[d20r, Class] The Bard (Finally!)

[Fax Celestis]

{table=head]Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Bardic Performance (d4), Improvisation, Bardic Knowledge | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | -
2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Motivation | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | -
3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +3 | - | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | -
4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Improvisational Ability | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | -
5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Bardic Performance (d6) | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | -
6th | +4 | +2 | +5 | +5 | - | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | - | -
7th | +5 | +2 | +5 | +5 | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | -
8th | +6/+1 | +2 | +6 | +6 | Improvisational Ability | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | -
9th | +6/+1 | +3 | +6 | +6 | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | -
10th | +7/+2 | +3 | +7 | +7 | Bardic Performance (d8) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | -
11th | +8/+3 | +3 | +7 | +7 | - | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | -
12th | +9/+4 | +4 | +8 | +8 | Improvisational Ability | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -
13th | +9/+4 | +4 | +8 | +8 | - | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -
14th | +10/+5 | +4 | +9 | +9 | - | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -
15th | +11/+6/+1 | +5 | +9 | +9 | Bardic Performance (d10) | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0
16th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +10 | +10 | Improvisational Ability | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1
17th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +10 | +10 | - | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
18th | +13/+8/+3 | +6 | +11 | +11 | - | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2
19th | +14/+9/+4 | +6 | +11 | +11 | - | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2
20th | +15/+10/+5 | +6 | +12 | +12 | Bardic Performance (d12), Improvisational Ability | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2[/table]

HD: d6

Class Skills: A bard uses the Bard skill set and chooses two other set. A bard gets 6 plus their Intelligence modifier skill points per level.

Prowess: 4 per level.

Proficiencies: Bards are proficient with all simple weapons and with the short sword, longsword, rapier, and shortbow. Bards are also proficient with light armor but not with any shields. A bard is not affected by arcane spell failure when wearing light armor and not using a shield.

Spellcasting: A bard casts arcane spells, which are drawn from the bard spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. Every bard spell has a verbal component (singing, reciting, or music). To learn or cast a spell, a bard must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell's level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a bard's spell is 10 + the spell level + the bard's Charisma modifier.

Like other spellcasters, a bard can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on the table. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score. When the table indicates that the bard gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Charisma score for that spell level.

The bard's selection of spells is extremely limited. A bard begins play knowing two 1st level spells of your choice. He also knows a number of 0th level spells (cantrips) equal to his Charisma modifier. At every new bard level, he gains two new spells drawn from the bard spell list. These spells must be spells he is capable of casting, so that a third level bard could not learn a 6th level bard spell, but could learn a 2nd level bard spell. Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a bard knows is not affected by his Charisma score: he learns two spells per level regardless.

Upon reaching 5th level, and at every third bard level after that (8th, 11th, and so on), a bard can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the bard "loses" the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell's level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be at least two levels lower than the highest-level bard spell the bard can cast. A bard may swap only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for the level.

As noted above, a bard need not prepare his spells in advance. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet used up his allotment of spells per day for the spell's level.

Bardic Performance (Su): A bard may activate his bardic performance a number of times per day equal to his class level plus his Charisma modifier. It has various effects according to how the bard purchases abilities. All bardic performance effects are cumulative with each other, but not with other applications of bardic performance.

To activate his bardic performance ability, a bard must begin performing (a standard action) and make a special Perform check. A bard's bardic performance ability radiates in a 30' radius around the bard. Should the bard move, it continues with him. A bard can continue a bardic performance as a swift action for a number of rounds equal to one-half his bard level plus his Constitution modifier. After this time, he must end his performance. Regardless of how long his performance lasts, however, its effects last an additional three rounds beyond the cessation of the bard's performance.

When activating this ability, a bard makes a special perform check. This check, unlike most skill checks, does not use many modifiers and does not use a d20: instead, it only uses the bard's ranks in his chosen perform skill, his Charisma modifier, and any bonuses that specifically state they augment a bard's bardic performance check. A bard may not Take 10 on this check.

