RavynsLand
2019-02-01, 04:40 PM
Despite massively enjoying the idea of the College of Satire, and the prospect of playing as a jester-flavored Bard, I found the playtest material in the Unearthed Arcana to be severely lacking. Riddled with abilities that were overpowered, underpowered, or didn’t make sense, I felt that the subclass as presented lacked in both balance and flavor.
Thus, I have revised it entirely, severely downgrading certain powerful abilities while outright changing those which were lackluster or ill-fitting. In this redesign I attempted to better harness the core Bard’s mechanics and resources, while honing the themes of comedy and subversion of expectations. I present it here now to see if there's anything the think tank notices that I may have missed, in terms of balancing or using this class (as I plan to introduce it, or a variant of it, to my players at some point). Anyway, here we go!
College of Satire (Revised)
Bonus Proficiencies: When you choose this archetype at level 3, gain proficiency in the Acrobatics and Sleight of Hand skills. If you already have these skills, you may choose another skill from the Bard skill list.
Tumbling Fool: Also at level 3, you gain the ability to tumble as a Bonus Action. While tumbling, you gain the benefits of the Disengage action, and take half damage from falling.
Slapstick: At level 6, you learn that the best time to harangue your enemies is when they least expect it. When you successfully make an Attack of Opportunity, your target also suffers Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the end of their turn.
'Twas but a Jest: Also at level 6, you gain the ability to cover social gaffes with humor. When you fail at a Charisma ability or skill check, you may choose to expend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to reroll the check. Add your Bardic Inspiration die roll to the total, and you must keep the new result.
Punchline: At level 14, you have mastered the art of comedic timing. When an enemy succeeds at an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, you may expend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and subtract the number from their total. If this lowers their roll below the Saving Throw DC, they fail their save.
Thus, I have revised it entirely, severely downgrading certain powerful abilities while outright changing those which were lackluster or ill-fitting. In this redesign I attempted to better harness the core Bard’s mechanics and resources, while honing the themes of comedy and subversion of expectations. I present it here now to see if there's anything the think tank notices that I may have missed, in terms of balancing or using this class (as I plan to introduce it, or a variant of it, to my players at some point). Anyway, here we go!
College of Satire (Revised)
Bonus Proficiencies: When you choose this archetype at level 3, gain proficiency in the Acrobatics and Sleight of Hand skills. If you already have these skills, you may choose another skill from the Bard skill list.
Tumbling Fool: Also at level 3, you gain the ability to tumble as a Bonus Action. While tumbling, you gain the benefits of the Disengage action, and take half damage from falling.
Slapstick: At level 6, you learn that the best time to harangue your enemies is when they least expect it. When you successfully make an Attack of Opportunity, your target also suffers Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the end of their turn.
'Twas but a Jest: Also at level 6, you gain the ability to cover social gaffes with humor. When you fail at a Charisma ability or skill check, you may choose to expend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to reroll the check. Add your Bardic Inspiration die roll to the total, and you must keep the new result.
Punchline: At level 14, you have mastered the art of comedic timing. When an enemy succeeds at an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, you may expend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and subtract the number from their total. If this lowers their roll below the Saving Throw DC, they fail their save.