Bard Redux

[Lord Iames Osari]

Bard
Alignment: Any.
Skills: As standard bard.
Hit Die: d6.
{table="head"]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special
1st|+0|+0|+2|+2|Bardic performance, bardic knowledge
2nd|+1|+0|+3|+3|~
3rd|+2|+1|+3|+3|~
4th|+3|+1|+4|+4|~
5th|+3|+1|+4|+4|Bonus feat
6th|+4|+2|+5|+5|~
7th|+5|+2|+5|+5|~
8th|+6/+1|+2|+6|+6|~
9th|+6/+1|+3|+6|+6|~
10th|+7/+2|+3|+7|+7|Bonus feat
11th|+8/+3|+3|+7|+7|~
12th|+8/+3|+4|+8|+8|~
13th|+9/+4|+4|+8|+8|~
14th|+10/+5|+4|+9|+9|~
15th|+11/+6/+1|+5|+9|+9|Bonus feat
16th|+12/+7/+2|+5|+10|+10|~
17th|+12/+7/+2|+5|+10|+10|~
18th|+13/+8/+3|+6|+11|+11|~
19th|+14/+9/+4|+6|+11|+11|~
20th|+15/+10/+5|+6|+12|+12|Bonus feat[/table]

Class Features
Bardic Performance: The bard can make a number of performances equal to her bard level per day.

Starting a bardic music effect is a standard action unless otherwise specified. Some bardic music abilities require concentration, which means the bard must take a standard action each round to maintain the ability. Even while using bardic music that doesn’t require concentration, a bard cannot cast spells, activate magic items by spell campletion (such as scrolls), spell trigger (such as wands), or command word. If a bard's primary Perform skill is sound-based, a deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use bardic performance. If he fails, the attempt still counts against his daily limit.

At 1st level, a bard learns 3 performances, and she learns an additional performance every level thereafter. Performances are selected from this list.
{table="head"]Performance|Prerequisites
Countersong|Perform 3 ranks
Fascinate|Perform 3 ranks
Inspire Courgae|Perform 3 ranks
Inspire Fear|Perform 3 ranks
Mimicking Song|Perform 3 ranks
Draining Performance|Bard 2, Perform 5 ranks
Refreshing Performance|Bard 2, Perform 5 ranks
Double Time|Bard 3, Perform 6 ranks
Renew Energy|Bard 3, Perform 6 ranks
Counterperformance|Bard 4, Perform 7 ranks
Emerging Talent|Bard 4, Perform 7 ranks
Song of Learning|Bard 4, see text
Dance of Battle|Bard 5, Perform 8 ranks
Involving Storyteller|Bard 5, Perform 8 ranks
Encourage Failure|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Dread|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Hope|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Toughness|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Sound of Silence|Bard 6, Perform (sound-based) 9 ranks
Suggestion|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Warning Shout|Bard 6, Perform (sound-based) 9 ranks
Distracting Performance|Bard 7, Perform 10 ranks
Inspire Resilience|Bard 7, Perform 10 ranks
Inflame the Righteous|Bard 8, Perform 11 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 5 ranks
Persuasive Song|Bard 8, Perform 11 ranks
Singing Shout|Bard 8, Perform 11 ranks
Dishearten|Bard 9, Perform 12 ranks
Inspire Recklessness|Bard 9, Perform 12 ranks
Convert the Unfaithful|Bard 10, Perform 13 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 5 ranks
Sustaining Song|Bard 10, Perform 13 ranks
~|Bard 10, Perform 13 ranks
~|Bard 11, Perform 14 ranks
~|Bard 11, Perform 14 ranks
Dirge of Binding|Bard 12, Perform 15 ranks
Inspire Awe|Bard 12, Perform 15 ranks
Jarring Song|Bard 12, Perform 15 ranks
~|Bard 13, Perform 16 ranks
~|Bard 13, Perform 16 ranks
Song of Fury|Bard 14, Perform 17 ranks
~|Bard 14, Perform 17 ranks
Discourage Legion|Bard 15, Perform 18 ranks
Inspire Legion|Bard 15, Perform 18 ranks
Mindbending Melody|Bard 16, Perform 19 ranks
~|Bard 16, Perform 19 ranks
Revealing Meldoy|Bard 17, Perform 20 ranks
~|Bard 17, Perform 20 ranks
Drain Prowess|Bard 18, Perform 21 ranks
~|Bard 18, Perform 21 ranks
~|Bard 19, Perform 22 ranks
~|Bard 19, Perform 22 ranks
~|Bard 20, Perform 23 ranks
~|Bard 20, Perform 23 ranks[/table]

