D&D 5E Next Q&A

[gyor]

http://community.wizards.com/dndnext/blog/2013/04/04/dd_next_qa:_sub-classes,_spells_and_the_bard

As in the title.

This ones juicy with info in thier direction with subclasses and info on the Bard which seems to be a mix if traditional 3x with elements of the 4e Skald. In conjucture with the subclass question it paints an interesting picture.

Also of interest is more subclass options for the Barbarian such as something more akin to the Primal 4e 4e verison which is also.

Also the possiblity of more options for the Paladin in the future/fleshing them out.

Also info on Spell draw backs.

Juicy Q&A

 

[gyor]

Really no ones interested in thier plans for the Bard?

 

[Li Shenron]

Really no ones interested in thier plans for the Bard?

They sound perfect to me, but then I'm in the sheer minority of fans of "everybody shines, just not all the time".

 

[gyor]

What do you mean by that?

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

As bard is one of my favourite classes/archetypes, I'll be a little disappointed if they don't get a 'jack of all trades' skill monkey option. There's plenty of precedent for it.

The other stuff sounds not bad, though I'd also like to see a more combat-focused bard as well (a la Blade kit/paragon path).

I would also hope that their oration/bard song doesn't take their action every round to maintain.

 

[Li Shenron]

What do you mean by that?

That the concept of the Bard in the article sounds significantly skewed towards the interaction pillar, presumably at the expense of the other pillars, and I like that (however see my next comment).

As bard is one of my favourite classes/archetypes, I'll be a little disappointed if they don't get a 'jack of all trades' skill monkey option. There's plenty of precedent for it.

The other stuff sounds not bad, though I'd also like to see a more combat-focused bard as well (a la Blade kit/paragon path).

They could definitely implement these two in a way similar to what is done with Druids to make some of them more spellcasters and others more focused on wildshape.

 

[MarkB]

Really no ones interested in thier plans for the Bard?

What plans? Aura aside, that description could as easily have been an answer to "describe the 3.xe Bard" as a statement of future plans.

It reads as though they're either planning to do nothing at all new or innovative with the Bard, or have simply not looked at it and took two minutes to throw together a description using existing mechanics.

 

[Kobold Stew]

As bard is one of my favourite classes/archetypes, I'll be a little disappointed if they don't get a 'jack of all trades' skill monkey option. There's plenty of precedent for it.

OTOH, I'd be disappointed if the Bard were more of a skill monkey than the rogue.

As discussed here, the latest pack greatly reduces this aspect of the rogues' niche.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

OTOH, I'd be disappointed if the Bard were more of a skill monkey than the rogue.

As discussed here, the latest pack greatly reduces this aspect of the rogues' niche.

The bard has traditionally been a different kind of skill monkey - the 'jack-of-all-trades' type to the rogue's 'expert' at a bunch of specific things. I think there's room for both.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

To be honest, the bard of 2nd edition was no real skill monkey... he was speicalized in music and quite sucked...

the bard kits however were briliant classes. The were not too much jack of all trades, but a jack of some trades, suited to his kit. Actually this is what I expect the 5e bard to be.
Kits included:
the skald (with lower magic)
the sage (with higher magic)
riddlemasters, mimes, harlekins, blades...

If the 5e bard, with a combination of his base abilities + background can capture the feel, i am sold.

I would hope for:

3 types of bard schools (a litle bit akin to the cleric deities)
- rather low with more martial skill
- balanced with martial skill
- higher magic with less martial skill

background and speciality can cover for the special flavour...
4e bard and skald in combination would be a great start. Please don´t limit the bard to the 3.x kind... it really really sucked...