The Renaissance Man, a tactical feat for bards (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Renaissance Man, a tactical feat for bards (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Terronus
04-20-08, 12:27 PM Any constructive criticism would be appreciated on whether this feat is balanced, if the prereqs are too easy to attain or too difficult, etc. I hope for some honest feedback.
My goal was to let a bard shine a little more since they play a largely supportive role.

Renaissance Man [Tactical]
Prereq. :BaB +6, Perform 12 ranks, one feat that is available as a fighter bonus feat, one metamagic feat, and one bardic music feat

The Old Benefits. See the new ones below, and why I changed them is below the first reply.

Benefit:
Song and Sword: You can cast somatic components while wielding a light weapon in your offhand, or a two handed weapon you are proficient with. However, you cannot attack on any round you do so, but you may still perform other actions if able.

Singing Blade: If you perform a full round attack action, on your next turn you may combine the effects of two songs when you perform. This effect consumes one song per day for each song.

Triple Threat: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, your opponent may fail to anticipate your next move. If you successfully damage an opponent, your spells do not provoke attacks of opportunity until the end of your next turn. In addition, any song (or combined songs) you perform before the end of your next turn lasts an additional round.

Revamped:

Song and sword: The bard can cast spells with a somatic component while wielding two weapons, but only if wielding a light weapon in the offhand. This may also be performed while wielding a weapon in two hands that the bard is proficient in.
A bard cannot cast a spell as PART of an attack action, but he may still attack if able to take a full round or standard action, for example after casting a quickened spell.

Singing Blade: By driving himself to the peaks of his physical prowess, the bard surpasses his limitations as an inspiration on the battlefield, and his blade becomes like a second voice. Anytime he performs a full round attack action, on the next turn he may combine the effects of two songs when performing. This effect consumes one song per day for each song.

Double Threats: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, the bard can combine the effects of his unique powers to great effect. If he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of a beneficial spell he cast, the next spell cast by the bard does not expend a use of his spells per day, as long as it is of an equal or lower level.
In addition, if he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of one of his songs, the next song he uses may be performed as a move action. This cannot be used in conjunction with Singing Blade (he may only use one song).

The benefits of Double Threats may be used only once per encounter.
ciaran
04-20-08, 12:50 PM Renaissance Man [Tactical]
Prereq. :BaB +6, Perform 12 ranks, one feat that is available as a fighter bonus feat, one metamagic feat, and one bardic music feat

The prerequisites are a bit steep, but I'm guessing thats to show that the bard has dedicated his three feats gained thus far to three different paths. Still steep.

Song and Sword: You can cast somatic components while wielding a light weapon in your offhand, or a two handed weapon you are proficient with. However, you cannot attack on any round you do so, but you may still perform other actions if able.

1) "You can cast spells with a somatic component" would be more clear
2) For the light weapon in off hand thing, is his primary free or holding a one-handed weapon? This is unclear. If free then he can already cast spells normally.
3) What do you suggest the bard do instead of attack?

Singing Blade: If you perform a full round attack action, on your next turn you may combine the effects of two songs when you perform. This effect consumes one song per day for each song.

Could you explain what is happening here? Just some fluff to imagine what is happening when this takes place.

Triple Threat: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, your opponent may fail to anticipate your next move. If you successfully damage an opponent, your spells do not provoke attacks of opportunity until the end of your next turn. In addition, any song (or combined songs) you perform before the end of your next turn lasts an additional round.

Wouldn't you just avoid AoOs from the target you hit?
Terronus
04-20-08, 04:44 PM Thanks for the feedback... I guess my wording was a little shady, and you made some very good points :) Thusly:

Song and sword: The bard can cast spells with a somatic component while wielding two weapons, but only if wielding a light weapon in the offhand. This may also be performed while wielding a weapon in two hands that the bard is proficient in.

My initial idea was that the bard could cast a quickened spell or perform a move equivalent action after a typical standard action spell. However, I don't suppose it would be unbalanced if the bard were still able to attack, therefore...

A bard cannot cast a spell as PART of an attack action, but he may still attack if able to take a full round or standard action, for example after casting a quickened spell.

Singing Blade: By driving himself to the peaks of his physical prowess, the bard surpasses his limitations as an inspiration on the battlefield, and his blade becomes like a second voice. Anytime he performs a full round attack action, on the next turn he may combine the effects of two songs when performing. This effect consumes one song per day for each song.

That one was a little ambigious as to why it worked, hopefully that is more clear. If not noticeable already, these tactical benefits work best for an oratory/singing bard.

Double Threats: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, the bard can combine the effects of his unique powers to great effect. If he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of a beneficial spell he cast, the next spell cast by the bard does not expend a use of his spells per day, as long as it is of an equal or lower level.
In addition, if he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of one of his songs, the next song he uses may be performed as a move action. This cannot be used in conjunction with Singing Blade (he may only use one song).

The benefits of Double Threats may be used only once per encounter.