• Countersong (Su): A bard with at least 3 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can counter magical effects that depend on sound or vision (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the countersong, he makes a Perform check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic, pattern, or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic, pattern, or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Countersong has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves. The bard may keep up the countersong for 10 rounds.
• Fascinate (Su): A bard with at least 3 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and able to pay attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creature. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three levels a bard attains beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with a single use of this ability. To use the ability, a bard makes a Perform check. His check result is the DC for each affected creature’s Will save against the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and listens to the song, taking no other actions, for as long as the bard continues to play and concentrate (up to a maximum of 1 round per bard level). While fascinated, a target takes a -4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Listen and Spot checks. Any potential threat requires the bard to make another Perform check and allows the creature a new saving throw against a DC equal to the new Perform check result.
  
  Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. Fascinate is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Courage (Su): A bard with at least 3 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to hear or see the bard perform. The effect lasts for as long as the ally perceives the bard performing and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by 1 (+2 at 8th, +3 at 14th, and +4 at 20th). Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Fear (Su): A bard with at least 3 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inspire fear in his enemies, opening them to fear and weakening their combat abilities. To be affected, an enemy must be able to hear or see the bard perform. The effect lasts for as long as the enemy perceives the bard performing and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected enemy receives a -1 morale penalty on saving throws against fear effects and a -1 morale penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this penalty increases by 1 (-2 at 8th, -3 at 14th, and -4 at 20th). Inspire fear is a mind-affecting, fear ability.
• Mimicking Song (Sp): A bard with at least 3 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can imitate the natural sounds of the environment around him, granting all allies (including himself) within 30 feet a +2 bonus on Move Silently checks. This bonus increases by 2 for every five bard levels you have (to a maximum of +10 at 20th level). Ths effect lasts as long as the bard performs.
• Draining Performance (Su): A bard of 2nd level or higher with at least 5 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can drain one of an enemy's abilities. The target must be within 30 feet of the bard, and must be able to see and hear the bard. The bard selects one ability he has seen the target use, which must be an ability usable a only certain number of times per day. The bard then attempts a Perform check opposed by the target's Will save. If the Perform check is successful, the target loses 1d4 daily uses of the selected ability. Spell slots cannot be lost as a result of this ability. This is a mind-affecting ability.
  
  At 4th level, and every 4th level thereafter, a bard who knows this performance drains an additional daily use when successfully using this ability.
• Refreshing Performance (Su): A bard of 2nd level or higher with at least 5 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can refresh one of an ally's abilities. The target must be within 30 feet of the bard, and must be able to see and hear the bard. The bard selects one ability he has seen the target use, which must be an ability usable a only certain number of times per day. The bard then attempts a Perform check opposed by the target's Will save, which the target may elect to fail as normal. If the Perform check is successful, the target regains a daily use of the selected ability. Expended spell slots cannot be regained in this manner. This is a mind-affecting ability.
  
  At 4th level, and every 4th level thereafter, a bard who knows this performance grants an additional daily use when successfully using this ability.
• Counterperformance (Su:) A bard of 4th level or higher with at least 7 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can negate the effect of another bard's performance. The opposing bard must be within 60 feet, and the bards must be able to see and hear each other. In order to suppress his opponent's performance, the bard must succeed on an opposed Perform check (use whichever Perform skill each has the most ranks in) in the round he activates this performance, and maintain concentration on this performance on subsequent rounds.
• Emerging Talent (Ex): A bard of 4th level or higher with at least 7 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can take an hour performing to grant himself and his allies a +1 bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks for the next 24 hours. Additionally, the bard may make a Perform check as part of this performance; at the end of it, he receives 2 times the amount normally indicated. This performance can only be used once per day, and only when in an established community.
  