This check consists of the previously mentioned bonuses (your ranks, your Charisma modifier, and any explicit bonuses to a bardic performance check) plus 1d4. You gain a number of performance points equal to the result of this roll which you may use to purchase the following performance abilities:

{table=head]Point Cost | Effect
1 | +1 temporary hit point to all allies within range.
2 | 1 sonic damage to all enemies within range upon activation of the bardic performance. A creature that moves out of the radius and back in does not suffer the same damage again.
2 | +1 morale bonus on attack rolls to all allies within range (or improve such a bonus by 1).
3 | -1 penalty to attack rolls to all enemies within range (or improve such a penalty by 1).
3 | Allies gain energy resistance 2 to an energy type of your choice (or improve existing energy resistance by 2).
4 | Enemies lose 2 points of energy resistance to an energy type of your choice. Enemies with immunity to the chosen energy type who have their resistance reduced by an amount equal to their Hit Dice lose immunity.
4 | Allies gain DR 1/- (or improve DR/- by 1).
4 | Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on saving throws (or improve such a bonus by 1).
4 | Enemies take a -1 penalty to saving throws (or improve such a penalty by 1).
5 | Allies gain SR 5 (or improve SR by 5).
5 | Allies gain a +2 morale bonus to overcome spell resistance (or improve such a bonus by 2).[/table]

As you progress through the bard class, you use consistently larger dice to determine the pool of points you may purchase abilities from. At 5th level, you use a d6 instead of a d4. At 10th level, you instead use a d8; at 15th level, you use a d10; and at 20th level, you use a d12.

Improvisation (Ex): A bard, as a true jack-of-all-trades, is capable of improvising in situations where he normally would be outclassed. Starting at first level, a bard receives a number of Improvisation Points equal to his bard level plus his Intelligence modifier each day. He may spend these points (usually as a swift action, but see each ability for details) to activate abilties gained by this Improvisational Ability class feature. In order to recover Improvisation Points, he must rest for eight hours (but he may recover his Improvisation at the same time he recovers his spellcasting). A human bard couples these Improvisation points with those gained from his racial Improvisation feature.

Bardic Knowledge (Ex): As a swift action, a bard may spend an Improvisation Point to alter the way he uses skills for a number of rounds equal to his Intelligence modifier. While under the effects of this ability, the bard uses either his ranks or half his bard level when using skills, whichever is higher.

Motivation (Su): Starting at 2nd level, a bard can motivate his allies to new heights of achievement. By spending one use of his bardic performance and performing (a standard action), a bard can grant all allies within 30' a +1 bonus to all skill and ability checks for the duration of his performance. This increases to +2 at 5th level, +3 at 8th level, +4 at 11th level, +5 at 14th level, +6 at 17th level, and +7 at 20th level.

A bard can continue a performance in this fashion as a swift action for a number of rounds equal to his class level plus his Constitution modifier, after which time he is fatigued. In order to use this ability, a bard needs some sort of instrument he is proficient with (such as his voice or a drum).

Improvisational Ability (Ex): At 4th level and every four levels thereafter (at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th levels), a bard gains a new method of using his Improvisation, chosen from the list below. An Improvisational Ability costs one Improvisation point to activate, and uses the kind of action specified in its description.

Baffling Feint: A bard can activate this ability as an immediate action to cause his next attack roll in this round to be a touch attack.

Brutal Swings: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain a morale bonus on his damage rolls equal to his Charisma modifier for one minute.

Copycat Game: A bard can activate this ability as a full-round action to gain the benefits of a feat that he has witnessed used within the past number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. He uses all his abilities to determine the effects of the feat. If the feat is an investing feat, he immediately gains temporary prowess equal to his Charisma modifier that may only be invested in the copied feat. If the feat has prerequisites, the bard need not meet them to use this ability.

Countersong: A bard can activate this ability as an immediate action to attempt to counter a sonic-based spell or effect. Treat this ability as a dispel magic spell used to counter, and use the bard's bard level as his caster level for this effect.

