Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Czahkiswashi 01-11-06, 07:54 PM	This is my revised version of the bard. It is structured similar to the warlock, and emphasizes the bard's skills and bardic music. The class still needs flushing out. It's a bit weak I think, and I'd like to add some low-level abilities, as well as a cap ability. Additionally, I feel that the class needs a larger list of songs http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ph35_gallery/PHB35_PG105_WEB.jpg
Czahkiswashi 01-11-06, 07:55 PM	BARD Hit Die: d6. BAB: Medium (3/4), as a rogue Fort Save: Bad, as a rogue Ref Save: Good, as a rogue Will Save: Good, as a sorcerer Class Skills The bard’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (n/a), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha). Skill Points at 1st Level: (6 + Int modifier) x4. Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier. Songs Known/Special 2/Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge 3/Poise 3/Skilled 4/- 5/- 6/- 6/Skilled 7/- 8/- 9/Enchant Instrument 9/Skilled 10/- 11/- 12/- 12/Skilled 13/Chorus 14/- 15/- 15/Skilled 16/Magnum Opus Class Features All of the following are class features of the bard. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A bard is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, and whip. Bards are proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). Bardic Music: A bard can use his song or poetics to produce magical effects on those around him (usually including himself, if desired). While these abilities fall under the category of bardic music and the descriptions discuss singing or playing instruments, most can be activated by reciting poetry, chanting, singing lyrical songs, singing melodies, whistling, playing an instrument, or playing an instrument in combination with some spoken performance. A bard begins play knowing two songs for which he meets the prerequisites, and learns more as he gains levels as a bard. The number of songs a bard knows are shown above on the table. When a bard learns a new song, it must be a song he qualifies for. Each song requires both a minimum bard level and a minimum number of ranks in the Perform skill to qualify, as well as prerequisites which may be other songs or ranks in a particular skill. Starting a bardic music effect is a standard action. Some bardic music abilities require concentration, which means the bard must take a standard action each round to maintain the ability. Even while using bardic music that doesn’t require concentration, a bard cannot cast spells, activate magic items by spell completion (such as scrolls), or activate magic items by magic word (such as wands). Just as for casting a spell with a verbal component, a deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use bardic music. The DC for a save against any bardic music ability is equal to 10 + 1/2 bard’s level + bard’s Cha modifier, unless otherwise noted in the ability. Bardic Knowledge (Ex): A bard may make a special bardic knowledge check with a bonus equal to his bard level + his Intelligence modifier to see whether he knows some relevant information about local notable people, legendary items, or noteworthy places. (If the bard has 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (history), he gains a +2 bonus on this check.) A successful bardic knowledge check will not reveal the powers of a magic item but may give a hint as to its general function. A bard may not take 10 or take 20 on this check; this sort of knowledge is essentially random. DC/Type of Knowledge 10/Common, known by at least a substantial minority drinking; common legends of the local population 20/Uncommon but available, known by only a few people legends 25/Obscure, known by few, hard to come by. 30/Extremely obscure, known by very few, possibly forgotten by most who once knew it, possibly known only by those who don’t understand the significance of the knowledge. Poise (Ex): The bard is confident and graceful, even in the worst situations. A bard may add his charisma bonus as a dodge bonus to his AC when wearing light or no armor. Skilled (Ex): At 3rd level, and every four levels therafter, the bard becomes more adept at his chosen skills. Each time this ability is gained, the bard gains either a new bonus feat, bonus languages, or skill mastery over certain skills. Bonus Feats: Able Learner, Acrobatic, Agile, Agile, Appraise Magic Value, Astral Tracking, Athlete, Alertness, Animal Affinity, Athletic, Breath Control, Complementary Insight, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Diligent, Earthcraft, Efficient Hunter, High Society, Investigate, Improved Disguise, Improved Diversion, Inside Connections, Investigator, Jack of All Trades, Magical Aptitude, Master of Mockery, Menacing Demeanor, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, Persuasive, Quick Reconnoiter, Recognize Imposter, Research, Sea Legs, Seafarer, Self-Sufficient, Skill Focus (any class skill), Sociable Personality, Stealthy, Tactile Trapsmith, Track, Undead Empathy, Urban Stealth, Urban Tracking, Versatile Performer, War Chant. Bonus Languages: The bard learns a number of new languages equal to his intelligence