  At 8th level, the bonus increases to +2, and the money received is 4 times normal. At 12th level, the bonus increases to +4, and the money received is 8 times normal. At 16th level, the bonus increases to +8, and the money received is 16 times normal. At 20th level, the bonus increases to +16, and the money received is 32 times normal.
• Song of Learning (Ex): A bard of 4th level or higher with at least 7 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance learns one spell which is not normally on the bard spell list. The maximum level spell a bard can learn is one less than his highest spell level. The bard needs 7 ranks in perform to learn a 1st level spell, plus an additional three ranks per additional spell level (thus to learn a 2nd level spell, he would need 10 ranks in Perform). To learn a spell from the Cleric list, he needs a number of Knowledge (Religion) ranks equal to the required number of Perform ranks. To learn a Druid spell, he needs an equal number of Knowledge (Nature). To learn a Sorcerer/Wizard spell, he needs an equal number of ranks in Knowledge (Arcana).
• Dance of Battle (Ex): A bard of 5th level or higher with at least 8 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can lead his allies in a wheeling, changing dance that helps them avoid blows and keeps them from leaving themselves vulnerable. The bard's allies (including himself) within 30 feet who can see and hear him gain a +1 dodge bonus to their AC, and can't be denied their Dex bonus to AC by any means short of total immobilization while this effect continues. The dodge bonus granted by this performance increases by 1 at 10th level, and again every 5 levels thereafter. This is a sonic, pattern effect.
• Involving Storyteller (Su): A bard of 5th level or higher with at least 8 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can weave an illusionary vision for a person he has fascinated, making them oblivious to the world about them. The bard can show the person anything which he has seen, or can vividly imagine. To the subject, it will seem as though they are actually experiencing it. The bard can choose to make the person feel as though they are a neutral observer, or an active participant of the story which is unfolding. During this time, the target automatically fails any sensory checks (Listen, Spot, and Search) and is completely oblivous to anything that goes on around him, up to and including shoving and/or shaking him. This affect can be negated by a Will save against a DC equal to the bard's Perform check. Any attack which causes damage, even nonlethal damage, will instantly break the effect, and the target must make a Will save (DC 15) or be stunned for one round as his surroundings abruptly snap back to reality. Using this ability does not break the bard’s concentration on the fascinate effect, nor does it allow a second saving throw against the fascinate effect. Successfully saving against this effect does not break the fascinate effect. Since the subjects of this ability are still fascinated, the bard can use his suggestion ability on the targets of this effect without ending this effect.
  
  When the bard is able to fascinate multiple targets, he may affect all his fascinated targets with one use of this ability, although all of them will have exactly the same view in the vision. At level 15, his control improves, and each person can have a different view of the same vision.
• Encourage Failure (Su): A bard of 6th level or higher with at least 9 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can cause an enemy to fail at a task. The enemy must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the bard. The bard must also be able to see the enemy. If the target fails a Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s level + bard’s Charisma modifier), he takes a -2 penalty on all rolls for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Dread (Su): A bard of 6th level or higher with at least 9 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inspire hopelessness in enemies within 30 feet. This ability imposes a -4 penalty on Will saves on all enemies within 30 feet who can see and hear the bard. This ability requires a full-round action to active and requires concentration each round to continue the effect. The effect lasts for as long as the bard performs and for three rounds thereafter. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Hope (Su): A bard of 6th level or higher with at least 9 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inspire spiritual resilience in allies within 30 feet. This ability gives the bard and all allies who can see and hear his performance a +4 competence bonus on Will saves. This ability requires a full-round action to active and requires concentration each round to continue the effect. The effect lasts for as long as the bard performs and for three rounds thereafter. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Toughness (Su): A bard of 6th level or higher with at least 9 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can impart a certain resilience to his allies (including himself). Allies who can hear and see the bard receive +2 temporary hit points per class level of the bard producing this effect. At 9th level and above, affected allies also gain the benefits of the Diehard feat. This ability lasts for as long as the bard performs and for 5 rounds thereafter.
• Suggestion (Sp): A bard of 6th level or higher with at least 9 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can make a suggestion (as the spell) to a creature that he has already fascinated. Using this ability does not break the bard’s concentration on the fascinate effect, nor does it allow a second saving throw against the fascinate effect. Making a suggestion doesn’t count against a bard’s daily limit on bardic music performances. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + ½ bard’s level + bard’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature (but see mass suggestion, below). Suggestion is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting, language dependent ability.
• Inspire Resilience (Su): A bard of 7th level or higher with at least 10 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can to inspire resolution and endurance in an ally, granting a +4 competence bonus on Constitution checks and Fortitude saves, as well as DR 5/-. The ally must be within 30 ft and able to see and hear the bard, and the bard must be able to see the ally. This effect lasts as long as the bard performs, and for 1 minute thereafter. After this effect ends, the ally is fatigued. This is a mind-affecting effect.
• Inflame the Righteous (Su): A bard of 8th level or higher with at least 11 ranks in a Perform skill and 5 ranks in Knowledge (religion) who learns this performance can invoke the power of a deity and wreath himself and any of his allies within 30 feet in divine flame. Each target of this ability is affected as if by a fire shield spell, using the bard’s class level as the caster level. However, the flame produced by this effect is purely divine and not subject to a creature’s resistance or immunity to fire. This ability requires a full-round action to activate and concentration each round to continue the effect. This effect lasts as long as the bard performs and for 3 rounds thereafter.
• Persuasive Song (Ex):A bard of 8th level or higher with at least 11 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can sway the attitude of his audience. Treat this as a Diplomacy check, but replace the Diplomacy check with a Perform check. All targets must be within 30 feet of the bard, be able to see and hear him clearly, and be willingly paying attention to his actions. This ability requires at least 10 rounds of consecutive concentration to take effect, and it can affect a particular creature only once per day. Creatures with a relationship of Personal Foe or Nemesis with regards to the bard cannot be influenced with this ability.
• Singing Shout (Su):A bard of 8th level or higher with at least 11 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can let out a singing shout as a standard action. All allies (including herself) within 60 feet of the bard at the time of the shout gain a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength for a number of rounds equal to ½ the bard’s class level.
• Dishearten (Su): A bard of 9th level or higher with at least 12 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can dishearten a single enemy within 30 feet, causing the enemy to cower against even the weakest foe. For every three bard levels the character attains beyond 15th, he can affect one additional creature with this ability. To dishearten, a bard must perform and the enemy must hear or see the bard perform for 1 full round. The enemy can attempt a Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s level + bard’s Charisma modifier); if he fails, he takes a -4 penalty on saving throws and AC. This effect lasts as long as the enemy hears or sees the bard perform and for 5 rounds thereafter. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Recklessness (Su): A bard of 9th level of higher with at least 12 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inspire a dangerous but effective ferocity in an ally within 60 feet (or himself). This effect lasts for as long as the bard performs and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected ally (or the bard himself) gains the ability to decrease his Armor Class by up to her base attack bonus and add that number to her melee attack rolls as a morale bonus.
  
