Bard + Seeker of the Song questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bard + Seeker of the Song questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
With-Motion
03-19-08, 12:49 AM This is my first time playing a bard, which I've wanted to do for a while to try out, but I have some problems that I can't seem to clarify and none of the players at my college understand how a bard works well. I'm not sure if I can't find the answer or if it really is just ambiguous, but I definitely need a bit of clarity.

First of all, in regards to Inspire Courage, it says that only allies that "can hear you" can be affected, but how does one determine whether or not an ally can hear you? There's no radius listed in the PHB, unlike the other songs. Just for clarification, activating a song expends one song per day, but concentrating on maintaining a song does not, correct?

In regards to the seeker of the song, I'm a bit confused about refrains. With Song of Life, Refrain, since it requires a standard action to use, does that mean using it forces Song of Life and any song combined with it to automatically stop? If so, and if I was using a longsword with the "Harmonizing" magic ability on it, would I be allowed to activate the refrain but still upkeep the songs with my longsword? And would I be able to activate refrains while the longsword upkept those songs 10 rounds afterwards? Would it be a terrible idea for a party to have a Seeker of the Song as the only player with hard healing capabilities?

And final question... I feel like it's very limited by bardic musics per day. Is this feeling unfounded, or should I definitely be taking Extra Music? Should I just be more careful with which songs I start with and upkeep so I don't switch often?

Sorry if my questions don't belong here, or if I'm just a noob and suck at reading. :(
Lineov
03-19-08, 06:14 PM Inspire Courage DOES NOT have a specific radius. Ask your DM for what he suggests, i always run it at 80 ft because most songs that inspire courage are rather loud and booming. Use best judgment and follow the golden rule: The books are just guidelines, whatever your DM says, goes.

Beginning to sing expires one bardic music per day. Maintaining it does not. If you lose concentration (someone startles you, or attacks you etc..) it will take another bardic music to start back up again.

Using a refrain as a seeker of the song takes a swift action (like one free action per round) so you can sing to deal damage with the first refrain that deals damage (one bardic music) then in the same turn sing the Song of Life refrain (now your standard action and another bardic music) to heal by using combine songs (seeker of song lv 2)

Combine songs allows you to use two songs as one so then the harmonizing effect will continue one song (which is actually two combined) this lasts 10 minutes, OR until you start another song (refrains included), OR you command it to quit. So if you start another song (or refrain) the harmonizing sword will stop.

It would be challenging to have someone who can only heal while doing damage. I would suggest (if this is they way your party is going) to take extra ranks in Craft potions so you can brew potions for your party.

You are severely limited to the number of bardic songs per day.. TAKE EXTRA MUSIC! (be a human, make it your bonus feat) then take it again... and once more just for good measure. Stackable feats are amazing!

Hope this helps.
Lineov, Master Bard
"EVERYBODY SOLO!" - the only bardic battle cry you'll ever hear.

Please PEACH my 8bit Red Mage class - http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1002737
With-Motion
03-19-08, 09:26 PM Using a refrain as a seeker of the song takes a swift action (like one free action per round) so you can sing to deal damage with the first refrain that deals damage (one bardic music) then in the same turn sing the Song of Life refrain (now your standard action and another bardic music) to heal by using combine songs (seeker of song lv 2)So Song of Life refrain is supposed to end other songs be concentrated on by design... but complete arcane specifically says that song of life refrain still takes a swift action to activate along with a standard action to use. Which really sucks :(

Combine songs allows you to use two songs as one so then the harmonizing effect will continue one song (which is actually two combined) this lasts 10 minutes, OR until you start another song (refrains included), OR you command it to quit. So if you start another song (or refrain) the harmonizing sword will stop.10 rounds, not 10 minutes! :P

I definitely like the prospect of being able to use song of life refrain, continuing the song with my harmonizing weapon, and then being able to activate song of life refrain again the next turn.

