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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kobold Stew" data-source="post: 8854750" data-attributes="member: 23484">For me the comparison with Bardic Inspiration shows that the balance struck has actually been quite thoughtful.Bardic Inspiration: prof times/long rest. Use reaction to<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">either help an ally with a failed attack, save, or ability check (+1d6)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">or heal 1d6 hp to an ally w/in 60'.</li> </ul>Divine Spark: prof times/long rest. Use action to<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">heal 2d8 hp to an ally w/in 30' (scaling up with prof bonus)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">or do radiant damage 2d8 (scaling), save for half.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">(the same pool also is used for Turning undead)</li> </ul>So for healing, both abilities can get a downed colleague on her feet again. DS has shorter range and takes an action, but heals more hp. For me, BI is more effective, but I see them as fundamentally balanced.The damage option is not a good use of DS (unless you don't have an attack cantrip) but in the right campaign Turning undead can be a lifesaver, and it is fun. The bard's opportunity to boost a save as a reaction, or an attack, or an ability check means that as a bard you can help your party to shine -- a colleague can make a killing blow, or avoid damage completely, or whatever. Plus, you get t see what the party member rolls before you use the ability, so even if you don't know the exact target number, you probably have an idea if they are close. As I read it, both of these are comparable abilities. Measured just here, I think Bardic Inspiration would be more fun to play with, but I can totally see others weighting DS preferable. By itself, though, it's not broken.You do get the spells from a dip -- you suggest Healing Word for the cleric, which is a spell Bards have access to at level 2.(Disclaimer: I play Clerics regularly, and have never liked BI as a mechanism. On these abilities, I see what One is bringing as an improvement to both.)</blockquote>

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