  On her action, the affected character must choose to subtract a number from her Armor Class and add this number to her melee attack rolls (this number can be 0). The penalty to Armor Class and the bonus to attack rolls apply until the character’s next action. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Convert the Unfaithful (Su): A bard of 10th level or higher with at least 13 ranks in a Perform skill and 5 ranks in Knowledge (religion) who learns this performance can attempt to convert a single enemy within 30 feet. As a full-round action, the bard makes an impassioned performance specifically targeting a particular enemy, who must attempt a Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s class level + bard’s Charisma modifier). If he succeeds, he is shaken for 1 round. If he fails, he converts. Creatures with alignment subtypes cannot be affected by this ability.
  
  A converted creature reacts to the bard as if the bard had cast charm monster on him and temporarily assumes the bard’s alignment and acts accordingly. This may mean that some of the creature’s abilities and spells may be temporarily unavailable to it.
  
  When this ability’s duration (as that of charm monster) has elapsed, the affected creature then has a choice. It can continue to act according to its new alignment, or it can shift back. If it chooses to permanently change its alignment, it acts as if a cleric of the appropriate alignment had cast atonement on it. If the creature chooses to go back to its original alignment, it must make another saving throw (with the same DC as before). If it fails, its alignment changes back, but it needs an atonement spell to regain any abilities it lost as a result of the temporary alignment change. If it succeeds, it changes its alignment back and regains any lost abilities without the need for atonement. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Sustaining Song (Su): A bard of 10th level or higher with at least 13 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can sustain his dying allies, assisting their recovery. Each round that the song continues, all allies within 30 feet of him automatically become stable (if dying) or regain 1 wound point (if stable and between -1 and -9 wound points). A sustaining song has no effect on enemies or allies with 0 or more wound points. A bard can keep up his sustaining song for 5 minutes. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Dirge of Binding (Sp): A bard of 12th level or higher with at least 15 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can paralyze an opponent. The bard must be able to see the target, and the target must be able to see or hear the bard. If the opponent fails a Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s level + bard’s Charisma modifier), he is paralyzed. This effect lasts as long as the target can see or hear the bard.
• Inspire Awe (Su): A bard of 12th level or higher with at least 15 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inspire terror in his foes. To be affected, a foe must be within 60 feet of the bard and able to see and hear him. Foes get a Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s class level + bard’s Charisma modifier) to resist the effect. The severity of the effect depends on the difference between the foe’s Hit Dice and the bard’s level, as shown on this table.
  {table="head"]HD Difference|Effect
  10 or more|Foe is paralyzed
  1 to 9|Foe is panicked
  0 to -5| Foe is frightened
  -6 or less|Foe is shaken[/table]
  This effect lasts for as long as the foes can hear and see the bard and for 1 round thereafter. This is a mind-affecting, fear ability.
• Jarring Song (Su): A bard of 12th level or higher with at least 15 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can inhibit spellcasting. Any enemy within 30 feet of the bard who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability during a jarring song must make a Concentration check with a DC equal to the bard’s Perform check to avoid losing the spell. A bard can keep up his jarring song for 10 rounds.
• Song of Fury (Su): A bard of 14th level or higher with at least 17 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can turn his allies into furious berserkers. Each ally within 30 feet who can see and hear the bard can choose to enter a rage on her turn. This functions identically to a barbarian’s rage, except that it ends automatically if the bard stops performing. If the ally already already has the ability to rage, she can choose to apply the full effect of her own rage, without spending one of her daily uses of rage. A bard can’t use a song of fury on himself. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Discourage Legion (Su): A bard of 15th level or higher with at least 18 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can sow discord among his enemies and make them fight poorly. To be affected, an enemy must be within 60 feet of the bard and must be able to see and hear the bard. Only enemies who meet these requirements at the beginning of this ability are affected, and enemies who leave the area lose the effects of this ability and do not regain them if they reenter the area later. The effects lasts as long as the affected characters can hear and see the bard and stay within range.
  
