Tips for some major homebrew.

[Dungeon-noob]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in homebrew, but here goes anyway. Our group is making itself a setting, and making some major changes. What i'm asking about here is about one of these changes. Some other relevant info: low magic and low fantasy setting, level 10+ is only accessible with DM/plot permission.

Bards/bardic magic has been banned by the DM, due to not fitting with the setting. So far so good, but one of our players is playing a bard anyway. Our DM is looking to come up with some abilities that might compensate. I was wondering if the mighty and wise inhabitans of the playground have some good ideas.

[Tiadoppler]

Do you mean

"Bardic magic has been banned by law, by the governments of this setting. PC Bard will be an outlaw."

or

"Bardic magic does not exist in this universe. PC Bard is just a traveling singer."



In the former case, no homebrew is required.
In the latter case, why not just have the "bard" play a rogue or fighter with an instrument and performance proficiency?
What is the "bard" flavor you're seeking to replicate/create with the homebrewed class?


Edit: a high charisma 'face' rogue who fights with a rapier and plays a musical instrument would make an excellent bard replacement.

[JackPhoenix]

Here you go (https://img.fireden.net/tg/image/1501/28/1501288762259.pdf). No-magic "bard", and some other low- or no- magic class options.

And I'd like to know how bards don't fit in the setting... they are one of the most refluff-friendly classes.

[napoleon_in_rag]

[URL="https://img.fireden.net/tg/image/1501/28/1501288762259.pdf"]
And I'd like to know how bards don't fit in the setting... they are one of the most refluff-friendly classes.


A disease swept through the land. It's only long term effect is it rendered the entire population tone deaf.

[Tiadoppler]

A disease swept through the land. It's only long term effect is it rendered the entire population tone deaf.

It's a Hitchhiker's Guide crossover. All the characters are Vogons.

[Grod_The_Giant]

I also did a low-magic overhaul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?543153-5e-Low-Magic-Overhaul-%28Two-new-classes-and-one-new-subclasses-included!%29#post22606176).

As for the Bard specifically... you've got a decent HD and great skill stuff already. Throw in, oh, College of Valor or Swords stuff for free, maybe make Inspiration dice short-rest based from the beginning, and you should have a solid light combatant.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Our DM is looking to come up with some abilities that might compensate. I was wondering if the mighty and wise inhabitans of the playground have some good ideas.

I guess I'm just another hat in the ring at this point, but I have also written a spell-less bard (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?482608-Zaydos-Princess-Updated-for-5e). Granted it's got some extreme flavour changes, but if your DM is just looking for alternative features, there are plenty there (e.g. the Royal Decrees) that could be cribbed.