Post/Author/DateTime	Post
offcenterideas 07-30-06, 02:01 AM	Alright, I've been reading and reading and I can't seem to find an acceptable answer to this. It mentions that some bardic songs require concentration, but the only one that specifically mentions needed concentration is "song of freedom". Could someone please help me with this one, because my DM's making me take a standard action every round while singing even "inspire courage"? Basically, which songs need concentration (standard actions) to maintain?
Eela6 07-30-06, 04:00 AM	The common interpretation (in fact, I think it may be in the FAQ) is that Inspire Courage requires a standard action to maintain. However, for the purpose of most battles, you don't need to. Remember that Bardic Music effects last 5 rounds after you stop singing. Many times, the combat will be over after that - so just sing one round and let the lingering effects help you out.
tauaru 07-30-06, 04:11 AM	Starting a bardic music effect is a standard action. Some bardic abilities require concentration... PHB p.29 The effects that require concentration are those that need the bard to keep singing continuously (Countersong, Inspiring, Song of Freedom (1 minute)). So basically, yes if you want to keep on singing, you need to perform that as a standard action (sometimes with a required Perform check) each round. As Eela6 said sing the first round and then 6 rounds later if the battle is ongoing. An example of bardic music that requires only one round is Suggestion, of course you need to have fascinated the creature first which requires at least one other round of concentrated performance.