I just revamped this one. It seemed a little lame after looking over it again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Terronus 04-20-08, 12:27 PM	Any constructive criticism would be appreciated on whether this feat is balanced, if the prereqs are too easy to attain or too difficult, etc. I hope for some honest feedback. My goal was to let a bard shine a little more since they play a largely supportive role. Renaissance Man [Tactical] Prereq. :BaB +6, Perform 12 ranks, one feat that is available as a fighter bonus feat, one metamagic feat, and one bardic music feat The Old Benefits. See the new ones below, and why I changed them is below the first reply. Benefit: Song and Sword: You can cast somatic components while wielding a light weapon in your offhand, or a two handed weapon you are proficient with. However, you cannot attack on any round you do so, but you may still perform other actions if able. Singing Blade: If you perform a full round attack action, on your next turn you may combine the effects of two songs when you perform. This effect consumes one song per day for each song. Triple Threat: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, your opponent may fail to anticipate your next move. If you successfully damage an opponent, your spells do not provoke attacks of opportunity until the end of your next turn. In addition, any song (or combined songs) you perform before the end of your next turn lasts an additional round. Revamped: Song and sword: The bard can cast spells with a somatic component while wielding two weapons, but only if wielding a light weapon in the offhand. This may also be performed while wielding a weapon in two hands that the bard is proficient in. A bard cannot cast a spell as PART of an attack action, but he may still attack if able to take a full round or standard action, for example after casting a quickened spell. Singing Blade: By driving himself to the peaks of his physical prowess, the bard surpasses his limitations as an inspiration on the battlefield, and his blade becomes like a second voice. Anytime he performs a full round attack action, on the next turn he may combine the effects of two songs when performing. This effect consumes one song per day for each song. Double Threats: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, the bard can combine the effects of his unique powers to great effect. If he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of a beneficial spell he cast, the next spell cast by the bard does not expend a use of his spells per day, as long as it is of an equal or lower level. In addition, if he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of one of his songs, the next song he uses may be performed as a move action. This cannot be used in conjunction with Singing Blade (he may only use one song). The benefits of Double Threats may be used only once per encounter.
ciaran 04-20-08, 12:50 PM	Renaissance Man [Tactical] Prereq. :BaB +6, Perform 12 ranks, one feat that is available as a fighter bonus feat, one metamagic feat, and one bardic music feat The prerequisites are a bit steep, but I'm guessing thats to show that the bard has dedicated his three feats gained thus far to three different paths. Still steep. Song and Sword: You can cast somatic components while wielding a light weapon in your offhand, or a two handed weapon you are proficient with. However, you cannot attack on any round you do so, but you may still perform other actions if able. 1) "You can cast spells with a somatic component" would be more clear 2) For the light weapon in off hand thing, is his primary free or holding a one-handed weapon? This is unclear. If free then he can already cast spells normally. 3) What do you suggest the bard do instead of attack? Singing Blade: If you perform a full round attack action, on your next turn you may combine the effects of two songs when you perform. This effect consumes one song per day for each song. Could you explain what is happening here? Just some fluff to imagine what is happening when this takes place. Triple Threat: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, your opponent may fail to anticipate your next move. If you successfully damage an opponent, your spells do not provoke attacks of opportunity until the end of your next turn. In addition, any song (or combined songs) you perform before the end of your next turn lasts an additional round. Wouldn't you just avoid AoOs from the target you hit?
Terronus 04-20-08, 04:44 PM	Thanks for the feedback... I guess my wording was a little shady, and you made some very good points :) Thusly: Song and sword: The bard can cast spells with a somatic component while wielding two weapons, but only if wielding a light weapon in the offhand. This may also be performed while wielding a weapon in two hands that the bard is proficient in. My initial idea was that the bard could cast a quickened spell or perform a move equivalent action after a typical standard action spell. However, I don't suppose it would be unbalanced if the bard were still able to attack, therefore... A bard cannot cast a spell as PART of an attack action, but he may still attack if able to take a full round or standard action, for example after casting a quickened spell. Singing Blade: By driving himself to the peaks of his physical prowess, the bard surpasses his limitations as an inspiration on the battlefield, and his blade becomes like a second voice. Anytime he performs a full round attack action, on the next turn he may combine the effects of two songs when performing. This effect consumes one song per day for each song. That one was a little ambigious as to why it worked, hopefully that is more clear. If not noticeable already, these tactical benefits work best for an oratory/singing bard. Double Threats: Capable of weaving deadly spells, songs, or attacks, the bard can combine the effects of his unique powers to great effect. If he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of a beneficial spell he cast, the next spell cast by the bard does not expend a use of his spells per day, as long as it is of an equal or lower level. In addition, if he successfully damages an opponent with a weapon while under the effects of one of his songs, the next song he uses may be performed as a move action. This cannot be used in conjunction with Singing Blade (he may only use one song). The benefits of Double Threats may be used only once per encounter. I just revamped this one. It seemed a little lame after looking over it again.