Daunting Attack: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain a morale bonus on his attack rolls equal to his Charisma modifier for one minute.

Extended Song: A bard can activate this ability as a move action to cause his ongoing bardic performance effect to last an additional number of rounds equal to 1d4 plus his Charisma modifier after he ceases performing. Multiple applications of this ability do not stack.

Force of Personality: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain a morale bonus on his saving throws equal to his Charisma modifier for one minute.

I'm Too Pretty To Die: A bard can activate this ability as an immediate action to reroll one attack, save, or check that would otherwise render him dead or below zero hit points.

Lucky Break: A bard can activate this ability as an immediate action to add 1d6 to a die roll after seeing the result but before hearing the effect.

Master's Touch: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain proficiency with a touched weapon or armor for 1 minute. This proficiency is for a specific item, not for a type of weapon or armor.

Mimicking Song: A bard can activate this ability as a full-round action to cast a spell of no greater level than half his bard level (round down) that he has both witnessed and identified with the Spellcract skill that was cast within the past number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. He uses all his abilities to determine the effects of the spell (caster level, primary ability score, DCs, etc).

Not In The Face: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain a morale bonus to his Armor Class equal to his Charisma modifier for one minute. This bonus does not apply to his touch or flat-footed Armor Class.

Once More With Feeling: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to redistribute the purchased abilities of an ongoing bardic performance. The duration and area does not change: merely the effects.

Speedy Song: A bard can activate this ability as a free action to gain an extra swift action this round. This ability may only be used once per round.

[Telonius]

I'm not sure I completely understand the "Point Cost" table. If the Bard gets (let's say) a 10 on his Perform check, he gets to select a number of effects on the table totaling 10 points, correct?

[Limos]

I love the Improvisational abilities Fax. I'm too pretty to die!

[Fax Celestis]

I'm not sure I completely understand the "Point Cost" table. If the Bard gets (let's say) a 10 on his Perform check, he gets to select a number of effects on the table totaling 10 points, correct?

Correct. Now, I haven't run the numbers on those costs, so those may need a little tweaking. But assume at a 1st level bard puts 4 ranks in a perform skill and has a Cha of 18 (since pretty much all his class features are driven by it). That's 10 points if he rolls a 1, average roll will be 19, and capping out at 29 points. At first level.

[MammonAzrael]

When the table indicates that the bard gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Charisma score for that spell level.

Minor editing - you forgot the word "table".

A bard can continue a bardic performance as a swift action for a number of rounds equal to one-half his bard level plus his Constitution modifier.

You might want to add (minimum 1 round). Otherwise they may not have the option to continue the effect at 1st level. Of course, they still have four rounds of the performance, so this isn't that big a deal.

{table=head]Point Cost | Effect
2 | 1 sonic damage to all enemies within range. A creature that moves out of the radius and back in does not suffer the same damage again.[/table]

Does this damage occur every round, or only the first time an enemy is within range? If the former it seems like a rather weak option, especially at later levels, and if the later, it seems too strong.

[b]Improvisation (Ex) <snip>

You may want to add the clause that these points stack with those gained from being Human.

[b]Motivation (Su)<snip>

Why is this not simply a purchasable option with Bardic Performance? I know that it makes the Bard fatigued, and requires an instrument, but those both seem minor penalties, that could easily be given up for moving this into the Bardic Performance options.

It also seems strange that each increase is noted in the class table, but this is the only ability that keys off it. And it only increases skill checks. And with it's obviousness, this seems more like a minor feature that would fit into Bardic Performance, rather than a large feature in it's own right.

Maybe if something else keyed off the +X bonus, or if you could increase more than just skill checks, or something.

Copycat Game: A bard can activate this ability as a full-round action to gain the benefits of a feat that he has both witnessed used within the past number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. He uses all his abilities to determine the effects of the feat. If the feat is an investing feat, he immediately gains temporary prowess equal to his Charisma modifier that may only be invested in the copied feat.