modifier. The bard can learn any language except for secret ones (such as druidic). Skill Mastery: The bard becomes so certain in the use of certain skills that he can use them reliably even under adverse conditions. Each time the Bard gains this ability, he selects a number of skills equal to his intelligence modifier (minimum 1). When making a skill check with one of these skills, he may take 10 even if stress and distractions would normally prevent him from doing so. Enchant Instrument (Su): A Bard of 10th level or higher can create magical instruments, even if he does not know the prerequisite spells. This functions as the warlock’s imbue item ability, but only for crafting magical instruments (such as the Drums of Panic, Harp of Charming, Horn of Blasting, Horn of Blasting, Greater, Horn of Fog, Horn of Goodness/Evil, Horn of the Triton, Horn of Vallhalla, Lyre of building, Pipes of Haunting, Pipes of Pain, Pipes of Sounding, or Pipes of the Sewers) Chorus (Ex): A bard of 16th level or higher can combine two songs to provide the benefits of both. If the bard is already singing a song, he may begin a second song as a swift action, and may use one standard action to maintain concentration on both songs. Magnum Opus (Su): At 20th level, the bard completes his masterpiece- a unique song, poem, chant, rhythm, etc. of epic mastery. This masterpiece contains all the truth, pain, happiness, sorrow, joy, despair, and beauty that the bard has experienced in his travels and adventures, expressed perfectly through his incredible performance skill. If he meets the prerequisites, the bard learns the song Magnum Opus (see below), which can only be played once per day. MAGNUM OPUS Bard Level: 20 Perform Ranks: 23 Prerequisites:None, a bard automatically learns this song at level 20 if he has at least 23 ranks in a perform skill. Special: A bard can only play magnum opus up to once per day. This performance is so moving to anyone who hears it that they become unable to take actions; instead, they dance, observe the performance with rapt attention, laugh, or applaud at the bard’s option. The affected creatures also suffer a -4 penalty to Armor Class, cannot succeed at Reflex saves (except on a roll of 20), and cannot use shields. Creatures can resist this effect with a successful Will save against a DC equal to the bard’s perform check result minus 10. This effect lasts for as long as the bard concentrates + 5 rounds.
Czahkiswashi 01-11-06, 07:59 PM	The list of songs available to the bard follows. Most songs are divided into four categories: “Demoralizing,” “Enchanting,” “Inspirational,” and “Sonic;” all other appear at the end of the list under the “Various Other Selections” heading. Demoralizing These songs demoralize, scare, and weaken opponents. All of these songs are mind-affecting abilities. SPOOK Bard Level: 1 Perform Ranks: 3 Prerequisites: None By playing this song, the bard makes it seem as though spooky voices and sounds are all around. Enemies who hear this song must succeed at a will save or be shaken. SCARE Bard Level: 3 Perform Ranks: 6 Prerequisites: Spook This song incorporates harsh screams, spooky voices, death cries, pounding feat, etc. and magically scares any opponent who hears this song. Enemies must succeed at a will save or be frightened. DESPAIR Bard Level: 1 Perform Ranks: 3 Prerequisites: None A bard can use song or poetics to discourage and demoralize his enemies. To be affected, an enemy must be able to hear the bard sing. The effect lasts for as long as the enemies hear the bard sing and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected enemy takes a -1 morale penalty on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a -1 morale penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this penalty increases by 1 (-2 at 8th, -3 at 14th, and -4 at 20th). DISCORD Bard Level: 18 Perform Ranks: 21 Prerequisites: None This song mimics the spell song of discord, as if cast by a sorcerer of the bard’s level. Enchanting These songs soothe, enchant, and compel opponents. All of these songs are enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting abilities. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents any of these abilities from working. FASCINATE Bard Level: 1 Perform Ranks: 3 Prerequisites: None A bard can use his music or poetics to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and able to pay attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creature. For every three levels a bard attains beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with a single use of this ability. To use the ability, a bard makes a Perform check. His check result is the DC for each affected creature’s Will save against the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and listens to the song, taking no other actions, for as long as the bard continues to play and concentrate (up to a maximum of 1 round per bard level). While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Listen and Spot checks. Any potential threat requires the bard to make another Perform check and allows the creature a new saving throw against a DC equal to the new Perform check result. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. SUGGESTION Bard Level: 6 Perform Ranks: 9 Prerequisites: Fascinate A bard can make a suggestion (as the spell) to a creature that he has already fascinated (see above). Using this ability does not break the bard’s concentration on the fascinate effect, nor does it allow a second saving throw against the fascinate effect. A Will saving throw negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature (but see mass suggestion, below). Suggestion is a language dependent ability. LULLABY Bard Level: 8 Perform Ranks: 11 Prerequisites: None Lullaby soothes creatures, causing them to fall asleep. You cause a number of creatures whose HD sum to no more than the number of ranks you have in the perform skill used to fall asleep. Creatures with equal or more HD than your bard level, are not affected. Hit Dice that are not sufficient to affect a creature are wasted. Sleeping creatures are helpless. Slapping or wounding awakens an affected creature, but normal noise does not. Awakening a creature is a standard action (an application of the aid another action). MASS SUGGESTION Bard Level: 18 Perform Ranks: 21 Prerequisites: Fascinate, Suggestion This ability functions like suggestion, above, except that a bard can make the suggestion simultaneously to any number of creatures that he has already fascinated (see above). Mass suggestion is a language-dependent ability. Inspirational These songs aid your allies through inspiration. All of these songs are mind-affecting abilities. COURAGE Bard Level: 1 Perform Ranks: 3 Prerequisites: None A bard can use song or poetics to inspire courage in his allies (including himself ), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to hear the bard sing. The effect lasts for as long as the ally hears the bard sing and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by 1 (+2 at 8th, +3 at 14th, and +4 at 20th). COMPETENCE Bard Level: 3 Perform Ranks: 6 Prerequisites: None A bard can use his music or poetics to help an ally succeed at a task. The ally must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the bard. The bard must also be able to see the ally. The ally gets a +2 competence bonus on skill checks with a particular skill as long as he or she continues to hear the bard’s music. Certain uses of this ability are infeasible. The effect lasts as long as the bard concentrates, up to a maximum of 2 minutes. A bard can’t inspire competence in himself. GREATNESS Bard Level: 9 Perform Ranks: 12 Prerequisites: Courage A bard can use music or poetics to inspire greatness in himself or a single willing ally within 30 feet, granting him or her extra fighting capability. For every three levels a bard attains beyond 9th, he can target one additional ally with a single use of this ability (two at 12th level, three at 15th, four at 18th). To inspire greatness, a bard must sing and an ally must hear him sing. The effect lasts for as long as the ally hears the bard sing and for 5 rounds thereafter. A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the target’s Constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1 competence bonus on Fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells that are Hit Dice dependant. SWIFTNESS Bard Level: 10 Perform Ranks: 13 Prerequisites: None This song mimics the spell haste as if cast by a sorcerer of the bard’s level. HEROICS Bard Level: 15 Perform Ranks: 18 Prerequisites: Greatness A bard of 15th level or higher with 18 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use music or poetics to inspire tremendous heroism in himself or a single willing ally within 30 feet. For every three bard levels the character attains beyond 15th, he can inspire heroics in one additional creature. To inspire heroics, a bard must sing and an ally must hear the bard sing for a full round. A creature so inspired gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws and a +4 dodge bonus to AC. The effect lasts for as long as the ally hears the bard sing and for up to 5 rounds thereafter. EXCELLENCE Bard Level: 20 Perform Ranks: 23 Prerequisite: Competence The character can use song or poetics to grant a bonus to one ability score to his or her allies. To be affected, an ally must hear the bard sing for 1 full round. The effect lasts as long as the bard sings and for 5 rounds after the bard stops singing. Each ally to be inspired gains a +4 competence bonus to the same ability score, which the character must choose before he or she begins inspiring. Sonic All of these abilities rely directly on the power of sound, sonics, and harmonies. These abilities can only be used through singing or playing an instrument; spoken word, oratory, and poetry cannot activate these abilities. COUNTERSONG Bard Level: 1 Perform Ranks: 3 Prerequisites: Knowledge (Arcana) 2 ranks A bard can use his music or poetics to counter magical effects that depend on sound (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the countersong, he makes a Perform check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself ) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Countersong has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves. The bard may keep up the countersong for 10 rounds. HARMONICS