  When the bard activates this ability, determine the worstst base attack bonus among all the affected characters. All affected characters use this base attack bonus for the duration of the effect, and they take a -2 penalty on damage rolls as well. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Inspire Legion (Su): A bard of 15th level or higher with at least 18 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can unite his allies and make them fight better together. To be affected, an ally must be within 60 feet of the bard and must be able to see and hear the bard. Only allies who meet these requirements at the beginning of this ability are affected, and allies who leave the area lose the effects of this ability and do not regain them if they reenter the area later. The effects lasts as long as the affected characters can hear and see the bard and stay within range.
  
  When the bard activates this ability, determine the best base attack bonus among all the affected characters. All affected characters use this base attack bonus for the duration of the effect, and they gain a +2 competence bonus on damage rolls as well. This is a mind-affecting ability.
• Mindbending Melody (Sp): A bard of 16th level or higher with at least 19 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can dominate a humanoid that he has already fascinated. This ability functions like the dominate person spell with a caster level equal to the bard’s class level. The target can make a Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s class level + bard’s Charisma modifier) to negate the effect. This is a mind-affecting, language-dependent, enchantment (compulsion) ability.
• Revealing Melody (Su): A bard of 17th level or higher with at least 20 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can reveal all things as they really are. All allies with 30 feet who can see and hear the bard’s performance are affected as if by a true seeing spell with a caster level equal to the bard’s class level. The effect lasts as long as the bard performs.
• Drain Prowess (Su): A bard of 18th level or higher with at least 21 ranks in a Perform who learns this performance can drain the capabilities of up to four enemies within 30 feet, weakening them. For every 3 levels a bard attains beyond 18th, he can target one additional creature with a single use of this ability. To be affected the enemies must be able to hear or see the bard’s performance. A creature that fails its Will save (DC 10 + ½ bard’s level + bard’s Charisma modifier) gains 2 negative levels. These negative levels remain as long as the affected creature can hear or see the bard. They never result in a permanent level loss.

Bardic Knowledge: As the standard bard.
Spells: Charisma determines the bard's bonus spells per day and the save DCs of those spells. Intelligence grants the bard bonus spells known. Bards cast spells from their own spell list. Use the spell tables found in the PHB to determine the base number of spells a bard knows and can cast per day.
Bonus Feat: Every 5th level, a bard can take a metaperformance feat or a feat related to bardic music. A list of these feats is forthcoming.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Bump, need more mid-level performance abilities.

[Zeta Kai]

Could you please explain WHY you are remaking the bard? I'm not necessarily saying it shouldn't be done, but you should state why you disalike the current mechanics. Fighter? Join the club. Paladin? By all means. But whats wrong with the bard?

[Lord Iames Osari]

I think it needs a bit of a boost to allow it to work as part of a four-member party, and I also think it should have more options for customizability.

[Haruspex]

At 1st level the bard knows 3 performances and learns 1 more every level thereafter.

So assuming max ranks the bard can pick up countersong, fascinate, and inspire courage at 1st level, followed by inspire fear at level 2.

At level 3? There are no more performances that the bard can learn until level 6. Was this intentional, or are you going to fill in the gap later?

[Lord Iames Osari]

I'm going to fill in the gap later, yes. That is, provided I can think up nifty abilities to fill the gap.