Both witnessed used and what? Also, does the bard gain the feat regardless of if he meets the prerequisites?

Countersong: A bard can activate this ability as an immediate action to attempt to counter a sonic-based spell or effect. Treat this ability as a dispel magic spell used to counter.

So it will still have a max caster level of 10? Or are you changing that?

Extended Song: A bard can activate this ability as a move action to cause his ongoing bardic performance effect to last an additional number of rounds equal to 1d4 plus his Charisma modifier after he ceases performing. Multiple applications of this ability do not stack.

It seems like this should only be able to be used while performing, and not after he has stopped performing.

I'm Too Pretty To Die: A bard can activate this ability as an immediate action to reroll one failed attack, save, or check that would otherwise render him dead or below zero hit points.

An attack that would render him dead? So can he force others to reroll, or does this only apply to his rolls?

Master's Touch: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain proficiency with a touched weapon or armor for 1 minute. This proficiency is for a specific item, not for a type of weapon or armor.

Why a 1 minute duration, when almost every other duration is based on his Con, Int, or Cha modifier?

Mimicking Song: A bard can activate this ability as a full-round action to cast a spell of no greater level than half his bard level (round down) that he has both witnessed and identified with the Spellcract skill that was cast within the past number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. He uses all his abilities to determine the effects of the spell (caster level, primary ability score, DCs, etc).

So at level 18 he can mimick 9th level spells?

Not In The Face: A bard can activate this ability as a swift action to gain a morale bonus to his Armor Class equal to his Charisma modifier for one minute.

Do morale bonuses apply to touch and flat-footed AC?

Speedy Song: A bard can activate this ability as a free action to gain an extra swift action this round.

This seems dangerous. We wouldn't want another Ruby Knight Vindicator here.



This looks great, Fax! I like how flexible these guys feel. Really captures the feel of a jack-of-all-trades bard, while still heavy on the music.

[Fax Celestis]

Minor editing - you forgot the word "table".

Fixed.

You might want to add (minimum 1 round). Otherwise they may not have the option to continue the effect at 1st level. Of course, they still have four rounds of the performance, so this isn't that big a deal.

Right. I'll leave it as is.

Does this damage occur every round, or only the first time an enemy is within range? If the former it seems like a rather weak option, especially at later levels, and if the later, it seems too strong.

Updated a little. 2 damage, now, but only affects creatures within the initial area of effect.

You may want to add the clause that these points stack with those gained from being Human.

Added.

Why is this not simply a purchasable option with Bardic Performance? I know that it makes the Bard fatigued, and requires an instrument, but those both seem minor penalties, that could easily be given up for moving this into the Bardic Performance options.

It also seems strange that each increase is noted in the class table, but this is the only ability that keys off it. And it only increases skill checks. And with it's obviousness, this seems more like a minor feature that would fit into Bardic Performance, rather than a large feature in it's own right.

Maybe if something else keyed off the +X bonus, or if you could increase more than just skill checks, or something.

Made it apply to ability checks too (so stuff like trip applies now).

Both witnessed used and what? Also, does the bard gain the feat regardless of if he meets the prerequisites?

Fixed.

So it will still have a max caster level of 10? Or are you changing that?

I'll fix it if I need to.

It seems like this should only be able to be used while performing, and not after he has stopped performing.

Note how it says "ongoing performance."

An attack that would render him dead? So can he force others to reroll, or does this only apply to his rolls?

Altered the text a little. It applies to any roll that would render him dead.

Why a 1 minute duration, when almost every other duration is based on his Con, Int, or Cha modifier?

Simplicity.

So at level 18 he can mimick 9th level spells?

Correct.

Do morale bonuses apply to touch and flat-footed AC?

No. Annotated.

This seems dangerous. We wouldn't want another Ruby Knight Vindicator here.

1/round limit implemented.

