D&D 1E Retro Bard (1e Style)

[airwalkrr]

So in my quest to craft a bard class that takes advantage of 3rd edition rules with 1st edition style, here is my final product. Tell me what you think.

Note that rather than just remove several iconic bard spells, (e.g. modify memory), I incorporated them into bardic music. They are slightly changed in functionality to make them consistent with other bardic music abilities, but the bard still retains the effect of those spells which were unique to him. I used the 1e PH as inspiration for many of the changes. I imagine this variant will only appeal to grognards who actually like 3rd edition rules and not 3rd edition style, but since I am of that ilk, I think it does very nicely. I am now interested in play-testing it...

 

[Nifft]

IIRC, the 1e Bard was the original prestige class. Its entry requirements were tough and required dual-classing.

Could they only cast Druid spells, or also some Arcane spells?

Cheers, -- N

 

[airwalkrr]

IIRC, the 1e Bard was the original prestige class. Its entry requirements were tough and required dual-classing.

Could they only cast Druid spells, or also some Arcane spells?

Cheers, -- N

The mechanics for becoming a bard were needlessly complicated in 1e. But they were not difficult. A few levels of thief, several levels of fighter, then bard. Only humans could do it. But we never had a problem letting players begin play as a bard.

They were only able to cast druid spells. 2e changed it to arcane spells.

 

[Nifft]

They were only able to cast druid spells. 2e changed it to arcane spells.

Aaaah, that explains it.

Why not create a custom spell list? (Basically Druid + special Bard spells, but also Cure spells at the usual lower level, and leave off some of the animal / natural weapon buffs.)

-- N

 

[arwenarrowny]

Also, don't forget the Prestige Bard from Unearthed Arcana. While the class specifies its casting abilities are arcane, I doubt it would be too unbalancing to allow divine casting to work with the class.

 

[airwalkrr]

Why not create a custom spell list? (Basically Druid + special Bard spells, but also Cure spells at the usual lower level, and leave off some of the animal / natural weapon buffs.)

Perhaps I will if I have time. But one thing I like doing in my games is keeping things simple. I've simplified the skill system, magic item creation, and other aspects of the game to make game mechanics smoother and choices easier to make. I like the idea of having only three spell lists in the whole game (druid, cleric, and sorcerer/wizard). On occassion, a class may require a completely new spell list. I think the healer falls into this category. But that case is rare. Even the warmage, dread necromancer, and beguiler I do not feel require their own spell lists. I prefer to treat them as specialist wizards with three schools barred in stead of two. I am working towards parring down the number of spell lists with some other class changes. Stay tuned to this forum for details.

 

[airwalkrr]

Also, don't forget the Prestige Bard from Unearthed Arcana. While the class specifies its casting abilities are arcane, I doubt it would be too unbalancing to allow divine casting to work with the class.

Yea, I know all about the prestige bard, but I do not see the bard as a prestige class. I never even did in 1e. As I mentioned, it doesn't unbalance a 1e game to allow PCs to play a bard starting at 1st level. Just give them a thief attack bonus and thief saving throws and the class works just fine.

 

[Nifft]

Perhaps I will if I have time. But one thing I like doing in my games is keeping things simple.

Just sayin', if a Bard can't cast charm person but can instead cast charm animal, you've got a funky Bard. (Look at what the similar 1e Druid spell did differently... it worked on people, I think.)

-- N

 

[airwalkrr]

Just sayin', if a Bard can't cast charm person but can instead cast charm animal, you've got a funky Bard. (Look at what the similar 1e Druid spell did differently... it worked on people, I think.)

-- N

I will probably add charm person to the druid spell list when I get around to revising the lists.

 

[Nifft]

I will probably add charm person to the druid spell list when I get around to revising the lists.

Was the 1e spell "Charm person or mammal", or was that a 2e-ism?

-- N