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What makes a bard a bard?
- Thread starter cdrcjsn
- Start date
Cirex
First Post
cthulhus_pinky said:
Ah man, that was hilarious.
Only one of my players likes bards (the others just may just multi-class a bit on it or something) and well, some of the most unintentional funny situations happened to him, so I guess it evolved on being the "joke" class.
Some years ago, the group was averaging level 16-17. Some skirmish started and the bard was hit by some goblin for 4 points of damage, and some other player asked "Are you into negative hit points already?".
I still smile thinking about that.
Ulthwithian
First Post
I'm surprised no one has really touched on the loremaster aspects of the class. Everyone seems focused on the jongleur over the skald.
They are, to me, living history. They are repositories of the oral tradition. What transitions them to minstrels and the like is the fact that so many cultures use music as a counterpoint or even mnemonic to aid in the recall of the stories that are the important aspect of the performance.
They are, to me, living history. They are repositories of the oral tradition. What transitions them to minstrels and the like is the fact that so many cultures use music as a counterpoint or even mnemonic to aid in the recall of the stories that are the important aspect of the performance.
To my mind, the Bard should be a JOT. I'd design a 4e Bard as a hybrid class, Arcane Leader/??. In keeping with the 4e 'two paths to start with' design, I'd say a Bard could choose two 'styles':
Master Showman (Arcane Controller/Charisma): You can dazzle, amuse, and entertain. You can hold enemies entranced, or shatter their bones with sonic blasts. Music is a living force to you, and you can change the song of the world, causing the very land itself to match itself to your tempo.
Laughing Scoundrel (Arcane Striker/Dexterity): By means of illusion and stealth, you can flit around the battlefield, always glimpsed, never seen. By playing the fool, you can draw close to foes, who do not consider you a threat until you strike.
The buff/healing abilities will be about half of the bards powers, and they will match Warlord or Cleric powers for effectiveness if not style. The bard can then choose ether controller or striker type powers, but splitting up too much would reduce general effectiveness.
At first level, a Bard can pick any at-will ability of any other class as an Encounter power, to reflect their diverse training. They can do this again at Paragon and Epic levels.
Master Showman (Arcane Controller/Charisma): You can dazzle, amuse, and entertain. You can hold enemies entranced, or shatter their bones with sonic blasts. Music is a living force to you, and you can change the song of the world, causing the very land itself to match itself to your tempo.
Laughing Scoundrel (Arcane Striker/Dexterity): By means of illusion and stealth, you can flit around the battlefield, always glimpsed, never seen. By playing the fool, you can draw close to foes, who do not consider you a threat until you strike.
The buff/healing abilities will be about half of the bards powers, and they will match Warlord or Cleric powers for effectiveness if not style. The bard can then choose ether controller or striker type powers, but splitting up too much would reduce general effectiveness.
At first level, a Bard can pick any at-will ability of any other class as an Encounter power, to reflect their diverse training. They can do this again at Paragon and Epic levels.
Chimera
First Post
Nifft said:
Only if played poorly.
With Inspirational Boost and Song of the Heart (feat), my 6th level Bard boosts my party (self included) for +3 to hit/+3 damage. Hardly ineffectual.
Last night we had our second lesson in Delusions of Granduer convincing an opponent that he didn't need to run away, but could take us all on by himself! (Charge! Tpwapthwapthwap Thud.)
Outside combat, +16 Diplomacy, with rock solid Bluff, Sense Motive and Gather Information. Plus Fascinate and Suggestion.
Oh, and my Bard is a Orator. Talking, not singing.
Ulthwithian
First Post
As far 'builds' go, I would prefer one that was jongleur and the other which is skald. Those have always seemed to be the two major divisions of Bards. As to what roles they would fill, etc., is of much less importance to me. 
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