Bard Level: 3 Perform Ranks: 6 Prerequisites: Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) 3 ranks. This song mimics the spell shatter, as if cast by a sorcerer of the bard’s level. SONAR Bard Level: 13 Perform Ranks: 16 Prerequisites: Listen 8 ranks The Bard, by hearing the echoes of this song, can “see” his environment. The bard gains blindsight in a radius equal to his perform check in feet for as long he concentrates on the song and one round after. mimics the spell of the same name, as if cast by a sorcerer of the bard’s level. DISRUPTING COUNERSONG Bard Level: 16 Perform Ranks: 19 Prerequisites: Countersong, Knowledge (Arcana) 9 ranks This song disrupts the magical wording required to cast many spells. If anyone tries to cast a spell with a verbal component within five feet per bard level, the spell automatically fails. SYMPATHETIC VIBRATION Bard Level: 19 Perform Ranks: 22 Prerequisites: Harmonics, Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) 11 ranks This song mimics the spell of the same name, as if cast by a sorcerer of the bard’s level. DEAFENING Bard Level: 20 Perform Ranks: 23 Prerequisites: None The character can use song or poetics to temporarily deafen all enemies within a 30-foot spread from him or her. A successful Fortitude save negates the effect. The deafening effect lasts for as long as the character continues the deafening song. The character can choose to exclude any characters from this effect. The character may keep up the deafening song for a maximum of 10 rounds. Various Other Selections This category is a hodge-podge of songs that don’t fit into the other categories. These songs have very little, if anything in common with one another. ANTHEM OF THE STORM Bard Level: 10 Perform Ranks: 13 Prerequisites: Knowledge (Nature) 6 ranks. This song mimics the spell call lightning, as if cast by a druid of the bard’s level. DIRGE Bard Level: 8 Perform Ranks: 12 Prerequisites: Knowledge (Religion) 6 ranks. Playing a Dirge causes a corpse to be affected as if by the spell gentle repose (as if cast by a cleric of the bard’s level), and become permanently immune to undead-creating magic (such as the animate dead, create undead, or create greater undead spells). Using Dirge requires continuous play for a number of round equal to the HD the creature had at the time of their death. Alternatively, a bard may target any undead whose HD do not exceed his ranks in perform. Hearing the dirge causes the undead to recall the peace of death, and the creature must succeed at a will save or become dazed for as long as the bard continues to play, up to one round per bard level. BALLAD OF THE PLANES Bard Level: 9 Perform Ranks: 12 Prerequisites: Knowledge (The Planes) 6 ranks All allies who hear this song are affected as if by the spell avoid planar effects (found in the manual of the planes), except the duration is a number of minutes equal to ten times the bard’s perform check result. SONG OF FREEDOM Bard Level: 12 Perform Ranks: 15 Prerequisites: Knowledge (Arcana) 7 ranks A bard can use music or poetics to create an effect equivalent to the break enchantment spell (caster level equals the character’s bard level). Using this ability requires 1 minute of uninterrupted concentration and music, and it functions on a single target within 30 feet. A bard can’t use song of freedom on himself. ANIMATING HYMN Bard Level: 20 Perform Ranks: 23 Prerequisites: None This song mimics the spell animate object, as if cast by a sorcerer of the bard’s level.
Nephlite 01-11-06, 08:26 PM	Hmm a table like this? I like to see what I'm looking at. I'm basing on Bard. I see no reason to use ranks in perform instead of just level of bard. I know the PHB does, but why follow the crowd. This would be my table. I used 3/4th music abilities. Table: The Bard Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Invocations Known Special 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 2 Music (Least), Bardic Knowledge 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 3 Skilled 3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 4 4th +3 +1 +1 +4 4 Skilled 5th +3 +1 +1 +4 5 6th +4 +2 +2 +5 6 New Music (Least or Lesser), Skilled 7th +5 +2 +2 +5 7 8th +6/+1 +2 +2 +6 7 9th +6/+1 +3 +3 +6 8 10th +7/+2 +3 +3 +7 9 Skilled 11th +8/+3 +3 +3 +7 10 New Music (Least, Lesser, or Greater), Enchant Instrument 12th +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 10 13th +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 11 14th +10/+5 +4 +4 +9 12 Skilled 15th +11/+6/+1 +5 +5 +9 13 16th +12/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 13 New Music(Least, Lesser, Greater, Harmonous) 17th +12/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 14 Chorus 18th +13/+8/+3 +6 +6 +11 15 Skilled 19th +14/+9/+4 +6 +6 +11 16 20th +15/+10/+5 +6 +6 +12 16 Now let me review your idea: I like the songs you chose. You should do more songs I agree. Does the new Bardic Music have arcane spell failure? Can the Bard cast using light armor and a shield with no failure? If he can that is cool. Maybe as a Least Music: Musical Hold : Use Hold person as the spell. Be a good support song. Does the new Bard have a limit of Bardic Music of 1 use/level?