It would be challenging to have someone who can only heal while doing damage. I would suggest (if this is they way your party is going) to take extra ranks in Craft potions so you can brew potions for your party.i've never tried crafting potions before. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

You are severely limited to the number of bardic songs per day.. TAKE EXTRA MUSIC! (be a human, make it your bonus feat) then take it again... and once more just for good measure. Stackable feats are amazing!Phew, I thought I might be wasting feats with taking Extra Music more than once, I'm glad to hear I made the right conclusion =3

Hope this helps.
Lineov, Master Bard
You've definitely helped, thank you!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
With-Motion 03-19-08, 12:49 AM	This is my first time playing a bard, which I've wanted to do for a while to try out, but I have some problems that I can't seem to clarify and none of the players at my college understand how a bard works well. I'm not sure if I can't find the answer or if it really is just ambiguous, but I definitely need a bit of clarity. First of all, in regards to Inspire Courage, it says that only allies that "can hear you" can be affected, but how does one determine whether or not an ally can hear you? There's no radius listed in the PHB, unlike the other songs. Just for clarification, activating a song expends one song per day, but concentrating on maintaining a song does not, correct? In regards to the seeker of the song, I'm a bit confused about refrains. With Song of Life, Refrain, since it requires a standard action to use, does that mean using it forces Song of Life and any song combined with it to automatically stop? If so, and if I was using a longsword with the "Harmonizing" magic ability on it, would I be allowed to activate the refrain but still upkeep the songs with my longsword? And would I be able to activate refrains while the longsword upkept those songs 10 rounds afterwards? Would it be a terrible idea for a party to have a Seeker of the Song as the only player with hard healing capabilities? And final question... I feel like it's very limited by bardic musics per day. Is this feeling unfounded, or should I definitely be taking Extra Music? Should I just be more careful with which songs I start with and upkeep so I don't switch often? Sorry if my questions don't belong here, or if I'm just a noob and suck at reading. :(
Lineov 03-19-08, 06:14 PM	Inspire Courage DOES NOT have a specific radius. Ask your DM for what he suggests, i always run it at 80 ft because most songs that inspire courage are rather loud and booming. Use best judgment and follow the golden rule: The books are just guidelines, whatever your DM says, goes. Beginning to sing expires one bardic music per day. Maintaining it does not. If you lose concentration (someone startles you, or attacks you etc..) it will take another bardic music to start back up again. Using a refrain as a seeker of the song takes a swift action (like one free action per round) so you can sing to deal damage with the first refrain that deals damage (one bardic music) then in the same turn sing the Song of Life refrain (now your standard action and another bardic music) to heal by using combine songs (seeker of song lv 2) Combine songs allows you to use two songs as one so then the harmonizing effect will continue one song (which is actually two combined) this lasts 10 minutes, OR until you start another song (refrains included), OR you command it to quit. So if you start another song (or refrain) the harmonizing sword will stop. It would be challenging to have someone who can only heal while doing damage. I would suggest (if this is they way your party is going) to take extra ranks in Craft potions so you can brew potions for your party. You are severely limited to the number of bardic songs per day.. TAKE EXTRA MUSIC! (be a human, make it your bonus feat) then take it again... and once more just for good measure. Stackable feats are amazing! Hope this helps. Lineov, Master Bard "EVERYBODY SOLO!" - the only bardic battle cry you'll ever hear. Please PEACH my 8bit Red Mage class - http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1002737
With-Motion 03-19-08, 09:26 PM	Using a refrain as a seeker of the song takes a swift action (like one free action per round) so you can sing to deal damage with the first refrain that deals damage (one bardic music) then in the same turn sing the Song of Life refrain (now your standard action and another bardic music) to heal by using combine songs (seeker of song lv 2)So Song of Life refrain is supposed to end other songs be concentrated on by design... but complete arcane specifically says that song of life refrain still takes a swift action to activate along with a standard action to use. Which really sucks :( Combine songs allows you to use two songs as one so then the harmonizing effect will continue one song (which is actually two combined) this lasts 10 minutes, OR until you start another song (refrains included), OR you command it to quit. So if you start another song (or refrain) the harmonizing sword will stop.10 rounds, not 10 minutes! :P I definitely like the prospect of being able to use song of life refrain, continuing the song with my harmonizing weapon, and then being able to activate song of life refrain again the next turn. It would be challenging to have someone who can only heal while doing damage. I would suggest (if this is they way your party is going) to take extra ranks in Craft potions so you can brew potions for your party.i've never tried crafting potions before. I'll definitely keep that in mind. You are severely limited to the number of bardic songs per day.. TAKE EXTRA MUSIC! (be a human, make it your bonus feat) then take it again... and once more just for good measure. Stackable feats are amazing!Phew, I thought I might be wasting feats with taking Extra Music more than once, I'm glad to hear I made the right conclusion =3 Hope this helps. Lineov, Master Bard You've definitely helped, thank you!