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Message: <blockquote data-quote="crashtestdummy" data-source="post: 6833045" data-attributes="member: 6803354">1. You can't use Cutting Words if you can't see the enemy at the time of initiative. You have to know where they are to do that. You also can't use it if they're more than 60' away when the DM calls for initiative.2. You can only use Cutting Words on the initiative of one enemy. All other enemies initiative is unaffected.3. Alert and expertise in Perception do not help once combat has been started unless your party is sufficiently strong that you can wipe out all opponents before they get to take a turn. Also, since we're talking about general situations, not every bard has Alert (mine doesn't -- as a variant human I went for the party-friendly option of Inspiring Leader).4. Being able to position yourself in the party doesn't stops a group of enemies moving past your frontline, with the first one or two absorbing the frontline's attacks of opportunity and allowing the next ones through to the bard. That is, unless you have sufficient people in your party that you can be completely surrounded, leaving no gaps for an enemy to get into. Most parties aren't that big.Regarding number 4 above, it sounds like your DM hasn't used that tactic on you yet. Other DMs will. I've also been ignoring things like rogues using cunning action to dash around your front line, enemy monks with Longstrider cast on them, enemies with Mobility, or enemies able to cast Misty Step themselves. There are a lot of tactics available to get to the backline. I know the DMs I play with use them.Regarding number 2 above, it sounds like your DM doesn't use multiple opponents very often. Other DMs will. Multiple opponents can be challenging for a lot of parties, regardless of level. That's the most common scenario, in my experience, for when enemies reach the backline. Indeed, so far in our campaign we've been outnumbered in combat more often than not.In short, not having enemies reach you on their turn could very well be because your DM is too nice. That's great when it happens, but my DMs aren't that nice.</blockquote>

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