Divine bards [Archive] - Wizards Community

Divine bards [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dengarbountyhunter
10-21-06, 04:26 PM The Divine Bard option (Core Class Variants) makes the bard's spells Divine spells... does that means there is no more Arcane Spell failure to their spell and that they can multiclass as clerics (for example) to get heavy armor? And if yes, is that a major problem (since bards are better off with lighter armor anyway)?
theotherdraxen
10-21-06, 06:42 PM Well...I don't see how there could be Arcane Spell Failure if they're not using Arcane methods.

Is it a problem? Bards are underpowered as is. The divine bard is also more MAD (as they need a higher wisdom score), so I figure it balances. The flavor text says they take the place of Adepts in primitive cultures, and in D&D, primitive cultures do not use heavy armor (though history may protest). So flavor wise, they should stick away from heavy armor. Rule-wise, there's no reason they shouldn't.
X-Codes
10-21-06, 07:36 PM Is it a problem? Bards are underpowered as is.
If you think a Bard is underpowered, you really need to learn to play better Bards. Even the most uber builds will leave a Bard weak if you don't play him right.

The divine bard is also more MAD (as they need a higher wisdom score), so I figure it balances. The flavor text says they take the place of Adepts in primitive cultures, and in D&D, primitive cultures do not use heavy armor (though history may protest). So flavor wise, they should stick away from heavy armor. Rule-wise, there's no reason they shouldn't.
The thing is, if you want to be a cleric, be a cleric. Clerics have better spellcasting than Bards, so dipping Cleric or Fighter or anything else for Heavy Armor Proficiency isn't a very bright thing to do, since you can just be a Cleric, get heavy armor proficiency, and become a better spellcaster. If you want strong musical abilities, then you want to go straight Bard (none of the Bardic Music classes work for Divine Bards).

Bards have MAD as is, and Divine Bard increases it (indeed, a Divine Bard benefits from having any ability score higher, and requires all ability scores high at the end of the day). The big draw for Divine Bard is the expanded spell list. Thats really about it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dengarbountyhunter 10-21-06, 04:26 PM	The Divine Bard option (Core Class Variants) makes the bard's spells Divine spells... does that means there is no more Arcane Spell failure to their spell and that they can multiclass as clerics (for example) to get heavy armor? And if yes, is that a major problem (since bards are better off with lighter armor anyway)?
theotherdraxen 10-21-06, 06:42 PM	Well...I don't see how there could be Arcane Spell Failure if they're not using Arcane methods. Is it a problem? Bards are underpowered as is. The divine bard is also more MAD (as they need a higher wisdom score), so I figure it balances. The flavor text says they take the place of Adepts in primitive cultures, and in D&D, primitive cultures do not use heavy armor (though history may protest). So flavor wise, they should stick away from heavy armor. Rule-wise, there's no reason they shouldn't.
X-Codes 10-21-06, 07:36 PM	Is it a problem? Bards are underpowered as is. If you think a Bard is underpowered, you really need to learn to play better Bards. Even the most uber builds will leave a Bard weak if you don't play him right. The divine bard is also more MAD (as they need a higher wisdom score), so I figure it balances. The flavor text says they take the place of Adepts in primitive cultures, and in D&D, primitive cultures do not use heavy armor (though history may protest). So flavor wise, they should stick away from heavy armor. Rule-wise, there's no reason they shouldn't. The thing is, if you want to be a cleric, be a cleric. Clerics have better spellcasting than Bards, so dipping Cleric or Fighter or anything else for Heavy Armor Proficiency isn't a very bright thing to do, since you can just be a Cleric, get heavy armor proficiency, and become a better spellcaster. If you want strong musical abilities, then you want to go straight Bard (none of the Bardic Music classes work for Divine Bards). Bards have MAD as is, and Divine Bard increases it (indeed, a Divine Bard benefits from having any ability score higher, and requires all ability scores high at the end of the day). The big draw for Divine Bard is the expanded spell list. Thats really about it.