Czahkiswashi 01-11-06, 10:53 PM	I thought about putting a table in, but its a little cleaner looking this way I think. The bardic music does not work exactly like warlock invocations, there are no grades for them, and they require ranks in perform to obtain. I feel that this is more in theme with the bard. Does the new Bardic Music have arcane spell failure? Can the Bard cast using light armor and a shield with no failure? Does the new Bard have a limit of Bardic Music of 1 use/level? This bard does not actually cast spells, so no he does not suffer Arcane Spell Failure. And no, there is no limit to his bardic music uses/day. Do you have any ideas on what class abilities i could add to this class?
Czahkiswashi 01-13-06, 04:44 PM	Ok, i changed the levels that the bard gets many of his abilities at, and added some new songs, but the big changes are the addition of the cap ability magnum opus and the 2nd level ability poise. Any thoughts on balence/playability now?
MrPlatos 01-13-06, 07:58 PM	This makes me thrilled, especially as I've been working on a bard alt class of my own and you went right along where I was going to go with it. I definatly like your music choices and the cap ability I feel is good. the will save strong as well as the d6 and 6+int may be a bit much, but then again maybe not. I can see the validity and I don't think it's a class breaker by any means. I've never been a bardic spellcaster so I appreciate forgoing. I also dig the craft magic item mechanic, because that's gonna be my next character's shtick really. My greatest concern however is the skilled ability. It just comes too often for me to be comfortable with it. A character with a decent intelligence mod is going to be able to take ten on every one of his skills, which is fairly overpowered. The learning their intel mod worth of languages seems steep too, assuming that that's their base mod and that no stat bonuses apply, in which case, yikes. I do like their charisma going to their AC, though it works to their advantage that it's their charisma, being as that's the primary stat for bards. Perhaps intelligence mod instead, as per duelist? Though I'm going to show this to my DM as is and see if he'll allow it. :w00t:
Eyeless Blond 01-14-06, 01:02 AM	Indeed, it is a bit much. Those skill feats aren't very powerful by themselves, but they add up quick; by the mid levels you could have more effective skill points than a more intelligent rogue, which is a bit of a problem. Maybe have it start at level 5, and every three levels thereafter (8, 11, 14, etc). OTOH this makes levels 3, 7, 15 and 19 all dead levels, as you're not learning a new song nor are you gaining any other abilities. Level 3 would actually be a good place to move the Poise ability; doing that you can pretty much drop the level limitation on the Cha bonus to AC thing, a restriction I never liked to impose on X stat to Y bonuses. For the rest you might consider stealing the Rapture of the Song abilities from the Seeker PrC, that give your bard bonuses to saves and such when going a performance.
Czahkiswashi 01-14-06, 06:09 PM	Since you guys both agree that there were too many skilled abilities, i dropped almost half of them, so that there's only 5 now- at levels 3/7/11/15/19 (so that they dont have any dead levels). I also removed the level resitriction from poise. How does it look now? Also- The class really needs a larger song list, but I have trouble coming up with more. Any suggestions?
Korcheski 01-17-06, 11:26 AM	I have been planning on making a Bard NPC for my Ravenloft game so my PC's have a kind of guide. My only hesitation was I didn't have the ability to bring a sense of Dread from the realms into her music. Well with this class idea I know have that option! I will try this out and let you know how it goes!
Czahkiswashi 01-17-06, 04:29 PM	Thank you! It would be great to hear about some real playtesting for this guy!
Korcheski 01-18-06, 09:31 AM	Also- The class really needs a larger song list, but I have trouble coming up with more. Any suggestions? I will be adding a few new songs to my Bard's list that are more fitting of the dark enviroment they are in. These songs will probably be more in line with your Demoralizing songs. I kind of want to turn her into a Bard that relies heavily on her songs for offense and defense rather that regular weapons. I will post them as soon as I test them out a bit.