THIS makes a bard a bard

[Wepwawet]

I've never seen Bard used as a synonym for traveling performer outside of a D&D context.

True. Those would be the minstrels or troubadours.

This class looks interesting. But that hurting foes with sonic damage from the instrument... Maybe it's too over the top. All I imagine is some rock-star shooting laser beams with his electric guitar (I'm sure I saw that somewhere).

What about the "song of courage" and similar abilities from the 3.5 Bard?
Edit: Ok they're there I was just expecting some power that gave bonuses for the whole encounter

 

[Hella_Tellah]

I see the Bard as a hybrid controller/leader, with a limited capacity to do some swashbuckling on the side in self-defense. I see him as the buff/debuff guy, basically, fulfilling the "controller" aspect with illusions, fascinating performances and songs that charm or confuse, while keeping up the "leader" aspect with morale bonuses to allies. Once we see a few other hybrid classes--I believe the Druid is slated to be leader/striker--we'll have a better basis for developing our own.

 

[Kaisoku]

I was making some new ideas/abilities for the 3e Bard a few years back, so if you want I have a list of ideas I had been tossing around.


~ Combat Aid ~

Inspiration: Gives allies combat bonuses (AC, Attack, hitpoints). I had temporary hitpoints in this, but in 4e I could see it being straight up healing.

Battlechant: Gives allies damage bonuses (either Str boost, or specific damage riders).

Accelerando: Speed or Haste-like effects.

Vibrato: Bard's weapon takes on additional sonic effect/damage.


~ Attack ~

Bellow: Yells that do sonic damage to the enemy. Rider effects for additional abilities include: Stun, Deafen/Lower AC/Combat Advantage, Sicken/Nauseate/Unconscious, Fear, Dispel Magic effect.

Daze: Kind of a hypnotizing effect. Additional abilities tied to this one would be: Charm, Sleep, Confuse, Dominate (as per 3e type effect).

Despair: Demoralize the enemy. Additional rider effect abilities would add Slow (less attacks) or reduced Speed.


~ General ~

Fascinate: Hypnotize out of combat, with later abilities including: Suggestion effects, Mind trickery, Geas/Quest power.

Blur: Make yourself or someone hard to see/strike. Miss chance type effect.

Healing: Provide general healing and curing (removing poison/disease).

Resistances: Reduce damage done from the elements.

Disguise: Fool others into thinking that you, or others with you, look like something else.



The idea was based on Spell the 3e Bard got, and removed spellcasting in the general sense from the class. These were the most appropriate effects the Bard should retain.


I've always felt that the Bard in an adventuring capacity was meant to be sort of like how Battles in the past would have Warpipes or Drums to urge their fellows on, and demoralize the enemies.

One aspect that I hadn't considered, but could make sense historically and would fit the game, is to use Music or Instruments as forms of Combat Communication.
Essentially, since everyone is using the Bard's cues to better organize their attacks and movements, you could give the Bard some Warlord style abilities of generating movement or attacks for others.

 

[HP Dreadnought]

I kinda like the first edition Bard concept.

A fighter/rogue blend with a dash of magic and the ability to inspire/enthrall others with his music.

 

[cferejohn]

I've never seen Bard used as a synonym for traveling performer outside of a D&D context.

Really? That was the original meaning (at least according to Wikipedia): The first recorded example is in 1449 from the Scottish Gaelic language into Lowland Scots, denoting an itinerant musician, usually with a contemptuous connotation.

Its true that it also came to be associated with the Irish story/lore keepers, but that has as little to do with the D&D bard as a traveling minstrel anyway.

Fflewder Flan (from the Chronicles of Prydain) is described as a bard and fits the traveling minstrel definition. Written in the late 60's, pre-D&D (and probably an influence thereof).

 

[Cirex]

The first time I heard (well, read) the term "bard" was while reading The Hobbit.

When we talk about roaming dancers/singers/storytellers we use the word "Juglar" in Spanish, translated as juggler, jester or minstrel to English.

 

[LowSpine]

If you have to have musical bards then for combat the instruments should be drum and horn. Thunder/sonic/force/fear effects.

For charm the instrument should be flute like the pied piper or snake charmer.

Any other instrument should be for roleplay only as they are stupid otherwise.

The music and powersource should be primal and for their lore/history, memorized in poem form, should be record the passing of the primal evolution of the world from the chaos of survival and natural selection. The flow of nature from the chaotic screaming of the multiverse's birth to its wimpering, collapsing death of nothingness until it is reborn like a phoenix, etc, etc.

 

[Aten]

I want someone like Thom Merrilin for my bard. Though, that's probably do able with the rogue class... *shrug*

The problem I have with bards is that how I see them can be easily played with another class, the only problem I see is that has them missing their arcane streak, so I'll make a rogue and mayhap I'll multiclass in some arcane.

Your idea works on paper, but I hate the idea of blasting monsters with guitar beams.

 

[muffin_of_chaos]

I second the idea of Bards getting a limited healing surge-triggering ability as other leaders do. And I would make that Countersong ability an Encounter, rather than a Daily power; but that's just me.


Personally I've always thought that bards should be defined by skill set...Fflewddur Flam is probably the classic example of the wandering bard, and he never uses his musical ability for combat. He pokes stuff with swords.
But if you must have them, so be it.

 

[Olfactatron]

I, for one, want my arcane leader bard to be blasting enemies with sonic damage while bolstering his allies as per the cleric's radiant attacks that grant AC or Temp HP. Give him some lore abilities, history as a constant trained skill, a charismatic and dexterous build options. The image of a bard sitting in the back singing isn't interesting and doesn't sound like fun.