Bard (4E)

4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons

So far, the 4E bard is just a playtest version, and quite a bit of fiddling around might be needed to make it good.

Watchlist

• Virtue of Cunning (too weak)
• Virtue of Valor (too strong)
• Echoes of the Guardian (too weak)

Comments

• Virtue of Cunning definitely needs some improvement...removing the "once per round" restriction should do the trick. Likewise, adding the same restriction to Virtue of Valor should fix it. Fast Friends should probably work for the entire party(a free round of healing I guess). Echoes of The Guardian could trigger the Defenders' special marks(else it's just as good as your at will, since any new mark will supersede the previous). Impelling force should get an extra bonus...maybe tied to one of the virtues.
• Virtue of Cunning seems to pale in comparison to Virtue of Valor at first glance. I think making the former have a static range of 10 and making the amount you slide the ally equal to the half Bard's Int mod, would even things out. Virtue of Valor also strikes me as something much more for a Warlord than a Bard.
• Echoes of the Guardian seems rather weak as well. First off it is a very odd power compared to the rest as it is the only weapon-based power, whereas the rest are implement-based. I would hope that WotC has a bunch more weapon based powers that simply weren't included in this release if they plan to make weapon-based bards viable. Personally I would be content with an implement-only Bard, but I know that many would disagree. But I hope that they don't do what they did to Protecting Paladins and force you to maintain both a Weapon and an Implement of their level. I think those kinds of builds should be an option, but never the only option as it really stretches you thin. As for the power's specifics 2W and a recurring Misdirected Mark effect is rather unimpressive regardless. Now if it gave you a Defender-like power for your mark, it would be great. Something akin to Divine Challenge like 3+Cha psychic damage to the target when it ignores your mark would be great.

Revised Powers

Fast Friends Bard utility 1

You sing a tune of false friendship, leaving your foe in a reverie.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Charm, Implement

Standard Action      Ranged 5

Attack: Charisma vs. Will Hit: The target cannot attack you or your allies character until the end of your next turn or until you or one of your allies attacks the target.

External Links

• Bard Discussion at WotC