A New Bard Handbook - First Draft Complete. Thoughts?

[JoshuaD]

Is there any argument that you can replace inspire competence with song of the heart? I had a few people tell me that I could replace it a while back, and I never caught the requirement that Gabrosin pointed at.

I'd really like to be able to replace inspire competence with song of the heart. Is there any argument, or is Gabrosin simply right?

[Theodred theOld]

Not sure why whirling blade is red. I get alot of damage out of that one, especially when IC is pumping out +7/+7 or more or DFI is adding +6d6 and you get to add your CHA to hit and damage (which should be relatively high for a bard) and bladeweave is active (forcing multiple will saves vs dazed). Also song of the heart requires inspire competence so barring a really generous dm you're stuck.

[Gabrosin]

Is there any argument that you can replace inspire competence with song of the heart? I had a few people tell me that I could replace it a while back, and I never caught the requirement that Gabrosin pointed at.

I'd really like to be able to replace inspire competence with song of the heart. Is there any argument, or is Gabrosin simply right?

Hey man, I'd really like it if that were the case too. But it seems pretty clear.

A character can’t use a feat if he or she has lost a prerequisite.

Even if you were allowed to make the swap, not having inspire competence means you don't gain the benefits of the feat. You can ask your DM for an exception, but that's all it would be.

On the flip side, if you intend to trade out suggestion anyway, there's little reason not to trade out fascinate as well. And your DM might let you sub Song of the Heart for a crappy song from a bardic prestige class if you feel the need to keep suggestion. Either way, you're probably not getting it as a freebie until sixth level at the earliest.

[Hiro Quester]

Is there any argument that you can replace inspire competence with song of the heart? I had a few people tell me that I could replace it a while back, and I never caught the requirement that Gabrosin pointed at.

I'd really like to be able to replace inspire competence with song of the heart. Is there any argument, or is Gabrosin simply right?

People want to be able to do it. the origin is probably this from ECS:

A bard can take these feats any time she would normally gain a feat, or can choose one of them as a bonus feat instead of gaining a new form of bardic music at 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, or 18th level.
These bard feats are Haunting Melody, Music of Growth, Music of Making, Song of the Heart, and Soothe the Beast.

So you can take it as a bonus feat instead of any bardic music you gain, except the prerequisite of Inspire Competence. So you could take it instead of Suggestion at 6th level.

[JoshuaD]

Yup, that's what did me in. I'll have to fix the handbook (and my current character ) soon. Thanks guys.

[JoshuaD]

Improved the formatting a ton tonight. Will be incorporating the changes you guys pointed out soon.

[Windaar]

I am building a bard and I just have to say, THANK YOU for this!! Still useful all these years later. :)

[truemane]

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