The Bard and Bard Colleges

[Family]

I can so see one of those Cirque du Soleil guys beating down several drunken bikers in front of a seedy bar and then masterfully retelling the story to the news crew that shows up on scene.


But I'd rather play a Warlock.

 

[Family]

Considering my idea for Bard is a Tiefling Whore from Sigil, performance can mean a lot of things beyond just music...

Inara!

 

[TwinBahamut]

If the bard is not built around music, than what will? Music and musicians are an extremely important part of folktales, magical traditions, rituals, and the entire fantasy genre. The equation of magic and music is an extremely common and popular idea. It is something that deserves its own niche in D&D.

Besides, what can the bard possibly be other than a musician and entertainer? Any other definition would be based far too much on previous implementations of the Bard in D&D (which have always been bad) rather than something that has any kind of wider recognition. Put simply, if it doesn't pass the 'Shakespeare test" (since Shakespeare is The Bard), then it is not a good use of the term. Besides, every Bard I have ever seen in a videogame is either a singer or plays a musical instrument.

Another important argument is based on powers and game mechanics. The identity of a Bard as a musician would be far more useful and interesting for defining powers and class abilities than just about any other possible idea for a Bard. It is important to be able to depend on something like "affects everyone who hears the Bard". Even mixing in visual forms of performing like dancing would lead to problems with overly complicated mechanics (everyone must see you if you are a dancing Bard or hear you if you are singing bard). It is far better to keep things simple and focused. Non-performing forms of art would be even worse in this regard, since it is absolutely impossible that magical forms of music and painting can be both be represented properly with the same set of mechanics and powers.

As a whole, the more the 4E Bard resembles the Bards from Final Fantasy Tactics and Song Magic (particularly Blue Song Magic) from Ar tonelico, the happier I will be.

 

[CleverNickName]

Let us not forget "the" bard himself, the famed Bard of Avon, William Shakespere. He is regarded as one of the most inspiring people who ever lived, and the only instrument he ever used was a quill.

EDIT: D'oh...ninja'd by a bahamut.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Personally I'd prefer to see the bard allowed to use any performance style, with minimums on what resources are required of him (ie 1 hand, no hands, requires speech etc).

Mind you - that leaves me wondering why I can't just do a bard as a warlord with appropriate skill and ability picks, and some multiclassing.

Come to think of it - what will warrant the bard being an entire class of it's own?

 

[Aria Silverhands]

I love idea of bards and there performance capabilities. Obviously the performance for someone who expects to be in combat would differ greatly from a random bard in a tavern somewhere. However, if you think music doesn't have a place on the field... I suggest you read up on the bagpipers in Scotland. =)

 

[Family]

I once played a Half-Orc "Bardbarian" he was justs a barbarian but he wouldn't shut up and was ALWAYS singing of the parties great exploits ESPECIALLY in battle where he (and therefore I) sung a blow-for blow color commentary.

Shortest character lifespan I ever played due to party "intervention"

 

[Sadrik]

The identity of a Bard as a musician would be far more useful and interesting for defining powers and class abilities than just about any other possible idea for a Bard.

I disagree, this is a fallacy, just because it is easy, does not make it right. Sure it might be easy to make the class but that will make not played much at all. Like the poll suggests most would prefer an option where the bard was not tied to singing or playing a lute to activate their abilities. Lorekeepers and Jacks of all Trades are both very valid and interesting directions.

 

[Rechan]

Come to think of it - what will warrant the bard being an entire class of it's own?

According to Races and Classes, the Bard will have illusion and enchantment abilities that confuse and misdirect enemies in battle.

 

[NilesB]

I'll take option 3: D&D needs to ditch the bard entirely.