[Maerok]

-Song of Violence: Incite a mob of CR up to HD - 2 (DMG 2).
-Ballad of Devils: Otto's irresistible dance and Tasha's hideous laughter
-Heavy Iron Style: Randomly makes listener's rage as a Xth-level barbarian.
-Exit Stage Left/Right (Exeunt): Dimension door for a bardic music use as a move action, allowing for other actions that round.
-Dance of the Immobile: Animate object.
-Bass Chord: Earthquake and shatter.
-C-Sharp: Create a blade of sound that penetrates DR for 1d6 rounds (Kung Fu Hustle style, with the musicians).
-Trippy: Mirage arcane (or hallucinatory terrain) and 1d4 major images.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Those sound more like spells than performance abilities, and they're a bit high level than what I need.

I currently have no performances that for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 13th, 18th, 19th, and 20th levels, and I could use more performances for every level.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Involving Storyteller
Once a Bard has Facinated someone, he may weave an illusionary vision for them, making them oblivious to the world about them. The Bard may show the person anything which he has seen, or can vividly imagine. To the subject, it will seem as though they are actually experiencing it. The bard can choose to make the person feel as though they are a neutral observer, or an active participant of the story which is unfolding. During this time, the target automatically fails any sensory checks (listen, spot, and search) and is completely oblivous to anything that goes on around him, up to and including shoving and/or shaking him. Any attack which causes damage, even subdual, will instantly break the effect, and the target must make a Will save, DC 15, or be mentally stunned for one round as his surroundings abruptly snap back to reality.

When the bard is able to facinate multiple targets, he may affect all his facinated targets with one use of this ability, although all of them will have exactly the same view in the vision. At level 15, his control improves, and each person can have a different view of the same vision, however doing so increases the DC of the Perform check by 2 per additional view.

This can be used to relay messages or tell very vivid tales... and can also be used to trap listeners's minds in a net of woven music whilest a compatriat literally robs them blind.

[magic8BALL]

Here's an idea... but first the storey behind the idea:

There is a relatively new gamer in our group. He likes to play bards. His first bard was pretty cool, but he didn't role play it very well, and all our PC's didn't really like his PC... ok... His next bard got cleaver: "why spend hard earned gold on an instrument when I have a spell to summon one..?"... well becouse instead of getting an instrument out you could be playing it... but thats ok... the third bard was rather poorly built. The concept was "why spend ranks on perform when I dont have an instument..?" You see the problem?

My point (at long last!) is that is a bit rought to have all your class abilities (bar spellcasting) skill dependent.

A solution: bards have 8 + Int mod skill points per level (x4 at 1st), but a least two of these skill points MUST be spent on Perform (any one, taken individually)

Tack that on the end of the skills section on this redux and I'm sold!

[Lord Iames Osari]

@ Shneekey: That's nifty.

Level and Perform ranks required?

@ Magic8ball: That seems to me to be more of a player problem than a class problem.

[Fax Celestis]

A few ideas:

Resonating Tone: spend a performance to make construct susceptible to criticals and sneak attacks for the duration.

Arcane Loresong: spend X performances to regain a spent spellslot of X level. Alternatively, spend X performances to grant a party member a spent spellslot of X/2 level. Max X is 1/3 Class Level.

Song of Wind and Fury: Grant all allies within radius +X (morale) to Str, Dex, and Con (including self) for X rounds. X is equal to number of performances spent. Max X is 1/2 Class Level.

[Lord Iames Osari]

More great ideas from one of the Playground's finest homebrewers! Excellent!

[Merlin the Tuna]

I currently have no performances that for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 13th, 18th, 19th, and 20th levels, and I could use more performances for every level.

Problem: If you get into "At 3rd level, the bard can ____" and "At 4th level, the bard can ____", you don't really have any customization, you just have a crapton of abilities. Take a page from the Warlock on this one -- make a few breakpoints, and force actual decision making.

I don't see a need for a bard to know 22 different magical songs, anyway. It's not like he spends the entire night inspiring courage when he goes to the inn.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Ah, yes... I need to adjust the wording on those. Basically, at every level, a bard can learn a new performance, so I need to have options to pick from, ne?

Edit: There. Wording adjusted.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Hmmm... I was thinking requiring Perform at 8 ranks... which means 5th level, which isn't too bad. As far as the DC check, I was actually thinking it was a Perform check to do it rather than a saving throw. Basically, they're already facinated, so they're already open to suggestion, this just gives 'em a nudge further in that direction. I was thinking something like 10 + the Will save of the opponent (including any modifiers since this is an Enchantment/Charm effect). +2 DC per additional target. +2 DC for each additional viewpoint.

By the way, I noticed you removed the Suggestion ability. Why? It was pretty much the one thing I agreed completely about the Core Bard. I highly suggest it gets put back. Perhaps even give a bonus to the DC of the Suggestion if he's using this little skill first...

