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Note: This class revision is intended for balance within D&D Heroic Edition but it is hoped that it will be playable in regular D&D.
A bard stirs emotions with her performances and channels her intensity to produce bardic music effects that enhance and help her allies while simultaneously imparing and harming her opponents. The bard is the best at inspiring her allies to greater heights, magically enhancing them to perform beyond their natural ability. Against her foes she uses her music to curse them, weakening their will, resolve, & fortitude. The most powerful bard can even slay her opponents with a single, perfect spund.
Changes to the Bard.
The bard loses all spellcasting ability. She retains her bardic music ability but this is changed. See below for a complete description. She also loses her fascinate, suggestion, and mass suggestion abilities. She retains her weapon and armor proficiencies, along with HD, BAB, saves, skills, and alignment restriction.
The bard gains an At-Will bardic music ability that may produce a range of beneficial and harmful effects. She also gains an At-Will burst radius attack that may be used during bardic music.
Alignment: nonlawful HD: standard BAB: standard Skills: all classes receive an additional 2 skill points per level Saves: standard Weapon & Armor Proficiencies: standard Spells: removed
Armored Musician: A bard can use her bardic music spell-like ability, including her Sonic Disruption ability, while wearing any type of armor or shield without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance as her bardic music ability only has a verbal component. A multiclass bard still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spell-like abilities received from other classes.
Allegro (Ex)
At 7th level the bard learns how to quickly change her music. She may change both her Melody and Counter-Melody with a single standard action.
Crescendo (Ex)
At 11th level the bard learns how to place more force and emphasis in her music, extending the range of her Melodies to 120ft.
Presto (Ex)
At 15th level the bard's speed and precision increases, allowing her to change both her Melody and Counter-Melody with a single move action.
Harmony (Ex)
At 19th level the bard has mastered the art of harmonics, allowing her to perform an additional Melody concurrently with her standard Melody and Counter-Melody. She is able to produce two Melodies and one Counter-Melody at the same time.
Sonic Disruption (Sp): At-Will
While performing her bardic music, the bard is able to infuse her music with accents that briefly flood the senses of her opponents. During her performance she may make a sonic disruption as a standard action. Each opponent within a 10ft radius burst of the bard takes 1d6 sonic damage as the music assaults their bodies. A Fortitude save halves this damage, DC 10 + half your bard level (minimum 1) + your Charisma modifier.
This damage increases by +1d6 every other level, to a maximum of +10d6 at 19th level. The range of the effect increases according to the table.
Bardic Music (Sp): At-Will [new rules start in second paragraph]
Spoiler
A bard can use her song or poetics to produce magical effects on those around her (usually including herself, if desired). While these abilities fall under the category of bardic music and the descriptions discuss singing or playing instruments, they can all be activated by reciting poetry, chanting, singing lyrical songs, singing melodies, whistling, playing an instrument, or playing an instrument in combination with some spoken performance. Each ability requires both a minimum bard level and a minimum number of ranks in the Perform skill to qualify; if a bard does not have the required number of ranks in at least one Perform skill, she does not gain the bardic music ability until she acquires the needed ranks.
A bard has two kinds of effects she may produce with her bardic music. Melodies are beneficial effects that grant some ability, bonus, or other effect to her allies. Counter-Melodies are harmful effects that impair, hamper or otherwise harm her enemies. When using bardic music a bard may play 1 Melody and 1 Counter-Melody at a single time. A bards allies are immune to all effects of her Counter-Melodies.
Starting a bardic music effect is a standard action. All bardic music effects last for a number of rounds equal to the bards highest rank in perform. A bard must concentrate on her bardic music, spending a swift action each turn to maintain it. If the bard is distracted (as per the rules under the Concentration skill) she must make a Concentration check to maintain the bardic music, except that she uses her Perform modifier for the Perform skill she is creating the bardic music with instead of her Concentration modifier. Her actions while maintaining bardic music are otherwise unrestricted. She may move, attack, or otherwise act normally as long as she spends a swift action each turn to maintain the effect. If using an instrument the bard must be able to play the instrument and wield a weapon in order to make weapon attacks. A deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use bardic music.
