Bard Blade [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Bard Blade [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AgarwaenImmortal
02-24-07, 03:34 AM Greetings!

I don't know if there's already a post regarding the Blade kit from 2nd edition, and its adaptation to 3.5. I don't even know if this is the place to talk about it... :) Anyway, I always loved that kit, and I'd like to see it adapted to 3.5, but since I haven't found it, here goes what I've come up with... My first PrC design, please be gentle... Oh, and I still haven't written any "flavour" text for the PrC yet...

Blade

REQUIREMENTS

Feats: Dodge, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (any).
Skills: Perform (weapon drill) 8 ranks, Tumble 8 ranks.
Abilities: Bardic knowledge and bardic music.

Hit dice: d8

Lvl Att Fort Ref Will Special
1st +1 +2 +2 +0 Bardic knowledge, bardic music, weapon display
2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 Handle weapons, trick throw
3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Defensive Spin 1/day, offensive Spin 1/day
4th +4 +4 +4 +1 Handle weapons, trick throw
5th +5 +4 +4 +1 Defensive Spin 2/day, offensive Spin 2/day
6th +6 +5 +5 +2 Handle weapons, trick throw
7th +7 +5 +5 +2 Defensive Spin 3/day, offensive Spin 3/day
8th +8 +6 +6 +2 Handle weapons, trick throw
9th +9 +6 +6 +3 Defensive Spin 4/day, offensive Spin 4/day
10th +10 +7 +7 +3 Frightening weapon display
CLASS SKILLS
The Blade’s class skills are: Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha)

Skill points at each level: 6 + Int modifier

CLASS FEATURES

Bardic Knowledge (Ex): A Blade can attempt to recall some relevant piece of information about notable people, legendary items, or noteworthy places. See the Bard class feature, page 28 of the Player’s Handbook. She adds half her Blade class level to her bardic knowledge checks, so her bardic knowledge checks have a bonus equal to her Bard level + half her Blade level + her Int modifier.

Bardic Music: A Blade adds half her class level to determine the number of times per day she can use her bardic music, the bardic music abilities she can employ, and the power of those abilities. For example, a 5th level Bard/10th level Blade can use her bardic music ten times per day, can use any bardic music ability an 10th-level Bard could use (assuming she meets the Perform skill rank requirements), and is treated as an 10th-level Bard for adjudicating the effects of those abilities (such as number of targets, save DC, and so forth). Additionally, the Blade can use her Perform (weapon drill) bonus when attempting to employ her bardic music ability.

Demoralizing Weapon Display (Ex): The Blade can attempt to demoralize an opponent by showing off her weapon expertise. By spending one use of bardic music, the Blade whirls and dances with her weapons. One opponent per two Blade levels (chosen by the Blade) must succeed on a Will save (DC = Perform (weapon drill) bonus) or be shaken as long as the Blade continues to perform his weapon display and for 5 rounds thereafter.

Handle Weapons: Each time you gain this ability choose:
- when fighting with two weapons or with a double weapon, reduce the penalty on your primary weapon by 2
or
- when fighting with two weapons or with a double weapon, reduce the penalty on your off-hand weapon by 2 (can only choose this ability when already has chosen the former)
or
- choose one of the next feats: combat expertise, greater weapon focus, quick draw or whirlwind attack. The Blade must meet the prerequisites, but he use his Fighter levels + Blade levels when determining his total Fighter level.

Trick Throw: Each time you gain this ability, choose:
- gain +1 bonus to attack bonus with ranged weapons (missile, thrown or others)
or
- gain +2 bonus on damage rolls with ranged weapons (missile, throw or others)

Defensive Spin (Ex): As a full-round action, the Blade can perform into a defensive spin. While spinning, the Blade gains a bonus of +1 to AC / 2 Blade levels. Additionally, any opponent that attempts to strike the spinning Blade must succeed on a Reflex save (DC = Perform (weapon drill) bonus) or be struck by a full attack from the Blade. The Blade must still roll the attacks, but she gains a bonus on the attack rolls equal to the one she gains on her AC. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Blade’s Cha modifier.