[Kioran]

The one thing I don´t get about this is the "Redux" aspect. Because, apparently, "Redux" means "stack tons of swag upon it". I dunno, okay, I was taught Latin(which I expects isn´t quite as common stateside as it is in Germany), and I also read the spells list(which almost all of you have done).

Reduction is just that - taking parts away, either for the sake of simplification or to weaken. So a "Redux"-class would have, first and foremost, a lighter and more transparent portfolio of class features, not umptillion tons of new Stuff. The name is quite far off in that case......

I would also devote some timeto the skills. I´d like to think that they are not dead yet, swept aside by a swill of Spells and Features making them obsolete. Besides, I´m never a fan of simply increasing Power.

[Zeta Kai]

Uh, Kioran, the author is using "Redux" in the sense of "Re-doing, to make over again." It has nothing to do with reduction.

Personally, I like this idea. It makes the bard's abilities more specific. The different performances will have to be carefully balanced to work properly though. Good luck, LIO.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Funny you should mention Latin. I study it as well. Unless I miss my guess, redux, reductis (3rd declension) is derived from reduco, reducere, reduxi, reductus - to lead back.

But anyway, Zeta Kai has it right. I'm using it to mean "a remaking" rather than a "reduction".

[Lord Iames Osari]

Added new performances

[Eighth_Seraph]

Classes to play:

• Iames' Reduxed monk (Campaign starts tomorrow)
• Fax's How-It-Should-Be paladin
• Iames' Reduxed bard

Seriously, let me get one done before you move on. However, if anyone manages to balance the druid, I may have to change my priorities a bit. Looking very good so far, Iames; the bard is finally looking like the incredibly variable class it is; though I am very frightened by the lack if a specified spell list. Any player with a spell compendium and Complete Arcane is going to have a field day with that.

[Fax Celestis]

It may be a broad spell list, but it only goes up to sixes and gets them much later than other classes do.

[henebry]

You don't seem to have a separate tables for spells known and spells per day. Does that mean that the same table is used for both, but a different ability adj is applied (Int for spells known, Cha for spells per day)?

Worth noting that having a single table for both makes your Bard class different from any of the Core classes in the SRD (or any other splatbook I've read) The same can be said for granting extra spells known (as well as extra spells per day) for a good ability adj. Not sure this is a big deal, but always worth noting when a homebrew violates one of the apparently fundamental design principles of the system.

[Lord Iames Osari]

You don't seem to have a separate tables for spells known and spells per day. Does that mean that the same table is used for both, but a different ability adj is applied (Int for spells known, Cha for spells per day)?

Worth noting that having a single table for both makes your Bard class different from any of the Core classes in the SRD (or any other splatbook I've read) The same can be said for granting extra spells known (as well as extra spells per day) for a good ability adj. Not sure this is a big deal, but always worth noting when a homebrew violates one of the apparently fundamental design principles of the system.

I knew I was forgetting something... I'll get to work on a Spells Known table...

Edit: On second thought, just use the PHB tables for that.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Some feats that go with the bard...

Combine Performances [Metaperformance]
You can blend multiple performances together.
Prerequisites: Perform 13 ranks, 4 or more bardic performances.
Benefit: You can combine two or more kinds of bardic performance and provide the effects of all of them. You choose 2 or more performances and activate all of them using a single standard action. If any or all of them require concentration, you must maintain concentration on them by spending one standard action a round. The normal stacking rules for bonus types apply to performances combined using this feat. Using this feat requires the expenditure of a number of daily uses of your bardic performance ability equal to the number of performances you are combining.
Normal: You can only activate one bardic performance at a time.
Special: A bard may select this feat as one of his bonus feats.

Trapfinding [General]
You have studied the art of trapmaking and know how to find and disarm them.
Prerequisites: Craft (trapsmith) 4 ranks, Disable Device 4 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks, Search 4 ranks
Benefit: You can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20. Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.

You can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.

If you beat a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with her party) without disarming it.
Normal: Only rogues can find traps with Search DCs over 20, and only rogues can use the Disable Device skill to disable magic traps.

Virtuoso Performance [Metaperformance]
Your ability to perform is so practiced that you can perform other tasks without breaking off your performance.
Prerequisites: Perform 10 ranks, 3 or more bardic performances
Benefit: Your bardic performances no longer restrict your spellcasting or magic item activation. Applying this feat requires the expenditure of an additional daily use of your bardic performance ability.
Normal: You cannot cast spells or activate magic items while maintaining a bardic performance.
Special: A bard may select this feat as one of his bonus feats.