While bardic music is active a bard may change either the Melody or Counter-Melody as a standard action. At 7th level a bard may change both the Melody and the Counter-Melody as a standard action. At 15th level a bard may change both the Melody and Counter-Melody as a move action. At 19th level a bard may sing an additonal Melody, in addition to her standard Melody and Counter-Melody.
When the bard changes the bardic music effect, either Melody or Counter-Melody, the old effect ends immediately and the new effect begins immediately. Allies no longer receive the benefit of the old Melody, instead gaining the benefits of the new Melody. Opponents no longer suffer the effects of the old Counter-Melody and are now subject to the effects of the new Counter-Melody. If the old Counter-Melody imposed a status condition, such as frightened or exahausted, that status is removed. However if the opponent is dead as a result of the Counter-Melody the opponent remains dead and any damage caused by the bards Sonic Disruption ability remains when the effect ends.
Bardic Music Effects.
Spoiler
A bards bardic music has a limited range at which she may affect allies or opponents. Melodies effect each ally that can hear the bard within 60ft. At 11th level this range increase to 120ft. Counter-Melodies affect opponents that can hear the bard. Each Counter-Melody has a specified range. For Counter-Melodies use the bards ranks in the Perform skill she is using to create the bardic music effect. in when referring to caster level. If the Counter-Melody requires that the bard Concentrate to maintain the effect, this requirement is subsumed under the general requirement for the bard to spend a swift action each round to maintain bardic music and does not require any additional actions.
If a Counter-Melody requires a saving throw the DC is 10 + half your bard level (minimum 1) + your Charisma modifier. As bardic music effects are not spells the bard cannot benefit from the Spell Focus feat, but the Ability Focus feat will increase the save DC for the chosen Counter-Melody.
Opponents may only be affected by a specific Counter-Melody once per day. Regardless of whether the opponent makes or fails their saving throw, or even if there is no saving throw, that opponent is immune to the effects of that specific Counter-Melody for 24 hours. If the opponent is harmed by the Counter-Melody the immunity happens immediately after the bardic music effect ends. If the opponent is not harmed by the Counter-Melody he simply ignores the effect and is thereafter immune to that Counter-Melody for 24 hours.
Melodies
Spoiler
Inspire Courage
A bard of 1st level or higher with 4 ranks in Perform can use song or poetics to inspire courage in her allies (including herself), bolstering their will and improving their combat abilities. To be affected an ally must be able to hear the bard perform. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws and a +1 morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. These bonuses increase by +1 every four bard levels, to a maximum +6 at 20th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability.
Inspire Celerity
A bard of 1st level or higher 4 ranks in Perform can use song or poetics to inspire celerity in her allies (including herself), quicking their reflexes and improving their agility. To be affected an ally must be able to hear the bard perform. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on Reflex saving throws and a +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class. These bonuses increase by +1 every four bard levels, to a maximum +6 at 20th level. Inspire celerity is a mind-affecting ability.
Inspire Greatness
A bard of 1st level or higher with 4 ranks in Perform can use song or poetics to inspire greatness in her allies (including herself), fortifying their resolve and strengthending their bodies. To be affected an ally must be able to hear the bard perform. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on Fortitude saving throws and damage reduction 1/lawful. These bonuses increase by +1 every four bard levels, to a maximum +6 at 20th level. Inspire greatness is a mind-affecting ability.
Inspire Competence
A bard of 3rd level or higher with 6 or more ranks in Perform can use his music or poetics to help an ally succeed at a task. The ally must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the bard. The bard must also be able to see the ally.
The ally gets a +2 competence bonus on skill checks with a particular skill as long as he or she continues to hear the bard’s music. Certain uses of this ability are infeasible. A bard can’t inspire competence in himself. This bonus increases by +1 per per two bard levels, with a maximum bonus of +10 at 19th level. Inspire competence is a mind-affecting ability.
