Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kanachi 08-31-07, 08:30 AM	The title really sums it up, I’ve recently started playing as a bard and I wanted to know if there is a way to reduce the time it takes for a bard to produce bardic music. A standard action seems a little harsh. Am I missing the point? Would bardic music as as say… a move action be game breaking?
SiuiS 08-31-07, 08:40 AM	Doesn't it depend on the skill involved? I was under the impression that a bard who sang or recited limmericks could still battle effectively while maintaining bardic music effects (although now that I think about it, there is nothing in the rules to substantiate this, to my knowledge...).
Empiro 08-31-07, 08:53 AM	Once a bard has begun singing, they can fight and do anything other than casting a spell or activating a magic item, without having to stop singing. There is a feat in Tome of Battle that allows a Bard/White Raven user to start a bard song as a swift action, but in my mind that feat is too good.
Roxlimn 08-31-07, 09:37 AM	Actually, it would quite probably be alright if not for the plethora of other effects that boost Inspire Courage to virtually broken levels of insanity. For a damage-booster effect, anyway.
Flamewarrior 08-31-07, 10:10 AM	There's a level 2 spell in Races of Stone that allows bardic music as a move action for, IIRC, 1 round/level (or 1 minute/level, not so sure).
Mr_Teapot 08-31-07, 11:52 AM	There's a level 2 spell in Races of Stone that allows bardic music as a move action for, IIRC, 1 round/level (or 1 minute/level, not so sure). the spell is called Harmonize. It's 1 minute / level. 1 rd/level would be really silly, wouldn't it? You'd be trading spending a standard action for bardic music for a standard action, a move action and a spell slot for music. At min/lvl you can cast Harmonize before the battle starts, so it's a better deal.
OneWinged4ngel 08-31-07, 04:42 PM	The title really sums it up, I’ve recently started playing as a bard and I wanted to know if there is a way to reduce the time it takes for a bard to produce bardic music. A standard action seems a little harsh. Am I missing the point? Would bardic music as as say… a move action be game breaking? Considering that bardic music provides some of the *best buffs in the game*, a standard action isn't harsh at all (Hello, +8 attack and damage at level 8 that lasts a whole encounter for the whole party on all attack types!) Regardless, yes, you can use bardic music as a swift action with the Song of the White Raven feat from Tome of Battle.
Roxlimn 09-01-07, 08:07 AM	That kind of bonus actually will work much better on a party of other level 8s who expend at least one feat on Leadership, so you have a nice big group to affect with your +8/+8. Even with a mediocre group wielding mediocre ranged weaponry, that kind of bonus can easily change your party's ranged threat into a hail of feathered death.
liquoriceanimal 09-01-07, 08:31 AM	(Hello, +8 attack and damage at level 8 that lasts a whole encounter for the whole party on all attack types!) How's that possible?
Roxlimn 09-01-07, 09:29 AM	Song of the Heart, Inspirational Boost, Words of Creation, Badge of Valor, level booster for IC effect.
liquoriceanimal 09-01-07, 01:28 PM	Song of the Heart, Inspirational Boost, Words of Creation, Badge of Valor, level booster for IC effect. I know Song of the heart and Words of creation but where are the those other? E: Now i remember, Inspirational boost is a spell