I would play a bard if. . .

[GreatLemur]

I just plain don't like bards, but for me it is not so much the mechanics, as the flavour. I just don't like the 'artsy-musical' types as my characters. I recognise that bards have their place in legends, fantasy and history, but they are just not for me.

This point isn't getting nearly enough of a spotlight in this thread. I like the general thrust of the Bard's abilities, but the whole concept of the class is obnoxiously absurd. One of WotC's most irritating tendencies, actually, is making the performing arts into character classes, with Bards, Sword Dancers, Spellsingers, etc. I'm still waiting for the inevitable Arcane Thespian or Shadow Mime PrCs.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

New month, new firebeetle bard thread.

It is obvious that a bard stole Firebeetle's girl... and worse, his drink.

He has been bitter about them ever since.

The Auld Grump, and it was a Guinness too....

 

[Jedi_Solo]

I'm currently playing a bard and having a blast.

 

[IcyCool]

I would play a bard.

 

[McDungeon]

Besides what was brought up before, larger parties, diverse encounters, etc. I'd have to say my number one issue with the bard is the "magical makeup" aspect of it. In general, bardsong then haste is your first 2 rounds of combat, and when combats tend to get shorter as you level the bard who has been rocking the past few levels aren't as much fun.

Otherwise I love my bards... Not the artsy dancing, magical makeup wearing ones, but the swashbuckling debonair fighting types.

 

[hong]

I played a bard in Reno, just to watch him die.

 

[krunchyfrogg]

Can I name him "Cwell the Fine"?

Ah, who am I kiddin', I'd play one anyway... I like versatility as opposed to specializing.

 

[irdeggman]

I have just started playing my 4th bard PC.

2 in 2nd ed and 2 in 3.5.

The class is great, but it's fun is extremely dependent on the style of game being run.

A bard is a role-player's dream and allows a lot of over the top play - in almost any way handled.

There are other classes that can be great lead ins to role-play (prosletizing cleric, avanign paladin, any half-orc barbarian) but the bard is designed to shine at role-play and interaction situations.

A story heavy game is not necessarily a game with a lot of character interaction - so there are distinctions that must be kept in mind.

IMO bards don't work real well for on-line gaming because it generally takes too long to get responses and the characters really depend on "conversations" to come through well.

I hated the 2nd ed bard with their access to all wizard spells. In Birthright TSR modified it to only divination, illusion and charm spells, which IMO fit the theme much better.

3.0 (and even more so 3.5) did a great job of captur9ing that "feel" for the characters and not making them "lesser" sorcerers.

 

[Jolly Giant]

I'd play a bard, if they just didn't such so much!

 

[orcmonk220]

I got half way down the page and then got that joke!
I'd play one if I ever got round to fully reading the rules for them...