Heroes Respite
A bard of 9th level or higher with 12 or more ranks in Perform can play a tune that refreshes and invigorates her allies bodies (including herself). To be affected an ally must be able to see and hear the bard. The bard must also be able to see the ally.
The ally gains Fast Healing 1, up to half their full normal hit points. The rate of Fast Healing increases by +1 for every 4 bard levels, to a maximum Fast Healing 6 at 20th level.
Song of Freedom
A bard of 13th level or higher with 16 or more ranks in Perform can use music or poetics to create an effect equivalent to the break enchantment spell (caster level equals the character’s highest ranks in Perform). Using this ability requires 1 minute of uninterrupted concentration and music, and it functions on a single target within 30 feet. A bard can’t use song of freedom on herself.
Inspire Heroics
A bard of 17th level or higher with 20 or more ranks in Perform can use music or poetics to inspire tremendous heroism in her allies (including herself). To inspire heroics, a bard must sing and an ally must hear the bard sing for a full round. A creature so inspired gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws, a +4 dodge bonus to AC and a +4 morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Inspire heroics is a mind-affecting ability.
Counter-Melodies
Spoiler
Visible Sound
A bard of 1st level or higher with 4 ranks in Perform can create visual representations of the sound she produces. The bards performance creates a twisting pattern of subtle, shifting colors that weave through the air, fascinating creatures within it. The colors surround the bard in a 10ft radius spread.
Roll 2d4 and add your caster level (maximum 10) to determine the total number of Hit Dice of creatures affected. Creatures with the fewest HD are affected first; and, among creatures with equal HD, those who are closest to the bard are affected first. Hit Dice that are not sufficient to affect a creature are wasted. Affected creatures become fascinated by the pattern of colors. Sightless creatures are not affected.
Will saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Visible Sound is an illlusion (pattern), mind-affecting effect.
Dissonant Harmony
A bard of 2nd level or higher with 5 ranks in Perform knows how to create music that attacks the psyche of her opponents, causing them to recall past failures and lose heart. Opponents within the 30ft cone-shaped burst that fail their saving throw suffer a -3 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, and skill checks.
Will saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Dissonant Harmony is an enchantment mind-affecting effect.
Forced Rest
A bard of 4th level or higher with 7 ranks in Perform may force her opponents to calm themselves, making them unable to feel strong emotions. Opponents within the 20ft radius spread are calmed. That bard has no control over the affected creatures, but forced rest can stop raging creatures from fighting or joyous ones from reveling. Creatures so affected cannot take violent actions (although they can defend themselves) or do anything destructive. Any aggressive action against or damage dealt to a rested creature immediately breaks the spell on all rested creatures.
This music automatically suppresses (but does not dispel) any morale bonuses granted by effects such as bless, good hope, and rage, as well as negating a bard’s ability to inspire courage or a barbarian’s rage ability. It also suppresses any fear effects and removes the confused condition from all targets. While the spell lasts, a suppressed spell or effect has no effect. When the forced rest music ends, the original effect takes hold of the creature again, provided that its duration has not expired in the meantime.
Will saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Forced Rest is an enchantment (compulsion) mind-affecting effect.
Lullaby
A bard of 6th level or higher with 9 ranks in Perform can play a tune that causes drowsiness and weariness in her opponents. Lullaby causes a magical slumber to come upon 10 Hit Dice of creatures within a 20ft radius burst. Creatures with the fewest HD are affected first.
Among creatures with equal HD, those who are closest to the bard are affected first. Hit Dice that are not sufficient to affect a creature are wasted.
Sleeping creatures are helpless. Slapping or wounding awakens an affected creature, but normal noise does not. Awakening a creature is a standard action (an application of the aid another action).
Lullaby does not target unconscious creatures, constructs, or undead creatures.
Will saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Lullaby is an enchantment (compulsion) mind-affecting effect.
