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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kisanji Arael" data-source="post: 2809492" data-attributes="member: 20056">EDIT: Oh, and I did try to stay out of your other thread when you asked me to.That's largely because the bard has been played out as being useless for so long. But consider this: What size of party?And, as has already been stated, the Cleric is broken. However, for the sake of argument...When presented with a choice of cleric or bard, a single fighter would invariably choose the Cleric, as would two fighters, as would three. but what about the Paladin? What if there was one paladin in the group. At this point, it becomes a little less certain. When you get into higher numbers of fighters, even if there isn't a healer, things start to blur.. When presented with any number of fighters greater than 1, the cleric's usefulness diminishes relative to the amount of people he has to spread his healing over. However, the bard's usefulness only grows with numbers, because he does not have to micro out his best effects. He does not have to worry about who is affected by his abilities. ---In addition, his abilities are augmented by some of the most "broken" Prestige Classes and feats that have been made. Why are they broken? Because people have been screaming out that the bard is pointless for so long. Almost all of the classes gain Bardic Music uses without any loss of level. they allow uses of Bardic Music to put them on level with mages near their level. As an example, lets take the stormsinger from Frostburn. Keep in mind that I'm arguing for the bard as an army's best friend.First.... the stormsinger benefits at any point that she is in a storm herself (Stormpower). Then, when she reaches 7th level, she is able to make storms, In addition, she is able to use the Great Thunderstroke ability, This is a 60 foot line (remember -- armies) dealing damage based on a perform check. It only takes up 2 uses of bardic music. It also has a chance to deal 2d6 additional damage plus permanent deafness. In addition, four uses of Bardic music give her access to Storm of Vengeance. Suddenly, 20 uses of bardic music equals five 9th level spells/day.  And she hasn't lost any uses of bardic music or spells/day, or even spells known.From that same book (since it's out, and since I'm lazy), an example of the feats I'm talking about is snowflake wardance. 1 use of Bardic music adds your Charisma mod to all attack rolls, as long as they're one-handed and slashing. It's a free action, and lasts a number of rounds equal to your perform dance skill.These are just examples, but that's the point. If you don't confine yourself to a straight bard, you'll be easily in line with the regular classes, and have the freedom to decide whether you want to be a powerful mage, fighter, or rogue based on the circumstances, something that rogues, fighters, and wizards can't do. ---I think that it is the best conspiracy ever. By saying the class is underpowered, it makes people believe it. I know people who have never seen a bard played that say it is underpowered. I would say that it is closest in power to a straight fighter (which is to say: they're fine, but boring after a bit).  However, no one plays through 20 levels of fighter. A lot of people play through 20 levels of Bard. Even if I couldn't have a stormsinger, I would definitely prefer a level 20 bard in my party to a level 20 fighter. Especially if he's been taking advantage of the spells not found in the Core Rulebooks. Oh, also... bard's probably make the best use of the Leadership feat of all the core classes.</blockquote>

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