[Telonius]

Correct. Now, I haven't run the numbers on those costs, so those may need a little tweaking. But assume at a 1st level bard puts 4 ranks in a perform skill and has a Cha of 18 (since pretty much all his class features are driven by it). That's 10 points if he rolls a 1, average roll will be 19, and capping out at 29 points. At first level.

Thanks. So, next question, can the bard select an item more than once, and would those effects stack? This - "All bardic performance effects are cumulative with each other, but not with other applications of bardic performance." - suggests that it might be allowed. If that's the case, and if the sonic blast only costs 2 points, that's pretty close to a win button at low levels. I'm only finding a couple CR1 creatures with hit points greater than 10 in the SRD. I'd suggest either making the sonic blast cost more, or limiting the number of stacked effects to something based on Bard level.

[Fax Celestis]

Thanks. So, next question, can the bard select an item more than once, and would those effects stack? This - "All bardic performance effects are cumulative with each other, but not with other applications of bardic performance." - suggests that it might be allowed. If that's the case, and if the sonic blast only costs 2 points, that's pretty close to a win button at low levels. I'm only finding a couple CR1 creatures with hit points greater than 10 in the SRD. I'd suggest either making the sonic blast cost more, or limiting the number of stacked effects to something based on Bard level.

"You may only purchase the same ability a maximum number of times equal to one quarter your bard level (round down)."? Or is that too low?

[zeruslord]

What do you see a bard doing aside from his bardic music and improvisation? Some of the improvisation bonuses are going to be pretty big, but I don't see him competing with primary damage dealers or primary spellcasters, and he can't replace the rogue without trapfinding. This class does avoid the biggest problem with the original bard, but he is still pretty much a fifth wheel.

[Ziegander]

Am I missing what exactly the Inspiration points you gain do? I see that you get them, and I see that you get Improvisational Abilities, but I don't see any correlation between the two other than in name and concept. I assume you mean that Improvisational Abilities cost Inspiration points, but I must be missing where you indicate that they do, or how many the abilities cost.

Other than that, I have to say that this is by far my favorite of your reworked classes. Versatile, fun, option oriented, and very effective. The perfect mix of Bard and Factotum concepts.

EDIT: Wait, sorry, I don't understand the Bardic Performance mechanics either. You say that depending upon the special perform check you purchase the performance abilities. You then assign a point cost, but I see no reason for the perform check, or how it at all determines what abilities you are able to purchase. Am I just an idiot and missing things that are plainly explained, or...?

[Fax Celestis]

Am I missing what exactly the Inspiration points you gain do? I see that you get them, and I see that you get Improvisational Abilities, but I don't see any correlation between the two other than in name and concept. I assume you mean that Improvisational Abilities cost Inspiration points, but I must be missing where you indicate that they do, or how many the abilities cost.

Text updated for clarity. Try it now.

EDIT: Wait, sorry, I don't understand the Bardic Performance mechanics either. You say that depending upon the special perform check you purchase the performance abilities. You then assign a point cost, but I see no reason for the perform check, or how it at all determines what abilities you are able to purchase. Am I just an idiot and missing things that are plainly explained, or...?

You roll the die to get X points. Said points are then used to purchase abilities.

When activating this ability, a bard makes a special perform check. This check does not use many modifiers: instead, it only uses the bard's ranks in his chosen perform skill, his Charisma modifier, and any bonuses that specifically state they augment a bard's bardic performance check. The bard uses the result of such a check to purchase abilities of his bardic performance, according to the following table:

The table lists the point costs on the left.

[Telonius]

"You may only purchase the same ability a maximum number of times equal to one quarter your bard level (round down)."? Or is that too low?

Bard level/2 is definitely too high - SR 50 at level 20 would be excessive. Bard/4 or Bard/3 would both be fine. SR 25 or 30 would be the resulting max for each, respectively; Bard/4 gives more elegant numbers (lots of +5's and +10's).

[MammonAzrael]

Can you Take 10 on a Bardic Performance check?

