Dungeon Master Assistance

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D&D 3.5 – Iconic Bard

Leave a comment Posted by Ronny on July 31, 2012

Thinking of playing a Bard? Here is an excellent article regarding the pros and cons of playing a Bard: Bards with Class By Skip Williams.

Here is the information for playing an iconic Bard character. Start with my post on Iconic Characters, then add this specific information.

Hit Die: d6

Class Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Perform, Tumble, Use Magic Device

Class Knowledge: History

Spells: A bard casts 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). A high Cha sore will grant you additional spells per day.

Bardic music: Once per day per bard level, a bard can use his song to produce magical effects on those around him (usually including himself, if desired). The creatures affected must be able to see and hear him, and he must be able to see them. The target of the effect will normally be required to hear the music for at least one full found for the effect to take place. He must maintain his concentration to maintain the effect. The specific effects he can achieve depend on his level and are explained below.

Special abilities: The following are the special abilities available to bards. The abilities are listed under the level that they are acquired. Where an ability is described as (ref PHB), you should refer to that ability’s description in the players handbook.

1st Level
Quick Draw: You can draw a weapon as a free action instead of as a move action. You can draw a hidden weapon as a move action.
Bardic knowledge: Add +2 class bonus to Knowledge (history) checks
Bardic music – Countersong: (ref PHB)
Bardic music – Fascinate: (ref PHB)
Bardic music – Inspire courage: (ref PHB)
2nd Level
No additional abilities are added at this leve.
3rd Level
Skill Focus (Spellcraft): You get a +3 bonus on all Spellcraft checks
Bardic music – Inspire competence: (ref PHB)
4th Level
Ability Score Adjustment: Add 1 to any ability score.
Bardic music – Fascinate 2: Like Fascinate, above, but you can now fascinate up to 2 creatures.
5th Level
Replace Spell: Can “loose” a single 0-level spell in exchange for a different 0-level spell.
6th Level
Alertness: You get a +2 bonus on all Listen checks and Spot Checks.
Bardic music – Suggestion: (ref PHB)
7th Level
Bardic music – Fascinate 3: Like Fascinate, above, but you can now fascinate up to 3 creatures.
8th Level
Ability Score Adjustment: Add 1 to any ability score.
Bardic music – Inspire courage 2: Like inspire courage above, but your ally’s now get +2 bonuses.
Replace Spell: Upon reaching 8th level, you can “loose” a single 0-level spell or 1st-level spell in exchange for a different spell of the same level.
9th Level
Skill Focus (Use Magic Device): You get a +3 bonus on all Use Magic Device checks
Bardic music – Inspire Greatness: (ref PHB)
10th Level
Bardic music – Fascinate 4: Like Fascinate, above, but you can now fascinate up to 4 creatures.
11th Level
Replace Spell: Can “loose” a single 0, 1st or 2nd level spell in exchange for a different spell of the same level.
12th Level
Ability Score Adjustment: Add 1 to any ability score.
Agile: You get a +2 bonus on all Balance checks and Escape Artist checks
Bardic music – Song of Freedom: (ref PHB)
13th Level
Bardic music – Fascinate 5: Like Fascinate, above, but you can now fascinate up to 5 creatures.
14th Level
Bardic music – Inspire Courage 3: Like inspire courage above, but your ally’s now get +3 bonuses.
Replace Spell: Upon reaching 14th level, you can “loose” a single 0, 1st, 2nd or 3rd level spell in exchange for a different spell of the same level.
15th Level
Improved Initiative: You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Bardic music – Inspire Heroics: (ref PHB)
16th Level
Ability Score Adjustment: Add 1 to any ability score.
Bardic music -Fascinate 6: Like Fascinate, above, but you can now fascinate up to 5 creatures.
17th Level
Replace Spell: Can “loose” a single 0, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th level spell in exchange for a different spell of the same level.
18th Level
Spell Penetration: You get a +2 bonus on caster level checks (1d20 + caster level) made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance.
Bardic music -Inspire Heroics 2: Like Inspire Heroics, above, but you can now affect 2 allies.
Bardic music -Mass Suggestion: Like Suggestion, above, but you can affect any number of creatures that you have already fascinated (see above).
19th Level
Bardic music -Fascinate 7: Like Fascinate, above, but you can now fascinate up to 7 creatures.
20th Level
Ability Score Adjustment: Add 1 to any ability score.
Bardic music -Inspire Courage 4: Like inspire courage above, but your ally’s now get +4 bonuses.
Replace Spell: Can “loose” a single 0, 1st, 2nd, 3rd ,4th or 5th level spell in exchange for a different spell of the same level.