Would you allow Song of Heroes in a Non Scarred Lands campaign?

[Mort]

Song of heroes is a 2nd level Bard spell from Relics and Rituals. It gives +3 to attack, damage and saving throws to one creature/level for concentration +2 rounds.

A new player asked if her bard could take this spell, and my first impression is that it's way too high powered especially at only 2nd level. Heck it gives only slightly worse pluses than a mass bull's strength ( with extra bonuses thrown in besides), and that's a 6th level spell. Plus it's a morale bonus so it stacks with enhancements etc.

Am I wrong in thinking this is way overpowered and that I shouldn't let it in?

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

You're not wrong in the least. It's more comparable to Recitation (a strong 4th level cleric spell) or a 12th level bard song effect than to 2nd level spells like Aid, Bull's Strength, Glitterdust, etc.

Now, as a 3rd level bard spell, it would be strong but arguably balanced. It would be competing with haste and would only be somewhat better than the inspire courage ability available at the levels bards get 3rd level spells rather than 3 times as good (like it is when bards get 2nd level spells).

The spell looks like it's got a definite shelf life (broken at 4th level when it first becomes available and gone by 12th level when Inspire Courage is just as good but lasts longer). I'd either rework the spell so that either it advances to be just better than bardsong (a +1 bonus to attack, damage, and saving throws for concentration +2 rounds that increases by +1 for every four caster levels. So at caster level 4 it is +2 at caster level 8, it's +3, at caster level 12 its' +4, etc) or move it to third level which halves its shelf life but keeps it from breaking the game for the first half of it.

 

[Sejs]

The issue being the duration: you have to concentrate or it only lasts 2 rounds.

So don't plan on doing a whole lot else other than having Song of Heroes up.

 

[Nightfall]

Uhm if you have to concentrate to keep it up...no it's not that bad. Plus you can always rule it won't work in a Zone of Silence. (Hell it's a SONG!)

 

[Mort]

Uhm if you have to concentrate to keep it up...no it's not that bad. Plus you can always rule it won't work in a Zone of Silence. (Hell it's a SONG!)

Concentration is a mitigating facter, sure but at 4th level a bard can give up to 4 characters the mentioned bonuses, still seems too good to me.

 

[Sejs]

If it's a cohort or something, maybe. But a PC devoting their whole presence in a fight to provide one buff seems kinda unlikely. It's boring as all hell at the very least. Maintaining your concentration on the spell takes up your standard action every round, and can be disrupted. A bard maintaining SoH isn't going to be able to cast any other spells, attack in melee, heck they can't even run away fast. Their only contribution to the fight is going to be that spell for as long as they're maintaining it.

Heck, if the bard just stuck to Bard Song he could at least fight at the same time. If they also had Lingering Song he could mix in a good deal of other stuff while still giving his song benefits.

 

[Nightfall]

Agreed, Sejs, this only works if there is a way around the concentration check he has to make. Hit him with a bolt of lighting or an arrow, he's good as toast.

 

[Scion]

Since the bardic song inspire courage does almost the same thing, and doesnt require concentration, I definately dont see this as overpowered.

Useing up a slot and removing yourself from doing anything else in combat is definately a pretty high cost

It certainly doesnt seem overpowered.

 

[Darklone]

If you worry about the song being too good, change the duration from concentration +2 rounds to simply concentration. That kills it. Conc +2 is pretty strong since I never saw a combat with this spell that lasted longer than the mentioned 3 rounds.

 

[Mort]

If you worry about the song being too good, change the duration from concentration +2 rounds to simply concentration. That kills it. Conc +2 is pretty strong since I never saw a combat with this spell that lasted longer than the mentioned 3 rounds.

That's a pretty good suggestion. Thanks