I agree that the sonic damage could be devastating at low levels, but I think 1/4th is too low. You'd only be able to deal 4 sonic damage at level 8! I think 1/2 level should be fine. The sonic damage is only so deadly at early levels.

[Fax Celestis]

I've gone with 1 purchase/3 bard levels for now.

[Ziegander]

Text updated for clarity. Try it now.

Okay, yep, it works now.

You roll the die to get X points. Said points are then used to purchase abilities.

The table lists the point costs on the left.

Ah, see you can't just say, "you use the results of the roll to purchase" etc. You really need to say something to the effect of, "you gain a number of performance points equal to the result of this roll which you may use to purchase the following performance abilities."

Okay, now having said that, the point costs or the actual number of points you gain from the check need to be modified. At first level you can have 4 ranks, with an easy +3 or +4 bonus and you roll a d20 on top of this. What that amounts to is a roll of 8-9 before the dice. With a roll like that you can give +4 to attack rolls without breaking a sweat. Seems to be a LOT too strong, you see? With a roll of 12 you can bestow a penalty of -3 to saves for your enemies at 1st level, which is easily possible. At 10th? An average roll of 29-30? Sheesh, I wouldn't mind a quick +7 to all allies attack rolls, and a nice -4 to all enemies saves. I don't think these are the numbers you want.

[Fax Celestis]

Ah, see you can't just say, "you use the results of the roll to purchase" etc. You really need to say something to the effect of, "you gain a number of performance points equal to the result of this roll which you may use to purchase the following performance abilities."

Okay, now having said that, the point costs or the actual number of points you gain from the check need to be modified. At first level you can have 4 ranks, with an easy +3 or +4 bonus and you roll a d20 on top of this. What that amounts to is a roll of 8-9 before the dice. With a roll like that you can give +4 to attack rolls without breaking a sweat. Seems to be a LOT too strong, you see? With a roll of 12 you can bestow a penalty of -3 to saves for your enemies at 1st level, which is easily possible. At 10th? An average roll of 29-30? Sheesh, I wouldn't mind a quick +7 to all allies attack rolls, and a nice -4 to all enemies saves. I don't think these are the numbers you want.

Don't forget to take into account the "no consecutive purchases equalling more than 1/3 your bard level" clause.

[MammonAzrael]

That limit still isn't sitting well with me. At 18-20th level, you can select any given ability 6 times per use. While this works out find for the pricier effects, like SR and saving throw penalties, it also means that at 20th level you can only bestow a measly 6 temporary HP, or deal a whopping 12 sonic damage.

I think, instead of adding a restriction on the number of times you can select an effect, the prices for those effects should simply be changed to reflect what a good max would be if you poured most of your points into a single one.

To figure out points acquired, I'll be assuming mild optimization, but not crazy amounts.

Level 1, 18 Cha, 4 ranks = 1d20+8 ~ 18 on average.
Level 5, 21 Cha, 8 ranks = 1d20+13 ~ 23 on average.
Level 10, 24 Cha, 13 ranks = 1d20+20 ~ 29 on average.
Level 15, 27 Cha, 18 ranks = 1d20+26 ~ 36 on average.
Level 20, 34 Cha, 23 ranks = 1d20+35 ~ 45 on average.

The problem as I see it is that the d20 just adds way too much influence and randomness at the early levels. If you dropped the d20 for a smaller die or a steady number (like half your bard level) it might work.

[dyslexicfaser]

I like it. Now you'll see more than just two bard builds (Inspire Courage optimizers, and Dragonfire Inspiration bards).

Once it mugged the factotum and took most of his stuff, as well as made a more robust bard song system, you get a lot of variation there.

I'm a little unsure on the power level, too, though. Sure, you can only up the same ability a number of times/3 bard levels, and that's a good upper limit, but...

it's not that a 10th level bard could only get a +3 to attack rolls, or 6 energy resistance, or 3 temporary HP, or 3 DR/-... it's that with full ranks, a decent charisma and a high roll he could do ALL of those things simultaneously, for the cost of one standard action and then a few swift actions.