Offensive Spin (Ex): As a full-round action, the Blade can perform into an offensive spin. While spinning, the Blade receives a -2 penalty to AC, but gains a bonus of +1 / 4 Perform (weapon drill) bonus and a bonus of +1 / 3 Perform (weapon drill) bonus on damage rolls. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Blade’s Cha modifier.

Frightening Weapon Display (Ex): The Blade can attempt to frighten an opponent by showing off her weapon expertise. By spending one use of bardic music, the Blade whirls and dances with her weapons. One opponent per two Blade levels (chosen by the Blade) must succeed on a Will save (DC = Perform (weapon drill) bonus) or be frightened as long as the Blade continues to perform his weapon display and for 5 rounds thereafter.
Naderion
02-24-07, 07:59 AM A prestige-class is balanced, if there is no definite answer if it's better to pick it or remain with the characters base class. This class has a better AB, more hp and equal skill points.
That only half the class-levels are added to bardic knowledge and bardic music is quite a good idea, though.

I'd either thin out the special-abilities, or lower the base scores mentioned above.
AgarwaenImmortal
02-24-07, 09:49 AM I suppose I could lower the hit dice from d8 to d6, and skill points from 6+Int to 4+Int. What about the class abililities? Do you think they're balanced?
Chimaera2000
02-24-07, 10:59 AM The class looks good for the most part.

Neither Demoralizing nor Frightening Weapon Display mention which sort of action it is to activate that ability.

Offensive Spin is quite powerful. Considering that a bard should easily be having something to the tune of a +36 or higher Perform modifier by level twenty, that translates to +9 attack and +12 damage. That's quite potent. Perhaps scaling it back to being based on half your Blade level is more appropriate. In fact, you could probably put combine Offensive and Defensive Spin into one ability, possibly using bardic music to activate rather than being usable a set number of times per day.
AgarwaenImmortal
02-25-07, 09:33 AM The class looks good for the most part.

Neither Demoralizing nor Frightening Weapon Display mention which sort of action it is to activate that ability.

Offensive Spin is quite powerful. Considering that a bard should easily be having something to the tune of a +36 or higher Perform modifier by level twenty, that translates to +9 attack and +12 damage. That's quite potent. Perhaps scaling it back to being based on half your Blade level is more appropriate. In fact, you could probably put combine Offensive and Defensive Spin into one ability, possibly using bardic music to activate rather than being usable a set number of times per day.

You have given good ideas... It's a nice way to scale down Offensive Spin, although I still would like to use Perform (weapon drill) more... It's one thing I don't like in most Wizards of the Coast PrC is that they ask the characters to have some skill ranks and then you don't get to use it in the PrC...

