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What makes a bard a bard?
- Thread starter cdrcjsn
- Start date
Wulf Ratbane
Adventurer
2 parts perfume, 3 parts foppery... mix to taste.
cdrcjsn said:
For myself, it is Bard Songs and Bardic Lore with charm and illusion magic. At least some skill in Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, or Gather Information. Uisng that as a base, I could see multiple paths/builds
- an arcane bard: Either a bardic sage or somebody that picks up arcane spells randomly.
- a divine bard: a religous lore keeper adding diviniation and cure spells. Maybe, also turn/rebuke undead
- a nature bard: a lore keeper with druid spells and spells to control animals and plants
- a spirit bard: a tribal lore keeper using totemic magic with spells based on totem (s). Turn/rebuke spirits
- a roguish spellcasting bard: an arcane caster with a more roguish skill bent.
- a more martial bard that gives up spellcasting for more combat ability
- a more roguish bard that gives up spellcasting for more larcenous skills and sneak attack
As for the jack of all trades, I never liked that approach as the default.
I LOVED Loom. It was one of the most original adventure games ever made.
If we think about the Bard as an arcane leader, I think we can say goodbye to mass charm type abilities. Otherwise why wouldn't it be a controller? That's the tricky thing about playing music (or singing) during a battle is that EVERYONE can hear it, so offensive type music spells would seem to be more of a controller schtick than a leaders.
So far, our two known leaders (cleric and warlord) focus on attacking single enemies, providing bonuses to allies, and healing. IF the bard has combat music, I suspect it will focus on single enemy attacks that also buff allies. Like the other leaders' powers, this will require some imagination.
Just remember that WotC is trying to make it so that every class will have an attack option most rounds, and will not have to sacrifice their offense for buffing/healing others.
If we think about the Bard as an arcane leader, I think we can say goodbye to mass charm type abilities. Otherwise why wouldn't it be a controller? That's the tricky thing about playing music (or singing) during a battle is that EVERYONE can hear it, so offensive type music spells would seem to be more of a controller schtick than a leaders.
So far, our two known leaders (cleric and warlord) focus on attacking single enemies, providing bonuses to allies, and healing. IF the bard has combat music, I suspect it will focus on single enemy attacks that also buff allies. Like the other leaders' powers, this will require some imagination.
Just remember that WotC is trying to make it so that every class will have an attack option most rounds, and will not have to sacrifice their offense for buffing/healing others.
TwinBahamut
First Post
If we see a Bard class that is the promised Arcane Leader, then I expect it to somewhat resemble the Seeker of the Song PrC. It would have constant "stance" style buffs based around healing or elemental resistance songs, but could use "refrain" style attacks based on what support song is being played.
I certainly prefer the idea of the bard using powerful healing songs over bards being loremasters or charm experts.
I certainly prefer the idea of the bard using powerful healing songs over bards being loremasters or charm experts.
Rabbitbait
Grog-nerd
I think the Points of Light concept could work very well for the Bard.
As each point of light is isolated, a wandering bard would become the only source of stories and history from other regions - whether that be through song or spoken word. I'd also assume that when not in an adventuring party, a bard tends to travel alone. Therefore (since he's not the toughest), he'd have lots of abilities that allow him to avoid fights. These would be:
Misdirection
Enthrallment
These would also be useful as part of his storytelling skills, and to assist comrades in battle to confuse the enemy.
His beginning powers would be based on Charisma and bluff, as as he becomes more powerful more and more would be shadow powers. I don't think Bards should get their powers from arcane or divine sources.
Because of the bards ability to memorize stories word-for-word and the ability to avoid trouble, rulers of one point of light would use bards whenever possible to deliver messages to other rulers. This would lead to bards having automatic diplomacy bonuses and the ability to have access to rulers where other PCs may not.
I imagine that the bard would be a mixed leader/controller role.
As each point of light is isolated, a wandering bard would become the only source of stories and history from other regions - whether that be through song or spoken word. I'd also assume that when not in an adventuring party, a bard tends to travel alone. Therefore (since he's not the toughest), he'd have lots of abilities that allow him to avoid fights. These would be:
Misdirection EnthrallmentThese would also be useful as part of his storytelling skills, and to assist comrades in battle to confuse the enemy.
His beginning powers would be based on Charisma and bluff, as as he becomes more powerful more and more would be shadow powers. I don't think Bards should get their powers from arcane or divine sources.
Because of the bards ability to memorize stories word-for-word and the ability to avoid trouble, rulers of one point of light would use bards whenever possible to deliver messages to other rulers. This would lead to bards having automatic diplomacy bonuses and the ability to have access to rulers where other PCs may not.