Largo
An bard of 8th level or higher with 11 ranks in Perform can create sound vibrations that reverberate through her opponents bodies, slowing them down and hindering their movement. The bard selects one opponent per caster level within 60ft, no two of which can be more than 30 ft apart. An affected creature can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions). Additionally, it takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, AC, and Reflex saves. An affected creature moves at half its normal speed (round down to the next 5-foot increment), which affects the creature’s jumping distance as normal for decreased speed.
Fortitude saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Largo is a transmutation effect.
Haunting Melody
A bard of 10th level or higher with 13 ranks in Perform can play a haunting tune that dredges up fears and painful memories in her opponents. Living opponents within the 30ft cone-shaped burst that fail their saving throw become panicked. If cornered, a panicked creature begins cowering. If the saving throw succeeds, the creature is shaken for 1 round.
Will saving throw partial. Spell Resistance applies. Haunting Melody is a necromancy mind-affecting effect.
Dirge of Dissonance
A bard of 12th level or higher with 15 ranks in Perform can create music that fills her opponents mind with horrible visions of suffering and the screams of the tormented. The music surrounds the bard in a 20ft radius spread and affected opponents take a -4 penalty on attacks rolls and Dexterity and have their movement rate cut in half (minimum 5ft). An affected opponent that tries to use a spell-like ability must make a Concentration check to use the ability with a DC of 10 + the bards highest rank in Perform.
Will saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Dirge of Dissonance is an enchantment (compulsion) mind-affecting effect.
Enthralling Performance
A bard of 14th level or higher with 17 ranks in Perform has mastered a style of performance that leaves her opponents enthralled and stupified. Opponents within a 40ft radius of the bard that fail their saving throw have their mental resistance weakened by the bards performance. Opponents affected take a -10 competence penalty on Wisdom checks and Will saves.
Will saving throw negates. Spell Resistance applies. Enthralling Performance is an enchantment (compulsion) mind-affecting effect.
Fatiguing Melody
A bard of 16th level or higher with 19 ranks in Perform may create music that attacks her opponents body directly, placing it under extraordinary stress and causing it to become fatigued. All living opponents within the 30ft cone-shaped burst become fatigued. The music has no effect on a creature that is already fatigued.
No saving throw. Spell Resistance applies. Fatiguing Melody is a necromancy effect.
Exhausting Melody
An bard of 18th level or higher with 21 ranks in Perform may enhance her music with strains of dissonance that stress the senses of her opponents, draining their motivation and ability to act. All living opponents with the 60ft cone-shaped burst become exhausted. The music has no effect on a creature that is already exhausted.
No saving throw. Spell Resistance applies. Exhausting Melody is a necromancy effect.
Perfect Sound
A bard of 20th level or higher with 24 ranks in Perform has learned how to create a single, perfect sound. This sound completely overwhelms the senses of her opponents. The music is so pure and supernatural that it obliterates the opponents mind and soul. Opponents within the 40ft radius burst centered on the bard must succeed on a saving throw or die.
Opponents that make their saving throw are thereafter immune to the Perfect Sound of the bard for 24 hours.
Fortitude negates. Spell Resistance applies. Perfect Sound is a necromancy effect.
__________________ The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai Me. "We have sent many to Hell, to smooth our way," said I, "and we are standing yet and holding blades. What more?"
I particularly like this Bard variant. I'm actually planning to make a similar class soon.
Just a few questions though:
What type of action is sonic disruption? Full Round, Standard, Move, Swift, Immediate, Free?
Under Bardic Music you mention they can attack normally while performing. I wonder how they would do so while using an instrument.
I take it they are supposed to be playing the entire time they use Bardic Music's effect.
Can they use Bardic Music as often as they like? Meaning any number of times per day.
On the Perform checks, it seems it should be based on the current instrument (or vocals) being used rather than the highest. It doesn't make sense that a Bard who's only learned to play the violin would be fine if he lost the violin and had to use a flute.
When you say the effects last a number of rounds equal to highest ranks in perform, does that mean per use or are they only able to use the bardic music that long each day?
On the skills, you say +2 per level. Is that to how much a bard normally gets, or is it reduced to int mod + 2?
I take it Bardic Knowledge is gone.
