC, but Moon Bard is everything I hate about subclass design. It's a jumble of mechanics that don't match the flavor text. If the flavor is meant to be the "druid bard" then give me druid spells, a pet, or even wildshape. That would be awesome. But this? Not awesome.

PS: Where is my Harper subclass? Seems like a great opportunity to rework the Whispers bard...

I get the feeling that they're giving us one subclass for each highlighted region. The moon bard is for the Moonshaes section, the winter walker ranger is for the Icewind Dale section, the scion of the Dead Three rogue is for the Baldur's Gate section, and so on.

 

[THEMNGMNT]

I get the feeling that they're giving us one subclass for each highlighted region. The moon bard is for the Moonshaes section, the winter walker ranger is for the Icewind Dale section, the scion of the Dead Three rogue is for the Baldur's Gate section, and so on.

Sure, I get that. I just don't like this take.