I imagine that the bard would be a mixed leader/controller role.
Sadrik
First Post
Chiefly a bard should be a historian.
They can accomplish that goal in many ways but historian first. That way it gives them an out for the musical nitch.
Arcane Leader like this:
Bardic colleges: reservoirs of knowledge that is out their in some arcane space that all bards can tap into to give them special uncanny knowledge (think bene-gesserit past lives)
Then, they could have two paths:
Minstrel: A minstrel is master of performance (dancing, musical instrument, singing etc)
Historian: A historian manipulates the bardic colleges with a masterful hand
I don't really see them as an "arcane caster" but more of a "I can resonate arcane energy".
Things a bard should do: fate spinner, shadow dancer, jester, loremaster, bladesinger, diplomat, sha'ir and many others.
They can accomplish that goal in many ways but historian first. That way it gives them an out for the musical nitch.
Arcane Leader like this:
Bardic colleges: reservoirs of knowledge that is out their in some arcane space that all bards can tap into to give them special uncanny knowledge (think bene-gesserit past lives)
Then, they could have two paths:
Minstrel: A minstrel is master of performance (dancing, musical instrument, singing etc)
Historian: A historian manipulates the bardic colleges with a masterful hand
I don't really see them as an "arcane caster" but more of a "I can resonate arcane energy".
Things a bard should do: fate spinner, shadow dancer, jester, loremaster, bladesinger, diplomat, sha'ir and many others.
Last edited:
HeavenShallBurn
First Post
Music and Lore is the core of the bard. So I say an archetype combining the skald and the mage.
His music is his weapon, so he should get attack powers involving thunder damage, more powerful ones can deafen, daze, or slide enemies. Think of that cheesy scene from the first Back to the Future where McFly hooks up the giant amp and blasts himself across the room.
His music is his weapon, so he should get attack powers involving thunder damage, more powerful ones can deafen, daze, or slide enemies. Think of that cheesy scene from the first Back to the Future where McFly hooks up the giant amp and blasts himself across the room.
Fallen Seraph
First Post
Since in 4e, Bards have Otherworldly patrons I would like to see them work something like this:
This is if his powers are based off the control and manipulation of emotion.
The Otherworldly patrons would be beings beyond the gods, who feed and play with the emotions of mortal creatures; a tingle of fear down your spine, a flush of excitement from a thought, that is the work of these beings.
A Bard is someone who has gained the interest of these patrons by heightening and enhancing the emotions of others through his/her art. As such the patron that discovers the Bard begins to allow him to manipulate, the certain emotions that patron resides over and has a taste for.
So almost like a Warlock with pacts, the player chooses which patron took a interest in them (obviously related to whatever background the character has) and gains powers based around that patron's dominant emotion. Be it; fear, joy, sadness, anger, etc.
The Bard would have some basic control over other emotions, but the patron's dominant emotion be the most easily manipulated/controlled.
Now through their own research and lore-study and what has been given to them through the patron. A Bard learns much about mortal lore, for it is through tales and legends we truly see the effects of emotions and feelings on mortal beings.
I expect power-wise, a Bard would have lots of controlling spells (based off manipulating emotions), illusion (cast images inside people's minds by provoking their emotional state) and some basic social and physical attributes to showcase the Bard's life prior to being discovered by the patron.
This is if his powers are based off the control and manipulation of emotion.
The Otherworldly patrons would be beings beyond the gods, who feed and play with the emotions of mortal creatures; a tingle of fear down your spine, a flush of excitement from a thought, that is the work of these beings.
A Bard is someone who has gained the interest of these patrons by heightening and enhancing the emotions of others through his/her art. As such the patron that discovers the Bard begins to allow him to manipulate, the certain emotions that patron resides over and has a taste for.
So almost like a Warlock with pacts, the player chooses which patron took a interest in them (obviously related to whatever background the character has) and gains powers based around that patron's dominant emotion. Be it; fear, joy, sadness, anger, etc.
The Bard would have some basic control over other emotions, but the patron's dominant emotion be the most easily manipulated/controlled.
Now through their own research and lore-study and what has been given to them through the patron. A Bard learns much about mortal lore, for it is through tales and legends we truly see the effects of emotions and feelings on mortal beings.
I expect power-wise, a Bard would have lots of controlling spells (based off manipulating emotions), illusion (cast images inside people's minds by provoking their emotional state) and some basic social and physical attributes to showcase the Bard's life prior to being discovered by the patron.
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