Both weapon displays are "planned" on being full-round actions.
AgarwaenImmortal
02-26-07, 07:52 AM Any more suggestions, any one?
MaverickWolf
02-26-07, 10:27 AM Keep the Skill Points at 6, but drop the Hit Die to d6 from d8. This is a BARD prestige class. I'm also going to agree with the above suggestions about the spin abilities, especially Offensive Spin. It's way too easy to up skill checks to have an ability based on them.
The_Shaman
02-26-07, 10:33 AM Hmm, for a class without spellcasting, it's a bit powerful but perhaps not too much. Perhaps you could tie the OS attack and damage ability to Blade level and its duration to perform (weapon drill)? Say, +1 attack/2 level, +1 damage/level but only with finessable weapons - I'm finding it a bit hard to imagine a bard showing off with a maul :)
bob_the_great
02-26-07, 11:49 AM since the blade was the most broken 2e kit (ok, maybe I'm forgetting one or two) it makes sense for the PrC to be overpowered.
The_Shaman
02-26-07, 12:08 PM Hehe, just for curiosity this has some value though. When was the last time the bard broke your hack'n'slash game?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AgarwaenImmortal 02-24-07, 03:34 AM	Greetings! I don't know if there's already a post regarding the Blade kit from 2nd edition, and its adaptation to 3.5. I don't even know if this is the place to talk about it... :) Anyway, I always loved that kit, and I'd like to see it adapted to 3.5, but since I haven't found it, here goes what I've come up with... My first PrC design, please be gentle... Oh, and I still haven't written any "flavour" text for the PrC yet... Blade REQUIREMENTS Feats: Dodge, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (any). Skills: Perform (weapon drill) 8 ranks, Tumble 8 ranks. Abilities: Bardic knowledge and bardic music. Hit dice: d8 Lvl Att Fort Ref Will Special 1st +1 +2 +2 +0 Bardic knowledge, bardic music, weapon display 2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 Handle weapons, trick throw 3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Defensive Spin 1/day, offensive Spin 1/day 4th +4 +4 +4 +1 Handle weapons, trick throw 5th +5 +4 +4 +1 Defensive Spin 2/day, offensive Spin 2/day 6th +6 +5 +5 +2 Handle weapons, trick throw 7th +7 +5 +5 +2 Defensive Spin 3/day, offensive Spin 3/day 8th +8 +6 +6 +2 Handle weapons, trick throw 9th +9 +6 +6 +3 Defensive Spin 4/day, offensive Spin 4/day 10th +10 +7 +7 +3 Frightening weapon display CLASS SKILLS The Blade’s class skills are: Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha) Skill points at each level: 6 + Int modifier CLASS FEATURES Bardic Knowledge (Ex): A Blade can attempt to recall some relevant piece of information about notable people, legendary items, or noteworthy places. See the Bard class feature, page 28 of the Player’s Handbook. She adds half her Blade class level to her bardic knowledge checks, so her bardic knowledge checks have a bonus equal to her Bard level + half her Blade level + her Int modifier. Bardic Music: A Blade adds half her class level to determine the number of times per day she can use her bardic music, the bardic music abilities she can employ, and the power of those abilities. For example, a 5th level Bard/10th level Blade can use her bardic music ten times per day, can use any bardic music ability an 10th-level Bard could use (assuming she meets the Perform skill rank requirements), and is treated as an 10th-level Bard for adjudicating the effects of those abilities (such as number of targets, save DC, and so forth). Additionally, the Blade can use her Perform (weapon drill) bonus when attempting to employ her bardic music ability. Demoralizing Weapon Display (Ex): The Blade can attempt to demoralize an opponent by showing off her weapon expertise. By spending one use of bardic music, the Blade whirls and dances with her weapons. One opponent per two Blade levels (chosen by the Blade) must succeed on a Will save (DC = Perform (weapon drill) bonus) or be shaken as long as the Blade continues to perform his weapon display and for 5 rounds thereafter. Handle Weapons: Each time you gain this ability choose: - when fighting with two weapons or with a double weapon, reduce the penalty on your primary weapon by 2 or - when fighting with two weapons or with a double weapon, reduce the penalty on your off-hand weapon by 2 (can only choose this ability when already has chosen the former) or - choose one of the next feats: combat expertise, greater weapon focus, quick draw or whirlwind attack. The Blade must meet the prerequisites, but he use his Fighter levels + Blade levels when determining his total Fighter level. Trick Throw: Each time you gain this ability, choose: - gain +1 bonus to attack bonus with ranged weapons (missile, thrown or others) or - gain +2 bonus on damage rolls with ranged weapons (missile, throw or others) Defensive Spin (Ex): As a full-round action, the Blade can perform into a defensive spin. While spinning, the Blade gains a bonus of +1 to AC / 2 Blade levels. Additionally, any opponent that attempts to strike the spinning Blade must succeed on a Reflex save (DC = Perform (weapon drill) bonus) or be struck by a full attack from the Blade. The Blade must still roll the attacks, but she gains a bonus on the attack rolls equal to the one she gains on her AC. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Blade’s Cha modifier. Offensive Spin (Ex): As a full-round action, the Blade can perform into an offensive spin. While spinning, the Blade receives a -2 penalty to AC, but gains a bonus of +1 / 4 Perform (weapon drill) bonus and a bonus of +1 / 3 Perform (weapon drill) bonus on damage rolls. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to the Blade’s Cha modifier. Frightening Weapon Display (Ex): The Blade can attempt to frighten an opponent by showing off her weapon expertise. By spending one use of bardic music, the Blade whirls and dances with her weapons. One opponent per two Blade levels (chosen by the Blade) must succeed on a Will save (DC = Perform (weapon drill) bonus) or be frightened as long as the Blade continues to perform his weapon display and for 5 rounds thereafter.
Naderion 02-24-07, 07:59 AM	A prestige-class is balanced, if there is no definite answer if it's better to pick it or remain with the characters base class. This class has a better AB, more hp and equal skill points. That only half the class-levels are added to bardic knowledge and bardic music is quite a good idea, though. I'd either thin out the special-abilities, or lower the base scores mentioned above.
AgarwaenImmortal 02-24-07, 09:49 AM	I suppose I could lower the hit dice from d8 to d6, and skill points from 6+Int to 4+Int. What about the class abililities? Do you think they're balanced?
Chimaera2000 02-24-07, 10:59 AM	The class looks good for the most part. Neither Demoralizing nor Frightening Weapon Display mention which sort of action it is to activate that ability. Offensive Spin is quite powerful. Considering that a bard should easily be having something to the tune of a +36 or higher Perform modifier by level twenty, that translates to +9 attack and +12 damage. That's quite potent. Perhaps scaling it back to being based on half your Blade level is more appropriate. In fact, you could probably put combine Offensive and Defensive Spin into one ability, possibly using bardic music to activate rather than being usable a set number of times per day.
AgarwaenImmortal 02-25-07, 09:33 AM	The class looks good for the most part. Neither Demoralizing nor Frightening Weapon Display mention which sort of action it is to activate that ability. Offensive Spin is quite powerful. Considering that a bard should easily be having something to the tune of a +36 or higher Perform modifier by level twenty, that translates to +9 attack and +12 damage. That's quite potent. Perhaps scaling it back to being based on half your Blade level is more appropriate. In fact, you could probably put combine Offensive and Defensive Spin into one ability, possibly using bardic music to activate rather than being usable a set number of times per day. You have given good ideas... It's a nice way to scale down Offensive Spin, although I still would like to use Perform (weapon drill) more... It's one thing I don't like in most Wizards of the Coast PrC is that they ask the characters to have some skill ranks and then you don't get to use it in the PrC... Both weapon displays are "planned" on being full-round actions.
AgarwaenImmortal 02-26-07, 07:52 AM	Any more suggestions, any one?
MaverickWolf 02-26-07, 10:27 AM	Keep the Skill Points at 6, but drop the Hit Die to d6 from d8. This is a BARD prestige class. I'm also going to agree with the above suggestions about the spin abilities, especially Offensive Spin. It's way too easy to up skill checks to have an ability based on them.
The_Shaman 02-26-07, 10:33 AM	Hmm, for a class without spellcasting, it's a bit powerful but perhaps not too much. Perhaps you could tie the OS attack and damage ability to Blade level and its duration to perform (weapon drill)? Say, +1 attack/2 level, +1 damage/level but only with finessable weapons - I'm finding it a bit hard to imagine a bard showing off with a maul :)
bob_the_great 02-26-07, 11:49 AM	since the blade was the most broken 2e kit (ok, maybe I'm forgetting one or two) it makes sense for the PrC to be overpowered.
The_Shaman 02-26-07, 12:08 PM	Hehe, just for curiosity this has some value though. When was the last time the bard broke your hack'n'slash game?