What's happening to the bard?

Driddle · Dec 3, 2007

What's the general prognosis for the 4th edition bard? I haven't heard much about his viability. Will 4-ed be bard-free?

MerricB · Dec 3, 2007

Driddle said:
What's the general prognosis for the 4th edition bard? I haven't heard much about his viability. Will 4-ed be bard-free?

For the moment, yes, it appears so.

However, I'd strongly expect the Bard to make a triumphant return in PH2, next year.

Cheers!

drothgery · Dec 3, 2007

I seem to recall somewhere back in all the GenCon-related posts, someone mentioned the bard is an arcane leader (at least, as conceptiualized in August), and is Sir Not Appearing in this Book for PH1.

DreamChaser · Dec 3, 2007

Interestingly, the cover of the 4e players handbook (http://www.enworld.org/images/4e/phb.jpg) says Player's Handbook: Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes

While this may seem obvious, I would expect that the bard, if it ever comes along, would need to come along with a new power source (or in another type of book) because it seems that each Player's Handbook would focus on another set of hero types.

So,
[PURE SPECULATION]

Player's Handbook: Musical, Natural, and Psionic Heroes might be in the offing next.

[/PURE SPECULATION]

DC

vagabundo · Dec 3, 2007

DreamChaser said:
So,
[PURE SPECULATION]

Player's Handbook: Musical, Natural, and Psionic Heroes might be in the offing next.

[/PURE SPECULATION]

DC

Urgh, I hope not. I'm only interested in one of those power sources.

Imban · Dec 3, 2007

Well, a huge amount of D&D players have always loved psionics, and it's definitely showing up again for 4e D&D. I'm kind of amused by the thought of "musical", though, and a few of the other classes named so far - Swordmage and Barbarian, for example - definitely seem as if they'd fall under Arcane, Divine, or Martial.

Frostmarrow · Dec 3, 2007

It is probably a mistake to keep the tagline; arcane, divine, and martial heroes. What if they change their minds? And why bother mentioning power sources at all? -It's not like anyone cares about power sources*. We care about classes.

* Alright some of us on the net do but Joe Gamer doesn't. Ds.

Drkfathr1 · Dec 3, 2007

Blah! I really don't like waiting for Bards and Druids until a future handbook. They're pretty distinctive classes from the others, which means if someone wants to play one (or try to "convert"), I have to fudge it until later.

Or use a 3rd party supplement that will detail those classes before WOTC does.

One of the things I really dislike the most about what we're being told on 4E is the "piecemeal" way some things are going to be delivered. I know that to some degree, that's the way it is in every edition, but when it comes to core classes, races, and monsters that we're all familiar with and have been part of the "base" set in every previous edition, it just feels wrong to leave some of that out in the beginning.

Mustrum_Ridcully · Dec 3, 2007

Drkfathr1 said:
Blah! I really don't like waiting for Bards and Druids until a future handbook. They're pretty distinctive classes from the others, which means if someone wants to play one (or try to "convert"), I have to fudge it until later.

Or use a 3rd party supplement that will detail those classes before WOTC does.

One of the things I really dislike the most about what we're being told on 4E is the "piecemeal" way some things are going to be delivered. I know that to some degree, that's the way it is in every edition, but when it comes to core classes, races, and monsters that we're all familiar with and have been part of the "base" set in every previous edition, it just feels wrong to leave some of that out in the beginning.

In every previous edition, or just the past 1.5 editions?

I agree though that it's making me a bit sad having to wait another year or so till those classes appear that were in 3rd edition but didn't make it in 4th edition. Bard and Druid are certainly on the top of my list I want sooner than later. Psions, Barbarians and Monks, I can wait for a lot longer...

Drkfathr1 · Dec 3, 2007

Mustrum_Ridcully said:
In every previous edition, or just the past 1.5 editions?

How about the last 3 and 1/2 editions?

Bards and Druids were in 1E AD&D, 2E AD&D, 3.0 D&D, and 3.5 D&D. (Although Bards were pretty convoluted in 1E).

At least the Barbarian and the Monk could possibly end up as some sort of feat/power build option for Fighters.

I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that Psions will always be the redheaded stepchild of D&D.