Also on a side not, you accidentally have <br> in the level 1 special abilities.
Owrtho
__________________
My Homebrew
[creature]Shiny: Monster Competition XXXVI entry.
[class]Wisp fire guide: Follow me. I have such sights to show you.
[class]Ozodrin: A class to play as an eldritch horror. other hombrew
I particularly like this Bard variant. I'm actually planning to make a similar class soon.
Thanks!
Quote:
What type of action is sonic disruption? Full Round, Standard, Move, Swift, Immediate, Free?
As noted it is a Standard Action.
Quote:
Under Bardic Music you mention they can attack normally while performing. I wonder how they would do so while using an instrument. I take it they are supposed to be playing the entire time they use Bardic Music's effect.
If the bard can wield a weapon and play the instrument then they can make attacks freely. If they can't wield a weapon and play the instrument at the same time then they can't attack with a weapon.
I believe there are some special instruments that can act as weapons? Anyone have a source for this? In this case the bard could attack normally and continue bardic music as long as she spends a swift action each round.
Quote:
Can they use Bardic Music as often as they like? Meaning any number of times per day.
As noted it is At Will.
Quote:
On the Perform checks, it seems it should be based on the current instrument (or vocals) being used rather than the highest. It doesn't make sense that a Bard who's only learned to play the violin would be fine if he lost the violin and had to use a flute.
That's true. I'll change it.
Quote:
When you say the effects last a number of rounds equal to highest ranks in perform, does that mean per use or are they only able to use the bardic music that long each day?
That means per use of the bardic music. It's an At Will ability, so they can activate it as many times per day as they want, but it has a limited duration. It may seem pointless to have an At Will ability with a limited duration, but it works to balance with regard to action economy. The bard can restart the bardic music once it stops but it takes a standard action.
Quote:
On the skills, you say +2 per level. Is that to how much a bard normally gets, or is it reduced to int mod + 2?
In addition to what bards normally get. I'll make it clearer, but every class in Heroic Edition receives 2 additional skill points per level.
Quote:
I take it Bardic Knowledge is gone.
Ack! Nope, it's not gone. I just forgot to put it in the post. Thanks for catch.
Quote:
Also on a side not, you accidentally have <br> in the level 1 special abilities.
Hmm. I think that's an effect of putting the line break in the code. I'll see if I can color it out.
__________________ The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai Me. "We have sent many to Hell, to smooth our way," said I, "and we are standing yet and holding blades. What more?"
I must have just missed where it mentioned some of those action types.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unnamedhero
If the bard can wield a weapon and play the instrument then they can make attacks freely. If they can't wield a weapon and play the instrument at the same time then they can't attack with a weapon.
I believe there are some special instruments that can act as weapons? Anyone have a source for this? In this case the bard could attack normally and continue bardic music as long as she spends a swift action each round.
I see. I'd suggest making it clear that that's the case.
Not sure about those special instruments though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by unnamedhero
That means per use of the bardic music. It's an At Will ability, so they can activate it as many times per day as they want, but it has a limited duration. It may seem pointless to have an At Will ability with a limited duration, but it works to balance with regard to action economy. The bard can restart the bardic music once it stops but it takes a standard action.
I agree about having the duration given the standard action to start. I plan something similar with the class I'm making (though it will use the tune mechanic I put in my sponge class).
Quote:
Originally Posted by unnamedhero
Hmm. I think that's an effect of putting the line break in the code. I'll see if I can color it out.
I've seen people use that before, but it doesn't actually seem to work on these forums.
Owrtho
__________________
My Homebrew
[creature]Shiny: Monster Competition XXXVI entry.
[class]Wisp fire guide: Follow me. I have such sights to show you.
[class]Ozodrin: A class to play as an eldritch horror. other hombrew
I think it changes the [ br ] tag to < br > after you post. Not sure why.
__________________ The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai Me. "We have sent many to Hell, to smooth our way," said I, "and we are standing yet and holding blades. What more?"
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[3.5/Heroic]Bard Revision