[Fax Celestis]

The problem as I see it is that the d20 just adds way too much influence and randomness at the early levels. If you dropped the d20 for a smaller die or a steady number (like half your bard level) it might work.

Done. Editing...

[Fax Celestis]

Okay, Czech it out.

[Salvonus]

Heh, I'd been playing with numbers earlier and realising how broken the songs could get (a roll of 11 at Level 1 would give you the possibility of giving enemies -6 to attacks [11+4+4=19/3=6 R 1]), but then you fixed it by adding the cap. Hm... It changed.

It looks quite cool. Hey, is anyone going to make a d20r PbP campaign? I really wanna play.

What kind of feats do you have on tap for the Bard?

[MammonAzrael]

I like the change, but the sonic damage is still pretty dangerous at the first couple levels, at least against groups.



Hmmm....It's that initial base you get from having a good Cha and full ranks in Perform that is messing up the math. Maybe if the cap was your bard level instead of 1/3 your bard level? Or if the damage didn't discriminate between enemies and allies? Or if it didn't affect such a large spread? Or it it offered a Fort save for half?

[Fax Celestis]

I like the change, but the sonic damage is still pretty dangerous at the first couple levels, at least against groups.



Hmmm....It's that initial base you get from having a good Cha and full ranks in Perform that is messing up the math. Maybe if the cap was your bard level instead of 1/3 your bard level? Or if the damage didn't discriminate between enemies and allies? Or if it didn't affect such a large spread? Or it it offered a Fort save for half?

What if I made it 1 damage instead of 2, like it was initially?

Also, with the drop of the d20, I took out the cap.

[Pink]

Hmmm...Am I correct with my assumption that this bard seems to only be able to boost accuracy, and does not have any damage boosting capability?

[Fax Celestis]

Hmmm...Am I correct with my assumption that this bard seems to only be able to boost accuracy, and does not have any damage boosting capability?

Correct. There's no method for +damage at this point.

[MammonAzrael]

What if I made it 1 damage instead of 2, like it was initially?

4-6 damage at 1st level, ~24 at 20th. Low, but almost nothing will resist it, it doesn't offer a save, hits a large radius, and is roughly equal to 7d6. That could work.

Also, with the drop of the d20, I took out the cap.

I know, I meant re-institute a cap, but the cap was equal to your bard level, which would really only regulate the lower-priced effects, since the higher priced ones are regulated by their price already.

[Fax Celestis]

4-6 damage at 1st level, ~24 at 20th. Low, but almost nothing will resist it, it doesn't offer a save, hits a large radius, and is roughly equal to 7d6. That could work.

Done and done.

[Zeta Kai]

Now this is the Bard, as it should be now.

As it should have been.

As it should always be.

[term1nally s1ck]

The doubling fix is good, but makes the power underwhelming...maybe make it increase by that amount each time, rather than double? It would cost 1 for the first temp HP, 2 for the second, 3 for the third, etc...

At 20 you'd expect to get about a 40.

As-is, if you focus on 1 thing, you get:

5 temp HP (9 left)
4 sonic damage
+4 to allies attacks (each have 10 left)
-3 to enemy attacks
Energy resistance 6 (each have 19 left)
-6 Energy resistance
+3 to saving throws
3 DR
-3 to saving throws (each have 12 left)
SR 15
+6 to overcome SR (5 left for these 2)

which are all quite underwhelming.

My fix:

8 temp HP (8 left)
5 sonic damage (10 left)
+5 to attacks (10 left)
-4 to enemy attacks (10 left)
8 Energy resistance (10 left)
-8 Energy Resistance
+4 to saves
-4 to enemy saves
DR 4 (all 0 left)
SR 15 (10 left)
+3 to overcome SR (10 left)

Still not too great, but not as weak as it was. You're still better putting multiple bonuses on.

[UglyPanda]

What happens with song modifying effects like Inspiration Boost, Song of the Heart, or Words of Creation?

Or am I jumping the gun a little?