The spellless Bard

[bedir than]

I was thinking about Bard's in my nerfed magic world*. I haven't really explained how this class exists.

So I need some things that Bards can do that aren't based on being potent spellcasters. One thing is to allow cantrips. I'm even thinking allowing "expertise" in a cantrip that gives it the leveling potency per tier, but earlier. Adding language, skill, weapon, armor, tool proficiency over levels. Those are rather simple and more like ribbons than the truly powerful thing that spells are. Plus, as Modifying Classes says;

• Bards have the full spellcasting progression; any changes to the Spellcasting feature will have a big impact on the class.
• Bards know a limited number of spells, which is a restriction on their versatility that should be modified with care when making changes to the class. Bards of the College of Lore receive an expansion of their number of spells known as a full class feature.

So for the replacement to spells I have two ideas. One is to boost Bardic Inspiration and Song of Rest. The other would be to accelerate ASI/Feats. Which of these is the better idea? Should I both? I do understand that an accelerated ASI/Feat system couldn't catch Fighter (Bard currently gets 5 ASI while Fighter gets 7). I probably just answered that question.

*divine magic is done at ritual length and spells can be held ready for attacks, etc. Paladin and Rangers are both mundane.
*arcane magic (besides the Bard) only comes through Wild Mage Sorcerers and their chance at Wild Magic increases based on the spell slot used to cast and continues to climb until a wild effect happens or a long rest. Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights don't exist.
*BUT everyone gets a single cantrip. And there is a healing cantrip that adds 1d4 temp hp and a single real hp. The cantrip only effects non-construct/non-undead that are at zero hp. Also, the Magic Initiate Feat does allow the single 1st level spell to be cast once per day.

 

[Minigiant]

The bard uses his or her spells for

Healing
Buffing
Damage

To me the simplest way to go spellless is.

Healling- Boost Song of Rest (double the die, then add another each time they get a secret)
Buffing- Boost Bardic Inspiration (double the die, then add another each time they get a secret)
Damage- Give bards a stunted Sneak attack (like d4s instead of d6s)

 

[bedir than]

Those are great ideas. I'll work on this today and see what I can come up with for the build.

Adding a version of sneak attack would fit with the AD&D 1st and 2nd Bard being more rogue-like. So I like it a bit, but may not have the mechanic fit the story. I could see it being for College of Valor.

 

[bedir than]

I'm tempted to let them use their Bardic Inspiration dice to dip into a maneuver from Battlemaster or Sneak Attack. So they can use their inspiration to inspire others or buff themselves.

 

[bedir than]

I think I found a sucker (I mean good person) to test drive one of these.