[Eighth_Seraph]

The Metaperformances are exactly what the bard needs to be competent, nicely done. We need to playtest the eight base classes against each when you're done with them, perhaps having round robin-style tournament like on the gaming boards. Just a thought.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Bump. I need at least 2 performances for each bard level.

{table="head"]Performance|Prerequisites
Countersong|Perform 3 ranks
Fascinate|Perform 3 ranks
Inspire Courgae|Perform 3 ranks
Inspire Fear|Perform 3 ranks
Mimicking Song|Perform 3 ranks
Draining Performance|Bard 2, Perform 5 ranks
Refreshing Performance|Bard 2, Perform 5 ranks
~|Bard 3, Perform 6 ranks
~|Bard 3, Perform 6 ranks
~|Bard 4, Perform 7 ranks
~|Bard 4, Perform 7 ranks
Song of Learning|Bard 4, see text
Involving Storyteller|Bard 5, Perform 8 ranks
~|Bard 5, Perform 8 ranks
Encourage Failure|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Dread|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Hope|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Toughness|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Suggestion|Bard 6, Perform 9 ranks
Inspire Resilience|Bard 7, Perform 10 ranks
~|Bard 7, Perform 10 ranks
Inflame the Righteous|Bard 8, Perform 11 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 5 ranks
Persuasive Song|Bard 8, Perform 11 ranks
Singing Shout|Bard 8, Perform 11 ranks
Dishearten|Bard 9, Perform 12 ranks
Inspire Recklessness|Bard 9, Perform 12 ranks
Convert the Unfaithful|Bard 10, Perform 13 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 5 ranks
Sustaining Song|Bard 10, Perform 13 ranks
~|Bard 11, Perform 14 ranks
~|Bard 11, Perform 14 ranks
Dirge of Binding|Bard 12, Perform 15 ranks
Inspire Awe|Bard 12, Perform 15 ranks
Jarring Song|Bard 12, Perform 15 ranks
~|Bard 13, Perform 16 ranks
~|Bard 13, Perform 16 ranks
Song of Fury|Bard 14, Perform 17 ranks
~|Bard 14, Perform 17 ranks
Discourage Legion|Bard 15, Perform 18 ranks
Inspire Legion|Bard 15, Perform 18 ranks
Mindbending Melody|Bard 16, Perform 19 ranks
~|Bard 16, Perform 19 ranks
Revealing Meldoy|Bard 17, Perform 20 ranks
~|Bard 17, Perform 20 ranks
Drain Prowess|Bard 18, Perform 21 ranks
~|Bard 18, Perform 21 ranks
~|Bard 19, Perform 22 ranks
~|Bard 19, Perform 22 ranks
~|Bard 20, Perform 23 ranks
~|Bard 20, Perform 23 ranks[/table]

[Zagreen]

Getting access to every spell and learning a new performance every level might be a little bit too much IMHO, but I like the structure of the class. Most of the additional songs in new supplements always cost feats the bard can't afford or else require certain races in order to take substitution levels.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Here's the rub: he gains access to every spell - of 6th level or lower, and he does so much, much more slowly than the other casting classes.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Involving Storyteller (Su): A bard of 5th level or higher with at least 8 ranks in a Perform skill who learns this performance can weave an illusionary vision for a person he has fascinated, making them oblivious to the world about them. The bard can show the person anything which he has seen, or can vividly imagine. To the subject, it will seem as though they are actually experiencing it. The bard can choose to make the person feel as though they are a neutral observer, or an active participant of the story which is unfolding. During this time, the target automatically fails any sensory checks (Listen, Spot, and Search) and is completely oblivous to anything that goes on around him, up to and including shoving and/or shaking him. Any attack which causes damage, even nonlethal damage, will instantly break the effect, and the target must make a Will save (DC 15) or be stunned for one round as his surroundings abruptly snap back to reality. Using this ability does not break the bard’s concentration on the fascinate effect, nor does it allow a second saving throw against the fascinate effect. Making a suggestion doesn’t count against a bard’s daily limit on bardic music performances. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + ½ bard’s level + bard’s Cha modifier) negates the effect.

When the bard is able to fascinate multiple targets, he may affect all his fascinated targets with one use of this ability, although all of them will have exactly the same view in the vision. At level 15, his control improves, and each person can have a different view of the same vision.

Bolded part is the part I question about. This seems copied/pasted from the suggestion section, and doesn't seem to fit. Although you might want to add that since the target is still facinated, a suggestion can still be planted while this effect is going on.

I'd suggest requiring a Performance Check DC each affected person's will save rather than allowing a Will Save, just because it's more in line with the Facinate ability, which this is built on, and seems more fitting to me.